Love Of Family (2024 Revision) - 17. Young Love/New Relationship

"Bros, I feel like such a geek.

"Why, Bran?"

"Because, Lev, this is the first time I've been interested in someone... Ever. I've never had a date with a guy or a girl." Brandon paused to wipe the tears from his eyes and continued. "I just know I'm gonna do or say something stupid and blow this whole thing, and it'll be over before it even starts."

Levie and Greg sat on the sofa in the family room, sipping their nonalcoholic beer with Brandon sitting between them. The couple was working hard to keep their brother's mind off of his nervousness over the upcoming trail ride with Rhett.

Greg hugged Brandon, kissed his cheek, and said, "Bran, don't worry. I'm sure the two of you are gonna have an amazing time together. Just breathe, be yourself, and don't rush to do anything that either of you isn't ready for."

Brandon nodded and sighed as his second brother wrapped his good around him. "Thanks for being here for me, guys," he said, kissing his sofa mates. "I'm sorry for being such a baby about this, Greg..." He jumped and yelped when Levie lightly punched his arm and pouted.

"Bro, call yourself a baby again, and I'm gonna hogtie you and feed you creamed chipped beef with chocolate sauce and cherries on it."

"Oh, yeah? You and what army, Little Red?" Brandon pointed to Greg, saying, "Don't make me sic my bro on ya," and then blew a raspberry at his redhead brother.

Greg's and Levie's bodies quaked with laughter as they shook their heads and kissed Brandon's cheeks.

"What are you guys gonna do while everyone's gone?"

"Well, since Lev can't be too physically active, we're gonna skip making love while hanging from the trapeze," Greg responded with a smirk. He yelped and cringed when Brandon lightly smacked the side of his head.

"I think I'll get Greg to drive us to a special place," Levie offered after his giggles subsided.

"You think so, huh?"

Levie giggled and nodded.

"What makes you so sure you'll be successful, baby boy?"

"What makes you so sure I won't succeed, my brave knight?"

"I have my ways of saying no."

"Really? This news to me since you've never said no to me yet."

Brandon giggled as his head continuously turned left to right during the comedic exchange. When his brothers leaned forward, stared at one another, and stuck their tongues out at each other, he lost it. His head flew back while heartily laughing until he started coughing.

"Look what you've done? Poor Bran's gonna cough up a lung. If he’s got a breathing tube in him, what's Rhett gonna do when time comes for a kiss?"

"Me? You started it, loverboy," Levie countered and blew a raspberry at Greg.

"Guys, I'm gonna die laughing if you continue," Brandon managed to say between his laughter. "You two are fuckin' amazing brothers. Thank you for taking my mind off of this evening. I love you both so much," he added before kissing his companions' cheeks.

"See, my sexy prince? I told ya my plan of distraction would work."

"Your plan? It was my plan, Gregory Allman."

"Was not, Levie Michael."

"Was so."

Brandon's feet stomped the flooring as he rocked back and forth, laughing like crazy. "Guys... Bros," he cried out.

Levie and Greg giggled as they continued their back and forth. "It's my plan. No way, it's my plan. Nuh-uh! Yuh-huh," they hollered in unison.

"No more, bros, I have to pee," Brandon stated between his laughter.

"Ya think we should hold our adorable bro down and tickle him, Lev?"

"Don't see why not, babe. The cushions are washable."

"Nope," Brandon said while giggling. "There's no tickling the Bran when he's about to pee."

Seconds after their brother flew from the sofa and ran for the bathroom, the red and raven-haired couple moved closer so their shoulders touched. Soft, airy giggles were heard, birthed from fingertips with a feathery touch, lightly stroking and gliding along the pale, smooth skin on the undersides of their arms. Fabric-covered legs and edges of sock-clad feet caressed one another while matching tents popped up in the front of guys' jeans. Emerald green eyes stared into brown eyes before disappearing behind eyelids, moist tongues licked across trembling lips as the young men closed the almost nonexistent distance between them, and puffs of slowly inhaled and exhaled breaths floated from one mouth into the other during the loving and passionate kiss that was thoroughly enjoyed and shared.

Brandon heard something on the front porch and went to take a look. The second he saw his soon-to-be riding partner, his chin dropped, staring at the jean jacket-clad Adonis of a cowboy, smiling at him from the other side of the screen door.

Rhett stood, nervously shifting from one leg to the other, dressed in a blue denim lightweight jacket, a black and white checkerboard button-down shirt, skin-tight blue jeans that accentuated his firm ass cheeks, a pair of dark brown cowboy boots, and a tan Stetson on his head. He whistled and smiled as he took his hat off and slightly bowed his head, saying, "Damn, Bran. You're one handsome and sexy stallion."

Realizing he knew how to form words and make them to be heard, Brandon licked his lips, nodded his head, and replied, "Me? Fuck, Rhett, you're the sexiest guy I've seen." He opened the door, allowing his visitor to enter.

Once inside, Rhett hung his Stetson on the banister topper, then he and Brandon shared a warm embrace. They jumped and separated when they heard a throat clear and giggling.

"H...Hey Lev, Greg," Rhett almost stuttered as he blushed.

Levie pulled the nervous guy into a one-armed version of his signature hug. "Ya want a Bud Lite to calm you down, Rhett," he offered.

"No, thanks, Lev. Papa Bill let me have two of those small single-serving bottles of White Zinfandel and a couple of wine glasses to toast at sunset, the first of what I'm hoping will be many dates with this blonde-haired stud. I appreciate it, though."

Greg smiled, placed his arms around his brother's and Rhett's shoulders, and said, "Boys, there are to be no drugs on this trail ride, no unzipping your jeans unless you have to pee, and there should be no less than five or six bushes between the two of you. Also, don't do anything we wouldn't do or anything you'll be ashamed to talk about when you're grilled about your date later, and Rhett, have Bran home by nine o'clock tonight."

Levie giggled and took pictures of the guys when Rhett grabbed Greg, lifting the squealing and laughing brunette over his shoulder and smacking his ass as Brandon mussed his brother's hair. When the trio was posed with Greg trapped in Brandon's headlock, getting a noogie while still slung over Rhett's shoulders, he said, "Don't move, that's perfect. Smile, and say cheese."

"Cheese," Brandon and Rhett said, then brightly smiled.

"That's sooo gonna be our photo for the Christmas cards," Levie said, laughing with his brothers as his boyfriend flipped him the bird after he was back on his feet.

"You three are sooo dead," Greg playfully threatened while giggling as he and Levie hugged Rhett and Brandon and kissed their cheeks.

"Have fun, guys. We love you and are happy for the two of you," Levie said. He and Greg held hands, with their heads touching, as they watched their brothers head off to the barn, walking hand in hand. Smiling, he kissed his mate's cheek and said, "They'll make an amazing couple and grow closer as their love grows, just like us, Babe."

"I love you, Levie."

"Not more than I love you, Greg."

After sharing a gentle kiss, Levie smiled as he pulled a set of keys off the hook on the wall, closed the front door, and took Greg to the last garage bay. He opened the garage door and had his boyfriend sit in the driver's seat of Jaycen's white Nineteen-Seventy-Three Ford F-100.

"Where are we going, babe?"

"Somewhere that's very special and sacred for our family, Greg. Just follow my directions," Levie responded before kissing his mate's cheek.

Greg started the classic pickup truck, and they headed down the long drive, singing along with Wynonna's Nineteen-Ninety-Two hit "No One Else On Earth." Halfway between the ranch and Duncan Rd, Levie directed Greg to turn left onto a narrow gravel road that cut through the field and forest and led up the part of the mountain on their property.

*****

"So, ya wanna ride by yourself or ride with me?"

"I think it'd be fun to ride you," Brandon said. It took a second of hearing Rhett's laughter to realize what he said and another second for his cheeks to change color and become hot. "Umm... I... Uh... Meant it'd be fun to ride with you."

Rhett stopped walking, pulled the blushing blonde to him with Brandon's back against his chest, then wrapped his arms around the slightly shorter man and rested his chin on the broad shoulder.

"Do you know how adorable you are, Bran?" I could say that I wish my last boyfriend was as sweet as you, but if he were, then I wouldn't be sharing this evening with you."

Brandon's body melted into the strong arms around his waist. He closed his eyes, leaned his head back, and relaxed as he let himself be comforted by the safety and security Rhett's presence provided him.
"I love the comfort and safety I feel in your embrace."

"If possible, I'll always do my best to make you feel safe and comforted, Bran. Do you want to ride Thunderstorm?"

"Well, I'm torn because after you left, I got drawn to Dusty, and he's let me be his new papa."

"This is quite the dilemma 'cause Dusty's an amazing horse."

"I've never ridden a black Mustang stallion with a white mane and tail before, so I think Dusty would understand if I rode with you on Stormy."

"We'll never know unless we ask," Rhett said, chuckling.

After talking to and petting Dusty, the guys retrieved Thunderstorm from his stall and brought him to the cross ties, where they worked as a team to brush and saddle the noble steed. Rhett ensured Brandon didn't need any help mounting the stallion before he hopped up in the saddle behind his riding companion. Then, as a refresher, the more experienced between the pair gave some helpful suggestions on how to direct a horse before they got the Mustang galloping through the field and up to Rhett's favorite overlook spot.

"Wow! It's so peaceful and beautiful," Brandon commented. His head looked in all different directions, trying not to miss any sights and sounds of the unspoiled wilderness surrounding the well-maintained trail.

Rhett chuckled when his date excitedly squealed like a little kid when he saw a golden eagle soaring overhead and flying off into the afternoon's waning light. As the breeze blew through Brandon's golden locks, which almost glowed, he had to keep reminding himself not to move too quickly this time.

When they got to the spot, Rhett dismounted and extended his hand to help his date get down. Both of them giggled when Brandon miscalculated where his foot would land, and the slightly younger male stumbled but didn't fall.

"I can be so clumsy sometimes," Brandon said with his head buried in the other man's muscular chest.

"Hey, I'm a big fan of being clumsy if it always gets you in my arms." Rhett blushed when Brandon looked up at him and chuckled. They smiled and exchanged soft cheek kisses, and then he pulled the wine and glasses from the saddle bag. He poured the liquid from the small bottles into each glass and handed one to Brandon and said, "Bran, I'm glad we met today."

"I am too, Rhett. I've got a confession to make," Brandon paused and nervously shifted while gently swirling the wine in the glass. "I've never been with anyone, male or female. I'm a virgin both sexually and in dating."

Rhett's eyes sparkled as he took hold of Brandon's hand and said, "Do you feel like you can trust me to help you along this new experience?"

Brandon turned to look into the soft, affection-filled eyes of his companion. Then, almost whispering, he responded, "Yes, Rhett, I trust you. I'm hoping this is the start of something incredible for the both of us."

"That's my hope too, beautiful. So, would you like to casually date, meaning we remain open to others while discovering our feelings and desires for one another?"

"No! I want to be your boyfriend and monogamy. I strongly believe that splitting your time and devotion between two or more people isn't the best way to make the budding relationship grow into something stable and long-lasting."

Rhett released the breath he was holding in and said, "Oh, thank God you said what my heart and soul needed you to say." Teary-eyed, he leaned over and kissed Brandon's cheek. "Bran, I'm not very experienced, but I have had a couple boyfriends, and in the long run, both were not what I wanted or needed. I also made mistakes by moving too fast and professing my love too soon. I don't want to do that again. I want us to be committed to one another while getting to know each other."

"Sounds like we've got the same goal in mind, my new sexy boyfriend."

Brandon and Rhett smiled, clinking the rims of their glasses as they toasted the new relationship, and after sipping the wine, the couple shared a soft and tender kiss.

*****

The Ford stopped at the entrance of a generous-sized cemetery in a giant clearing in the middle of the forest. Levie unlocked the wrought iron gate, and they walked inside, leaving the gate open.

"Babe, this is..." Greg stopped speaking because he couldn't come up with any words to describe the love-filled feelings inside of him.

The couple walked around the manicured grass as Levie pointed out the benches and the concrete table, and he explained how the lamps were solar-powered and that the cemetery also had its own electric box on the grid. They stopped at a pink heart-shaped headstone with Mark's and Stacy's names etched into the marble.

"Mom and Dad's ashes are scattered around the graveyard because this was their special spot." Levie pointed to a blue marble headstone with the same heart shape and said, "That's for Mam-Maw and Pap-Paw, and their ashes will be spread here also." He paused to dry his tears and smiled when his love's arms wrapped around him. "When it's time, the dads and I will have our headstones placed here. However, Jaycepop's and Troypop's ashes will be spread at their special spot, and mine will be spread around the entire ranch."

"That's such a loving tribute and plan, Lev," Greg stated while drying his tears.

The same white-tailed buck and doe seen by Jaycen and Troy walked into the cemetery.

Greg gasped in amazement as the deer stopped at the Stillmans' headstone and bowed their heads at the name of their respective gender. A couple minutes later, the deer walked up to them and laid their heads on his and Levie's laps, allowing the guys to pet their heads. They remained there for a minute before they walked to the open gate and stood guarding the entrance.

"Lev did that..."

Levie chuckled and said, "Yes, Greg. There's no way to prove it, but I believe Mom and Dad are reincarnated in the form of a buck and doe because, since their death, there's been one or two over the years that seem to always be around the ranch, guarding and watching over us."

Greg gave up on trying to keep up with the waterfall of tears streaming down his cheeks, and he pulled Levie into a loving embrace and said, "Thank you for sharing this with me. It means so much to me, my sweet prince."

"Greg, you're the man I want to marry, and after hearing your story about how my deceased parents helped you, I knew it was time to bring you here so you could know that your place in my heart, soul, and life is right beside me."

Unable to add anything to the sentiment and shared experience, Levie and Greg sat, holding each other as they watched the sunset before they locked the gate and drove back to the house.