Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:14:13 +0000 From: Wes Leigh Subject: Misunderstood, Chapter 36 (Gay Adult/Youth) MISUNDERSTOOD By Wes Leigh This is a work of fiction intended solely for the entertainment of my readers; any resemblance to any real people or places is purely coincidental. This story is the property of the author and is protected by copyright laws. The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. If you enjoy this story, please support the Nifty archives today with a thoughtful donation by visiting https://donate.nifty.org/. Chapter Thirty-Six Three days before Christmas ... "Higher," Blue said. Gray moved the nail a few inches up the wall. "Not that much," Blue said with chuckle. Gray moved the nail down an inch. "Hmmm ... that's good," Blue decided. Gray hammered the nail partway into the wall, then turned to take the wreath Blue handed up to him. Hanging it on the wall, Gray leaned back to give Blue a clear view. "How's it look?" he asked. Blue nodded happily. "Perfect right there." Gray climbed down the step ladder and walked back to stand next to Blue. They hugged each other from the side as they checked their handiwork. Wreaths adorned the walls all around the living room. Garlands of evergreen branches with pinecones and holly berries lined the wainscoting, the fireplace mantle, and the staircase handrails. Poinsettias in full bloom decorated the counters, and scented candles were arranged on bookshelves and side tables. In one corner, a 7-foot blue spruce Christmas tree stretched almost all the way to the ceiling, covered in ornaments of gold and silver with strings of blue and green lights scattered throughout its branches. On a small table next to the fireplace, a handmade Nativity creche displayed the reason for the upcoming holiday, the celebration of the birth of Jesus. "Well? What do you think?" Gray asked. Blue leaned his head on Gray's shoulder and smiled in satisfaction. "It's all beautiful. I can't wait for everyone to get here." He turned to Gray and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Thank you, my dude. This means a lot to me." Gray smiled and replied, "Me too, champ. It's our first Christmas as a married couple, and my friends and family will be here too. I'm looking forward to it." A knock on the door caused the dogs to leap up from wherever they'd been dozing and run to door, barking frantically. Gray shouted, "Sit. You guys know better." The barking changed to whines as the dogs sat down and waited for Blue to open the door. Standing on the porch were Dallas and Wings, arms loaded with wrapped presents. Blue swung the door wide and invited them in. The men hugged as the dogs danced around, barking and licking their humans' hands. "How was the drive up?" Gray asked, taking Wings' and Dallas' coats. "Too long!" Dallas said. "What?" Wings exclaimed. "You only had to drive a few hours! I had the long drive from Holloman to Amarillo first. Talk about a boring stretch of highway." Blue patted Wings on the back, in mock sympathy. "Poor baby. I know how fast you drive, dude. It couldn't have taken you that long." Wings grabbed Blue around the neck and put him in a head lock. "I didn't come all the way to Oklahoma to be teased by a skinny runt." Dallas began tickling Blue's ribs, making Blue screech. "Quit picking on my boyfriend," Dallas shouted over Blue's squeals. "Or pay the price, little brother!" Blue screamed, "Let me go! Gray, HELP ME!" Gray laughed. "I think you started it, champ. Maybe you should apologize to our guests." Blue struggled to get free. "Guests?" he shouted. "They're gonna be sleepin' in the barn if they don't let me go!" But his laughter made it clear that that was a vain threat. Wings released Blue from the head lock, pulling the younger man into a tight hug. Wings placed his hands on each side of Blue's face, then pulled him in for a sloppy kiss on the lips. Blue laughed and pushed Wings away. "Hey," Dallas objected. "What are you doing kissing my boyfriend?" He pulled Blue away from Wings, turned Blue around, and planted a wet kiss on Blue's lips. "If you kiss anybody, it should be me!" Gray grabbed Blue by the arm and pulled him away from Dallas and Wings. "This is my husband you guys are smooching on. You know that, right?" As Dallas and Wings chuckled, Gray leaned in and kissed first Wings, then Dallas, making them both burst into laughter. "What the--," Blue cried. He grabbed Gray, trying to pull him away from Dallas and Wings, who were tugging on Gray's arms, trying to wrap him in a three-way hug. "I give up!" Blue shouted. "I'm the cute one here, and I'm the only one who ain't gettin' love." All three turned to stare at Blue. They began slowly walking toward Blue, hands stretched out to grab him. Blue backed up, holding his hands out to keep them away. "No. That's okay," he said. "I didn't mean it. I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" he screeched, as all three grabbed him and pulled him into their midst, kissing his lips, his nose, his eyes, his cheeks. The kisses turned into licking tongues, with a few finding his ears, making him squeal and squirm, trying to get away. The dogs were leaping up on the four young men, trying to join in the fun, adding their barks to the shouts and the laughter. "Am I interrupting something?" a voice called from the door. The four looked up to see Dayna Wright standing at the door, holding a food container. Gray rushed to open the screen door, holding it open for her. She stepped inside, handing the container to Gray. "I made some pies. Thought I'd get an early start on the desserts. Hello there, Dallas ... Wings ... when did you boys get here?" "Just now, ma'am," Wings replied. Dallas gave Dayna a hug. "Good to see you again, Mrs. Wright." "Mom!" Blue cried. "You got here just in time. These big galoots was molestin' me." "Oh! Really?" Dayna asked. "Should I come back in ten minutes? Will that give you boys enough time to finish?" "Mom!" "Nah, don't bother," Wings replied. "We'll throw him in the lake later tonight. That should cool him down." The men all laughed. Gray pulled the pies out and set them on the counter. "These look delicious, Dayna. Thank you so much." Dayna nodded. "Glad I can help with the cooking, my dear. You're going to have a houseful of guests in a couple of days, so I'm happy to contribute a pie or two." Gray agreed. "Yes, it will be getting a tad bit crowded here soon." "Who all is coming?" Dayna asked. Gray began counting as he listed names. "Mom and Dad, you, Dallas and Wings, Jess and her plus one, my cousin Jake and his wife Melinda and their three kids, Jake Junior, Erica, and TJ. And Pam, the lady who runs Hopeful Paws Animal Shelter, her daughter Zoe, and four Air Force personnel from the Vance Airbase. And Blue and me, of course. So twenty people altogether for Christmas Eve dinner." "Wait. What's this about people from Vance?" Wings asked. "That was Blue's idea," Gray said. "He can tell you about it." "It's something the Airbase is sponsoring," Blue explained. "You know ... open up your home for military folks on the holidays. Invite them for dinner so they ain't sittin' around, missing their families." "Wow, little bro." Wings gave Blue a hug and kissed him on the cheek. "That's sweet." Blue shrugged. "Just somethin' me and Gray wanted to do this year. Share the love, you know?" Gray kissed Blue on the other cheek. "We're glad to have everyone here with us this year, sharing the love, as Blue said, and sharing memories. That's why we went all out on the decorations. We wanted it to be an old-fashioned, country Christmas. Should be a celebration to remember." Dallas grinned and quipped, "God bless us, everyone!" They all laughed as Wings punched Dallas on the arm. "Tiny Tim, you ain't, big guy." *** Wings and Dallas took one of the second-floor bedrooms, leaving the other one empty for guests who would be arriving the next day. Wings threw himself back into the bed, savoring the plush comfort of the heavy bedding. Dallas stirred up the logs in the fire to add a bit more heat to the room. It was supposed to snow that night, and the temperature was falling quickly outside. *** Above them, on the third floor, Gray was doing the same thing. Although the house had a furnace and central heating, he preferred using the fireplaces to heat the rooms. It added to the romance. Blue sat on the bed, watching Gray stirring up the fire, loving the way his man moved as he worked. Blue scooted off the bed and slipped behind Gray, wrapping him up in a warm hug, kissing the back of his neck. Gray moaned softly. "Feels nice, champ. Want to join me for a soak in the tub?" Blue didn't answer, but stood up and walked into the bathroom and began running water into the old-fashioned, claw-foot bathtub. *** Dallas and Wings hugged and kissed as the shower sprayed down upon them. Their naked chests were slippery from soap suds and warm water, so their nipples poked each other as they rubbed together. At their groins, their throbbing erections pressed together as well, sliding into each other and through their hairy pubes and up along the soft skin of their stomachs. Their hands slid greedily up and down their backs, along the curves of their butts, down into the warm, moist clefts. Each touch increased their building desire, until they were moaning into each other's mouths. *** Gray dried off Blue, moving the towel slowly along his fit young body, carefully dabbing away the water on his skin in between gentle kisses on his lips, his neck, his chest. Blue took the towel from Gray and returned the gentle ministrations, turning Gray around to dry his back and bottom. Blue kissed the nape of Gray's neck, then the small of his back, and--with a giggle--each of his butt cheeks. Gray turned around and kissed Blue on the nose, on each eye, and again on the lips. He tossed the damp towel in the hamper and took a second towel, still dry and fluffy, and wrapped it around them both, pulling Blue into a hug. *** Dallas and Wings fell onto the bed, still slightly damp from their shower. While Wings sucked and licked the moisture off Dallas' stomach, Dallas slid his tongue along Wings' thigh, licking from Wings' knee up to his tight ball sack. Wings moaned. Dallas sucked them both into his mouth. Wings groaned loudly, then stopped himself and whispered, "Sorry. Couldn't help it." Dallas released Wings' balls and said, "Don't worry about it, lover. A few years back, those two tormented me with the sound of their lovemaking. Tonight, I get my revenge." He gave an evil chuckle and slurped Wings' cock into his mouth. Wings moaned again and grabbed Dallas' nine-inch monster, returning the favor. *** Blue and Gray snuggled on the bed, touching each other gently on the face. "I love you, champ," Gray whispered. "I love you too, my dude," Blue sighed. From the bedroom below them, they heard loud groaning and a bed frame squeaking. Then silence, followed by more loud groaning, faster squeaking, and the unmistakable sound of two bodies slapping together. Blue giggled and slid his hand down Gray's belly to his soft pubic hair. His fingers twiddled around for a bit before sliding lower and grasping Gray's firm shaft. He began stroking slowly as he leaned in to kiss his husband. Gray returned the kiss and slid his hand down Blue's long, muscular arm to his sharp hip bone. His fingers danced down Blue's leg, back up the front of his thigh, and onto his long, hard cock. Gray's strokes were long and slow, matching Blue's. Their kiss deepened in passion. *** Breakfast the next day was filled with shy silence punctuated by silly giggles from time to time. Wings was walking with a slight grimace and asked for a cushion to sit on. That made Blue snicker as he placed the pancakes on the table. He was a bit tender himself. Gray added a big bowl of scrambled eggs to the table, smiling at Blue and kissing him on the cheek. He wasn't sore, but he was thoroughly satisfied. Dallas wasn't sore either. He smirked as he served himself three pancakes and covered them with syrup. Beneath the table, Dallas gave his cock a squeeze and promised himself a repeat performance as soon as breakfast was over, if Wings was up for it. They looked at each other, grinning and trying not to laugh, and dug into the meal. *** "JESS!" Gray shouted, running up from the barn as Jessica Dominguez climbed out of her car. Jessica Dominguez squealed and ran to Gray. They fell into each other's arms, kissing each other on the cheek and then talking at once. "It's so good to see you again--," Gray said. "This is my boyfriend, Carl--," Jess began. They laughed and separated. Gray stuck out his hand to shake with Carl. He was a handsome fellow, with auburn hair and sparkling brown eyes. As tall as Gray but slightly more fit. His handshake was firm, and he smiled as he greeted Gray. "Nice to meet you, Gray. Jess has told me a lot about you." "All bad, sweet cheeks," Jess said with a giggle. "But he still wanted to meet you." "I don't doubt that," Gray replied, laughing as he released Jess and offered to help them carry their luggage inside the house. Down at the barn, Blue and Dallas watched the hubbub with grins on their faces. Dallas jabbed Blue in the side. "Better watch her. She might make a move on your man," he kidded. Blue snorted. "She doesn't have what he wants." "And you do?" Dallas asked with a smirk. Blue shoved Dallas hard, sending him tumbling into a snow drift next to the barn. Dallas packed a snowball and threw it at Blue. Blue reached down and made his own snowball, throwing it back at Dallas and smacking it into the red-head's cheek. A quick and furious fight kicked off, with snowballs flying back and forth between them. "Hey, you two!" Gray shouted from the porch of the farmhouse. Dallas and Blue paused their fight and stared at Gray. "Will you finish in the kennels?" Gray shouted. "I want to show Jess and Carl their room." Blue waved. "Hi, Jess. Sure thing, Gray." A snowball smacked into Blue's nose. "Hey!" he shouted at Dallas. "No fair!" Jess waved at Blue, then picked up her bags and followed Gray into the house. *** Wings volunteered to show Carl around. They were outside, carefully walking down the snow-covered paths to the barn where the kennels were located. Blue and Dallas were still there, working hopefully and not goofing off too much. Jessica sat in front of the roaring fire, next to Gray, filling him in. "He's not like any other guy I've ever been with, Gray. He's always thinking of me, always doing things for me. And he doesn't expect anything in return. When I told him about your invitation to spend Christmas here, Carl changed all his plans and took off three extra days from work, just so he could drive me here. I'm not used to this, Gray. I'm a frickin' queen to him." "Poor guy," Gray teased. Jess gave Gray's arm a light punch. "Don't worry about, Carl. I treat him just as good. If I'm his queen, he's my king." She giggled and blushed. "We enjoy each other in the bed, but it's the way we get along outside of the bedroom that blows me away. We just care for each other so, so much." Gray smiled and asked, "Is it serious?" Jessica's lips quivered. "I don't know, Gray. I think it might be." "Has he proposed." She shook her head. "No, but he's been acting funny this entire trip." Gray leaned over and kissed Jess on the cheek. "It's about time, cuddle buns. You deserve a good man." Jess smiled tentatively and jumped up. "Show me around. How many dogs do you have right now?" "Only six," Gray answered. "We've had a lot of interest in Christmas adoptions." Jess clapped her hands in delight. "How wonderful! Let's go catch up with the boys." Gray smiled but kept his thoughts to himself. Jess wasn't the same girl he'd known most of his life. She was less giddy, less vulgar, and more focused. Whether she knew it or not, he suspected that this relationship was definitely turning serious. And he couldn't be happier for her. *** The farmhouse was ringing with laughter and loud conversation while Christmas music played softly in the background. The scent of burning candles and evergreens filled the air. In the kitchen, Dayna Wright and Carol Langston served cup after cup of mulled wine and eggnog, depending on the guest's preference, although kids were served only eggnog, without the dash of rum that several adults requested. A roaring fire crackled in the fireplace, sending heat and flickering light around the room. It was Christmas Eve, and Gray was nowhere to be found, because he had a special surprise planned for his guests. Jess was the first to notice Gray's absence. "Blue!" she shouted from across the room. "Where's that handsome husband of yours?" Blue grinned and glanced at his watch. "He'll be back in five minutes," he shouted. Then Blue began tapping the side of a glass with a spoon, ringing it to get everyone's attention. When the conversations died off, Blue held up both his hands. "We have something very special planned for tonight. If you would all find your coats and put them on ... and any gloves and scarves you have too ... Gray and I want to take you on a trip around the lake to visit some friends of ours." The noise in the room rose up again as everyone speculated about what Gray and Blue were up to, but they eagerly pulled on their warm coats and prepared for a walk outside over the snowy ground. The lake itself was beginning to freeze over, but it was much too thin for ice skating. What were these two scheming? A faint jingle could be heard in the distance, getting gradually louder. The guests rushed to the windows and looked out. A large wagon pulled by a team of four horses came rolling down the hill toward the farmhouse. Bells lined the harnesses on the horses, making the cheerful jingling they'd heard. Gray sat on the seat next to the driver. Everyone ran outside and began talking at once. Gray stood up and waved. "Climb aboard. We're taking you on a Christmas hayride!" The wagon itself was piled high with thick piles of hay. Blankets covered the hay, giving everyone a way to cuddle up and stay warm. With eager shouts, they all found a place to sit and hold someone special in their arms. When everyone was ready, the driver shouted to his team and they were off, crunching over the snow as they headed around the lake, its icy surface reflecting the first rays of the rising moon. Blue handed out sheets of paper to those nearest him. "Take one and pass it along," he said. "What's this?" Richard Langston, Gray's dad, asked. "We wrote down the words to a few Christmas carols," Blue explained. "We thought it would be fun to sing while we rode." When everyone was ready (some using cell phones to illuminate the paper), they began singing. Silent Night. O Little Town of Bethlehem. The First Noel. We Three Kings. Away in a Manger. As the horses clomped along, harness bells jingling, the sound of Christmas rang out over the frozen landscape. As they neared the far side of the lake, they noticed a roaring bonfire on the shore. A short distance away, a pine tree had been decorated with hundreds of tiny white lights. After the snow of the day before, the tree was coated with frost, making the lights twinkle underneath a layer of ice. As their own wagon pulled up, Gray raised his voice and announced, "I have some friends I want you to meet. Climb down and join us at the fire!" A large group of young kids stood at the fire, dressed in warm winter coats, laughing and rubbing their hands to stay warm. A few adults stood with them. A second wagon with a team of horses waited patiently nearby. "Everyone," Gray shouted, raising his hands to get their attention, "these are my friends from the Greenway Children's Home. They're located a mile or so from here, and we thought they might enjoy a Christmas Eve hayride too." The youngsters around the fire nodded and several added comments of agreement about how fun and exciting the ride had been. "Tonight is Christmas Eve," Gray said. "A night for friends and family to join together. A night for us all to remember that moment centuries ago, when a mighty host of angels appeared in the sky above fields where shepherds watched over their flocks. The shepherds were frightened out of their shepherd smocks--" Everyone gasped and laughed. Gray continued, "--but the angels told them not to be afraid, for they brought tidings of the most glorious good news, that a new king had been born that night, one who would bring peace to our world, and then the angels joined together and began singing!" Gray and Blue raised their voices together, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let Earth ... receive ... her King." Soon everyone joined in, eyes filling with tears as they sang the wonderful hymn of celebration for the coming of Jesus to this world. As the final notes of the carol faded into the night, Blue spoke up, "Wise men from the East came to the newborn King bearin' gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. You think maybe that's why we give gifts to each other at Christmas? As a reminder that we should think of others on this special day?" Gray and Blue walked over to the beautifully lit tree and reached underneath to lift away a blanket and expose stacks of presents underneath. Gray turned and said, "I'd like to ask each of my family members and friends who came here with us tonight to help us hand out gifts. Mom, will you go first?" Carol nodded and walked forward, reaching under the tree to select a box covered in bright red foil. "On it, you'll find a name written," Blue drawled. "Please read the name." Carol turned the box slightly and looked up, announcing, "Tiffany Sparks." The children turned and looked at one girl, a shy child with light brown skin and curly black hair. She tittered but didn't move. Gray motioned with one hand. "Come over here, Tiffany. This is for you." He turned to Carol and smiled. She nodded her head with understanding and took the present to the timid child. Holding it out, she said, "Merry Christmas, Tiffany." The girl took the gift and held it, her eyes wide in surprise. "Open it, sweetheart," Carol said, encouragingly. Tiffany set the box on the ground and tentatively began picking at the paper. The other children laughed and urged her on, so she ripped it away, gasping when she saw what the paper had concealed. It was her favorite doll, one she'd been secretly hoping for all year, one she'd written about on the piece of paper for Santa, as her house mom had asked. Carol helped Tiffany open the box and take out the doll, stroking the little girl's cheek as she held the doll to her chest, tears pouring from her eyes. Tiffany began whispering, over and over, "Santa brought it. Santa brought it." Gray motioned one of the airman from Vance Airbase to come forward and choose a gift. Airman First Class Tim Bates trotted up and chose a box wrapped in blue. He checked the top of the box and shouted out, "Ricky Matthews!" A blonde-headed, blue-eyed cherub jumped forward and shouted, "That's me!" He ran up and took the gift from the airman, ripping at the paper with abandon. Everyone laughed, and when the boy saw the jersey from his favorite football team, he squealed with delight and hugged the man with all his might. The airman laughed and said, "You wanna wear it? Over your clothes?" "Yeah!" Ricky shouted, eagerly pulling his coat off. The airman helped the boy slide the jersey over his shirt, then put his coat back on, as Jess approached the tree for the next present. Carol Langston walked slowly over to her husband, Richard, and slid her arm around his waist. She leaned in and kissed his cheek, whispering, "I'm so proud of those two." He turned and pecked her on the lips. "So am I." "What do you think the kids will say when they get back to the home and find all the new clothes we bought them?" Richard grinned. "They'll say, `Cool' or `Righteous' or whatever it is kids are saying these days when they're excited." Carol chuckled, "I think the word you're looking for is `Sweet', although I could be mistaken. We're both a little out of date." "Not when it comes to celebrating Christmas in style, my love." She nodded her agreement and snuggled closer. "Or when it comes to raising good boys." *** No one wanted to leave after the gifts had been dispensed, but with the night getting colder, both groups loaded up the wagons for the ride home. They waved and shouted goodbye until the other wagon disappeared over a hill, headed back to the Children's Home, then they sang more Christmas carols until their own wagon pulled up in front of the farmhouse and everyone jumped off. The Christmas Eve meal back at the farmhouse was wonderful. Not because of the food, which was delicious and filling, but because their hearts were overflowing with joy after seeing the happiness in the eyes of the kids from the Children's Home. Now, with bellies full and eyes merry, they sat before the roaring fire and drank more mulled wine and rum-laced eggnog. Then, with the evening winding down, most of the guests got into their cars for the drive home or to a nearby hotel, with promises to be back in the morning to open their own gifts. The four airmen from Vance had driven over together, and as they climbed into their car, they thanked Blue and Gray for the incredible evening and the delicious food. Gray accepted their thanks and said, "Since you guys aren't coming back tomorrow, Blue and I wanted to give you a little something tonight." He reached into his pocket and pulled out four envelopes. Blue took the envelopes and gave one to each of the airmen. "Man, you guys didn't have to do this," Tim Bates said, speaking for all the men, who nodded in agreement. "You did so much for us already." Gray shook his head. "No, it's you fellows who are sacrificing for all of us. We want you to know you're appreciated." Tim took the envelope from Blue, then shook Blue's hand. "Thank you, and Merry Christmas!" "Merry Christmas," Blue and Gray said as one, waving as the airmen drove off into the night. From the porch, Dallas stood next to Wings, hugging him. A foot away, Jess and Carl held each other close. "Time to call it a night?" Gray asked as he and Blue turned around and headed up onto the porch. "Sounds good to me," Wings replied. "But just so you know," Dallas added, "noises carry in this old house." Blue giggled. "Yep, so keep it down to a dull roar, you two." He pointed at Wings and Dallas, who had the decency to blush. Jess laughed and rolled her eyes. "Come with me, Carl. I feel like snuggling tonight." *** Christmas Day. Another layer of snow. A delicious breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls, crisp bacon, and hot coffee or hot chocolate. Presents for one and all ... ... one of which was quite unexpected. Jess unwrapped a box of her favorite chocolate-covered cherries, which Carl insisted she open right away. She found one missing in the middle, and in its place, a diamond engagement ring. The end of MISUNDERSTOOD, Chapter Thirty-Six