Devil Dawg Donnelly's

"Breath it in boy's" Max Donnelly proudly proclaimed, standing there with his hands on his hips as he inhaled the fresh clean woodland air of the Devil Dawg Compound.

Max watched as Carl McGregor, his two boy's Billy and JD and of course Baxter Whitmore the boy he viewed as much a son as his own biological offspring, started unloading all the supplies and equipment they had brought from the beds of the two trucks they had just arrived in.

It was late afternoon when they finally pulled into the compound, about a 3 hour drive from the Marine base located in Albany to reach the compound in the rolling forested hills a short distance from Macon.

Half an hour of that drive was after they turned off the main road down the solitary gravel topped red clay based road that wound through the dense forested hills to reach the remote and very isolated Devil Dawg compound.

They had pulled up right in front of the large rustic log cabin style communal lodge building.

The structure was oblong in shape, about 70feet in length and 40 feet in width and its steep slate roof reached a nearly 25 foot height.

Inside, it had a large communal room with a massive stone fireplace on one side. Huge log rafters stretched side to side across the upper walls to a central row of log pillared support beams that cut down the entire center of the room.

Large caste iron chandeliers with about 5 kerosene lamps each, hung about every 8 feet apart down this central row and served as the main source of lighting for the building when lit.

There was only one main common room and it took up almost 3/4ths of the length of the building, the far right end, the one that faced the lake, held the kitchen, larder and pantry.

This was a structure meant for large meetings and gatherings. Billy, JD and Baxter have all been inside the place many times with their dad and Carl, but in all the years they have been coming here, they had never seen or been part of any gatherings or get-together's that would have required the use of such a large facility.

They did know that from time to time their dad, Carl and even uncle Hank would travel here to take part in such gatherings, but that was for adults only, according to their dad.

They didn't know how many people showed up for these events (Billy guessed he was going to find out before the end of the month) but the building could easily hold a large number of people, well over a hundred maybe more.

Billy noted that the parking area that they were now unloading was big enough to handle at least 20, maybe 30 cars, so he guessed these functions could get rather large at times.

There was a path that started at the far left end of the parking area that went beside the left end of the lodge and went back a ways into the woods where the cabin the always stayed in was located.

Like the lodge, it was built log cabin style with a front porch that spanned the entire front length of it.

As you entered the cabin you came into the largest room, a stone fireplace directly on the opposite wall, with two leather coaches juxtaposed to each other sideways right in front of it.

The cabin had two loft style rooms that you climbed crude hand cut wood steps to reach on either end; those served as the sleep areas with room enough for two twin beds each with a small dresser between them for any clothes they brought.

Under the one loft was a simple kitchen with an island between it and the main room and often served as a bar or serving area from the kitchen, on the opposite side was a large round table where everyone would gather for meals or card games.

Kerosene lamps mounted on the walls served as the evening/night time lighting, there are no electrical or plumbing fixtures anywhere in the compound other than some hand pump wells from which they got fresh water, there are several outhouses and even a water tower that collected rain water and had a couple of large shower heads with a chain that opened the flow of water when you pulled on them out in front of the structure, completely open air.

Billy fondly remembered how as kids they seldom even wore clothes the entire time they were here, most of their time was usually spent down by the small stream fed lake either hanging out on the large dock, cooking out on charcoal/wood grills or fishing and of course to dive off of into the cool clear waters; several canoes where stored in a small shed close to the lake shore and even while canoeing they seldom if ever wore clothing.

The only time clothing was actually necessary was times like now, when they'd be mowing and using the weed eaters, or cutting wood, but when the chores were done, Billy was sure every one of them would strip down and head for the cool refreshing waters of the lake and he'd bet good money that they stayed off for the rest of the evening and night.

Billy helped his dad and Carl unload the riding mower from the back of Carl's truck, while Baxter and JD carried the coolers, grocery's and duffel bags to the cabin.

Billy couldn't help but notice how quite JD had been all afternoon after he said goodbye to Timmy, he'd noted how JD had even walked him out to his little red jeep and talked to him privately before Timmy drove off to head on home; dad had invited Timmy to come along, but Timmy was certain his parents would never approve of that, just spending what time he did with JD was hard enough to explain since he knew they definitely would not approve of him hanging out with him, especially after the local gossip mill had spread and of course embellished ever lurid detail of JD's indiscretions last fall.

Billy had also noted Baxter's pensive mood, he seemed off, not his usual cheerful self at all and Billy wondered if he was still upset about not being able to attend his coming of age ceremony to be held in three weeks.

He hoped Baxter didn't blame him for that, he had no say in it after all, if there was anyone he'd want to be there it would be Baxter, he was still having a hard time accepting it as well.

Billy made a mental note to make sure he brought that up to Baxter later, maybe reassuring him would help change his mood, then again Billy was only guessing, maybe something else was on his mind, either way, once they had some time alone he'd do his best to get him to talk about it. There was no one more important in Billy's world than his life long friend and best bud Baxter, they always told each other everything, no secrets meant no regrets and no judgements. Open door, open book, it's what made their friendship what it is today.

It was that line of thought that made him realize, he definitely needed to talk to him about what happened today, he was sure Baxter would get totally grossed out that he had gotten a blow job and fucked a fag today and even weirder, that his dad and uncle Carl were cool with it, remembering Carl had even said that his dad had had sex with guys before, that blew Billy's mind the more he thought about it and the way his dad was treating Timmy? He didn't even want to go there with that mental image.

He just had to make sure that he reassured Baxter that in no way shape or form was he any kind of fucking queer, he was just a really horny guy tired of using his own hand and it wasn't like he'd be repeating that very often, he wouldn't be going anywhere near any faggot after his 18th birthday, after that, it was big firm tits and wet pussy only for him and any queers could just fuck the hell off, though he had to admit doing Timmy was pretty awesome, but he didn't need to tell Baxter that part.

By early evening most of the general area had been mowed and trimmed around the cabin and around the lodge itself, there was still the areas surrounding the parking lot to do and of course any usable shoreline on this side of the lake still needed trimmed, but the biggest areas yet needing mowed and trimmed was the path that led to the large clearing that held the ceremonial structures and around the structures themselves.

The ceremonial grounds always held a large mysterious fascination for Billy and all the other boy's growing up, they would often go there to hang out and dream about what secret rituals and rites that were performed there, always imagining the most grand pagentries or just to scare each other with lurid frightening tales of animal or human sacrifices, envisioning brutal gladiatorial combatants squaring off in savage displays of violent and bloody masculine supremacy.

The structures themself lent to their mysterious adolescent imaginations and speculations.

The six foot wide stone paved path that wound through the dense shrubs and trees ended about 100 yards into a large low, flat grassy valley with hills on three sides, forming like a natural bowl shape in the center.

The entire flat area was stone paved and the path cut through a semi circle four step stone amphitheater.

On the opposite side was the tallest of the foliage and tree dense hills reaching a maximum height of about 40 feet. A large square stone arch, about 14 feet high jutted out near the base of the hillside, the structure seemed to cut right into the hill itself but the arch had 10 foot tall 8 foot wide large metal doors that had several large metal locks that prevented anyone from entering.

Six stone steps, about twenty feet wide led down from the entrance onto an oblong stone dias that had two twelve foot stone pylons (about two square foot wide at the base) that were perpendicular and about 6 feet apart. The inside surface of the pylons facing each other had two large metal rings about a foot off the ground and another set roughly about 6 feet from the ground. On the front and back side of the stone pylons, metal torches protruded eight feet up, the scorch marks above them attested to their use.

The front of the elevated dias descended about 6 more steps before giving way to the stone paved ground, at the center of the amphitheater is a large circular fire pit, which was obviously used for large bonfires.

Taken in whole and to the casual observer, it was quite impressive if not more than a little ominous and daunting in appearance, especially to young impressionable minds rife with overactive imaginations.

As the sun began to dip below the tops of the trees, Max Donnelly signaled a stop to the yard work for the day shaking his head with approval at the work so far accomplished.

"Let's get the equipment cleaned up and put away for the night" Max barked then continued with a big smile, then lets get naked and jump in that lake and cool off and clean up before we fix some chow." The last two parts enlisted hardy cheers from his makeshift work crew.

"Did I forget to mention? Max paused for effect: "Beers all around tonight boys!" That brought more than a few hoots, fist bumps and grunts of approval.

After dinner Max Donnelly sat, still naked on one of the two leather couches and watched admiringly as Carl, who had just finished collecting all the dirty paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils and empty beer cans into plastic garbage bags, now proceeded to haul his and Max's duffel bags up to the far left loft, as he ascended the steep rough hune wood steps, Max couldn't help ogle his lifelong friend and companions ample dirty blond, fur covered bubble butt. Max especially enjoyed the dense thicket of pubic hair between his tight crack, a site that never failed to make his cock stir and plump up.

Max absentmindedly fluffed his own big hairy balls and reached for his expanding cock before catching himself, suddenly remembering who was there with him and willed his dick to go down, no need shocking the boys any more than he had already today, but he knew the time was coming when that cat would claw its way out of the bag. Max knew with both Billy's and Baxter's upcoming ceremonies and both ceremonies being so close together, that a lot of things that they have thus far been protected from, would come bursting to the surface, but oddly enough, of the two, Max worried more about Baxter.

Ever since the boy was 12 and entered puberty, both Max and Carl's senses confirmed what they had often speculated about the boy. Long before puberty they could see the way he looked at Billy, but once puberty hit the pheromones kicked in and it removed any doubts they had as to what Baxter was feeling, the smell at times, especially in close quarters could be overpowering, Max often mused that Carl was secretly appreciative of the effect the boys raging hormones had on Max's libido, a libido that Carl often vicariously benefited from.

But they also couldn't help notice that Billy was completely clueless about it, but they knew that was about to change, once Billy claimed his Heritage on his 18th birthday, that secret will out itself, if what they suspected about Billy pans out to be true and they were both absolutely certain it was, then they still felt, at least on Billy's part, there would be no problem. No, they both agreed the biggest hurdle will be keeping them apart until Baxter undergoes his own ceremony, then the natural order of things will sort them out, but letting nature take it's course meant it was going to be imperative they keep Billy and Baxter apart after Billy's ceremony until Baxter goes through his, Max and Carl were already working on a plan for that and Max just had a few minor details to work out and of course get Baxter's mothers approval, then keeping them apart shouldn't be to big of an issue, because neither would suspect that that is what was happening.

But right now, Max was a little concerned with what he was picking up from Baxter and he worried that Baxter might be on the precipice of doing something that could complicate things. It was only a minor worry, he and Carl both agreed that after all was said and done, the problem would resolve itself. But if Baxter's internal turmoil pushed things too far, it could make things a bit unnecessarily hectic for a while at least until the two boys have both come into their Heritage. But Max was hoping his little machinations would forestall that from happening, he didn't want to see either of the boy's go through an emotional rough patch that would temporarily strain their relationship.

                                                               *************

Billy was getting a little worried about his friend, Baxter had seemed pensive all afternoon, even distracted, definitely not his usual self, He also couldn't help but noticed, that while the rest of them were running around (as usual while at the compound) completely naked, Baxter had slipped a pair of shorts on, something he had never done when they were kids, that was one of the things they use to really like doing as soon as they got here, both enjoying the sense of freedom that came from running around butt ass naked, it always had felt quite liberating.

As JD went up in the loft to unpack his duffel bag, Billy seized the opportunity to nudge his best friend saying: Hey bro, follow me." as he jumped up from the porch step they had been sitting on and ran down the path toward the Lodge.

Billy kept looking back to make sure Baxter was following as he ran full out in an unissued challenge to his best bud to catch him.

As hard as he tried Baxter was a few feet behind Billy as their race ended at the dock with Billy throwing his hands up in victory, jumping up and down and proudly proclaiming: "And the crowd goes wild, at the humiliating defeat of Baxter Whitmore by the undefeatable machine that is Billy Donnelly!" Billy cheered himself with his hands raised in the air dancing around when an unamused Baxter pushed Billy into the dark waters of the lake.

"There's your reward" Baxter mockingly laughed, while doing his own side step shuffle dance then shaking his ass at a very wet Billy and laughingly joked: "kiss this Billy."

"Get your ass in here Whitmore and I'll do a lot more than that" Billy laughingly goaded.

Baxter whipped off his shorts and jumped in cannon ball style within a couple of feet of Billy, splashing then dunking him almost simultaneously.

For the next 15 to 20 minutes Billy and Baxter splashed, raced, dunked each other and wrestled in the cool night time waters of the lake, just like they did so many times as kids until finally, out of breath and muscles beginning to ache slightly, they hauled themselves from the water and lay side by side on the dock staring up into the star filled night sky until their heart rates dropped and their breathing became less labored.

Baxter finally sat up staring off across the lake, Billy could sense him tense up again and just as he was about to reach out to touch his friends shoulder and ask him if something was wrong, Baxter stood up and started searching for his discarded shorts.

After finding them and slipping them back on he turned to Billy and said they should be getting back, that he was tired and they had a long day tomorrow and he wanted to get some sleep.

Billy knew something was up, and with the way he felt Baxter was acting he suspected that it had to do with something about him.

Had Baxter caught on about what happened yesterday or this morning? Did he suspect or did he overhear something someone said, maybe his dad and Carl had discussed it and Baxter overheard.

Billy wracked his brain about the possibilities.

Baxter had already begun walking back in the direction of the cabin, and Billy jogged to catch up with him, but continued to ponder what to say to his best friend, how he could broach the subject, but ultimately they just both walked back to the cabin in silence, neither speaking, deep in their own thoughts.

                                                                     ***********

The next day things remained pretty much the same between them.

By lunch time they'd mowed and trimmed almost 2/3rd's of the ceremonial grounds and had stopped for a lunch break consisting simply of cold cut sandwiches and chips.

Billy noticed that Baxter didn't come over and sit with him as he usually would but instead went off on his own and sat on the steps leading up to the dais with the pylons,

Billy went over to the ice chest and grabbed a couple of bottles of water and went over to his best friend, his concern mounting. It was time to have that talk Billy thought to himself, he hated keeping things from Baxter and he just knew Baxter could somehow sense he was and was now upset with him for it and as Billy saw it, how could he blame him, he should have told Baxter what he found out about JD and Timmy, even before he lured and maneuvered Timmy into giving him a blowjob.

Billy was also consumed by guilt, twice he had lied to his friend, something he had never done before; he had lied when Baxter messaged him after he caught JD and Timmy together, telling Baxter that they weren't doing anything.

It's not that Billy didn't want to share his plan with Baxter, he was more afraid Baxter would be repulsed and think Billy some sort of fag instead of just some super horny guy who just wanted to get off, no Billy didn't tell him because he was more afraid Baxter would stop him and Billy really wanted that blow job!

The second time he lied to Baxter was the next morning when he called him and told him he couldn't work out that day because he had work to do around the house, when in fact he was meeting with Timmy.

Billy had always planned to tell Baxter, and he was now sure that the fact he hadn't was somehow now coming between them, it was a problem that Billy intended to rectify right now, as he walked over to his friend and shoved a bottle of water under his nose: "Drink" he simply stated: "You gotta stay hydrated." Baxter accepted the drink and gave Billy a simple smile and a nod as he sat down next to him, close enough to feel the heat emanating from his body but still enough space that their skin didn't touch.

Baxter's thoughts raced almost as fast as the heart within his chest, he knew he had to do this, he had to tell Billy how he felt, prove he had a back bone and face him and in so doing free himself.

"I got a confession" Billy blurted out, just as Baxter was about to speak.

"I lied to you" he paused trying to look his friend in the eyes but let his gaze drop to his feet before adding; "Actually I lied twice."

Baxter's head was swirling, one moment he had built himself up to reveal everything to Billy and the next Billy was babbling about lying to him. Baxter was confused and was trying to clear his mind and focus and redirect his previous thoughts on what Billy was now saying.

Baxter listened as Billy told him he had lied about what he found out about JD and that he lied to him a second time when he canceled their work out session at the gym the next day.

"Dude" Billy said pleadingly: "I was thrown for a loop and I just wasn't ready to discuss it right then" he frowned at the confused look on Baxter's face, knowing he was going to have to be more forthcoming than that.

"I'm confused" Baxter said, shaking his head, still trying to refocus from his previous train of thought. "You, lied to me?" he said pointing to himself while looking quizzically at his friend.

Billy felt he had to pick up the pace before he lost the courage to say what he felt needed saying.

"Timmy's a fag and I think my little brother might be too" he blurted out, all hushed like, so no one else could hear him, no one but Baxter that is.

Baxter felt the blood drain from his face and his heart skip a few beats as he heard the vehemence in the way Billy said "fag", but also curious how he came to think that his brother and his friend Timmy were so inclined.

Billy quickly laid out the course of events from the time he spied through his brothers window to the next day right up to the part where he fucked Timmy's ass but he cut short of telling him about their dad catching them or how much he had really enjoyed the experience. When he was done, he stared into his friends now pale face, who just sat there staring at the ground and saying nothing...

Billy panicked, taking Baxter's silence as disapproval, maybe even rejection or worse yet, judgement. Defensively he quickly spat out: "I swear man, I'm not a fucking fag dude" he said pleading his case, Baxter noting there was almost a hint of desperation in his voice.

"You know I'm not!" Billy insisted before adding: "I'm no more a fucking queer than you are" he concluded sounding more like a supplication than a statement of fact.

Baxter stood up and took a couple of steps, his thoughts racing his heart sinking heavily in his chest now thankful he hadn't confessed what had been eating at him, any thought of making that confession to Billy was now gone.

Baxter came to the brutal realization, one made from self preservation, that the guy he had so long thought of as a brother, the best friend who would always have his back, the one person he believed and hoped would at least understand, maybe (as he had fantasized so many times) in some small part even share, in fact felt the exact opposite.

Baxter turned and looked Billy in the eyes as if seeing him truly for the first time and not liking what he saw.

In that moment, seeing the supplicating, near desperation in Billy's eyes, Baxter did what he had always done, the mental cages that held the beast back within his mind got slammed shut, and pushed back into the darkest recesses of his consciousness.

Baxter smiled at Billy, a smile as fake and as superficial as Baxter now thought his relationship and friendship with him had always been.

No, he wasn't blaming Billy, he was exactly as he had always been. What has now suddenly changed is Baxter's perception of him, the recognition that he and Billy were actually polar opposites. He also saw more than a bit of self grandiosity, riddled with toxic veins of superficial sexual superiority stemming perhaps from some weak masculine insecurity and a false sense of entitlement.

He was in fact, just Billy, a guy like any other guy and they were (as Baxter now recognized) just buddies, two guys who just shared a couple of similar interests, nothing more than that.

Billy saw his friends smile and jumped to his feet and threw his arm over his shoulder, feeling happy he had gotten all that off his chest and cleared the air between them, certain that they were squared and back on track, barely noticing Baxter shrugging his arm off before turning and punching him on the shoulder.

"Hands to yourself fag" Baxter taunted as he dashed away from Billy, who just laughed, then chased after him catching up and began a playful shoving match between the two of them as they rejoined the others.

Billy was happy he had cleared the air between them, thankful his friend, by all appearances was back to his fun, playful self.

Baxter knew what was expected of him, he had played this part for more years than he cared to recall, but mentally he was busy burying all the emotions he had always carried for Billy, accepting and inwardly embracing the death of those feelings, knowing they were never shared and never would be. On the inside, Baxter felt like a light had gone out, a light that used to warm him but now was cold and dark, a light that would never shine again.

                                                                      ************

Carl McGregor was finishing cleaning the grill they'd used that evening to cook the steaks and potatoes they had that night. He'd enlisted Baxter to help him in the attempt to lift the boy's mood.

Max and he both had observed Billy and him talking at lunch that afternoon, and while outwardly he seemed to be more upbeat and even playful with Billy and JD, they had sensed a change in him; obviously imperceptible by Billy, who seemed to accept the sudden mood change in his friend. But it didn't fool Max or Carl. Underneath it all, they both sensed a deep sadness veiled by a very thin veneer of fake frivolity. The boy was hurting inside, and even without their superior senses, they could perceive the difference from this morning to this afternoon.

It further flummoxed them that Billy was so blind to it. For the last 20 minutes, Carl had tried to get Baxter to open up and talk to him while they cleaned everything up after their meal. But Baxter was being stubborn; and with each gentle nudge Carl issued, it only seemed to make Baxter withdraw within himself even more, causing Carl to think that what Max and he had feared the most might happen, had indeed transpired. It seems the only chance that could now resolve this issue between them was still weeks away.

"He's in pain." he shared with Max as they stood together later, leaning over the island counter in the kitchen, watching the boys noisily play some card game while finishing their first beers of the evening.

"That's obvious," Max groaned, his eyes never leaving Baxter. "We both know what the problem is;" he continued. "But there's little either of us can do about it until they've both gone through the ceremony."

Carl knew he was right, but knowing that didn't make it any easier to accept, let alone watch.

Max could feel his long-time companion's stare burn right into the side of his peripheral vision.

"Dammit Carl," He said curtly, "I know what you want me to do and you also know why I can't!"

Carl cast his eyes downward before responding: "I know, I'm sorry." He brought his hand up and gently touched Max's arm "It's just so frustrating watching this happen when I know what he's feeling right now..."

Max turned and looked Carl squarely in the eyes. "It will resolve itself after the ceremony; we both know this." Max nodded his head in the direction of the boys. "We both know that right now all we can do is some damage control until then."

"Is there any way we can push up your plans for Baxter and extend them until right before his ceremony?" Carl mused, knowing the distance and different surroundings might help ease some of Baxter's hurt.

Max smiled at Carl, "You're like a mother hen, ya know that?" he whispered with a huge smile. "I'll talk to his mom when I take him home tomorrow okay?"

"Somebody has to keep an eye on them and keep some semblance of order around here." Carl said jovially: "If it was left up to you, they'd all be running around feral and out of control."

"Quit your bitchin'," Max growled, "You know you love it!" he stated matter of factually before smacking Carl's naked ass and giving it a playful squeeze.

"Hey, hey! None of that in front of the kids!" Carl grunted before pulling away, wiggling his ass suggestively as he walked away from him.

"Keep doing that bitch, and I'll take what's mine right here and now in front of them!" he muttered under his breath, admiring the bounce of the twin melons that passed for Carl's hairy muscular ass.

                                                                       **********

Sunday morning, they finished up what yard work they had left before noon. After a quick swim and a cold cut sandwich lunch, they decided to pack everything up and head back to civilization. Carl could tell the strain of keeping up a happy facade was beginning to wear on Baxter and he wasn't the least bit surprised when he climbed into the passenger side of his truck instead of JD for their journey home.

"You don't mind if I ride with you, do ya?" Baxter asked, "I've got a bit of a headache and just need some peace and quiet for a while." he offered as an explanation.

"Not at all," Carl smiled. "I could use some of that myself after almost three days of Max."

Carl knew the real reason Baxter wanted to ride with him; it was because he didn't want to be so close to Billy right now, trapped in a long-distance ride in such close quarters was just too emotionally taxing for him right now.

Billy was hurt that Baxter would choose to ride alone with Carl instead of him, his little brother, and his dad. He was about to say something to him when his dad tossed his truck keys at him and told him he was driving back; he was riding with Carl.

"What the hell?" Billy said aloud but silently wondered what was going on. His dad never let him drive his truck on his own.

No one was more surprised than Baxter when Max opened the passenger-side door to Carl's truck and ordered him to scoot over; he was riding with them.

Awkward didn't cover it for the way Baxter felt, sandwiched there between the two large, muscular, adult males as Max instructed Carl to get his ass in gear and they pulled out, leaving Billy and JD to follow behind them.

They mostly rode in silence as country music played softly on the cab radio. As they hit the main road and started the return trek down the highway, Baxter felt Max move his arm behind him and his large hand began absentmindedly stroking the neck and the back of Baxter's head. At first, it felt uncomfortable, like an invasion into his personal space. But after a few minutes, he found himself starting to relax and not long after that he began to find it comforting.

Despite what had transpired with Billy, he knew deep down that it didn't and wouldn't affect his relationship with Max; not unless he wanted it too. Right now, at this moment in time, he was beginning to find his presence and the warmth of his touch comforting; and before long, his head eased over sideways and rested upon Max's strong shoulder and Baxter found himself drifting off into a dozing half-sleep.

                                                                    ***********

As always, the trip back home seemed to go a lot quicker than the trip there, and before long they found themselves pulling into the Donnelly residence driveway. It was still mid-afternoon, and as Max and Carl unloaded what they needed from Carl's truck, Billy, JD, and Baxter unloaded the stuff from Max's truck and hauled it into the trailer.

Billy was about to suggest to Baxter that he stay the night; he wanted to spend some time alone with him because he was getting an uncomfortable feeling that maybe things still weren't right between them and he wanted, no needed, to make sure things were good. He needed Baxter to understand, needed him to know that there was nothing or no one in his life more important to him than his best friend. But before he could suggest it, his dad came in and told him and JD to go with Carl and help him unload the mower at his place while he took Baxter home; that he needed to talk to him and his mom about something.

Baxter looked questioningly at Max, who just nudged him off in the direction of the front door, reassuring him there was nothing wrong and they'd discuss it along the way. Billy just stood there, wondering what that was all about and more sure than ever that something was going on with Baxter that he didn't know about. He was definitely going to make it his mission to find out though, one way or another. If Baxter had a problem, then he had a problem and he'd move heaven and earth to help his friend with whatever it was!

                                                                    **********

Baxter Whitmore sat fidgeting in the passenger seat of Max Donnelly's truck as he drove down the road in the direction of Baxter's home not five miles away, wondering what was up, or more importantly if he did something he shouldn't have.

"Quit squirmin'. " Max chided him with a big smile on his face as he concentrated on the road.

"Did I do something wrong?" Baxter asked questioningly, the worry thick in his voice.

Max laughed out loud: "Boy, I can't think of a single time you've ever done anything wrong."

Max wasn't exaggerating. "Why do you think I like having you around Billy so much?" He posited: "You keep him grounded, and he's a better person when he's with you." he stated matter of factly before continuing: "You mean more to him than anyone else in the world Baxter. Surely by now, you get that don't ya?"

Baxter suddenly felt awful, finding himself wishing he'd never gone on this three day weekend. Still though, Max's words changed nothing. He didn't know what he knew; hell, none of them did, not even his mom; and after yesterday's conversation with Billy, he knew Billy understood him least of all.

Max could feel he wasn't getting through to him, but he hoped he had at least planted some seeds of doubt to the dilemma in his head. Max hoped that Baxter would go for what he was about to propose. If he didn't, he didn't really know what he could do; at least not until he came into his Heritage; go through his ceremony as Max had promised his dad he would.

Max made one more attempt: "Baxter I hope you know you can talk to me about anything," he paused before continuing: "I promised your dad I'd keep an eye on you, to protect you and your mom."

Baxter bowed his head, at the mention of his father. "I'm not going to push you right now Baxter, but only if you make me one promise..." again he paused waiting for some sort of acknowledgment from Baxter, who briefly lifted his head and gave him a quick glance, eye to eye and nodded his head slightly. "All I ask Baxter is that you make no drastic decisions between now and your birthday without talking to me first. Can you do that?" Max asked almost pleadingly.

"I'll try sir," Baxter responded barely louder than a whisper.

"Do more than try, Baxter" Max insisted before proclaiming: " I've already lost one son because he wouldn't talk to me; I'll be damned if I lose another, do you hear me?"

Baxter could hear the emotion in that voice and he knew that he was talking about Michael, his eldest son. But it also warmed Baxter's heart that Max thought of him as a son, as his son.

Baxter tried to straighten up, lifting his head and facing Max head-on. "I promise sir, I won't do anything stupid without discussing it with you or my mom."

Pulling into Baxter's driveway and stopping, he reached over and ruffled Baxter's hair playfully.

"You've grown on me kid and I like having you around." Max beamed a grin as wide as his face, a grin so infectious that it couldn't help but lift Baxter's somber mood. Max opened his door and stepped out of his truck. "Let's go talk to your mom; I have a mission for you, and we're gonna need your mom's permission first." Baxter, not for the first time that day, looked questioningly at Max and wondered what the heck he was up to.

                                                                   **********

"What do you want for dinner boys?" Carl asked as he pulled out of his driveway after unloading the riding mower and putting it away with the rest of the lawn equipment in his garage. Carl lived off-base in a ranch-style two-bedroom home situated back in the woods by itself away from the main road, about a mile or so past the base.

As he headed into town to pick up some food, he sat patiently waiting for a response to his query. Billy sat silently, staring out the passenger side window of his truck tapping his index finger on his right hand against his front teeth. This was something Carl had noticed many times over the years, that he did when he was deep in thought, while JD busily typed out messages to his "friend" Timmy, letting him know they were back and wondering if he could come over later.

"Earth to boys," Carl grumbled, attempting once again to get their attention. They both looked at him simultaneously with the same dumb expression on their faces.

"Food, dinner, and where?" Carl reiterated, "and don't say pizza!" he quickly added, realizing he was talking to two teenage boys.

"How about tacos?" JD casually suggested, his attention already back on his phone as he responded to another text.

"Crunch wrap supreme sounds good to me," Billy said, not really giving it any thought before drifting off again.

"Can we get Timmy something just in case he comes over too?" JD asked, his vision never once leaving the screen of his phone.

Carl just sighed. "What does he like?"

JD gave him a side glance, shrugging his shoulders before responding: "How should I know? We've never gone to Taco Bell before."

"Well of course not. What was I thinking?" Carl mockingly sighed before he moaned out loud to no one in particular: "Teenagers!"

                                                                   ***********

Baxter Whitmore watched from the dining room in his house as Max Donnelly and his mom chatted outside on the back deck of their small two-story home. Max had told him that he had something he wanted him to do but needed to talk to his mom first, mainly to see if she not only approved but to get her input as well. Baxter had no clue what they were discussing and wished right now that he could read lips. He knew Max and his mom talked frequently; she often turned to him for advice, especially about Baxter; and he also knew that she was aware of this Heritage ceremony that Max, Carl, and others talked about.

His mom had assured him that it would be what his father wanted since she knew he had undergone such a ceremony when he was eighteen, right before he joined the Marine Corps. It was while he was on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan that his dad met up again with his old squad buddy Hank Bauers, who he had served with in Kuwait, when everyone in their squad, except Hank and his dad, had been killed; that was all years before he met his mom. Hank was the one who introduced him to Max and Carl. His dad had been so impressed with them, he even put in for a transfer so he could move here after his first tour because his dad wanted to join Max's squadron.

Baxter noticed that Max was doing most of the talking and occasionally his mom would look at him through the window and give him a faint reassuring smile. Whatever Max was saying seemed to agree with his mom, as she kept nodding her head in agreement with whatever he was saying. After about 20 to 25 minutes, they came back in and asked Baxter to sit down so they could talk to him.

"Baxter," his mom started out, "Max has made me aware that Hank Bauers, one of your dad's closest friends and old squad buddies has decided to retire and move here to Albany in a few weeks." she paused to let Baxter take that in, looking at Max and then letting her continue,

"Hank's coming into town in two weeks to stay for the week of Billy's 18th birthday so he can attend his Heritage ceremony."

"What's that got to do with me?" Baxter asked; "I'm not even allowed to go." A fact Baxter was still a bit miffed about and was sure that it came across in the timber of his voice.

Max ignored Baxter's almost accusatory tone and continued: "Well, after the ceremony, Hank will be returning to North Carolina to finalize his retirement and will be packing up to move here."

"Billy's already told me that much," Baxter said, wondering again what this had to do with him? This time his mom took over the conversation. "Well honey, as you know, Hank was a real good friend of your father, and he has asked if you'd like to go back with him for a couple of weeks after Billy's ceremony?"

Baxter looked from one to the other, wondering what the deal was. His mom continued: "I know that you have expressed an interest in following in your father's footsteps in joining the Marines when you graduate, and when Hank extended his invitation, "I..." she paused; "No we," meaning Max and her, "Thought you might like to go to Camp Lejeune and look around." she paused again before explaining further: "That's where your father went to boot camp."

"Plus," Max added, "Hank could use some help packing up and getting his stuff ready for the movers."

Baxter pondered for a moment before responding: "What about my birthday ceremony?"

Max smiled, "Don't worry Baxter; Hank knows he has to have you back here on time for that; and just so you know, he and his son Jake will be attending your ceremony. Hank was one of your dad's best friends Baxter, and I think he's looking forward to seeing you through your ceremony as much as I am."

That made Baxter feel better, and the offer did intrigue him. Plus it would get him away from here for a while, give him some breathing room to figure out where his head was at and would have the chance to talk to someone who served with his dad before he had married his mom when he was Baxters age.

That thought alone sold Baxter. "I'm in" He smiled thoughtfully.

Max hugged him. "You're an amazing young man, Baxter," he said, before holding him an arm's length away, looking him right in the eyes, "Don't ever let anyone tell you differently, you hear me?"

Baxter could hear the sincerity in his voice. He may not think so much of Billy right now, but he still very much looked up to Max and would try to do his best.

                                                                    ***********

Timmy Anderson wracked his brain for some excuse he could give his parents for going out.

He so wanted to meet up with JD, it had been two, almost three whole days since he and JD had last been together, and he was really missing him. No one made him laugh as JD did; and though JD teased him relentlessly, he knew he secretly loved the attention and he knew that JD realized it too. Yeah, JD could be really aggressive, but Timmy had come to accept that he liked that too. Truthfully, he liked it a lot. He had especially enjoyed it when JD and his big, hot, muscular brother had spit-roasted him together; that and his brother's big dick. Just thinking about that thing made Timmy's hole twitch in anticipation. God, he had been fantasizing about that cock for the last two days, hoping he would get another chance at that big thing.

Timmy also thought about their dad, he knew it was crazy to think so, but he was sure their dad was flirting with him and had to admit that he was the hottest, most masculine man he had ever met. Just the very thought of that man made his boy parts grow bigger; it made his hole tingle at the possibilities as well.

There was a knock on his bedroom door and Timmy quickly answered it. He was greeted by the stern countenance of his overbearing father.

"Timothy, can you come downstairs; your mother and I have something to discuss with you."

His father spoke softly and Timmy sensed that something was wrong and he feared what that something could be.

After his dad had delivered his proclamation, he turned and headed back down the hall and the stairs, looking back only once to make sure that he was following him.

Timmy joined his mother and father in the living room, his mom looked like she had been crying, not unusual to see; she seemed to cry a lot. Timmy was sure it was just her natural defense against everything, unless she and his father were raving about some godless heathen or whore they haplessly landed on while searching for something good and wholesome to watch on TV, not an easy task according to his father who was hyper-critical about almost every show that was currently on it. Even at the age of 18, they still wouldn't allow Timmy to watch anything that was above a "G" rating. His dad told him to sit down, indicating the chair opposite the pristine, plastic-covered, white couch his parents stiffly sat on.

"We have some sad news," his father began, his mother thrusting a tissue under her nose right on cue to stifle a sob.

"Your grandmother Ericson," meaning his mother's mother, "has fallen ill and has become bedridden and she's wanting your mother to come stay with her for a while." He frowned and shook his head slowly side to side as if he thought this news should be devastating to Timmy. Timmy not being stupid, feigned an "Oh no, will she be okay?"

Timmy knew his grandmother did this routinely; it was her way of forcing her children to come visit her when everyone knew that what was usually wrong is she drank too much of that cooking sherry she kept hidden in her bedside nightstand, and probably too many Xanax, her drug de jour. His dad continued after what Timmy knew he thought was the appropriate amount of time had passed so as to not to further upset his mother's delicate sensibilities even further.

"I've already notified work that I'll be taking a few days off to immediately take your mother to tend to your sick grandmother." He paused again, reaching his hand over to pat his mother's.

Timmy was already moaning inside, certain what was coming next, meaning he'd be expected to pack his bags and miss his workout routine every day for the next week just so they could go fawn over his grandmother so she didn't write them out of her will.

Imagine Timmy's surprise when his father said "your mother and I understand that you have obligations to your coach, your gymnastics team, and to maintain your workout schedule. So, we've decided to trust you to stay home by yourself, so long as you promise to not have any guests over while they were away. Especially girls," his dad added and cautioned sternly: "I know how you young boys are." he scolded, "Every pretty girl turns your head and makes you think impure thoughts. But we have agreed to trust you," he went on, "since you've shown so much dedication to your academics, and of course, your sport."

His dad stood up and patted Timmy on the shoulder (the single most affectionate thing his dad has done since he was like 13). "We are already packed and will be leaving shortly.'' he announced as he helped his mother to her feet and guided her back to their bedroom.

"I would appreciate your help son in loading the luggage out to the vehicle." which Timmy knew actually translated into he expected him to carry it all out there and to load it all into their SUV for them. Timmy did this ecstatically, barely able to contain his jubilation and unexpected good fortune.

As they pulled out, Timmy fought the urge to jump up and down with joy as his parent's car disappeared from sight. Timmy raced into the house to his phone and begin deliriously typing a message to JD:

"I'm on my way stud!!!"