Love Me Like XO (BxB)

V

Los Angeles , CA
Sunday
📍The Beaumont House

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Levania stood in front of his mirror with slightly sweaty palms. He didn't know why he was so nervous about returning to the church he grew up in. It was probably due to the fact that he was about to sing to over one hundred plus people. The last time he sang publicly was at a showcase when he was still in high school, and that was four years ago.

The now twenty-two year old male found it nerve-wracking when he himself hasn't heard his own singing in so long. Who knows how much his voice has changed since then.

"Hey bro, you ready?" Michael asked, walking into the bedroom and sitting on the bed. Levania only nodded as a response, and that made Michael raise a brow as he wasn't used to the younger giving an answer that wasn't verbal.

"What's wrong, Levvy?" He asked his once cheerful tone switching to one of concern.

"Nothing, I'm just a little nervous." He spoke, taking a seat next to Michael.

"What if I sound terrible and everyone laughs at me? I'd never hear the end of it from those old heads." He continued, tilting and resting his head on Michael's shoulder.

"I hear you, bro, but you have absolutely nothing to worry about. I get that you're a little scared because you haven't sang in years, but God blessed you with a beautiful voice because he knew just how powerful you'd be with it. I watched an old video of you singing that Aretha Franklin song, and I got goosebumps. I know you're gonna go there today and kill it, so I need you to be confident enough in yourself to believe that you can because I believe in you, Marcus, Heze, Mama, Pops, we all believe in you. I need you to believe in yourself now, bro." Michael said to him. His arm wrapped around him in a soothing embrace, and Levania smiled.

"I'm glad to have you as a brother. You always know how to make me feel better." He said, wrapping his arms around the older's torso.

"I'm glad to be a big brother to you. I practically raised you at one point, so I'll always be there for you no matter how little the circumstance. Now, come on before we're late. You know Mama likesto get to church early." He slowly moved himself off the bed, gently tugging Levania with him before heading out of the room and down the stairs to see the rest of their family already waiting by the front door.

"You okay snook?" Annalise asked Levania when he stood in front of her. He responded with a nod and a smile and she returned the gesture with a smile of her own and rubbing his cheek fondly.

The family headed out of the house and into Levi's black Rolls-Royce Cullinan before leaving out of the driveway.

It wasn't long before they arrived at their destination, and Levania looked at the huge building in front of him.

Five Harvests of the Collective Church

The name itself brought back so many memories for Levania. Most gay people found it hard to grow up as a church boy but he was one of the lucky few who had a supportive community and an even more supportive family.

The family of six made their way into the building and Levania could feel the stares as they walked down to aisle. He saw so many familiar faces. His preschool teacher, the women from his mother's book club, and more. He slowly felt the nerves disappear as said faces waved at him with beaming smiles and he returned the gesture.

They were seated for a while, making friendly chatter with the people from their neighborhood who also attended this church. The chatter soon died down as Pastor West came up to the podium in his crisp navy blue suit.

"All rise, let us begin with an opening prayer." His boisterous voice echoed through the microphone and the patrons of the church slowly stood from their seat, bowing their heads with closed eyes and clasped hands.