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MMW VERSE: Christmas Wonders
Title: Christmas Wonders
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
hsbfc
Rating: PG-13 to R-ish-y
Warnings: none
Word Count: 4771
Disclaimer: QUEER AS FOLK is property of COWLIP and SHOWTIME. I own nothing.
Author’s Notes: I want to say thanks to my wonderful betaelyxer. You rock! Without your encouragement I would not be writing. THANKS and I love ya!
“What the fuck is that?” Brian closed the door and set his briefcase on the desk. He raised an eyebrow as he made his way over to where Justin was crouching.
“It’s a Christmas tree, Brian,” Justin answered as he stood up. “You know those green, triangular things people get around this time of year,” he added with a grin.
“I know what it is,” Brian said as he pinched Justin’s side. “The question is what is it doing in the loft?”
“I told you I was going to pick up a couple things today.”
“By a ‘couple of things’ I thought you meant the important stuff. You know, milk, bread, condoms, lube,” Brian said as he loosened his tie and went to the bedroom to change.
“Got all that too.” Justin opened the Big Q bag and set his purchases on the coffee table. He had three boxes of plain white lights, blue and silver balls, and one package of icicles. That would be enough for now. He didn’t want Brian to flip out too much.
“What, no singing, dancing Santa Claus?” Brian asked as he sat on the couch.
“No,” Justin sighed. “It was on back order so it won’t be here for another two weeks. I could have paid the extra to have it rushed, but I didn’t think it was worth the hassle,” he continued as he unraveled the lights. “But I know that Gus will get a kick out it.”
Brian stared at Justin, one eyebrow raised, his mouth slightly agape.
“Relax, Brian.” Justin rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Do you think I’d seriously try and bring a singing, dancing Santa Claus into the loft? Please, give me some credit.”
“Of course not. So what do you want for dinner?” Brian asked as he went to the kitchen to look through the various take out menus.
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’ll eat anything,” Justin answered distractedly as he made a trail of lights around the coffee table. He looked at the tree and again at the rows of lights. “Do you think there will be enough?”
“Justin, you bought like fifty feet of lights. Deb would be able to see us from her front porch if she wanted to.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Justin scratched his chin and picked up one end of the lights and started hanging them on the tree, working his way from the bottom up.
“So what brought on this sudden urge to decorate?” Brian asked as he held up the lights, and followed Justin around the tree.
“I just thought that with everyone coming over for Christmas dinner that the loft should look festive,” Justin answered.
“I think Deb and Emmett will look ‘festive’ enough for everyone…and then some,” Brian stated.
“I know, but this is our first real Christmas together as a real couple.”
“And we need a tree to commemorate that?” Brian asked, still helping Justin with the lights.
“Would you prefer a plaque?” Justin smirked. “Something you can hang on your office wall at Kinnetik?”
“You could have at least discussed it with me first,” Brian said. The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Justin said, stopping abruptly. “It’s just…I was at the Big Q shopping for supplies and I saw my dad, and he was with his new wife and step-son. And I know he saw me too, but he wouldn’t even acknowledge me. All the hurtful things he’s said to me in the past just came rushing to the surface.”
“Justin—”
“I know, I know.” Justin shook his head. “I shouldn’t let him get to me.”
“Justin,” Brian repeated. “These lights aren’t going to hang themselves.”
***
Brian turned off the Christmas music and changed the station to something more to his liking. He gave a sideways glance at Justin who was trying to hide a smirk.
“I had Gus last night before I came home,” Brian said, explaining the music. “I just forgot to change it.”
“Did I say anything?” Justin asked as he bit his lip, trying to suppress a grin.
“You didn’t have to,” Brian countered. He pulled out onto the street and pressed on the gas.
“So where are we going?” Justin asked, the silence getting to him.
“If you insist on having that heinous monstrosity in the loft then you’re gonna put something better on it than that shit they sell at the Big Q.”
“That’s a great idea,” Justin said with a smile.
“What, no arguments?”
“I think it’s a great idea to get something nice, even if it will cost more.”
“This coming from the man who still insists that we clip coupons for our groceries.”
“It’s like an investment. These ornaments are something that we can use year after year. We could even add a new one each year,” Justin reasoned. He grinned when he saw Brian rubbing his temple out of the corner of his eye.
“We are not doing this again next year,” Brian said, shaking his head. “This year, fine. Next year you’ll just have to make due with Deb’s tree.”
“Then we don’t need expensive things to put on the tree if you’re just going to box them up and never use them again,” Justin argued. “If you’re gonna do that we might as well just use what I bought and forget about getting anything else.”
“Well see,” Brian said as he continued to drive.
“Well see, what?” Justin asked.
“About the tree,” Brian answered. “Who knows if we’ll even be in the loft next year. Gus is getting bigger, and almost every time he comes over he manages to leave something behind. We’ll need more room eventually if he keeps it up.”
“Yeah, okay.” Justin nods.
***
Michael was waiting on the steps when Brian and Justin returned home. His scarf was wrapped around his neck and the bottom half of his face, and his hands were stuffed in his coat pocked. He stood up abruptly and pulled the scarf down slightly.
Justin closed the Jeep door with his elbow, keeping a tight grip on the bags he was holding. “Hey, Michael.”
“About fucking time you got here,” he said to Brian as he licked his chapped lips, ignoring Justin. “I’ve been waiting here forever.”
“If you had called you would’ve known we weren’t home,” Brian said as he unlocked the entry door. “Then you wouldn’t have been out here freezing your ass off.”
“I did try to call you asshole,” Michael said through chattering teeth. “But you didn’t answer.”
“So then why bother coming down then?” Brian asked.
Justin closed the door to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Even though his relationship with Michael had improved over the last year, it was amicable at best.
“I was already on my way down here when I called,” Michael answered. “You’re always home or at the diner on Saturday mornings.”
“Not always,” Brian said.
“So what’s in the bags?” Michael asked.
“Just some things for the loft. You’ll see.”
The elevator came to a stop and Justin opened the gate as he pulled out his keys and opened the door. He turned off the alarm and set his bags on the coffee table.
“What is that?!” Michael exclaimed, pointing to the tree in front of the window. He unzipped his coat and took off his gloves and scarf. He stuffed the gloves in the coat pocket and hung it and the scarf on the back of the bar chairs.
“That’s what these are for,” Brian answered as held up the bags and waved them in the air. He set them on the coffee table next to the others and sat down in his Barcelona chair.
“Are you staying, Michael?” Justin asked. He filled the coffee pot with water and took the bag of coffee grinds from the cabinet.
“Of course I’m staying,” Michael said as he plopped down on the sofa. “I didn’t sit out in the fucking cold just to leave as soon as Brian got here.”
“Okay,” Justin said through clenched teeth. “I was just wondering if you wanted some coffee.”
“Oh, yeah. Sure.”
“So what brings you by, Mikey?” Brian asked.
“Ma wants to know what you guys are fixing so she can figure out what to bring,” Michael answered. “She’s going crazy not knowing every little detail.”
“You’ll have to talk to Justin about that.” Brian scratched the side of his nose. “He’s the one with the list of what he needs to buy. My only contribution to it is an extra fire extinguisher,” he added with a smirk.
“My cooking is perfectly fine,” Justin said as he sat down on the far end of the sofa, away from Michael. “And I haven’t once started a fire.”
Brian gave him the patented Kinney glare.
“Okay, I haven’t ever started a dangerous one,” Justin amended his words.
“He’s started a fire and you still let him near the stove?!” Michael’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“Sure, why not.” Brian shrugged.
Michael shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t understand Brian’s nonchalant attitude. “So,” he said as he cleared his throat and turned to face Justin. “What can Ma bring over for dinner?”
“Any kind of dessert,” Justin answered. “I’m shit when it comes to baking. So unless everyone wants store bought pies, my only hope is Deb.”
“I think Ma would consider store bought pies sacrilege,” Michael said with a grin.
“I don’t doubt that,” Justin agreed.
“So when’d you get the tree?” Michael asked, turning his attention back to Brian. “In all the years that I’ve know you, I’ve never known you to get a Christmas tree.”
“It was Justin’s idea, not mine,” Brian explained. “
“The ornaments were your idea though,” Justin said. He raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend as he stood up and headed to the kitchen. The coffee was still percolating so he took out three cups and put the appropriate amount of sugar and cream in each. “How do you take yours, Michael?”
“Black is fine. I’ll need all the caffeine I can get,” Michael answered. “Ma wants me to come over this afternoon and help her get out more decorations. You’d think with all she has out now that there wouldn’t be any left any where!”
“As long as there’s empty shelf space at Deb’s, there’s always room for more decorations,” Brian said. “You should know that, Mikey.”
The timer when off on the coffee machine, and Justin poured the hot liquid into the waiting cups.
“Oh, I think Lindsay was looking for you, too,” Michael told Brian as he took the cup of coffee from Justin.
“Well, I was planning on going by later this evening so she can just talk to me then,” Brian said.
Justin returned with his and Brian’s coffee.
“Okay.” Michael nodded, frowning slightly, as if he was trying to come up with more things to talk about. Before he could say something else his cell phone rang. “Ben, hi!” His face lit up and he stood up and made his way to the other end of the loft.
“Ben? When did that happen?” Justin asked Brian.
“A month ago, maybe.” Brian shrugged. “I don’t know. Michael said one day Ben just showed up at the shop.”
“Ah.” Justin nodded. “Well, that’s good. I guess. But I thought he was seeing that one guy who works with the children.”
“Well, I think he was for a while, but not anymore.” Brian shook his head. “He had taken a trip to Brazil and brought back more than souvenirs. He had some kind of Brazilian beach parasite in his ass.”
“Gross.” Justin wrinkled his nose.
“At least he found out before he fucked him.”
“Yeah.” Justin nodded his head in agreement.
“Hey guys,” Michael said, his hand covering the bottom half of his phone. “Is there room for one more at dinner? I really want Ben to be there.”
Justin looked at Brian who just shrugged. “Sure, why not. There will be more than enough still.”
“Great,” Michael said with a smile before removing his hand from over the speaker. “They said it’d be fine. Just come over to my place whenever. We can ride to Brian’s together. Okay. Talk to you later. Bye.”
He put his phone back in his pocket and drank the rest of his coffee in a couple quick gulps. “Well, I should get going. Ma is expecting me soon and I don’t want to keep her waiting.”
“Do you need a ride?” Brian asked. “I’m assuming that you walked over here.”
“I did,” Michael confirmed. “But you two are busy…”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Michael,” Justin said. Even if Michael did annoy him sometimes, he didn’t want the man to freeze to death. “Its near freezing out, and your mom’s house is almost halfway across town.”
“If you’re sure, then okay,” Michael acquiesced. He zipped up his coat, but left the gloves in the pocket and his scarf hanging loose.
“I’ll call something in for lunch,” Justin said as he picked up the cordless. “Want anything in particular?”
“No, Just try and limit the stuff with carbs,” Brian answered. “With all that shit you’re making I should be fasting for at least a week beforehand.”
“So, Thai?” Justin asked as he rummaged through the take out drawer.
“Sounds good. The usual I guess. And make sure they don’t forget the sesame noodles this time,” Brian said as he opened the door.
“I won’t,” Justin reassured him. “Hurry back, dear,” he added with a grin.
***
“You know, I still can’t believe that you two are still together,” Michael commented on the drive to his mother’s house. “I mean, considering the way you started out.”
“I guess the same could be said for you and Ben,” Brian countered. “That he wants to try a relationship again.”
“Yeah, but it’s still weird,” Michael said, shaking his head. “I didn’t think you’d ever settle down with someone. Let alone someone who’s so much younger, and with so much less life experience.”
Brian pulled the Jeep over on the side of the road and put it in park. He took a deep breath and glared at his friend. “Are you trying to get me to kick you out?”
“What? No, of course not!” Michael said vehemently.
“Then why do you insist on trying to have a conversation that you know will only result in pissing me the fuck off?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.” Michael sighed deeply. “It’s just…you’ve changed so much since you and Justin ‘got together’ and I feel like we’ve drifted so far apart.”
“Everyone grows up, Michael. Even me.”
“I know,” Michael said. “I am happy for you though. Happy that you’re happy. You seem to be.”
“I am, Mikey,” Brian said. “I am.”
“Well good.” Michael smiled.
Brian put the Jeep in drive and pulled back out on the street.
***
“We’re back!” Brian called out as he entered the loft with Gus at his side. A McDonalds happy meal clutched in his small hands.
“Hey, Gus!” Justin greeted the boy as he exited the bedroom. He had changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a blue long-sleeved t-shirt. “How are you buddy?”
“Good,” Gus answered.
Brian took the happy meal and set it on the counter and helped his son remove his coat before taking his own off. He sorted through the take out on the counter and took down two plates from the cabinet.
“Ohhhh, a tree!” Gus exclaimed. He ran over to stand in front of it and eyed it critically. “There’s nothing on it but lights! Why doesn’t it look like Mommy and Mama’s tree?”
“Do you want to help us decorated it?” Justin asked.
Gus nodded enthusiastically.
“You need to try to be careful, though,” Justin said. “But don’t worry if one breaks. Accidents happen. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Come on, you two,” Brian called from the table. “We can decorate after we finish eating.”
“So Gus, are you excited about Christmas?” Justin asked once they were settled at the table.
“Uh-huh.” Gus nodded before taking a bite from his hamburger.
“Have you gone to see Santa yet?”
“Not yet,” Gus said in a small voice. “And if I don’t see him soon, I won’t be able to tell him what I want for Christmas, and then I won’t have nothing!”
“Anything,” Brian corrected automatically.
“Don’t worry, Gus,” Justin said. “I’m sure you’ll be able to see Santa in time.”
“I hope so.”
“How about tomorrow?” Justin asked. “If it’s alright with your moms, that is.”
“Really? We can?” Gus looked back and forth between his dad and Justin.
“Sure, Gus.” Brian nodded. “We can ask your moms when I drop you off tonight.”
They finished eating and listened as Gus told them what he was gonna ask Santa for the next day. The list seemed to be endless, and Justin suggested that Gus only tell Santa the things he really wants.
“But then how else will he know what to bring?” Gus asked.
“You can write it in a letter,” Justin answered. “I’m pretty sure they have a special mailbox at the mall next to where Santa will be.”
“Okay,” Gus said, accepting Justin’s explanation.
After the dishes were washed, and the leftovers put away, the trio made their way over to the tree and started sorting through ornaments. There were a couple of near misses and only one accident. After they finished with the decorating Gus insisted that they close the drapes and turn off all the lights except the ones on the tree. He sat curled up on the sofa between his dad and Justin and admired their handiwork.
On the drive to Mel and Lindsay’s Gus insisted that the music be louder, and that his dad sing along.
“C’mon Daddy, please?” Gus whined. He must have picked that up from his Uncle Mikey.
“Yeah, c’mon, Brian,” Justin said with a huge grin on his face.
“I don’t sing,” Brian stated.
“Really?” Justin said as he scratched his chin, and looked like he was trying to remember something. “That’s funny. I remember hearing a story of a young man who had dreams of becoming the next Robert Smith.”
“That’s different,” Brian reasoned. “If you can name one Christmas song that The Cure did, then I’ll sing. Until then…”
“Alright, fine,” Justin said with a resigned smile on his face. He adjusted the volume on the radio and leaned his head back on the seat.
***
Sunday at the mall was more than Brian bargained for. The line to see Santa was so long that Brian and Justin took turns going for coffee in between restroom breaks. When Gus finally got to see Santa he uncharacteristically froze up and couldn’t remember what he wanted. Only after he took the picture and put his letter in Santa’s mailbox did he remember what he wanted to say. He begged and pleaded his dad to please let him try again, but by that time Brian had had enough and he suggested he ask his moms to bring him by again, as they told him that they were coming to the mall in the next couple days.
When Brian and Justin dropped Gus off at the end of the day the little boy was so tired he had to be carried inside.
Even though the relationship, if you could call it that, between Mel and Brian had improved over the past months, Justin was still relieved when he saw only Lindsay downstairs. Melanie would have undoubtedly made a comment about how inconsiderate Brian was being letting Gus fall asleep when his bedtime was only a couple more hours away. Thankfully Lindsay knew it was best not to antagonize Brian after a day spent in a crowded mall.
“Come on in,” Lindsay greeted them, opening the door wide. “How was it? Was Gus able to see Santa?”
“Of course,” Brian answered. “That was the main reason for going.” He set Gus on the couch where he laid his head on the cushions and fell into a light sleep.
“And he got a picture too,” Justin said as he pulled the photo out of one of the small bags. “Here you go.”
“Why does he look so worried?” Lindsay asked, peering at the photo carefully.
“He forgot what he wanted to tell Santa,” Justin explained. “And he thought that if he didn’t tell him about what wasn’t on his list then he might not get it.”
“Poor thing,” Lindsay said. “Would you two like to stay for dinner?”
“I don’t think so,” Brian interjected before Justin could answer. “It’s been a fucking long day and I just want to go home.”
“Me too,” Justin agreed. “We’ll see you later. Tell Mel hi for me, and I’m sorry I missed her.”
“I will.” Lindsay and nodded with a smile. She waited on the porch until the black Jeep turned the corner, away from her sight.
***
“What’re you doing?” Brian called from the bedroom. He rested on his elbows and peered at Justin through the panels.
“I made a list and I’m just checking over it again,” Justin answered. “I don’t want to forget anything when we go to buy the stuff for dinner.”
“Just tell Deb when you plan on going,” Brian said. “She’ll call you every five minutes asking what you’ve bought so far. And we’re not even going for another week.”
“I know,” Justin said as he put the pen down and made his way to the bed. He pulled off his shirt and let it fall to the floor. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
Brian pulled back the sheets and wrapped them tightly around Justin as he pulled the blond close to his chest.
“Relax,” Brian said. “Everything will be fine.” His hand moved down Justin’s chest to the growing hardness as he rubbed his own erection against Justin’s ass.
Justin rolled on his stomach and buried his head in the pillow. He sighed deeply as Brian kissed and licked a trail down his back. A tongue prodded at his hole, and he spread his legs to give it more access.
Brian took his time preparing Justin, using his tongue and eventually moving on to his fingers. When Justin started pushing back insistently on him, he took a condom from the nightstand and rolled it on his aching cock. He nudged Justin so he was resting on his back and slathered a fair amount of lube on before pushing in.
He kept a slow torturous pace, sometimes barely brushing Justin’s prostate, and other times hitting it with deliberateness. It took all his willpower not to come as Justin clenched tightly around his cock. He wrapped his fingers around Justin’s cock and stroked it in time with his thrusts.
“Come for me,” he said into Justin’s ear. He started hitting his sweet spot repeatedly. “Now.”
Overwhelmed, Justin couldn’t hold back any longer. He came hard and within second he felt Brian follow.
Brian slowly pulled out and discarded the condom. He took the rag he had placed on the nightstand and cleaned the cum off Justin’s chest. He threw the rag on the floor and wrapped his arms around Justin as they both fell into a peaceful, worry-free sleep.
***
Christmas finally arrived and Justin was pacing the floor. He had gone over to Lindsay and Melanie’s earlier that morning with Brian to watch Gus open presents. Gus was especially happy. He had received everything from Santa that he wanted. They had stayed and played with him for a while before returning back to the loft.
When they returned, the turkey was finished cooking, and Justin put a majority of the other items in warming trays. The family was due to arrive any minute and the anticipation was making Justin a wreck.
“Will you stop pacing,” Brian said from the sofa. “Or at least pick up your feet. You’re gonna wear a track in the floor and I don’t feel like getting it refinished.”
Just as he was about to sit down the buzzer from downstairs rang. He went to the door and pressed the call button. “Hello.”
“Hey, Justin, it’s us!” Lindsay’s voice came through the intercom.
“Come on up.” He released the downstairs door and opened the loft door so they wouldn’t have to wait to be let in again.
The rest of the family began arriving steadily, all bearing gifts. Ted arrived with Emmett, and Michael came with Debbie and Ben. Deb had on a bright red sweater and a green vest decorated with Christmas buttons, and Emmett’s sweater played a variety of Christmas songs. Everyone helped themselves to a drink and settled on and around the sofa while they waited for the turkey to cool off some.
“I heard about it, but I wouldn’t believe it til I saw it,” Deb said as she admired Brian and Justin’s tree. “It’s fucking gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” Justin said with a smile. He arranged the desserts on the island counter and joined the rest of the family in the living room area. Since there was no seating left, he sat down in front of Brian, leaning back between his legs. “So, Melanie, how are you doing?”
“I’ll be doing better once I get this out of me,” Melanie said, pointing to her stomach. “She was supposed to be here last week. And our doctor didn’t want to induce last time we were in there. ‘Let it come naturally’ he says.”
“Well, as long as the baby isn’t in danger he said it’s okay to wait,” Lindsay said.
“Have ya’ll decided on a name?” Emmett asked.
“Yes, actually we have,” Lindsay said as she took Melanie’s hand in hers. “We talked it over with Ted, and we decided to go with Jenny Rebecca.”
“Are they your Grandmothers?” Ben asked.
“Early Streisand,” Melanie answered with a smile.
“So, Ted, how are you doing?” Justin asked.
“I’m much more nervous than I thought I’d be,” Ted as he sipped his eggnog. “But I’m really excited too. I have a videotape ready and everything.”
“And I told him that there was no fu—” Melanie stopped before she cussed in front of Gus. “That there was no way he was going to film me giving birth.”
***
“Remind me never to let you talk me into doing that again,” Brian said as Justin put away the remainder of the leftovers. He flopped down on the couch and covered his eyes with his arm.
“Believe me,” Justin said, straddling Brian’s waist. “I have no intention of doing something like this for at least another couple years. And then by then you’ll have forgotten that you ever asked me to do that.”
Brian didn’t have to uncover his eyes to know there was a grin on Justin’s face. “I don’t think so.”
Justin leaned forward and kissed a trail from Brian’s jaw down his neck. As he was about to unbutton his shirt, a pair of hands stopped him.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Brian said. “But not right now.”
Justin sat up confused. “Okay,” he said slowly.
Brian reached underneath the sofa and pulled out a small square box. “Here,” he said, handing the box to Justin.
“What’s this?” Justin asked, eyeing the box.
“Open it,” Brian said.
Justin opened the box and saw a set of keys. He picked up the keys and tossed the box on the coffee table. “What do these go to?”
“The loft downstairs,” Brian answered.
“Why do you have them?”
“I thought that we could convert it,” Brian said as he sat up. “We can keep the bedroom up here. Maybe put up some walls for an office and a studio. And downstairs we can have a bedroom for Gus and everything else.”
“Given this some thought?” Justin asked with a smile.
“Just a little,” Brian answered with a small smile. “Nothings set in stone, though. We’ll only get it if you want it too.”
“Are you kidding?” Justin leaned forward and kissed Brian on the lips. “I think it sounds like a fantastic idea. I can’t wait.”
“Good,” Brian said, kissing Justin once more. “Now let’s go to bed.” He took Justin’s hand in his and they made their way to the bedroom.
They lay curled up in the middle of the bed, Brian not caring that what he was doing constituted cuddling. He grazed the tips of his fingers along Justin’s arms as they drifted off to sleep.
Author:
hsbfcRating: PG-13 to R-ish-y
Warnings: none
Word Count: 4771
Disclaimer: QUEER AS FOLK is property of COWLIP and SHOWTIME. I own nothing.
Author’s Notes: I want to say thanks to my wonderful beta
elyxer. You rock! Without your encouragement I would not be writing. THANKS and I love ya!“What the fuck is that?” Brian closed the door and set his briefcase on the desk. He raised an eyebrow as he made his way over to where Justin was crouching.
“It’s a Christmas tree, Brian,” Justin answered as he stood up. “You know those green, triangular things people get around this time of year,” he added with a grin.
“I know what it is,” Brian said as he pinched Justin’s side. “The question is what is it doing in the loft?”
“I told you I was going to pick up a couple things today.”
“By a ‘couple of things’ I thought you meant the important stuff. You know, milk, bread, condoms, lube,” Brian said as he loosened his tie and went to the bedroom to change.
“Got all that too.” Justin opened the Big Q bag and set his purchases on the coffee table. He had three boxes of plain white lights, blue and silver balls, and one package of icicles. That would be enough for now. He didn’t want Brian to flip out too much.
“What, no singing, dancing Santa Claus?” Brian asked as he sat on the couch.
“No,” Justin sighed. “It was on back order so it won’t be here for another two weeks. I could have paid the extra to have it rushed, but I didn’t think it was worth the hassle,” he continued as he unraveled the lights. “But I know that Gus will get a kick out it.”
Brian stared at Justin, one eyebrow raised, his mouth slightly agape.
“Relax, Brian.” Justin rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Do you think I’d seriously try and bring a singing, dancing Santa Claus into the loft? Please, give me some credit.”
“Of course not. So what do you want for dinner?” Brian asked as he went to the kitchen to look through the various take out menus.
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter. I’ll eat anything,” Justin answered distractedly as he made a trail of lights around the coffee table. He looked at the tree and again at the rows of lights. “Do you think there will be enough?”
“Justin, you bought like fifty feet of lights. Deb would be able to see us from her front porch if she wanted to.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Justin scratched his chin and picked up one end of the lights and started hanging them on the tree, working his way from the bottom up.
“So what brought on this sudden urge to decorate?” Brian asked as he held up the lights, and followed Justin around the tree.
“I just thought that with everyone coming over for Christmas dinner that the loft should look festive,” Justin answered.
“I think Deb and Emmett will look ‘festive’ enough for everyone…and then some,” Brian stated.
“I know, but this is our first real Christmas together as a real couple.”
“And we need a tree to commemorate that?” Brian asked, still helping Justin with the lights.
“Would you prefer a plaque?” Justin smirked. “Something you can hang on your office wall at Kinnetik?”
“You could have at least discussed it with me first,” Brian said. The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.
“I know. I’m sorry,” Justin said, stopping abruptly. “It’s just…I was at the Big Q shopping for supplies and I saw my dad, and he was with his new wife and step-son. And I know he saw me too, but he wouldn’t even acknowledge me. All the hurtful things he’s said to me in the past just came rushing to the surface.”
“Justin—”
“I know, I know.” Justin shook his head. “I shouldn’t let him get to me.”
“Justin,” Brian repeated. “These lights aren’t going to hang themselves.”
***
Brian turned off the Christmas music and changed the station to something more to his liking. He gave a sideways glance at Justin who was trying to hide a smirk.
“I had Gus last night before I came home,” Brian said, explaining the music. “I just forgot to change it.”
“Did I say anything?” Justin asked as he bit his lip, trying to suppress a grin.
“You didn’t have to,” Brian countered. He pulled out onto the street and pressed on the gas.
“So where are we going?” Justin asked, the silence getting to him.
“If you insist on having that heinous monstrosity in the loft then you’re gonna put something better on it than that shit they sell at the Big Q.”
“That’s a great idea,” Justin said with a smile.
“What, no arguments?”
“I think it’s a great idea to get something nice, even if it will cost more.”
“This coming from the man who still insists that we clip coupons for our groceries.”
“It’s like an investment. These ornaments are something that we can use year after year. We could even add a new one each year,” Justin reasoned. He grinned when he saw Brian rubbing his temple out of the corner of his eye.
“We are not doing this again next year,” Brian said, shaking his head. “This year, fine. Next year you’ll just have to make due with Deb’s tree.”
“Then we don’t need expensive things to put on the tree if you’re just going to box them up and never use them again,” Justin argued. “If you’re gonna do that we might as well just use what I bought and forget about getting anything else.”
“Well see,” Brian said as he continued to drive.
“Well see, what?” Justin asked.
“About the tree,” Brian answered. “Who knows if we’ll even be in the loft next year. Gus is getting bigger, and almost every time he comes over he manages to leave something behind. We’ll need more room eventually if he keeps it up.”
“Yeah, okay.” Justin nods.
***
Michael was waiting on the steps when Brian and Justin returned home. His scarf was wrapped around his neck and the bottom half of his face, and his hands were stuffed in his coat pocked. He stood up abruptly and pulled the scarf down slightly.
Justin closed the Jeep door with his elbow, keeping a tight grip on the bags he was holding. “Hey, Michael.”
“About fucking time you got here,” he said to Brian as he licked his chapped lips, ignoring Justin. “I’ve been waiting here forever.”
“If you had called you would’ve known we weren’t home,” Brian said as he unlocked the entry door. “Then you wouldn’t have been out here freezing your ass off.”
“I did try to call you asshole,” Michael said through chattering teeth. “But you didn’t answer.”
“So then why bother coming down then?” Brian asked.
Justin closed the door to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. Even though his relationship with Michael had improved over the last year, it was amicable at best.
“I was already on my way down here when I called,” Michael answered. “You’re always home or at the diner on Saturday mornings.”
“Not always,” Brian said.
“So what’s in the bags?” Michael asked.
“Just some things for the loft. You’ll see.”
The elevator came to a stop and Justin opened the gate as he pulled out his keys and opened the door. He turned off the alarm and set his bags on the coffee table.
“What is that?!” Michael exclaimed, pointing to the tree in front of the window. He unzipped his coat and took off his gloves and scarf. He stuffed the gloves in the coat pocket and hung it and the scarf on the back of the bar chairs.
“That’s what these are for,” Brian answered as held up the bags and waved them in the air. He set them on the coffee table next to the others and sat down in his Barcelona chair.
“Are you staying, Michael?” Justin asked. He filled the coffee pot with water and took the bag of coffee grinds from the cabinet.
“Of course I’m staying,” Michael said as he plopped down on the sofa. “I didn’t sit out in the fucking cold just to leave as soon as Brian got here.”
“Okay,” Justin said through clenched teeth. “I was just wondering if you wanted some coffee.”
“Oh, yeah. Sure.”
“So what brings you by, Mikey?” Brian asked.
“Ma wants to know what you guys are fixing so she can figure out what to bring,” Michael answered. “She’s going crazy not knowing every little detail.”
“You’ll have to talk to Justin about that.” Brian scratched the side of his nose. “He’s the one with the list of what he needs to buy. My only contribution to it is an extra fire extinguisher,” he added with a smirk.
“My cooking is perfectly fine,” Justin said as he sat down on the far end of the sofa, away from Michael. “And I haven’t once started a fire.”
Brian gave him the patented Kinney glare.
“Okay, I haven’t ever started a dangerous one,” Justin amended his words.
“He’s started a fire and you still let him near the stove?!” Michael’s eyes were wide as saucers.
“Sure, why not.” Brian shrugged.
Michael shook his head in disbelief. He couldn’t understand Brian’s nonchalant attitude. “So,” he said as he cleared his throat and turned to face Justin. “What can Ma bring over for dinner?”
“Any kind of dessert,” Justin answered. “I’m shit when it comes to baking. So unless everyone wants store bought pies, my only hope is Deb.”
“I think Ma would consider store bought pies sacrilege,” Michael said with a grin.
“I don’t doubt that,” Justin agreed.
“So when’d you get the tree?” Michael asked, turning his attention back to Brian. “In all the years that I’ve know you, I’ve never known you to get a Christmas tree.”
“It was Justin’s idea, not mine,” Brian explained. “
“The ornaments were your idea though,” Justin said. He raised an eyebrow at his boyfriend as he stood up and headed to the kitchen. The coffee was still percolating so he took out three cups and put the appropriate amount of sugar and cream in each. “How do you take yours, Michael?”
“Black is fine. I’ll need all the caffeine I can get,” Michael answered. “Ma wants me to come over this afternoon and help her get out more decorations. You’d think with all she has out now that there wouldn’t be any left any where!”
“As long as there’s empty shelf space at Deb’s, there’s always room for more decorations,” Brian said. “You should know that, Mikey.”
The timer when off on the coffee machine, and Justin poured the hot liquid into the waiting cups.
“Oh, I think Lindsay was looking for you, too,” Michael told Brian as he took the cup of coffee from Justin.
“Well, I was planning on going by later this evening so she can just talk to me then,” Brian said.
Justin returned with his and Brian’s coffee.
“Okay.” Michael nodded, frowning slightly, as if he was trying to come up with more things to talk about. Before he could say something else his cell phone rang. “Ben, hi!” His face lit up and he stood up and made his way to the other end of the loft.
“Ben? When did that happen?” Justin asked Brian.
“A month ago, maybe.” Brian shrugged. “I don’t know. Michael said one day Ben just showed up at the shop.”
“Ah.” Justin nodded. “Well, that’s good. I guess. But I thought he was seeing that one guy who works with the children.”
“Well, I think he was for a while, but not anymore.” Brian shook his head. “He had taken a trip to Brazil and brought back more than souvenirs. He had some kind of Brazilian beach parasite in his ass.”
“Gross.” Justin wrinkled his nose.
“At least he found out before he fucked him.”
“Yeah.” Justin nodded his head in agreement.
“Hey guys,” Michael said, his hand covering the bottom half of his phone. “Is there room for one more at dinner? I really want Ben to be there.”
Justin looked at Brian who just shrugged. “Sure, why not. There will be more than enough still.”
“Great,” Michael said with a smile before removing his hand from over the speaker. “They said it’d be fine. Just come over to my place whenever. We can ride to Brian’s together. Okay. Talk to you later. Bye.”
He put his phone back in his pocket and drank the rest of his coffee in a couple quick gulps. “Well, I should get going. Ma is expecting me soon and I don’t want to keep her waiting.”
“Do you need a ride?” Brian asked. “I’m assuming that you walked over here.”
“I did,” Michael confirmed. “But you two are busy…”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Michael,” Justin said. Even if Michael did annoy him sometimes, he didn’t want the man to freeze to death. “Its near freezing out, and your mom’s house is almost halfway across town.”
“If you’re sure, then okay,” Michael acquiesced. He zipped up his coat, but left the gloves in the pocket and his scarf hanging loose.
“I’ll call something in for lunch,” Justin said as he picked up the cordless. “Want anything in particular?”
“No, Just try and limit the stuff with carbs,” Brian answered. “With all that shit you’re making I should be fasting for at least a week beforehand.”
“So, Thai?” Justin asked as he rummaged through the take out drawer.
“Sounds good. The usual I guess. And make sure they don’t forget the sesame noodles this time,” Brian said as he opened the door.
“I won’t,” Justin reassured him. “Hurry back, dear,” he added with a grin.
***
“You know, I still can’t believe that you two are still together,” Michael commented on the drive to his mother’s house. “I mean, considering the way you started out.”
“I guess the same could be said for you and Ben,” Brian countered. “That he wants to try a relationship again.”
“Yeah, but it’s still weird,” Michael said, shaking his head. “I didn’t think you’d ever settle down with someone. Let alone someone who’s so much younger, and with so much less life experience.”
Brian pulled the Jeep over on the side of the road and put it in park. He took a deep breath and glared at his friend. “Are you trying to get me to kick you out?”
“What? No, of course not!” Michael said vehemently.
“Then why do you insist on trying to have a conversation that you know will only result in pissing me the fuck off?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to.” Michael sighed deeply. “It’s just…you’ve changed so much since you and Justin ‘got together’ and I feel like we’ve drifted so far apart.”
“Everyone grows up, Michael. Even me.”
“I know,” Michael said. “I am happy for you though. Happy that you’re happy. You seem to be.”
“I am, Mikey,” Brian said. “I am.”
“Well good.” Michael smiled.
Brian put the Jeep in drive and pulled back out on the street.
***
“We’re back!” Brian called out as he entered the loft with Gus at his side. A McDonalds happy meal clutched in his small hands.
“Hey, Gus!” Justin greeted the boy as he exited the bedroom. He had changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a blue long-sleeved t-shirt. “How are you buddy?”
“Good,” Gus answered.
Brian took the happy meal and set it on the counter and helped his son remove his coat before taking his own off. He sorted through the take out on the counter and took down two plates from the cabinet.
“Ohhhh, a tree!” Gus exclaimed. He ran over to stand in front of it and eyed it critically. “There’s nothing on it but lights! Why doesn’t it look like Mommy and Mama’s tree?”
“Do you want to help us decorated it?” Justin asked.
Gus nodded enthusiastically.
“You need to try to be careful, though,” Justin said. “But don’t worry if one breaks. Accidents happen. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Come on, you two,” Brian called from the table. “We can decorate after we finish eating.”
“So Gus, are you excited about Christmas?” Justin asked once they were settled at the table.
“Uh-huh.” Gus nodded before taking a bite from his hamburger.
“Have you gone to see Santa yet?”
“Not yet,” Gus said in a small voice. “And if I don’t see him soon, I won’t be able to tell him what I want for Christmas, and then I won’t have nothing!”
“Anything,” Brian corrected automatically.
“Don’t worry, Gus,” Justin said. “I’m sure you’ll be able to see Santa in time.”
“I hope so.”
“How about tomorrow?” Justin asked. “If it’s alright with your moms, that is.”
“Really? We can?” Gus looked back and forth between his dad and Justin.
“Sure, Gus.” Brian nodded. “We can ask your moms when I drop you off tonight.”
They finished eating and listened as Gus told them what he was gonna ask Santa for the next day. The list seemed to be endless, and Justin suggested that Gus only tell Santa the things he really wants.
“But then how else will he know what to bring?” Gus asked.
“You can write it in a letter,” Justin answered. “I’m pretty sure they have a special mailbox at the mall next to where Santa will be.”
“Okay,” Gus said, accepting Justin’s explanation.
After the dishes were washed, and the leftovers put away, the trio made their way over to the tree and started sorting through ornaments. There were a couple of near misses and only one accident. After they finished with the decorating Gus insisted that they close the drapes and turn off all the lights except the ones on the tree. He sat curled up on the sofa between his dad and Justin and admired their handiwork.
On the drive to Mel and Lindsay’s Gus insisted that the music be louder, and that his dad sing along.
“C’mon Daddy, please?” Gus whined. He must have picked that up from his Uncle Mikey.
“Yeah, c’mon, Brian,” Justin said with a huge grin on his face.
“I don’t sing,” Brian stated.
“Really?” Justin said as he scratched his chin, and looked like he was trying to remember something. “That’s funny. I remember hearing a story of a young man who had dreams of becoming the next Robert Smith.”
“That’s different,” Brian reasoned. “If you can name one Christmas song that The Cure did, then I’ll sing. Until then…”
“Alright, fine,” Justin said with a resigned smile on his face. He adjusted the volume on the radio and leaned his head back on the seat.
***
Sunday at the mall was more than Brian bargained for. The line to see Santa was so long that Brian and Justin took turns going for coffee in between restroom breaks. When Gus finally got to see Santa he uncharacteristically froze up and couldn’t remember what he wanted. Only after he took the picture and put his letter in Santa’s mailbox did he remember what he wanted to say. He begged and pleaded his dad to please let him try again, but by that time Brian had had enough and he suggested he ask his moms to bring him by again, as they told him that they were coming to the mall in the next couple days.
When Brian and Justin dropped Gus off at the end of the day the little boy was so tired he had to be carried inside.
Even though the relationship, if you could call it that, between Mel and Brian had improved over the past months, Justin was still relieved when he saw only Lindsay downstairs. Melanie would have undoubtedly made a comment about how inconsiderate Brian was being letting Gus fall asleep when his bedtime was only a couple more hours away. Thankfully Lindsay knew it was best not to antagonize Brian after a day spent in a crowded mall.
“Come on in,” Lindsay greeted them, opening the door wide. “How was it? Was Gus able to see Santa?”
“Of course,” Brian answered. “That was the main reason for going.” He set Gus on the couch where he laid his head on the cushions and fell into a light sleep.
“And he got a picture too,” Justin said as he pulled the photo out of one of the small bags. “Here you go.”
“Why does he look so worried?” Lindsay asked, peering at the photo carefully.
“He forgot what he wanted to tell Santa,” Justin explained. “And he thought that if he didn’t tell him about what wasn’t on his list then he might not get it.”
“Poor thing,” Lindsay said. “Would you two like to stay for dinner?”
“I don’t think so,” Brian interjected before Justin could answer. “It’s been a fucking long day and I just want to go home.”
“Me too,” Justin agreed. “We’ll see you later. Tell Mel hi for me, and I’m sorry I missed her.”
“I will.” Lindsay and nodded with a smile. She waited on the porch until the black Jeep turned the corner, away from her sight.
***
“What’re you doing?” Brian called from the bedroom. He rested on his elbows and peered at Justin through the panels.
“I made a list and I’m just checking over it again,” Justin answered. “I don’t want to forget anything when we go to buy the stuff for dinner.”
“Just tell Deb when you plan on going,” Brian said. “She’ll call you every five minutes asking what you’ve bought so far. And we’re not even going for another week.”
“I know,” Justin said as he put the pen down and made his way to the bed. He pulled off his shirt and let it fall to the floor. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
Brian pulled back the sheets and wrapped them tightly around Justin as he pulled the blond close to his chest.
“Relax,” Brian said. “Everything will be fine.” His hand moved down Justin’s chest to the growing hardness as he rubbed his own erection against Justin’s ass.
Justin rolled on his stomach and buried his head in the pillow. He sighed deeply as Brian kissed and licked a trail down his back. A tongue prodded at his hole, and he spread his legs to give it more access.
Brian took his time preparing Justin, using his tongue and eventually moving on to his fingers. When Justin started pushing back insistently on him, he took a condom from the nightstand and rolled it on his aching cock. He nudged Justin so he was resting on his back and slathered a fair amount of lube on before pushing in.
He kept a slow torturous pace, sometimes barely brushing Justin’s prostate, and other times hitting it with deliberateness. It took all his willpower not to come as Justin clenched tightly around his cock. He wrapped his fingers around Justin’s cock and stroked it in time with his thrusts.
“Come for me,” he said into Justin’s ear. He started hitting his sweet spot repeatedly. “Now.”
Overwhelmed, Justin couldn’t hold back any longer. He came hard and within second he felt Brian follow.
Brian slowly pulled out and discarded the condom. He took the rag he had placed on the nightstand and cleaned the cum off Justin’s chest. He threw the rag on the floor and wrapped his arms around Justin as they both fell into a peaceful, worry-free sleep.
***
Christmas finally arrived and Justin was pacing the floor. He had gone over to Lindsay and Melanie’s earlier that morning with Brian to watch Gus open presents. Gus was especially happy. He had received everything from Santa that he wanted. They had stayed and played with him for a while before returning back to the loft.
When they returned, the turkey was finished cooking, and Justin put a majority of the other items in warming trays. The family was due to arrive any minute and the anticipation was making Justin a wreck.
“Will you stop pacing,” Brian said from the sofa. “Or at least pick up your feet. You’re gonna wear a track in the floor and I don’t feel like getting it refinished.”
Just as he was about to sit down the buzzer from downstairs rang. He went to the door and pressed the call button. “Hello.”
“Hey, Justin, it’s us!” Lindsay’s voice came through the intercom.
“Come on up.” He released the downstairs door and opened the loft door so they wouldn’t have to wait to be let in again.
The rest of the family began arriving steadily, all bearing gifts. Ted arrived with Emmett, and Michael came with Debbie and Ben. Deb had on a bright red sweater and a green vest decorated with Christmas buttons, and Emmett’s sweater played a variety of Christmas songs. Everyone helped themselves to a drink and settled on and around the sofa while they waited for the turkey to cool off some.
“I heard about it, but I wouldn’t believe it til I saw it,” Deb said as she admired Brian and Justin’s tree. “It’s fucking gorgeous.”
“Thanks,” Justin said with a smile. He arranged the desserts on the island counter and joined the rest of the family in the living room area. Since there was no seating left, he sat down in front of Brian, leaning back between his legs. “So, Melanie, how are you doing?”
“I’ll be doing better once I get this out of me,” Melanie said, pointing to her stomach. “She was supposed to be here last week. And our doctor didn’t want to induce last time we were in there. ‘Let it come naturally’ he says.”
“Well, as long as the baby isn’t in danger he said it’s okay to wait,” Lindsay said.
“Have ya’ll decided on a name?” Emmett asked.
“Yes, actually we have,” Lindsay said as she took Melanie’s hand in hers. “We talked it over with Ted, and we decided to go with Jenny Rebecca.”
“Are they your Grandmothers?” Ben asked.
“Early Streisand,” Melanie answered with a smile.
“So, Ted, how are you doing?” Justin asked.
“I’m much more nervous than I thought I’d be,” Ted as he sipped his eggnog. “But I’m really excited too. I have a videotape ready and everything.”
“And I told him that there was no fu—” Melanie stopped before she cussed in front of Gus. “That there was no way he was going to film me giving birth.”
***
“Remind me never to let you talk me into doing that again,” Brian said as Justin put away the remainder of the leftovers. He flopped down on the couch and covered his eyes with his arm.
“Believe me,” Justin said, straddling Brian’s waist. “I have no intention of doing something like this for at least another couple years. And then by then you’ll have forgotten that you ever asked me to do that.”
Brian didn’t have to uncover his eyes to know there was a grin on Justin’s face. “I don’t think so.”
Justin leaned forward and kissed a trail from Brian’s jaw down his neck. As he was about to unbutton his shirt, a pair of hands stopped him.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Brian said. “But not right now.”
Justin sat up confused. “Okay,” he said slowly.
Brian reached underneath the sofa and pulled out a small square box. “Here,” he said, handing the box to Justin.
“What’s this?” Justin asked, eyeing the box.
“Open it,” Brian said.
Justin opened the box and saw a set of keys. He picked up the keys and tossed the box on the coffee table. “What do these go to?”
“The loft downstairs,” Brian answered.
“Why do you have them?”
“I thought that we could convert it,” Brian said as he sat up. “We can keep the bedroom up here. Maybe put up some walls for an office and a studio. And downstairs we can have a bedroom for Gus and everything else.”
“Given this some thought?” Justin asked with a smile.
“Just a little,” Brian answered with a small smile. “Nothings set in stone, though. We’ll only get it if you want it too.”
“Are you kidding?” Justin leaned forward and kissed Brian on the lips. “I think it sounds like a fantastic idea. I can’t wait.”
“Good,” Brian said, kissing Justin once more. “Now let’s go to bed.” He took Justin’s hand in his and they made their way to the bedroom.
They lay curled up in the middle of the bed, Brian not caring that what he was doing constituted cuddling. He grazed the tips of his fingers along Justin’s arms as they drifted off to sleep.
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Loved the fact that they're expanding the loft, and how much Gus is a part of their lives.
Have a great Christmas!
Hugs,
Arlad
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Have a great Christmas, too!
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Hugs!
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I hope to find my Nathan voice again.
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Hopefully, one of these days, Mikey may actually grow up and realize that Justin is there to stay. Interesting about Ben coming back.
Love Brian looking into the extra loft too. :D
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So glad you liked it!
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Merry Christmas!!
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Merry Christmas!
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Happy holidays
Susanne
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I hope to start writing more. :)
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I like it alot.
Great Job.
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Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you a Happy New Year.
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