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asm614
FROM:netlagd
TITLE: No Place Like Home for the Holidays
GIFT REQUEST: Fic fluff/schmooop, angst, canon-compliant, hurt/comfort, humor, sexy fun times Justin and Brian being believably goofy/relaxed together over the holidays in the later years (can be present day or later) of their relationship. Other canon characters (or believable OCs welcome)
NOTE: Rating: R – more suggested and situational. Canon 10 or so years post series 2015-2017
beta and banner by marvelousstephmck
Disclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer As Folk are the property of Russell T. Davies, CowLip Productions, Tony Jonas Productions, Showtime Networks Inc. and others. No copyright infringement is intended.
“Remind me again why the fuck we’re doing this?” Brian bitched as he packed a pair of Gucci loafers into their individual felt bags, before shoving them unceremoniously into the Tumi roll aboard suitcase.
“We haven’t been home for Christmas in five years!”
“We’ve been home…”
“London is not home, Paris is not home, LA isn’t home, New York isn’t home.” Justin interrupted. “and spending Christmas in Ibiza or the Caribbean is nice, but it’s not snow and ice skating and hot chocolate.”
“If that’s the case let’s sell the condos, the townhouse and the estate and just live in the Pitts.”
“Fine by me.” Justin muttered just loud enough for Brian to hear.
“And what? Live in the loft – we have too much shit. We have five houses of too much shit.”
“We could sell it all for all I care - keep the most important stuff… and live at Britin.”
Brian snorted a laugh. “I’d like to see that – you’ll have to kick Lindsay and Mel out. No mean feat, I believe Lindsay likes playing lady of the manor. And besides, it was your idea to let the girls stay there.”
“It was supposed to be temporary…”
“It was temporary five years ago, they’ve grown roots like bamboo – good luck eradicating the invasive species.”
Justin straightened his shoulders. “I can do it – you just don’t want to piss off Mel.”
“Better you than me, I like my dick.”
“I like it, too.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~
“You’re throwing us out of our home?” Lindsay sobbed in a melodramatic display of emotion “… at Christmas?”
Brian rolled his eyes as he listened to Lindsay’s weepy voice carry from the speaker of Justin’s iPhone.
“Now Lindsay…” Justin started.
“Does Brian know you are doing this?” Justin could hear Lindsay’s voice gaining strength as she made the fatal mistake of once again thinking she could wheedle Brian to her will. Well, Brian was his husband, not hers. She already had one, er wife.
“Lindsay, you and Mel have had five years to find a new home.” Justin pointed out.
Lindsay ignored the comment. “It’s not like you need Britin – you haven’t even lived in the states these past three years. Besides, Gus and Jenny Rebecca are settled into school. It would be disruptive to their education. You and Brian can stay at the loft for the few weeks you’ll be in town over the holidays. You’ll be closer to Kinnetik, for Brian’s work.”
A silent chuckle rolled across Brian’s shoulders.
Justin gave his husband a pointed glare. He wasn’t going to be thrown out of his home. Brian had brought Britin for him.
Brian straightened up. “They go to fucking private school in the Pitts. If anything, they’d be moving closer to the kids’ school and their work. Tell them how much better it would be for the environment not to burn the gas; appeal to their inner muncher.”
“I’ll speak to my mother about helping you and Mel find something suitable closer to their school…” The very expensive private day school that Brian paid for… along with every other bill. “…and your work. Just think about spending less money on gas, being closer to amenities, quicker to get home from work. Mom said there are some very nice subdivisions close to the kids’ school – she’s seen them when she’s picked them up. Mel is back as a full partner at her practice, and with Sidney retiring, I’m sure your additional responsibilities at the gallery came with a sizeable increase in your compensation.” Justin smiled an overly sweet smile at Brian. “And I know you wouldn’t want people thinking you and your family had to depend on the kindness of others, like it was charity.”
Brian had to muffle his laugh with a cough. And people thought he was the evil one of the couple.
Justin smiled triumphantly. “I’ll say good bye and call Mom. We can tour homes next week before Thanksgiving and, with any luck, close quickly and have you in your new home by Christmas. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing for Gus and Jenny Rebecca? Christmas in their own home! I’ll get on this right away.”
Justin ended the call before Lindsay had a chance to respond.
Giving Brian a smirk, Justin chortled. “And that’s how it’s done! We’ll have Christmas at Britin, and after the presents are opened, the meal is spent and the last toast is made, we’ll close the doors behind their backs and have nasty sex on the granite island in the kitchen!”
Brian had his doubts about how successful this scheme of his husband’s was going to be, but he had to admit that a warm fire and the cold granite in the kitchen did sound alluring. Perhaps he could be persuaded to aid Justin in his mission.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“You and Brian want another house?” Jennifer was trying to wrap her head around what Justin was enlisting her assistance for.
“Not for us, for Lindsay, Mel, Gus and Jenny Rebecca.”
“You’re buying them a house?”
“Not buying it for them. We’ll make the down payment and hold the mortgage. We need to do something with the capital gains from selling the LA condo.”
“You’re selling the condo?”
“We’re moving…”
“Again? Justin, I hardly see you and Brian as it is. Where are you off to this time? Milan? Finance and fashion – right up Brian’s alley. How large can Kinnetik get – do you ever see the man? Why not just leave the girls at Britin?”
Brian looked up from the spreadsheet he was reviewing on his laptop. “Milan…” he mulled it over. “Mother Taylor does come up with some brilliant ideas.” Brian nodded.
“We are not moving to Milan!” Justin ground out the words equally to the man across the room as the woman on the phone.
“Ciao! Bello!” the Italian compliment rolled off Brian’s tongue as he waggled his eyebrows.
Justin glared “…or Florence, or Rome, or Venice! Mom, Kinnetik is a global company. I see my husband plenty! He’s opened his offices where we both have been working.”
“è una banana in tasca? o sei semplicemente felice di vedermi?” Brian intoned sotto voce.
“What?” Justin asked Brian.
“What?” Jennifer asked Justin.
“Mom, Brian and I are moving back to the states... to Pittsburgh. We would like Lindsay and Mel to have their own home, rather than having them continue to squat in my house that my husband bought for me. And we’d like them in their new home by Christmas. So we can have some privacy in our own home!”
Brian laughed at Justin’s frustration. This call was going about as well as the last one.
“You’re coming home? Really coming home?”
“Yes, I’ve been trying to tell you that.”
“Oh, Justin.” He could hear the emotion in his mother’s voice.
“Now you’ve done it, you’ve made her cry.” Brian folded up his laptop and headed to kitchen for a cup of coffee. “Ciao! il mio piccolo raggio di sole.”
Now that he had his mother’s attention and the distraction that was Brian had moved to another part of the apartment, Justin could finally provide enough details to get his mother started on the search for the girls’ new home.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Justin sat at the huge granite island that separated the kitchen from the family living space in the kitchen. A fire roared in the huge fireplace surrounded by U-shaped arrangement of oversized furniture and an equally oversized glass and wrought iron coffee table. At the fire, Brian chatted with Gus and JR about school, while Jennifer walked Lindsay and Mel through the houses she had selected for the girls to see in upscale Sewickley, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside close to children’s school.
While Lindsay and Mel whittled down the listings for visiting over the next week, Justin ran his hands over the smooth granite surface, petting the bull nose curve of the edge of the island.
Jennifer jotted down notes in her leather portfolio. “I think we have a game plan. I’ll confirm our appointments. It looks like we’ll have a full week, but hopefully we’ll have a decision by Thanksgiving.”
Jennifer cleared her throat to get the attention of everyone in the room. “And speaking of Thanksgiving… Brian, I’m hoping you can talk some sense into Debbie.”
Brian quirked an eyebrow. “A lost cause I’m afraid, but tell me what you are thinking and I’ll do my best.”
“Debbie is insistent about hosting Thanksgiving at her house – there just isn’t room.” Jennifer shook her head. “You know I love Debbie’s generosity, but with everyone home for Thanksgiving, packing nearly 20 people into that tiny little house…” Jennifer let the sentence hang.
Brian, happy with a concrete task nodded his head. “I’ll talk to her. There’s plenty of space here.”
“Brian!” Lindsay gave a shriek.
Brian’s gaze levelled on Lindsay, daring her to voice her objection. “There’s more than enough space here for everyone. And I’m sure Lindsay and Melanie would be happy to let Debbie and you take over the kitchen to feed the hoard.”
“Oh but,” Lindsay started, but Mel interrupted. “Brian, we don’t want to put anyone out.”
Brian faced the squatters. “Two choices, six hours being cramped and uncomfortable or six hours in a house where you can escape the guests and no one will notice.”
Mel pulled her arm around Lindsay and stepped forward. “Jennifer, we’d love to leave Thanksgiving to you and Deb.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Brian slammed the loft door shut and quickly entered the alarm code, before capturing Justin between himself and the hard metal of the door.
“Mmmmm,” Justin purred and Brian echoed the sentiment.
Brian captured Justin’s wrists and held them above Justin’s head. He nipped at Justin’s neck before devouring his mouth. Brian’s hands move to Justin’s torso only to encounter Justin’s heavy wool jacket. Dispensing of the buttons Brian pulled the sleeves down and stripped the coat off the younger man.
“You, too.” Justin replied as Brian swooped in for another kiss.
Brian managed to pull back and divest himself of his coat, sweater, and tee shirt in one fell swoop. “Now I remember why we spend our winters in Ibiza.”
Justin was unbuckling his belt and kicking off his Converse, using his toes to roll his socks off. While Brian made short work of his own trousers, he admired his better half’s ass as Justin bent to pull off his jeans. Brian unconsciously licked his lips, nearly fifteen years and Justin still had the best ass he’d ever encountered.
Dragging his husband over to the futon pillows along the brick wall, Brian flipped Justin onto his stomach, unceremoniously burying Justin’s face in the fabric cover.
“Brian!” a muffled protest rose up from the pillow only to be silenced when Justin felt Brian’s hands on his ass, parting his cheeks. A whisper of cool air glance across his skin, before warm, moist breath chased the cold away. Brian nibbled along the curve and crest of Justin’s oh so fine ass, before venturing into the valley between the unblemished cheeks.
“Brian…” this time a sigh.
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Justin’s eyes were watering and his nose was running, not the most attractive look for the blond. He sneezed three times in rapid succession, reaching out for something he could use as a tissue. Seizing on the soft cotton of Brian’s t-shirt, it was halfway to his nose before it was wrested from his grip.
“You are not using my Zimmerli as your snot rag.”
Justin looked at his husband through watery eyes, taking a deep sniff in to stem the tide of mucus oozing out his nostrils. “You don’t love me anymore,” came the plaintive, sniffly cry.
“I don’t love you any less. Go take a shower and clear your sinuses. I’ll meet you there in a minute.” Brian crossed the room to call the Pittsburgh Kinnetik office.
“Ted Schmidt.”
“Fuck Ted, is it too much to ask you to get the loft cleaned before Justin and I arrived? You run the fucking office, can’t you get your boy Friday to get my cleaning staff here?”
“It’s always a pleasure to hear from you too, Brian.”
“Schmidt…”
“I’m sure Leo will be very happy for the opportunity to meet with you face to face later today.”
“Fuck, Leo’s there today?” Brian didn’t wait for Ted to confirm. “In fact, he’s right there in front of you, right now.”
“You always did have perfect timing,” was Ted’s reply. “I’ll let Leo know you’ll be joining us for lunch.”
“Fuck you, Ted. I can still fire your ass.”
“Eddie Merlot’s on Liberty – we have reservations at 1pm. Will Justin be joining us?”
“Fuck, I’m going to kill you. We’ll see you there.”
~>~>~>~>~>~
Brian plucked the soapy net ball out of Justin’s hand and Justin gave him a come-hither look.
“Forget it. We have a lunch meeting.”
“What the fuck? I thought the purpose of being here today was to avoid all of our family and friends and fuck the day away!” Justin grabbed the net ball back and started to scrub himself down, seriously. Using his hip, he bumped Brian aside and rinsed off before exiting the shower.
Brian made short work of cleaning himself up and rinsing himself off before following Justin.
Justin was standing in front of the closet wrapped in a towel with another being rubbed across his head. “Where are we going for lunch – and as much as I love the diner, for me to give up an afternoon of fucking, it better be somewhere the wait staff commentary isn’t better than what’s on the plate.”
Brian stuck his tongue in his cheek and made a tsking noise. “Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“No, someone got out of bed.” Justin looked over the closet contents. “Where are we going and what do I have here that I can wear?”
Brian reached in front of Justin and began to pull out a suit.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me – I don’t have a suit here!”
“Relax, it’s just Leo and Ted – at least I hope it’s just Leo and Ted, who knows, Leo may have brought some of his minions. You can wear a pair of khakis and the blue blazer with the brass buttons – you’ll look, oh so Ivy League. I’m pretty sure there’s an Oxford button down of yours in the drawer packaged up from the cleaners.”
“Leo?” Justin shrugged, that wasn’t too bad. At least that meant they’d be eating steak. “Where are we dining?”
“Eddie Merlot’s, but don’t get your hopes up, we’ll both be getting the catch of the day.”
“Not me.”
“Need I remind you whose numbers were inching toward 200?”
“Fuck it. If I have to sit through a boring business lunch I can at least eat something good.”
Brian threw up his hands.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Lunch with Leo turned out to be very enjoyable. Justin had the petit surf and turf – 4 oz filet and 3 giant prawns. He made a big presentation of ordering a salad and steamed veggies instead of the twice baked potato and creamed spinach. Brian figured at least he’d won a minor battle.
They drove back to loft then walked over to Kinnetik.
“I hear the girls are moving,” Ted ventured when they were all gathered in Brian’s office.
Brian nodded his head in agreement, then pointed “That wall is going to have to go.”
Ted’s head bobbled up and down in agreement so much Justin was amazed it didn’t fly across the room. “Sure, Bri. We put it up temporarily, we needed space, but didn’t want to intrude on your space.”
“So you put up a fucking wall in my office?”
“Brian…” Justin ventured in. Brian gave him a sharp look. “Ted, I’m sure it can come down as easily as it went up. Now that we are back in town for good, perhaps we can look at some other way to provide the additional space.”
“Sure Justin, I’ll get Clark on it immediately.”
“Clark?”
“My assistant.”
“The one who couldn’t get the fucking cleaning schedule right?” Brian rolled his eyes.
“I apologize that the level of cleaning was lacking. We’ll get you a different cleaning service. But Brian, you did put me in charge of Kinnetik Midwest, along with the corporate finances. I thought my time was best spent managing accounts and the books rather than the cleaning service.”
Justin quickly silenced a sharp bite of laughter. Good for Ted to stick up for himself. Justin knew Brian was acting like an asshole, but he knew Brian was secretly pleased with the evidence of Ted’s backbone.
“And just how does my empire fare?”
“Let’s just say, all hail King Midas. And now with your return to Pittsburgh, we can strategize on how best to invest and grow profitably. That is unless you are thinking about opening yet another office.”
“What do you think of Milan?”
Brian chuckled, while Ted almost went apoplectic, and a vein was throbbing at his temple.
“Brian!” Justin hurried to calm Ted. “NO! We are not going to Italy, we are not opening an office in Italy…”
“Mio piccolo raggio di sole, come puoi negare il tuo padrone?”
Justin swung back round at Brian, “…and will you quit with the Italian already?”
Daring the older man to move, Justin turned back to Ted, “We are moving back to Pittsburgh. Brian will just have to run his empire from here. He will be managing Kinnetik Corporation, but you will continue in your role as CFO and CEO of Kinnetik Midwest – right Brian?” Justin dared Brian to contradict his decree.
“Brian will need the rest of his office returned to its original state with the conference room. I will work with you on plans to expand the office – whether it is up or an addition or buying the place next door – there will be enough space. For the time being, we’ll start using the private function space at Babylon for large meetings.”
Exhausted from his wrangling and haranguing, Justin collapsed into a chair in front of Brian’s desk. When he looked around at the bemused looks on Brian and Ted’s faces, he added, “Are we clear?”
“Yes, yes,” Ted acquiesced. “I’ll get on it right away.” And scurried out of the room.
Justin looked at Brian.
“Fuck you’re hot when you get all bossy.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “Really? Is that all you have to say?”
“Why bother, you’re in control, I know better than to stop you when you have a vision in mind. Do you really think we can get the hovel next door? It used to be some type of warehouse or factory – that means lots of open space.”
“All hail King Midas.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
As it turned out, Justin’s simple search of the city’s taxes records revealed the property next door was in receivership with the bank, the mortgage and the taxes hadn’t been paid for over two years. Though not the normal type of real estate transaction for his mother’s office, between Jennifer and Ted, they were able to negotiate a very favorable deal and tie it all up in a bow for an early Christmas gift for Brian.
The girls whirlwind survey of Squirrel Hill properties turned up a nice mid-century modern brick ranch. The house had been updated in the 1990s, so it was in reasonably good shape – at least good enough to move in. It was nicely situated near the kid’s school, Schenley park and a Jewish Community center – even Mel couldn’t complain. Well, she could, but she didn’t. At nearly 4,000 square feet, Lindsay couldn’t say much either.
Overall, the neighbors seemed progressive and welcoming. It had the added benefit of being only a few blocks from Michael and Ben’s home. Brian and Justin toured the property and Brian blessed it proclaiming it to be “a good muncher home!” Since the property was vacant, and the closing was cash, the paperwork was expedited and a move date had been set for the first Saturday in December.
~>~>~>~>~>>~
On Thanksgiving morning, Brian and Justin ushered Jennifer and Debbie into the kitchen early Thanksgiving morning and got out of the way.
Having re-appropriated the master suite, and after a thorough cleaning demanded by Brian “to dispel any muncher cooties”, the boys began unpacking the wardrobe boxes that had started arriving the previous week.
“I thought we got rid of half our shit,” Justin grumbled as Brian brought in a seventh wardrobe box.
“You may have weeded out your wardrobe,” Brian gave Justin’s side of the closet a pitying look, “what there is of it. I on the other hand know the value of keeping timeless pieces for all seasons readily available. This way if we head to Milan in February or Paris in June, I am prepared.”
“Sure, like that’s going to stop you from buying a whole new wardrobe,” Justin muttered.
“I heard that.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Brian wrestled in yet another box.
“More?! You’ve got to be kidding me!” Justin threw up his hands and threw himself to the plushly carpeted floor of the walk-in closet. He watched as Brian meticulously trimmed the tape and twine from the box.
Brian carefully clipped the corners of the box letting the cardboard drop down from the sides. Inside was an attractive chest of burnished wood, with brass fixtures and locks.
Justin raised his eyebrows.
“I thought the toy chest needed a bit of updating – and better security.”
Justin sighed, “You do think of everything. I love you.”
“Say that tonight when I tie you up with those silk Hermes scarves we bought in Paris.”
“I thought those were going to be Christmas presents for Deb and Mom.”
“Don’t worry, I got some for them as well – should we let Carl and Tucker in on the secret?”
“Ew, gross, I cannot believe you bought up het sex – and with our mothers! Don’t you dare come near me with one of those scarves – I’ll need brain bleach!”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“This sucks,” Gus declared sullenly as he climbed into the back seat of the Forrester.
“Gus, you know we’ve discussed this,” Brian actually had mixed feelings. He liked having Gus close by, but it was time for the munchers to go to their new home. “Your new home is in the heart of Pittsburgh – you can walk to the park, to the stores, to school. You’ll have a lot more freedom, you’ll be able to hang out with your friends.”
“You just don’t want me around so you and Justin can f….” Gus noticed four parents staring at him. “… er, can be alone.”
“I won’t deny it,” Brian replied. “Justin and I are looking forward to having our home to ourselves. But, you will come and visit regularly. Now that we are living here full time there will be lots of opportunities to do things together. We’ll be at your soccer game next weekend, and I thought I’d pick you up after school on Tuesday and we could go shopping.”
Gus perked up, then got a wary look. “What kind of shopping?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already done my fall suit shopping.” Brian ruffled Gus’ hair. “I love you, Sonny Boy.”
“I love you, too, Dad.” Brian shut the door and banged twice on the roof of the car. Mel put the car into gear and they were off.
Justin put his arms around Brian’s waist and gave a hug. “Only two more weeks to Christmas, and I’m sure we’ll see them plenty of times between now and then.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“I think you may be overcompensating.” Justin commented as they toured the car lot of certified pre-owned vehicles.
“It’s not like I’m getting him a new car.”
“He can’t even drive for another year.”
“Now that’s where you are wrong. He can’t drive in Pennsylvania until he’s sixteen, but the age for a learner’s permit in West Virginia is fifteen. This way he’ll get some practice in out here in the country, before trying to navigate Pittsburgh’s mean streets. Besides, I am his legal guardian.”
“One of four,” Justin pointed out. “I don’t suppose you’ve discussed this with Mel and Linds?” Brian moved to the next aisle of vehicles. “No, of course not. They aren’t going to welcome this. You can’t keep this a secret. Even if Gus wanted to keep it a secret for you, you can’t put that type of pressure on a teenager.”
Brian stopped and looked a Justin. “Okay, I’ll speak to Mel and Lindsay.”
“You’re going to buy it anyway.”
“You know me so well.”
~>~>~>~>~>
Brian and Justin were in the kitchen eating a late lunch.
“Are we expecting anyone?”
Justin looked up from the article he’d been reading. “Huh? Did I miss the doorbell?”
Brian shook his head. “No, I just wanted to know if anyone was coming out today?”
Justin stopped reading and eating and gave it some thought. “Cleaners don’t come until Friday, Mom doesn’t come until next Monday to discuss Christmas. Kids are in school and everyone else we know is working.”
“Excellent. And how was your lunch? Did you get enough to eat, are you feeling overly full?”
Justin looked at his half-eaten sandwich and glass of cranberry juice. “No, I’m good.”
Brian gathered up plates and glasses and put them in the sink. “Then we can proceed.” He sauntered up to Justin, trapping the younger man between his body and the island.
“Brian, what the fuck?” Justin quickly connected the dots as Brian’s hands slide under his shirt and below his waistband.
“I think it’s time to christen the island.” Brian caught Justin by the hips and with a little effort lifted him up onto the granite surface. “Huh, that’s a bit higher than I considered.” But Brian wasn’t about to be dissuaded by a little challenge. He continued to tour his husband’s body ridding it of its clothes.
“C-c-c-cold.”
“I’ll warm you up.” Brian declared as he stripped Justin of his trousers. “I can’t believe you still wear cargo pants – where do you even find them?”
“They’re practical – they have loads of pockets. I get them from LL Bean.”
“I thought we were boycotting them.”
“Not this month. Now can you give me those pants back – this granite is making my teeth chatter.”
Brian threw the pants to Justin, barely missing him in the face, and Justin rearranged himself. “Now if you would please divest yourself of your pants and join me, perhaps we can get to the good part…”
With a quick kiss, Brian pulled back and made short work of his turtle neck and trousers. Noticing the chill in the air, he briefly turned to the pick up the fireplace remote and turned up the heat.
“Now, where were we?”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
“Well, that was a disaster.” Justin trudged up the stairs to the master bedroom.
“I think we could have made it work, if the damned island was about eight inches shorter.”
“Well, it still was hard as a rock…”
“It is granite,” Brian pointed out – not winning any brownie points.
“It was so smooth, but shit it hurt like a motherfucker.” Entering the bedroom, Justin dumped his clothes inside the door. “I’m going to fill up that soaking tub and turn on the jets.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Only if you keep your hands to yourself. I’m going to be black and blue all over.”
“Fuck that, come back here and be a good, obedient husband!”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“Mmmmmmm,” Justin burrowed deep in the bed with its organic, memory foam mattress, hypo-allergenic pillows and 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. He rolled up against Brian. “Are we becoming old?”
Brian gave a bark of laughter. “Speak for yourself. I am aging like a fine wine. You’re the one whose become soft.”
“Yeah, let me top you on an unyielding block of stone.”
Brian gave a snort.
“Yep, that’s about what I thought. How about a blow job?”
“Why certainly, help yourself.”
Justin punched him. “Not for you – for me!”
“Oh, well I think that can be arranged.” Brian dove under the cover and immediately went to work.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Christmas eve day saw the return of the Marcus-Peterson clan. Debbie and Carl came as well after midnight mass. Regardless of their differences, Debbie still went to church and lit a candle every Christmas eve. Michael, Ben and Hunter – who was between girlfriends – would come early in the morning. Emmett and Drew and Ted and Blake would filter in sometime before Noon. Jennifer and Tucker would come later with Molly and her family, after spending the morning opening presents with their other grandchildren.
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Though both Gus and JR had a pile of presents next to them, Gus was still carefully turning gift tags over on the packages remaining under the tree.
“What are you looking for, Gus,” Mel asked as she folded the sweater Brian and Justin has given her.
“I can’t seem to find it.” Gus’ headless body extended from under the tree.
“What can’t you find, lambikins?” Lindsay called out as she separated boxes from torn wrapping paper.
“My gift from Dad and Justin.” Gus pulled himself out.
“Why Gus, Justin and I gave you that leather jacket you wanted.”
“Yeah, but that can’t be all!” Gus’ wail was plaintive. “I was sure there’d be more.”
“Give it up bro.” Jenny Rebecca flipped while she went about inventorying her gifts. She definitely made out better than her brother this year, and when Michael, Ben and Hunter arrived, she’d really be swimming in presents.
“Gus, honey, it’s not the number of gifts…” Debbie started. Carl patted her hand.
Justin thought it was time to put the boy out of his misery. “You know Gus, my parents used to hide gifts in the tree. Maybe you…” Justin hadn’t been able to finish his thought before Gus stood up and began circling the tree.
“Ah-ha!” Gus grabbed the envelope from the interior of the branches midway up the tree. “I found it! I found it!” Gus held up the prized envelope. He opened it up and his smile drooped. “What the f…” Gus managed to stop himself.
“What’s the matter?” Brian asked.
Gus held up an iPhone.
Lindsay and Mel looked confused. “You didn’t want a new phone?” Mel asked.
“Well, yeah, I guess…”
“Fire it up!” Brian urged.
It took Gus about five minutes to go through the new user screens and get the facial recognition working. As he went through the setup Gus had an internal discussion “It is the latest iPhone. It’s not like anyone else at school will have one.”
Finally, with set up completed Gus pulled himself together and pushed out a sullen “Thanks.”
“That all?” Brian asked. “Maybe you should check out some of those apps.”
Gus scrolled through the phone. Most of them seemed like the normal Apple apps.
“There’s a really handy app, Trackr. It helps you find things.”
Gus shrugged and activated the app. The app had an icon for keys and a locator. Gus looked to his dad, maybe…
Gus touched the keys and followed the trail to the locator. It took him out the door to the covered walkway to the garage. Brian trailed behind his son.
“What’s going on?” Debbie asked.
“Come on,” Justin motioned, heading out the door to follow Gus and his husband.
Soon there was a trail of Markus Peterson Novotny Horvath Kinney Taylors between the house and the kitchen.
Suddenly there was a Whoop! and a “No way!” and the garage was crowded with people.
“Mom! Mama!” Gus was wreathed in smiles.
Mel looked at Brian. “A black jeep?”
“Safety ratings Mel. He’ll be driving this in West Virginia a full year before he’s driving in Pittsburgh.”
Brian walked over to Gus. “Keys?”
Gus handed over the keys.
“You’ll get these back when we’ve gotten your learner’s permit and had some lessons. In the meantime, you can explore the vehicle to your hearts content.”
The adults left Gus and Jenny Rebecca to their adventures and headed back to the house. Once inside Carl and Debbie headed upstairs for a nap. The day had started early, and they hadn’t gotten to bed until nearly 2am.
The girls cleaned up paper and tidied up for the next wave of arrivals. Brian and Justin headed to the kitchen to put on a fresh pot of coffee and put out some food.
By noon, Michael, Ben and Hunter had arrived – and quickly headed to the garage to check out the new vehicle and reunite with Jenny Rebecca. Drew and Emmett drifted in, along with Ted and Blake. Drew had an early evening flight out to cover a series of bowl games, but was going to spend as much time he had with his husband and the family.
Jennifer, Tucker, Molly and the rest arrived a little after 1pm and everyone settled in for another round of opening presents. By 2:30pm Debbie, Jennifer and Emmett had the table spread and by 4pm family members could be found in any number of rooms napping off their food comas.
Molly and her husband were the first to round up their kids and head out. Melanie and Lindsay took this as an cue; they gathered up Gus and Jenny Rebecca, along with their haul (minus the Jeep) and headed home. Carl and Debbie headed out and soon, Brian and Justin were closing the door behind the last of their guests.
Thanks to everyone pitching in, there was only a minimum of clean up, a few glasses here and there.
“I think that’s the last of it.” Justin placed the last few glasses in the dishwasher and washed his hands in the sink. He turned around only to find himself captured between Brian’s arms. “hmmm, I like this.”
Brian bent in and nipped at Justin’s neck. “Everyone’s gone. Whatever will we do?”
Justin looked at the granite countertop. He ducked out from between Brian’s arms and began to run to the doorway. As he left the room, he shouted, “last one to the bedroom bottoms!”
~fin~
asm614FROM:
netlagdTITLE: No Place Like Home for the Holidays
GIFT REQUEST: Fic fluff/schmooop, angst, canon-compliant, hurt/comfort, humor, sexy fun times Justin and Brian being believably goofy/relaxed together over the holidays in the later years (can be present day or later) of their relationship. Other canon characters (or believable OCs welcome)
NOTE: Rating: R – more suggested and situational. Canon 10 or so years post series 2015-2017
beta and banner by marvelous
stephmckDisclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer As Folk are the property of Russell T. Davies, CowLip Productions, Tony Jonas Productions, Showtime Networks Inc. and others. No copyright infringement is intended.
“Remind me again why the fuck we’re doing this?” Brian bitched as he packed a pair of Gucci loafers into their individual felt bags, before shoving them unceremoniously into the Tumi roll aboard suitcase.
“We haven’t been home for Christmas in five years!”
“We’ve been home…”
“London is not home, Paris is not home, LA isn’t home, New York isn’t home.” Justin interrupted. “and spending Christmas in Ibiza or the Caribbean is nice, but it’s not snow and ice skating and hot chocolate.”
“If that’s the case let’s sell the condos, the townhouse and the estate and just live in the Pitts.”
“Fine by me.” Justin muttered just loud enough for Brian to hear.
“And what? Live in the loft – we have too much shit. We have five houses of too much shit.”
“We could sell it all for all I care - keep the most important stuff… and live at Britin.”
Brian snorted a laugh. “I’d like to see that – you’ll have to kick Lindsay and Mel out. No mean feat, I believe Lindsay likes playing lady of the manor. And besides, it was your idea to let the girls stay there.”
“It was supposed to be temporary…”
“It was temporary five years ago, they’ve grown roots like bamboo – good luck eradicating the invasive species.”
Justin straightened his shoulders. “I can do it – you just don’t want to piss off Mel.”
“Better you than me, I like my dick.”
“I like it, too.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~
“You’re throwing us out of our home?” Lindsay sobbed in a melodramatic display of emotion “… at Christmas?”
Brian rolled his eyes as he listened to Lindsay’s weepy voice carry from the speaker of Justin’s iPhone.
“Now Lindsay…” Justin started.
“Does Brian know you are doing this?” Justin could hear Lindsay’s voice gaining strength as she made the fatal mistake of once again thinking she could wheedle Brian to her will. Well, Brian was his husband, not hers. She already had one, er wife.
“Lindsay, you and Mel have had five years to find a new home.” Justin pointed out.
Lindsay ignored the comment. “It’s not like you need Britin – you haven’t even lived in the states these past three years. Besides, Gus and Jenny Rebecca are settled into school. It would be disruptive to their education. You and Brian can stay at the loft for the few weeks you’ll be in town over the holidays. You’ll be closer to Kinnetik, for Brian’s work.”
A silent chuckle rolled across Brian’s shoulders.
Justin gave his husband a pointed glare. He wasn’t going to be thrown out of his home. Brian had brought Britin for him.
Brian straightened up. “They go to fucking private school in the Pitts. If anything, they’d be moving closer to the kids’ school and their work. Tell them how much better it would be for the environment not to burn the gas; appeal to their inner muncher.”
“I’ll speak to my mother about helping you and Mel find something suitable closer to their school…” The very expensive private day school that Brian paid for… along with every other bill. “…and your work. Just think about spending less money on gas, being closer to amenities, quicker to get home from work. Mom said there are some very nice subdivisions close to the kids’ school – she’s seen them when she’s picked them up. Mel is back as a full partner at her practice, and with Sidney retiring, I’m sure your additional responsibilities at the gallery came with a sizeable increase in your compensation.” Justin smiled an overly sweet smile at Brian. “And I know you wouldn’t want people thinking you and your family had to depend on the kindness of others, like it was charity.”
Brian had to muffle his laugh with a cough. And people thought he was the evil one of the couple.
Justin smiled triumphantly. “I’ll say good bye and call Mom. We can tour homes next week before Thanksgiving and, with any luck, close quickly and have you in your new home by Christmas. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing for Gus and Jenny Rebecca? Christmas in their own home! I’ll get on this right away.”
Justin ended the call before Lindsay had a chance to respond.
Giving Brian a smirk, Justin chortled. “And that’s how it’s done! We’ll have Christmas at Britin, and after the presents are opened, the meal is spent and the last toast is made, we’ll close the doors behind their backs and have nasty sex on the granite island in the kitchen!”
Brian had his doubts about how successful this scheme of his husband’s was going to be, but he had to admit that a warm fire and the cold granite in the kitchen did sound alluring. Perhaps he could be persuaded to aid Justin in his mission.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“You and Brian want another house?” Jennifer was trying to wrap her head around what Justin was enlisting her assistance for.
“Not for us, for Lindsay, Mel, Gus and Jenny Rebecca.”
“You’re buying them a house?”
“Not buying it for them. We’ll make the down payment and hold the mortgage. We need to do something with the capital gains from selling the LA condo.”
“You’re selling the condo?”
“We’re moving…”
“Again? Justin, I hardly see you and Brian as it is. Where are you off to this time? Milan? Finance and fashion – right up Brian’s alley. How large can Kinnetik get – do you ever see the man? Why not just leave the girls at Britin?”
Brian looked up from the spreadsheet he was reviewing on his laptop. “Milan…” he mulled it over. “Mother Taylor does come up with some brilliant ideas.” Brian nodded.
“We are not moving to Milan!” Justin ground out the words equally to the man across the room as the woman on the phone.
“Ciao! Bello!” the Italian compliment rolled off Brian’s tongue as he waggled his eyebrows.
Justin glared “…or Florence, or Rome, or Venice! Mom, Kinnetik is a global company. I see my husband plenty! He’s opened his offices where we both have been working.”
“è una banana in tasca? o sei semplicemente felice di vedermi?” Brian intoned sotto voce.
“What?” Justin asked Brian.
“What?” Jennifer asked Justin.
“Mom, Brian and I are moving back to the states... to Pittsburgh. We would like Lindsay and Mel to have their own home, rather than having them continue to squat in my house that my husband bought for me. And we’d like them in their new home by Christmas. So we can have some privacy in our own home!”
Brian laughed at Justin’s frustration. This call was going about as well as the last one.
“You’re coming home? Really coming home?”
“Yes, I’ve been trying to tell you that.”
“Oh, Justin.” He could hear the emotion in his mother’s voice.
“Now you’ve done it, you’ve made her cry.” Brian folded up his laptop and headed to kitchen for a cup of coffee. “Ciao! il mio piccolo raggio di sole.”
Now that he had his mother’s attention and the distraction that was Brian had moved to another part of the apartment, Justin could finally provide enough details to get his mother started on the search for the girls’ new home.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Justin sat at the huge granite island that separated the kitchen from the family living space in the kitchen. A fire roared in the huge fireplace surrounded by U-shaped arrangement of oversized furniture and an equally oversized glass and wrought iron coffee table. At the fire, Brian chatted with Gus and JR about school, while Jennifer walked Lindsay and Mel through the houses she had selected for the girls to see in upscale Sewickley, Squirrel Hill, and Shadyside close to children’s school.
While Lindsay and Mel whittled down the listings for visiting over the next week, Justin ran his hands over the smooth granite surface, petting the bull nose curve of the edge of the island.
Jennifer jotted down notes in her leather portfolio. “I think we have a game plan. I’ll confirm our appointments. It looks like we’ll have a full week, but hopefully we’ll have a decision by Thanksgiving.”
Jennifer cleared her throat to get the attention of everyone in the room. “And speaking of Thanksgiving… Brian, I’m hoping you can talk some sense into Debbie.”
Brian quirked an eyebrow. “A lost cause I’m afraid, but tell me what you are thinking and I’ll do my best.”
“Debbie is insistent about hosting Thanksgiving at her house – there just isn’t room.” Jennifer shook her head. “You know I love Debbie’s generosity, but with everyone home for Thanksgiving, packing nearly 20 people into that tiny little house…” Jennifer let the sentence hang.
Brian, happy with a concrete task nodded his head. “I’ll talk to her. There’s plenty of space here.”
“Brian!” Lindsay gave a shriek.
Brian’s gaze levelled on Lindsay, daring her to voice her objection. “There’s more than enough space here for everyone. And I’m sure Lindsay and Melanie would be happy to let Debbie and you take over the kitchen to feed the hoard.”
“Oh but,” Lindsay started, but Mel interrupted. “Brian, we don’t want to put anyone out.”
Brian faced the squatters. “Two choices, six hours being cramped and uncomfortable or six hours in a house where you can escape the guests and no one will notice.”
Mel pulled her arm around Lindsay and stepped forward. “Jennifer, we’d love to leave Thanksgiving to you and Deb.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Brian slammed the loft door shut and quickly entered the alarm code, before capturing Justin between himself and the hard metal of the door.
“Mmmmm,” Justin purred and Brian echoed the sentiment.
Brian captured Justin’s wrists and held them above Justin’s head. He nipped at Justin’s neck before devouring his mouth. Brian’s hands move to Justin’s torso only to encounter Justin’s heavy wool jacket. Dispensing of the buttons Brian pulled the sleeves down and stripped the coat off the younger man.
“You, too.” Justin replied as Brian swooped in for another kiss.
Brian managed to pull back and divest himself of his coat, sweater, and tee shirt in one fell swoop. “Now I remember why we spend our winters in Ibiza.”
Justin was unbuckling his belt and kicking off his Converse, using his toes to roll his socks off. While Brian made short work of his own trousers, he admired his better half’s ass as Justin bent to pull off his jeans. Brian unconsciously licked his lips, nearly fifteen years and Justin still had the best ass he’d ever encountered.
Dragging his husband over to the futon pillows along the brick wall, Brian flipped Justin onto his stomach, unceremoniously burying Justin’s face in the fabric cover.
“Brian!” a muffled protest rose up from the pillow only to be silenced when Justin felt Brian’s hands on his ass, parting his cheeks. A whisper of cool air glance across his skin, before warm, moist breath chased the cold away. Brian nibbled along the curve and crest of Justin’s oh so fine ass, before venturing into the valley between the unblemished cheeks.
“Brian…” this time a sigh.
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Justin’s eyes were watering and his nose was running, not the most attractive look for the blond. He sneezed three times in rapid succession, reaching out for something he could use as a tissue. Seizing on the soft cotton of Brian’s t-shirt, it was halfway to his nose before it was wrested from his grip.
“You are not using my Zimmerli as your snot rag.”
Justin looked at his husband through watery eyes, taking a deep sniff in to stem the tide of mucus oozing out his nostrils. “You don’t love me anymore,” came the plaintive, sniffly cry.
“I don’t love you any less. Go take a shower and clear your sinuses. I’ll meet you there in a minute.” Brian crossed the room to call the Pittsburgh Kinnetik office.
“Ted Schmidt.”
“Fuck Ted, is it too much to ask you to get the loft cleaned before Justin and I arrived? You run the fucking office, can’t you get your boy Friday to get my cleaning staff here?”
“It’s always a pleasure to hear from you too, Brian.”
“Schmidt…”
“I’m sure Leo will be very happy for the opportunity to meet with you face to face later today.”
“Fuck, Leo’s there today?” Brian didn’t wait for Ted to confirm. “In fact, he’s right there in front of you, right now.”
“You always did have perfect timing,” was Ted’s reply. “I’ll let Leo know you’ll be joining us for lunch.”
“Fuck you, Ted. I can still fire your ass.”
“Eddie Merlot’s on Liberty – we have reservations at 1pm. Will Justin be joining us?”
“Fuck, I’m going to kill you. We’ll see you there.”
~>~>~>~>~>~
Brian plucked the soapy net ball out of Justin’s hand and Justin gave him a come-hither look.
“Forget it. We have a lunch meeting.”
“What the fuck? I thought the purpose of being here today was to avoid all of our family and friends and fuck the day away!” Justin grabbed the net ball back and started to scrub himself down, seriously. Using his hip, he bumped Brian aside and rinsed off before exiting the shower.
Brian made short work of cleaning himself up and rinsing himself off before following Justin.
Justin was standing in front of the closet wrapped in a towel with another being rubbed across his head. “Where are we going for lunch – and as much as I love the diner, for me to give up an afternoon of fucking, it better be somewhere the wait staff commentary isn’t better than what’s on the plate.”
Brian stuck his tongue in his cheek and made a tsking noise. “Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.”
“No, someone got out of bed.” Justin looked over the closet contents. “Where are we going and what do I have here that I can wear?”
Brian reached in front of Justin and began to pull out a suit.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me – I don’t have a suit here!”
“Relax, it’s just Leo and Ted – at least I hope it’s just Leo and Ted, who knows, Leo may have brought some of his minions. You can wear a pair of khakis and the blue blazer with the brass buttons – you’ll look, oh so Ivy League. I’m pretty sure there’s an Oxford button down of yours in the drawer packaged up from the cleaners.”
“Leo?” Justin shrugged, that wasn’t too bad. At least that meant they’d be eating steak. “Where are we dining?”
“Eddie Merlot’s, but don’t get your hopes up, we’ll both be getting the catch of the day.”
“Not me.”
“Need I remind you whose numbers were inching toward 200?”
“Fuck it. If I have to sit through a boring business lunch I can at least eat something good.”
Brian threw up his hands.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Lunch with Leo turned out to be very enjoyable. Justin had the petit surf and turf – 4 oz filet and 3 giant prawns. He made a big presentation of ordering a salad and steamed veggies instead of the twice baked potato and creamed spinach. Brian figured at least he’d won a minor battle.
They drove back to loft then walked over to Kinnetik.
“I hear the girls are moving,” Ted ventured when they were all gathered in Brian’s office.
Brian nodded his head in agreement, then pointed “That wall is going to have to go.”
Ted’s head bobbled up and down in agreement so much Justin was amazed it didn’t fly across the room. “Sure, Bri. We put it up temporarily, we needed space, but didn’t want to intrude on your space.”
“So you put up a fucking wall in my office?”
“Brian…” Justin ventured in. Brian gave him a sharp look. “Ted, I’m sure it can come down as easily as it went up. Now that we are back in town for good, perhaps we can look at some other way to provide the additional space.”
“Sure Justin, I’ll get Clark on it immediately.”
“Clark?”
“My assistant.”
“The one who couldn’t get the fucking cleaning schedule right?” Brian rolled his eyes.
“I apologize that the level of cleaning was lacking. We’ll get you a different cleaning service. But Brian, you did put me in charge of Kinnetik Midwest, along with the corporate finances. I thought my time was best spent managing accounts and the books rather than the cleaning service.”
Justin quickly silenced a sharp bite of laughter. Good for Ted to stick up for himself. Justin knew Brian was acting like an asshole, but he knew Brian was secretly pleased with the evidence of Ted’s backbone.
“And just how does my empire fare?”
“Let’s just say, all hail King Midas. And now with your return to Pittsburgh, we can strategize on how best to invest and grow profitably. That is unless you are thinking about opening yet another office.”
“What do you think of Milan?”
Brian chuckled, while Ted almost went apoplectic, and a vein was throbbing at his temple.
“Brian!” Justin hurried to calm Ted. “NO! We are not going to Italy, we are not opening an office in Italy…”
“Mio piccolo raggio di sole, come puoi negare il tuo padrone?”
Justin swung back round at Brian, “…and will you quit with the Italian already?”
Daring the older man to move, Justin turned back to Ted, “We are moving back to Pittsburgh. Brian will just have to run his empire from here. He will be managing Kinnetik Corporation, but you will continue in your role as CFO and CEO of Kinnetik Midwest – right Brian?” Justin dared Brian to contradict his decree.
“Brian will need the rest of his office returned to its original state with the conference room. I will work with you on plans to expand the office – whether it is up or an addition or buying the place next door – there will be enough space. For the time being, we’ll start using the private function space at Babylon for large meetings.”
Exhausted from his wrangling and haranguing, Justin collapsed into a chair in front of Brian’s desk. When he looked around at the bemused looks on Brian and Ted’s faces, he added, “Are we clear?”
“Yes, yes,” Ted acquiesced. “I’ll get on it right away.” And scurried out of the room.
Justin looked at Brian.
“Fuck you’re hot when you get all bossy.”
Justin rolled his eyes. “Really? Is that all you have to say?”
“Why bother, you’re in control, I know better than to stop you when you have a vision in mind. Do you really think we can get the hovel next door? It used to be some type of warehouse or factory – that means lots of open space.”
“All hail King Midas.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
As it turned out, Justin’s simple search of the city’s taxes records revealed the property next door was in receivership with the bank, the mortgage and the taxes hadn’t been paid for over two years. Though not the normal type of real estate transaction for his mother’s office, between Jennifer and Ted, they were able to negotiate a very favorable deal and tie it all up in a bow for an early Christmas gift for Brian.
The girls whirlwind survey of Squirrel Hill properties turned up a nice mid-century modern brick ranch. The house had been updated in the 1990s, so it was in reasonably good shape – at least good enough to move in. It was nicely situated near the kid’s school, Schenley park and a Jewish Community center – even Mel couldn’t complain. Well, she could, but she didn’t. At nearly 4,000 square feet, Lindsay couldn’t say much either.
Overall, the neighbors seemed progressive and welcoming. It had the added benefit of being only a few blocks from Michael and Ben’s home. Brian and Justin toured the property and Brian blessed it proclaiming it to be “a good muncher home!” Since the property was vacant, and the closing was cash, the paperwork was expedited and a move date had been set for the first Saturday in December.
~>~>~>~>~>>~
On Thanksgiving morning, Brian and Justin ushered Jennifer and Debbie into the kitchen early Thanksgiving morning and got out of the way.
Having re-appropriated the master suite, and after a thorough cleaning demanded by Brian “to dispel any muncher cooties”, the boys began unpacking the wardrobe boxes that had started arriving the previous week.
“I thought we got rid of half our shit,” Justin grumbled as Brian brought in a seventh wardrobe box.
“You may have weeded out your wardrobe,” Brian gave Justin’s side of the closet a pitying look, “what there is of it. I on the other hand know the value of keeping timeless pieces for all seasons readily available. This way if we head to Milan in February or Paris in June, I am prepared.”
“Sure, like that’s going to stop you from buying a whole new wardrobe,” Justin muttered.
“I heard that.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Brian wrestled in yet another box.
“More?! You’ve got to be kidding me!” Justin threw up his hands and threw himself to the plushly carpeted floor of the walk-in closet. He watched as Brian meticulously trimmed the tape and twine from the box.
Brian carefully clipped the corners of the box letting the cardboard drop down from the sides. Inside was an attractive chest of burnished wood, with brass fixtures and locks.
Justin raised his eyebrows.
“I thought the toy chest needed a bit of updating – and better security.”
Justin sighed, “You do think of everything. I love you.”
“Say that tonight when I tie you up with those silk Hermes scarves we bought in Paris.”
“I thought those were going to be Christmas presents for Deb and Mom.”
“Don’t worry, I got some for them as well – should we let Carl and Tucker in on the secret?”
“Ew, gross, I cannot believe you bought up het sex – and with our mothers! Don’t you dare come near me with one of those scarves – I’ll need brain bleach!”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“This sucks,” Gus declared sullenly as he climbed into the back seat of the Forrester.
“Gus, you know we’ve discussed this,” Brian actually had mixed feelings. He liked having Gus close by, but it was time for the munchers to go to their new home. “Your new home is in the heart of Pittsburgh – you can walk to the park, to the stores, to school. You’ll have a lot more freedom, you’ll be able to hang out with your friends.”
“You just don’t want me around so you and Justin can f….” Gus noticed four parents staring at him. “… er, can be alone.”
“I won’t deny it,” Brian replied. “Justin and I are looking forward to having our home to ourselves. But, you will come and visit regularly. Now that we are living here full time there will be lots of opportunities to do things together. We’ll be at your soccer game next weekend, and I thought I’d pick you up after school on Tuesday and we could go shopping.”
Gus perked up, then got a wary look. “What kind of shopping?”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already done my fall suit shopping.” Brian ruffled Gus’ hair. “I love you, Sonny Boy.”
“I love you, too, Dad.” Brian shut the door and banged twice on the roof of the car. Mel put the car into gear and they were off.
Justin put his arms around Brian’s waist and gave a hug. “Only two more weeks to Christmas, and I’m sure we’ll see them plenty of times between now and then.”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“I think you may be overcompensating.” Justin commented as they toured the car lot of certified pre-owned vehicles.
“It’s not like I’m getting him a new car.”
“He can’t even drive for another year.”
“Now that’s where you are wrong. He can’t drive in Pennsylvania until he’s sixteen, but the age for a learner’s permit in West Virginia is fifteen. This way he’ll get some practice in out here in the country, before trying to navigate Pittsburgh’s mean streets. Besides, I am his legal guardian.”
“One of four,” Justin pointed out. “I don’t suppose you’ve discussed this with Mel and Linds?” Brian moved to the next aisle of vehicles. “No, of course not. They aren’t going to welcome this. You can’t keep this a secret. Even if Gus wanted to keep it a secret for you, you can’t put that type of pressure on a teenager.”
Brian stopped and looked a Justin. “Okay, I’ll speak to Mel and Lindsay.”
“You’re going to buy it anyway.”
“You know me so well.”
~>~>~>~>~>
Brian and Justin were in the kitchen eating a late lunch.
“Are we expecting anyone?”
Justin looked up from the article he’d been reading. “Huh? Did I miss the doorbell?”
Brian shook his head. “No, I just wanted to know if anyone was coming out today?”
Justin stopped reading and eating and gave it some thought. “Cleaners don’t come until Friday, Mom doesn’t come until next Monday to discuss Christmas. Kids are in school and everyone else we know is working.”
“Excellent. And how was your lunch? Did you get enough to eat, are you feeling overly full?”
Justin looked at his half-eaten sandwich and glass of cranberry juice. “No, I’m good.”
Brian gathered up plates and glasses and put them in the sink. “Then we can proceed.” He sauntered up to Justin, trapping the younger man between his body and the island.
“Brian, what the fuck?” Justin quickly connected the dots as Brian’s hands slide under his shirt and below his waistband.
“I think it’s time to christen the island.” Brian caught Justin by the hips and with a little effort lifted him up onto the granite surface. “Huh, that’s a bit higher than I considered.” But Brian wasn’t about to be dissuaded by a little challenge. He continued to tour his husband’s body ridding it of its clothes.
“C-c-c-cold.”
“I’ll warm you up.” Brian declared as he stripped Justin of his trousers. “I can’t believe you still wear cargo pants – where do you even find them?”
“They’re practical – they have loads of pockets. I get them from LL Bean.”
“I thought we were boycotting them.”
“Not this month. Now can you give me those pants back – this granite is making my teeth chatter.”
Brian threw the pants to Justin, barely missing him in the face, and Justin rearranged himself. “Now if you would please divest yourself of your pants and join me, perhaps we can get to the good part…”
With a quick kiss, Brian pulled back and made short work of his turtle neck and trousers. Noticing the chill in the air, he briefly turned to the pick up the fireplace remote and turned up the heat.
“Now, where were we?”
~>~>~>~>~>~>
“Well, that was a disaster.” Justin trudged up the stairs to the master bedroom.
“I think we could have made it work, if the damned island was about eight inches shorter.”
“Well, it still was hard as a rock…”
“It is granite,” Brian pointed out – not winning any brownie points.
“It was so smooth, but shit it hurt like a motherfucker.” Entering the bedroom, Justin dumped his clothes inside the door. “I’m going to fill up that soaking tub and turn on the jets.”
“I’ll join you.”
“Only if you keep your hands to yourself. I’m going to be black and blue all over.”
“Fuck that, come back here and be a good, obedient husband!”
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
“Mmmmmmm,” Justin burrowed deep in the bed with its organic, memory foam mattress, hypo-allergenic pillows and 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets. He rolled up against Brian. “Are we becoming old?”
Brian gave a bark of laughter. “Speak for yourself. I am aging like a fine wine. You’re the one whose become soft.”
“Yeah, let me top you on an unyielding block of stone.”
Brian gave a snort.
“Yep, that’s about what I thought. How about a blow job?”
“Why certainly, help yourself.”
Justin punched him. “Not for you – for me!”
“Oh, well I think that can be arranged.” Brian dove under the cover and immediately went to work.
~>~>~>~>~>~>~>~>
Christmas eve day saw the return of the Marcus-Peterson clan. Debbie and Carl came as well after midnight mass. Regardless of their differences, Debbie still went to church and lit a candle every Christmas eve. Michael, Ben and Hunter – who was between girlfriends – would come early in the morning. Emmett and Drew and Ted and Blake would filter in sometime before Noon. Jennifer and Tucker would come later with Molly and her family, after spending the morning opening presents with their other grandchildren.
~>~>~>~>~>~>
Though both Gus and JR had a pile of presents next to them, Gus was still carefully turning gift tags over on the packages remaining under the tree.
“What are you looking for, Gus,” Mel asked as she folded the sweater Brian and Justin has given her.
“I can’t seem to find it.” Gus’ headless body extended from under the tree.
“What can’t you find, lambikins?” Lindsay called out as she separated boxes from torn wrapping paper.
“My gift from Dad and Justin.” Gus pulled himself out.
“Why Gus, Justin and I gave you that leather jacket you wanted.”
“Yeah, but that can’t be all!” Gus’ wail was plaintive. “I was sure there’d be more.”
“Give it up bro.” Jenny Rebecca flipped while she went about inventorying her gifts. She definitely made out better than her brother this year, and when Michael, Ben and Hunter arrived, she’d really be swimming in presents.
“Gus, honey, it’s not the number of gifts…” Debbie started. Carl patted her hand.
Justin thought it was time to put the boy out of his misery. “You know Gus, my parents used to hide gifts in the tree. Maybe you…” Justin hadn’t been able to finish his thought before Gus stood up and began circling the tree.
“Ah-ha!” Gus grabbed the envelope from the interior of the branches midway up the tree. “I found it! I found it!” Gus held up the prized envelope. He opened it up and his smile drooped. “What the f…” Gus managed to stop himself.
“What’s the matter?” Brian asked.
Gus held up an iPhone.
Lindsay and Mel looked confused. “You didn’t want a new phone?” Mel asked.
“Well, yeah, I guess…”
“Fire it up!” Brian urged.
It took Gus about five minutes to go through the new user screens and get the facial recognition working. As he went through the setup Gus had an internal discussion “It is the latest iPhone. It’s not like anyone else at school will have one.”
Finally, with set up completed Gus pulled himself together and pushed out a sullen “Thanks.”
“That all?” Brian asked. “Maybe you should check out some of those apps.”
Gus scrolled through the phone. Most of them seemed like the normal Apple apps.
“There’s a really handy app, Trackr. It helps you find things.”
Gus shrugged and activated the app. The app had an icon for keys and a locator. Gus looked to his dad, maybe…
Gus touched the keys and followed the trail to the locator. It took him out the door to the covered walkway to the garage. Brian trailed behind his son.
“What’s going on?” Debbie asked.
“Come on,” Justin motioned, heading out the door to follow Gus and his husband.
Soon there was a trail of Markus Peterson Novotny Horvath Kinney Taylors between the house and the kitchen.
Suddenly there was a Whoop! and a “No way!” and the garage was crowded with people.
“Mom! Mama!” Gus was wreathed in smiles.
Mel looked at Brian. “A black jeep?”
“Safety ratings Mel. He’ll be driving this in West Virginia a full year before he’s driving in Pittsburgh.”
Brian walked over to Gus. “Keys?”
Gus handed over the keys.
“You’ll get these back when we’ve gotten your learner’s permit and had some lessons. In the meantime, you can explore the vehicle to your hearts content.”
The adults left Gus and Jenny Rebecca to their adventures and headed back to the house. Once inside Carl and Debbie headed upstairs for a nap. The day had started early, and they hadn’t gotten to bed until nearly 2am.
The girls cleaned up paper and tidied up for the next wave of arrivals. Brian and Justin headed to the kitchen to put on a fresh pot of coffee and put out some food.
By noon, Michael, Ben and Hunter had arrived – and quickly headed to the garage to check out the new vehicle and reunite with Jenny Rebecca. Drew and Emmett drifted in, along with Ted and Blake. Drew had an early evening flight out to cover a series of bowl games, but was going to spend as much time he had with his husband and the family.
Jennifer, Tucker, Molly and the rest arrived a little after 1pm and everyone settled in for another round of opening presents. By 2:30pm Debbie, Jennifer and Emmett had the table spread and by 4pm family members could be found in any number of rooms napping off their food comas.
Molly and her husband were the first to round up their kids and head out. Melanie and Lindsay took this as an cue; they gathered up Gus and Jenny Rebecca, along with their haul (minus the Jeep) and headed home. Carl and Debbie headed out and soon, Brian and Justin were closing the door behind the last of their guests.
Thanks to everyone pitching in, there was only a minimum of clean up, a few glasses here and there.
“I think that’s the last of it.” Justin placed the last few glasses in the dishwasher and washed his hands in the sink. He turned around only to find himself captured between Brian’s arms. “hmmm, I like this.”
Brian bent in and nipped at Justin’s neck. “Everyone’s gone. Whatever will we do?”
Justin looked at the granite countertop. He ducked out from between Brian’s arms and began to run to the doorway. As he left the room, he shouted, “last one to the bedroom bottoms!”
~fin~
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