Gift 9: part 2

[mander3-swish.livejournal.com]

TO: tagsit
FROM: addict_writer
TITLE: Last Christmas


oOo

After a warm shower and changing into some spare clothes Brian had in his Jeep, they sat on the lumpy bed. Brian flicked through the TV channels, cringing with every click.

Their choices were either bad Hallmark movies or straight porn.

Justin lunged for the TV remote, pressing the off button, then chucking the thing away.

“I vote with doing something else.”

“Like what?” Brian muttered, clearly irritated. He went to the window, glaring at the snow storm outside.

“I told you a lot of crap about myself. I was wondering if you wanted to share…”

“You already know what I do.”

“Actually, I don’t. I mean, I know you helped with Dad’s campaign for promoting his store.”

Brian sat on the edge of the bed, lighting up a cigarette. “I own an advertising company – Kinnetik.”

“That’s so cool! It has been one of my dreams to become a graphic artist, but I like painting more.”

“You truly have talent. I don’t say that often,” Brian said, smiling.

They continued talking about some of Brian’s accounts, and the story behind him opening his company.

When Justin yawned loudly, embarrassed beyond belief by his otherwise normal response to fatigue, Brian checked the time. It was nearing midnight.

“So, what do you want for your birthday?”

“Not you, too,” Justin groaned, curling up against the headboard, hugging his knees.

“You know there’s no escaping Emmett's party, right?”

“We can blame the snow and stay away on my birthday.”

Brian laughed. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going back tomorrow – tree or no tree.”

“We’re getting the tree!” Justin shouted. “We can’t have Christmas without a tree!”

Brian shook his head. “You have no idea how many Christmases I spent without a tree. It’s too much hassle in my opinion.”

“Your friends are right. You ARE Grinch.” Justin placed a hand theatrically over his heart.

“Shut up!” Brian nudged Justin's foot. “You must want something for your birthday. You’re turning eighteen.”

Justin chewed on his lips. He decided to go with the truth. “I wanna get drunk – like really drunk.”

Brian regarded him with a knowing look, before he got up and went to grab his coat.

“Where are you going?” Justin shouted, panicked. Even if he’d overstepped some line, it was extreme for Brian to get up and leave.

“I’ll be right back.” He winked over his shoulder, before disappearing out the door.

Justin rushed to the window. Two minutes later, Brian appeared in his line of vision. He was headed to a 24/7 store near the motel.

Oh my God! He’s buying alcohol.

As excited as Justin was to finally try real alcohol, fear gripped at his insides. He’d only had beer with Daphne, the previous summer.

What if he made a fool of himself?

What if he tried to make a move on Brian? What if Brian rejected him? What if he didn't?

Before he could develop a full-blown panic attack, Brian returned.

Brian pulled a bottle of vodka and one of whiskey out of the bag. “You get to choose.”

“Can’t I have both?”

“Never combine drinks,” Brian advised. “Now, what will it be?”

“Vodka,” Justin decided. He’d tried whiskey from his father’s glass once and it had left a sour taste in his mouth.

“Wise choice. I’ve also got cranberry juice. It goes well with vodka.”

After thoroughly washing two glasses from the tray on the table, they sat on the bed with their drinks. Upon checking the time, they realized it was after midnight.

“Happy birthday!” Brian cheered, touching their glasses.

Justin grinned widely, gulping greedily from his drink. He stopped when the glass was half empty and looked at Brian's wide eyes.

“What? I don’t feel anything.”

“Because that’s vodka. You don’t feel the effect when you drink it. But after a while when you try to get up and move, you’ll find that your limbs aren’t cooperating.”

Justin chuckled. “Sounds fun.”

They continued their conversation about Brian's company, but eventually ended up talking about famous painters and their art, and about cities they liked to visit or they had already visited. Brian told Justin about the White Party and the wild nights he’d spent in Ibiza some years ago. All the while, they kept refilling their glasses.

“I need to piss,” Justin suddenly declared loudly.

Brian waved to the bathroom door, watching him, amused.

Justin carefully placed his glass on the nightstand, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed. He felt somewhat light-headed. When he stood up, gravity pulled him back to the bed and he fell across Brian's lap, laughing uncontrollably.

“Your parents are going to kill me.”

“What they don’t know, won’t hurt them.” Justin rolled on his stomach, smiling up at Brian. He was so close to Brian's groin.

“Weren’t you going to piss?” Brian prompted him.

“Right.”

Justin righted himself and this time he managed to sway his way to the bathroom. It was a challenge to stand still and aim at the suddenly too small hole of the toilet. When he returned to bed, Brian had refilled their glasses. He held Justin's in one hand, inviting him to take it.

Justin threw himself on the bed, landing back across Brian's lap. He sat up, straddling Brian's legs, grabbed his drink, and downed it in a few gulps.

He had never felt so light and happy and loose. He dared to touch Brian's chest, then slowly move his hand under the hem of Brian's sweater.

“What are you doing?” Brian demanded, catching his wrist in a vise grip.

“What does it look like I’m doing?” Justin challenged him.

“I asked you what you wanted for your birthday. You said getting drunk was your desire.”

“So, I get only one wish granted? Not three?” Justin pouted.

“What are the other two?” Brian lifted a brow.

“One of them is quite obvious, I bet.” Justin licked his lips, leaning closer. He lost his balance fast, face-planting into Brian's shoulder.

“And the other?” Brian ran a hand over Justin's back.

“The other will never happen.” Justin shook his head, nosing at Brian's neck. “I want my dad to accept me for who I am, and not judge what he doesn’t understand.”

Brian pushed Justin several inches away, so he could look him in the eye. “I’m afraid I can’t help there. It’s his decision, but after our talk, I think he’s starting to understand and accept. It will be difficult, but he’ll eventually accept you for who you are. Craig loves you so much. He always talks about you and how proud of you he is.”

“Really?” Justin sat up on Brian's lap, playing with the hem of Brian's sweater. “I thought he hated me for not choosing Dartmouth for college.”

“I’m not a parent – not yet, and I’ll never be a real parent to that kid, but the way I see it; it doesn’t matter what you choose to do. The parents should be there to guide you, and when they can’t get you listen to them, they should encourage you to achieve your dreams. Even if that means they’ll have to watch you fail, because they knew better. In your case, I’m sure you’ll make them even prouder.”

Justin could feel tears pooling in his eyes. He liked to blame the vodka for his reaction. “No one has even said something so nice to me.”

“As for your other wish…” Brian cupped Justin's cheek. “I want to know if you’re sure. It’s a big step.”

“I want it.”

“You could find a cute boy your age…”

Justin propped his hands on Brian's shoulders, narrowing his eyes at the man’s gorgeous face. “Did I stutter?”

Brian laughed, pulling Justin's head down. He searched his eyes for a moment, before kissing his lips. Justin kept his eyes wide open and his jaw went slack when Brian licked his lips. That gained Brian access to Justin's mouth. It didn’t take Justin long to figure out how to properly kiss. He’d tried it with Daphne, but they had both agreed it was weird and decided to forget the experience.

Justin pushed both his hands under Brian's sweater. He felt the man’s stomach muscles jump at the feeling and probably from his cold hands. Then a glorious sound left Brian's mouth and Justin dared to explore more of the defined abs and perfect skin.

Justin groaned into Brian's mouth when one of Brian's hands caressed the curve of Justin's ass. It felt like all the nerve endings were everywhere Brian touched him. Justin's skin felt on fire, and his dick had never been as hard as it was in that moment. His boxers were soaked, and he feared he’d come prematurely.

Brian swallowed his moans and grunts, running both his hands up and down Justin's back.

“Fuck!” Justin pulled away long enough to take his shirt off, before wrapping his fingers in Brian's hair, returning his kisses with ardor.

Brian smirked against Justin's lips. Brian slipped a hand inside the back of Justin's jeans and boxers, moving his middle finger over Justin's crack. Justin seized up, his eyes widening. He could feel his balls drawing up and the inevitable happened.

Brian kissed him through his orgasm, daring to put pressure against Justin's hole with his finger.

“Oh God! It feels so damn good!” Justin bucked into Brian. “Please.”

Brian pushed Justin on his back, divesting him of his clothes. Then he undressed himself, allowing Justin to take a look at his naked body.

Justin stared at him with hunger in his eyes, then he kept his attention on Brian's dick. It was so big, that Justin feared it wouldn’t fit. He briefly thought that it might hurt, but trusted Brian to make it as pleasurable as possible.

Justin also felt somewhat embarrassed by the baby fat on his stomach and his average cock. When he made to cover himself with a hand, especially since his dick had yet to harden properly after his orgasm, Brian gripped his wrist.

“You’re beautiful.”

“You’re just saying that,” Justin mumbled.

“I don’t throw compliments around lightly. When I say something like this, I mean it.”

Justin smiled bashfully. He could feel his cock filling under Brian's intense gaze. Then Brian touched him, and Justin wondered if he would self-implode.

“Try not to come,” Brian said in a silky voice that made Justin burn on the inside.

It was difficult to keep his release at bay, even though he’d come minutes before, but he was a teenager.

“I’m going to prep you,” Brian said after a while.

Justin had no idea why Brian had lube and condoms with him, but it didn’t matter. He kept still and tensed up when Brian moved to touch his ass again.

“You have to relax, Justin.” Brian stroked Justin's hole with a cold, lubed finger.

“I’m trying,” Justin grunted.

Brian leaned closer and wrapped his lips around Justin's erection. It relaxed Justin immensely, and gained Brian access to Justin's ass without fear of hurting him. Feeling the warmth of Brian's mouth around his dick, the friction, the sucking – it took Justin to new highs. The volcano inside his stomach was ready to erupt, when Brian pulled away.

“Nooo! Why would you do that?”

Brian chuckled, flipping Justin on his tummy. “I’m giving you a memorable first time.”

Before Justin could ask what he meant by that, he felt Brian's wet tongue touching his ass. Justin gasped, his hands clenching the bedsheet, as he tried to keep his release at bay. It was near impossible with the way Brian's skilled tongue licked him, stretching his hole. When Brian separated from Justin's ass, the sound itself was all it took for Justin to shoot on his stomach and the bedsheet underneath him.

“Think you can get it up one more time for the main show?” Brian joked.

“Let’s see.” Justin grinned, unable to keep the smile off his face. He’d never felt so good in his life. Sure, he’d jerked off like every teenager, but he’d never achieved such a strong release or felt so fulfilled.

Brian sat up against the headboard, handing Justin a condom foil. “Do you know how to put it on me?”

“There was this class in school…” Justin snatched the foil from Brian, carefully unwrapping it. With trembling fingers, he unrolled the condom on Brian's angry red erection. Once the condom was wrapped correctly, Justin stroked Brian's cock a few times, feeling the sparks of desire shoot through his veins.

Brian cupped a hand around Justin's neck, bringing him closer. They kissed wetly, all the while Justin stroking Brian's dick.

“Is it going to hurt?” Justin whispered against Brian's lips.

“It always hurts a little. It’s part of the game.” Brian kissed down Justin's jaw, licking at the column of his neck. “I promise to make it as pleasurable as possible.”

Justin straddled Brian's lap, pressing his face into Brian's shoulder, while Brian continued stretching Justin's hole. When Brian made to push Justin on his back, Justin clung to him, mumbling he wanted it that way.

“It might hurt more if you sit on my dick.”

“I want to ride you,” Justin admitted.

Brian smiled, nodding. He gently guided his cock into Justin's ass, allowing Justin all the time he needed to adjust to the burn.

Justin felt like all the air had been sucked out of his lungs. His ass was on fire. His body was trying to reject the intrusion, but all Justin wanted was to have Brian buried deep inside him. When his ass muscles kept being uncooperative, Justin slammed down. He swore loudly, digging his fingers into Brian's shoulders.

“Why would you do such a stupid thing? I was going in slowly so not to hurt you!” Brian chided him. He rubbed a hand on the small of Justin's back, keeping his other arm wrapped around Justin's shoulders, holding him close.

When Justin could think anything other than pain, hurt, hurt, pain, he lifted his head, licking his lips. “So full,” he mumbled, kissing Brian's lips.
“Does it still hurt?” Brian checked.

“A little. Move slowly, please.”

“That’s what I’ve been planning, then you came and did the most stupid thing during sex.”

Justin apologized, feeling silly for his moment of lapse of judgment.

Brian guided Justin's hips up and down, until he got the hang of it, and then they started moving together. Justin's jaw was slack, his eyes glazed over in pleasure, and all kinds of porn star sounds poured out of his mouth.

Brian usually disliked vocal tricks, but Justin's sounds were endearing. He enjoyed watching the boy taking pleasure from their coupling. It was all new to Justin, and for Brian, too, in some ways. He’d never fucked a virgin before.

“I… I t-think…” Justin ran a hand across his own stomach, then grabbed his hardened cock. “Oh, Brian!”

Brian pushed Justin on his back, almost folding him in half, before slapping his hips against Justin's, chasing their releases.

Justin's cries grew louder. His hands were everywhere – in his own hair, on Brian's face, on the bedsheet, on his dick. Then Justin's back arched, and his ass clenched tightly around Brian's dick. Justin came so hard, he nearly blacked out for a second. Brian hooked his arms under Justin's shoulders, bringing him even closer, then fucked him fast and furious, prolonging Justin's orgasm while he achieved his.

Brian fell in a sweaty heap on top of Justin. He couldn’t find the will or power to roll on his side.

Justin clung to him, peppering kitten nips and small kisses all over Brian's face, while smiling broadly.

Brian was confused why he wasn’t already moving away. It wasn’t like himself to cuddle one of his tricks, but Justin wasn’t a trick. That should have been a big warning sign for what awaited him in the future.

They ended up falling asleep in that position. One of them tugged the blanket over their naked bodies during the night.

oOo

In the morning, Brian awoke with a start. He was sore all over, and he couldn’t remember what in the hell he’d done for his body to protest so loudly. Then he became aware of the sounds of gagging.

The night’s events returned to him, and he shot up. Even though, he couldn’t feel Justin sucking him, he half expected to find the boy gagging on his morning wood.

Unfortunately, the boy was gagging while throwing up.

Brian made his way to the bathroom. The sight in front of him made Brian's heart clench. He felt like an ass for getting the boy drunk and taking advantage of his inebriated body. Maybe Justin's fantasy was to fuck Brian, but he was too nice a kid to ask for it while sober.

Justin spat in the toilet, before looking up at Brian with his sweaty and pale face. “Sorry.”

“Shut up. It’s all my fault.” He helped him up, washing his face with a wet towel, before bringing him back to the bed. “I’m going to find you something fizzy. Don’t move.”

While Brian searched the mini fridge, he could feel guilt twisting at his gut. In daylight, his actions made him feel like a molester. He’d never had such thoughts after fucking some guy, but Justin was a kid. Justin was his friend’s son – a friend who happened to be a big homophobe.

What the fuck had he done?

Brian scrubbed a hand over his face, bringing Justin a can of Cola. He popped it open and handed it to the kid.

“If you dare to say you regret last night, I’ll never speak to you again,” Justin muttered, after a few gulps from his soda.

“How did you know?” Brian was shocked at how well Justin could read him. His best friend could rarely tell what he was thinking.

“It’s all over your face. No regrets,” Justin insisted.

Brian smirked. “That’s part of my motto: No excuses. No apologies. No regrets.”

Justin managed a small smile. It fell as soon as his phone started ringing. They both stared at Justin's mom face on the screen.

“Can you pick it up, please?” Justin begged.

Brian did so without thinking twice. “Jennifer! Good morning!” He answered cheerfully.

“Brian? Is Justin all right?” She asked, worried.

“Yes. He’s in the shower now. We’re about ready to get the tree and return.”

“The boy who delivered the food this morning arrived late, saying the only way he could get here, was by chopper. The snow storm cancelled all gondola traffic.”

“Shit. That’s not good.” Brian walked to the window. His eyes widened. He couldn’t even locate his Jeep through the mountains of snow. “I’ll keep you updated. I’ll let Justin know you called.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Brian chucked the phone on the bed. “We have several problems.” He pointed to the window. “We’ll need to find the car in the sea of snow outside, and then somehow make our way to the tree lot … if it’s open in this weather. When we manage to get back to Aspen, we’ll have to find a way to get back to the cabana, because the gondolas are not working. The snow storm is that dangerous.”

“I don’t mind if we stay here another day.” Justin shrugged. He padded to Brian's side, hugging him around the middle.

They were both still naked, and Brian could feel Justin's erection against his thigh.

“We need to get back. And you need to get your hormones under control.”

“One more time before we leave?” Justin nearly whined. His hand went to rub Brian's hardening dick.

Brian wasn’t one to back down from sex, so he led Justin to the bathroom. He introduced the boy to the wonders of conserving water.

oOo

They bought a tree and strapped it to the roof of the Jeep. With their mission completed, they drove back to Aspen.

The roads were in far worse condition than the day before, and after only fifteen minutes, Brian pulled over.

“We’re stopping in the middle of nowhere?” Justin cried out.

“I can’t drive in this weather. Help me find the chains and strap them to the tires.”

“Do you even know how to do it?”

Brian shot Justin a dirty look. “Get your ass out of the car!”

It took them almost an hour to get the job done due to the cold, the wind, and how clueless they were about how to wrap the chains around the tires.

Once inside the car, Brian drove slowly. Justin ended up dozing off, still feeling the effects of his hangover.

In Aspen, Brian had to contact the guy who’d delivered their food, and then pay the helicopter pilot to take them to the cabana. The pilot tried to protest and say the wind was too strong, but when he saw the wad of cash Brian placed in his hand, he even helped them with the tree.

On the flight to the cabana, Brian expected Justin to comment on how rich Brian was, but then Brian remembered that Justin must be a spoiled brat. Craig owned the biggest electronics store chain in Pittsburgh, and was ready to go statewide.

When they arrived, Jennifer was first out of the house. She hugged her son, embarrassing him.

“Justin was in good hands,” Brian said, touching her shoulder. He was amazed how he didn’t feel bad about looking the woman in the eye, after the things he’d done to her son.

“Of course, he was!” Jennifer turned to hug Brian, making him freeze. He wasn’t expecting that. “But as a parent, you worry. You’ll see!” She patted his cheek.

That had been such a Debbie move, it left Brian wondering if all mothers were so suffocating. He wouldn’t know, since his own mother had barely been present in his life. Saint Joan never showed her children the same love she had for her god, and whenever that asshole Jack decided to punch his son around, she turned her head. Brian was never going to forgive either one of them.

Ben joined them outside, and helped Brian carry the tree inside the cabana.

The place was different than the way Brian remembered. There were garlands of lights on the banister and around the door frames, several large stockings hung by the fireplace, and to his horror, Brian spotted mistletoe above them in the hallway.

“We obviously waited for you to decorate the tree,” Emmett said, cheerfully, appearing in the sitting room’s doorway.

“Obviously.” Brian rolled his eyes. “I need a shower.”

“You might want to wait on that. Justin said something about a hot bath when he breezed past me,” Craig said, laughing at Brian's sour look. “What the hell happened?”

“We almost got snowed in. This is the last time I go the extra mile for Christmas.” Brian shook the snow off his coat, before hanging it on a hanger.
“You say that now, but next Christmas you’ll be a dad.” Michael laughed.

“I don’t see why everyone thinks I’m going to change. The kid won’t be living with me!”

As if to make a point, his phone rang loudly from his pocket. Everyone watched as he answered.

“Melanie,” he said tersely.

“What did you do with your phone? I’ve been trying to reach you for the past five hours!”

“Reception was shitty. I was on the road to get a tree. Is everything okay? Lindsay?” Brian shouldered past Michael and Emmett into the sitting room.

“You’re a dad. You have a healthy son,” she announced him.

Brian nearly dropped the phone. Something twisted in his gut; it was the urge to be there and hold his son. He closed his eyes, cursing at the moment of weakness overcoming him.

“Brian?” Melanie checked if he was still there.

“Yeah. I think I need a moment to process what I’ve done.”

“Lindsay’s still in shock. She can’t believe it, either. Lindsay wants to talk to you about the name, but now she’s resting.”

“Refresh my memory. What are the options?”

“Abraham or Gus. Nothing else,” she chided him.

“Sure. Uh, thank you.”

Brian turned around to face the others, after hanging up. “It’s a boy!”

After a moment of pause, everyone was hugging him, shaking his hands, clapping his back.

“What did I miss?” Justin asked from the doorway.

“Brian’s a dad,” Michael told him. “Melanie just called to let us know Lindsay has given birth to Brian's son.”

Justin smiled brilliantly, wrapping his arms tightly around Brian. “Congratulations!” He pulled back, chuckling. “How cool is this? Your son is born on the same day as me!”

That comment earned loud gasps from Justin's mom and Emmett, who rushed out of the room, presumably to grab presents and cake.

Before they returned, Brian disappeared upstairs for a much-needed shower. He was greeted by Justin's boxers on the bathroom floor and the boy’s unique scent.

Brian stood under the hot spray, trying to sort through the mess his life had become. He had a baby, who depended on him to some extent. Lindsay would give him the task of naming him, and he wasn’t about to name him Abraham like Melanie wanted. If only they’d accept another name, but no – the girls had decided on the two names, and Brian had to choose.

Then, his other pressing problem was Justin. The boy might be considered an adult, now that he reached eighteen, but Brian still felt terrible for deflowering him. Justin should have experienced all that with another kid his age.

After showering, Brian returned to his room. He shouldn’t have been surprised to find Justin at the foot of his bed. Justin was focused on some game on his tablet, barely sparing Brian a look.

“Not enjoying your party?” Brian joked.

“I wish Mom saw me as an adult, not a little kid. She always finds new ways to embarrass me.”

“What has she done?”

Brian got dressed while Justin explained the way his mom kissed and hugged him in front of everyone, weeping how her baby boy was growing up.

“Want to feel like an adult? Here’s a tough choice: Abraham or Gus.”

Justin looked up from his tablet, confusion evident in his blue eyes.

“The girls want me to choose my son’s name. Those are the options,” Brian explained. He applied a touch of cologne, before sitting next to Justin. “So?”

“Honestly? He wouldn’t last one day in school named Abraham.”

“Gus…” Brian said, pondering the decision. Gus was a nice name, though he wasn’t convinced he liked it. But like Justin said, it was way better than the other option. “I like it.” He grinned. “I’m going to call Lindsay and let her know I’ve decided.”

“Whoa! What, what? Did I just decide the name of your son?” Justin looked overwhelmed.

“Thank you.” Brian kissed Justin's lips, without thinking twice about his actions. He wasn’t one to apologize for his actions when he realized what he’d done, so he pulled his phone out and called Lindsay.

“Brian! Mel just told me that she managed to get a hold of you,” Lindsay said, happily.

“Hey! You don’t want to know. I’ll tell you some other time.”

There was a moment of pause, in which Lindsay breathed loudly. “I wish you were here,” she admitted.

“I’ll visit as soon as I return.” Brian got up, pacing around the room. “Did you name him?”

“Didn’t Mel tell you?” Lindsay asked, upset.

“She did. I was just hoping you’d decided without involving me.”

“What name do you like?”

“I was thinking… Gus,” Brian said, watching Justin's beaming smile.

“I like Gus, too,” Lindsay said, exhaling in relief.

“Like I’d name my son Abraham,” Brian snorted. “Get real, Wendy.”

“Mel won’t be too pleased. She was hoping for Abraham after her grandfather.”

“Tell her that life sucks.”

Lindsay laughed, chiding him that she couldn’t laugh because her stomach hurt. They chatted for several more minutes, before wrapping up the conversation.

“Come on.” Brian took Justin's hand, pulling him up from the bed. “Everyone must be wondering where you are.”

“Hiding from Mom,” Justin mumbled, but followed Brian out of the room.

At the bottom of the stairs, Jennifer noticed them, smiling. “Honey, there you are!”

Justin shot Brian a wounded look, dodging his mom on his way into the sitting room.

“I think it’s too much. Remember, Justin is eighteen now,” Brian reminded her gently. “You being all over him, is embarrassing.”

“Oh, my!” She nodded. “I wasn’t even thinking.”

Brian shrugged, following Justin.

The tree was up by the fireplace, and Emmett had all the boxes from the other day, spread all over the floor.

oOo

Justin pretended to sulk from the moment Brian brought him downstairs from his hiding spot in Brian's room.

Eventually, his love for Christmas won. But he didn’t get up from the windowsill. He watched Emmett fluttering around the room, while Ben, Michael, and Ted helped with decorating the tree. His dad was on an armchair, looking at the others, while sipping from a glass of whiskey. His mom and Molly were in the kitchen.

Justin looked around for Brian, and spotted him on the futon, near him. Brian had a glass of whiskey in hand too, and his eyes were on him.

Justin remembered the last time he’d noticed Brian was staring at him. But that was a few days ago and many things had changed.

Justin smiled at Brian, jumping off the windowsill. He stopped at the laptop placed on the mantelpiece and upped the volume to the carols playlist.
Then he skipped to the decorations and joined Emmett in singing and dancing around the tree. Emmett was happy for Justin to have joined him in the Christmas cheer.

“Think we can corrupt Grinch in helping us?” He whispered into Justin's ear.

Justin beamed, hanging the ball in his hand on a high branch, before grabbing a large garland of tinsel and danced his way to Brian. He threw the tinsel around Brian's shoulders, pulling.

Brian battled at his hands, scowling. “Watch out!” He tried saving his drink, but some of it spilled on his jeans.

“Come on! Help us.” Justin leaned closer, looping his arms around Brian's neck, around the tinsel.

“Your father is watching us,” Brian warned, glancing somewhere behind Justin.

“Let him watch.”

“Justin!” Brian hissed.

“Come oooon!” Justin pouted. “It’s fun!”

Brian downed his drink, placing the glass on the coffee table, before going to the tree and wrapping the tinsel from around his neck on the tree.

Emmett and Michael stared in shock at what had happened.

“What did you tell him?” Emmett asked, confused.

“Did you threaten to put shoe cream on his face during the night?” Michael asked, laughing.

Justin shrugged, breaking out in loud singing along with Louis Armstrong during Zat You Santa Claus.

When Justin bent over to reach a lower branch, Emmett couldn’t let the moment pass, and he spanked Justin. Despite the fear of what Justin's dad could do, Craig was the one to start laughing. The others joined him. Only Justin yelped, clutching at his ass.

“Christ, you’re a bunch of children!” Brian chided them.

Justin appreciated that someone was on his side. He might have been amused too if his ass wasn’t so tender. It hurt sitting, but having it spanked ruthlessly, was like torture.

“Oh, lighten up, Brian!” Emmett chuckled. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He checked, touching Justin's arm.

“I’m okay,” Justin mumbled.

He could tell that Emmett had caught on somehow, because Emmett's eyes narrowed at Brian, before hugging Justin.

They returned to decorating the tree, and were soon joined by Molly. She’d been baking cookies with Jennifer, and now they were done.

It was late at night when they were done with the tree. After a light dinner, Justin’s mom decided it was time for Justin to open his presents.

Slightly afraid of what new way his parents could embarrass him in front of the others, Justin cautiously opened the first present. It was a sweater, which he surprisingly liked. He smiled at his dad, knowing it was him who’d talked his mom into buying something so reasonable. The next present was a new Xbox game, he’d been wanting for months. Then he moved on to the last gift, but it didn’t escape him that his mom was confused by its presence.

When Justin ripped the wrapper, he was surprised to discover a medium sized canvas and a set of acrylic paints and brushes.

“You said you wanted to paint the landscape, but didn’t have your paints with you,” Brian said, quietly.

“You shouldn’t have,” Justin whispered, touched by the gesture. “When did you…?”

“Now, why would I tell you my secret ninja skills?” Brian joked.

Justin pulled the sweater over his t-shirt, curling up in his spot on the windowsill with a hot cocoa.

One by one, the others retreated to their rooms, except for Michael, Ben, and Brian. They all sat on the sofa, talking, while Justin looked out the window at the falling snow. He fleetingly thought of the last time he’d seen his phone, because he hadn’t checked it in a while. Daphne had probably tried calling.

“What’s wrong?” Brian hovered over him, scaring the crap out of Justin.

Justin looked at Brian, then his eyes widened. “I left my phone in your car.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I put it on the seat so I could zip my jacket, then you closed the door, telling me to hurry up. Shit.”

“Don’t worry. No one is going to steal it.”

“I have to talk to my friend. I bet she’s been trying to contact me,” Justin explained.

Brian produced his phone from his pocket, unlocking it. “You know her number?”

“Yeah. Thanks.” He accepted the phone, immediately dialing Daphne's number.

“Hello?” Daphne’s confused voice answered.

“Hey, Daph! It’s me,” Justin replied, softly.

“Justin! I kept calling you! What happened to your phone?”

“It’s a long story.” He made himself comfortable on the windowsill, before telling his best friend the whole story. His dad’s friend, and Brian's friends, the gondola trip, the beautiful sights, the cabana, the room issue, how gorgeous Brian was, his dad’s homophobic comments about Brian's friends, the tree problem, his trip with Brian to get the tree, what happened during the said trip, and returning back to the cabana.

Daphne had listened and interjected here and there, until Justin got to the point where he’d slept with a much older man.

“Can we get back to you sleeping with that guy?”

Justin chuckled. “I’d love to get back to that.”

“I’m serious, Justin! He must be your dad’s age!” Daphne said, revolted.

“He’s around thirty, I think. It didn’t come up. But, Daphne…” He continued gushing about how hot Brian was.

oOo

Later that night, Justin knocked on Brian's door from the bathroom. He waited for a long minute, and when he got no answer, he returned to his room.

It was well past midnight, but Justin had wanted to return the phone. He got in his bed, pulling the blanket tightly around his cold body. He lay on his side, looking out the window at the dark sky. All he could think of, was the beautiful memories from the previous night.

Justin couldn’t believe Brian had accepted his proposal and slept with him. Justin doubted he’d ever find anyone as amazing as Brian, because it was painfully clear that Brian didn’t want anything to do with him anymore.

He tossed and turned, until sleep finally claimed him.

In the morning, Justin woke up to the sound of the shower running. He didn’t have the courage to attempt and join Brian in there. On his way downstairs, he left the phone on Brian's bed, making a mental note to thank him again.

All through the day, Brian avoided Justin, making Justin almost regret that he’d begged Brian to sleep with him. Every time their eyes met when they passed each other or across the table at lunch, Brian quickly looked away.

Justin sulked in his favorite spot: the windowsill; where he drew out the scenery outside the window. He planned on using the present from Brian and paint it, but that would have to wait until he retreated to his room for the evening. He knew that if he left too early, his mother would give him hell.

It was nearing six in the evening, when Justin decided it had been long enough to be in the same room as Brian and be ignored. He got up, ready to head upstairs, when Emmett intercepted him on his way to the door.

“You aren’t going anywhere! We’re going to play!” Emmett steered him back into the sitting room. “Teddy, help me clear the spot in front of the fireplace!”

Justin cringed when he noticed what game Emmett had in his hands. Twister was the worst invention to humankind.

Molly seemed excited and even offered to help Ted push away the furniture.

Brian and Michael moved off the sofa, grumbling about children. That comment was enough for Emmett to make them play, or else. While saying the last part, Emmett glared at Brian, shooting Justin a look.

Justin felt his face burning. He still couldn’t believe Emmett had figured out their secret.

To Justin's surprise, his dad offered to be the one to direct them throughout the game. His mother promised to make sure he wouldn’t cheat.

Ben and Ted somehow escaped the madness. Ted claimed that his back was hurting, and Ben said he got an idea for his new book.

The game started fairly inoffensive, until Justin found himself tangled between Emmett and Brian. The real problem was that Brian’s groin was hovering above Justin's ass, his heavy breath on Justin's neck, while Emmett's dick was literally inches away from Justin's nose. When his dad called Michael's move, Brian protested loudly. Justin discovered a moment later why. Michael had to squeeze his hand in between Brian and Justin, making Brian nearly topple over. He kept his balance, and when his move came, Justin discovered how flexible Brian actually was.

Now, Brian's half hard dick was pressed against Justin's left hip, while his hands were on each side of Justin, close to where Justin made his hands into claws to anchor himself so he wouldn’t fall. Emmett was next and he tried extracting his arm from under Justin, only for his right foot to slip. He fell, and only by sheer luck, he didn’t take Justin with him.

“Damn!” Emmett cursed loudly, crawling away.

Justin chuckled, but his amusement died with his dad’s instructions. Turning to his left, his face was a breath away from Brian's.
“Hi,” Brian whispered.

Justin gulped, willing his dick to cooperate and not turn rock hard.

The three of them kept twisting and turning around the board, until Justin was hovering over Brian, his groin in front of Brian's face. Michael had one leg under Brian's left arm, but it was impossible to move his right hand to the red color from his position. He tried, only to lose his balance and fall on top of Justin.

“NO!” Justin cried out, digging his feet and hands into the plastic board. During Michael's fall, his erection pushed into Brian's face. He restrained himself from humping Brian's face, and Brian didn’t help the situation. He even mouthed at his clothed dick for a brief moment.

“You good to continue?” Hearing his dad’s voice was like a cold ice bucket on his head.

“I think so,” Justin mumbled.

“I’m good,” Brian said, cheerfully.

It took three more moves for Justin to find himself trapped under Brian. It was Brian who kicked him in the shin while moving his foot to the correct color, that made Justin crumbled to the ground.

“Fuck! No, fucking shit!” Justin snapped.

“Sorry!” Brian grinned, not in the least sorry.

“Justin! Watch your mouth!” His mother chided him.

Justin shot her an annoyed look, before running out of the room before anyone noticed his erection through his loose sweatpants.

Once upstairs, he hopped into the shower. He was lost in a fantasy of him and Brian playing Twister naked, when he felt a cold breeze on his ass.
Justin turned to find Brian in the shower cabin with him. He gasped, plastering his back to one of the glass walls, his right hands tightly wrapped around his dick.

“Don’t act like a blushing virgin.” Brian ripped a foil, rolling a condom on his cock.

“What are you doing?” Justin could barely hear his voice over his heart beating in his throat.

“What does it look like?” Brian touched Justin's shoulder, about to turn him around.

“Whoa!” Justin slapped his hand.

Brian stared at him amused. “After you teased me for the past hour with your delectable ass…”

“Are you out of your mind? You ignored me the whole day, and now you think I teased you while playing an innocent kid game?”

Brian stepped into Justin's personal space, their faces inches apart. “I ignored you, because you drive me crazy. I can’t think straight when I’m around you. All I want is to do, is get back inside you.”

“You do?”

“Yes,” Brian answered softly, his lips molding against Justin's. “I can’t understand why, but I want you. I never fuck the same man twice.”

Justin's head spun with the information, but before he could voice his questions, Brian had him facing the glass wall and was prepping him. Feeling Brian's fingers in his ass was enough to make him leak. When Brian pushed inside, it felt almost like the first time. The burn was still there, but dulled. Brian kept hitting that delicious spot deep inside Justin, and too soon he painted the glass in his cum. After Brian finished, he helped Justin wash himself.

They wrapped each other in bathrobes and went into Brian's room. They sat on the bed, backs resting against the headboard.

Brian started talking in a quiet voice, explaining how he never slept with the same man twice, unless he was bored, or out of options. He emphasized that he couldn’t get enough of Justin and he doubted he ever would.

Justin didn’t dwell on what would happen when they returned to Pittsburgh. He was going to live in the now. He made Brian promise to stop avoiding him, and that they could keep the secret. He even mentioned to Brian to have a talk with Emmett, so he wouldn’t spill the beans.

oOo

For the rest of their stay at the cabana, Brian and Justin found the time to fuck at least twice every day.

Brian had stopped questioning himself about what he was doing. Justin was his amusement so he wouldn’t go cold turkey during the holidays.

Brian had even talked to Emmett, getting an earful about being irresponsible and how Emmett was going to twist his balls if he hurt Justin.

On their last night there, Justin was more clingy than usual, wanting reassurance that they were going to see each other when they returned home. Brian confirmed it, not sure if he planned to keep his promise.

The following morning, Justin sulked, barely talking to anyone.

During the gondola ride back to town, Justin almost got in the same car with his parents, but Brian pulled him aside, making them the last to leave. Brian was glad they were alone, because he experienced sex in the gondola. Justin was a willing participant, as usual.

In the parking lot, Justin posted himself at the jeep’s passenger's door.

“Did you mix up the cars?” Brian joked.

“You have something of mine in there.” Justin tapped the frosted window.

Realization dawn to Brian. “Your phone. Right.”

Justin was all too happy to be reunited with his dead phone. He immediately dug into his backpack for the charger.

Craig joined them near the jeep, looking worried.

“Is everything all right?” Brian checked.

“Can I ask a favor from you?” Craig asked, keeping his eyes on his son.

Brian braced himself for losing a client, a friend, and of course, Justin. He should have known Craig would wait until the last minute to put an end to everything.

“Yes,” Brian answered, linking his hands in front of himself.

“Would it be too much trouble to take Justin in your car? Molly is still feeling unwell and Jen was thinking she should lie down in the backseat.”

Brian noticed how Justin's eyes widened and turned to look at Brian, full of hope. “No problem, Craig.”

To his credit, Justin refrained from jumping Brian right that moment.

“Get in, and wipe that smile off your face,” Brian said sternly, but smiling. “I’m going to talk to Mikey about the route we’re taking.”

Justin nodded, jumping into the passenger's seat. He beamed into the backseat at Emmett and Ted. They both rolled their eyes at him, but he couldn’t contain his happiness.

When Brian got behind the wheel, Justin was already installed in his seat, his phone plugged into the car charger, as some crappy music played too loudly from the radio. He sighed, switching to his favorite dance station, turning the volume to a moderate level, before putting on his seatbelt.

“Don’t ever fuck with my music again.”

“But on the trip…”

“That was then. This is now.”

Justin huffed. “You suck.”

Emmett burst out laughing. “I think you found your worst nightmare in Justin.”

“Fuck off, Honeycutt!”

They started driving, and not long later, Justin started humming along with the songs, until he and Emmett broke out into loud singing with some song. To Brian's horror, even Ted joined them.

“That’s enough!” He shouted. “Don’t make me throw you out of the car!”

Instead of stopping, like Emmett and Ted, Justin continued singing loudly, even leaning into Brian's side. The kid had a nice voice, and Brian found it hard to hate him for singing. He ended up pushing Justin's face away, focusing on driving.

Brian was acutely aware of Emmett judging him in silence.

oOo

Pittsburgh was as dull as ever and filled with snow when they returned.

Justin took advantage of Emmett and Ted fast asleep in the backseat to kiss Brian. He got out of the jeep, and joined his parents in the driveway of his house.

The jeep’s tires caught snow and ice as Brian left. The sound made Justin look up, wondering if they’d ever see each other again. He’d do everything in his power to see Brian, but after everything Brian had told him, Justin doubted Brian would want anything to do with him.

He locked himself in his room, telling his patents he was tired.

Justin felt his gut twisting when he realized he hadn’t exchanged numbers with Brian. They’d never see each again.

He was going to cherish the memories of that holiday for the rest of his life.

oOo
As school started again in January, Justin continued on with his life. Daphne encouraged him to find Brian, to visit Liberty Avenue and ask around for Brian, but Justin ignored her. He focused on his last year of school. He got into PIFA, came out to his parents, and despite his father’s reticence, he seemed to accept the reality.

He found a fellow student that he liked, and they started dating. Ethan was a kind, nice young man, but he was a distraction from thinking of Brian. Deep down, Justin was aware the relationship was doomed.

oOo

For the Christmas holidays, they went to Vermont.

Irony made it that they had to share with another group of people. Justin didn’t mind, until he found out who was going to live with them for one whole week.

Justin had done his best to forget Brian, to put that experience in a safe place, tucked away in his brain. But seeing him after a year of trying to forget him, it hit him hard. His boyfriend had noticed a change in Justin's behavior when he met the people, who they were going to share the big cabana with.

The only happy person about the situation was Emmett.

Justin had to explain to Ethan that he’d met the group the previous Christmas, and how Brian was his dad’s friend. Ethan didn’t notice anything odd with that. He was all too happy to allow Justin to reconnect with his friends.

One night when Justin couldn’t sleep and was hiding in the kitchen, he found himself facing Brian. Brian had come to the kitchen for a glass to pour himself some whiskey.

Their eyes met in the darkness of the room, and Justin remembered all the glorious memories from the previous Christmas.

“Happy Christmas!” Brian said quietly, walking closer.

Justin smiled tightly. “Happy Christmas!” He hated how his voice shook. He hadn’t talked to Brian directly, since their last stolen kiss as they said goodbye.

“How have you been?”

“Well…” Justin shrugged. “I bet Dad told you.”

“About you becoming a wonderful young man, out and proud? Yes, he did. He even thanked me for being a good influence.”

Justin snorted, looking into his mug of hot cocoa.

“I see you have a boyfriend now,” Brian said, conversationally.

“It’s not like you care!” Justin refused to meet Brian's eyes.

“I got your message on my birthday. Did you steal my number from your dad’s phone?”

“I missed you, Brian!” Justin snapped, finally looking Brian in the eyes. “You never tried contacting me! I was eighteen! I was legal! You made me a promise to me, that we’d see each other once we returned to Pittsburgh!”

“I bet you didn’t believe me. My promise came right after I told you I sleep around, and not with the same man twice.”

“But you slept with me repeatedly!” Justin caught himself in time, restraining from stomping his foot.

“You were my only choice.” Brian regretted his words as soon as they were out of his mouth, but the damage was done.

Justin abandoned his mug, advancing to Brian and slapping his face. “I hate you! Stay away from me!” He stomped toward the room he shared with Ethan.

He stopped right outside the door, inhaling sharply and wiping at his wet eyes. Hopefully, Ethan was sleeping by now.

oOo

To make Justin's life hell, Ethan was into group activities with Justin's friends, no matter how many times Justin told him he wasn’t exactly friends with them.

That was how they found themselves into an intense game of Truth and Dare. And because Emmett was a cruel person, he dared Brian to kiss Justin.

Before Justin could find an escape, Brian was a breath away from his face, searching his eyes. Then they were kissing, and Justin was transported a year back. He sagged into Brian's arms, and if anyone asked, he couldn’t tell who moved first. They were embracing and their tongues danced in sinuous ways. Justin heard Ethan clearing his throat, but his main focus was Brian's mouth.

In that moment Justin knew: he loved Brian. And he confessed his feelings without any brain to mouth barrier. He was vaguely aware of Ethan's outraged voice in the background and Emmett cheering. Justin allowed Brian to pull him toward his room, without listening to the cries of protest around them.

They’d face the consequences in the morning.

Brian went to his suitcase, puling an envelope from a pocket. He handed the letter to Justin.

“I couldn’t send this to you. I thought you were happy.”

“I might be a horrible person, but Ethan is a distraction. Don’t take me wrong, I love him, but… I’m still in love with you, Brian.”

“Read it,” Brian encouraged him, gently.

Justin –
Happy Birthday!
I’m writing to tell you how proud of you I am! Craig keeps me updated of your whereabouts.
You told your parents that you’re gay. It took me fifteen years to get the courage to tell mine. I was thirty when they found out.
Craig also tells me you have a boyfriend.
Am I supposed to say congratulations?
I bet you hate me for keeping you away from me, but believe me, I . . .
I miss you, Justin.
It’s better that you found someone your age to be with.
Brian

Justin looked up with tears in his eyes. “You love me, too!”

“Is this love?” Brian asked, sincerely.

“Yes, you idiot! I couldn’t stop thinking of you! I tried finding out where you work, and when I did, the security man told me I had the wrong building. I never got the courage to visit the clubs on Liberty Avenue like Daphne encouraged me, but I should have!”

“If I say that I’m sorry, can you ever forgive me?” Brian took Justin's hands. “I sincerely hoped you were better off with someone your age.”

“I told you from back then: I love you, Brian!”

Ethan chose that moment to barge into Brian's room. He shot Justin a hurt look, before glaring daggers at Brian.

“We’ll talk in the morning,” Justin mumbled.

“We’re done, Justin! I’m leaving now! There will be no in the morning,” Ethan snapped. “I could tell you weren’t one hundred percent into our relationship, but to hide this!” He pointed at Brian.

“I didn’t hide anything. I tried to forget Brian, but I fooled myself.”

“And you took me for a fool!” Ethan added. “Goodbye!” He stormed out.

Before Justin could follow him, Brian caught his elbow. “Don’t go.”

Justin turned to search Brian's earnest expression. “We need to have a long conversation. But that can wait. I need you.”

Brian's sighed in relief, walking Justin backwards to the bed, never breaking their kiss.

There was a lot to be said, but the night was young and their desire for each other was burning strong. The morning would bring a new day when they could discuss the next step toward a potential relationship; until then, they reconnected and remembered each other’s bodies.

They would worry in the morning about Justin's ex-boyfriend, Justin's parents, and Brian's friends. For now, it was just them, enveloped in happiness.