A Dreary Christmas

 



“So you’ll be here tomorrow?”

“I’m on an early flight.”

“Good.”

“Brian, I’m really sorry that I couldn’t come before Christmas Eve.”

“Who the fuck cares? You’ll be here tomorrow which is what counts. And Christmas is just another day anyway,” Brian sneered.

“It’s not just another day,” Justin protested. “I love Christmas. I want to be there with you. I want to see Mom and Molly and all our friends.”

Brian snorted. “Yeah, and those friends will monopolize all your time if you let them.”

Justin smiled. “I’ll make sure we have lots of alone time.”

“You better.”

“My painting is almost done. I just have a few finishing touches, and then I can deliver it for Christmas.”

“And then you’ll be rich,” Brian chuckled.

“Hardly. New York is so expensive. I’ve been lucky to get a few commissions.”

“That wasn’t luck; that was talent.”

Justin smiled. “I love it when you say stuff like that.”

“I bet you do.”

“You have to admit that you don’t say things like that very often.”

“I admit it.”

“So it’s special when you do.”

“And you realize that I rarely say such things to anyone,” Brian reminded him.

“Except me.”

“Except you.”

“And that’s because I’m special,” Justin averred.

“Could be.”

Justin laughed out loud. That was about as much as he was going to get Brian to admit. “What’s the weather like there?” Justin asked deciding that it was time to change the subject.

“Raining.”

“Same here. I hope I don’t get fogged in.”

“It’s going to rain for the next forty days and forty nights.”

Justin snorted. “Is that the latest Biblical weather forecast?”

Brian ignored that comment. “Where’s the snow we’re supposed to have for Christmas,” he said.

“It’s only a theory that there’s always snow for Christmas,” Justin said. “It’s looking like rain this year.”

“I hate rain when it’s cold.”

“Me too.”

“Why don’t we go to the Bahamas or somewhere hot?” Brian suggested as the thought struck him.

“That won’t provide us with snow for Christmas.”

“Fuck snow.”

“But they might have rain there also.”

“Couldn’t possibly be as dreary as it is here,” Brian stated.

“Is it that bad?”

“Absolutely.”

“Hm.”

“Is that a hm-yes or a hm-no for the Bahamas?”

“It’s very tempting…”

“But…?”

“I want to see Mom and Molly and Debbie and…”

“So we stay in dreary Pittsburgh.”

“But it doesn’t have to be dreary,” Justin said cheerfully.

“And how do you figure that? I’m looking out the fucking window – definitely dreary.”

“We can get out your fluffy blue duvet and be all warm and snuggly in bed,” Justin told his long distance lover. When there was no response, he continued, “And we can get Gus and take him to the roller rink instead of the outdoor skating rink.” Still no response. “And we can fuck until you’re so hot and exhausted that we’ll add to global warming.”

“Now that I could agree too.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“What’s settled?” Brian asked.

“I’m coming to Pittsburgh, and it will not be dreary because we’ll be together and we’ll make it cheery.”

“Will we now?”

“I guarantee it,” Justin said with a big smile.

“That smile of yours can really light up a dreary day.”

“I know,” Justin said smugly. “So, do we have a deal?”

“You, Gus, a warm bed, sunshine smiles to drive the dreariness away…”

“Exactly.”

“Dreariness be damned. That could make a … satisfactory Christmas,” Brian conceded.

“Hey, it will be way beyond satisfactory. I promise memorable.”

“And you’re just the one to deliver, Sunshine.”

“You know me so well,” Justin chuckled.

“I … I’ll be at the airport when you come in.”

“Thanks, and I’ll show you the true meaning of Christmas cheer.”

“I can hardly wait,” Brian said before cutting the connection. He knew he literally could hardly wait. He wanted Justin Taylor more than he had ever wanted anything or anyone at Christmas time. Smiling Brian walked up to the bathroom. Fuck dreary! This was going to be a good Christmas even in dreary Pittsburgh.

 

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