New Years Eve

Brian and Justin had enjoyed a very happy Christmas. Dinner at Debbie's was a huge success. The usual crowd attended but Brian was surprised that his mother was also among the guests. Debbie had known Brian's mother since Michael and Brian were in high school together. While Debbie was not particularly fond of Joan Kinney, she was glad that Brian and his mother seemed to be getting along better than ever since they had met on Thanksgiving Day. Justin had told Debbie about that, and also that he thought Brian was pleased to have gained his mother's acceptance and that it meant something to Brian to have his mother back in his life. Debbie was glad to help out where she could. She had always thought of Brian as a second son - maybe a black sheep - but she wanted him to be happy.

Now Justin and Brian were positioned in front of their fake fireplace reliving the recent past and thinking about the near future. "You ate too much," Brian told Justin. "They didn't run out of anything," Justin pointed out. "That's only because I dragged you away from the table in time," Brian insisted.

"You're picking on me," Justin complained. "I know," Brian admitted, " I like to pick on you. Then I'm sure you're noticing me." "I don't really mind," Justin admitted back, "As long as it's you."

"Do you have a date for New Year's Eve yet, Sunshine," Brian asked. "No," Justin replied, "But there is this guy I'd like to have ask me." Brian smiled and asked: "What will you do if he doesn't?" "Then I guess I'll be stuck at home with you," Justin smiled back at him.

"Sunshine, you are a brat," Brian laughed. "But am I your brat?" Justin asked. "You are," Brian admitted, "And I'd like to have the pleasure of your company this New Year's Eve." "I thought you'd never ask," Justin said, adding: "I'm still free for next New Year's Eve, too." "Sunshine," Brian answered, "I'd like the pleasure of your company for the next one-hundred New Year's Eves." "You're on," Justin declared enthusiastically, "With an option for the hundred after that."

"You may be sorry," Brian warned him, " Scheduling that far ahead." "No I won't," Justin answered, "I'll never be sorry."

They were about to embrace when the telephone rang. "Sounds like Mikey's ring," Justin said. "We'll see, mind reader," Brian laughed. "Hi. Mikey," he spoke into the telephone.

"How did you know it was me?" Michael asked, "Am I the only one dumb enough to call you?" "Oh no," Brian answered, "The resident mind reader is at work."

"What are you guys doing New Year's Eve?" Michael wanted to know. "Don't know yet," Brian replied, "I just got a date." Michael laughed: "With anybody I know." "Some blond twink," Brian responded, "Can't remember his name. You know how bad I am with names."

"You're weird, Brian," Michael said, "I don't know how Justin puts up with you. On second thought I think I do know. You're both weird." "Have you told him yet?" Michael whispered to Brian.

"Told me what, Told me what?" Justin cried from across the room. "You couldn't have heard that from over there. You're not Superman," Brian said. "No, but I am the resident mind reader, a skill I learned from Rage," Justin answered, "Tell me what."

"He heard you Mikey," Brian told Michael, " And no, I haven't told him and I don't know if I will. He can just read my mind." "That would be easy if it weren't so muddled up," Justin called.

"Would you two do your weird stuff on your own time? You guys make me dizzy." Michael pleaded, " The gang is going to celebrate New Year's Eve at Babylon. Ben and me are doing the calling around. Emmett and Ted are coming. Mel and Lindsey are coming because women are allowed, and I think my mom and Uncle Vic will come too, as guests. Carl is on duty so he won't be there. Can you guys come?"

"First of all," Brian answered, "You don't need anybody to make you dizzy. Second, it's just as well Carl is on duty. We don't need any cops at Babylon. And, third, I'll have to consult the resident mind reader." "It's OK with me if you want to go to Babylon on New Year's Eve," Justin interrupted from across the room, "Any place with you. Sounds like fun." "We'll be there," Brian told Michael, "The twink says it's OK. I wish I could remember his name." "See you there then, if not before," Michael closed, " I'm glad to get off the phone with you nuts."

Justin ran across the room, threw his arms around Brian and kissed him. "Now tell me," he insisted.

"We're not going to drink very much on New Year's Eve," Brian said. "That's OK with me, too," Justin replied, "Who needs a drunken fool for a boy friend? But that is not it, Brian." "It's the first part of it, Sunshine," Brian told him.

"Well get to the second part," Justin demanded, "My patience is wearing thin." "Well, just feed it a plate of spaghetti. That's you're usual solution. We're not drinking much on New Year's Eve because we don't want to be hung over on New Year's Day," Brian said.

"You are exasperating, Brian," Justin howled, "That's not it either. You will have to tell me eventually because…." "No threats please. I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yourself. When does your winter break at the Institute end?" Brian asked. "January 13th. You know that," Justin grouched," Why are you trying to change the subject?"

"I'm not trying to change the subject," Brian countered laughingly, "I'm trying to give you a hint but you're not your usual brilliant self today. I'm off till January 13th too. There is space available at Snowboard Heaven and our plane leaves at noon on New Year's Day."

Justin screamed with delight. "I thought we couldn't go till spring break," he exclaimed. Spring break is late this year and we have a better chance for snow now. I didn't want you to be disappointed like last year so I just took the time off to go now. If you like it, we can go back again on spring break."

Justin kissed him again, "I'm so excited," he cried, "I love you Brian." "I know," Brian assured him. "Even though you can be thoroughly exasperating a good bit of the time," Justin continued. "I know, " Brian answered. Brian got the last word, he thought.

So they just sat there for a while, watching the fake flames leap about the fireplace. Then Justin said: "I'm going to make a New Year's resolution, Brian." "Am I supposed to ask what it is, and then you won't tell me, I guess. Well, what is it?" Brian responded. "Of course I'm going to tell you what it is. I'm not mean like you," Justin took umbrage, "I'm going to resolve always to stay calm and not let you get to me, and I'm not going to pick on you all through the year."

"Well that sounds good to me," Brian replied, "Life will be a lot calmer around here." "Wanna know something else, Brian?" Justin asked.

"Sure," Brian said.

"I've never in my whole life been able to keep a resolution past January 2nd," Justin crowed.

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