Let’s Do It Again

The fireplace was lit. The weather was cold. The guys were happy - and very tired.

"You were wonderful," Brian told the kid. "The way you managed those college kids and us other troops to get all that Christmas shopping done was unbelievable. If you were in the army, we'd never lose another battle."

"They don't want me in the army, Bri," Justin laughed. "And they don't want you either. And also remember, I have this great career in art ahead of me. Somebody else will have to fight the wars."

"Well the army's loss is my gain, Sweetheart," Brian agreed. "But you know what else, I'm glad all the guys who came in from Columbus were straight, Baby. The one who was the captain of the football team told me that if he were gay, he'd be looking to take you off my hands."

"Or take your hands off me," Justin smiled coyly. "But you're right. That great big handsome blond guy told me I was lucky to have you, and if he were gay, I'd have some competition."

"Well, anyway," Brian concluded, "We have probably picked up an annual job though. They were all so pleased. Will we do it again next year? If we do, we better tell Abe not to bring any gays - just to make sure."

"So the fabulous Brian Kinney wants to institute a 'no-gays' policy," Justin gibed at him. "You're worse than the army. At least they have their 'Don't ask, don't tell'."

"You philosophers can sometimes be a pain in the ass, Sweetheart," Brian complained. "And a guy's got to protect his territory so we have to make some hard moral choices. I love you, you know."

"Yeah, we'll do it again if they want to come," Justin decided, cuddling in even closer to Brian in response. "And I don't think we need to worry about who comes. We love each other, Bri. Nobody has much chance of getting either of us. I'm glad you said you love me though."

"I hope I'm not going to be sorry," Brian looked ahead. "But go ahead. We'll do whatever you want. I guess I owe you at this point."

"This is going to be a lot of fun, Bri," Justin assured him. "Remember the party we had for Gus and his friends at Halloween. Well, I was talking to Mel and Linz, and we thought we ought to do it again for Christmas. How does that sound to you?"

"In the true spirit of Christmas, I'm not going to say how it sounds to me, but if it's what you want to do, we do it," Brian conceded. "However, as the real boss around here, I'm going to make at least one demand. No 'Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey'." OK?"

Justin could not keep himself from laughing. "Brian," he chortled. "You should have known not to turn your back on a blind-folded four-year old with a pin in his hand."

"Well, I'm still learning," Brian replied ruefully.

"And you know that kid's placement was really accurate." Justin pressed on. "If you had actually been the donkey, he would have had a perfect score."

"And if I had bled to death?" Brian contended.

"The headlines would have read 'Stabbed in the ass, donkey dies'" Justin kept it up.

"You know what I just said about loving you?" Brian came back at him.

"Yeah?" Justin seemed at least slightly taken aback.

"I meant every word," Brian assured him. And that ended the conversation temporarily.

"So you're all right with a Christmas party here for Gus and his friends?" Justin asked, breaking the silence Brian wanted to last forever.

"Yeah, I guess so," Brian replied. "After all, it's Christmas. And, knowing you, it could have been a lot worse."

"There is just one more thing, Honey," Justin confessed. "Just a little thing though. We want Santa Claus to visit for about fifteen minutes and we'd like you to be Santa Claus. We can use the suit we have for the hospital. All you'd have to do is come in and distribute a few little gifts. It will be the highlight of the party."

"I wonder if the Master Tactician has thought this one through," Brian grinned knowingly. "How to you propose that I get into the suit and back out of it? This loft is just a little small and with all those kids running around, I don't see how it can work."

"You have indeed underestimated the Master Tactician, Bri," Justin grinned back. "You are just going to slip out of here and go downstairs to the Russells and change there. Afterwards you can do the same thing. The kids will be so excited, they won't miss Gus' dad while Santa is here. Voila, as they say in French."

"I've been in this loft ten years, Baby, and I don't even know the Russells," Brian argued. "I know who they are but I bet we haven't said even 'Hello' ten times in the ten years. They might be a little surprised when I go down there to become Santa Claus."

"But, Honey," Justin informed him. "I know the Russells. They're real nice. A year or so ago, I met Mrs. Russell in the hall. She was in the middle of baking something special and she dropped her glass jar of cinnamon. She was all excited and rushing out to get more when I met her. So I told her to go back to her place and I'd bring her some cinnamon from up here. The day was saved and we've been friends ever since. In fact, I think we are going to be invited to their 50th wedding anniversary in February. Mrs. Russell promised to make sure you look presentable when you turn into the jolly old elf."

"Well I might get into the Santa Claus outfit," Brian conceded, "But I don't think I'm likely to change into any jolly old elf. Imagine, straight people telling Brian Kinney if he's presentable."

"Friends of ours who just happen to be straight, Bri," Justin insisted. "Friends of ours. And I'll bet you will too turn into a jolly old elf. You have the real Christmas spirit, and you'll be having so much fun by the time you become Santa Claus, we'll probably have to throw you out when it's time."

"I bet," Brian grounched. "And are there any other little things I need to know, Mr. Master Tactician?"

"Not much," Justin responded, "We think we'll do the party on the twenty-second, starting about six o'clock and it will be over by nine, and the kids will all go home."

"Will the adults go home too?" Brian wanted to know.

"They will if you as the gracious host don't insist that they stay," Justin opined.

"And then we can just put the fireplace on and sit here?" Brian suggested.

"Well the fireplace will already be on," Justin said, "Because Malcolm and me are working it into the lighting scheme for the Christmas decorations. But there's no reason why we can't just sit here together and unwind. That would be the highlight of the evening for me."

"We'll have to clean up the mess," Brian objected.

"Malcolm and Hunter, Mikey and Ben, and Emmett and Ted are going to stay to help," Justin informed him. "It won't take long."

"Yeah but they'll stay afterwards," Brian complained, "And if I chase them out, you'll complain."

"Gee whiz," Justin defended himself. "You don't have any confidence at all in the Master Tactician. I told them they had to have their asses out of here well before 9:30. And they will."

Brian squeezed the twink and leaned over to kiss him. "And Emmett thinks he's a party planner," he whispered to the Master Tactician.

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