The Gus Diaries

Part 15

Gifts

I can’t believe it’s already December 26th and my first Christmas since moving in with my dads is history. I have to be extra quiet since Jeff is still sleeping. It’s great to be able to look over at my bed and see him there. I wasn’t really sure we’d make it to today. Things were looking pretty grim for a while.

Being a mature person in a family AND having a boyfriend is hard work. I’m going to have to keep that in mind if I don’t want things to fall apart anymore.

I guess I should probably record all this, otherwise I may not remember it in years to come, and I definitely WANT to remember this Christmas and everything that led up to it.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

From the moment I got my job helping out in Uncle Michael’s store I was totally focused on what to get as gifts for everyone. It turns out that some people are just easier to buy for than others.

I got Mem a Hanukah menorah for their new place and she thought that was super thoughtful. I actually gave it to her during Hanukah so she could use it if she wanted. It was one of those times that she had a loss for words, and those don’t happen too often so I knew I picked just the right gift for her.

Mom was really easy this year. She’s been spending a lot of time fussing with her hair now that she’s trying to look chic as she goes on job interviews at local galleries and art museums. MJ says it’ll be easy for her to find something and that if she asked he’d hire her for his own gallery. She’s got tons of experience. Anyway, she keeps doing all these weird things with her hair, so I asked one of the ladies who works with Dad’s hairstylist what would be nice for my blonde mom and she showed me some great “hair jewelry”. Who knew? So I got her something that I thought would look pretty and she was thrilled when she opened it.

Now I just hope she’s smart enough to go work for MJ. He’s got the biggest gallery in the Pittsburgh area and he really trusts her artistic judgment. I once heard him tell Dad, “What Lindsay lacks in common sense, she makes up for in her artist’s eye.” They didn’t know I was near enough to hear, but it made me laugh. They really have Mom’s number.

Gift selection rolled on from there and I was doing okay until I thought I may have to give up my new job.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

The beginning of last week started out as typical as any other. I went to school, met up with Jeff, got a quick, private kiss in the bathroom (how romantic-NOT—but we take what we can get) and then off to class.

At lunch time Jeff asked to meet me outside so we could walk around and have some “alone” time since both of us don’t get too much of that during the week. I, of course, jumped at the chance. It’s so great to think that Jeff doesn’t seem to get tired of me, even though he’s older and more experienced. He says it’s because I’m full of surprises, but I just don’t see it.

“Hey.”

“Hey, newbie, glad you could make it.”

“It’s a little cold out.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll warm you up.” Then Jeff took my hand and we went over to a secluded shed where the school stores lawn equipment. He seemed to be VERY horny. I can’t say that I minded, but this was definitely NOT a typical day after all. We spent our entire lunch break fooling around and I must admit, it’s really amazing giving each other hand jobs during the school day.

“Jeff, this was incredible. What’s gotten into you?”

“I could say you, but we’re not there just yet.” Now that was another surprise answer.

“Huh?” Jeff just laughed at the shock on my face.

“I guess I should explain.”

“It might help.”

“Working at the diner has been a lot more interesting than I thought it would be.”

Now my curiosity was peaking. “What do you mean?”

“Every day I go there and put on that stupid apron and start busing tables. Next thing I know guys are pinching my ass and some are even trying to grab a quick grope as I walk by.” Now my curiosity was starting to turn to anger but I did my best to keep it to myself.

Jeff continued, “I just want to make sure that I get my fill of the guy I DO want touching me BEFORE I go to that place. This way I won’t get tempted and I can just think about you and the job I have to do.”

I wasn’t sure what to make of all this but I smiled to let Jeff know that I was pleased that he wanted to only think about me. But somewhere, deep down, it seemed like I was getting a mixed message…and not one that I wanted to hear.

“Okay.” Then I had an idea, “How about you meet me at the store when you have your dinner break? I’ll be working late tonight since it’s right before Christmas and we can grab some dinner together.”

“Now you’re thinking, newbie. I’ll come by and get you since your uncle seems pretty cool about whenever you want to take your breaks.”

“Sounds great. I think we’d better get back inside before the bell rings. I can’t be late for Math class, the final is tomorrow.”

“Let’s go.” With that Jeff and I went back into the school, a little messed up, but nothing too obvious. I was really glad I’d see him tonight, and hopefully, continue to keep his mind on me and NOT on all those gropers and pinchers at the diner.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

After school I stopped at the school paper. I was finalizing a special article that I’d been researching for a couple of weeks for submission to the pre-holiday publication of the paper. The faculty advisor thought it was a great idea, despite the fact that it was more personal than I ever let on.

When I arrived at Red Cape Comics Uncle Michael was knee deep in a new set of boxes that were just delivered. He was really doing well and lots of people were coming in to buy comics, especially to give to friends as gifts. Today was going to be extra busy as the holiday edition of Rage was just released. That would mean a lot of hot guys coming in to grab a copy…at least that’s what I was told to expect.

I helped stock the shelves and every once in a while tried to see if the shrink wrap might be ripped enough for me to peek inside, but no luck. Those Rage comics were sealed tighter than a fucking drum. The cover alone was HOT! It showed JT stripping Rage of his spandex suit by the light of a Christmas tree with a glowing red sun setting in the background. It’s kind of strange seeing my dads’ alter egos getting ready to fuck for the entire geeky, gay world.

Just as I was finishing shelving the first box of comics, Uncle Michael set this big cardboard placard of Rage in front of the store. Across the top it read, ‘Rage is here!’ No sooner was it placed, and less than fifteen minutes later guys started showing up to buy it. No wonder MJ and Michael keep working on that thing, they must make a bundle if it sells like this on the internet and in other comic stores, too.

I have to admit that looking like Dad does come in handy sometimes. Uncle Michael kept making jokes with his regular customers about the son of Rage selling his dad’s story. Clearly Michael knows just how to entice a sale and keep them coming because it became apparent that some of these guys were coming to cruise…ME! I don’t think Dad would have been too happy about all this but I just kept my mouth shut. After all, it was just business. As long as the guys looked but didn’t touch, I figured I could smile to encourage more sales. Maybe Uncle Michael would give me a raise, or at least a Christmas bonus.

There’s one thing for sure, I may look like my dad but I’m not him, and I also wasn’t interested in these older guys, except to sell them as many comics and collectibles as I could. Some of them could have been 25 or 30 years old. Gross! I know that Uncle Michael was keeping a close watch on me, but some of these guys actually tried to grope me. One had the nerve to actually say, “Let’s see if your package is as big as your father’s.” He went to grab my cock and then all hell broke loose.

Michael was about to shove the guy away when Jeff walked in. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Jeff grabbed the guy’s shoulder, turned him around and WHAM – he belted him right across the face.

I retreated really quickly to the supply room and Michael yelled, “Back off!” to Jeff as he told the sleaze-bag to take his purchases and leave. “The kid is underage so go back and play with the big boys.” The guy huffed and left.

“Now you,” he continued towards Jeff, “go in the back and cool off. I’ll call Kiki at the diner and let her know you slipped and fell so you’ll have to take the rest of the night off.”

Jeff stomped into the supply room and started pacing back and forth. Then he started running his hand through his hair. I’ve seen Dad do that before and it was never a good sign. Finally he stopped and looked at me.

“I thought it would be me,” he said.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Now I was just plain confused.

“I thought I’d be the one to get hit on and that you’d be the one to get jealous. It’s just like my last boyfriend.”

“Jeff, you’re not making sense.”

“Everyone wanted him and as soon as he was old enough he wanted them back. Now I already see that’s what’s going to happen with you.” He sat down, bent his head down to his knees and covered it with his arms. I nearly cried.

How could he think I would want anyone else? He’s perfect, or at least perfect for me. I wanted to rip his ex a new one, as my Grandma Deb would say, for making Jeff feel so insecure. Hell, his parents made him feel that way too. No wonder he was thinking all these stupid things.

“Jeff,” I tried to put my hand on his arm but he shrugged it away. That wasn’t going to stop me.

“Jeff, you can be such a fucking asshole. That guy grossed me out. There’s only one guy that I ever want to touch me and you should damn well fucking know it by now!” I don’t know how I did it, but it felt good to get that out.

“I know you may not feel the same about me, or you may think I’m just too fucking young to know what I think or feel, and I may be a newbie, but I’m your newbie and I have no interest in anyone else.

“Just like you flirt at work for tips, I let guys cruise me to keep them in the shop. The longer they stay, the more money they spend. But no one touches me, ever. And if they tried Uncle Michael would probably cut off their hand…or risk losing his friendship with my dad.

“Look, I know you don’t think I’m old enough to understand all this shit, but I’m pretty fucking mature for my age, especially compared to some of our breeder-crazed friends. So here goes, and I’ll probably regret this, but what the fuck, I love you, okay. I know you’re not ready or interested in loving me yet, or maybe never…so if you want to break up with me, fine, but just know THAT first!” I stood silent, trying to force myself not to cry or shake as I waited for Jeff’s reaction.

He looked up and slowly stood up. Then he walked over to me and put one arm around my back and he fisted his other hand in my hair at the back of my head and pulled me in for a hard, long and deep kiss. After we stayed like that for a couple of minutes, he pulled slightly away and pressed his forehead gently against mine, “I do, too.”

Then I grabbed him as hard as he grabbed me. I’m not sure what came over me, but I don’t remember ever feeling anything like that before. Everything was so much more intensified and HOT and, and, and loving.

“Okay, boys, that’s enough for now. I never thought of this store as a place to host contact sports. And this is definitely NOT the backroom at Babylon.”

“Oh, sorry, Uncle Michael.”

“I’m sorry to cause trouble, Mr. Novotny.”

“It’s Michael.”

“Michael. When I saw that guy touching Gus I just got all…”

“Don’t worry, I understand. I called Brian. He and Justin will be here soon to take you boys home.”

“Did you tell him?” I couldn’t help asking.

“I had to, but I’m sure he’ll understand.”

“Have you met Brian Kinney?”

“Way more than I’d like to admit,” Michael laughed under his breath. “I also told him what I was saying that might have encouraged the wrong behavior. I’m sorry Gus.” Uncle Michael gave me a gentle hug and a kiss on the cheek. Jenny’s father really is a good guy most of the time.

“Uncle Michael, do I still have a job?”

He walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder and looked me straight in the eye, “I couldn’t get along without you.” Sometimes Michael can be a real geek, but sometimes he says just the right thing.

When Dad and MJ showed up they were pretty quiet. It was obvious they had talked on the way over, I could tell because MJ kept touching Dad on the arm the way he does to get him to calm down and get a grip.

“So Sonny Boy, I hear you and Mikey found a whole new way to attract customers to Red Cape. And you,” Dad continued as he turned to Jeff, “are now taking on the role of super alpha male, defending teen queers everywhere.”

“Brian, I thought we talked about this. Michael said it wasn’t their fault.”

“It really wasn’t, Brian.”

“Michael, I can handle my own son. I’ve already dealt with you. Don’t you have a super hero to dust or shelve?”

“Brian, just take it easy. I’ll head out front.”

“Dad, please don’t be mad at us. It was all a misunderstanding.”

“Which was the misunderstanding? The part where you were flirting, while guys who used to know me cruised you, so you could sell more comic shit, or the part where the teen cavalry came swooping in to protect you from yourself.”

“Mr. Kinney, didn’t you ever want to protect Mr. Taylor when people hassled him or tried to get too close…in a not-so-good way?”

That stopped Dad dead in his tracks. He started mumbling, “It’s a good thing I have you to protect me.” And then MJ practically snapped his neck turning to Dad.

He walked over to Dad and touched his cheek. “Don’t go there. It was almost 14 years ago. Please don’t go there. That was so different than this. This asshole wasn’t a repressed closet case that couldn’t face himself. Please Brian, look at me…I’m here and you protect me AND Gus every day of our lives.”

It was almost surreal watching them. Dad blinked a couple of times like he suddenly came back from somewhere far off and took MJ’s face in his hands. He lifted his face and leaned down to kiss him, first gently and then much more intensely. Then they touched foreheads, “Never again, Justin. I’ll never disappoint you again.”

“You never have and you never will.” Then they kissed some more.

MJ turned to us, “Okay you two, time to go home. How about dinner at the diner, since we have to bring Jeff there to get his backpack?”

“Thank you, MJ, that sounds great.”

“Yeah, thanks, Mr. Taylor. I hope you both aren’t still mad. I just really hated that someone was touching Gus,” and then he turned away, “and it wasn’t me.”

“It’s okay, Jeff, but try to be very clear about the situation in the future. Brian and I have worked very hard to teach Gus how to take care of himself. Give him the chance.”

“I will. And thank you.”

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

That night, when we got home Dad and MJ spent a lot of time huddled together. It was obvious that something happened that made Dad really uptight and it was triggered by how Jeff reacted to that guy who was bugging me. It wasn’t that big a deal, but somehow Dad couldn’t let it go.

I tried to figure out what was going on as I heard them whispering…well it was mostly MJ whispering things like, “I’ll always be here. No one will ever hurt us again.” It was kind of creepy.

When I came downstairs to get a bottle of water while I finished studying for finals I walked by the front living room with the big fireplace and Dad and MJ were dancing in front of our Christmas tree, only here’s the strange thing, there was no music playing. I guess they must have both been thinking of the same song because they danced perfectly together. When it was over MJ put on this huge-ass smile and Dad mumbled some words about being romantic and ridiculous. I just went upstairs at that point and got back to work.

I started dozing off when I suddenly was startled awake by two thoughts. The first was that I hadn’t finished my gifts, which led to the second, MJ’s fucking prom.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

Christmas Eve arrived without too much insanity. We all went to Grandma Deb’s, since the next day everyone would make the trek out to Britin. Grandma made a huge turkey and a big pan of lasagna and forced everyone to have some of each. Jeff and I followed Dad’s example and did a lot of pushing food around, or I think we would have both been puking from all that was put on our plates.

We had fun and Uncle Michael and Grandpa Carl led all of us in singing some Christmas Carols. It may have been a cliché kind of get together, but I liked it and so did Jeff. He admitted that to me when we got back to Britin.

We stayed up late, helping MJ and Dad finish setting up the furniture for the big gathering the next day and then went to sleep exhausted.

The best part was that I was able to have Jeff all to myself. Both of us had two days off from work and we decided to stay together at Britin. Dad and MJ left us alone, although I think that was more for their benefit than ours.

Jeff insisted on undressing me and I returned the favor very slowly. We sat on the edge of my bed and just took our time touching each other. When I had the feeling that neither of us could wait much longer we both worked our way up to the head of the bed and began to kiss more urgently.

I worked my way down Jeff’s body and then took his cock in my mouth. It didn’t take long for him to start tugging on my hair and soon I heard his low pitch moan as he began to come in my mouth. I’d been getting pretty good at giving him blowjobs and I think it was paying off for both of us.

Then Jeff started kissing me and working his way down my body. When he took me in his mouth it felt incredible. Then he did something we’d never done before. He put his finger in his mouth alongside my cock, to wet it. After that he started circling my ass and then began to press at my hole.

At first I was nervous, but with him continuing to suck and his finger actually going in I got totally lost in all the sensations. He shoved his finger in as far as it would go and then he must have touched my prostate because I had the most unexplainably amazing feeling run through my body. I think I must have called out his name or something as I started coming harder than I ever had before. MJ once told me when we were home alone that there were definitely benefits to being a bottom. I have a feeling this was one of them.

When I finished coming, Jeff licked my cock one more time and then gently started kissing me. “Did you like that, newbie?”

“Yeah,” was all I could utter.

Then after I started breathing more evenly, “Except, don’t you think if we’re doing that, the name newbie really doesn’t fit any more.”

Jeff looked at me and smiled, “Every time we’re together, it feels new and exciting and hot.”

What could I say to that? I smiled and just kissed him as he held me close and we eventually fell asleep.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

The next day, Christmas day, I was the first to wake up. I went downstairs and sat in the front living room and looked at our beautiful tree and thought about how it reflected the most fabulous four months of my life.

Every week seemed to bring something new and it was all because I was finally where I belonged – with my dads. The two of them really made my life complete, and Jeff was the amazing icing on the cake! If it wasn’t for my dads none of this would have happened. I just hoped that the three of them liked the gifts I had for them.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

Christmas was terrific! I loved spending time with my whole family. Everyone was there. Uncle Drew was even in town for a couple of days. Jeff loved talking with him. I thought he was actually going to ask for Drew’s autograph. That would have been so fucking embarrassing!

We all had fun exchanging gifts. There would be way too many gifts to list them all but I have to admit there were a couple of interesting highlights.

Uncle Drew gave Uncle Emmett an engagement ring and he cried like the big drama queen that he is. Jeff kept snickering and Dad rolled his eyes so much that I was waiting for them to pop right out and roll across the floor.

Uncle Ted gave Uncle Blake a portrait of the two of them that he commissioned from MJ. I never thought Uncle Blake could give such a whopper, but he landed a major league kiss on Uncle Ted for that one. When they came up for air they were both blushing. They’ve been living together for as long as I can remember, it wasn’t that big a deal.

Grandma Deb decided as a bonus gift to give every member of the family a box of lubed condoms – even Jenny! I thought Mom and Mem would have a fit but they both couldn’t stop laughing and saying how great it was to be home.

As the night wore on, and the gifts thinned out, it was time for Jeff and I to exchange gifts. I gave him mine first. I had thought long and hard about what to get him and decided after the past few weeks it made sense to show him how much I cared about him. Everyone watched as I handed Jeff a tiny box about the size of a ring box. He slowly opened it and looked inside. It was kind of hard to read him and then he started to laugh. I wanted to scream at him for not taking my gift seriously when he said, “Cool it, Gus. Just look at what I got you.”

He handed me a box almost the exact same size and I smiled knowingly. I quickly ripped off the paper and opened the box and laughed as I gazed inside, and then gave him a kiss.

“Hey, Sonny Boy, you want to share the joke?”

“You see, Dad, at school when a guy wants to show his girlfriend that they’re going together, he gives her a copy of his locker key to wear around her neck or on a bracelet.”

“Ah, the creativity of hetero, high school rituals.”

“Well, I guess Jeff and I decided that the heteros shouldn’t have all the fun.” We each held up a locker key on a thick silver chain. I put the one I gave Jeff around his neck and he put the chain and key he gave me around my neck.

“Ah, great adolescent minds think alike.”

“Brian, shut up, our little boy is growing up.”

“Mom, you AND Gus are going to make me gag.”

“Jenny, you’re just jealous.”

“If I had a hunk like Jeff, I’d want to put a chain around him, too.”

“You should be so lucky,” I added and Jeff swatted me and laughed. We then kissed some more.

“Those two need to get a room.” Grandma Deb chimed in, and everyone in unison yelled…

“NO!”

We all got a good laugh out of that one.

Finally it was time for me to give Dad and MJ their gift and I was really nervous. I had no idea whether they’d like it or not.

“Dad, MJ, I hope you like this.” They opened the wrapping paper while Jeff held one hand as I bit the thumbnail on the other.

“Well, Sonny Boy, thanks for getting us the latest edition of your school paper, although since I’m not an alum maybe this is more for MJ than me.”

I snorted, “Dad, turn to page four.”

Dad opened the paper and MJ looked over his shoulder. MJ began to read the title of the column, “Parental Moments – A Series of Tributes, assembled by Gus T. Kinney. What’s the ‘T’ for?”

“Keep reading.”

Everyone sat patiently as Dad and MJ checked out the article I wrote. Some of the blurbs that kids contributed included a guy whose dad saved him from drowning, a mom who came home to their house on fire and single-handedly saved all the family pets and a whole lot more of the same.

After another minute or so I knew they’d hit my contribution. Their faces changed and I was truly surprised to see both my Dad and MJ’s eyes get moist. I was beginning to wonder if they understood but then they grabbed me and hugged me tighter than Grandma Debbie ever could.

They passed the paper around the room so everyone could see the article.

“How many copies can you get a hold of?” MJ asked.

“As many as you want, I guess.”

“Good, because I want to frame that portion of the article for my studio and something tells me that your dad will want one for his office, too.” A few others in the family wanted copies as well.

They really loved my gift so much that they wanted to frame it…in more than one place. And it didn’t cost me anything, except thought and love.

Here’s the tribute excerpt I wrote for my dads:

I’ve always been lucky enough to be loved and wanted, since the day I was born. My birth father told me he fell in love with me the first moment he held me, even though he was never supposed to be an active participant in my life. I was just supposed to be happily raised by my moms. Instead I got four parents -- two great moms that I lived with for 14 years, and then with my moms’ support, I moved in with the two best dads in the world. They welcomed me into their lives as I began my journey into manhood. I’m not there yet, but I know under the watchful eye of my fathers, and their continual support whenever I need their help, I will learn to be the best homosexual I can possibly be. My dads have survived more than words can express, including a bashing from a time that our own school would like to forget. But despite everything, including time spent apart, they’ve learned to love and grow together. After all, it was only time that separated them…their hearts were, and still are, always connected. My dads have always shared their love generously and unconditionally. I hope they know that I love them more than anything. So to show them how much I love them I’ve taken both their names, and have decided to grow into the man named, Gus Taylor Kinney.

“Sonny Boy, what about your moms?”

“Gus spoke with us. When he explained his reasoning how could we say, ‘no’. After all, we’ve always taught him that the most important thing in life was to be true to himself no matter what anyone else says.”

“Mel?” MJ looked for confirmation.

“Gus respected us enough to clear this with both of us and we will always love and support him and his choices.”

Dad gripped me tight again, “You never cease to amaze me. I love you.”

“Gus, you have no idea how much this means to me, but I hope to show you for the rest of our lives.” MJ added with a few stray tears running down his cheeks.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

After my first Christmas living with my dads ended, Jeff and I went upstairs. I heard Dad and MJ preparing to re-light the fire in the fireplace. They made it very clear that they wanted to be left alone. As we slowly made our way towards my room I heard Dad say to MJ. “I told you that I got this house for my prince, but I bet neither of us thought it would include a kid.”

“I’m just glad that you didn’t have to knock me up.”

Then we just heard the laughing get muffled as the two of them must have started doing what they do best (maybe even making use of Grandma Deb’s gifts)…and Jeff and I started doing what we do best, with keys dangling around our necks.

 

*~*~*~*~*
 

I hear Jeff waking up. He looks so beautiful wearing only my key and I can’t help rubbing the key around my own neck. I think I’ll be an attentive boyfriend and help him wake up in a very warm and special holiday kind of way.

Merry Christmas to me!
 

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