*****

 

"Michael, is something wrong?" Ben asked as they made another effort to get comfortable in Patrick's bed. Ben smoothed out the covers as Michael punched his pillow once again. Michael had been tossing and turning ever since they got into the bed.

"I … I keep thinking about Brian."

Ben sighed. Like Michael didn't think about Brian all the time anyway. "What are you thinking about him?" Ben asked patiently.

"He managed to find places for all the people who are here today. He's pretty amazing, isn't he?"

"Yeah, amazing," Ben said trying not to sound pissed off. He didn't want to hear a litany of Brian Kinney's triumphs.

"I'm glad he's okay … after that scare."

"Yeah, me too," and Ben meant every word of that.

"I love you, Ben."

"I know," Ben said turning to face Michael. "You're happy, aren't you?"

"Of course I am. Why would you even ask?"

"Because sometimes…" Ben decided not to finish that statement.

"You're my life, Ben. I couldn't live without you."

"Sure you could," Ben said quickly. With his HIV status there was always the possibility that he would develop full blown AIDS. That hadn't happened yet, but it always hung there over their relationship, like a huge dark cloud.

"I wouldn't want to," Michael declared. "I may think Brian's a fabulous person. I always looked up to him, but you're my husband, the love of my life."

"You mean that?" Ben asked.

"One hundred percent. I love you."

"Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?" Michael asked unaware of what he had just said and its impact on his husband.

"Because sometimes … sometimes I think you'd rather be with Brian … than with me," Ben admitted. It was time Michael knew how his often careless words about Brian made Ben feel. And those words came all too often.

"There was a time…" Michael said wistfully.

Ben felt his heart clutch in his chest. "Michael," he said.

"But that was a long time ago."

" Was it? Is it?"

"Yes, really. Whatever may come running out of my mouth about Brian, it's you I love, Ben Bruckner. Just you!"

"I love you right back, Michael Novotny-Bruckner."

"Merry Christmas, Ben."

"Merry Christmas, Michael."

Michael snuggled into Ben's embrace and they soon fell asleep.

*****

 

Seth shifted on his chaise. It was comfortable enough, but it wasn't his own bed. He was having trouble getting to sleep. His mind kept wandering to a certain lady upstairs. He wondered if she was thinking about him.

"Stop it, Harris," he half muttered to himself. He needed to think about something else if he was ever going to get to sleep.

His thoughts meandered over to his hosts who were cuddled together in the chaise not too far away. They seemed so happy and content in this house. Jennifer had told him about the recent medical scare Brian had had. He was very glad the man had got a clean bill of health. He had learned to like and respect Brian Kinney since the day he had come to visit Seth when Emmett was trying to buy the old bakery. How Seth's life had changed since then!

And it was going to change even more if he could convince Jennifer Taylor of a few things. He smiled to himself. His mind always came back to her. She was so lovely and so sweet … most of the time. And then she'd open her mouth and swear like a trooper. She was some lady, some broad, a force to be reckoned with. God, he had grown to love her.

Seth heard Brian and Justin whispering in the dark. They probably wanted to have sex, but that was sort of impossible with so many people around. And especially him, good old straight Seth. He chuckled to himself. Who would believe that he was trying to sleep in a chaise in a room with four gay guys, and several more gay guys scattered about the place? But he didn't care. He liked these people. They were good people.

With a long sigh he snuggled down into the duvet and tried not to listen to the wind howling outside.

*****

 

Raph and Hector were ensconced in the big brass bed. It was fucking comfortable, and they could see the wind and snow whistling across the roof of the sun porch. It was nice to be all warm and toasty and inside, while the storm raged outside.

"You asleep?" Hector asked.

"No, you?"

Hector chuckled. "How could I be asleep when I'm talking to you?" Hector whispered.

"You could be talking in your sleep."

Hector laughed. "No, I couldn't."

"This is a great bed," Raph observed.

"Yeah, maybe we can cop an invite to come back when it's not forty below and we can see the stars without peering through a blizzard," Hector suggested.

"That would be nice."

"I'm glad we decided to stay."

"Did we have much choice?" Raph asked.

"Not really, but I would have gladly left when Owen suggested it."

"Yeah, me too."

"You didn't want to hang around the great Brian Kinney?" Hector asked.

"He doesn't mean anything to me, Hector," Raph tried to reassure his partner.

"I find that hard to believe from everything I've heard about him."

"He was a great fuck, but he was an absolute asshole back then."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"So, that woman, Melanie, who called him an asshole a couple of times today, she's right?"

"I don't know about now," Raph replied. "But back then it was certainly true. Brian Kinney never remembered who you were once he was finished with you. I saw him around Babylon and Woody's a few times after we fucked, but he wouldn't give me the time of day."

"Asshole!" Hector reacted, defending his partner.

"See," Raph chuckled. "That's exactly the kind of response he inspired."

"But he does seem nicer now," Hector admitted.

"I think he's changed a lot. I haven't seen him in years."

"But you recognized him immediately."

"He's aged … very well."

"Hey, I don't want to hear that," Hector protested.

Raph laughed and pulled Hector against him. "You don't have anything to worry about. Justin Taylor has all of Brian Kinney's attention."

"Does he?" Hector asked skeptically.

"Just look at them and you'll know the answer to that," Raph assured him.

"I think I already know the answer. I just wanted to hear you tell me that."

"Any time you need reassurance, I'll be happy to oblige."

"Thank you," Hector said as he laid his head on Raph's chest. "I'd like to fuck you," Hector whispered barely audibly.

"I'll take you up on that as soon as we get home," Raph chuckled. "But right now, go to sleep."

"'Kay," Hector agreed snuggling into his man.

*****

 

"Do you think everyone's settled down?" Justin asked as he felt Brian's arms around him keeping him safe.

"The two in the corner have finally stopped talking," Brian said.

"What do you think they were talking about?"

"Us, of course."

"You are so arrogant," Justin giggled.

"That's why you love me," Brian stated.

"If you say so," Justin replied nibbling on Brian's neck.

"Hey, stop that! Unless you want to put on a show for our guests."

"Would that be so bad?"

"I didn't think you'd want our home to be little better than a back room."

"Of course I don't want that, but we could be very quiet."

"We could, could we, Mr. Take Me Brian, Take Me Now!?"

Justin giggled. "I guess I do beg sometimes."

"How about all the time?"

"You have begged upon occasion, I seem to recall," Justin said smugly.

"Have not."

"I bet I could make you beg right now if I wanted to."

"Don't even think about it, Sunshine."

"Why, you afraid our guests will see that you're my bottom boy?" Justin asked, baiting Brian.

"I don't care what our guests think. And I'll bottom for you any time I want to."

Justin smiled. "I love you so fucking much," he told Brian as he found Brian's lips in the dark and initiated a long, passionate kiss."

"You're going to have to stop doing that," Brian groaned, "or I won't be responsible for the consequences."

"I could blow you," Justin suggested.

"As tempting as that sounds, Sunshine, I think not. We might give good old Seth a heart attack."

Justin giggled. "You're probably right. Maybe the storm will be over in the morning and they'll all go home."

"And then I can fuck your ass off."

"Count on it, and I'll return the favor."

"Somebody's feeling frisky," Brian said sticking his tongue in his cheek even though Justin couldn't see it.

"Always, where you're concerned."

That led to another long kiss.

"Go to sleep," Brian groaned.

"Yes, sir," Justin chuckled as he deliberately threw his leg over Brian knowing he could rub it against his husband's hard cock.

"You are evil."

"I'm an angel."

"That too."

They closed their eyes and tried to sleep.

Beau shifted on his cushion. The people were finally quiet. Maybe now he could really sleep. He was glad to be inside on his warm cushion. The storm was still howling outside.

*****