xie_xie_xie (xie_xie_xie) wrote in qaf_drabbles, @ 2008-12-30 14:18:00 |
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Entry tags: | author: xie_xie_xie, challenge #96: 'tis the season |
Challenge #96: 'Tis the Season
Title: Fixing It, 7-13 of several; series begins here.
Author: Xie
Condoms: 7 to Brian
Warning: Minor Character Death; WIP
7.
Brian kept his hand on Justin's back as they walked up the path to Michael and Ben's house. There was a wreath on the door, and they could see the lights of a tree through the curtains, but not one BDSM elf stood on the lawn, and not one reindeer pranced in the rain on the rooftop.
When Michael opened the door he pulled Justin into a hug and held onto him for a long, long time. When he finally let Justin go, Brian could see that he'd started to cry.
Michael ignored his stiff shoulders and hugged Brian, too.
8.
Brian patted Michael on the shoulder. "I'm fine."
Michael smiled at him, but his eyes were wet. "I know."
Ben was taking Justin's jacket, and talking to him in a low voice. Brian hung his coat on the rack near the door, and followed Michael into the living room. "Did you call Deb?"
He nodded. "She's picking up Mel and Linds and the kids at the airport, but they'll be here soon."
Brian looked at Michael sharply. "Mel and Linds are coming?"
"It's Christmas," Michael reminded him. "They were always coming today."
Right. It was Christmas Eve. Brian had forgotten.
9.
Justin was sitting with Ben, a mug in his hand. Brian sat next to him, and Ben asked if he could get him coffee or a drink.
"Whatever Justin's having is fine."
"Justin's having both – coffee with a shot of whiskey."
Brian almost laughed. "I thought you were the herbal tea guy."
Ben stood up and headed for the kitchen. "It's an old family remedy for shock."
They were alone. Brian looked at Justin, and gave the hair on his neck a tug. "Hey."
Justin put his mug on the coffee table and let Brian put his arm around him.
10.
The quiet didn't last long. Debbie and Carl came in the door, Melanie, Lindsay, and the kids right behind them. Justin got swept up into Debbie's arms, then Mel's, and then Lindsay's.
Brian bumped Gus' shoulder with his elbow, and he looked up at his father. "Should I tell him…"
Brian looked at him for a minute. "Whatever you feel like doing is fine, Gus."
He nodded, and when his mother let go of Justin, he went over to him and hugged him.
"I'm sorry about your mom," he said, very fast.
Justin smiled, and touched his arm. "Thanks, Gus."
11.
There was an awkward silence, broken by Debbie. "Is anyone hungry?"
Everyone murmured, Mel and Linds and the kids vanished upstairs with their bags, and Michael and Debbie started putting food out on the table.
Carl put his hand on Justin's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss, Justin. Your mom was a helluva woman."
Brian thought Justin suddenly looked impossibly young. "She was, wasn't she? I mean, it's not just that she was my mother."
Ben was right behind Carl, and he answered. "She loved you, really loved you, Justin," he said. "That's the most precious thing in the world."
12.
They got through it. Got through the lasagna and the pie, the condolences and hugs. Got through everyone starting to say "Merry Christmas" and then stopping in the middle. Got through Gus looking worried and a little bit lost.
And Justin was okay. Ben had given him a couple of refills on his old family remedy, but he wasn't drunk, just relaxed. But after a couple of hours, Brian noticed his grip on his hand was getting tighter.
He stood up, and kept his voice pleasantly bland. "I guess we'll see you all at the funeral the day after tomorrow."
13.
Everyone looked at him, a little surprised, but Justin had gotten up, too. "Please try and have a good day tomorrow," he said. Then he reached out and ruffled Gus' hair. "Especially you and Jenny."
When they were in the car, Brian started the engine and turned on the heat. He turned to Justin, one eyebrow raised.
Justin bit his lip. "I hate to say this…"
Brian made a gesture with his hand. "But…"
"Can we go somewhere and get completely and utterly shit-faced?"
Brian pulled away from the curb. "Now that's an old family remedy I can believe in."
Continued here...