testdog65 (testdog65) wrote in qaf_challenges, @ 2006-12-31 18:52:00 |
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Original poster: _alicesprings
Title: Let This Be The Moment
Written By: beathen
Timeline: Future fic - Justin is back in Pittsburgh
Rating: R
Warnings: Angst (but it ends happy!)
Summary: As Christmas approaches, Brian and Justin struggle with their failing relationship
Author's Notes: Title taken from the lyrics to "Let there be peace on Earth." My heartfelt gratitude to my beta besame_bj for being a wonderful help and awesome friend
Justin wasn't sure when it had happened. He used to have such a beautifully complex relationship with Brian - fighting, sex, admiration, respect, and a rhythm of life that others couldn't understand, but Brian and Justin did. Debbie would say Brian was too much of an asshole to such a sweet kid. Ted would say Brian was too old; Emmett would say Justin was too cute; Michael would say Brian still loved him best anyway, and on down the list of their friends. Ha! Friends. What did their friends really know about their (non)relationship or how they made it work?
Except now it wasn't working. The fighting was devoid of real fire, the conversation, such as it was, was minimal and clipped, and the sex was mechanical: condom, lube, thrust, grunt, come, done. Turning his head to the side to look at Brian sleeping quietly next to him, he didn't know what to do. Anything he could think to do to fix whatever was wrong would be shot down in some way or other by Brian's wit or walls. Sighing dishearteningly, Justin rolled away from Brian and tried to get more sleep.
~~~
Later that morning, while Brian was drinking coffee at the computer, he saw Justin emerge from the bedroom rumpled and morose. Brian noticed that Justin wasn't particularly chatty as he filled his mug and sat on the couch to drink it. He knew by the silence that something was up with Justin; he could see the wheels turning in that blond head. Brian had felt the change in their relationship and guessed that was the issue Justin was mulling over. With Christmas just around the corner, Brian knew something had to change with both of them or they would fall apart for good, and that was something Brian wouldn't be able to handle.
A little while later, after Justin had showered and dressed, he put on his coat.
"Where are you going?" Brian asked.
"To the mall. I have to finish my Christmas shopping."
Brian sighed. He hated the mall during the off-season, but even more so now. Mostly, though, he was worried about Justin dealing with all the crazy people fighting over the last toy on the shelf, and waiting in long checkout lines with pushy people and grumpy cashiers.
Brian swiveled around to watch Justin wrap his scarf around his neck. He stood up and turned up Justin's collar, looking down into blue eyes that had lost their sparkle. "Call me if you need anything." Brian said as he placed a kiss on Justin's forehead.
Returning the kiss to Brian's chin, Justin replied, "I will."
As Brian watched Justin walk out the door he knew what his gift for Justin would be. He only hoped it would be well received.
~~~
At the mall, Justin looked in four different stores trying to find the perfect gift for Brian. This was going to be more than just a standard gift. It was going to be a way to reunite with Brian emotionally, and a shirt or tie didn't carry the weight he needed. As he perused the shelves the answer came to him and he hurried to get what he needed before heading back to the loft.
~~~
Christmas Eve at the loft was subdued. There was no tree, no twinkling lights and no sounds of holiday music echoing throughout the loft. Brian and Justin were sitting on the couch - Justin reading, Brian smoking, and neither talking. Reaching into his bag, Justin pulled out his gift and turned toward Brian, handing it to him.
"What the fuck is this?"
Justin looked away. "It's your gift."
Brian looked warily at the plain white envelope before opening it and pulling out a card. The front showed some generic snowy wonderland scene with a pine tree covered in white lights. Opening the card, Brian read:
Brian,
There are no gifts in the world that can show you how much I love you. You say words are bullshit, but when they're spoken (or written) from the heart they carry a lot of weight. Yes, I know you’ll think this whole thing is lesbianic, but I haven't been blind to the gap that's been growing between us. Just know that I will do everything in my power to make things right. I'm with you for life (even if your dick falls off from all this sentimentality).
Love,
Justin
Justin fidgeted while Brian silently read the card, hoping he'd made the right decision in writing it. Finally, Brian looked up at him and pulled Justin to him, kissing him with a passion that had been lacking in recent days. Justin threw his arms around Brian's shoulders and held him in place as their tongues mingled in each other's mouth.
Breaking the kiss, Brian whispered, "I have something for you, too."
Justin couldn't stop the shocked expression that came across his face, but quickly replaced it with a smile. Brian huffed a laugh as he got up from the couch and walked to his desk. Justin's eyes followed him the whole way, but didn't physically follow Brian; he knew that when Brian did anything for others, he needed his space. Retrieving a small wrapped gift from a drawer, Brian returned to the couch and gave it to Justin as he sat down.
Justin held the gift in his hands, almost afraid to open it. He never knew what to expect from Brian... it could be a joke or gag or sex toy, he wasn't holding his breath for anything sentimental, and he wanted to prepare himself mentally in case it was the former. He carefully unwrapped the paper and stared in wonder at the plain red box.
"Brian?" Justin questioned, confusion and wonder creeping into his voice.
Brian could only look down at his hands as Justin propped the lid open on its hinge to reveal two platinum bands.
Clearing his throat, Brian said, "I know things have been… off, lately…"
As Justin pulled the smaller band out of the box, Brian whispered, "… but no matter what, I want you to stay." He pulled the ring out of Justin's hand and placed it on the third finger of Justin's left hand. Pulling the larger band out of the box, he handed it to Justin, who placed it in the same position on his own hand. Broken out of his shock, Justin straddled Brian’s legs as he leaned in to kiss him hungrily.
~~~
As the snow fell outside the windows, freezing the world and those that dared to brave the conditions, the interior of the loft raged with heat as two souls began their journey to reuniting once again.
END