Rating: The QaF world is full of non-G ratings. These drabbles are actually pretty tame. Summary: You’ll figure it out. ;-) I sort of made up my own timeline and the Christmases during S1-S5 all fall in fairly happy times. The titles are all song lyrics. If you can tell me who they are without googling, I’ll write you a drabble on the subject of your choice. :D
I. They Believe in the Things We Try to Deny
Christmas when Justin was a kid was a lavish affair.
Some years they went to Grandmother Taylor's. Other years they stayed home for Santa, hot cocoa, sledding and midnight candlelight services at church.
Craig often worked late at the store, but Jennifer had the house decorated and made sure there were lots of brightly wrapped gifts under the tree. She took the kids to see Santa at the mall when they were little and dropped Justin off when he was older.
And if Justin's parents fought over the bills, they did it quietly so that he and Molly never noticed.
II. Do You Really Remember How it Used to Be? Christmas when Brian was a kid was a lush affair.
Jack always had places to go and people to see. He'd show up at home long after dinner and expect Joan to have hors d'oeuvres and drinks at the ready. Pasting on her martyr face, Joan would comply. Later, she would take it out on a bottle and Brian and Claire.
There were practical gifts and a tree and even Jack showed up for midnight Mass. One must keep up appearances, after all.
And when Brian's parents fought, they did it frequently and violently, so that even the neighbors knew.
III. In Your Heart You'll Find the Reason
The Christmas before Justin met Brian was his last one at home with his parents and Molly, but he didn't know it.
He did know that Christmas morning didn't have the same pristine feeling it had for most of his childhood. He'd heard his parents arguing in the den when he snuck in from Daphne's way past curfew. Their voices were quiet, yet accusingly angry.
When they opened presents, Jennifer beamed and Craig played Santa as usual. They all admired Justin's new duffel bag. "It'll be great for college," his dad remarked. Justin smiled but wished he was already gone.
IV. But It's Not Like Christmas at All
The Christmas Eve before Brian met Justin was like every Christmas since he'd left home.
Mikey insisted that he come to Deb's for her annual party. She hugged him hard and pushed food he refused to eat into his hands. He only stayed long enough for Michael to say, "Already? But you just got here!" when he left.
Then Brian found a bar, found a trick, and found a place to fuck him before he headed home to drink himself into oblivion. He was still intentionally drunk when he went to Christmas dinner at Jack and Joan's the next day.
V. Everybody Needs A Little Lovin' Around Christmas Time The first Christmas Justin knew Brian, everyone gathered at Debbie's. The festive atmosphere was loud and intoxicating.
Justin seemed slightly overwhelmed, even when Brian showed up, kissing Deb and flashing Justin a lecherous smile.
"What's with him?" Brian gestured toward Justin.
"He's missing his family…this is his first Christmas away, so be nice," she warned.
Brian tugged Justin's shirt. "Hey. Come here."
Justin followed him to the porch. Brian took Justin's face in both hands and kissed him, slowly and deliberately. As he ended the kiss, Brian said, "Merry Christmas. Better now?"
Finally, Justin relaxed. "Much," he smiled. "Merry Christmas."
VI. Ask Rudolph and He Won't Steer You Wrong, Santa Wasn't Fat All Along The second Christmas Brian knew Justin, the party at Deb's was high-spirited, and Justin was right in the middle of it.
As Justin bit into a gingerbread man, Brian approached.
"You know, Santa wasn't fat all along. It was gingerbread cookies that did him in." He grabbed Justin's cookie and walked off.
Laughing, Justin followed, trying to grab his cookie back.
"So I'm too fat for you?"
"Not yet. But be careful, or I won't take you on any sleigh rides."
"What about just riding you?" Justin suggested.
As Brian pulled Justin upstairs, he said, "That can definitely be arranged."
VII. Fall on Your Knees The third Christmas Justin knew Brian, there was the usual party at Debbie's, but it snowed heavily, which was an excuse to spend the day at the loft.
There still wasn't much furniture; the only decoration was a little vintage tree from Justin's mom, but that didn't matter. This Christmas wasn't about Justin feeling lonely for what used to be. It wasn’t about feeling blessed because he had survived Chris Hobbs’ bat and had Brian to thank for it. It wasn't even about Stockwell's defeat and Brian's triumph.
This Christmas was all about sex. Nasty, hot, snowed in, glorious sex.
VIII. We've Been Blessed by the Children
The fourth Christmas Brian knew Justin, Brian went all out for the holiday. He'd promised to spend more time with his son, so he did. He even had "Santa" come to the loft one afternoon to help Gus make cookies. Brian enjoyed it more than he expected.
He took Gus to pick up Justin at the airport, home for the holidays from LA. Brian ignored the lump in his throat when he spotted Justin or when Gus chanted, "Justin's home! Justin's home!" at the baggage claim.
Instead, he focused on Gus and tried to believe that was all he needed.
IX. Everything is Different, Nothing's Changed
The fifth Christmas Justin knew Brian, it was all about the love.
Things were boisterous at Debbie and Carl's party. Emmett, Ted, Jennifer and Tucker were dancing to "Jingle Bell Rock," and Mel and Lindsay laughed with Michael and Ben, who were cuddled on the sofa.
Only Justin noticed Brian slip out back. He hesitated a second, then followed. Brian grabbed him as he walked out.
"What took you so long"?
Grinning, Justin shrugged.
Brian pulled him close for a long kiss. Justin shivered a little.
"You okay?" Brian asked.
"Never better," Justin said.
"I know," smiled Brian. "Merry Christmas."
X. You Know You've Come to the Right Place
On the sixth Christmas that Brian knew Justin, he got caught. Alone.
Justin opened the loft door, calling out, "Brian?" as he did. No answer. He called again from the bedroom, smiling when he heard the shower running.
Dropping two duffel bags on the bed, he went into the bathroom. Steam rose from the shower; Justin could barely see Brian inside.
Again, Justin called out, "Brian?" Brian didn't jump; instead he calmly opened the shower door. Justin walked over and Brian pulled him in, clothes and all. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
“Coming home. Merry Christmas," Justin said. XI. Precious Time We're Taking
Five years after Justin came home for good, he and Brian celebrated Christmas the way they always did.
They went to Debbie's party. There wasn't enough room, especially with Mel, Linds and the kids visiting, but everyone was glad to be together.
When Brian and Justin left, they made their traditional stop at the liquor store for a bottle of Bailey's, then went to their house to watch A Christmas Story, get drunk and not cuddle on the sofa. They recited their favorite lines, laughed like kids, and fucked like crazy.
And neither of them would have changed a thing.
XII. This is Where You Belong
Seventeen years after Brian spent his last Christmas alone, he and Justin got ready to go to Michael and Ben's for what everyone still called "Debbie's Party."
Justin fretted in front of the mirror. The ring on his left hand caught the light as he took his new glasses on and off.
"Just wear them, Justin."
"I look so old!"
"You still look 25 and I look like your old pervy partner."
"You are my old pervy partner."
"You love it."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
"Merry Christmas," said Justin, pulling Brian close to him for a kiss.