“Did you buy it?” 

“You know I did.” Justin smiled at the heavy sigh from Brian. It was amazing how much, despite his trying not to, Brian was predictable. 

“How bad is it?” 

“Ummmm…” Justin decided to tread carefully. 

“Great,” Brian responded, “Is it bigger than the last one?” 

“Mmm-hmmm,” Justin quietly responded. 

“Sunshine…” Brian exclaimed. 

“I know. I promised smaller, but Gus really, really liked this one.” 

“Great! My partner is a pushover for a ten year old boy.” 

“Brian,” Justin explained, “It wasn’t like that. Gus and I both agreed that this was the Christmas tree that we should put up at the loft. Trust me, you’ll agree when you see it. Besides, it’s only in your mind that Gus is ten. To the rest of the world, he’s fifteen.” 

“As if,” Brian retorted, “But, Sunshine, this does mean that I get to pick the one for the house.” 

“Brian…” Justin began, but was cut off by Brian. 

“Nope, I get to pick the one for the house. You, Sunshine, broke the deal and now you have to pay the consequences.” 

Now, it was Justin’s turn to sigh. “Fine.” 

“See you in a few hours. I do hope the monstrosity will be finished by then.” 

Click. 

“Dad’s not happy about the tree, huh?” Gus impishly asked, already knowing the answer. 

“You could say that.” 

“Give you a hard time, did he?” 

“Not that bad. Just insists that he gets to pick the tree we put up at the house.” 

“What? No! Justin, you can’t let him do that. He’ll put up that stupid, little tree that only has a star on top! It’ll look really, really stupid on Christmas morning. It’s like- barely a foot tall. How can anyone think that’s a tree! If my friends see that…” 

“Sorry, Gus, your dad and I had a deal. The Christmas tree for the loft had to be less than 6 feet tall or he gets to choose the one for the house.”

“Well, you should tell him that he’s going to ruin Jenny Rebecca’s Christmas. She still believes in Santa, you know…” 

Justin paused before smirking, “I dare you to use that one on your father.” 

“Well, Adam Reid said that there isn’t a Santa Claus and that I’m a big baby if I still believe in him.” 

“Wow! You’re about as funny as Brian after he learns that he missed a sale at Armani.” 

“Well,” Gus paused, seemed to think earnestly about something, turned to Justin, looked him dead in the eyes, and deadpanned, “I’m sure YOU believe in Santa Claus?” 

“Absolutely, and keep in mind, if you don’t believe he won’t visit you- only JR. I can guarantee that one.” Justin nodded to emphasize his point. 

Gus sighed heavily and rolled his eyes. He hated to be outdone. Justin had to turn and cover his smile. Gus was definitely Brian’s little drama queen. In fact, you could practically hear the thoughts running through Gus’ mind. 

“Well, the truth is that I do believe, but I don’t want Adam to think I’m a baby.” 

“I promise not to tell Adam Reid, then.” Justin assured Gus seriously. 

“Ha ha!” 

“That’s your comeback?” Justin taunted before continuing, “Anyway, your dad made it quite clear he wanted this tree completed before he got home. Besides, your moms will be here in a bit, too.” 

“Couldn’t I just stay the night?” 

“Gus, we’ve talked about this. Your dad and I have a dinner we need to attend. I promise that we’ll let you stay one night this coming weekend.” 

“Fine,” Gus replied with a loud huff, but he picked up the lights and began unraveling them. 

All was quiet in the loft as they hastily decorated the tree for the upcoming Holiday party. Brian and Justin had decided to have the professional party at the loft- with their unique little family and special clients, but have the family only party at Britin closer to the actual holiday. 

They were down to the last few ornaments and the traditional star on top when Justin mentioned that he still had to buy Brian’s gift, and he wondered if Gus would like to help him. Gus stopped what he was doing and seemed to freeze. Justin noticed and became a little concerned. 

“Gus? You ok there, buddy? You don’t have to go, especially if you don’t want to…”

Gus nodded, but seemed to be seriously contemplating something. 

“Gus?” Justin asked again, hoping to draw the teenager out. Obviously, something was very wrong. He’d never seen such a pensive look on the boy’s face. 

“You love my dad, don’t you, Justin?” Gus blurted out. 

“With all my heart, Gus; your dad is a very special man. You’re lucky to have him as a dad. He loves you just as you are- no questions asked.” 

“Yeah, Dad’s great…” Justin could hear the ‘but’ in the comment though. He waited a few more seconds for Gus to finish his sentence. When he didn’t, Justin decided to prod him a little. 

“Gus? Is something wrong?” 

“Yeah,” Gus quietly responded. 

Justin put the star back in its box and sat down on the couch. 

“You want to sit down and talk?” 

Gus nodded, returned the ornament to its box, and sat down on the couch beside Justin. Still, he didn’t say anything more. 

“Is something bothering you about your dad?”

Gus nodded again, and the look on Gus’ face made Justin’s heart ache. 

“Did something happen, Gus?” 

Gus nodded his agreement to Justin’s question. 

“You know, you can talk to me about anything, Gus. Anything…” Justin tried to reassure him. It was obvious that he was quite upset about something. 

Still being reticent, Gus simply nodded again. Justin decided to wait him out. 

A good while later, Gus started talking, “I overheard something about Dad.” 

Justin nodded and asked, “Were you eavesdropping?” 

“No!” Gus exclaimed, “Honestly, I wasn’t. I was in my room playing Xbox™ and watching JR play with her dolls. Then, I heard loud voices downstairs. It sounded like Mom and Momma. So, I went to the top of the stairs just to make sure they were all right. Justin, I swear, I wasn’t eavesdropping. I swear!” 

Justin nodded. He was pretty sure he wasn’t going to like where this seemed to be going. He prodded Gus, “What did you overhear, Gus?” 

“Justin, you believe me, right? I didn’t mean to overhear.” Gus looked earnestly at Justin. 

Justin smiled and gave Gus’ shoulder a squeeze. “Of course, I believe you, Gus.” 

Gus smiled. “Ok, I just wanted you to know that I didn’t mean to hear.” 

“Ok. So, Gus, what exactly did you hear about your dad?” 

“I overheard Momma tell Mom that the only person that Dad loves is himself…well, that and his dick. And then, she said that he didn’t even love you. That it was apparent that he doesn’t love you because he…” here Gus paused, looked around, and then continued, “Because he fucks other guys. But that isn’t true, right? Dad loves other people. He loves me. He loves Uncle Mikey and Grandma Debbie. And I know he loves you. So, I’m sure Momma was just upset. I know Dad wouldn’t…you know, be with other people when he has you. It’s not true, right, Justin? He doesn’t do that, does he?” 

Justin thought that if he ever saw Mel in the next five years, he just might kill the bitch. How in the world could she put Gus in a position like this? 

Justin smiled and pulled Gus in for a quick manly hug. Then, he looked him dead in the eye and said, “Gus, your dad loves you. And you’re right, he loves me. He loves Uncle Mikey and Grandma Debbie. He loves Emmett. He even loves Ted, but we might want to keep that between you and me.” Justin was relieved to see Gus smile at that. “That’s all you need to know about your dad. That he loves lots of people, but, most importantly, he loves you. Ok?” 

Gus nodded with a slight smile, but Justin had a feeling that this conversation wasn’t done. 

It took five minutes, but it happened, “Justin?” 

“Yeah?” 

“Does Dad really sleep with other men?” 

Justin took a deep breath and quickly tried to come up with something to say. Apparently, he took too long, because Gus asked again. “Justin, he doesn’t, does he?” 

Seriously, Justin thought, if I see Mel, she’s dead. 

“Gus, adults can be difficult to understand…” 

“Justin, just be honest with me. That’s all that I am asking.” 

Justin nodded and reluctantly said, “Yes, your dad sometimes sleeps with other men.” 

“Do you do that, too?” Gus asked. 

“Not anymore, but I have.” 

“But you don’t anymore?” 

“No, but it isn’t because your dad doesn’t allow me to; it’s because I just don’t feel the need to.” 

“So, why does Dad feel the need to? I mean, he has you. I guess if I found men attractive you would be very nice looking. I know some of the girls at school get all giggly when you pick me up. That must mean you’re attractive, right? They only get giggly when they find me or one of my friends attractive. So, why does Dad need to be with other men? And I guess I just don’t understand that if you don’t need to, but he does then how can you think he loves you?” Gus spewed out without taking a breath, “I just don’t understand, Justin. How can he love you, but want to be with someone else? And how can YOU think he loves you when you KNOW that he’s been with someone else?” 

“Gus…” Justin began, but was cut off by Gus’ shout.

“How can he love you and do that? How?” 

Justin walked up to Gus and said very clearly, “Because I love him, and I know that he loves me. It’s that simple, Gus.” 

“It’s NOT that simple, Justin. It isn’t!” 

“Yes, Gus, for us, it IS that simple. Your dad and I love each other very much, but we aren’t like most couples. You know that. We’ve never gotten married like your mothers. We choose to be together for as long as it lasts. I have every reason to believe that we’ll be together for a long, long time, but we don’t need a ceremony to know that we feel that way about each other. And your dad, well, he has a different view on sex than most people. You, me, your moms- we all see sex as an expression of love. But your dad sees it as an act of release.” 

“Do you mean that it doesn’t mean anything with you, too?” 

“No, that’s not what I’m saying. What I’m saying is that I’m the only person in your dad’s life that he allows to be friend AND lover. Those guys he sleeps with- they are just a body. Me, I’m his home. I talk to him about things, he talks to me about things, and I also sleep with him. Do you see the difference? Those other guys, they don’t get that. They don’t get all of your dad- I do. And that’s how I know that he loves me.” 

“And it doesn’t bother you?” 

“Not anymore.” 

“But it used to bother you?” 

“A long, long time ago- until I understood what I just told you…” 

“Do you ever wish...” 

“Gus, I really don’t think your dad would appreciate me talking about our private lives to you. You know how private he is. But let me just say- that I have NEVER doubted in the last ten years that your dad loves me. And you have no worries that he loves you, too. Ok?” 

Gus slowly nodded. Justin pulled him in for a hug. 



What Justin and Gus didn’t know is that Brian, Lindsay, and Melanie were standing outside the loft’s door. They had heard the whole conversation. And if looks could kill, Melanie Marcus would be dead. 



Taking a deep breath to help calm himself, Brian pulled out his key and opened the loft door. He saw Gus and Justin jerk apart from a hug and look at him innocently. Brian tried to play it cool. He didn’t want Gus to know that he had overheard. Lindsay and Melanie, not that he cared, followed him in. He hoped they had the sense not to say anything. Fuck knew that they had, apparently, said enough already. Just to play it safe, Brian threw them a look of pure venom. He felt immense satisfaction when Lindsay took a step backwards into Mel. Turning back around, he pulled a calm face and turned to greet his boys. 

“Sonny boy, have fun with Justin?” 

Gus gave Brian a small smile and a nod and then grabbed an ornament and put it on the tree. 

“Why, Sunshine, I don’t think you are quite finished. I believe this means that I win the second bet, too.” Brian asked in an annoying sing-song voice. 

Justin arched an eyebrow in a very Kinney-like fashion and gave him an intense look. Brian had a strong suspicion that Justin knew that he had overheard his and Gus’ conversation. 

“Well, if you did, we both win,” Justin quietly replied as he walked by and bumped Brian’s shoulder. Brian smirked at him and Justin flashed his Sunshine smile at him. 

“So, what’s for dinner?” Brian asked Justin as he walked into the kitchen. 

“I don’t know. What did you order us?” 

“Yeah, what did you order us?” Gus chimed in. 

“Gus,” Justin began, but was cut off by Lindsay. 

“Gus, you know Brian and Justin have a dinner tonight. Your father was just teasing Justin.” 

‘But you don’t mind if I stay, right?” Gus insisted. 

“Gus,” Justin began again, but was cut off by Melanie this time. 

“Gus, the answer is no.” Melanie stated harshly. 

Justin had to control himself. He really wanted to tell her off, but he knew now wasn’t the time. He continued into the kitchen, on into the dining room, and picked up Gus’ backpack. 

“Here you go, Gus. Like I said earlier, we all talked about it earlier and you can spend Friday night here. Ok?” 

Gus sighed, “Ok.” He took the backpack, gave his dad a hug, and walked to the door.

Lindsay and Mel turned to leave, but Brian grabbed Lindsay’s arm and quietly said into her ear, “This is far from over.” 

Lindsay looked at Brian, inhaled deeply, and nodded. 

A few seconds later, the heavy metal door shut with a loud bang. 

“Can you be ready to go in a half hour?” Brian asked Justin. 

“You heard.” Justin sagaciously said. 

Brian merely arched an eyebrow and waited for Justin to continue. 

“You heard what Gus said, didn’t you, Brian?” 

Brian simply nodded. Justin stared at him intently. 

“What are you going to do?” Justin intuitively asked. 

“Nothing,” Brian responded as he turned to head up to the bedroom and get ready for their dinner engagement. 

“Nothing?” Justin responded as he followed Brian into the bedroom. 

“Nothing. I wasn’t supposed to hear that, and you handled it very well.” 

“Ummm…Thank you. I just figured you would tear Melanie a new asshole. Besides, I’m pretty sure I also heard you tell Lindsay that this wasn’t over…” 

“Oh, I want to, and I did mention that.” 

“But…” 

Brian smirked and said, “I think you’ve already got it under control, Sunshine.” 

Justin laughed. “You’re right, I do.” 

Walking up to Justin, he pulled him into his arms and lightly kissed him. “So, are you going to let me know before you ‘tear Melanie a new asshole,’ dear?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Justin responded and pulled Brian down for another, more intense kiss.