Vengeance University

I heard a commotion from the basement stairs as I was sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top on Brian's couch, watching the TV and wondering what the hell he was doing. It had been a few days into Christmas break, and I had actually been enjoying myself with my stay at Brian's. I had received a full tour of the house upon my arrival, and it was a quite charming place. I was all set up in his spare bedroom, right down the hall from his. I learned that Brian was a really great guy to be around. He was funny, adorable, sweet as pie, and let me drink with him whenever. I was seriously going to be stuck on him by the time break was over, I could guarantee that much.

Soon the commotion was in the living room, and I looked behind me to see Brian dragging a large cardboard box into the room. I couldn't help but laugh at him and how much effort he was putting into moving the object, and my laughter caught his attention causing him to look at me and pout.

"A little help here?" he asked.

"Your big muscles can't move that thing on their own?" I teased, getting up from my spot and turning off the TV.

"...My back hurts," he said, avoiding answering my question, and I just rolled my eyes and helped him move the box over to an empty corner of the room. We opened it and I coughed at the rather large cloud of dust that was disturbed on the outside of the box.

"Jesus... When was the last time this was touched?" glancing down at the pieces of fake Christmas tree waiting to be assembled.

"...Just about five years ago," Brian replied, and I knew the direction the conversation was heading.

"You haven't celebrated Christmas in almost five years?" I asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah. I just always went to my parents' house and hung out with the guys and stuff to celebrate, and didn't even bother doing anything here. I didn't really see any point in it since I was always here alone..." he trailed off, and I decided to change the conversation.

"You know.. I think it'll be weird having a Christmas tree with no snow, and all this nice weather. It won't be the same as back home..." I sighed, helping Brian take out the different assorted pieces.

"Yeah... We don't really get those white Christmases here," Brian replied with a smile as he set up the base of the tree. "You wanna like... unfold all the branches and shit and I'll put them into the trunk?" he asked, and I nodded my head as we got to work.

About an hour and a half later, the tree was assembled and lights and ornaments had been placed accordingly on it. We stood back to admire our work, Brian using my shoulder as an armrest.

"Looks good..." he commented, and I nodded before a thought struck me.

"Why the change of heart?" I asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" he asked in return, sending me a confused look.

"Well... This is the first time you've put the tree up in five years... Why now?"

He sighed and took a pause, thinking silently to himself. He shrugged before a grin appeared. "I just thought it seemed fitting, now that I have someone to share it with..."

I looked up into his deep chocolate eyes, and couldn't help but smile as his words practically melted my heart.

It was getting late on Christmas Eve, and Brian and I were sitting together on the couch in the dark, basking in the glow of the Christmas tree lights and the TV screen. There was a marathon on of all those silly clay-mation Christmas classics and I had forced Brian to watch it with me, insisting it was a family tradition of mine, though he didn't seem to be complaining much. Every now and then we would laugh about something he or I had said, or about something in the current movie, and the atmosphere of the night was perfect. Well... Maybe not perfect, but pretty damn close.

"So... Brian. What did you want for Christmas this year?" I asked as I leaned back against he arm of the couch, looking at him with a smile. He looked down at his hands for a little while, a rather thoughtful look on his face.

"I guess it would be... just to spend it with someone special..." he said, almost whispering as he kept his head down.

"Huh..." I said, picking at my nails. "Sorry that you didn't get what you wanted."

"Actually... I think I may have," I heard him say after a moment, and I looked up quickly to see a light pink tinge on his cheeks as he gave me a sincere smile. It got really quiet after that.

"So what about you? What did you want this year?" he asked as he got up and went over to a low table that had a front drawer. He pulled open the drawer and I heard him searching around for something, though I had no idea what.

"I usually just like it when I get something meaningful," I said, shrugging as I watched his movements, his back to me. I heard him close the drawer.

"Well then... I hope I got the right thing," he said as he turned back to me, a long, skinny box in his hands. I he sat down next to me once more, handing the box over. I just looked between it and him with a shocked expression.

"Brian... What --" I started to say, but I could hardly formulate words, let alone complete a full sentence.

"Sorry... I didn't have time to wrap it..."

I just took the small thing from him, feeling that it was covered in a dark, smooth velvet. My heart was pounding, wondering what the hell he was doing.

"But... I didn't get you anything," I stuttered, and he laughed.

"Just open it."

Slowly, I lifted the hinged lid of the little case, seeing a silver necklace with a nameplate on it. My name. When I looked closer, the nameplate appeared to be attached to the chain by two diamond studs, one on each side.

"Jesus Christ... Brian, if these are real diamonds, I'm going to kill you..." I sighed, looking up to see a smug grin on his lips.

"....They may... They may not..." He said airily, and I looked back down at the necklace in my hands. Why the hell would he spend his money on me?

"Brian.. I -- I can't accept this..." I stuttered.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

"Yes, but-"

"Then you can accept it."

I figured there was no sense in arguing with him so I just nodded my head, putting the necklace on and looking down at it as the nameplate rested high on my sternum.

"I feel bad for not getting anything for you now..." I mumbled, looking back up at him. He just smiled that warm smile of his.

"Don't... you being here is enough."

I sighed deeply. "Thank you.... I think... I'm gonna head on up to bed."

"Alright. Guess I might as well myself."

It was dead quiet as we both got up from the couch. I headed into the downstairs hallway that lead to the stairs, Brian close behind me, and then felt a tug on my hand. I turned, Brian pulling me to him, and the next thing I knew, his lips were pressing to mine. I sighed, closing my eyes and letting the feelings crash over me. His hands gripped my waist as my arms encircled his neck, and I felt myself being backed into the doorway. Slowly I parted my lips, feeling Brian's smooth, warm tongue press against mine, and I reciprocated the action after. He broke the kiss and I went to pull away, wanting to see the look in his eyes, but he moved closer again, capturing my lips with his once more. I didn't know how long I stood there in Brian's arms, kissing him, but I did know that it felt amazing and there was no other place in the world I would have chosen to be in that moment than right there.

When we broke apart for the second time, Brian rested his head against mine, his eyes closed as his breathing steadied. Soon he pulled away a little further, looking at me as he reached up and ran his fingers through my hair, and then I noticed something as my eyes looked just above us. There in the doorway hung a sprig of mistletoe. I couldn't help but laugh and point it out to Brian.

"I swear to God that wasn't planned," he laughed, looking back at me again. I just shook my head and smiled, bringing him down to kiss me once more.