A Guy for Christmas

by K. C. Wells

  It seemed Robin was way ahead of him. “You can put me down now.” Dean slowly lowered him, but Robin kept his arms around Dean’s neck. “I’m not stupid,” he said quietly. “My dad doesn’t change his mind that easily. But right now? I’ll take what I can get. He needs time to get to know you. He’ll come around.”

  Dean marveled at the confidence in his voice. “You are truly amazing, do you know that? And I’m going to miss you tonight.” When Robin blinked, Dean locked gazes with him. “You need to pack your bag.”

  Robin stared at him, his mouth opening and closing. Finally, he sighed. “You’re right, of course. I need to go home. So long as you know… I’m gonna miss you too.”

  “We’ll have other nights,” Dean assured him. At least, he hoped they would. It had to be pretty obvious to Robin’s parents after the NYC trip, exactly how the land lay. And if they were going to treat Robin as an adult, that would mean not objecting to him spending weekends at his boyfriend’s house.

  Boyfriend. The word filled Dean with warmth.

  He kissed the tip of Robin’s nose. “First one upstairs gets to shower in the corner tub.” He set off running.

  “Hey, no fair!” Robin gave chase. “What happened to making compromises?”

  “Fine,” he yelled. “You can share the shower. But no distractions, you got that? I am not going to the Emergency Room with a broken leg on Christmas Eve, all because you wanted to fuck in the shower.”

  Not that the idea didn’t have some merit.

  Dean gave a joyful laugh. Having Robin in his life was never going to be dull.

  Robin had the severest case of butterflies ever.

  Between Ryan smirking—his eyebrows waggled so much, they resembled caterpillars on steroids—through the entire meal, Mom doing her best to engage Dean in conversation about anything and everything, and Dad not saying much, his appetite had been shot to shit. Still, he couldn’t believe they’d come this far.

  “Where do your parents live?” Mom asked Dean.

  Robin groaned. “This isn’t a meal—it’s more like twenty questions.” Beneath the table, Dean squeezed his thigh, and Robin sighed. “Sorry. Of course you wanna know about him.”

  “And I don’t mind the questions,” Dean added. “Most of my family is in Indiana, Mrs. Davi—Petra.” He glanced at Robin with a smile. “I’m hoping to take Robin with me my next trip. I know they’ll want to meet him.”

  Well, they will, hopefully—once they know about me. Dean had said that was next on his To Do list.

  “Robin says you ski,” Ryan said suddenly. “Maybe I could join you guys one time?”

  Robin saw his twin’s words for what they were—an attempt to show his parents he was okay with this.

  Dean beamed. “I’d like that. Are you as good a skier as your brother?”

  Ryan smirked. “I’m pretty sure he’s got me beat in that department. Maybe in others too.”

  Robin coughed. “More pie, Dean? I’m sure Ryan wouldn’t mind getting you some from the kitchen,” he added with a glare.

  Dean chuckled. “I’ve had enough, thank you.” He gave Mom a warm smile. “That was a wonderful meal.”

  “I’m glad you came along to share it with us.” She glanced at Dad before continuing. “We wondered what your plans are for tomorrow.”

  Dean grinned. “Watching my cats play with their new toys.”

  Mom gave Dad a meaningful stare, and he cleared his throat. “You’re more than welcome to come over. We don’t do anything special, apart from the meal. It’s mostly a day for watching movies.”

  Something in Robin’s belly gave a flutter. He hadn’t counted on seeing Dean until the day after.

  “I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Dean said after a moment. “After all, it’s a day for family.”

  Ryan snorted. “Hate to say this, Mr. Q, but if you’re gonna date my brother, you’re sort of adopted.” He widened his eyes. “Oops. My bad. Sorry—Dean. Yeah, that’s gonna take some getting used to.”

  Dean’s eyes twinkled. “Look on the bright side. I can’t give you detention for getting my name wrong.”

  Ryan grinned. “Hey, that’s a good one.”

  Dean wiped his lips with his napkin. “I don’t mean to eat and run, but if I don’t get home soon and feed the cats, Loki will probably eat the tinsel.” He squeezed Robin’s hand under the table. “And I know how much Robin looks forward to Christmas Eve with his family.”

  Robin’s throat seized. Especially as I thought I was gonna miss out this year.

  “In which case, we’ll see you tomorrow.” Mom flickered a gaze in Robin’s direction. “I’m sure Robin will be over to see you in the morning anyhow.”

  Robin grinned. Is seven a.m. too early? Dean got to his feet, and Robin joined him. “I’ll see Dean to the door.”

  Dad chuckled. “I think he remembers where it is.” He caught Dean’s gaze. “See you tomorrow.”

  Dean nodded. “Thank you again for the unexpected invitation.”

  Okay, Robin was done with the talking. He tugged Dean’s arm. “I’ll get your coat.”

  After yet more goodbyes, Dean followed him into the hallway. “You okay?” he asked in a low voice as Robin helped him into his coat.

  Robin glanced toward the living room. “I still can’t believe that happened.”

  “What—that they invited me over, or that we managed to get through dinner without your dad giving me the third degree?”

  Robin chuckled. “No, that was Mom. I can’t get over how well it went.”

  “Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Dean rubbed his thumb along Robin’s jawline. “I wouldn’t say your mom is an ally yet, but she’s willing to listen. As for your dad? Let’s just say the jury is still out.” He cupped Robin’s chin, holding him steady as he bent down to kiss him softly on the lips. “And I will see you tomorrow.”

  Robin couldn’t help himself. He locked his arms around Dean and kissed him, not bothering to rein it in. “But it’s looking hopeful, right?” he said as they parted.

  Dean’s eyes were warm. “Yes, baby. It is.” And with one last kiss, he stepped out into the cold, heading for his car.

  Robin waited, shivering, until Dean was no longer in sight, then shut the door and locked it.

  It’s gonna be okay.

  “Hey, doof! It’s your turn to pick a movie!”

  “Ryan! Don’t call your brother that.”

  “Aw, come on, Mom. He is a doof.”

  “Ryan? Listen to your mother.”

  Robin laughed quietly. There’s no place like home. Except his definition of home had suddenly changed.

  Home was where Dean was.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Robin collected the discarded wrapping paper and went into the kitchen to place it in the box where Dad put all the stuff for recycling. It amused him to note the difference in him and Ryan. Robin had carefully unwrapped his gifts, whereas Ryan had torn into them.

  He really is a big kid.

  “Okay, you’ve done the duty bit,” Dad said as he came into the kitchen. “Get out of here.”

  “Huh?” Robin feigned innocence. He’d tried to be subtle about it.

  Dad snorted. “I lost count of how many times you looked at the clock. I already sent Dean a text to say you’d be on your way soon. But remember—back here for dinner.”

  Robin gave him a hug. “Thanks, Dad. And Merry Christmas.”

  Dad held him for a second. “Merry Christmas to you, son.” Then he pulled away. “Now go.” He paused. “We both know there’s someone else you’d rather be hugging, so get over there.”

  Robin didn’t need telling twice.

  He dashed into his room to collect the gifts he’d made for Dean. It had taken every minute of his lunchtimes the previous week, but he’d finished them.

  I hope he likes them. Now all he had to do was get them there.

  Ryan poked his head around Robin’s door. “Whatcha got there?”

  “Dean’s pr
esents.”

  Ryan glanced at the larger parcel. “Ooh, what is that one? Or do I not wanna know?”

  Robin rolled his eyes. “I swear, your mind is permanently in the gutter.” He gazed at his twin with interest. “Is there no one you wanna call this morning. No ‘special someone’?”

  “Nope.”

  “Not even your roommate?” Robin teased. “You know, the one who likes—”

  “No one. Besides, he went home for the holidays.” To his surprise, Ryan’s cheeks flushed. “Now go see your man. And have a good day.” His eyebrows went into their caterpillars-on-steroids routine again.

  Robin was all kinds of intrigued. Precious Dean-time was ticking away, but this was important. Ryan had gone the distance for him, after all. “You wanna talk about this?”

  Ryan threw his hands in the air. “Will you get out of here? There’s a hot guy waiting for ya.”

  Robin got the message. Discussion closed.

  “See you at dinner.” Robin picked up his packages, and headed for the front door.

  “Wait!” Ryan came after him.

  Robin came to a halt by the front door. “What’s up?”

  “You can’t take those on the bike. You’ll have an accident. Lemme borrow the car, and I’ll drive you over there. Dad won’t mind.” And before Robin could object, he went off in search of Dad.

  Okay, this was definitely not like Ryan.

  He returned a minute later, waving the keys. “Let’s go.” Robin followed him out of the house and over to the car, where Ryan popped the trunk for him. Dean’s gifts safely stowed, Ryan pulled out of the driveway. They’d been driving about a minute before he spoke.

  “Look, there’s nothing going on between me and Kyle, okay?”

  Robin blinked. “Did I say there was?”

  “No, but you sure hinted.”

  Robin glanced at his twin. “Have I touched a nerve?”

  “I’m not gonna talk about this.” Ryan set his jaw.

  “According to you, there’s nothing to discuss anyway. So why are you so defensive?”

  “Change the subject.” Ryan checked the rearview mirror before pulling away from the lights. “So how do you think everything went yesterday? When Dad said Dean was coming to dinner, I thought he was joking at first.”

  “I think we have you and Mom to thank for that. And that reminds me. I never did say thank you for going to bat for me. I didn’t expect that.”

  Ryan huffed. “I told you I had your back, bro. I couldn’t stand seeing you so miserable. Especially when I wasn’t the cause,” he added with a grin. “Besides, how was I gonna enjoy Christmas with you moping around? I had to do something, right?”

  Robin chuckled. “And there was me, thinking you were being selfless.” Except he knew better.

  He directed Ryan to Dean’s house, and they pulled up to the curb. Robin twisted in his seat to look at him. “Now, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  Robin snorted. “Well, I thought I knew what you’d do, but I’m learning otherwise. Thanks for the ride.” He got out of the car, and Ryan popped the trunk for him. Once he had the packages, Ryan sped away with a wave.

  Robin walked toward the house, and before he reached the front door, Dean opened it. “Merry Christmas.” His eyes widened at the sight of the gifts. “Oh wow. Can I help you with those?”

  “That’d be good.” Robin handed over the parcels, then stepped into the warm interior. As soon as Dean had put them down, Robin pounced. “Merry Christmas.” He kissed Dean as though he hadn’t seen him for weeks.

  Dean broke the kiss and laughed. “Okay, if my neighbors didn’t know before that I have a boyfriend, they do now.” He closed the door, then took Robin in his arms. “Let’s try that again.” This time the kiss was more tender.

  “Missed you.”

  Dean kissed his forehead. “Missed you too.” He glanced at the packages. “Are these for me?”

  Robin rolled his eyes. “No, they’re for Lady and Loki.” He bit his lip. “I didn’t get them anything.”

  “Trust me, they have plenty. Now take off your coat, let me make some hot chocolate, and then we can exchange gifts.”

  “You got something for me?” Robin peered around the hallway.

  “Coat first. Then hot chocolate. Then gifts.” Dean glanced at the larger package. “Although I am dying to know what’s in that one.”

  Five minutes later they were sitting on the couch. Robin gazed at the large flat package standing beside the Christmas tree. “Is that for me?”

  Dean sighed. “You are so impatient. Go for it.”

  Robin was off the couch in a heartbeat. He sat on the rug and prized the paper loose with care. What lay beneath stunned him into silence.

  “Do you like it?” Dean’s voice held an obvious note of anxiety.

  Robin swallowed. “It’s… it’s beautiful.” The portrait was of him and Dean, sitting on the couch, Lady and Loki in their laps. “You did this from memory?” Dean had captured everything: his hair, his lopsided smile, even his favorite cream sweater and black jeans. “Whenever did you find the time?”

  “I did it last week.” Dean laughed. “Sleep is for the weak, did no one tell you that?” He got off the couch and joined Robin on the rug. “You really do like it?”

  Tears pricked the corners of Robin’s eyes. “No—I love it.” He set it down, before leaning over to kiss Dean. “Thank you.”

  Dean rubbed under Robin’s eyes with his thumb, wiping away his tears. “Love you.” Another gentle kiss. Then he grinned. “Now do I get to open mine?”

  Robin laughed. “Go for it.”

  Dean opened the smaller package first, gasping as he removed the paper. “Oh wow. This is gorgeous. You made this.”

  Robin smiled. “I know you already have hooks by the front door, but I thought you might like this.” He’d taken a piece of cherrywood, and screwed five bronze coat hooks into it. The top of the piece was carved with the shapes of two cats, one at each end.

  Dean pointed to the smaller cat. “That has to be Loki.” He smiled. “Thank you.” He glanced at Robin. “This isn’t timber from the boatyard, is it?”

  Robin chuckled. “I bought it specially last week.” He pointed to the larger package. “That one took less time, believe it or not.”

  Dean put down the coat hook rack, and ripped the paper away from the parcel. His breathing hitched. “Oh, Robin.”

  “I thought it might go in your hallway, under the coat hook rack.” He’d made a shoe storage bench, with two shelves set into it. The top of the bench had a raised lip around it. “There’s supposed to be a cushion that sits on top, but I didn’t have time to get around to that.”

  Dean took Robin’s hands in his. “Such talent.” He kissed each fingertip, and Robin’s heart soared. “Thank you.”

  “You can thank me properly upstairs,” Robin said, his pulse speeding up a little.

  Dean smiled. “I like the sound of that. I might have another present waiting for you in my bedroom.”

  Robin grinned. “Let me guess. Your dick has a bright red bow tied around it.”

  “You peeked!” They both laughed. “Well, I tried holly, but that stuff prickles.” Dean got to his feet, pulling Robin with him. “How long do we have?”

  “Hours and hours.”

  Dean took his hand. “Then let’s not waste a second of it.” He led Robin toward the stairs.

  Robin couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend the day.

  Robin carried the dishes through into the kitchen, following Mom. Dad and Dean were talking canoes, so Robin left them to it. Ryan was playing a game on his phone. Robin opened the dishwasher and started loading it.

  “Your dad and Dean seem to be getting along,” Mom commented.

  Robin smiled to himself. It was a step in the right direction.

  “Sweetheart, can we talk?”

  Robin paused. “Sure.” He stopped what he was doing and turned to her. “Is anything wrong?”
/>
  She sat at the table and indicated a chair. “Come sit for a minute.”

  Robin did as instructed, his skin prickling. Uh-oh.

  Mom clasped her hands in front of her on the table. “Robin… You need to think about the future. Maybe living here isn’t the right thing for you.”

  Okay, that was not what he’d expected. Sure, he’d had the same idea, but he hadn’t thought for a second that Mom would be the one to get the ball rolling. Of course, he hadn’t broached the subject with Dean yet—it was still early days—but Robin hoped he’d be on the same page.

  It would be perfect. I’d be in Lake Placid, still working with Dad… The thought of living with Dean sent a thrill of anticipation through him.

  “And before you get any ideas, hear me out.” Mom speared him with a look. “Because I have a good idea what’s going through your head right now.”

  Yeah, that was his first clue he and Mom definitely weren’t on the same page.

  “When you think you’re ready to move out, get a place of your own. I don’t care if it’s for a year, a couple of years, or less. You need to figure out who you are. On your own.”

  Robin frowned. “Excuse me?” He knew who he was. This made no sense.

  “Robin, you need to do adult stuff like… paying bills, cooking… Ryan is at college, and he’s getting used to his independence. When I met your dad, I was getting ready to go off to college. I got to experience life away from home.” She covered his hand with hers. “You don’t have that. But you should find out what it’s like before you make any… decisions.”

  “Is there any eggnog?” Dad called from the living room.

  Mom sighed. “We’ll continue this talk another time. I simply wanted you to think about it.” She got up from the table, walked around it, and kissed the top of his head. “Love you, sweetheart.”

  “Robin? You got a minute?” That was Dean.

  Robin got up and went into the living room, his head in a whirl. She wants me to move out. Well, that was fine. He wanted that too. But as for living alone?

  Dean and his dad were flipping through the boatyard’s brochures, and Dean was nodding enthusiastically at something Dad had said. He patted the seat cushion next to him. “I want to show you something.”