Christmas Spirit

Author: Placebobitch/Evilduck

Rating:

Pairing: Stef/Bri

Description: A placebo version of a Christmas tale.

Original link

Stef took a last long look in the mirror, everything had to be perfect for tonight. He had picked out his outfit carefully, selecting clothes he thought he would appreciate. Something that would make him be noticed. He took a quick glance down at his watch, if he didn’t leave soon he was going to be late. With a small sigh he turned back to the mirror.

“It’s tonight or never” he told himself, then contented he left the apartment.

Steve meanwhile was hopping around the living room of Brian’s flat on one foot.

“Where’s me bloody other shoe Bri?” he called out, whilst trying to keep his balance as he searched. Brian smirked as he popped his head round the doorframe.

“No idea luv. But why the fuck are you hopping?” he asked, wrinkling his nose slightly.

“Because, some little bitch spilt wine all over the carpet.” Steve announced exasperatedly. Brian feigned a look of innocence as he disappeared back into his room. He heard Steve give a small cheer as he obviously found his missing shoe. He turned back to the mirror on his dressing table and continued applying his make-up. He had to look perfect for tonight. It was the annual Christmas Eve party and all their friends and industry people would be there. He might even get lucky! Steve let out a loud sigh from the living room.

“Why the fuck do I always get stuck giving you a lift? You take so bloody long. Why couldn’t Stef do it?” he complained as he flopped himself down on the sofa.

“I dunno actually, I think Stef said he had something to do before the party” Brian commented, as he finished meticulously applying his mascara, and pouted approvingly for his reflection.

“Right I’m ready” he said as he swanned past Steve towards the door. Steve looked happy and got to his feet.

“You know, we might just be on time for once” he said as he closed the flat door.

Stef was shaking. His hands were actually shaking as they clutched the steering wheel. He cursed himself mentally. “Why am I so scared? It’s just the annual Christmas party. Nothing different” he said to himself. /Oh but something is different/ a little voice in the back of his head piped up. /This year, things are going to change./ Stef sighed to himself, then made a sudden swerve to the left as he realised he had arrived. He pulled into the car park violently, somehow managing to avoid hitting anything else, then finally turned the engine off. He leaned his head against the cool window pane and tried to stop his heart beating so rapidly. He was quickly brought back to the real world by a small tapping noise right by his ear. He jumped and looked out of the window to see a grinning Steve and a shivering Brian. Stef got out of the car carefully and took his time locking it.

“Fuuck, its bloody freezing” Brian’s slightly irritated voice cut through the air. Stef turned to look at him. He looked perfect. Always so perfect. He was wearing a slightly transparent, shimmery black shirt. Teamed with some simple light blue ripped jeans, and light eye make-up.

“Stef, what you staring at? Can we just get inside?!” Brian said, as he turned towards the warmth of the club doors. Steve quickly followed, and Stef trailed behind.

*a few hours later*

Brian had proceeded to get very drunk. After all the record company were paying for everything, so he figured he should drink as much free alcohol as possible. He was now doing a tour of the club, telling everyone how much he loved them. Stumbling onto one lap after the other, spilling most of his wine everywhere. Most people didn’t seem to mind though, as they all seemed to be in various states of intoxication. Eventually he found his way over to Steve.

“Wheres Steffie gone?” he slurred slightly as he plonked himself down next to Steve.

“Ummm...” Steve wrinkled up his forehead in concentration as he tried to remember who Stef was, “Oh yeh, toilet. He went quite a while ago though, dya think he’s alright?”

“Yeh he’sss a big boy that Steffie” Brian said as he fell sideways onto Steve. He giggled slightly up at him, and grinned.

“Ya know I love you Stevie” he said as he smiled up from his lap.

“Yes Bri, and apparently you love everyone else too” Steve smiled back, with just a hint of sarcasm. Brian just giggled in response and stayed quite happily in Steve’s lap. Just then a group of people walked over to the table, with Stef bringing up the rear.

“ahh, you” Brian said as he tried to focus on the crowd sitting around him “I fucking love you!” he announced, not quite sure who to though. He suddenly felt strong warm arms pulling him up from Steve’s lap, and practically dragging him away to a corner of the club. Brian blinked a few times as Stef’s dark outline swam into vision. He stumbled slightly as he couldn’t quite stand up on his own.

“Bri? I have something I need to tell you” Stef said, as he held him up straight. He was about to continue when Brian clumsily pressed a finger to his lips.

“Shhh I know” he said. Stef looked slightly confused.

“You do?” he queried. Brian nodded to emphasize his point.

“Yesh, and I fucking love you too Steffiieee” he said throwing his arms out, and grabbing Stef in a hug. Stef was trying to reply, when all of a sudden Brian spotted Xavoir walking back to the table with a tray full of drinks.

“But you! Xav! I love you the most, you bring more alcohol!!!” he yelled across the club, and stumbled back to the table.

Most of the guests had left now, and there were just Steve and Brian sitting at the same table, with a few other people scattered around the club. Brian cuddled up to Steve, trying to shake off the hangover that was already looming.

“When did Stef leave?” he asked with closed eyes.

“Quite early actually. He said he wasn’t feeling too well.” Steve replied, as he tried to get up.

“Oh, I hope he feels better in the morning” Brian said, squirming as Steve got up from beneath him. Steve pulled him to his feet, and handed him his coat.

“Well you phone him in the morning, he didn’t look too good. Right we’re gonna go now” Steve said. Brian nodded in response and allowed himself to be led out of the club and into Steve’s car. Soon he was standing outside his flat door, with Steve trying to open it for him. He eventually managed and Brian gratefully trudged inside and flopped onto his bed. He almost fell asleep instantly. Steve sighed, and removed his coat and shoes before tucking him under the duvet.

“Night Bri, Happy Christmas” he called out as he walked out the front door.

“You too Stevie” Brian replied, as he sank into the warm bed.

Brian was in the middle of having the most curious dream when suddenly he found himself awake. He glanced sleepily at the clock beside him and it read 2:00 am. He sighed and went to roll back over to sleep, when he heard a strange noise. It sounded like paper rustling. Then he found the smell of cheap alcohol invading his nostrils. He sat up to find the source and gasped in shock. Stood in the corner of the room was Steve. Except he was ghostly white, and dressed in what seemed to be small slips of paper. Brian looked closer and saw they were actually electricity bills and rent slips. His hair was messy and tangled, and there were dark rings around his eyes. Then Steve gave a small cough and almost glided forward, clutching a pale white bottle of cheap cider. Brian shuffled backwards in his bed, until he was crouched up by the headboard.

“Ste... Steve?” Brian managed to whisper. Steve just looked confused.

“Steve? No. My name is Passé. I am the spirit of Christmas Past” he said as he slid a bit further towards the bed. Brian managed a small squeak as he tried to press himself further against the headboard.

“What? No, Steve what have you been taking? If you’re trying to scare me it’s bloody working.” Brian whispered. Passé moved right up to the side of the bed. Brian gasped as he saw that he was actually slightly transparent, and he could see right through him and to the other side of the room.

“Wha.. what the fuck do you want with me?” Brian squeaked again, shivering slightly as Passé leaned in closer.

“I’m here to show you Christmases past. In the hope that you will learn something that will make you a better person.” as he spoke, his breath was icy cold. Suddenly the room around them swirled and disappeared, and Brian found himself standing in his old flat. The first one he had when they had formed Placebo. He saw Stefan standing in the corner of the room, and practically ran over to him.

“Stef, what the fuck is happening?” he started to ask, but Stefan looked straight past him. There was a soft moan from another room and he walked towards it. Brian tried to move out of the way, but Stef walked right through him. Brian gasped in shock.

“What the fuck just happened there?!” he spun around questioningly and saw Passé standing next to him. "What the fuck is going on?! This is some bad trip!"

“It’s a memory, nothing you say or so makes any effect. They can’t see you.” he explained, then moved towards the room Stefan had disappeared into. Brian ran for the front door and put his hand out to try and turn the handle. But he couldn't. His hand just went through it like he was a hologram. He looked around for another way to escape, but there was only one window in the corner and it was shut. He wanted to think of a way to leave, but he found himself strangely drawn to the corner of the room. He took a deep breath and let his body move where it wanted to go, and found himself standing in his old bedroom. Stefan was sitting on the bed, handing a cup to a figure huddled in it. Brian curiously moved closer to the bed, and saw himself lying in it. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. It was strange seeing himself laying there in bed, his old hair spread out across the pillow, his face contorted into pitiful expression. The memory Brian gave a harsh cough and sniffed, then extended his hand towards Stef’s.

“Oh I remember this” Brian exclaimed, “This was that Christmas when I was ill with the flu, and Stef.. he looked after me”. Passé nodded in approval, and suddenly the room started to spin again. Brian clung onto his arm as everything was swirling.

“Ahh all this spinning is making me feel ill” he complained, but suddenly a new scene started to take shape. He found himself now standing in a cold dark alleyway. There was music pounding through the wall next to him, so Brian assumed this must be next to a club. He pulled his arms round himself in an effort to keep warm. Who knew memories could be so cold? Suddenly he heard voices coming round the corner. Some loud arguing ones, and his own. Three large men came into view dragging Brian along behind them. He was laughing, and obviously drunk. One of them pinned him up against the wall and threatened him loudly. The memory Brian just laughed and then spat in his face. Brian cringed as the largest of the three sent a fist flying into his face. He was too busy watching himself getting beaten up to notice Stef creeping up behind the men. He punched the one holding Brian in the back of the head and he fell to the floor. Then he turned to the other two, brandishing a bottle he was holding. They obviously decided to give up and went back inside the club. As soon as the larger one had dragged himself off the floor and followed the others, Stef ran over to Brian. He was lying on the floor, crumpled in one corner by the wall. There was blood coming out of his nose and mouth, and his eyes were half closed. Brian walked closer to the pair so he could hear what they were saying.

“I.. I’m so sorry Stef” the memory Brian was sobbing into Stef’s arms. Stef pulled him closer.

“Shh, it’s not your fault, it’s ok now” he soothed into his ear. As Brian stepped in closer to them, he noticed something glinting in the pale streetlight. It was tears, slowly slipping down Stefan’s face, as he tried to comfort Brian.

“Oh shit, I remember this too. I can’t believe Stefan risked his life to save me.. and I didn’t even thank him..” Brian said quietly to himself. He jumped slightly as Passé spoke over his shoulder.

“One more memory now..”

He pulled Brian to his feet and away from the sobbing couple on the floor. Brian shut his eyes as everything started to spin again, it really made him feel queasy. He felt a jolt as his feet hit solid floor, and he opened his eyes to look around him. They were standing in his living room, this couldn’t have been more than two years ago. Brian and his ex, Olivia, were sitting on one of the sofa’s against the wall. Steve and Karen were sitting on another, with Stef on the sofa. They seemed to be in the middle of exchanging presents. Olivia handed Brian a small package and he opened it quickly, grinning when he saw the contents.

“It was a platinum plated watch, so lovely” Brian murmured to himself as his memory self gleefully tried his new gift on, then leapt onto Olivia. He started smothering her with kisses as she giggled. Brian noticed Stefan hurriedly get up and make his way to the kitchen. Steve quickly followed him, so Brian walked towards the kitchen.

As he walked in, he saw Stef leaned up against the counter sobbing his heart out. Steve seemed to not know quite what to do, so he pulled him into a hug, and just held him.

“It’s awful.. I’m so sorry” Stef was saying over and over again, as Steve tried to comfort him. Brian turned around and jumped as he saw Passé.

“I don’t understand? What did I do?” he asked. Passé just sighed.

“Come on, my time is up” he said, as he clicked his fingers.

Brian found himself back in bed. There were no sobbing dream Stefans, no pretend Steves, just him and his warm bed. /What a fucked up dream/ he thought to himself, then snuggled under the duvet and promptly fell back asleep.

No sooner had he shut his eyes, he awoke to a loud bang. Brian sighed and rolled over, automatically glancing at the clock. It said 3:00am. /God, I just can’t sleep properly tonight/ he thought to himself, as he went to get up and get some water. He jumped backwards as he saw Steve had just walked in his bedroom door, this time dressed quite normally. Wearing the same clothes as earlier actually.

“Oh Steve, why are you back? I was having the most fucked up dream involving you.. except you weren’t you.. it was odd..” Brian started talking before Steve could say anything.

“Brian I’ve come to show you something” he said as he moved towards the bed.

“Can’t it wait til the morning Steve?” Brian complained, but then stopped dead as he saw that this Steve was once again transparent.

“Oh fuck, not another one..” he yelled as he hopped back into bed. Steve looked confused and glided closer. He opened his mouth to speak.

“I am..”, but the smaller man interrupted him.

“Let me guess, Vodka. The spirit of way too much free spirits. Come to tell me that I’m way too pissed and have started hallucinating?” Brian guessed, huddling under his quilt again.

“Noo... I’m Nunc, the spirit of Christmas Present.” he said, rolling his eyes as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, “And we’ve got to make you understand some things, so hurry up. Haven’t got all night”

Brian grumbled slightly as he reluctantly got out of his warm bed and walked over to Nunc. He held onto his arm, expecting the room to spin, but was quite surprised when everything simply blurred beyond recognition. When it focused again they were standing in Stefan’s flat. Brian walked around the living room, inspecting it. He recognised this must be the present day, because of the way it was decorated and the photo from their latest tour sitting on the shelf. There were empty bottles, food cartons, clothes and bit of paper strewn around the room. Which was very unusual for Stef the clean freak. He heard some muttering coming from the bedroom so he followed Nunc who had glided over there. When he walked in there were clothes thrown everywhere around the room, and Stef was sitting in front of his mirror, head in his hands. He had a sorrowful expression on his face and was distractedly mumbling to himself. Brian could only hear snatches of words floating through the almost inaudible speech.

“Can't find anything..... fucking rejected......why would anyone?”

Brian went to move closer, but Nunc held out an arm to stop him.

“We have to move on to the next memory now” he explained as Brian started to protest and sat down on the bed. Then the room started to blur and the bed disappeared, making Brian fall promptly on the floor.

When it focused again he found himself sitting on the floor of some public toilets. He let out a moan of disgust and quickly stood up, brushing down his jeans. They were in an end cubicle, and Nunc pushed him out of the door to come face to face with Stefan. Stefan sighed and leaned on one of the sinks, resting his head against the mirror. Brian quickly took a look around, identifying the toilet as the one at the club earlier. He jumped as simultaneously Stefan started talking to himself, and Nunc walked right through him. Nunc just sniggered mischeviously, then motioned behind Brian to turn his attention back to Stefan.

“Come on, just fucking tell him. Its not that bloody hard is it?” he said to his own reflection. It seemed it actually was quite a difficult feat, judging by the pained expression on his face. Just then someone else walked into the toilets. Stefan just sighed and walked back into the club. Brian waited for the room to blur again, but it didn’t. So he quickly ran out and followed Stef. He found himself in the middle of the crowd of people from the party. He looked around trying to find Stef but it seemed he had lost him. He was about to give up when he saw Nunc's faint glow coming from the corner of the club, so he weaved his way through the throng of people towards it.

He found himself watching his own earlier drunken form stumbling after Stef. Stef started trying to talk to him, to tell him what he wanted to say, but Brian was waving his arms around proclaiming he loved Xav. Brian shuddered at how stupid he acted when drunk, and made a mental note never to get that inebriated again. As drunk Brian cantered past into the arms of the waiting alcohol, Brian watched Stefan dejectedly look at the ground. He seemed lost, as though he didn’t know what to do with himself. Then all of a sudden as though something had clicked, he grabbed his coat and stalked out of the club. Brian turned around to look at Nunc.

“Oh fuck... I’m such a stupid drunken.. fuck” he said, as Nunc just nodded solemnly in agreement. Brian closed his eyes as the scene around them blurred, and when he opened them he was standing in Stef’s flat again. The flat was still in its previous state, possibly even worse. Except now Stef was lying on the sofa across the junk, clutching a bottle of Vodka. His eyes were red and sore, and it was obvious he had been crying. He shivered slightly as fresh tears started to roll down his face. Brian looked at the clock on the wall, it read 3:30. “So this is... now.. right now?” He asked Nunc, who nodded.

“Fuck, this is all my fault. Everything” Brian swore loudly and started towards Stefan. But Stef just rolled over and held his face in his hands. He wanted to help him, to go up to him and tell him everything would be OK, but he felt confused. Confused as to why all this concerned him. As he was thinking the room blurred for a final time. Nunc waved and Brian found himself in his own bed again.

/I’m not going to bloody sleep again/ he thought to himself determinedly, as he started to think through the memories. Supposing this was all real? What was is that had got Stef so upset? And why were the spirits showing him all this? Why not Steve? Then it hit him.

“God I’m so stupid” Brian yelled to thin air, as he slapped his forehead.

“Yes you are” Steve’s voice echoed from across the room. Brian looked up, knowing exactly what to expect. He found himself staring at Steve again, for the fourth time in the same amount of hours. Except this Steve was dressed in silver and gold, dripping in diamonds and fine jewellery. Under his arm he appeared to be carrying a platinum disc. He glided towards Brian, who this time didn’t actually shrink back.

“My name is Futura I am the..” Steve started to say.

“Spirit of Christmas Future” Brian continued for him, “Come on, I need to talk to Stef”

Futura smiled weakly at him.

“I’m afraid I have to show you the very worst before you can make your decision.” he said solemnly. Then he clapped his hands and everything was black. They stayed in darkness for a few seconds, before blinding light dazzled Brian. When his eyes readjusted he found himself looking at a wall, covered in large black writing. It looked familiar somehow.

Brian, I am sorry but I had to do this. I can’t live my life knowing that you will never feel the way I feel. I’m sorry that I leave the band behind, but I’m sure you will find someone better, someone who won’t hold you back. And I know you will both achieve great things without me getting in the way. Eternally Yours..

Brian gasped as he read it aloud, and stepped backwards, nearly tripping over the coffee table. Then he noticed the police officers and the forensics team, and the paramedics. They were standing by a stretcher that was covered by a sheet. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as he looked back at the coffee table, which was littered with pills and empty bottles. He walked over to the stretcher and tentatively touched the sheet covering it. He immediately recoiled his hand as though it had burnt him.

“Stef...” he whispered, not noticing Futura had appeared behind him. Fear burned inside him. He just wanted to be back at home in his flatand to be able to tell Stef everything would be ok. Suddenly the room went black again. When it lit up again, Brian let out a cry. They were now standing in a church that was packed full of people. Everything was quiet except the priest at the front who was conducting a solemn speech. Brian didn’t even have to listen to him to know what was going on. He managed to spot himself sitting in the first row, and would have ran down the aisle, but he walked out of some kind of respect. Brian sat down on the bench next to himself and Steve, and took a look at his future self. It couldn’t have been more than ten years later as neither of them had aged much. Brian was openly crying, clinging onto Steve’s arm. Steve was trying to keep his emotions in, but wasn’t succeeding.

“It’s my fault he’s gone Steve... If it wasn’t for me he would still be here..” Brian managed to choke out inbetween sobs. Steve couldn’t stop a large tear rolling down his cheek.

“No it’s not your fault, Don’t blame yourself..” he whispered useless words of comfort. But it made no use. They crumpled together, trying to thaw out the hurt and pain.

Brian looked up at the front of the church, next to the priest. He saw the coffin. It looked beautiful. Glossy wood surrounded by mountains of flowers.

“I can’t let this happen to him.. I can’t. Fuck” he said out loud, turning around and looking for Futura. He couldn’t see him anywhere. In desperation he ran up the aisle again, looking down the rows of benches, trying to spot the ghostly glow.

“Futura, take me back. I don’t want things this way” he cried out again, falling to the floor.

But no-one came. He lay for what seemed like hours on the cold hard stone, crying in the realisation of what was going to happen. Eventually Brian managed to crawl outside, into the harsh sunlight. He didn’t see why the world had to be so sunny, and that everything had to continue as normal when someone as wonderful as Stefan was gone. As he sat up he realised he was sitting in the graveyard of the church. He looked around him at the headstones and a chill went down his spine as he saw a name he recognised. Stefan Olsdal. Brian threw himself onto the grave as a fresh wave of grief overcame him.

“Please. I have learnt my lesson. I want to change things” he sobbed uncontrollably. A cold wind blew through the graveyard, catching a few fallen leaves as it went. Brian felt a clammy hand on his shoulder and looked up. But everything went black.

When Brian came to he was lying on the floor of his room, still fully clothed. It was dark in his room and the floor was making his back hurt. He also suspected he had a nasty hangover coming on. Brian rubbed his aching head, then sat bolt upright as he remembered what had happened. He looked around the room for any more suspicious Steve’s, and then convinced there weren’t any more he got to his feet. He wobbled slightly, but grabbed onto the bedpost to regain his balance. A glance at the clock told him it was 5 in the morning. Christmas morning.

He rushed out of his bedroom and towards the front door, not even thinking about a coat. The door slammed shut behind him, probably waking up the whole flat block, but he didn't care. He had to get to Stef.

As he walked along the cold street he couldn’t even think. His hands were going numb and he was near freezing, but determination kept him going. It started to snow, but Brian didn’t even acknowledge it. Gradually his pace slowed as he realised he had no energy left. He stopped and looked around, and it dawned on him that he had no clue where he was.

"Oh fuck, where the fuck am I?" he whispered to thin air. No-one answered. Brian shivered slightly and his breath misted up infront of his face. He frantically looked about to find someone, but he was alone. The snow started to fall more heavily now, dusting his shoulders and face with fine, cold white powder. His body spasmed with more shivers, and he hugged his arms around his body, trying to keep the warmth in. He thought of the state that Stef was probably in now, and tears slipped down his face as he realised he couldn't help. He sat down on the ground as his legs were going numb from the cold, and he pulled his knees up to his chest. The tears started to fall with an increasing pace, mirroring the snow. They warmed his face slightly as they fell, but were soon replaced by the icy chill of cold air on wet skin. He sat there for what seemed like an eternity, quietly sobbing in desperation. All of a sudden something solid and cold hit the back of his head, shattering into a thousand tiny freezing pieces. He came drifiting back to reality and looked around him, catching a faint glowing figure at the end of the road in his sight. Warmth coursed back through his body as he remember why he was here, and where he had to go.

"Get a fucking grip Bri, Stef needs you right now" Brian proclaimed to himself, as he uneasily pushed out with one of his legs. Amazingly it held his weight so he hesitantly climbed to his feet and looked around, searching for something familiar. The snow began to ease up again, and in the distance he saw a row of shops. He started trudging down the road towards the bright signs, and as he got nearer he realised that he was close to Stefan's flat. Elation poured through his veins, and gave him the strength to keep moving.

He finally reached Stefan’s front door, after walking for what seemed like hours. His whole body and mind ached from the cold. Tentatively he held up a hand to knock. As he was about to the front door opened and Stefan stood there.

“You were standing at my front door for a good few minutes Bri, are you alright? Fuck you must be freezing” he said concernedly, pulling him into the hallway. Brian looked past him to the living room and saw the empty bottles of alcohol. Then he noticed the pills scattered across the table, and pushed his way into the flat.

“Stef no, please no” he said, turning to look at him. Stefan looked away, trying to avoid his gaze.

“I’m sorry... I couldn't take it. I needed to get away from it all..” he said to the floor, so quietly it was barely a whisper.

“But why Stef... fuck we need to get you some help! Sit down, I’ll call an ambulance” Brian said quickly as he pushed him down onto the sofa and ran for the phone. He was amazed at how clearly he was thinking.

“What? I just drank a fuck load of vodka. It won’t kill me” Stef said as he got up and took the phone off Brian.

“But.. the pills?” Brian protested helplessly, looking up into his eyes.

“Oh you think I.. no god I could never! I had a fucking mega hangover coming on, but I spilt the aspirin everywhere” he explained. Brian started to laugh despite himself. Always jumping to the wrong conclusions. Stef pulled him down onto the sofa and wrapped a blanket around him.

“Here, you are freezing. But why did you come round here at 5 in the morning? Christmas morning of all times?” Stef asked curiously. Brian sighed. Now he was the one mentally preparing himself.

“I.. I came to tell you something..” he started to say, but realised words couldn’t convey how he felt. Stef looked at him expectantly, waiting for his explanation.Brian moved his hand towards Stefan’s cheek and stroked it lightly. Admiring his beauty as if for the first time. Then he captured his lips in a kiss. Pouring his heart and soul out, trying to communicate the love, passion, desire and lust he felt in one simple action. Stef hesitated at first, then let himself be enveloped. Responding as he slipped his hands around the back of Brian’s head, pulling him closer. Their bodies smoothly locked together, as if they were meant to fit together in destiny. Their mouths collided effortlessly, dancing around each other. Stef moved slightly, so he was lying down on the sofa and pulled Brian down on top of him. He eventually, rather unwillingly, broke the kiss and looked up at the beautiful creature above him. His eyes were half closed, with rings of black makeup from earlier. And his lips were glistening in the low light as he emitted a low sigh.

“I’m in love with you Stef. Its taken me far too long to realise it, and I’ve been a total arsehole. Could you ever have me?” Brian asked shyly. Stef was silent for a moment, his face full of doubt. But then he smiled slightly, as his fears melted away.

“I love you too. I always have and I always will.” Stef replied as he stroked Brian’s cheek gently, “I have always dreamed of something as perfect as this. But I thought you could never love someone like me...” he trailed off uncertainly and looked away. Brian sat up, his legs straddling Stef’s hips.

“Don’t ever think like that. You are gorgeous, beautiful, hot, and sexy, and I love you so much.” Brian protested, as he leant back in to kiss Stef, emphasising his point. Stef blushed slightly, then kissed him back fervently and pulled Brian back down towards him. He pulled him closer to his chest and wrapped the blanket around the two of them.

“I love you,” he whispered, “Happy Christmas”

Brian’s lips barely echoed the words before he slipped off to sleep, comfortably wedged between Stefan and the back of the sofa.

The End