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It was a warm Christmas that year. It had been – what? – a year and a half since Justin left Pittsburgh? He loved mostly everything about living in New York. He loved how big it was, how there was inspiration to be found everywhere, how there were always new things to discover. It was lacking that one thing though, that one vital thing, that would make it feel like a place where he belonged.
Surprise, surprise – that thing it was missing was Brian.
But he was trying not to think about that. Living apart was hard on both of them, even though they saw each other at least once a month and talked every day. They spent their time apart completely consumed with work and their time together completely consumed with each other. Justin, for the most part, tried to not think about Brian when they weren’t together. It was for the best, really. Of course, he failed miserably. He thought about Brian all the time.
At least today he was honest about it. Today he was looking for a present for Brian, a Christmas present, even though Brian didn’t really care for the holiday. Justin did. He was excited. Brian was going to spend a few days in New York with Justin before Christmas, and then the two of them were going to go back to Pittsburgh to spend the rest of the holiday with the family. Justin had been looking forward to this for weeks.
But first he had to find the perfect Christmas present for Brian. Something simple and understated but still beautiful, something that Brian would love. If it came down to it, Justin would make Brian a painting or something, but he was hoping that wouldn’t be necessary.
He spotted an elegant looking men’s clothing store and went in. It was getting a little windy outside anyway, he thought, pulling his sweater more tightly around himself. Upon entering, he wasn’t sure why he was wasting his time. He had no idea what to get Brian and if the man wanted something from a place like this, he’d already have it. Justin sighed and turned to leave. And then something caught his eye.
A scarf. Truthfully, he had no idea if Brian would even like it, but he was inexplicably drawn to it all the same. It was a ridiculously expensive garment and completely out of his budget, but Justin bought it without thinking about it. Within ten minutes Justin was out of the store, sitting on a park bench, and putting the scarf around his neck. He glanced upwards at some lights that were hanging from a tree, and then felt suddenly, inexplicably, happy.
He could feel Brian’s arms around him. He could feel the two of them dancing together, vaguely see the crowd gathered around them.
You can dance…
“Oh my god,” he whispered, burying his face in his hands.
--
By the time Justin headed home, it was freezing cold. He’d sat on the park bench for hours, maybe, until he got a call from Brian on his cell phone. Brian’s plane had landed, and he was on his way to Justin’s apartment.
Brian had his own key to the apartment, so when he arrived, he didn’t knock. Justin was weird that way – he didn’t like the idea of Brian having to be let in. Brian walked into the apartment to find Justin looking through a CD rack. “Hey,” he said, hugging Justin from behind. “Whatcha doin’?”
Justin looked up at him and smiled. “Looking for a CD with a song on it.”
“Oh, which song?”
Justin stood to kiss Brian for a few long moments. And then… “Brian, I remember.”
“Huh?”
Justin picked the white silk scarf up off the desk and put it around Brian’s neck gently. “I remember. Or at least, I think I do.”
Brian stared at him. “Really?”
Justin smiled. “I think so... Help me remember?”
Brian nodded, and Justin put a CD in the player and pressed play. The song came on, and Justin walked over to Brian. Brian placed the scarf around Justin’s neck, and they began to dance.
Don’t forget who’s taking you home, and in whose arms you’re gonna be...
Brian couldn’t help thinking that his hands hadn’t been trembling nearly this much the first time they’d danced. It wasn’t even close to perfect, but from the smile on Justin’s face, Brian could tell that he remembered, and he couldn’t help smiling as well. He very rarely thought about the good parts of the night, reliving the bashing instead. But before the bashing – god, it was incredible.
The first time they did the dance they didn’t spend nearly as long kissing. During the prom, they kissed just long enough to let everyone know they weren’t scared to do it, and then left. This time, there was no one watching. No one saw them sit down on Justin’s battered old couch, still hanging on to each other. Neither of them moved when it was over.
“Thank you,” Justin whispered.
“Of course,” replied Brian, running his fingers through the blond hair. “Did you really remember everything?”
Justin nodded. “I’m pretty sure. Although it was… ridiculously romantic.”
Brian grinned, and whispered, “It was the best night of my life.”
Justin moved to playfully hit Brian in the head, but Brian caught the hand and held it. He pulled Justin even closer to him, and continued kissing him. His announcement could wait until later. Right now, he really didn’t feel like moving off the couch.