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Tommy always prided himself of being a great host. Since he was little he always had an acquired taste when it came to organizing a party and once he got more money than he could imagine, his skills only improved. Maybe it was his Greek heritage ( surely his mom screamed at him more than once about how to serve a dish or not to eat before any of the guests did), but he loved to cook, decorate and give someone a special day.
For a long time Christmas used to be his favorite holiday: good food, tons of gifts, spending time with family and a great excuse to drink. Key word: used to be. Everything changed a year ago, when he found out his boyfriend was dead only to be brought back to life. His eyes often found their way to the house phone more than once, his chest tightening with anticipation of hearing it ringing again.
It’s nonsense, Nikki is about to be home soon.
He didn’t even realize his hands were shaking until he felt another pair gently squeezing them. Turning around he was met with Vince’s face and how the fuck did he manage to be that hot even if he just got out of bed? His hair was messy, his eyes were still groggy yet he was the sun in Tommy’s life. Honestly he probably would have spent the entire weekend bawling his eyes out if Vince didn’t decide to visit him.
“You’re too pretty to have all these thoughts in the morning. What’s bothering you?" He said, still holding his hands.
Tommy bit his lips, desperately trying to find the words that didn’t make him sound like a party pooper. Oh, the irony! The great Tommy Lee, the ever smiling buffoon was about to bring the mood down.
“What if he doesn’t come, Vinnie? What if something bad happened again?” The words hung heavy in the air and Vince’s brows frowned, as if he knew Tommy had a point.
“I know how you are feeling, T-Bone. I just had a nightmare about that night… but Nikki is here, he has been with us for a year and he will be back soon.”
Tommy scratched his neck, unable to look at Vince for a second. He played with the hems of his shirt until Vince squeezed his hands again.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”
“Dude, it’s too early for self pity. Let me have my coffee first” Vince retorted, earring a small smile from Tommy. They knew each other so well that cutting sad moments with humor was their love language at that point.
“Right, your highness needs his coffee before dealing with people.” That comment earned a middle finger from Vince, but at least Tommy’s heart felt lighter.
“We can do something to take our minds off before he arrives, you know…” Vince suggested, taking a sip.
Now, in Tommy’s mind two scenarios formed: first, he decided that he needed to do something to make everyone feel better… like a party!; second, he assumed Vince was implying sex and that the first option would have disappointed him.
Well, who said they couldn’t do both?
“We can host a party. Food, drinks, fancy plates… who says we need tons of people to have fun! Besides, I don’t think we are really the best people to deal with at this moment and it would be a pain in the ass to clean everything up…” Tommy’s legs were already moving, hoping his mom would have stuffed the “guest’s plates” in the cabinet in his living room.
“Slow down, Ferrari. You’re into something but don’t run!”
“Did you mean something else, didn’t you? Because I think we can totally do that, but we should at least include Nikki ya know…”
Vince grabbed Tommy’s shirt and pushed his lips against the other man’s. The taste of coffee invaded his mouth, which snapped him from his babbling.
“I think your idea is great. We need some time alone and food is a way to a man's heart, right? What about we all cook something from our cultures? Feeling closer to our roots, sharing our unique side…” Now it was Tommy’s time to kiss Vince, almost making both of them trip.
“You’re a fucking genius! Omg, we need to do so many things! Have your breakfast and then we are off to the shop for anything missing!”
“Your wish is my command, Mr Lee” Vince faked a bow.
Oh yes, hosting was really the solution to everything, Tommy thought.
—
When Nikki arrived home, he was met by Christmas’ music blasting. His shoulders dropped down, he really hoped to find his boyfriends waiting for him at the door but their joyous voices singing the lyrics aloud were more than enough to make the spark in his eyes come back. Walking through the living room, he stopped dead in his tracks: the table was decorated with beautiful red plates, fancy champagne glasses, trays of food and what looked like silver cutlery. Stepping closer, he even noticed decorative napkins.
They did all of this for me? I don’t deserve it.
Fidgeting with his hands, he looked at the front door. It would have been easy to run away, pretend he was stuck in traffic or that he was sick. But that would have been too low even for a piece of shit like him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that if he stayed there any longer he would have poisoned anything, after all he already caused enough damage last year.
Nikki took a deep breath, trying his best to look at least presentable while getting into the kitchen but somebody beat him to it: Tommy’s lanky figure stood in front of him, his eyes beaming with joy. His hair was tied and he was wearing a “kiss the chef” apron. He went for a hug but Nikki withdrew from the touch, his heart shattering once he saw Tommy’s smile turning into a pout.
“Nikki…”
“Shit… Fuck… I-” The bile rose in his throat, his stomach dangerously growling. He didn’t feel this bad since he had withdrawals. Honestly, the last thing he needed was to puke all over the carpet.
“It’s okay, Nik. We are glad you’re here.” Tommy’s smile was back on, his muscles seemed to relax at the mere sight of a standing Nikki and the bassist wondered how much this unfortunate anniversary date was affecting them too.
He offered his hand and Nikki gladly took it, kissing it for good measure, just to make sure he knew he wasn’t a complete asshole who didn’t deserve love. Tommy seemed content enough, holding it for dear life.
“Tom, you and Vinne shouldn’t have done this. I appreciate it but… it’s so much work” for someone like me, for what I did to you. Nikki wanted to add but decided to omit.
“No way, dude. We are having so much fun and you’ll see why! You know I love to host and shit.”
God, he loved the drummer’s positivity, how he could always see the good in him, even when probably there wasn’t any. This time, he was the one going for the hug: it felt natural to belong in those long arms full of colorful tattoos. Tommy gladly took him in, making sure to hold him carefully, like he was about to break. He would have stayed forever in that position if it wasn’t for Vince coming out, holding a tray.
“Hey, what about me, lovebirds?” Vince pouted, placing the food on the table.
The two men exchanged a look and laughed. Nikki had barely time to open his arms
before Vince wrapped his legs koala style on his torso, nuzzling his head in the crook of Nikki’s neck. God, he missed the blond distinct perfume and, just like Tommy, he always looked so great in a ponytail. His heart was beating out of his chest but he forced himself to receive the love.
“Hi Nikki” He said and before the bassist could answer he kissed him. Impulsivity was a big thing for Tom and Vinnie, their passion was just too big to be contained, of course they knew which boundaries not to cross, however Nikki couldn’t exactly complain at that moment.
“Woah, I didn’t receive a kiss earlier!” Tommy protested with a pout.
Nikki playfully rolled his eyes and smooched his other boyfriend on the mouth. When both men were finally satisfied, Nikki fought the urge to hide behind his hair, an old habit hard to die, instead sitting at the table.
“So, what do you have here?” He asked, seeing his boyfriends’ eyes lighting up.
—
Vince was really proud of his idea. Sure, technically it was Tommy’s but he came up with the food choices and they were a hit! Tamales were a safe choice for him, after all that’s how he won Tommy’s heart back in high school and Tommy’s mother only recently shared with him her giouvesti's recipe, which meant the drummer had to try his hand at it (with remarkable results). The only thing they didn’t make from scratch was the Buccellato, a rich pie filled with figs, but the woman at the counter promised them it was the “best in all Palermo” and honestly who were they to doubt an Italian grandma?
They talked, they laughed, they even randomly danced at a point. It wasn’t your typical holiday party but it didn’t need to be, as long as they had smiles on their faces and their glasses were full.
“I feel like a prince or something. Look at me and my fancy glass ohhhh” Tommy said and Nikki’s laugh echoed through the living room.
The singer was clear out of the table of the last dishes remaining but he couldn’t help and stop in the kitchen’s doorway, too mesmerized by the scene: a slightly tipsy Tommy and Nikki were chilling on the sofa, zapping through the TV in the hopes of finding a good Christmas movie. However, the house phone rang and Tommy quickly excused himself, greeting his mom and the rest of his family.
“Are you done watching us like one of your strippers at the club and wanna join me?”
Vince didn’t let him repeat it twice and bolted next to Nikki. The bassist’s hands started to rub circles up and down his arms and Vince put his head on Nikki’s shoulder. He tried to focus on the movie but soon it became a background noise, his body too focused to regulate his temperature to avoid becoming a hot mess.
“Thank you. Usually I don’t like Christmas, for various reasons. But you two managed to give me something amazing.”
Nikki’s words always had power, they were careful and weighted and Vince let out a small sigh of relief. Even if he had fun, there was a nagging sensation at the back of his mind, a reminder that Nikki could drive away from them again, stomping on his heart just like it happened the year prior. He wasn’t proud to say he thought that Nikki’s death was divine justice, after all he took away a life and a life was taken from him but the way the bassist was holding him, how his finger felt against his skin were only signs of love.
“Thank you for staying. I know it’s not easy, I’ve been there.” Vince bit his lip and Nikki stamped a kiss on Vince’s forehead.
“You give me so much strength, Vinnie. Tommy too, but for different reasons. Plus…”
Vince looked up, arching a bow and the sudden silence. “Plus what?”
“You two look so fucking hot with your hair tied. I don’t know what it is but FUCK!” Nikki groaned like a fucking teenager. Vince left a kiss on his jaw, fully understanding the power he had.
“Leave it to Nikki Sixx turning an emotional speech into a horny one” Tommy’s voice cut through, before he sat next to Vince.
They all shared a laugh before adjusting their positions on the couch, the remote firmly in Tommy’s hand as he resumed his zapping. He finally lent on a cheesy rom com and he snuggled up against Vince. All respectable parties had a moment where everyone was just chilling somewhere, either drunk, high or just tired.
Maybe they can get used to this kind of holiday party, if he meant they all get to share food and kisses.