Title: Instamatics 12/24/00 1/1, #79
Guest Author: kimberlite
Archive: Please ask.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Todd Haynes, Miramax, etc.
Feedback: Please, to kimberlite@cox.net
Notes: Many thanks to Alex for beta, for all her encouragement, and for letting me frolic in her playground. The backstory for this is "Stone Structures" which can be found at my site: http://www.ravenswing.com/kimberlite/index.html

    Curt stroked his fingers through Brian's hair, watching the firelight cast mobile shadows on the walls. The flames seemed to dance in harmony with the music playing softly in the background. He'd never heard many of the traditional British carols, but they were beautiful. The acoustics of the cathedral where the songs had been recorded added to the sense of timelessness. Glancing at the windows, he could see snow falling outside, making the darkness brighter. "This is perfect."

Brian lay on the couch, his back nestled against Curt's chest, sharing heat and heartbeats. "Yes, it is." His gaze was drawn to the multi-colored lights illuminating the beautiful tree. Its tangy scent permeated the room, blending with the wood smoke to evoke memories of Christmases past. "What really makes this Christmas Eve perfect is spending it with you. I love you, Curt."

Tightening his arms around Brian for a moment, Curt rubbed his cheek against the top of Brian's head, taking time to appreciate the feel of the silky hair. "I love you so much, Bri. I never in a million years imagined being this happy."

Kissing Curt's palm, Brian murmured, "A million years wouldn't be long enough to love you properly."

Curt gently caressed Brian's face. "I feel the same way -- you mean so much to me."

They shared a comfortable silence, each remembering the time before they had found one other, each thankful that they were together now.

Knowing that daylight would bring its own crazed activity, Brian said, "I want you to open your present from me tonight."

Curt grinned into Brian's hair. "Isn't that cheating?"

Sitting up and turning to face Curt, Brian defended, "Oh no, it's traditional to open one gift on Christmas Eve, and I want it to be mine."

Determined to give Brian anything he wanted, Curt sat up, draping himself around Brian. Nuzzling Brian's ear, he whispered, "I'll open yours -- if you open mine first."

Shivering at Curt's touch, Brian succumbed. "Okay, let's find them and I'll open yours first."

Smiling, Curt followed Brian to the tree, finding a flat, rectangular package. Placing it before the fire, he waited for Brian to settle in next to him. "Be careful, it's fragile."

Raising his eyebrows, Brian lifted the present carefully. "Well, it's too heavy to be a record. Maybe it's --"

Groaning, Curt cut Brian off. "Don't tell me you're one of those people who has to guess what it is before you open it."

Brian reached out to stroke Curt's hair, letting his hand wander over the sweater covering Curt's chest. "Actually, I'm not -- I just wanted to tease you."

Laughing quietly, but suddenly nervous that Brian wouldn't like his gift, Curt said, "Just open it."

Ripping through the wrapping paper, Brian opened the box, pushing aside the tissue paper to find a piece of stained glass. "Oh, Curt," Brian whispered, tracing his fingers over the smooth panes. Propping it up so the firelight could illuminate the glass, Brian caught his breath as the vivid colors coalesced into a swirling nebula. "It's incredible." Brian's eyes shone as brightly as the colored glass. "Look -- there's even a silver spaceship!" Finally, Brian carefully laid the piece down and turned to Curt, taking his hands. "It's perfect. Every time I see it, I'll think of you and our trip to Salisbury Cathedral. Thank you so much -- I absolutely love it."

Pleased that Brian hadn't thought his gift was odd or frivolous, Curt smiled back. "I'm glad you like it."

Handing Curt his present, Brian said, "Here, open this."

Carefully undoing the paper, Curt unwrapped the small box slowly, savoring the experience. Inside he found a marble sculpture. Holding it in his hands, Curt saw that the stone was pure white at the base, grading up to swirls of gray. It was carved into two wolves, facing each other with paws touching and heads thrown back, howling. "Brian, it's perfect; it's us at Stonehenge."

"Yes." Seeing the intense look on Curt's face, Brian teased, "That experience obviously made an impression on both of us."

Curt whispered, "It was the first time you said you loved me." Unable to stop it, a tear escaped from the corner of his eye and tracked down his face.

Catching the tear with his finger, Brian murmured, "Oh love, what's the matter?"

Smiling even as his lips quivered, Curt took Brian's hand, licking the moisture off as he kissed Brian's fingers. "No one's ever given me something so intimate."

Looking into Curt's liquid-crystalline eyes, Brian said, "That's because no one has ever loved you the way I love you."

Closing the distance between them, Curt brushed his lips against Brian, placing snowflake-soft kisses on Brian's face. Softly, he said, "I've never loved anyone the way I love you."

Their lips met in a tender kiss, sweet with love and it was perfect.