Chapter Twelve
Robin got up that Saturday morning as soon as he heard the alarm go off in his parents’ room. Saturday morning was chores time, and had been so since he and Ryan were little. Mom had assigned them a list of tasks to be completed, and every week they’d swap.
Robin wanted to make sure his chores were done so no one could complain when he went out mid-morning.
He raked up the leaves from the back yard, and dumped them into the huge sack where Dad kept them, ready to be composted.
Then he cleaned the two bathrooms. Next task was to dust and polish in the living room, where he always cursed the ornaments that stood on the shelves above the TV.
They’d belonged to his great-grandmother, who had left them for his mom when she died.
Robin had never seen so many china dogs.
The whole time he was cleaning and tidying, his mind was elsewhere.
Specifically, Dean’s place. Robin knew he was going there to help out, but the subtext was something different.
The thought that he might get to see Dean naked gave him an illicit thrill.
Not that he hadn’t already fantasized about Dean’s dick, but he wanted to see the rest of him too.
Ryan wasn’t helping. The previous night, he’d sent a link to another porn video, which showed a student stalking his teacher, and ending up getting his ass reamed.
Robin was starting to wonder about his twin, who seemed to be spending a lot of time on gay porn sites.
Is he doing any studying? More than that—was there something Ryan wasn’t saying?
Ryan’s next message seemed to provide an answer.
Hey, Bro! I found this video. I’ve already wanked to it three times. I figured that scored high enough on the scale that you’d enjoy it too.
Then Robin dismissed such thoughts, and spent a few minutes watching the video, his hand a blur as he tugged on his dick.
Research, right?
By the time ten-thirty arrived, he was done. He grabbed his coat, stuffed his feet into his boots, and headed for the door.
“Going someplace?” Dad inquired as he passed the living room door.
“Yeah. I said I’d spend today with Ben. We’re gonna do some gaming. He just got Final Fantasy, and asked if I wanted to check it out. Maybe later we’ll go for a bike ride. He said I could stay for dinner too if I wanted. I won’t be home too late.” That covered all eventualities.
“Have you done your chores?”
“Yes, sir.”
Dad smiled. “Good man. Enjoy your day.”
Robin got the sneaking suspicion his dad was beginning to subscribe to his mom’s theory about Ben, which was no bad thing as long as neither of them started asking awkward questions.
He wheeled his bike to the road, then set off, heading for Dean’s.
He pedaled fast, his heart pounding as he tried not to think about what his day might have in store for him.
Lake Placid was its usual bustling self for a Saturday, everyone going about their business, with Christmas decorations and lights spreading over the village.
Robin knew at some point his dad would want to put theirs up, but there was the possibility he was waiting for Ryan to come home for the holidays.
It was a tradition for the whole family to get involved in, one that Robin had never tired of.
Ryan will be home next weekend. The realization brought mixed feelings. As aggravating as Ryan was, Robin missed their squabbles and snarky battles. But this time would be different. Ryan would want to know everything, and Robin did not want to share.
He got to Dean’s house in time to see him walking from his garage, a large box in his arms. “Hey,” Robin called out as he walked his bike up the path to the front door.
Dean raised his hand in greeting. “This is the last box. The rest are in the house. But there’s something I need to do first, and I wondered if you would come with me?”
“Where are you going?”
Dean grinned. “Well, there’s the small but vital matter of a Christmas tree. I usually get mine from Covel’s tree farm. It’s about a forty-five-minute drive from here. You don’t have to come. You could stay here and give Lady some attention. Because we both know she’s starved of that, right?”
Robin laughed. As if he would pass up the opportunity to spend time with Dean. “I’d love to go with you.”
“Great. Let me get my car keys, and we can leave now.” He disappeared into the house.
Robin leaned his bike against the exterior, and took a look at Dean’s neighbors. Already, he could see Christmas trees in windows, covered with colorful lights. Up and down the street, snowmen stood on front lawns, accompanied by reindeer and bright red sleighs, in which sat cheerful fat Santas.
Robin loved Christmas. The season had always held a special kind of magic for him.
“Admiring the view?” Dean asked as he stepped out of the house and locked the door.
“Wait until we’re done with my place. You won’t recognize it.
” He patted the posts that supported the front porch.
“I’ve got lots of lights to wind around these, and then there are the blue icicles that hang above the upstairs windows. ”
“You don’t expect me to put those up, do you?”
Dean laughed. “No, I have a much more important job for you. I need you to hold the ladder steady while I put them up. Normally I’d ask Kris—the guy you met here last weekend?—but he’s gone to see his dad who’s not doing so well.”
“Aw, that’s awful.” Robin recalled Kris vividly. “You know, I did think he was your boyfriend at the time.”
Dean arched his eyebrows. “What gave you that idea? Wait—scratch that. He sort of threw himself at me, didn’t he?” He chuckled. “Yeah, if I’d seen that, I’d have thought the same thing.” He opened the car doors, and they got in.
No sooner had Robin fastened his seat belt, than Dean’s phone burst into life. He answered it with a cautious “Hello?” Then his face cleared. “Mr. Davis. Good morning.”
Robin froze, not wanting to make a sound.
“Actually, I was going to call you. I figured you’d want to talk to me, once Robin shared his news…
Yes, I’ll be driving there. It’s faster that way than taking the train.
” He glanced at Robin, smiling. “Oh, I’m sure.
Robin’s no bother, and I know he’ll love the performance.
” He listened for a moment and then laughed.
“Yes, he did tell me about that. He didn’t think the arts world is missing out by not having him dance…
Yes, I’ll pick him up the Friday after lunch.
If the traffic is with us, God willing, we can be in New York City by seven…
Yes, I’ve already checked with the hotel, and they have a room for him…
No, I wouldn’t hear of it… Thank you. I’m looking forward to it…
Of course. I’ll make sure he calls you when we get there, and before we leave on the Sunday…
Thank you for calling. If there’s anything else you want to tell me, or if there’s something I need to know, please call.
Yes. Goodbye, Mr. Davis.” Dean disconnected the call.
Robin stared at him. “I take it my dad is happy?”
“I think I put his mind at ease. As far as he’s concerned, you’ll be well looked after while you’re in my care.
” Dean smiled. “In fact, I intend to take very good care of you.” He lowered his voice.
“And if it wasn’t for the fact that we’re sitting in my car in full view of my neighbors, I’d kiss you right now. ”
“Later?” God knew Robin ached for Dean’s kiss.
“Later,” Dean promised. “Now let’s go find me a beautiful tree.” His eyes sparkled. “And then a sexy man can help me decorate it.”
Robin swallowed. “You need to understand something. I grew up with a twin who was continually telling me I had a face like a warthog, a baboon, you name it. Having you call me sexy? It takes some getting used to.”
“Then I’ll keep saying it until you believe it.” Dean grinned. “Now let’s go before my neighbors start to wonder what on earth we’re discussing so intently.” He switched on the engine, and pulled out into the street.
He’s going to take care of me.
Robin wasn’t thinking about navigating the streets of NYC, or getting to the theater.
He was thinking about a king-size bed.
“What do you think?” Dean stood beside a Fraser fir that was taller than he was.
Robin smiled. “It’s a beautiful shape, but you don’t think it’s a little too… tall?”
Judging by Dean’s mock glare, the answer to that was a resounding no. “There is no such thing as too tall when you’re talking about Christmas trees.” He pointed to another tree. “What about that one?”
Robin smirked. “It looks exactly like the one you’re holding.”
Dean narrowed his gaze. “I sense you’re not getting into the spirit of this quest.”
“We’re on a quest?” Robin was loving this.
“Of course. The quest to find the perfect tree.”
“Where is it going? It might help me to, you know, visualize it.” He bit back a smile.
Dean stared at him, as though mentally assessing if Robin was yanking his chain. “You know where my armchair is, next to the fireplace? There. That corner.”
“So where does the armchair go?”
That earned him another mock glare. “Someplace else, obviously.”
Robin decided to take the situation seriously. “Okay…” He glanced at the trees surrounding them. “That one.” He pointed to another Fraser fir.
Dean wandered over to look more closely. “Why this one?”
“It’s wider at the base, and it’s more of a conical shape. That would go really well in the corner.” He tried not to laugh. “Besides, you wouldn’t need to get out a saw and cut some off the top to stop it scraping the ceiling.” Then a thought occurred to him. “Are you sure about this?”
“About what?” Dean frowned.
“Having a tree.” When Dean stared at him blankly, Robin sighed. “Cats and Christmas trees. Not a good mix.”
“Lady’s never had a problem with one.”
“I wasn’t thinking of Lady,” Robin said with a chuckle.
“Oh.” His eyes widened. “Oh God. Loki.”
Robin nodded. “Who might live up to his name.”