Joys of the Season, An On Fire Christmas Read online

  Joys of the Season, An On Fire Christmas

  By Drew Zachary

  Robert whistled as he crossed the lawn to the firehouse, his coffee mug steaming in his hand. December had arrived, bringing with it a dusting of snow, making everything look new and bright. The first snow always was fun, until you slipped or you got a foot wet as the snow turned into slush, or if the snowfall was accompanied by a frigid blast of arctic air. Luckily, everything was perfect on the short walk between the house and the fire station, not even the wind through his short hair a bother, so he was still whistling when he went through the door...

  ...and stopped dead in his tracks. It looked like Santa's workshop had exploded all over his fire station.

  Well. This explained why Sam had been gone "shopping" for so long yesterday.

  "Isn't it great? You wouldn't believe how long it took me to get the streamers way up there. And the balloons, oh, my God. I had no idea they'd take so long to fill!" Sam beamed at Robert from where he'd been waiting, just to the left of the door. "The kids are going to love it."

  Robert blinked and looked around again, imagining Sam doing God knew what -- but no doubt something dangerous -- to get those streamers on the rafters, and he was almost afraid to ask. "The kids?"

  The last he'd checked, he and Sam might have been married, but they were definitely low in the kid department. As in none. Being gay helped with that.

  "Duh, yeah." Sam wiggled his way closer, arms spread wide. "All of them. I figure we can put a table on that wall for the snack food and stuff, and Michael will be, well, not Santa, but something like that -- can he sit in the engine? That would be awesome!" Sam's eyes went huge and pleading. "A school holiday party. See?"

  Oh, God.

  "Sam... I can't have people sitting in the engine..." Oh, shit, that hadn't been a no. He'd meant to say no. Just no.

  "Sure you can, you're the boss." Sam's face lit up with a huge smile and he bounded into Robert's arms and attached himself, limpet-like. "But it might be easier if he just kinda sits on the running board or something. Kiss me."

  "No sitting in my engine." Robert stuck to his guns on that, at least.

  Then he did the only thing he could do. He put his coffee mug on top of the lockers to the right of the door, wrapped his arms around Sam’s body and kissed his lover.

  Sam, never one to be passive about kissing or anything having to do with physical closeness to Robert, immediately started trying to un-tuck Robert's shirt.

  Robert tried to bat Sam's hands away, but he was distracted by the way Sam was sucking on his tongue and once Sam hit skin, fingers skating over his belly, Robert couldn't remember why he'd been trying to stop it.

  "Back up." Sam could talk and kiss at the same time, which was sometimes annoying but occasionally helpful. This time there were directions, kisses, and Sam's fingers drawing lines on his skin before they went to work on Robert's belt. "And lock the door."

  With Sam intent on doing this, Robert had no choice but to shuffle until his back hit the door. He reached blindly for the lock, shooting it home when he found it. "I'm supposed to be working, Sammy." His heart wasn't in the protest. At all. It was amazing how his shorter, slender husband could push him around. It had something to do with the wedding bands on their fingers, Robert was sure of it. Well, that and he adored Sam more than anything.

  "I promise I'll stop if the phone rings or something." Sam tugged at Robert's belt and got his zipper down faster than anyone had any right to. Getting to Robert’s prick was a talent Sam had honed and valued. Quick as anything, Sam had Robert out and was heading south, going to his knees in the garage. Again. It seemed to happen pretty often, despite Robert's protests about fucking around at work.

  "Don't you have to be at work?" Of course, now that his prick was out and filling fast despite the chill in the air, Robert didn't really want Sam to stop.

  "Tracy's got the first period stuff. I'll go over to the school as soon as I'm done here, promise." Sam nuzzled Robert's belly and licked up one side of his cock. "Want me to go fast?"

  Robert's hips jerked at the lick, cock going all the way hard in a hurry. "Huh? God, no."

  "Oh, good." Sam licked him again and sucked at the tip for a moment. "I hate rushing." One warm hand cupped Robert's balls and Sam opened his mouth wide, letting him in.

  Robert hated it when Sam rushed, too. Okay, so maybe hate was too strong a word -- getting off with Sammy was getting off with Sammy, no matter the speed. He reached down to run his fingers over Sam's head, the short blond hair currently tipped with a festive silver.

  Sam moaned around him, his head bobbing. Licking and sucking took the front seat, but Sam's hands were in on the action, too, and it was a good thing there was a solid door at Robert's back.

  He managed to spread his legs a little wider as Sam made him forget everything and anything he ever knew but that mouth. Wet and warm, Sam's mouth could make him feel like it was summer, even when the windchill was brutal. Sam sucked a bit harder, a little faster, and the hand on his balls started squeezing gently, rhythmically, one finger pushing up and back when Sam went way down, swallowing him almost to the root.

  "Sam!" Rushing or not, it wasn't going to take long to make him come.

  Hearing his name seemed to spur Sam on. He swallowed almost frantically around the head of Robert's prick and jiggled with his fingers, jostling Robert's gland.

  Robert shouted again, something inarticulate this time because, God, he couldn't be expected to be coherent with his cock down Sam's throat, and he came, body shuddering with it.

  Moaning, swallowing over and over, Sam sucked him through it and then rested his head on Robert's hip, panting softly, his eyes closed tight.

  Robert stroked Sam's head, panting like he'd just run after the fire engine.

  "Don't move," Sam whispered. "Gimme a minute." His voice was strained, like he was concentrating very hard on something.

  "Huh?" Robert blinked and looked down, still rather out of it from having his brains sucked out of his cock.

  "I don't have anymore clean pants. God." Sam took a deep breath through his nose and eased away. "Laundry tonight."

  Okay, Robert still didn't know what the hell Sam was talking about. "You gonna get up here and let me help you out?"

  "Robert." Sam groaned and buried his head against Robert's hip again. "I don't think I can hold on long enough to get my freaking pants undone. Shut up, will you?"

  That had him laughing. "Baby, you're so damn easy." And didn't he love that about Sam? Yes, he did.

  "This is not a shock." Sam took another breath and carefully moved away. "Okay. No touching. No talking. Behave yourself."

  Robert pouted and did his best begging-Sam-eyes impression. He liked making Sam come, returning the favor.

  "I didn't mean you," Sam clarified. "I was talking to my dick." He pointed down. "See? Still willing, but not about to ruin my pants. Yet." Sam grinned at him, his eyes bright and happy. "I have to go to work in about two minutes. That time enough?"

  Robert laughed and hauled Sam in close, working fast to get the pants in question open. "You tell me if it's time enough," he said as he wrapped his hand around Sam's eager dick.

  "Oh, boy." Sam's hips snapped forward, his hands reaching up to grab at Robert's shoulders and he squeaked out, "Don't ruin my pants!"

  Rolling his eyes, he turned Sam around so Sam's back was against his chest. Then he began to jack Sam's cock; the floor was definitely washable and it wouldn't matter if it got a little slick with Sam's come.

  Sam squeaked again, but this time it had nothing to do with the state of his clean pants. "Robert!" His hands clamped onto Robert's
biceps and his head thumped back against Robert's chest as he started to shoot, going off like a rocket. Same as always, just like Sam on a any given day.

  Robert buried his face in Sam's neck, breathing in the smell of Sam's skin and the stronger, sharp smell of Sam's come.

  "Oh, boy. Ohhhhh, boy. Yeah." Sam held on, shaking a bit for a moment. "Nice one. That's the way to start the day, all right. Oh, God, I'm going to be late. I'll be back at noon with the kids!" He shoved his cock back in his pants and turned to kiss Robert, fast. "Love you."

  "Whoa, hold up there a minute. The kids? Today?" He'd thought it would be closer to Christmas. Hell, today was the first he'd heard about it.

  "Well, yeah. You didn't think I'd leave all this stuff up for weeks, did you? You guys would have it half down and thrown out within hours."

  "Well, the guys don't come in until Wednesday. We’ve got training. Unless there’s a fire, of course" He grinned and shook his head. His crew were volunteers; they’d probably think this was a hoot. "You could warn me next time."

  "Then you'd have a chance to say no." Sam kissed him again and backed away, laughing. "See you at noon. We'll be in and out in an hour or so. Okay?"

  "Uh-huh. I might have said yes." After some cajoling. Probably in the form of sex. "Ask next time!" he called out as Sam slipped out the door.

  "Sure!" Sam called back, just before the door closed. He didn't sound like he really meant it. Sam wasn't one to buck a system that was working for him.

  Chuckling, Robert searched for his mug, finally finding it on top of the lockers, right where he'd left it. The coffee wasn't very hot anymore, but he could live with that.

  Whistling, he headed for his office.

  ***

  Sam just about peed himself laughing when Michael pulled the gift out of his bag for Robert and tried to make his big, studly lover sit on ‘Santa’s’ lap like all the kids.

  Robert hadn't thought he was serious, the kids had all yelled their heads off, Sam had cheered, and the other teachers had started taking photos.

  Sam was pretty sure he'd be paying for that one.

  Of course, in the end, Robert had merely turned purple, accepted his thank-you gift, and backed away. Fast.

  Now, the kids were all over the place. Some were tearing into their small gifts of coloring books and crayons and some were eating potato chips like they were going out of style. The older ones were looking the fire engines over or reading their new chapter books or playing Star Wars or something. Sam wasn't sure.

  The other teachers were keeping it mostly under control and Robert was guarding his trucks. Sam was filling up on soda and cake and dashing here and there, playing with whoever wanted to play. He thought maybe he'd have a bit of a headache later. The only downside to a sugar rush was coming down after.

  "Hey, want some cake?" Sam called to Robert while barreling past him, avoiding being caught in a fast game of freeze tag.

  "Yes." Uh-oh. Robert was beginning to sound a little grumpy. Of course that might have had something to do with the half dozen kids using Robert as a jungle gym.

  "You got it." Sam veered to the table and snared Tracy. "Might want to start the round up for the walk back; Robert's low on patience. Sort of. I'll pour cake into him." Without waiting for a reply, Sam zipped back to Robert, handed him the plate, and started picking kids off him like a chimp grooming his mate.

  A few bites of the cake and a moment without six kids crawling on him had Robert smiling and offering bites to said kids. "How do you deal with the constant noise?"

  "I live with you." Sam rolled his eyes. "Kidding! Actually, it's not this bad at school. They keep it to a dull roar when working, and if I'm teaching they don't talk. Lunch and recess could get like this, but I think the high ceiling in here is making it worse." Sam looked way up at his streamers and balloons and grinned. "Then I come home to you and stay sane."

  Robert beamed at him, and the kids took advantage of his distraction and stole the rest of his cake.

  Robert didn't seem to notice.

  Sam watched the cake go and smiled back at Robert. "So, I'm thinking that I'll get the kids to sing a couple of songs, maybe, and then I'll drag them back to the school. It'll take me an hour or so to clean up in here, later. Wanna help me?" He tried to look like cleaning up was going to be the very best part of the day.

  "It would serve you right if I didn't."

  Sam could tell by the look on Robert's face, though, that he would.

  "I know." Sam switched to his best contrite look. "You're amazing. Wonderful. Patient and kind." He leaned close. "Really, really hot."

  "Hush. Don't be getting me all worked up with all these kids around." Despite his words, Robert stole a quick kiss.

  "Mr. Mauger is kissing! Mr. Mauger is kissing!"

  Sam rolled his eyes. "On that note... I'll see you later, okay? Kids!" He whistled sharply and turned around, trying to round them up to say thank you.

  Robert's laughter followed him, making him smile, and then Robert's voice boomed through the firehouse. "All right, front and center everyone, if you want me to run the siren for you."

  Well. That got the little darlings all lined up and even quiet. Well, quiet-ish.

  "Okay," Sam said. "Siren, you all yell thank you, grab your coats, and we'll head down the hill to school. I want to hear it, okay?" He waited for nods and then looked at Robert. "All yours. Captive audience."

  Grinning, Robert climbed up into the engine. "Merry Christmas, everyone!" Then the siren sounded, all but deafening.

  The kids went nuts. The girls clapped their hands over their ears, the boys yelled and jumped around, and Sam tried to keep an eye on all of them at once as the other teachers raced around grabbing coats and stray presents.

  It was a pretty cool party, really.

  Sam grinned and waved to Robert, and when the siren died he coached the kids through yelling thank yous and happy holidays. It was a zoo, and he only hoped they didn't leave a kid there by accident.

  Robert waved them all off, still in the doorway every time Sam looked back until he couldn't see the firehouse door anymore. Sam kind of hoped Robert would still be there when he got back, after school. Given the mess they'd left, Robert might very well run away from home.

  Sam snickered at the thought. Robert might growl, but he wasn't going to run away. That, Sam was sure of.

  ***

  Three days until Christmas and Robert was sweating as he went into Edison Jewelers. He'd ordered Sam's present over a month ago and it still hadn't been in earlier in the week. If it didn't get there soon, he was never going to live down not having a present for Sam.

  God, the place was a zoo, and he kind of felt like a bull in a china shop. Sometimes he thought it would be easier to go through life like his much smaller partner. Of course, then he wouldn’t be a fireman and he wouldn’t be able to carry Sam from wherever Sam had jumped him to the bedroom.

  Robert looked at his watch. He was going to be late home if this took too long. He waited as patiently as he could while four other customers were served before it was finally his turn.

  "Hey, Eddie. I hope you have good news for me."

  "Robert." Eddie blinked twice and then nodded. "Man, sorry. We're swamped, it takes a moment for things to filter through. Let me check." He walked down to the other end of the counter and pulled a box of slips out from under the display. "Did we call you?"

  "No, but damn it, Eddie, it's almost Christmas." The gold bracelet had cost him a fortune, the engravings on the thick gold square links hiking the price up even more, so he hadn't bought Sam anything else.

  "Trust me, I know that." Eddie shoved the box back without looking at the slips. "Let me check today's mail. If it's not there, you're out of luck until Thursday."

  "Christ." He supposed he could take a quick run to the big mall, but it was a forty-five minute drive to get there and he was not going to be the only last-minute shopper. Besides, he hadn't waited until the last minute this year and h
e wanted credit for that, damn it.

  Eddie vanished into the back room and stayed there for ten long minutes, long enough for a complete changeover of the in-store customers. Long enough for Robert to start feeling a little ill.

  When he came back out, Eddie had a long, slim box in his hand and a look of triumph on his face. "It wasn't even in the last box. Just almost the last one. Want to see it before I ring it up?"

  Relief flooded through him. "Yeah, yeah, I do." God, please let there be nothing wrong with it.

  Eddie passed the box over and moved on to help the next frantic-looking person, telling the girl with the wrapping paper to help Robert when he was ready.

  Robert opened the box and his breath caught. It was perfect.