“How about the derpy stuff?”
“Well, he liked to play a lot. My late grandfather always said that Ace had a human heart. He even knew how to play pranks on his grandfather. And he was very intelligent, you know?”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but all right, call me Ace,” Maddox said. “But not in front of the others, okay? They’ll want to know why, and that’s the kind of thing they might use to tease me forever.”
“We’ll never tell them why,” Jonathan said promptly. “We’re just going to say that I call you Ace, because you’re an ace at everything.”
“Like they’ll believe that,” Maddox said with a snort. “They’re so going to smell blood.”
“Do you want to bet on it? I’ll convince them.”
Maddox groaned and closed his eyes. “Any other ideas for a pet name?”
“I could always call you ‘pup’, but the next thing we know Rusty is going to be asking if I intend to put you on a leash and in one of those masks with a muzzle.”
“Ugh, right. We’ll be heading toward Derpy Town sooner than we can blink.”
“I thought so, too. So… Ace?”
“Yeah?”
“Ha, you answered. Clearly, that’s your pet name.”
“Jonathan Hamilton, you’re a damn sneaky bastard.”
***
With everyone gathered around the Christmas tree, all that was left was for them to open their gifts. Jonathan stole knowing glances in Maddox’s direction and winked at Rusty when the troublemaker looked at him and shrugged.
“We didn’t bring any gifts,” Rusty said.
“You are our guests,” Jonathan’s mom said promptly. “We are the ones who ought to apologize since we didn’t have the time to acquire more thoughtful gifts given such short notice.”
Like that would ever happen. Jonathan knew for a fact that his parents had been quite busy during the last two days just to make this occasion special. While holidays had always been cheerful in the family, despite their required strict decorum, this time, Jonathan could tell things were different in a good way.
For one, he could tell that his parents could barely wait for everyone to open their presents, all packaged neatly with bows on top. He couldn’t blame them, as he was in exactly the same boat and wanted to see their special guests’ reactions to his choices in gifts.
“Maddox, please, everyone’s waiting,” Jonathan’s dad said. “Break the ice.”
Maddox smiled and picked what looked like a very voluminous package. He grunted theatrically while he hiked it up and gestured for Rusty to help him. The fast unwrapping revealed what appeared to be a huge collection of books. Maddox turned toward Jonathan’s parents. “Wow, I think this covers everything there is to know about economics,” he joked as he looked through a few while Rusty held the huge box for him.
“No, just what you would need in case you’re considering a PhD,” Jonathan’s dad said promptly.
“I’ll think about it,” Maddox promised with a quirky smile. “If not, they’ll look impressive on my bookshelves.”
“Don’t let them gather dust,” Jonathan’s mom warned, wagging a finger at him.
Jonathan caught Maddox’s arm as he tried to reach for the small package that was from him. “Leave that for later,” he whispered, and then louder, “Let’s see what Rusty got.”
Rusty was giddy like a kid, and for some reason that made everyone around smile, too, infected by his enthusiasm. He dropped the box of books in Maddox’s arms and then grabbed one of the gifts, the larger one, which seemed to have stolen his attention. Rusty stared at the sweater a bit confused and then at Jonathan, with a bit of guilt. There was someone who also still felt a little guilty over the incident that had landed them both in hot water for no reason other than being a bit foolish.
“Read the note,” Jonathan encouraged him. “And it’s a new sweater, in case you were wondering.”
Rusty nodded and picked up the note. “Nice people deserve nice things,” he read and then smiled broadly and pressed the sweater against his chest. “How do I look? Can I wear it now?”
“Go ahead,” Jonathan said with shrug. “I’m sure you’ll look awesome in it.”
“Leave that for later,” Jonathan’s mom said in a tone that brooked no contradiction. “Open the one from us.”
Rusty didn’t comment, as it appeared that he was willing to listen to everything she said. He opened the small flat package with care, without tearing through the wrapping like before. “Meryl Mayweather,” he read slowly, “vocal coach.” He didn’t continue, and his smile faded. “I can’t take this,” he said and pushed the card toward Francine while looking away.
“Why not?” Francine asked, without hiding her surprise.
“Not now. I mean, I need to finish college. And play basketball.”
Everyone fell silent. Jonathan could tell his mom was debating whether she should berate Rusty for choosing basketball over getting proper training for his voice.
“Very well. It’s not time-sensitive,” Francine said with a wave. “Now, let’s just take this to the dining room.”
Jonathan could tell that Rusty’s rejection of her gift did get to her, but it wasn’t like Francine Hamilton to admit defeat just like that. Before walking away, she turned toward Rusty. “You’ll sing after. I’ll play the piano.”
So, orders had been given. Rusty stood there, holding the card and didn’t move until Maddox squeezed his shoulder.
Jonathan rushed to the rescue. “Rusty, you don’t have to–”
“I’ll keep it,” Rusty said decisively and slid the card into the back pocket of his jeans. “Just tell your mom not to hate me too much.”
“She doesn’t hate you. But don’t be sure that you escaped her clutches. She forced me through French for an entire summer when I was twelve. According to some people, I speak as well as a Parisian.”
“Shit,” Rusty said under his breath. “I’m your bestie, Maddox, but you got me into some serious trouble here.”
Maddox laughed wholeheartedly. “You did that to yourself.”
“True,” Rusty admitted. “Hey, I need to change into that sweater, though.”
***
“Wow, your mom can really play the piano,” Maddox said as soon as they were alone.
“And Rusty can sing. So far, it looks like he’s the only one who’s getting put through the wringer after all that talk,” Jonathan replied and hugged him from behind.
“You think? I have to read one million pages about research in economics or something. And I feel like that’s only the first test of many,” Maddox said and leaned back into his boyfriend’s hug. “Now, is it finally a good time to open your gift?”
“Yes, it is.” Jonathan kissed him on the cheek.
In all honesty, Maddox had felt on pins and needles while waiting for the Christmas dinner and entertainment afterward to be over so he could see what Jonathan had chosen as a gift for him. He turned to face Jonathan and began unwrapping the small package. Jonathan watched him closely, so Maddox felt like he had trouble opening the stylish box finally revealed. He took out the bracelet and stared at it for a moment. “It looks expensive,” he said after looking at it for a while.
“Never mind that,” Jonathan said and turned the bracelet so that Maddox could see the inside of the flat plate.
“For Maddox, Love, Jonathan.” Maddox remained baffled for a few more seconds. “Wow. I mean, how did you manage to get it engraved so fast?”