Licorice Whips and Candy Canes

Licorice Whips and Candy Canes

“Sheldon,” Milton shook his partner’s shoulders. “We need to get up. We’re to show up at breakfast, dressed and presentable.”

“It’s vacation,” Sheldon mumbled into the pillow. “Don’t make me get up at the crack of dawn.”

“Breakfast is at eight; you have thirty minutes. I don’t think either of us wants to deal with Gordon if we’re late to meals.”

“Ogre,” Sheldon said and tried to pull the blanket over his head.

“Up! Now!” Milton snatched all the blankets and tumbled Sheldon out of the bed in one smooth motion.

“I could be hurt, being tossed out of bed,” Sheldon moaned from the floor

“Not from the boy who slides down the banister rail.”

“You put a stop to that. Said it was dangerous, and now you toss me out of bed. I’m probably bruised.”

“We’ll both be bruised if we don’t get to breakfast on time.” Milton pulled Sheldon up and half pushed, half swatted him into the shower. “Hurry. I’ll lay your clothes out.”

“Corduroys, it’s not a work day,” Sheldon said. “I’m on vacation. I want to wear jeans.”

“Meals have a dress code,” Milton said, keeping his voice patient. “Blue denim is not acceptable.”

“This is ridiculous. It’s not 1920. Gordon is stuck in the ice age.” 

“I think the ice age was well before 1920,” Milton said dryly. “Do you need to spend part of today on a history review?”

“No! And I’m not wearing these pants.” Sheldon threw the pants at Milton who caught them with an all too practiced hand and a mere second later had Sheldon flipped over the bed, his hard hand landing on the bare rump.

“Enough, or do you need a full spanking?”

Sheldon twisted away and rubbed his pink rump. “Why couldn’t we stay at home for Christmas?” he asked his voice thick with tears.

Milton sat down on the bed and scooped Sheldon into his arms. “Honey, I have responsibilities. I have to show up at least once a year, and you’ll have fun if you let yourself. Landon loves Christmas.”

Sheldon sniffled against Milton’s neck. “Do I have to go to breakfast?”

“Yes.” Milton kissed his boy’s forehead. “Get dressed.”

“They’ll know I’ve been crying.”

“Nothing new about that here. They won’t think anything less of you, but my name will be mud if we don’t get to breakfast.”

Gordon, Landon, Uncle Doug and Granddad were all seated at the table. Around them, two tables were filled with men already eating, but Gordon’s table was conspicuously bare. He wouldn’t allow anyone to eat until they were all seated.

“What time is it?” Gordon asked.

“Ten after eight, sir,” Milton answered. It was no use equivocating; they were late. At least Sheldon now looked more together with only a slight trace of redness in his eyes.

“What time is breakfast?”

“Eight, sir.”

“I trust you can remember that we prefer to eat meals on time.”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.” Milton ducked his head. He really wasn’t particularly sorry. Sheldon had needed reassurance, and that was more important than breakfast.  A few minutes wouldn’t kill Gordon.

“Very well. Sit and we’ll eat.”

Sheldon edged his chair as close to Milton as possible, and Milton dropped his hand on his boy’s knee under the table. “I’m sorry I got you in trouble,” Sheldon whispered.

Milton smiled and shrugged. “Eat your breakfast.”

As if by magic, a young man in a pressed white shirt and dark green pants arrived with a silver tray. Silently the young man passed out the dishes. The food was as Milton remembered, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. Milton poured the genuine Vermont maple syrup over his buckwheat pancakes and glanced over at Sheldon’s plate. Sheldon didn’t like buckwheat, and he was usually vocal about letting everyone know his food preferences. Milton smiled to himself; Sheldon had chocolate chip pancakes. 

Milton nudged Sheldon. “It looks like someone took care of you this morning.”

Uncle Doug from across the table winked, smiled, and held a finger to his lips. Uncle Doug would always remember everyone’s favorite foods. Milton couldn’t go home without a berry tart appearing on the table.

The conversation was genial. Landon was regaling everyone with his latest trip to somewhere which had required high speed sprints through airports and train stations around the world. Milton was politely included, but the others were discreetly giving him time to focus on his boy. Sheldon, for his part, was keeping his head down and eating.

With the meal over, the young man resurfaced and collected the plates and refilled the coffee. “No one leave yet,” Landon said as Milton started to ease back in his chair. Landon reached under his chair and pulled a sack full of gaily wrapped packages onto the table.

“Party favors?” Sheldon mumbled.

“It’s Advent. I forgot. Landon always gives presents every morning,” Milton said.

“I have to put up with Scrooge for a partner,” Landon said and handed out the gifts. “I have to have double the Christmas cheer to make up for it. This one’s for both of you,” Landon said and handed Milton a small box with gold ribbon, “and this is a little fun for Sheldon.”

“Do you want to open it?” Milton asked.

Sheldon shook his head.

Milton carefully slid off the ribbon and opened the box to a blizzard of tissue paper. Under the paper, he lifted out a crystal star of blown red glass.

“This is your first one,” Gordon said. “Landon and I thought you should start your collection.”

“Thank you,” Milton said. Milton had helped put up Gordon and Landon’s tree the two winters when he’d lived with them. Every year they purchased a new star, always in beautiful crystal, hand blown with vibrant color streaks. They called it a celebration of not killing each other during the darkest days of winter. Milton knew it was actually a celebration of their love and commitment, and the star was a gift to cherish. It represented their support of Milton and Sheldon’s relationship.

Gordon reached over and ruffled Milton’s hair. “I expect to be able to give you both one for many more years.”

“We’re honored,” Milton said.

“Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff,” Landon said, “open the fun stuff now.”

Sheldon tore the wrapping off his present. “An ice cream scoop? I guess that’s useful.”

“No, you silly boy, it’s a snowball scoop,” Landon teased. “Snow and tops, you have to be ready.”

“Are you encouraging my boy onto the wild side?” Milton asked gravely.

“I hardly think he needs encouragement,” Landon shot back. “You were late for breakfast.”

“Landon,” Gordon’s voice was a clear warning. Milton still reacted to that tone and swallowed hard, even though it wasn’t directed at him.

“Grinch,” Landon said, “I was only joking.”

“Sheldon doesn’t know you well,” Gordon said, trapping Landon in his icy glare. “If you can’t behave, I will need to insist, and Sheldon will have a front row seat.”

Landon blushed at that and dropped his head. “Yes, sir,” he said politely.

“Thank you. Shall we open the rest of the gifts?” Gordon asked.

Landon nodded, turned, winked at Sheldon, and gave a theatrical sigh. “That was close. I thought I was going to have a toasted butt. I was only playing earlier. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I know,” Milton said when Sheldon didn’t answer. Milton looped an arm around Sheldon’s neck and casually pulled him close, before dropping a kiss on the red hair. “He’ll give you a run for the money once he gets his sea legs, but for now try to be gentle.”

Landon grinned. “You know me.”

“Yes, all too well.”

“That’s for sure,” Landon said and rubbed his butt. “You survive Milton,” he said to Sheldon. “You must be in my league.”

Sheldon smiled faintly and blushed.

“I told you he liked you.” Milton kissed Sheldon’s head. “Let’s see what Landon gave Gordon; it’s usually something funny.”

Gordon unwrapped his lumpy package. “I hope the gift is better than the wrapping.”

“You’ll see.” Landon grinned; he still looked boyish when he smiled.

Gordon held up a candy cane and a long strand of black licorice. “Is this a message, boy? A cane and a licorice whip.”

Landon grinned widened, dimpling his cheeks.

“Tonight, boy.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”

Gordon snapped his fingers, and Landon knelt by his top’s feet. Sheldon stared wide-eyed at Landon. “He wants to be spanked?” Sheldon whispered. “I don’t get it.”

“It can be a lot of fun,” Landon said and started to pop up from the floor but was stopped by Gordon’s hand.

“You need to settle, boy, or it won’t be fun,” Gordon said, his voice deep, his accent more pronounced. “Sheldon,” he continued, “Landon and I play this way. You might enjoy it. You can talk to Landon about it this week, but right now he needs to find his role as my boy, or it will be most unenjoyable.”

Sheldon nodded, but Milton could feel the tension in Sheldon’s body. “It’s not a punishment spanking. It’s not about being a naughty boy,” Milton said softly. “Don’t panic. It’s not something we ever have to do, but you might like it.”

“Never.” Sheldon said, shaking his head violently.

“Go on,” Gordon said to Milton and Sheldon. “Go play with your new snow toy. I imagine Sheldon does like snowballs.”

“He does,” Milton said, glad for Gordon’s understanding. “Come, boy. I’m sure I can make a better snow fort than you.”