Better Than a Christmas Tree, A Matt & Aaron Short Story (NSFW!!)… Enjoy xo

I’ve written a few short stories centered around the boys from Better Than Good and the holidays… all the holidays!  I couldn’t let go of Matt and Aaron.  I knew they were special and I wanted a little more of their story. I can’t tell you how happy I am other people feel the same!  This one is really one segment in what is more or less a series of vignettes ranging from buying a Christmas tree to shopping etcetera.  As always, remember this short is not an edited piece.  Enjoy…and Happy Holidays.  Lane xo

I knew Aaron loved Christmas. He told me. Several times. And that was back in June. However I don’t know that I was prepared for how much he loved it. He was enthusiastic on so many levels. He loved everything from corny holiday specials to traditional religious elements. He talked about the story of Christmas with a reverence that made me smile. I loved his sentimental side and the fact he still viewed a two thousand year old tale as awe-inspiring and holy. He kept an advent calendar in our kitchen, which he informed me kept the days until the Savior’s birth. The calendar was an elaborate affair, well crafted and beautifully ornate, intended to be reused each year. Aaron couldn’t wait to fill it with chocolates, and each morning he made a big production of opening the corresponding date’s door to reveal his treat. I wasn’t raised Catholic, so I had no idea what he was talking about when he went too deeply in detail about the three wise men carrying shit like Franken… whatever. My parents were lapsed Protestants. They believed in God, but no one in our family were regular church-goers. Aaron’s family, on the other hand, were very religious people.

“It’s why they have a hard time with me being gay.”

“They don’t. Only your dad does.” I observed.

“Hmm. That’s true.”

I was lying on his sofa with a law memo I had been struggling to read, while Aaron unpacked a few Christmas goodies, stopping every now and then to explain its significance. No wonder I wasn’t getting anything done. I sat up and watched him fill each little door of the special calendar with premium chocolate.

“Can I have one?”

He threw one at me without looking, humming as he worked.

“Why don’t you go to church more often? You seem to really care about your religion…or is it a holiday thing?”

“I don’t know how to explain it. I just don’t feel like I’m welcome, you know?”

“Oh, is that a God doesn’t like gay people sentiment?”

“The Catholic church makes no secret of its stance on homosexuality. Which is obscenely hypocritical when you think about it. How can anyone preach about loving your fellow man but then set a clause in fine print, saying “except for them”. The bible says God loves all his creatures and we are all made in his image. How can gay people be less than straight people? Ugh. Don’t get me started!”

I considered his words carefully. I wasn’t raised with religion, but I’d always been uber aware of how people viewed gay people when I was growing up. It wasn’t favorable, that’s for sure. I know it’s why I had a difficult time coming out myself. We are all products of our culture and environment. I had to come to terms with the fact that what I wanted wasn’t what anyone I knew and loved wanted for me. It’s an ongoing struggle. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled by the revelation I was bisexual and in love with a man. But religion wasn’t an additional factor. Thank God I didn’t have that guilt to contend with too.

“It’s not fair, is it?” I brushed aside a strand of hair in his eyes. I just wanted an excuse to touch him.

“Life isn’t fair, Matty. We just have to keep at it and be the best human beings we can, right?”

“Right. So, will you go to church on Christmas?”

He looked up at me in surprise.

“I always do. Will you come with me this year?”

“Sure.”

He gave me a wide grin before he continued stuffing chocolates into the small boxes. I could almost see what he looked like as a small kid, giving his full attention to a favorite holiday chore. Fucking adorable. I ruffled his hair impulsively before turning back to my memo.

“I was thinking we should get our tree tomorrow. Wanna come with me or should I do it alone?” He didn’t look at me when he asked, which I translated in Aaron-speak to mean he would really like it if I went with him.

“Maybe we should think about investing in a fake tree.”

Aaron made a funny face, his eyebrows nearing his hairline. I laughed.

“Maybe not.”

“Hello? Do you know me at all yet? There are some very tasteful faux trees out there, I will admit. It’s just not for me. I love the whole experience. Going down to the lot, picking out the perfect one…not too big, not too small…bringing it home, putting on some Christmas music, making hot chocolate, and then decorating! It’s tradition! Plus this is our first Christmas in our place together. It’s special.”

“It is special. But I remember it being a little um… time consuming last year and—”

“It will go faster this year. How much time did it take? Half an hour?”

“More like a full hour,” I grumbled, wincing at the memory.

“Fine. We’ll do it in half the time this year.”

“Hmph. So is this whole get a tree at the lot and decorate it a Mendez family tradition?”

“Well, in part. We had one big tree that the whole family would go pick out when we were little. Then my parents decided to go faux one year, but I pitched a major fit,” he said with a smile. “So although they still got their faker, they appeased me by getting a small real one the kids got to pick out. It was pretty cool, because we got to put all of our ornaments on it. I was a little particular about that kind of thing, so after a while, it was pretty much just my tree. But don’t worry, I’m better at sharing now. The one we get will be special because it’s ours.”

“Something tells me I’m being used for the manual labor here.”

“Not true. I’ll let you decorate and everything!”

“Gee, thanks. I think you just want me to reach the tall spots, shorty.”

“Ha ha.” Aaron finished up his task and looked over at me expectantly. “So, will you?”

“What?”

“Pick out a tree with me! Don’t you listen?” He rolled his eyes dramatically.

“Sure.”

Aaron didn’t respond at first. I looked over to where he was gathering bits of trash, singing “Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree…”. I picked up my reading and hid a smile. He was so easy sometimes.

 

I didn’t think he was so easy the following evening when I found myself in a Christmas tree lot in thirty degree weather trudging from one perfectly good tree to the other, only to have my incredibly picky boyfriend reject them all. He was at least dressed for the occasion with a thick winter coat, a hat and gloves. Probably didn’t want me to nag him, I guessed. The wind had begun to pick up though, and I was cold, tired and getting hungry. My mood was slipping fast as I followed Aaron to what had to be the tenth tree.

“I don’t know. Doesn’t that side look a little sparse? We may have to go to another lot. I’m just not finding anything here.”   He shook his head still staring at the perfectly nice tree with his hands on his hips.

“No way.”

Aaron looked up at me surprised.

“Matty, none of these are right. We can’t take any ol’ tree home.”

I coached myself not to be persuaded by how fucking cute he looked wearing my Pittsburgh Steelers beanie and a pair of black mittens. It was cold and I was done.

“Aaron. Come on. We have looked at ten perfectly nice trees and you have found fault with each one. They’re real trees, hon. They will not be perfect! Take this one here.” I propped it up against a nearby post. “We can turn the side you think is sparse—”

“It is sparse.”

“…toward the wall. Like so. No one will fucking know!” I tried for nice, but my balls were turning blue I was so cold.

Aaron gave me a dirty look and walked away, leaving me standing like an idiot holding up a damn tree. I counted to ten before I set the tree down and went after him. I found him down the next aisle talking to another tree shopper, probably trying to angle her opinion since he didn’t like mine. I moved toward them, but stopped in my tracks when I saw that I knew the young woman. I had dated her a few years ago when I’d first moved to DC for law school. I searched my memory for her name. Anna, Alli? We’d only gone out a few times, there was no real attraction between us. She was a pretty petite blond, who was sweet but kind of serious. I couldn’t even remember if we’d had sex. Watching Aaron chat with her was a study in contrast. He was olive skinned with dark hair and he was currently holding a very animated conversation with the girl. His hands were flying in time with whatever story he was telling her. It probably had something to do with lousy boyfriends not being helpful tree pickers.

I waited for a bout of unease to come over me, to make me want to pretend I couldn’t find him, at least until he was done making new friends with old girlfriends of mine. I wasn’t proud I had once battled my attraction to men.   But Aaron was different. I couldn’t deny him. However, that didn’t mean I didn’t occasionally feel out of my depth. It had been a long time since I’d felt any real angst I acknowledged there was a time it hadn’t been easy to embrace my bisexuality. The feelings of dread and unease were only noticeable by their absence. I didn’t feel anything except cold and irritated. Same as before. Funny.

“Aar…” I continued down the aisle toward him and smiled at his new conquest. I saw the flicker of recognition as she turned to see who was joining them.

“Here, let’s test this one, see what he says.” Aaron said to the girl. He was basically hidden behind a large noble fir that he propped from behind for me to critique. I gave the tree a once over and decided it looked the same as the others. Perfectly acceptable.

“Looks good to me.” I stuffed my hands deeper into my coat as the wind whooshed down the aisle.

“Ha! See I told you he wouldn’t notice this spot!” He set the tree where he found it and walked around to stand at my side and point at a small bald patch. That’s when he noticed his new friend’s attention was on me rather than the poor tree.

“Do I know you? I think I do. Matt, right? I’m Allison. It’s been forever, but we went to Georgetown together.”

“Hi, yes. I remember. It’s been a while. I see you’ve met my boyfr— oomph,” I winced as I tripped over a cord and grasped the first thing I could to not fall flat on my face. The girls arm. I apologized profusely and fumbled through a new round of introductions. “This is Aaron and uh yeah, we’re getting a tree for our place.” Awkward. “We need to get a move on though. It’s cold, right Aar?”

“Oh! I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were—” She stopped short, looking painfully embarrassed. I wasn’t sure where she was going with that… “I didn’t realize you were freezing your ass off or silly me, I didn’t know you were gay.” I didn’t care enough to ask and I was grateful when Aaron took over. He was good at this sort of thing.

“Don’t be sorry for a thing. Matt just agreed to do the heavy lifting! I guess this one will do. Nice to meet you, honey,” he said flippantly as he sauntered away.

Okay, what the hell? I was left staring after him with my mouth open, holding a fucking tree and standing next to a girl I haven’t seen in years, who I happened to just come out to and he walks the fuck away? Wasn’t I supposed to get good karma points?

I smiled wanly at Allison and hefted the tree with one arm.

“Nice to see you again. Merry Christmas.”

“Wait. I’m sorry. I hope I’m not being rude, but are you…are you with him? That guy who was just here…”

“Yes, Aaron’s my boyfriend. I thought I mentioned it, but…” I shifted the tree to my other hand and nodded a goodbye, but she stopped me again.

“I think you started to before you tripped. Um… so you’re gay?” She just sounded curious, the way people are when they run into someone they used to know. Not judgmental.

“Yes.” I smiled weakly, anxious now to find Aaron. She returned my smile.

“Cool. Merry Christmas.”

Aaron looked mad when I found him by the front register, which confused me. I was guilty of nothing besides humoring him for longer than I should have. This tree looked exactly like the other ten we’d seen. We should have been back home half an hour ago.

“Can we go now? This one is good, right?”

“Sure fine.” He replied sullenly.

I rolled my shoulders hoping to relieve some tension, but it didn’t work. I pulled out my wallet when it was our turn to pay.

“I got it.”

“No Matt, it’s my tree. I have it.”

I gave the attendant my card and threw a sharp look at Aaron. So our tree was now his tree. Hmm. What the hell had happened? It had to be Allison, or whatever her name was. I could have sworn she called herself Alli in college. Still. I’d introduced him as my boyfriend when he was standing there. Or I tried to. What was the deal?

I paid for the tree and some mistletoe and garland he had stashed at the front too. We trudged to my car with our purchases and began the arduous process of tying the tree to the top of the car. Aaron followed my instructions, but he wasn’t talking much. Sure sign of trouble brewing, I thought. Fuck.

I blasted the heater once we were in the car and turned toward my sullen companion.

“What’s wrong, Aaron? We got the tree, mistletoe and garland. We checked out at least ten before choosing this one, so this was not a snap decision, correct? If this has anything whatsoever to do with running into that girl, I’m going to be a little pissed. I’ve been fucking freezing my balls off for over forty-five minutes while you picked out the perfect tree. I introduced you as my boyfriend to some chick I barely remember. I did nothing wrong so I’m not sure what the silent treatment is all about, but it’s pissing me off!” I was yelling now, getting more wound up the more I thought about it. “And by the way, do not think I didn’t notice you called me the manual labor.”

We stopped at a red light. I looked over at Aaron for a clue. Any clue. I really needed a guidebook. I was shit at reading his moods sometimes.  He must have caught my sharp look.

“You’re mad.”

“Yeah, Aar. I am. To be honest, I think you kind of treated me like shit back there, and I may be wrong, but I think it’s because you were afraid I’d do it to you first.”

He was silent. It was probably better that way. I was keyed up now. Being cold and hungry on top of pissed off was a dangerous combination. My instinct was to retreat, but I knew that was a bad idea. I turned into our parking garage, glad to be home though I wished the hostile air in the car had dissipated. We rarely fought. I hated being angry but worse, I hated feeling so out of my depth. I turned off the ignition and turned to face my companion. He was busy fidgeting with his mittens, obviously agitated.

“I’m sorry. I was out of line. You’re right to be angry.” He looked over at me in the darkened car, his face a picture of misery.

I sighed, but nodded my head, accepting his apology. I needed to know where he was coming from, though.

“It was that girl, wasn’t it?

“Yes. I’m sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong.  I know that. But God, did you notice how she looked at you? I mean, before she recognized you, her eyes were walking all over you. And then when she said she remembered you in that…ugh, that tone. I saw red. I’m sorry.”

“I accept your apology, but no, I don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about. I didn’t see her looking at me that way or using any particular tone, whatever that means. We dated maybe twice years ago. But Aar…none of that matters. I’m with you. I tried to tell her that before I tripped. I couldn’t even remember her name, and I honestly don’t remember anything about dating her. It’s not fair to punish me for having a past. You said the same thing to me when that guy was all over you at your birthday.  I think you were setting up some scenario where you thought you’d look like an idiot and decided to put me in that position instead. I forgive you, but seriously…give me a break. Let me mess up for real before you start that shit. I promise you, you’ll be waiting a long time.  I’m with you.  You’re it for me.  There isn’t a chance in hell some chick I barely remember is going to make me want anyone but you.  Got it?”

He nodded, still staring straight ahead.

“Alright then. Let’s get this fabulous fucking tree upstairs.”

“Wait.”

“What? Babe…I have to tell you I am cold, hungry, and just getting over being pissed off, can we get the fucking tree upstairs and talk then? Please?”

“Yeah, okay. But Matty?”

I growled and smacked my hand against my forehead before turning toward him and wrapping both hands around his neck. He giggled. It was a beautiful sound. A clear bell on a cloudy night kind of sound.

“I love you.” Wow. That would never get old.

“You’re a pest, but I love you too. Can we please go upstairs now?”

He nodded and made to open the door.

“I guess that was our second fight. Neither of us does jealousy very well.”

I gave him a half laugh, and turned his chin toward me before leaning across the console and planting a firm possessive kiss on his cold lips.

“Maybe not. Let it go. Wanna go decorate a tree?”

 

At first I couldn’t decide if I thought he was just really enthusiastic about Christmas or if he was a holiday tyrant. After muscling the tree into our condo, we had to get the decorations from storage.   Of course, because they belonged to Aaron, they were all very well organized. The storage bins even had wheels, for Christ’s sake, so there was no heavy lifting involved. When we were finally home with everything he claimed to require to make Christmas magic, I helped myself to a huge bowl of chili Aaron had made earlier for us, and an even larger glass of wine. I deserved it. He was—I mean picking out the perfect Christmas tree, was fucking exhausting.

“This is good. Aren’t you going to eat?”

Aaron was circling the tree, making adjustments surely only he could appreciate. He looked up at me as if suddenly remembering I was there. Part of me wanted to joke I’d been used for my brawn, but after our earlier argument I wasn’t going there. Plus, I knew better than to assume for even a second that Aaron wasn’t capable of doing all this on his own. He was small, but there was nothing weak about him.

“No, I’m fine for now.” His voice was distracted. His attention was back on the tree.

I was called upon to help string the lights and hang a few high ornaments, but otherwise Aaron softly hummed Christmas tunes to himself and worked tirelessly creating his magic. He had a glow about him that was incandescent, a direct result of him being so completely in his element.   I think I was in mine just being able to observe him. I asked him countless times how I could help, but he was guarded and possessive of his masterpiece in the making. Eventually I fell asleep on the sofa, bone weary from a long day.

I awoke later to Aaron humming a Christmas carol as he ran his fingers through my hair. He gently kissed on my cheeks and nuzzled his nose next to mine.

“Come to bed, sleepy head.” He purred in my ear.

I stretched and made as if to get up from my prone position on the comfortable sofa, then just decided it was too much work and pulled him on top of me instead.   He chuckled, but gave in and cuddled unto my chest.   I held him so we lay stomach to stomach, his head tucked under my chin.

I let my eyes drift close, but I knew I wouldn’t fall back to sleep. I was too aware of the delicious weight of my man and his soft breathing. I ran my hands down his back and reached lower to cup his ass. He’d changed into flannel pajama bottoms covered in snowmen and snowflakes. I breathed in his scent and dipped my hands wander under the elastic. Sometimes nothing felt better than bare skin. Aaron’s perfectly round smooth globes in each hand triggered an immediate response in my groin. I kneaded his ass cheeks, loving the sweet sound of his groan.

He lifted his chin, his sleepy hazel eyes staring into mine before he lowered his mouth. Our kiss was passionate, lips parted to allow tongues entrance, dancing and licking. His hands ran through my hair over and over as he continued his exploration, now using his teeth to nip and bite at my lips and jaw. My skin was so warm, I felt almost feverish with desire. I yanked my shirt up desperate to feel him against me then pushed Aaron’s pajamas down over his ass and sucked two fingers to my mouth, liberally coating them with spit before reaching for his ass. He squirmed forward on my chest to give me better access and arched his back in an invitation. I breached his hole and let him take over fucking himself on one finger.

“More Matty,” he moaned in my ear, pulling at my hair until I gave him what he wanted.

I could feel the sticky wetness of our collective precum pooling in between our bodies. His hard cock rubbed incessantly against my stomach for friction. I wondered if he wanted to get off like this, with me fingering him. The thought alone made me crazy.

“Aar, do you want me to fuck you?”

“Yes. Fuck me, Matty.”

I closed my eyes as I wrestled to control my urge to let loose. I felt Aaron pull himself off of my body and reach into a side drawer next to the sofa for lube. He was nothing if not resourceful. There had to be secret stashes of lube in a couple of drawers per room. I unbuckled my belt, unzipped my work pants and pushed my briefs down in a hurried motion before finally taking firm hold of my cock. I stroked my rigid flesh a few times then squeezed the base hard, attempting to stave off my release. Fuck! I needed inside now.

Aaron slipped his pjs and t-shirt off quickly and crawled back on top of me. I looked up at my beautiful lover. His eyes were closed, his expression a cross somewhere between concentration and pure bliss as he worked lube into his ass then placed my thick cock at his entrance. Beads of sweat were breaking out on my forehead as I stared up at him transfixed. Aaron took me in completely and sat still for a moment, allowing his body to adjust to my girth. Then he opened his eyes and smiled sweetly down at me.

I licked my lips and gently rolled my hips, testing his readiness. He laughed softly and playfully smacked at my chest, unbuttoning my collared shirt as he rolled his own hips in response. I could barely breath. Every nerve ending was sensitized to an almost painful level. I willed myself to relax and let Aaron ride me however he wanted.

He finally moved, rocking forward then gyrating back like he was sitting on a mechanical bull at a honky-tonk backwater bar. Very slutty and super sexy. His hard cock stood straight and proud bouncing against his stomach. He pinched and twisted my nipples as he moved, sending lightning bolts up my spine. I couldn’t control my own hips any longer. I held him steady around his slim waist and fucked up into his tight channel. His eyes closed and his head fell backward as he let me take over. I pushed myself into him over and over, before deciding I needed to be deeper, I needed more control. I slapped his ass and signaled for him to move onto his knees on the sofa. He licked his lips no doubt conscious of the seduction in that little action, as he hurried to obey me. I slapped his other cheek when he wiggled his ass for me.

“Hurry up, Matty. Fuck me.”

I plunged in from behind, holding him by one shoulder as I alternately ran my hands over his flank or smacked his ass, which made him positively wild.

“Oh fuck. Yes! That’s so— Ah…”

Aaron’s body went rigid as his release claimed him. His cum liberally sprayed the bright red Christmas throw draped over the beige tweed sofa. I was close behind him, my rhythm faltering as I got closer. I tensed as the first wave of my orgasm hit me. My body shivered and shook convulsively. I held tightly on to Aaron’s hips for purchase until the last spasm passed.

We stayed fused together, our skin lit by the twinkling white lights from the nearby tree. I straightened my legs and gently pulled out of my lover then headed to the bathroom. When I returned with a warm washcloth Aaron still bent over the sofa, completely spent.

“Come on, baby. Let me get you to bed,” I coaxed as I cleaned him thoroughly.

“Don’t forget the blanket.”

“The blanket?”

“I made a mess,” he said with a laugh.

I stood him up straight and leaned his body into mine in an attempt to walk the short distance to the bedroom. He wasn’t cooperating though. His legs were like spaghetti. I gave up and threw him over my shoulder in a fireman hold. That woke him up.

“Put me down!” Aaron laughed weakly tried to escape my hold.

“Cool it!” I gave his ass one last hard smack before dumping him on the bed, sending him into another fit of giggles.

“You’re mean!” He pouted, his eyes bright with humor.

“Yep! And don’t forget it!” I smiled down at him, smoothing his hair away from his face. “I’m going to turn off the lights on the tree and lock up. I’ll be right back.”

I made quick work of picking up our scattered clothing and turning off the lights on the tree. Aaron was lying back with his hands cradling his head as he watched me move about the room. I was wearing the boxers I’d discarded earlier and nothing else. It was cool in the condo and I couldn’t wait to get under our thick comforter to share body heat. I scooped him into my arms and sighed with contentment when I finally was where I wanted to be, with my lover lying on my chest, his head on my heart.

“Thanks for tonight. I love our tree,” he mumbled tiredly.

I smiled in the dark and hugged him close to me. “Me too.”

The tree was nice, but it was a lot of work.  I knew I’d never appreciate the traditions and nuances of the holiday the way he did. I just wasn’t wired that way. I didn’t get the fuss. I hated standing around in the cold, following him around like a puppy or a really gullible boyfriend. And I didn’t particularly like schlepping a tree home knowing I’d be the guy responsible for disposing of it a mere few weeks later. But I loved Aaron. And because I did, nothing else mattered. If he’d wanted to visit another tree lot tonight, I probably would’ve taken him. If he wanted to hang lights from every possible surface of our condo, I would have stood guard under the ladder until he was happy with his creation.

Maybe that made me a sucker.  I didn’t mind.  Sure, I griped a little but the truth was I loved that he let me be part of his Christmas crazy. I loved knowing we were beginning our own new traditions in the home we shared. One day, we’d reminisce about these days. Who knows? Maybe we’d tell our kids about fighting over Christmas trees and maybe they’d look at each other and laugh because nothing much had changed in a few decades. What I did know was that even if we didn’t put a single gift under that tree, I was a rich man and I was filled with gratitude for the immeasurable gift I’d been given when I wasn’t looking.  Aaron.

*Aaron & Matt’s Christmas tree…