No one had been more shocked than Brian when Melanie, of all people, had suggested that, since she didn't really celebrate Christmas, but J.R. was heading to Pittsburgh to be with her dads, perhaps Brian and Justin would rather come to Toronto to have a more subdued celebration with Lindsay and Gus.

"Lindsay never really gets to enjoy the decorations she puts up, since we're rushing around and then traveling during this time," Mel had explained. "I just thought it would be nice if you and Justin wanted to come to our place instead… You know, let Linds and Gus go all out, and then have a nice quiet holiday at home." 

"Quiet" was all Brian needed to hear before he agreed. 

***

Brian and Justin travel to Toronto to spend Christmas with a small part of their chosen family.

This is a continuation of my short story Independence Day. Brian and Claire were raised by Vic after their mother killed their father and herself. 

Brian and Justin have been separated for some time.

I know what Brian is doing -- he’s being protective of me, the same way he always has been. That’s just his nature; he’ll do anything for his friends, and he never wants to see anyone he cares about get hurt, physically or otherwise. But I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.

***

Cynthia and Brian are more than just co-workers; they're friends. Family, really. But how will they support one another when push comes to shove?

This story fits into the "Changed" verse.

It is 2015, Brian and Justin have been together for 15 years, some of the years happier than most. But now they are finally at peace and ready to move onto the next stage of their lives...yes the Stud and Sunshine are getting married! However, the spectre of the prom still haunts them. Brian has never stopped searching for whoever attacked his Sunshine, the police never bothered after Brian couldn't identify the attacker. But now they can finally close that horrible chapter, as they now know who tried to kill Justin. 

So can Michael talk his way out of this?

Banner credit goes to Midgardsnake

On Gus' seventeenth birthday, he has a conversation with his father, which makes Brian realize he's lost track of what's most important.    

New Plot Bunny Thread - Please post all your exciting plot bunny and story ideas here! Writers, feel free to adopt any bunnies that strike your fancy, just make sure to give the author credit! Happy Writing, all!

I really do have the best dad in the entire world.

I know a lot of kids say that -- and they give their dads coffee mugs and t-shirts and dorky-looking ties that say it -- but I feel like for me, it really is true.

My dad kicks more ass than any other dad I know, even though he hasn’t used his legs in almost thirteen years.

***

As Gus prepares for his high school graduation, he reflects back on his life so far, and his relationship with Brian.

***

This story fits into the "Changed" verse. Thanks to SandiD for the lovely banner!

Gus’ lips rolled inward, a carbon copy of Brian’s signature contemplative look. “I just like…” he sighed again, more heavily this time. “I just wish I could forget about this for, like, an hour or something.” 

Brian made a small noise of realization that made Justin look toward him, and as soon as he registered the intention on his husband’s face, he moved closer to Brian and hissed, “No. Brian, you can’t.” 

Brian gave Justin his most charming smile and said, “Oh, but I can!”

***

A heartbroken Gus spends a weekend in New York with Brian and Justin. In an effort to help his son, Brian turns to a tried-and-true method.

I was in Atlanta when I first started noticing the strange, intermittent numbness and tingling in the fingers of my right hand. I was finishing up some paperwork, and I was having a hard time holding onto the pen, though at the time I thought it was just because I couldn't feel my fingers in the way that I was used to. I knew I'd been pushing myself too hard, spending too much time working on my laptop and not enough time doing yoga, so I thought it was probably just stress. I needed a break, although I wasn't sure when I was going to get one, because I was only scheduled to have two days at home before I had to leave again to travel to Dallas.

***

Rob has a health scare that leads him to reevaluate his life. Brian helps support him along the way.

Leaning back against the leather headrest, Brian let out a shaky breath, already feeling sweaty and a little disoriented. He realized he had two choices here, both potentially impacting his dignity in a major way. As much as he wanted to try to tough it out the additional half hour, to endure whatever happened next in the comfort of a Four Seasons Hotel suite, the reality of the situation was that Lindsay and Melanie’s neighborhood was much closer. And it was absolutely inevitable that Brian's body was going to revolt sooner than later.

Well, fuck.

***

Brian's planned trip to Toronto to spend time with Gus is interrupted by a very-much-unplanned illness, which gives him a lot of time to think, and leads to some unexpected revelations.