Clean and dry and at last fully dressed, Dean bounced on the balls of his feet beside their tree. It wasn't a huge one in any way, only a few feet tall and raised up on a small table to keep it out of the way of little paws, but it served it's purpose well, standing guard over a small pile of gifts wrapped with varying levels of finesse.

Neither man was of a religious slant, nor were they overly driven by the need to buy, buy, buy that struck most of the population at holiday time, but the horror on Rod's face when, facing their first Christmas as a couple together, they told him they weren't going to bother with gifts for each other, or even with a tree at home was a sight to behold. They had quickly backtracked, reaching a compromise with the smallest tree they could find, with the ugliest ornaments they could buy for each other, except of course for the one beautiful, tasteful one Rod & Jim gifted them each year, and with exchanging presents.

"Sit down! Sit down! Ok, big one first or the little ones?

The act of hunting down of the perfect gift for each other had become their favourite part of the holiday. They both loved the challenge of finding just the right thing on a budget they agreed as soon as the first Halloween decorations appeared in stores. That covered their main gift and they allowed another twenty dollars for stocking stuffers. The thong and Santa hat had been one of Dean's for Punk, leaving three still under the tree, guarded by the candy pooping reindeer that was one of his little silly gifts from his lover.

"Small ones first please,"

Punk made grabby hands as Dean joined him on the couch with the pile of small presents, each of them taking it in turns to pick out a gift for the other to unwrap, Dean delighted with his new Grinch keychain, Punk equally thrilled with his bouquet of miniature candy dicks. He unwrapped one and popped it in his mouth while Dean disappeared into their bedroom to fetch his main gift.

He reemerged carrying a beautifully wrapped rectangular parcel. Punk cocked an eyebrow as he sat back down next to him and handed it over.

"I know, I didn't wrap it. That's Tyler's handiwork."

Punk carefully tore back the paper, revealing a framed picture of himself, Dean and their furbaby Larry outside Pipin' Hot Joe, not a photograph, but a drawing rendered in comic book style.

"And that's Tyler's guy's handiwork."

"Thank you...it's incredible. I love it, I really love it."

He leaned across with a kiss for his partner.

"Now yours, though I don't think it's going to come anywhere close to this."

Hopping to his feet he walked over to the bookshelf, slipping an envelope from between two books and offering it to Dean when he returned. He watched nervously as Dean opened it, a huge sense of relief washing over him as his boyfriend whooped with delight and flung himself at him in a hug once he read the papers inside.

"BIGFOOT HUNTING! AW YEAH! I HAVE THE BEST BOYFRIEND EVER!"

"I guess you like it then? Trip won't be til March…"

"Don't care. My boyfriend is taking me Bigfoot hunting. Wait...that's the spotting hunting and not the bang bang hunting, right?"

"What do you think, idiot?"

Dean snuggled into Punk's chest and sighed contentedly.

"I think you're fucking awesome, babe…"

The two enjoyed lying curled together on the couch watching festive nonsense on tv until it was time to head to Rod and Jim's. They loaded up their car with all the food Punk had prepared in the days before and the gifts they had bought for the two older men and made the short trip to their house, finding themselves in a little difficulty when they made it to the front door, neither one able to press the doorbell.

"I can't reach it."

"Well my hands are full too, babe."

"One of us will have to…"

"It's ok! There's my baby! Go on, baby boy! Get Grandpa! Good boy!"

"Dean, I don't think he can hear you…"

"No, you're probably right, but Jim or rod will hear him...isn't that right boy?"

Dean waggled his head at the small excited figure bouncing in the window, who yipped and waggled his own fuzzy little head back at him.

"Alright! Alright! Settle down Larry. Look...I'm letting them in now...come on in...ROD! THE BOYS ARE HERE!"

Jim opened the door wide, expertly blocking Larry's dash for freedom with a well placed shin. Relieving Dean of his load, he followed Punk towards the kitchen while the younger man squatted down to ruffle his dog's scruffy fur.

"You been a good boy for your Grandpas? Of course you are...you're the best baby…"

Jim and Punk found Rod in the kitchen busy basting the turkey he had prepared for the three meat eaters. Well technically four meat eaters since no one was about to deny Larry when he inevitably started making eyes around the table a little hater. Rod helped them unload their burdens onto the counter then greeted his protégé and surrogate son with a warm paternal hug and a noisy smacking kiss to the cheek.

"Merry Christmas, Punk!"

"Same to you old man."

"Where's the other one?"

"Living room," Jim piped up.

"Yeah, he couldn't wait to see Larry."

Jim's contagious chuckle from the doorway caught their attention.

"You two should come see this,"

He beckoned them over and quietly pushed the door wide enough that they could all see the scene in the other room.

Dean lay flat on his back on the floor, fussing over Larry who was laid on his chest, telling him what a wonderful boy he was and how much he had missed him.

"...did you miss me too, baby boy?"

Punk crossed over to where they lay and scooped Larry up for a cuddle of his own.

"It's been one night, Deano…"

Dean clambered to his feet and greeted his hosts properly, returning their hugs with warm squeezes of his own, excitedly sharing with them how impressed he was with Punk's gift to him. He helped Jim finish setting the out the plates while Punk and Rod made all the final touches to the meal. They all took their usual places around the table Jim had made by hand, Larry curled up under their feet and got stuck into the spread, conversation flowing freely.

Eventually, plates cleared and bellies stuffed, Jim reached over and took his partner's hand in his, fumbling in his pocket with the other.

"I've been meaning to ask you this for a little while, and I wanted our boys here to witness it. Now, I'm too old to get down on one knee, but I hope that won't make any difference...Rod, my one true love...how do you feel about getting hitched?"