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comfortable as the images on the television flickered, capturing his attention.

    The sofa next to him dipped, and Geoff handed Eli his coffee, moving closer to hold his lover as they watched the mindless chatter. Geoff knew Eli wouldn’t sit long—he never did, rarely watching television at all—so Geoff enjoyed the quiet closeness before Eli’s energy got the best of him.

    The windows darkened as the light faded, and the wind picked up. Eli finished his coffee and, as Geoff expected, got up and put his mug in the sink before going back upstairs. Soon, thumping and bumps echoed through the house, and Geoff turned to Len. “I’ll go see what he’s doing.” Len got out of his chair. “I’ll start dinner.” Geoff followed the noise and found Eli in the closet of the spare bedroom, digging through boxes. “What are you looking for?”
    “The things for the tree.” He didn’t add a “duh,” but it was clearly 4
Simple Gifts * Andrew Grey
implied in his tone.
Geoff tapped him on the shoulder and pointed to a neat stack of four large boxes standing in the corner of the room. “I got them out yesterday.”
    Eli returned the boxes he’d dragged out to the closet and shut the door. “Would you help me carry them downstairs?” Eli picked up two boxes and began carrying them out of the room. Geoff didn’t answer, but picked up the other two boxes, smiling as he watched Eli’s backside, that butt flexing as he descended the stairs.
    They put the boxes in the living room and Eli began digging through them. Geoff got out of the way and let Eli have his fun. He’d learned the year before that this was something Eli absolutely loved to do.
    Papers were spread on the living room floor and Eli hauled in pine boughs he’d cut and gathered. Boxes were opened and ribbons, bows, and simple wooden decorations spilled out. Geoff rested on the sofa, listening to the sounds of home. He heard Len in the kitchen, the dishes clanking, and footsteps as Eli moved through the room, covering the mantle with pine boughs tied with gold and red ribbon.
    “Do you need help?”

    “No,” Geoff heard both Eli and Len reply as they continued their tasks. The aromas of dinner drifted in from the kitchen as the room filled with the scent of pine. Eli hummed softly to himself as he worked, tying sprays with bows that hung on the spindles going up the stairs. Feeling guilty, Geoff got up and went into the basement, returning with the large tree stand, placing it in the back so it would be ready for the tree. Then, figuring “What the hell,” he slipped on his coats and boots, took the stand outside, and fastened it onto the tree.

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    Simple Gifts * Andrew Grey

    Giving everything a good shake, he hauled the tree in the back door, through the kitchen, and to the living room, setting it in front of the large window.
    Eli stopped what he was doing. “I could have helped.”
“You were having too much fun.” Geoff stood back, looking at the tree to make sure it was standing straight and tall.
“Can I decorate it tonight?” The childlike wonder in Eli’s eyes was fun to see.
    “You could.” Geoff took off his coat and boots, putting them in the mud room and returning. “Or you could decorate it tomorrow.” Geoff slipped his arms around Eli’s waist, pressing his hips against his lover’s butt, Geoff’s chest to his back, as he kissed the base of Eli’s neck. “I know something else fun we can do tonight.” Eli dropped the pine bough he’d been holding, and it rustled as it landed on the papers. Eli’s hand slid along Geoff’s hip.
    “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Eli’s head nodded slowly as Geoff nibbled on a warm ear.
    “Hmm.” A throat clearing interrupted them. “Dinner’s almost ready.” They both heard the amusement in Len’s voice as they broke apart and walked to the kitchen for dinner. Geoff set the table, and Eli helped Len bring over the food. They sat down and dishes were passed. After filling their