Disclaimer: this imagine is NOT MINE. Credit to the original author, Vanity from Donatella's Head

Rating: R

***

"Christmas Blues"

By Vanity

       This Christmas was lovely, full of happy, red nosed children and cocoa nights between lovers. The warm glow of various Christmas lights glittered against the starry nights, the snow topping of the trees like frothy hats. People were running everywhere in thick coats, laughing and piling up gifts for relatives and friends. Micky sat by his window, deep in thought as his neighbors rolled around, making snow angels. It was a beautiful site to see happiness, let alone the feel of company. Mike had been gone for too long, nearly five months. He wanted his own business and had garnered his successes in style, going overseas to build up more of his enterprise. Micky missed him, this being the first in their five year relationship that Mike had been gone for more than two weeks.

Sure there were the sporadic late night calls but it wasn't the same as a warm body on a cold night or an inviting kiss on a sunny morning. Mike's promise to be home by Christmas didn't seem true since the holiday was only a week away and Micky's family were off in Italy, while Davy was in England and Peter Connecticut. All that was left was the proud dog Frik and the occasional outbursts of neighbors. Micky didn't want to spend another holiday alone but deep in his heart he knew this Christmas was going to be one of complete and utter loneliness.

~~~

Mike signed the next round of papers as quick as he could, hoping that the faster he worked the sooner he could get home. He had been in Japan way too long, preparing for meeting after meeting, listening to ideas and axing others. He loved being in control but what good could it be if he didn't have his true love with him to celebrate? The hardest thing was leaving Micky alone in California and only getting to hear his tired voice at odd hours. Mike wanted so much to hold him in his arms and make love tenderly, but those could only be tortured fantasies and Micky couldn't stop his life in California to spend time with him in here.

"Damn," he whispered as another wave of clients stampeded in, their foreign tongues a constant stab to his ears. Time to go back to work, he thought putting on his false visage and settling in the same spot, one he felt he would never get away from.

~~~

Okay, Micky thought as he watched his co workers make asses of themselves. Big time Christmas party of cheesy songs and spiked egg nog, with the secretaries becoming sluts and the businessmen becoming dirty old men. Micky didn't want to settle but was told to stay, just to do something and not be alone. He couldn't compete when there was so much compassion from those who photo copied their own asses?

The drive home was even better, the snow hitting so thick that he couldn't see and almost ran off the road. Frik was waiting for him with a mess of ripped trash and torn shoes, his excitement of Micky's return resulting in a nice puddle on the Persian rug. There were curses as he collected the mess and got on hands and knees to reduce the smell and stain. Frik just around like a child as Micky carried the trash outside, the wind blowing like a hurricane, sending chills down his spine and through his whole body.

"Go on Frik," he grunted as the dog tried to jump him, knocking a few bits of trash from his hands. "Go inside!" The dog whimpered but obeyed the command, his sluggish form disappearing within the house. Good, Micky thought as he threw the trash in. At least something was right. The wind began to pick up again and he pulled his light jacket around tight, slipping on the snow as he trudged to get back to the door, which began to wave against the force of the wind.

"Shit," he yelled as he tried to reach it, the wind giving one last push before the door slammed in his face. "Shit, shit!" The knob wouldn't give and the ice wasn't kind as he tried to walk to the side window. "Shit!" It was locked too and what would the neighbors think if they caught him trying to break into his own house? He looked around, trying his luck one more time as he pressed against the window. Frik's loud barking could be heard from inside and Micky wondered in all the wonderful things the damn dog could do, why couldn't he open doors?

"Fuck," he grumbled as the window wouldn't budge. He knew he was going to be in trouble for the action he was about to do but it was too damn cold to be worrying about petty shit. Grabbing the nearest rock, he aimed and sent the form hurling through, the glass like a thunder of cracks. Frik continued to bark as he attempted to climb through the window, bits of glass cutting into his clothes. The cold air immediately turned into the warm air and he ran through the house to find something to cover the window. His nose was numb and red and he knew by his constant sniffing that something was coming on. Frik followed as he went upstairs to his and Mike's bedroom and took off his clothes. A shower might make him feel a little better and he wasted no time in enjoying the warm water.

"How are you feeling," Peter's cheerful voice asked on the other end of the phone. Micky felt like he couldn't breath, his head and chest heavy with sickness.

"I'm okay," he mumbled, grabbing another tissue for his runny nose. Peter didn't sound convinced and Micky knew what was going to be said next.

"Uh, Micky, I know Mike hasn't come home yet and if you want, you could fly here, or better yet, I come there and give you company. David and I figured Mike would at least be home now and we didn't mean to leave you. Christmas is not the time to be alone man. So, what do you say? You want my company?"

Micky felt his eyes tearing up and tried to tell himself it was just the cold. But he knew better. If it was one thing, it was that Peter's sincerity could cut through even the toughest times and Micky was thankful Peter was his friend. But what good would it do if he came here, Micky sick with god knows what and Peter away from his family? It just didn't seem fair, even though the offer was tempting.

"Peter?"

"Yes Micky?"

"Uh, you stay home, with your friends and family. Have a good time."

"But you are my friend, Micky. If you need me, I'll come. Hell, I'll call up David and we'll both fly to you."

That did it and Micky cursed himself for being so sensitive now. He tried to choke back the oncoming tears, his actions weak to do so. Peter stayed quiet, knowing Micky needed to do this. I don't wanna do this, Micky thought as he grabbed another Kleenex. But this week's events tore him in two from his coworkers and their stupid party, the damn cheery neighbors, meaningless Christmas decorations, to the broken window and Frik's mess, and his icky cold to the fact that Mike hadn't called in a week and Christmas Eve was in one day. Now Peter and his sincerity and Davy was off in England, the little shit, having a good time with his family that needed him, and.....

"Oh Peter," he cried into the phone, Frik jumping at the unexpected squeal from his master. "He's never coming home! He promised, he promised and I-I've been waiting for him and....ah-choo....and I can't do it no more! Please come! Take a boat, a plane, a bike. Steal some kid's roller skates or...

ah-choo.... take a train! I don't care! Just get your....ah-choo....ass over here before I slit my wrists!!"

Peter stayed silent on the other end through out the whole ordeal, his smile softening as Micky calmed down a bit. In the past, he remembered how important Christmas was to Micky and Mike, how they celebrated like there was no tomorrow. For Micky, it wouldn't be Christmas without Mike and Peter realized now he should have stayed in California.

"I'll take the next flight," Peter whispered as Micky blew his nose.

"You will?" Micky asked as he took a breath, a smile crossing his face.

"Sure. I'll make the call right now." Micky smiled and hugged the Kleenex to his chest, a little cough escaping him, as Frik looked to him like he was crazy.

"Thank you, Peter. Thank you."

~~~

"I've had enough of this," Mike yelled to his top assistant. "Look, I know we came here, wanting to prove how big and bad we are, and we've done it. Don't you realize it's Christmas and we haven't seen our families yet?"

Sarah looked at him and understood. She had someone waiting at home too, but it wasn't like things could be easily dropped here.

"Michael, you know we just can't skip out and leave...."

"Why not," Mike breathed, a twinkle coming to his eye. He had thought of escaping numerous times but knew it wouldn't be easy. Now this time was different. He didn't care about anything anymore except getting back to Micky, watching him unwrap the countless gifts Mike had bought him over the past months. Sarah looked nervous at his expression but if he was going to do this, he would do it without her, if that's what it took. Micky was the most important thing in his life. This time apart had told him that. Now all he wanted to do was rush into those arms and right into bed.

"I'm leaving," he said, as he grabbed his things. "I'm going to my room, taking my bags and gifts, and taking the next flight to California if it's going to kill me. Tell all those over-worked assholes that I have a man to get home to and that if they have a problem with that or with me that they can kiss my pale, white ass, especially Yomoshita, who I know has been checking it out."

Sarah didn't utter a word as she raced to keep up with him and give him a good luck hug and kiss as he sped out of the parking lot. She knew the main reason why he wanted to get home, and hoped that Micky would be understanding and that things would definitely work out.

~~~

Damn this crooked Christmas tree, Micky griped as he tried to fix it up. Frik had to be adventurous and knock the defenseless tree down, smashing ornaments and tangling himself in the lights. To top it all off, Peter called and said his flight was delayed, due to a snowstorm, but as soon as it settled, he would be there. Just as long as someone else was going to be around, it was fine.

Messing with the tree wasn't going anywhere and it was too late to do anything about it, just like everything else. His chest hurt like hell as he plodded up the stairs into bed, the covers smooth as he tucked under them. Outside, the snow fell lightly and he watched as the flakes stuck to the window, and then melted without a trace.

Just like Mike, he thought as he grabbed another Kleenex and settled on his stomach. Downstairs he could hear Frik jingling around and prayed the damn dog wouldn't bother the tree again. But what was the point? Let him knock it down because there would be no Christmas in this house without Mike or anybody for that matter.

Mike tiptoed into the familiarity of his house, the warmness of it wrapping his sore body like a worn quilt. The flights had been long but he made it. A smile crossed his face as he noticed the tree and decorations Micky had done with such care. His fingers sought to touch everything, trying to remember if anything had changed since he had been gone.

Frik heard the slight creaks of the floor and stirred. Mike smiled as he reached for him, the dog relishing in his master's touch and voice.

"That's a good boy," he whispered as the dog rubbed against him. "Now where is Mick, huh boy? Is he upstairs? Well, let's be quiet so we can surprise him. Come on." Frik proudly followed as each step caused Mike's heart to skip. He knew Micky was probably huddled under the covers, body movements as cute as a child's as he dreamed. The bedroom door was ajar, but just enough to melt Mike's heart. Micky had kicked most of the covers off, one bare foot poking out of the tangled mess. Mike noticed he was on his stomach, surrounded by a bunch of Kleenex's.

"Awwe, my poor baby," he whispered as he reached to tangle his fingers in the mass of the curls. Micky stirred and mumbled as Mike drew his hand back. "Soon, my love. Soon."

Micky could feel hands on him again and didn't know whether or not his dream of Mike was becoming a reality. All he knew was a soft caress against his cheek that traveled to his lips, so warm and tender he had to moan. It felt so real and he could feel the breathing against his face. Wait, breathing and *real* touches. Something inside panicked and before Mike could retreat, Micky quickly spun and belted him right in the nose, sending him to the floor.

"Take that, you fucker," Micky shouted, kicking him in the leg and trying to dash. But Mike grabbed him before he could do anything, the floor hitting him like a ton of bricks. He kicked back, hitting Mike's nose again as he tried to pull free. Frik barked around them as they struggled, Mike desperate in taming his hysterical lover.

"Micky," he shouted as Micky stopped his antics to stare into a familiar face. Oh my God, he thought, as Mike smiled at him with a bleeding nose. His arms were fast and tight as they hooked against Mike's waist, feeling him and breathing him in. Micky felt his eyes well up as Mike poured kisses all over his face before helping him up. But Micky didn't want to let go, clinging to Mike as if his life depended on it.

"It's okay, it's okay," Mike smiled, as Micky worried over his nose. "I forgot how rough you can get."

"Oh Michael," Micky cooed as he pulled his lover into the bathroom. "Let me take care of that. I'm so, sorry. I thought...."

"I know what you thought," Mike hissed as the antiseptic touched his nose. "Now stop it and let me get a look at you." He had changed so much in the last months that Mike didn't know what to think. All he knew was that his lover was more beautiful and just as tan and lovely as the day he left him. God, he loved him so much. Micky tried to keep his smile but sneezed as Mike leaned in to kiss him, apologizing immediately for his shuffled appearance.

"No," Micky protested as Mike tried again to kiss him. "I look so shitty and I have a cold and you might catch it if you kiss me." Mike smiled as Micky wiped his little red nose, his eyes watering as he fiddled with the ends of his nightshirt.

"If I catch your cold," Mike whispered as his arms circled around Micky's waist, "it means I have to stay in bed, with you." Micky seemed to cheer up at that idea, that beautiful smile returning as Mike grabbed his ass.

"Well, in that case, kiss me long and hard and don't miss a germ."

They both forgot how it felt to be in each other's arms this way, touching and feeling with each new passion. Mike picked him up and carried him to bed, where he undressed him slowly, his eyes watching his hands as they traveled over warm skin. Micky delighted in feeling beautiful again and he gave equal attention to his lover as he pushed Mike onto his back, his hands intent on getting that toned body out of those stuffy clothes. From this angle, he noticed how much more mysterious Mike now looked with longer hair and slight beard. It was down right sexy and Micky bathed his face in tender kisses as he stroked his lover's hard on.

Mike settled against the headboard as Micky oiled him, nice and slow, never taking his eyes from that beautiful face as Micky steadied his body onto his. Micky rode him slowly, Mike nibbling at his chest and neck, whispering his name over and over like a silent prayer. They held tight to each other, never missing a beat with the rhythms of their bodies. So delicate and patient were Mike's movements that Micky just laid back and allowed every sensation to rock him. It had been so long and they wanted to hold on for as long as they could, but it felt so impossible when they needed each other so much.

"Oh, Mike," Micky whispered as he grabbed tight to Mike's waist, the orgasm hitting him before he could control it. Mike continued to pump inside him until Micky felt him let go. Afterwards, they laid, reluctant to part from each other as sleep hit them. Micky awoke to find himself in the same position, Mike still buried deep inside, sound asleep. He looked so tired and peaceful with his face smooshed against Micky's shoulder. Micky traced the outline of his nose, his own sniffling at the oncoming sneeze. He tried to keep it quiet but it came out a little louder than he had hoped, Mike's eyes peeling to stare at him.

"Poor baby," he whispered, brushing a curl from Micky's face. "I'll take care of you."

Micky smiled as he watched his lover's ass disappear from the room. The ruckus and cocoa cinnamon smell willed him downstairs to watch as Mike brewed him a little cup.

"Drink this and I will be right back." Micky did as he was told, the warm liquid soothing the aches in his chest and head. Mike ran back into the kitchen carrying a tiny box, all wrapped up in red with a white bow. Micky watched as he undid the ribbon but left the wrapper, his fingers nervous as he settled on the ground. Oh God, Micky thought, as Mike looked up to him with a warm face. His heart skipped at the inevitable and he didn't know if he could contain himself.

"Micky..."

"Yes! Anything! Yes! Just put it on my finger now! Hurry up before I change my mind!"

"Well, can't I at least ask you first," Mike laughed as Micky jumped around in his seat. "Now, hush up and let me do this right." Micky settled but kept his dopey grin as Mike began. "Now, I want you to understand that this maybe a little different than what nature allows but, I don't care. I love you and I'm so sorry that I've been away so long, but, I wanted to give you everything you ever hoped and dreamed for so you would never want for anything else. You mean so much to me and just being away from you that long proved it. I'll never leave you like that again and this Christmas, I was wondering, George Michael Dolenz, if you would do me the honor of being my life long partner, or maybe till we can't stand each other?"

Micky cracked up on the last bit as Mike unwrapped and exposed a black velvet box that Micky had to touch.

"Well, go on," Mike pressed, tipping the box for him to open. With nervous fingers, Micky peeled the top back to view the most beautiful ring he had ever laid eyes on. It reminded him of one his mother gave his father before he died, a shiny sterling silver with beautiful designs carved into it. Mike took it out and seized his hand, the ring sliding on with no problem. Micky admired how lovely it looked against his skin, the light weight of it bringing an even bigger smile to his face.

"Mike...I...ah-choo!"

"Is that a yes," Mike grinned as Micky wiped his nose and nodded, a weak smile taking his face. "Well, all right!"

Micky barely had time to come down from his high as Mike picked him up and spun him around. Frik barked around them as they covered each other in kisses and smiles, satisfied to be together and happy to know that it would stay just the two of them, forever.

"Well," Peter's voice rang out in the living room. "I'm here!"