The Evans family had moved to little Binkytown in their final year, and that’s when they had met. Though Christian was really more friends with Laurel, the association meant being friends with Brendan too.

Brendan, however, wasn’t like Laurel. They were as unalike as siblings could be. The only physical similarities they shared was their dark hair and dark eyes. Brendan was a stereotypical, high school jock; tall, well-muscled, with the perfect physique for bone crunching sports. With a face that was lazily handsome and a cheerful personality, he was an instant star at the school.

He and Laurel were certainly not alike in the least.

Since they were attending the same Portland College, Christian and Laurel had decided to move in together, finding a flat close to campus and large enough to give them their space. Christian had been glad, as he hadn’t relished the idea of having to stay in the school dorms with someone he didn’t know.

However, although Brendan stayed in the dorms as he was there on a sports scholarship, Brendan had become a near-constant presence in their lives. The fact that his own bed was closer and easier to get to on any given day did not stop him from coming by unannounced whenever he felt like it, or collapsing on their couch when he was too drunk or tired to go home. This was usually met with a barely suppressed, annoyed huff, but he was family so they put up with him.

He wasn’t sure what sibling affection Brendan felt, but Christian did not doubt that, if Brendan ever needed his shaggy hair held back while he hugged their toilet, Laurel would simply take a photo for posterity and tell him to flush when he was done.

When they were all happily folded onto the couch and single bean bag (Brendan taking the bean bag) and halfway through their pizzas, Christian felt content. It was cold outside, and warm in their living room/kitchenette and there was pizza, and they were on break for the next six weeks. It felt good to relax.

“So what are you guys planning for winter break?” asked Brendan around mouthful of pizza.

Laurel shrugged at him, slathering hot sauce all over the slice she was holding. “Reading. Catching up on “How I met your mother”.”

Brendan looked at her thoughtfully. “So no road trip home then?”

Laurel gave him a look. “Why? Mom and Joel are in Majorca remember? They would be the only reason I would possibly consider going back to Binkytown.”

Binkytown was the actual name of their hometown. They never dared tell anybody because it was ridiculous. Christian felt embarrassed even saying it out loud.

Brendan turned to Christian. “And you?”

Christian just shook his head. He knew his aunt had no desire to spend the family holidays with her actual family. They were both happier staying where they were. “Same as Laurel. Reading. Maybe start jogging again.” He mentioned half-heartedly, thinking the track would be closed anyway for break.

Laurel glanced at him. “Hmmm. Remember what I told you.”

Christian looked at her blankly for a moment, then remembered. “Oh right. Well, I’m sure the track would be safe enough?”

Brendan was glancing between them “What are you talking about?”

“I heard a rumour that some group of guys are looking for people to hurt.” Laurel told him.

Brendan looked confused, and Laurel clarified, with a careful glance at Christian. “Apparently, there is this group of guys beating up homosexuals. Proving a point. They’ve been hanging around campus, following people from the clubs, that sort of thing.”

Brendan looked appalled. “Are these college guys?”

Laurel shrugged. “Who knows? No one can confirm anything. It was brought up in my sociology class as a side note.”

Brendan looked at Christian then, concern plain in his face. Laurel was looking at him while not looking at him at all. Christian felt suddenly really uncomfortable, and got up to throw away the empty pizza boxes.

“You’ve got to be careful, man.” Brendan said to him as he passed.

Christian didn’t know what to say. The fact that there could be a group of evil, red-eyed homophobes sneaking around campus waiting to pounce on poor unsuspecting gay men…it seemed a little unreal. But the concern that Laurel and Brendan felt about it put him on the spot.

“Do you guys want to me to hang around here more? Look out for you?” he heard Brendan ask his sister behind him.

“Lord, no. Brendan, are you serious? You can’t be that bored that you want to play guard dog. And I’m sure Christian is fine, it’s not like he even goes to clubs, so he doesn’t have a big sign over his head telling everyone he a target.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Drop it, Bren. Good grief, go enjoy your holiday.”

He heard Brendan shift in the bean bag. “Are you serious about hanging around here reading and watching TV?”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” Christian added, glad the subject had moved on. Brendan caught his eye again.

“I guess it isn’t. Just sounds boring.”

“I like boring.” Christian replied, coming back and once again ensconcing himself in the couch. It was old, probably fifth hand, but squishy and comfortable if you managed to avoid the lumps.

“What are your plans?” Christian asked.

Brendan looked down and away. “Well, yeah, I don’t know yet…”

“Don’t you have parties every night at the dorms? Girls to lure and bed, that sort of thing?” Laurel asked him, caustic.

“Most of the guys have gone home. It’s too quiet there.” He replied, uncomfortably. Laurel and Christian shared a look.

“Stop that.” Brendan complained. “You guys always do that. I’m sitting right here.”

Laurel rolled her eyes and let them come to rest on Brendan, as if trying to annoy him further.

Christian remembered what Laurel had told him that morning, about Brendan being lonely. He guessed it was obvious, now that she had pointed it out. Brendan was an extrovert, naturally gregarious and outgoing. Now he was facing a Christmas alone, Christian felt slightly guilty. It hadn’t really mattered before, in high school, but now Brendan was alone on a family holiday and they were all he really had this far from home.

“Well, Bren, you can come over anytime.” He said in a rare gesture of generosity.

Brendan looked surprised then smiled playfully. “Not if all you to be going to do in bury your noses in books. C’mon it’s Christmas! There are festivals, night markets and stuff. There are loads of things we can do! We have been here since the start of the year, and you guys haven’t gone anywhere or done anything.”

Christian blanched and Laurel shot him an incredulous look. But in the face of Brendan’s eagerness, and Christian’s new sense of guilt, he was struggling to come up with an excuse to say no. He had just invited him around after all.

“I suppose night markets could be fun.” Laurel eventually caved.

Brendan grinned like he had won the round, and took a huge bite of pizza. “Excellent.”

Laurel put the cap back on her hot sauce before marching off to the bathroom to wash her hands. Christian was contemplating giving in to greed and snatching one of the last three slices when Brendan interrupted his thoughts.

“Hey.” Brendan said.

Christian glanced up at him.

“I’m sorry, about this morning.” He said apologetically. His thick, dark eyebrows pulled together making a crease between them, and it made his usually roughish face look child-like. Christian shrugged.

“It’s ok.”

“I was really surprised.”

“Obviously.” Christian chuckled softly.

Brendan answered that with a smile. “We good?”

“Yeah.” Christian nodded. He decided not to push for another slice in case he ended up feeling sick. Standing to stretch, he said. “You staying here tonight?”

Before Brendan could answer, Laurel called from her room. “He can stay if he promises to help with groceries tomorrow.”

Christian grimaced. He knew she only said that because if Brendan did stay and help, then she wouldn’t have to go herself. Laurel hated doing domestic chores. Which meant Christian usually ended up doing them alone.

“Fine.” he called back then looked at Christian. “Fine?” he asked in a softer voice.

Christian shrugged. “Sure. Laurel is useless at shopping anyway.”

Brendan shrugged. “So am I.”

“That bodes well.” Christian responded as he walked back to his own room, closing the door behind him. Brendan knew where all the extra bedding was so it wasn’t like he was a difficult guest. The fact that he seemed to be becoming more than just a guest was something Christian didn’t really know how to think about, so he just left it alone.

Once in his own room, he stripped, glancing at his ribs in the thin mirror that was attached to his cupboard. Already two horrible, fists sized purple stains had appeared; one on his hip and one on his ribs. When he touched them, it didn’t feel bad, but to look at them you might think he had broken something.

Still, the memory of how he had gotten them was warm, and tainted with excitement.