A spoonful of sugar, as it turned out, had been exactly what the doctor had prescribed—not to conceal the distasteful nature of his suggested treatment but to enhance the enjoyment of my life in general.

Christmas was coming, and even though I didn’t have a partner and children to spoil, I had to think about my parents and siblings. We didn’t go overboard with gift-giving over the holidays, but the adults in the extended family were expected to provide a few thoughtful presents to the nieces and nephews.

The men I’d met at a Halloween party and subsequently gone home with in October, Jericho Griffin and Pascal Olejatz, hadn’t been available to meet up in person much this month, although we’d kept in touch via Facetime and text. I was busy, too, with marking and assessments.

I mentioned to Pascal on one of our phone calls that I had gift shopping to do, and he said he did as well and that maybe we could meet up on a weekday when the stores weren’t crowded and go together. He said Jericho did most of his shopping online, but he liked to see what he was buying then bring it home to wrap.

So, Pascal booked off the following Thursday, and we went Christmas shopping at St. Laurent Center. I swung by their place, and Pascal was waiting on the front step, wearing jeans that showed off his muscular legs and bubble butt, black leather boots, and a short wool jacket, with a gray scarf wrapped casually around his neck.

“Hello!” he said cheerily as he got into the passenger side. He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “How are you, Scott?”

“Good! You ready to face the masses at St. Laurent Center in December?”

“It shouldn’t be too bad, since it’s a weekday.”

I reversed out of the driveway and headed east. “Oh, it’ll be bad—but hopefully tolerable.”

I was right. Even on a weekday, Ottawa’s favorite mall was full of shoppers looking for exactly the right gift or loading up with several. I had to search for a parking spot but found one fairly close to the entrance. The crowds would be worse on the weekend, so I was grateful we had a window of opportunity.

“Where do you want to start?” I asked Pascal as we entered the large, modern shopping center in Ottawa’s east end. The giant Toys R Us sign shone blue and yellow above us.

“I have some things I need to get there. At least most kids will be in school, so there should only be parents with babies shopping.”

“Sounds like a plan,” I said, and followed him into the cavernous and fully stocked store.

There were a number of moms and dads carting their little ones around and trying to score gifts, but it wasn’t too bad. The occasional toddler went into tantrum mode, but Pascal and I efficiently managed to get what we were looking for and book it out of there.

“Next?” I asked, after we’d dropped our packages back at the car.

“Is there a gaming store here? I want to get Jericho a couple of the new releases,” Pascal said.

We popped into The Source, and he found the games he needed.

“Right. Now, how about a clothes store?” I suggested.

“Sure.”

We made our way along the concourse and were about to pass La Senza when Pascal shouted out, “Hey! Vincent!” and lifted his arm in a wave.

A charming young man with light brown hair and intense blue eyes, who was dressed in tight jeans and a soft T-shirt looked over and smiled. He was holding a folded jacket over his arm and a blush-pink La Senza bag by the corded handles.

“Pascal. Hi.”

He waved, and nudged the arm of the arresting shorter guy who was accompanying him.

“Hi, Nic. What are you two shopping for? Oh wait, let me guess,” Pascal said as we approached.

Vincent held up his pretty bag and blushed a lovely shade as Nic chuckled and raised his eyebrows.

“Oh, just a little something pretty for my favorite boy, that’s all. Who’s your friend?” he said, scanning me from head to foot.

Nic embodied the spirit of pure androgyny, although dressed toward the male side, but I’d have to be careful about what pronoun I used. I thought he was a guy, but I couldn’t be entirely certain. Luckily, Pascal had the courtesy to assist me.

“This is Scott. Scott, this is Nic. He’s a friend of mine, and Vincent’s partner-slash-Dom.”

Nic inclined his head, evidently pleased with this description. “Nice to meet you, Scott.”

“Same.” I shook his hand.

“And this cutie-pie is Vincent.”

“Oh, come on,” Vincent said, rolling his eyes at Pascal and shaking his head in embarrassment but still smiling. “Nice to meet you, Scott.”

“You as well.”

“Doing some Christmas shopping?” Nic asked. He wore clunky motorcycle boots, loose black jeans and a soft leather jacket over a black button-down shirt. A pair of mirrored sunglasses were pushed back on his short, untidy hair, the sides of which were shaved close. His hazel eyes pierced mine with intelligence and curiosity.

I liked the look of him, and Vincent was adorable.

“Yeah,” I said. “I don’t have much to get, but I don’t want to be anywhere near the malls in a few weeks.”

“I hear you,” Nic said. “We got most of ours done last month. But Vincent decided he needed some more lacy underthings, and I couldn’t say no.”

“Ha-ha,” Vincent said.

“Okay, that’s not entirely true,” Nic admitted. “The fact is, I enjoy buying him beautiful things to wear for me, and he enjoys indulging my eccentricities. And he looks so pretty in them.” Nic gave Vincent a sweet look, and Vincent bloomed with obvious pride under his gaze.

I tried not to picture this beautiful man standing in front of me in pink and baby-blue lace. I failed.

“Where’s Jericho?” Nic asked.

“Working hard, as usual. I booked the day off to do some shopping and brought our new patient with me.”

“Oh-ho! How nice. And what exactly is ailing Scott here?” Nic asked. He seemed fully aware of Jericho’s sideline as a pretend medical practitioner. “What prompted him to, ahem, seek treatment?”

Now Vincent was looking me over and awaiting my answer with obvious interest.

“Pure desperation and a chance meeting,” I said. “I was literally on death’s door. Luckily, I fell into very good hands.”

“Yes,” Pascal agreed. “I’m happy to say his treatment is going superbly well. But there will need to be follow-up visits for quite some time, I’m sure.”

I laughed. “Yeah, I’m counting on it. Can never be too careful.”

“We were going to get some lunch,” Nic said. “Would you boys like to join us?”

I glanced at Pascal for cues.

“Sure,” he said. “Scott?”

“Absolutely.”

“All right,” Nic smiled. “Why don’t we get a table at Moxie’s? It’s just down the road. It’s Vincent’s favorite.” He shot Vincent a loaded gaze, which made the young man’s cheeks darken even more.

Vincent whispered “Sir…” and ducked his head.

Hmm. I’m missing some kinky subtext here.

“Okay with you, Scott?” Pascal checked.

“Sure. Anything but the food court, honestly.”

Pascal laughed. “I hear you.”

We drove the short distance to Moxie’s and found Vincent waiting for us inside the door.

“Nic has a table. Come on.”

He led us to a booth, where Nic was sprawled on the bench, checking his phone. He put it away and stood, motioning for Vincent to slide in beside him.

Pascal slid in across from Vincent, and I sat beside him, facing Nic.

Nic leaned back and folded his arms. He’d removed his leather jacket and rolled up the sleeves of the black shirt, revealing slim forearms dusted with light hair and delicate wrists, one of which sported the latest in Apple watch technology on a brown leather strap.

“So, Scott, have you always been interested in medical kink or only since hooking up with Mutt and Jeff?”

“Nic, Jesus. Cut right to the chase, don’t you?” Pascal snorted.

“Why not? I don’t see any point in prevaricating. Vincent and I are as kinky as you and Dr. Jekyll.”

My eyebrows flew up. “Oh no. Does that mean there’s a Mr. Hyde that’s going to appear sometime soon?” I glanced at Pascal, who was shaking his head with good humor.

Pascal said, “Don’t listen to Nic, Scott. He’s only trying to get a rise out of you.”

Nic gave me a slow, sexy smile, and I knew exactly what kind of rise he was after. My dick began to swell in obedience to that dominant sneer.

I cleared my throat. “I’ve always had an interest but Jericho is the first person to, uh, exploit it.”

“I see. And how did you meet? Craigslist? ChristianMingle?”

I liked Nic. He was funny and forthright.

I laughed. “Sonny’s, actually.”

“The Leather bar? Really.”

“I went for the Halloween party. I almost turned around and walked out because it was so awful. But then I went upstairs, and that’s where I met Jericho.” I glanced at Pascal. “I had no idea he was a dog owner.”

“Hardy-har,” Pascal commented. “I’ve been showing Scott the basics of pup play. He used to be a skeptic, but now—”

“I’m definitely a convert. Not that I want my own or anything. But I get to play with Digger on occasion, and I must admit, I’m starting to appreciate that particular lifestyle.”

“Ah. Vincent, why don’t you tell Scott what we like to do when you’re in the mood for some pet play?” Nic said, maintaining eye contact with me. The charismatic intensity of the slim Dom was entrancing.

Vincent opened the menu and scanned it for something to order. He glanced at me and smiled sweetly. “Meow,” he said, with a wink.

“Huh?” I asked.

“Vincent’s been experimenting with some kitten play. And I must say, it’s going extremely well. Isn’t it, darling?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Nic leaned toward me.

“When he climbs into my lap and wraps his fluffy white tail around my neck, grinding his cock against my belly and whispering naughty things into my ear, with those cute kitty ears on a headband and a pretty little bell collar around his neck…” Nic bit his bottom lip. “Well, there’s nothing else quite like it, Scott.”

I pictured the lovely Vincent dressed as a sweet white kitten and couldn’t deny it made an intriguing image.

“I imagine that’s true,” I said, licking my lips.

Nic sat back. “What do you do for a living, Scott?”

“I teach anthropology courses at the college level.”

Nic inclined his head. “Nice. I teach music theory and composition.”

“Oh? Really?”

“Yes.”

“Nic’s teaching me piano,” Vincent commented.

Nic winked at Vincent and bumped his shoulder. “It started as a kinky game, but Vincent’s quite talented—so now he has regular lessons, rather than only opportunities for kinky foreplay.”

I imagined Nic having Vincent sit for a lesson and teasing him with the possibility of punishments for a lack of finesse or energy and swallowed thickly.

“I bet Vincent is an excellent student.”

“Oh, he is…in so many ways.”

We eventually stopped talking about sex and enjoyed a lovely lunch. Nic and Vincent were intelligent and pleasant company. Nic was charismatic and alluring, and Vincent sweet and attentive. I imagined the young, blue-eyed man made an excellent service-slash-sexual submissive. I had no doubt Nic was a stern but caring and creative Dom, and I got the feeling they were well-matched.

After lunch, Pascal and I drove back to the mall and finished our shopping before heading back toward his and Jericho’s place.

“I haven’t seen you much over the last couple of weeks because of school, and I’m having a really good time hanging out. Do you want to come in for a cup of coffee or some hot chocolate?”

“Sure, I’ll come in for a bit, as long as I’m not disturbing you.”

“Nope. I finished my big essay. Now I only have to study for the last test before the final exam in January. It’s next week, so once that’s done, I’ll be free to enjoy the holidays.”

“That’s great,” I said as Pascal keyed us inside. “I have some final marking to do this weekend, then my workload will ease up too.” I followed Pascal in and toed off my boots, then hung up my jacket. “Hopefully Dr. Griffin will have some appointments available in the near future.”

“Don’t worry, he will. Things are always a little intense right before the holidays. Christmas is in two weeks, right? Another week, and he should be able to fit you in.”

“I can’t wait.”

As we sat in Pascal and Jericho’s snug living room and sipped our coffee, I asked Pascal how long the two of them had been a unit and how they’d met.

He told me they’d been together for four years, living with each other for three of those, and that they’d met at a pup night event when Pascal had been starting to get into the lifestyle.

“I was so nervous, and I didn’t have any gear except a cheap dog collar with a tag with my pup name on it. I found myself in a pup mosh with all these experienced guys who had the full hoods and butt plug tails. And while it was awesome and I pretty much knew I was where I needed to be, it was also intimidating and intense. I was completely overwhelmed and kind of freaking out. Then this super-hot guy leaned over the gate and talked softy to me, got me to come over, gave me pets and scratches and made me feel like I was the cutest and most adorable puppy in the pit. And that was that. I’ve been his ever since.”

“Wow.”

“I’m so lucky to have met him, and the medical kink setup was an added bonus. I hadn’t really explored it before and I don’t think I’m as into it as you are, but I’ll submit to anything to see Jericho’s doctor persona in play. And being his assistant with others is a natural fit for me. It’s pretty fucking hot when the patient is totally into it, like you are, Scott.”

I laughed. “Ah, thanks.”

We fell into a companionable silence, then both started speaking at once.

Pascal said, “Want to watch a movie?”

“Well, I guess I should be— What?”

Pascal laughed, blushing. “I just— But if you really have to leave, I get it.”

“Did you ask me to watch a movie with you?”

“Yeah. But I understand if you’re too busy.”

“I’m not too busy. I simply didn’t want to overstay my welcome.”

“Well, you’re not.”

“Okay. Sure. I’d love to watch a movie with you.”

“And cuddle on the couch? It helps me relax.”

I smiled. “I’d love to.”

We snuggled up on the sofa together, the way I’d seen Pascal do with Jericho many times—me underneath with Pascal between my legs and his head on my shoulder. Even though he was bigger than I was, it felt right, and I found my own seasonal stress dissipating as we laughed through the first half of The Devil Wears Prada. He smelled of clean cotton and fruity shampoo.

We must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, the front door shut loudly, and Jericho’s voice announced, “Hey, sweetie, I’m home!”

I blinked and tried to focus, swiveling my head to see Jericho step into the living room and take in the scene.

“Oh. Hey, Scott.”

He peered around the room. “I thought you were going shopping.”

I cleared my throat and jiggled Pascal, who lay snoring softly against my shoulder. “The stuff’s still in the car. We came in to have a cup of coffee and ended up watching The Devil Wear’s Prada. Well, part of it.”

I nudged Pascal again.

Jericho laughed. “You won’t wake him up like that. He’s a deep sleeper.” He walked over to us and gaze fondly on his boyfriend. “He’s really in dreamland right now.”

“Hmm, I don’t think so. Wouldn’t he be twitching and jerking?”

“True. Pups tend to do that when they dream.” Jericho leaned down and kissed me on the lips, then pulled back. “Nice to see you.”

“You, too. How was work?”

Jericho shrugged. “Busy. It always is at this time of year. I have a few things to do tonight, but at least I don’t have to go in.”

“I should get going.”

“You could stay for supper?” Jericho suggested.

I smiled. “Thank you. But I should get back, sort out the gifts I bought and figure out if there’s anyone left to buy for.” I looked Jericho over. “Theoretically, if someone were to buy you a Christmas gift, what should they get?”

He rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to get me a gift.”

“I know. But I want to.”

“Why don’t you get me something to use in the ‘office’?” he said, gesturing toward the spare room.

“I could,” I said, blushing. “I thought of that. But then it would be a gift for me, honestly.”

“True.”

“Come on. What do you want for Christmas, Jericho?”

“Honestly? I want you to come spend Christmas week with us.”

I blinked. The invitation surprised me. “The whole week?”

“Yeah. But you’ve probably got familial responsibilities…”

“No. Well, yeah, but I can do those visits in one afternoon, probably. I can spend most of the week with you two.”

“Oh yeah?”

Jericho knelt down beside the couch and kissed me again, taking his time. When he pulled back, he said, “Maybe we can make up for lost time. I hate not seeing you. And I think Pascal has missed you, too.”

It was settled. We’d have another week apart, but then I’d pack a bag and stay with the two of them over the holiday.

Although Jericho had said my company was the only thing he needed for Christmas, I wanted to get both him and Pascal something small to put under their tree. I simply had to figure out what.

I didn’t want to get him anything for his medical ‘practice’, even though it was tempting. For one thing, I hadn’t yet seen his entire inventory of instruments and supplies, so I was likely to duplicate something he already had. And for another thing, as I’d mentioned, that would be more of a gift for me, since I would be getting it for him to use during our medical play scenes.

I needed to think of something meaningful but nothing overly romantic or expensive. There was a delicate balance at the beginning of any relationship, in order to let a partner know you cared and thought of the relationship as potentially serious and long-term but that you weren’t trying to jump ahead of them in the game. It could be tricky. And in my situation, where we’d already stepped outside the bounds of conventionality, it could be even more difficult to navigate those early weeks.

I settled on a gift card to the Sweet Basil Thai restaurant in South Ottawa, addressed to both of them. It seemed a good way to reinforce that I valued and respected the relationship they had with each other, even as I wanted to be a part of it. I liked them both equally, and their commitment to each other was part of the attraction.

I taped it to the bottom of an empty box and wrapped it up with some brown craft paper and a pretty green ribbon. I even went to the pet store and paid for a blue dog tag in the shape of a bone, engraved with ‘To Jericho and Pascal’ to attach. It looked beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to present the gift to them.