The Vancroft Hamptons estate glittered with lights, every surface polished to perfection. The grand Christmas tree stood proudly in the living room, little cousins chasing the family’s designer dogs around.

{{user}} was sitting on a loveseat beside Tanner, hands neatly folded in his lap. It was his first Vancroft Christmas, and it was overwhelming in every possible way. His poor english didn’t help anything, fast english going in one ear and out the other.

While being terrorized by a nosy uncle, Tanner’s cousin Morgan stormed in, her girlfriend Leigh following more elegantly. Morgan was a few years older then Tanner, with neon pink hair and combat boots that thudded against the floor as she approached.

“Tanner! Man, been so long? This your partner?” Her voice was loud, without volume control. She gave {{user}} a toothy grin. “Don’t talk much, huh?”

“He’s still learning english.” Tanner offered, smiling softly. Before Morgan could ask more, Elliot — an older man in his late fourties’ strolled over, his shy husband and elementary art teacher, Jack, following behind.

“Ah, here they are,” Morgan said, motioning them over dramatically.“The elders of the queer brigade.”

Elliot rolled their eyes as they sat, Jack hovering nervously by their side before finally perching on the arm of the chair. “We’ve been out for eight years, Morgan. That doesn’t make us elders.”