Tis the Season (for Rat)

[silenttrainbaby]

The cheer and the color of the holiday had an unexpected effect on Grey. That most things didn't seem terribly expensive made it nearly irresistible. He'd just gone looking for two more knives and had left with a large bag of things from the store.

He's carrying this bag when he taps his fingertips on Rat's door. Unbeknownst to him, he's like Santa, bringing his gifts in a sack for Rat, who's been very, very good.

Of course, what's in the sack is a hodge-podge of things that caught his eye in the store. Something called an "Elf on a Shelf," two stockings with spangles on them, a string of lights, a package of tinsel, among with some other things.

Ho-ho-ho, indeed.

Comments

[plaguedrat]

"It's just a story," Rat teases, coming over and puling the stockings back inside. "They're made up characters, more or less. In this city, who knows? But we can keep them inside."

[silenttrainbaby]

These holidays were confusing.

How could there be more than one person coming to leave presents? How did they know what to give someone?

But if Rat is sure. ... He helps put them back on the shelf.

[plaguedrat]

Yes they were, especially when Rat had only known about them in distant and abstract terms.

"I don't know if Santa Claus is real. So maybe I'll sneak presents in there before you wake up."

[silenttrainbaby]

Rat doesn't have to do that, thought. Grey takes his hand in his and shrugs a little. He's getting gifts too, of course. It's hard, though, with so much out there, to choose just the right thing, he's finding. So, he kisses Rat's knuckles instead.

[plaguedrat]

He watches the little kiss, turning his hand to cup Grey's face. There's no point in wondering when he started caving to every request an glimmer in Grey's eye; he just does. Increasingly, he finds it's no so bad.

[silenttrainbaby]

It was a small thing on the train. To give what he was capable of giving. Grey thought nothing of it then and he thinks less of it now, just that he has more to give. More of himself, more of the world around him available for sharing.

With Rat, he wants to give everything, it seems natural to. To keep nothing back. He steps closer again so that Rat fits in the circle of his arms.

[plaguedrat]

Tipping his head back, Rat snuggles into Grey's arms, lifting a hand to his mouth and kissing Grey's palm.

"You have to let me up eventually or I'll burn the food."

[silenttrainbaby]

Instead of doing that, Grey aims them toward the kitchen, walking them both toward the kitchen with a crooked near-smile. He only lets Rat go when they stand near the oven and stove.

[plaguedrat]

"This is your idea of helping?" Rat leans back and kisses him before lifting the lid to check. Picking up a clean spoon, he tests the meat against the edge. It very nearly gives without any resistance. Almost ready, but he turns and offers the spoonful to Grey.

[silenttrainbaby]

Giving it a blow (Grey has burned his tongue too often to count), Grey take the bite and chews, watching Rat's face. It's good; he nods.

[plaguedrat]

"Just a little longer," he guesses. "Then it'll be even more tender."

Another kiss then, while they have a spare moment. "Do you want anything to go with it?"

[silenttrainbaby]

Bread! Grey goes rummaging for it. Bread goes with everything in his book anyway.

[plaguedrat]

Bread sounds fine by him. So does Grey. He lowers the heat further on the stove so that he can sneak over and lay kises on Grey's neck.

[silenttrainbaby]

They make Grey shiver. He turns, bread in hand, and smooths a hand over Rat's hair before kissing him, gentle and sweet.

[plaguedrat]

It's his turn to press Grey against the counter, to circle his arms around Grey. For the moment, he keeps their kisses sweet, languid.

[silenttrainbaby]

Hands bracketing Rat's hips, Grey lets his eyes shut. He loves the feel of Rat's mouth against his. He loves catching his boyfriend's lower lip and suckling it.

[plaguedrat]

He huffs out a brief laugh, pressing up against him in a way that's more than just sexual. At this moment, he just needs to feel Grey next to him.

[silenttrainbaby]

No complaining on Grey's front. The longer they are together, the more it seems that Grey orbits around Rat, the sun to Grey's planet. His arms go around Rat's shoulders again, cheek to his boyfriend's temple.

[plaguedrat]

Leaning into his embrace, Rat kisses him and then lays his head on Grey's shoulder. He loves him, feels safe with him.

[silenttrainbaby]

They make each other feel safe. They love each other.

If Grey knew to make a Christmas wish, he wouldn't need to. He's already gotten more than he could ever wish for, right here.

[plaguedrat]

It's the stupid stores and the inescapable music, Rat swears. It has nothing to do with the low light brought only by the fairy lights Grey brought and the sense of peace.

It has nothing to do with the simple joy of being near Grey that makes him sing. "It's the season of possible miracle cures, where man is saved by a voice in the distance..."

[silenttrainbaby]

Grey goes still, listening, not wanting to give Rat any reason to stop. He watches and he listens and the words wash over him.

It's beautiful.

[plaguedrat]

It's not the cheery, manically happy Christmas song that every store has been pumping out since the middle of November. This one is something softer, somber and hopeful.

Sincere.

"It's the season of scars and of wounds of the heart, of feeling the full weight of our burdens...It's the season of bowing our heads in the wind and knowing we are not alone in fear, not alone in the dark."

[silenttrainbaby]

They aren't alone. And the dark here - unlike the train - is like a cocoon that is warm and safe.

Rat's voice is pure sounding and sweet. Grey touches his chin, fingers along his throat to feel the vibration.

[plaguedrat]

Knowing what Grey means, Rat tilts his chin up, offering his fingers more space.

"Don't forget. Don't forget I love, I love, I love you."