12 Days of a J2 Christmas: Day 3
Master Post and Notes
The light winter weather held up well enough through the Christmas festival, where they sampled Edy’s cheesecake with green, red, and white sprinkles, passed hordes of children with foam reindeer antlers advertising a local bank, and bypassed a huge line held another great gathering of kids waiting for their picture with Santa. And then they came upon the St. Matthias Choir.
Jensen stopped and listened to the blended voices rising high then slowly descending to carry out a touching, understated version of “Silent Night.”
Jared bumped him from behind, tucking his chin at the shoulder and chattering at his ear. “They have peppermint mochas at the last booth. I think we oughta head over before they run out. And then grab a couple bags of holiday popcorn. It’s so freaking cheap here, you have no idea.”
He scowled for a second, adjusted his glasses, and tried to tune Jared out. It didn’t work.
“The Little Angels have taffy apples, and some have peppermint bark. I think we can round up the key food booths and bounty up. But then we have to find a spot to camp out. Some ruthless folks already have some spots off Highland, but I think we can grab something down at North.”
“Jared,” he said firmly without turning.
Jared’s head turned toward Jensen’s and he asked easily, “What? What’s wrong?”
He took a deep breath. “Just? I don’t know? Shut your mouth for two minutes.”
Jared moved back and looked around then he huffed a bit. “Alright, whatever.”
When Jensen took a second to think about the situation, he realized Jared was gone. His eyes coursed the area and Jared was nowhere to be found. When the choir started with their rendition of Oh Holy Night, Jensen’s attention went back to the stage and he admired the flow of their voices, twining together and lifting the lyrical beauty. He couldn’t not listen, couldn’t stop watching the way their mouths formed each sound.
When the group took a break, Jensen floated around the festival grounds and took in the reindeer staging area, smiling at the families gathering for photos. He watched as couples stood in line for carriage rides and grandparents handed candy canes off to grandkids at a nearby games booth.
It took some time, but he found Jared admiring the collection of high school kids performing a choreographed dance to “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” As the group finished and bowed to the applause, Jensen neared him, but he was halted when the St. Matthias choir gathered on stage once again. He listened to their voices carry out the background music for heartbreakingly slow a capella number. The mellow sounds soothed him, especially when he realized exactly what it was.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose.
Jensen came up behind Jared, slid arms around his waist and pressed his face into the shoulder of Jared’s puffy down jacket. He felt more than saw Jared’s movement to turn towards him and how Jared tensed for a moment. As the song continued, they both eased, and once the tail end of the song rang out, Jensen’s low voice came at Jared’s ears.
And so I'm offering this simple phrase, to kids from one to ninety-two. Although it’s been said many times, many ways, a very Merry Christmas to you
Jared’s sarcasm laced his words. “Should I applaud you or the professionals?”
Jensen chuckled then dropped a kiss just behind Jared’s ear. He said quietly, “That’s my favorite song.”
Hands fumbled but found each other as Jared pulled Jensen tighter to his back and he nudged their heads together. “Really?”
He smirked, realizing how this really was their first Christmas together, the first chance to learn holiday nuances and traditions. “Absolute favorite.”
“I like Sleigh Ride.” Jensen gently chuckled, thinking through the fast pace and quick lyrics. After the bit of silence, Jared defended, “It’s fun.”
Jensen tucked another kiss to Jared’s neck and smiled, thinking how perfectly that song fit Jared and his presence, his personality. “Yeah, definitely. It is.” He squeezed Jared then released him. “Let’s get peppermint mochas.”
“Yeah?”
The sudden spark was evident in his broad smile and his shiny eyes, and Jensen played it up just for Jared. “You think I’m gonna pass up the chance for caffeine laced with chocolate and sugary minty goodness?”
The second Jensen sipped at the steaming cup, Jared broke in laughter. He reached forward with one long finger and swiped away the condensation coating Jensen’s glasses. Jensen smirked then took another long sip of the near-scalding drink. The lenses fogged up again and Jared moved in to curl his hand just above Jensen’s head so the finger could swipe across the glass, much like a windshield wiper.
Jensen laughed again then slipped on a soft smile. His eyes slowly took in Jared’s amused look and he suddenly blurted, “Let’s go home.”
Jared waited for Jensen to explain more. When he didn’t, Jared asked, “What about the parade?”
As he crept up, he folded the hand with the coffee cup close to his body while the other coasted under the edge of Jared’s coat, his shirt and to his back. His voice drifted with his reply. “Can watch it on TV. Let’s go home.”
The kiss was gentle but lasted longer than it really should when in public and among so many kids, but Jared couldn’t stop licking into Jensen’s mouth and Jensen had started the whole thing. He wouldn’t dream of ending it. Jared sucked on Jensen’s lips one final time and his eyelids fluttered low. Which was more than enough of an answer. But then he laughed and wiped at Jensen’s glasses again. “You’re all fogged up.”
Jensen grinned and was kissed again.
Jared said low but rough, “We should just tape it. Watch it later.”
“We should really just go.”
“Yeah. Yeah, definitely,” he said with a slow smile as he laced fingers with Jensen’s and led the way.
Day 4
