(abz) contrast [Juan]
Title: Contrast [Juan]
Fandom: Altar Boyz
Characters: Juan, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Abraham
Notes: This is one of two incomplete answers for a challenge at crucifunktion that were never submitted.
contrast (n.) bring out differences; set in opposition for purpose of comparing; a striking difference.
It was not as if he had grown accustomed to it. When you are without a thing for the entire span of your life, you learn to live with your loss. That did not mean you had accepted it, however. And this year was different. This year he knew the day would not be spent dreaming that they might be out there celebrating the holiday, an empty chair left at the table for the son they hoped might one day find them. This year he would not imagine finding them at last and sitting down at their table, finally being able to grasp what it was like to be surrounded by family on Christmas.
Juan looked up from the sink and into the mirror. Water he had just splashed on himself dripped from his face like tears, and he shook his head. Perhaps it had not been the wisest of decisions to turn down Matthew's offer to spend Christmas with him and his family. A crash from the floor below startled him out of his thoughts, his eyes widening.
Slinking against the wall as he crept down the stairs, Juan clutched the plunger he had grabbed at the last minute, holding it like a baseball bat and prepared to strike. He was not, however, prepared for the sight that met his eyes as he peered around the corner.
A table had been prepared in his living room, covered with the most magnificent amount of food he had ever seen. Seated around it were the smiling faces of his friends. The plunger fell from his hands as he stumbled into the room, speechless. Matthew leaned over and pulled out the empty chair next to him and beckoned for Juan to sit down. "Merry Christmas, Juan."
"Feliz Navidad," Mark chimed in.
Once seated at the table, he could hardly breathe. He looked around at Luke, Abraham, Matthew and Mark and his heart soared. This is what family felt like.
- October/November, 2005
Fandom: Altar Boyz
Characters: Juan, Matthew, Mark, Luke, Abraham
Notes: This is one of two incomplete answers for a challenge at crucifunktion that were never submitted.
contrast (n.) bring out differences; set in opposition for purpose of comparing; a striking difference.
It was not as if he had grown accustomed to it. When you are without a thing for the entire span of your life, you learn to live with your loss. That did not mean you had accepted it, however. And this year was different. This year he knew the day would not be spent dreaming that they might be out there celebrating the holiday, an empty chair left at the table for the son they hoped might one day find them. This year he would not imagine finding them at last and sitting down at their table, finally being able to grasp what it was like to be surrounded by family on Christmas.
Juan looked up from the sink and into the mirror. Water he had just splashed on himself dripped from his face like tears, and he shook his head. Perhaps it had not been the wisest of decisions to turn down Matthew's offer to spend Christmas with him and his family. A crash from the floor below startled him out of his thoughts, his eyes widening.
Slinking against the wall as he crept down the stairs, Juan clutched the plunger he had grabbed at the last minute, holding it like a baseball bat and prepared to strike. He was not, however, prepared for the sight that met his eyes as he peered around the corner.
A table had been prepared in his living room, covered with the most magnificent amount of food he had ever seen. Seated around it were the smiling faces of his friends. The plunger fell from his hands as he stumbled into the room, speechless. Matthew leaned over and pulled out the empty chair next to him and beckoned for Juan to sit down. "Merry Christmas, Juan."
"Feliz Navidad," Mark chimed in.
Once seated at the table, he could hardly breathe. He looked around at Luke, Abraham, Matthew and Mark and his heart soared. This is what family felt like.
- October/November, 2005