Fic: Christmas Wishes
Title: Christmas Wishes
Pairings: James/Richard
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2013
Summary: Sitting alone, James wishes for one person to be with him that evening.
AN: Merry Christmas everyone. :D I also don't know much on pianos... so if any facts on them that are wrong, just tell me.
The open fire roared, making the shadows grow and shrink as it flickered in the darkened room. Near the fire, sat in away in the corner a small dressed green tree sat. A black and white cat sitting beneath it among the small pile of presents, eyes closed as it dozed against the heat.
The room’s other occupant sat in a cream coloured chair, staring into the hearth with a glass of red wine in his right hand. His left moved in time to the slow Christmas song playing from the radio. Humming, James appreciated the music on such a cold night. He would, traditionally, be sat at his piano playing some of the tunes.
“Shame it’s being re-stringed,” he muttered to himself. Fusker opened one of his eyes, stared across at him before curling up tighter with his eyes shut.
James looked at the cat, smiling slightly, before placing the wine glass down on the small coffee table. He felt warm and not just from the fire. He had drunk half a bottle of red wine during the night - and its effects were finally starting to take place.
He hadn’t meant to drink so much - or, rather, none at all. He had planned to save it until Boxing Day when he was meeting up with Richard’s and Jeremy’s families. The night had continued to move slowly, and had resulted in him opening it to try and lighten his spirits.
Uncurling his legs from beneath him, James smiled at the flickering flames again. “I know what would make me
happy.”
He glanced at Fusker, seeing he got no reaction from his pet. Shame he isn’t here though.
James leant forward to take the glass of wine and slowly finished the remaining drink. He stood up and walked towards the kitchen where he had left the bottle in an attempt to stop him from drinking it.
He poured himself another glass full, corked the bottle, and walked back to where he was seated before. After a few more sips of the wine, James closed his eyes and imagined the person who would make the dismal evening better.
Even in his imagination, he was perfect. Brown hair left messy by the elements, his cheeks bright red and wrapped in a slightly too big coat and scarf dwarfing him further.
Opening his eyes, James stared at a photo of the two of them. Pain riddled his eyes as he wished for something he couldn’t have. “Richard...”
James raised the glass to his mouth again, savouring the taste, before placing onto the coffee table. He sat in silence for a moment, until a light knock at the door made his senses wake up.
Looking at the clock near the photo, James frowned. It was ten, so who would arrive at this time?
Another knock came, slightly louder than before, making James stand up and walk with a slight sway to the door. He pulled the chain back and turned the handle down to reveal...
“What are you doing here?”
Richard stood in the small snow drift, his cheeks bright red from the bitter cold. He was wrapped, as James only moments ago had imagined, in a slightly too big coat topped with a scarf making him seem smaller then he really was. His hands were protected from the cold with gloves, which must have being the reason as to why the knocking wasn’t as loud as it should have being. A light smile played on his lips as he could see James’ shocked look, as well as how his face seemed brighter indicating drinking. “I know this could have waiting until Boxing Day, but, I wanted to show you something on our own.”
Richard stepped into the hallway of the flat, shaking his head free of the snowflakes. James moved to close the door, not believing this was happening and that the wine had done this to him, while Richard removed his coat and shoes. “Don’t close it. Something is coming.”
“What?”
Removing his shoes, placing them away where James always instructed him to, Richard repeated his sentence, “something for you is coming.”
James frowned, looked around before turning to face Richard. “What is coming?”
“Mr Hammond?”
Richard grinned and moved James backwards away from the door. “Close your eyes... I couldn’t wrap it and I want it to be a surprise.”
Closing his eyes, James felt Richard lean closer to his back with his hands moving to make sure he didn’t look. James felt his breathing increase slightly, and his cheeks get redder from the touch. Stupid wine’s done this to me.
While there was some shuffling, James wondered how Richard had reached him with such ease. Richard wasn’t that small, not enough to struggle, but some how he felt different from where he was stood.
Kicking one of his feet back gently, he got the answer as instead of Richard’s foot he felt the bottom of his stairs. Smiling, James moved his head slightly, “you’re cheating; using the stairs to make it easier.”
“Well, as you said, it’s easier. Oh my, oi! Be a bit more careful with that.”
There was a grunt followed by more shuffling. After a few minutes of being stood in silence, the footsteps came back and the door closed. James went to move Richard’s hands away, “no. I’ve got to take you to it now.”
Richard stepped down from the stairs, and then started to lead James to where the present was. When he finally stopped, James began to move his head in an attempt to remove his hands. “I hope you like it.”
Moving his hands away, Richard stepped in front of James and smiled. James stared before grinning. Sat in the parallel corner to the Christmas tree, where it had always stood, was the Grand piano. “My piano.”
“I asked them to fix it quicker, and they did it a day earlier. So, I thought I’d bring it round and show you something.”
Richard walked over to the seat and sat down, his legs only just reaching the pedals, and flexed his fingers. James stood back, leaning against the door way to allow him space. “I’ve being working on this all year,” glee hanging from his voice.
It was one of the things James liked about Richard. He was determined. He would never give up, and never back down from a challenge. Richard pressed one of the keys, finding the correct notes, before he started to play the song.
The tune started slowly, in a carefully played rhythm. More notes were played in a quicker bar, revealing the song away. “I remember this. I tried to teach you it last year.”
Richard smiled at his reflection in the light brown wood. “I wanted to surprise you with it. After you said I didn’t have the patience to learn.”
The verse of the song began, making Richard to hum along to the song so he could remember the notes and rhythm.
‘I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping’
“While you’re far away and dreaming, I could spend my life in this sweet surrender.”
James continued to sing the words out slowly to the song, as well as admiring how well Richard was playing.
From a distance, Richard looked comfortable with the piano. Carrying some of the elegance James had told him he lacked. He also looked so... James could only think of the word cute. Sat straight on the edge of the seat, reaching for the pedals he wasn’t using while his fingers glided over the keys, sometimes struggling to make some of the keys.
Walking forward, James stood behind Richard; watching his hands with some elegance move across the black and white keys. “I’m impressed. You seem to have put so much effort into this.”
“'Cause even when I dream of you; the sweetest dream will never do.”
Richard made one mistake in the keys, so he paused the song for a moment to try and correct himself by memory. James smiled, watching him struggle to remember the key before leaning over him to move his wrong hand to the right note. Richard turned to look at James, letting him see the slight flush on his face.
Was that from the cold still, or something else?
Turning away, Richard looked at the keys again and James’ hand. “I always struggle at the chorus. Mainly that part,” he muttered.
Moving his hand away, James moved to sit beside him. “Then let me help you.”
James replaced his hands on top of Richards, and began to continue the song from where they had left off. By the end of the chorus, Richard’s hands left James’ and continued the song by themselves, leaving James to lightly sing along again and watch Richard’s hands.
Would they be that elegant elsewhere?
Placing his hands over the higher keys, James began to play along with Richard in a duet. When they reached the chorus for a second time, James felt Richard’s eyes drift to look at him and his hand movements to make sure he didn’t make a mistake. “And thank God were together, I just want to stay with you in this moment forever.”
James sighed, his mind clearing from the wine, wishing the moment wouldn’t end. But, by the end of the song Richard would say he had to leave, and James could do nothing about it. If only he could express how he felt. He knew how he’d say it - he had just sung the very words with the same amount of passion as he would in speech.
“I don’t want to close my eyes, don’t want to fall asleep. Cause I’d miss you baby, and I don’t to miss a thing.”
James pulled his hands away from the piano, eyes closed as he held back the tears that threatened to fall. “James?”
The music stopped, and a Richard rested one of his hands onto James’. “What’s wrong?”
James opened his eyes, staring at Richard’s brown eyes. Richard frowned, before pulling his hand back. He could see it. See the hurt, the pain, the love and the hate that James felt inside him. James looked away again; lifting his hands back onto the piano and decided that if Richard could see the love, he should try to say it with words.
“I don’t care if you hate me for it... but if you can see it in my eyes, then you should hear it.”
James re-played the last verse, not singing until he reached the last lines. “And thank god were together, I just want to stay with your in this moment forever.”
He slowed the tune down, eyes drifting to see Richard’s face. “Forever and... ever.”
“James... I should have guessed.”
Staring down at his hands, Richard smiled softly. “You should have told me.”
James stood up, turning his back on Richard. “I couldn’t... I didn’t know how and I didn’t want to break our friendship up or-”
Before he could continue, he felt himself being spun around and stole James’ lips in a kiss. James felt his face flame up, but he closed his eyes and enjoyed it. When they parted, Richard stared up at James smiling sheepishly. “I’ve wanted that as much as you have...”
James grinned, wrapping his arms around Richard’s waist to bring him into a hug. Placing his head under his chin, James sighed and whispered, “Is that why you learnt the song?”
Richard nodded and pulled away from the hug. “So I could get you in a position so I could kiss you. Because, I never actually forgot the notes...”
Richard laughed when James bent back down and gently nipped his neck. James forced them both back to the couch, where they fell over the arm. Sitting on top, James began to kiss Richard slowly, and thought to himself that this was
best Christmas present anyone could offer him.
Well, apart from Richard being naked with a red bow wrapped around his neck.
Pairings: James/Richard
Rating: PG
Word Count: 2013
Summary: Sitting alone, James wishes for one person to be with him that evening.
AN: Merry Christmas everyone. :D I also don't know much on pianos... so if any facts on them that are wrong, just tell me.
The open fire roared, making the shadows grow and shrink as it flickered in the darkened room. Near the fire, sat in away in the corner a small dressed green tree sat. A black and white cat sitting beneath it among the small pile of presents, eyes closed as it dozed against the heat.
The room’s other occupant sat in a cream coloured chair, staring into the hearth with a glass of red wine in his right hand. His left moved in time to the slow Christmas song playing from the radio. Humming, James appreciated the music on such a cold night. He would, traditionally, be sat at his piano playing some of the tunes.
“Shame it’s being re-stringed,” he muttered to himself. Fusker opened one of his eyes, stared across at him before curling up tighter with his eyes shut.
James looked at the cat, smiling slightly, before placing the wine glass down on the small coffee table. He felt warm and not just from the fire. He had drunk half a bottle of red wine during the night - and its effects were finally starting to take place.
He hadn’t meant to drink so much - or, rather, none at all. He had planned to save it until Boxing Day when he was meeting up with Richard’s and Jeremy’s families. The night had continued to move slowly, and had resulted in him opening it to try and lighten his spirits.
Uncurling his legs from beneath him, James smiled at the flickering flames again. “I know what would make me
happy.”
He glanced at Fusker, seeing he got no reaction from his pet. Shame he isn’t here though.
James leant forward to take the glass of wine and slowly finished the remaining drink. He stood up and walked towards the kitchen where he had left the bottle in an attempt to stop him from drinking it.
He poured himself another glass full, corked the bottle, and walked back to where he was seated before. After a few more sips of the wine, James closed his eyes and imagined the person who would make the dismal evening better.
Even in his imagination, he was perfect. Brown hair left messy by the elements, his cheeks bright red and wrapped in a slightly too big coat and scarf dwarfing him further.
Opening his eyes, James stared at a photo of the two of them. Pain riddled his eyes as he wished for something he couldn’t have. “Richard...”
James raised the glass to his mouth again, savouring the taste, before placing onto the coffee table. He sat in silence for a moment, until a light knock at the door made his senses wake up.
Looking at the clock near the photo, James frowned. It was ten, so who would arrive at this time?
Another knock came, slightly louder than before, making James stand up and walk with a slight sway to the door. He pulled the chain back and turned the handle down to reveal...
“What are you doing here?”
Richard stood in the small snow drift, his cheeks bright red from the bitter cold. He was wrapped, as James only moments ago had imagined, in a slightly too big coat topped with a scarf making him seem smaller then he really was. His hands were protected from the cold with gloves, which must have being the reason as to why the knocking wasn’t as loud as it should have being. A light smile played on his lips as he could see James’ shocked look, as well as how his face seemed brighter indicating drinking. “I know this could have waiting until Boxing Day, but, I wanted to show you something on our own.”
Richard stepped into the hallway of the flat, shaking his head free of the snowflakes. James moved to close the door, not believing this was happening and that the wine had done this to him, while Richard removed his coat and shoes. “Don’t close it. Something is coming.”
“What?”
Removing his shoes, placing them away where James always instructed him to, Richard repeated his sentence, “something for you is coming.”
James frowned, looked around before turning to face Richard. “What is coming?”
“Mr Hammond?”
Richard grinned and moved James backwards away from the door. “Close your eyes... I couldn’t wrap it and I want it to be a surprise.”
Closing his eyes, James felt Richard lean closer to his back with his hands moving to make sure he didn’t look. James felt his breathing increase slightly, and his cheeks get redder from the touch. Stupid wine’s done this to me.
While there was some shuffling, James wondered how Richard had reached him with such ease. Richard wasn’t that small, not enough to struggle, but some how he felt different from where he was stood.
Kicking one of his feet back gently, he got the answer as instead of Richard’s foot he felt the bottom of his stairs. Smiling, James moved his head slightly, “you’re cheating; using the stairs to make it easier.”
“Well, as you said, it’s easier. Oh my, oi! Be a bit more careful with that.”
There was a grunt followed by more shuffling. After a few minutes of being stood in silence, the footsteps came back and the door closed. James went to move Richard’s hands away, “no. I’ve got to take you to it now.”
Richard stepped down from the stairs, and then started to lead James to where the present was. When he finally stopped, James began to move his head in an attempt to remove his hands. “I hope you like it.”
Moving his hands away, Richard stepped in front of James and smiled. James stared before grinning. Sat in the parallel corner to the Christmas tree, where it had always stood, was the Grand piano. “My piano.”
“I asked them to fix it quicker, and they did it a day earlier. So, I thought I’d bring it round and show you something.”
Richard walked over to the seat and sat down, his legs only just reaching the pedals, and flexed his fingers. James stood back, leaning against the door way to allow him space. “I’ve being working on this all year,” glee hanging from his voice.
It was one of the things James liked about Richard. He was determined. He would never give up, and never back down from a challenge. Richard pressed one of the keys, finding the correct notes, before he started to play the song.
The tune started slowly, in a carefully played rhythm. More notes were played in a quicker bar, revealing the song away. “I remember this. I tried to teach you it last year.”
Richard smiled at his reflection in the light brown wood. “I wanted to surprise you with it. After you said I didn’t have the patience to learn.”
The verse of the song began, making Richard to hum along to the song so he could remember the notes and rhythm.
‘I could stay awake just to hear you breathing, watch you smile while you are sleeping’
“While you’re far away and dreaming, I could spend my life in this sweet surrender.”
James continued to sing the words out slowly to the song, as well as admiring how well Richard was playing.
From a distance, Richard looked comfortable with the piano. Carrying some of the elegance James had told him he lacked. He also looked so... James could only think of the word cute. Sat straight on the edge of the seat, reaching for the pedals he wasn’t using while his fingers glided over the keys, sometimes struggling to make some of the keys.
Walking forward, James stood behind Richard; watching his hands with some elegance move across the black and white keys. “I’m impressed. You seem to have put so much effort into this.”
“'Cause even when I dream of you; the sweetest dream will never do.”
Richard made one mistake in the keys, so he paused the song for a moment to try and correct himself by memory. James smiled, watching him struggle to remember the key before leaning over him to move his wrong hand to the right note. Richard turned to look at James, letting him see the slight flush on his face.
Was that from the cold still, or something else?
Turning away, Richard looked at the keys again and James’ hand. “I always struggle at the chorus. Mainly that part,” he muttered.
Moving his hand away, James moved to sit beside him. “Then let me help you.”
James replaced his hands on top of Richards, and began to continue the song from where they had left off. By the end of the chorus, Richard’s hands left James’ and continued the song by themselves, leaving James to lightly sing along again and watch Richard’s hands.
Would they be that elegant elsewhere?
Placing his hands over the higher keys, James began to play along with Richard in a duet. When they reached the chorus for a second time, James felt Richard’s eyes drift to look at him and his hand movements to make sure he didn’t make a mistake. “And thank God were together, I just want to stay with you in this moment forever.”
James sighed, his mind clearing from the wine, wishing the moment wouldn’t end. But, by the end of the song Richard would say he had to leave, and James could do nothing about it. If only he could express how he felt. He knew how he’d say it - he had just sung the very words with the same amount of passion as he would in speech.
“I don’t want to close my eyes, don’t want to fall asleep. Cause I’d miss you baby, and I don’t to miss a thing.”
James pulled his hands away from the piano, eyes closed as he held back the tears that threatened to fall. “James?”
The music stopped, and a Richard rested one of his hands onto James’. “What’s wrong?”
James opened his eyes, staring at Richard’s brown eyes. Richard frowned, before pulling his hand back. He could see it. See the hurt, the pain, the love and the hate that James felt inside him. James looked away again; lifting his hands back onto the piano and decided that if Richard could see the love, he should try to say it with words.
“I don’t care if you hate me for it... but if you can see it in my eyes, then you should hear it.”
James re-played the last verse, not singing until he reached the last lines. “And thank god were together, I just want to stay with your in this moment forever.”
He slowed the tune down, eyes drifting to see Richard’s face. “Forever and... ever.”
“James... I should have guessed.”
Staring down at his hands, Richard smiled softly. “You should have told me.”
James stood up, turning his back on Richard. “I couldn’t... I didn’t know how and I didn’t want to break our friendship up or-”
Before he could continue, he felt himself being spun around and stole James’ lips in a kiss. James felt his face flame up, but he closed his eyes and enjoyed it. When they parted, Richard stared up at James smiling sheepishly. “I’ve wanted that as much as you have...”
James grinned, wrapping his arms around Richard’s waist to bring him into a hug. Placing his head under his chin, James sighed and whispered, “Is that why you learnt the song?”
Richard nodded and pulled away from the hug. “So I could get you in a position so I could kiss you. Because, I never actually forgot the notes...”
Richard laughed when James bent back down and gently nipped his neck. James forced them both back to the couch, where they fell over the arm. Sitting on top, James began to kiss Richard slowly, and thought to himself that this was
best Christmas present anyone could offer him.
Well, apart from Richard being naked with a red bow wrapped around his neck.