(Jim/Jesse, Aster/Jaden-implied) If all you do is something wrong, then what do you do when it all comes together? For a special day, Jesse had a plan that fell apart the day of. Now, the three guys who tore them apart will piece back together the 'golden boys' for the eve of a special day.
---Jesse---
A Christmas gift....
What do you get the person who has 'everything'?
That buzzed wildly in his head as his aqua hair was stained with bits of snow. He tucked his head deep into his scarf and trudged along.
Christmas was in three hours and he still didn't have anything for Mr. Have-Everything-Anyways. But what do you get someone like that? Someone that close and that special?
He felt his knees no more. His fingers were probably frozen solid. His toes definitely were, as he couldn't feel them puncturing the snow. He finally decided he'd stay away until he had something for his Mr. Have-Everything-Anyways.
His blue-green eyes followed a couple in a sleigh and his heart sank....
---earlier in the day---
"What do you mean?" Jim asked, his head dangling over the end of the bed, watching Jesse. "I mean, do you honestly want to go out? I'd rather stay home."
"Well, fine. I just wanted to spend some time outside with you." Jesse smiled brightly. "I'll just be right back. I need to tell the guy not to come here."
"What guy?" Jim was suspicious now and rolled over so he was up-right.
"Oh, just the sleigh guy. I asked if they could send someone here so we could go to the park. No big deal. He said I can change the plans last second if need be." Jesse was digging through the mess that was his desk. He used it only to schedule his training days and to be a shelf.
Jim sat up. "You had this whole thing planned out?"
"Well, yeah. I wanted something special."
"Jesse...."
He knew that 'Jesse....' and slowly turned around. Jim was looking at him with that cold heart again. "What?" he said, trying to smile.
"You know 'what'!" Jim said, getting off the bed. "I haven't spent one night alone with you! You've been out with Jaden and Aster and Atticus! Could it be you're trying to get away from me? Jesse, after all that happened, you still want to turn around and stab my heart out again?"
"No, I was getting their help with your Christmas present, Jim!"
"You and your stupid excuses." Jim grabbed Jesse's coat. "Out! Get out." Jim pushed him out the door and slammed it behind him, sliding the dead-bolt in place.
---present---
Jesse found some roasted almonds and sat in the park watching people skate on the ice. He felt like his busy days of being an ice skater were over now. If he was going to stay close to Jim, he was going to have to do something drastic. Ice skating was his livelihood. It gave him a rush of being alive to hear Jim applaud him at practices. With a sinking feeling, Jesse wondered if Jim knew only one side.
Reaching into his pocket, Jesse's numb hands found it.
Opening his palm to the glittering snow, a single band glimmered in the light of flickering torch lights.
Did Jim not know that today was special? To make it magnificent, Jesse had asked Aster to help him find someone to rent a sleigh from so Jaden could drive it. Atticus had helped pick out the ring for the engagement. Now, that was all a waste. Jesse suddenly threw the ring into the ice. Some of the skaters zoomed by before Jesse's eyes looked down at the roasted almonds and he decided he'd find a trash can.
He was rounding a corner when he saw an elderly man. He had a cardboard sign saying he was hungry and cold. Jesse looked at his thick jacket and his almonds.
Better idea.
---Jim---
He kicked the trashcan and was turning away when he heard a soft "thump" and turned around.
There was a little black box amongst all the trash. Jim dug it out and stared at it. Had Jesse purposely put that there?
He opened it and his hands dropped the box like it was on fire.
A single, silver band was engraved with 'Will you marry me?' in the crystal that held it. The silver band looked rather expensive and well crafted. The crystal must've cost a fortune to have it engraved and polished to a shine.
Jim was backing away when he heard a knock at the door. Grabbing his key, he quickly unlocked the door and was shocked.
Aster was standing there, stomping dirt and very heavy chunks of snow off his boots. He smiled a bit at Jim. "If it bothers you too much, I'll come back later. But I can see Jesse didn't ask you yet."
"You mean the ring?" Jim asked. Things were starting to click.
"Yeah. Atticus spent a fortune helping Jesse get it just right. Jesse's ring for you is quite something. A silver band with this nice, dark green emerald. It's quite lovely, but Jesse didn't have much after he'd bought his own. Besides, the sleigh guy called me and said nobody was outside when he drove by, so, I assumed you guys had left for your little 'dinner on the town' Jesse had all planned out. Hey!"
Jim had grabbed Aster's wrist. "Where is he?"
"How would I know." Aster shrugged. "Tell me you didn't act like a complete doosh bag again...."
"No! Well, not on purpose."
Aster suddenly broke out laughing. "Ah, so Jesse's jealousy plan worked. You're a real piece a work, you know?" Aster gave another smile. "Well, I'd venture a guess he's at the lake or the river. He loves the ice, you know that. If I were you, I'd hop to it and hope he's were you're looking."
Jim didn't wait. He grabbed his coat and darted out the door, leaving the lights on and the door locked.
Aster watched him go and shook his head. "Really, sometimes you and Jesse are so dense." He got out his phone and dialed Jaden's number. "Hey, darling, we have a problem."
