Here's my entry for the Tumulus writing challenge for December '08. We had to use at least 3 of the following words: collect, knock, smirk, infatuate, tongue, and curl. Takes place between Nightlife and Moonshine.

oooOOOooo

A Very Leandros Christmas

Cal came home around sundown, as he had agreed with Niko. His older brother still worried about him, even though he was now able to walk in public without keeping a death grip on the knife concealed under his jacket at all times. Cal had recovered at least physically from his ordeal with Darkling, and Niko's idea of therapy involved lots of running and sparring sessions. Even with the auphe gone, Niko insisted they always be prepared for whatever was around the corner, and the two of them certainly had a good idea what could be lurking around corners in this city. So early this morning Niko had made him run and trained his ass off, then cut Cal loose while he went to school.

Cal smelled the tree in the hall leading to their apartment and assumed one of their neighbors was getting into the holiday spirit. He was surprised when he opened the door and the fresh pine scent wafted over him, mixing with popcorn. Cal locked the door and entered the living room cautiously. There was a small fir tree with lights set on a table draped with an old sheet. Niko walked out of the kitchen with a bowl of popcorn and a sewing kit.

"We have a tree," Cal said blankly. Had they ever had one of those before?

"Your powers of observation are stellar as always," Niko said, handing him the popcorn and sewing kit. "Here, start making a garland. Don't eat all the popcorn, it's for the tree."

Cal sat on the couch and threaded a needle. He began piercing fluffy white kernels onto the needle, and eating every one he broke. Niko found a radio station on the dial that was playing Bing Crosby, then began hanging small bulbs on the tree that he must have picked up at a thrift store.

Cal munched another piece. "Wow. You're really nesting. I guess Promise is starting to domesticate you, huh?"

Niko's eyes narrowed and cut over to him. "Someone wants a lump of coal in his stocking, this year."

Cal shrugged. "I'm pretty much resigned to being on Santa's naughty list, what with trying to destroy the world and all."

Niko came over and sat next to him casually. Then in a flash he reached over and smacked the back of Cal's head. "How many times do I have to tell you? That wasn't you. Now I don't want to hear that again."

Cal rubbed his head and scowled at Niko. Although he'd known it was coming, he still hadn't ducked fast enough. "Ow. Shit. Looks like Santa can skip this address completely."

Niko smiled and took the needle and thread from him. "Always together, right?" He threaded piece after piece, not breaking a single one. When he had a decent length of garland, he tied off the thread and draped it on the tree. While he was in the kitchen, Cal slipped into his brother's room. When Niko came out with two cups of hot apple cider, each with a curl of cinnamon stick, one of his shuriken was tied to the top for a star. Cal saw the corner of his brother's mouth twitch.

Cal accepted his mug and breathed in the spicy smell. "What, no eggnog?"

Niko didn't dignify that with an answer. Of course no eggnog. The high fat and sugar content was to Niko what sunlight was to a vampire. The two of them sat side by side listening to Bing for a while, sipping their cider.

Finally Cal said, "I dunno, Nik. This is getting a little too Norman Rockwell for me."

Niko nodded. "Don't knock it, little brother. Unless you want to go for another run tonight."

Cal wisely held his tongue.