Disclaimer: Nothing's mine. It's fanfiction.
I have no idea what is going on with me today, but this short story came to my mind when watching "Bracebridge Dinner"
It was oddly good to know…
It was a cold, snowy evening in Stars Hollow. Jess sat on his mattress (or whatever that bed should be called) in their apartment reading The Great Gatsby for the twentieth time when Luke entered.
He did it rather silently, but Jess was aware of the man's presence. Sneaking up on the almost eighteen year old kid was difficult. He was aware of his surroundings even when reading a book. Without looking up, he knew the man would want to talk to him, it wouldn't be a lecture but more that type of awkward conversations they sometimes held and Jess couldn't help but cherish those to some point. They always indicated that Luke seemed to care.
To be honest with himself, he never knew how to respond to that. He'd been self-reliant all his life, having an adult constantly looking over your shoulder was annoying and distressing; nevertheless it was oddly comforting, too.
"Jess," was the very eloquent introduction to their talk. To make it a little easier for his uncle, he put his book away looking up expectantly.
Luke wouldn't know, but his uncle was the only male adult he could bare this close around him standing while he sat. Actually, the older man's presence was kind of relaxing.
"Uncle Luke?" He said with mocking eagerness.
"Well, I just had a conversation with your mother concerning Christmas… I… Well, you just got here, so I insisted that you would spend your holiday in Stars Hollow. I mean it would be crazy if you already went back… So… That wasn't your mother's idea. We had an argument and in the end she gave in, so… You're going to be here at Christmas."
Poor Luke. He couldn't lie very well. Though looking straight into Jess' eyes, the younger man knew he wasn't telling the truth. Liz hadn't called. He knew that and it didn't surprise him. It seemed to hurt Luke, though. He didn't want his uncle to be hurt.
"Okay," he said indifferently. He wondered what Christmas would be like with someone like Luke… someone who cared. He still couldn't wrap his mind around it. Why would his uncle care?
It was oddly good to know that his uncle wanted to spare him the pain… strange, yes, but it felt oddly good.
"Okay," the no less monosyllabic man as himself said, his arms swinging a little, obviously uncomfortable. He seemed to try avoiding his gaze. Jess then realized he'd been watching his uncle ever since he'd laid aside his book. He knew people tended to get nervous when he observed them for too long.
He didn't want to make Luke even more uncomfortable. With that thought, he picked up his book once again starting to read.
He missed his book collection terribly. That and his CD collection were the only things in his possession he was proud of. It had taken him years to gain either. He was a little shocked to realize that he didn't wish to go back to New York. He rather hoped Liz would just send all of his stuff to Stars Hollow.
For a moment he looked up dumbstruck: The place didn't grow on him. It simply didn't… shouldn't… wasn't supposed to.
Quickly getting rid of the thoughts he shook his head while his attention was being focused back on the book.
It's very short, I know. I hope you like it anyway!
Please read and review!
Theoretically I could do a follow-up if you want.
There's two possibilities: Other little scences between Luke and Jess or Rory and Jess in the sleigh (episode "Bracebridge Dinner"). If you are particularly interested, I could do both. Or nothing at all. It entirely depends on you.