Spirit

"Come on, Aster!" Jack exclaimed, pulling on Aster's arm. The older teen merely grunted and allowed his boyfriend to hoist him up.

"Why do we have to go to the mall again? Especially while it's so busy?" Aster said, grumbling as Jack thrust his coat in his hands. As usually, the smaller teen went without a jacket or a coat. Winter weather never bothered him.

"Aster, it's Christmas time. You know what that means, don't you?" Aster had to muster a lot of self-control to not roll his eyes.

"O' course. It means screaming babes, crowded stores, and people steppin' on your toes… It's chaotic. And noisy." Jack shook his head.

"No. It means Santa impersonators and Santa impersonators means free candy and coloring books." Aster started at him incredulously.

"Really? Free candy and coloring books? How old are you again, Frostbite?" Jack wagged his finger at Aster as he slid into the passenger seat of Aster's car.

"No one, no matter how old they are, would pass up free candy. Besides, you need more Christmas cheer in your life." Aster scoffed as he started the car up.

"Ah, no. What I need is less Christmas cheer and more Easter cheer. Besides, your dad's practically Santa Claus anyway, so why go to the mall to see an impersonator?" Jack sent aster a look.

"I bet you'd be more enthused if we were going to see the Easter Bunny." Aster couldn't help the grin that spread across his face as he drove to the mall.

"Well, of course I would be. Easter's always been my holiday." Jack tried to glare at his boyfriend, but he couldn't. The happiness in Aster's voice made it too hard to be mad at him.

"That's only because you were born on Easter."

"That's completely besides the point."

They were barely able to find a parking space at the mall. The one they did manage to find as a good distance away from the entrance. Jack didn't mind the walk of course; he was too focused on his candy and coloring book. So focused was he that he nearly got himself run over numerous times. Had it not been for Aster, he'd be a frosted pancake on the black top. By the time they actually made it inside the mall, Aster was a bundle of twitching nerves on the verge of a breakdown. And with the mall packed with parents, teenagers, screaming babies, and old people, he just knew that he wasn't going to get any better.

"This way, Aster!" With Jack taking hold of his hand, Aster was steered through the tight crowd. He bumped into way too many people and stepped on Lord only knew how many toes. His hands were trembling and his ears were hurting by the time they arrived at the very long line for Santa's Workshop.

"Jack, do we have to do this? The line's way too long, mate." Jack looked up at him.

"Yes, Aster. Yes, we do." So they waited. And waited. And waited. After a good half an hour at least, it was finally their turn and Aster had just about had it. He was shaking so bad and he was in such a foul mood that he had a migraine.

"You're up next, Aster." Aster glared down at his boyfriend. Someone behind them pushed him forward and Aster accidently collided with the father of the child currently on Santa's lap. The man turned and sent him a glare.

"Watch it, douche bag." That was it. Without another word, Aster grabbed Jack's hand and they left the mall.

The car ride back to Jack's house was quiet. Jack knew that Aster was upset; it wasn't as though he had tried to hide it. When his car was safely parked in the driveway, he turned to Jack.

"Look, I'm sorry, but I honestly cannot handle large crowds, especially around the holidays." Jack nodded, looking guilty and remorseful.

"I'm sorry I made you go. I just wanted to get you into the Christmas spirit." Aster smiled at him and pulled Jack into a hug.

"Bein' with you is all the Christmas spirit I need. Now, how's about we go inside and watch A Year Without a Santa Claus while I get you some milk and cookies?" At that, Jack perked up and beamed at him.

"I love you."

"I love you too."