Christmas Chapter! Get Snuggly
During the winter holidays, Jim always went home to visit his mother. This year David tagged along. They rode in a transporter from one space port to another until they finally made it to Montressor. They rented a carriage and glided over the snow. It was falling so gently, that it covered the neighborhoods in a blanket of silence.
When they reached the inn, they went right up to the door and opened it. "Mom we're here!"
Sarah Hawkins came out from the kitchen with her arms open wide. "Oh Jim I'm so glad you made it!" She gave Jim a big hug. Then she pulled back and observed David. "and you must be David." she gave him a once over.
"Yes, ma'am." David took off his hat. She smiled and turned back toward the kitchen.
"You boys make yourselves comfortable! I'm just brewing up some hot chocolate for everybody."
Jim and David sat together on a couch in front of the fireplace. The fire was small and simmering, keeping the air cozy without being too hot. Sarah returned with a tray that held three mugs. She offered two for the boys and took one for herself before settling in her armchair. Jim looked around before asking, "Where's B.E.N?"
"I gave him the holiday off." Sarah chirped.
"Oh, I see." Jim chuckled. "Wanted some peace and quiet, huh?"
"Well I knew you two were spending the holiday here and I thought it would be better with just the three of us." A timer dinged in the kitchen. "Be right back."
Jim looked over at David who was politely sipping his cocoa with two hands. "You can relax, babe. She isn't a stickler for first impressions."
"Ah- I can't help it." He squirmed.
Jim, with a sneaky smile, faked a shiver. This made David scoot closer and lean against Jim's shoulder. "Gotcha." Jim whispered and sipped on his drink.
David rolled his eyes and lifted an arm to lay it behind Jim's head. "You brat." He felt something tickle his fingertips. He looked over his shoulder. There was a decorative table behind the couch. Laying on it was a garland and some candles in their holders, and- David picked up small bunch of leaves from the table and dangled it. It brushed against Jim's forehead. "Mistletoe." David purred.
Jim leaned over and gave him a little kiss. David almost pouted but Sarah came back with the tray, this time laden with two bowls of hot soup.
"Here ya go!" She set the tray down on the table and picked up her cocoa. Sitting in her armchair, she snuggled down against a pillow. "Let me know if it needs something."
"This is perfect, mom. Thank you."
Sarah smiled and watched David as he blew gently on his soup and stirred it. After the boys had warmed up and were almost done with their bowls, she spoke. "So, David."
"Yes, ma'am?"
She smiled gently. "Why don't you tell me about yourself? I've heard a bit from Jim when I do get to hear from him. But I'd like to hear more from you. Why did you join the academy? What does your family think? What do you like to do? Things like that."
David smiled. "You mean things exactly like that. Well," he set the bowl down and picked up his mug. He rubbed it with one hand, keeping his fingers warm. "I joined the academy mostly because it was something I always knew I wanted to do. And needed to do. I come from a military family, so it was always expected of me. My grandfather was a naval commander and really got me into it too. My father, who is an army general, was less inspiring. So, since I'm from a military background they were thrilled to know I was joining the academy. Carrying on tradition and all." He sipped at his cocoa.
"That sounds like a lot of pressure. But I can understand having loyalty to your family. Do you think there's anything you'd be doing if you weren't in the military?"
"No, ma'am. As my father would say, I'm a military brute. Runs through the blood."
"Your father sounds, um, very forceful."
"He's a piece of work, alright." Jim murmured into his cup.
"I'll be the first to admit he is not pleasant." David gave Jim an affectionate side eye. "But it is what it is. I'm my own person and he'll just have to accept that."
"I hope so." Sarah smiled and yawned. "Well boys I think I'm gonna go to bed. Feel free to take whatever room you want, just lemme know before you leave so I can clean it up."
"Don't worry about it mom." Jim stood with his dishes in his hands. "We can clean up after ourselves." David got up after him and grabbed his own dishes.
"Oh! I laid out some towels and soaps upstairs. I didn't know which room you were going to take so those on the landing are for you."
Jim came back from the kitchen and approached his mother's chair. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I think we're gonna go to bed too. It was a long trip." He moved to the fireplace and doused the coals.
David went to the door and picked up their bags. "Is there anything we can do for you before we turn in, Mrs. Hawkins?"
Sarah smiled as she got up. "No, thank you David. You two just go off to bed."
She patted his arm as she walked by. "It was very nice to meet you." She gave Jim a kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight boys." She walked to a little room across from the kitchen and closed the door.
"She lives down here?" David headed up the stairs. Jim turned out the light by the door and followed.
"It's just easier for her to get up and get started in the morning." Jim grabbed the towels at the top of the stairs and walked a few doors down to a room near a window. David reached and opened the door, so the two could go inside. It had a queen-sized bed, two bedside tables and a small couch against the bathroom wall. Jim flopped onto the bed and groaned. "Oh man, these beds are so comfy."
David pulled off his shirt and tossed it onto his bag. "Good, baby. I'm gonna shower."]
"I'll come with you." Jim yawned.
David fidgeted with his belt before walking to the bed and kissing Jim. "You don't have to baby. I know you're tired."
Jim wrapped his arms around David's neck. "Hey."
"Hey?" David smiled.
"Merry Christmas Eve." He lifted his lips to David's.
"Ah," David kissed Jim again, and again. "Merry Christmas Eve, love."
The two of them slept comfortably in the bed, the snow illuminated by the moon through their window. The silence was so peaceful, it was almost transcendent. As if their world had been covered by a veil. Where the old and the new were constant companions. When the morning came, the sun climbing high over the house, did the boys wake up to the smell of breakfast. Jim rolled onto his side and watched David stretch. David scratched the back of his head as he sat up and yawned.
"Good morning." Jim got up and threw on a shirt.
"Good," David yawned again. "Morning." He furrowed his brow. "Did we put your mom's presents under the tree last night?"
Jim shook his head. "I always put them there Christmas Eve Night. More magical for her that way. And she sneaks off after Christmas Eve Dinner and puts mine under the tree. It's kinda how we've always done it."
"Even when you were a kid?"
"Especially then. After my dad left she'd work so hard to make Christmases extra special for me. And I tended to stay up and wait until she was asleep before taking my own presents for her down and put them under the tree. I'm sure she's figured it out by now but its always been this unspoken Christmas magic between us."
"Wow babe. That's so sweet."
"Yeah, well," he started blushing. "That breakfast smells good! Let's go get some before it gets cold." As he walked around the bed to reach the door, David caught him by the wrist. "Wha?" Jim got pulled into a big bear hug.
"You're such a big softie." David nuzzled Jim's ear with his nose.
"Shush!" Jim pushed out of the hug. "Don't tell anyone."
Sarah was pouring some maple syrup from the big bottle into a little creamer cup and setting it onto the table. The boys walked in and checked the table for anything they could help with. "Good morning, boys. Have some breakfast."
"Hey, mom. Merry Christmas Eve." Jim smiled as he took a seat.
"Merry Christmas Eve, Jim." Sarah watched David with a small smile on her face. He was politely and rigidly trying to sit in his seat. He placed his hands on his lap and sat quietly. "David, hon?" He looked up at Sarah. "Are you alright?"
"Oh, yes, ma'am. Thank you."
"You don't have to be so formal here. This is your holiday off. Please don't make a fuss over me." She chuckled lightly and set a napkin over her lap as she sat in her chair.
"Yes, ma'am." David quietly cleared his throat.
"Do you want some of the waffles, mom?" Jim offered her the plate full of warm doughy squares.
"Thank you!" She slid two onto her plate.
"Day, do you want some?" Jim nudged his shoulder affectionately.
"Yes, thank you."
Sarah gave them a moment to get settled and start eating. Then it was on to the 'mom questions.'
"So, David," Sarah started talking after David finished his first waffle. "How's Jim doing in his classes?"
"Mom," Jim whined.
"Very well actually. He spends study hall actually studying, he's a wizard in engineering and has even done some very well written essays for our government class. The man knows how to argue. He's not doin' too shabby. Not at all."
"Oh that's great! Jim, you said you weren't feeling great about your government class."
"Well, I'd be doing a lot worse if Killion didn't grammar check my work. And David practices debates with me." He blushed a little, thinking about the last time they "practiced debating."
"So, theoretically," David had Jim pinned against the wall with a knee between his legs. "I think the pros far outweigh the cons of taking you right here, in this classroom."
"Theoretically," Jim whispered. "and literally, I'd have to disagree. The possibility of being seen is a much higher risk in this position than it would be back in the dorm."
David lifted his knee against the inseam of Jim's pants. "Position, huh?" he teased. "Prove it."
Jim huffed a chuckle. "The blinds on these windows do close, but they have a significant viewing space if someone were to crouch down and look up through all of them. Let's say, for example, the gardener. There's no lock on the classroom door and the window on the door has no blinds to allow visitors to see the progress of the students in this class and is a primary example when Mrs. Fern leads tours through this hall." David lifted an eyebrow. "And the far corner is out of the question, not only could someone see something they'd consider suspicious through the legs of the desks through the window but there is a mirror almost directly across from the door next to the blackboard where all other three corners can be seen by any passersby."
David rolled his eyes. "Fine." He bit Jim on the neck, earning a small moan. "You win."
"Jim?" His mother's voice interrupted.
"Yes?" He cleared his throat.
"Could you hand me the milk, please?"
"Sure." Jim smiled at David, who was sweating a little. Jim furrowed his brow and touched David's hand under the table. David gave Jim a side glance before gesturing at Sarah with his chin. Jim shook his head a bit, not understanding. David squeezed his hand and nodded toward Sarah again. "Oh." Jim murmured. "Hey mom?"
"What's up hon?" She looked up from her coffee.
"I thought it only fair that you know. David and I, are actually a couple." He smiled gently. "You know how I told you that I might be bringing someone I was seeing to visit for the holiday? It's David."
"Oh hon," Sarah smiled. "I guessed that already." She looked at David, who looked like he was taking his first deep breath in a long time. "You can relax with me around. I've known Jim was gay since he got that angsty piercing." She got David to laugh.
"Seriously?"
"Oh come on Jim. It was obvious. I was thinking you were gay by the time you were thirteen. I'm your mother!"
"Most people don't ever figure out their kid is gay. My father didn't know til I straight up told him." David shook his head. "And besides our roommates it's a secret because of the academy regulations, ya know? The 'don't ask, don't tell' kind."
"I see. But your roommates can see right in front of their noses huh?" Sarah smiled. "So, how long have you been seeing each other? When did you know?"
David set his hand over Jim's on top of the table and rubbed his thumb against Jim's pinkie. "Well, I'm just a closeted country boy, but Jim didn't really set off any alarms until we had that school dance." Jim looked at him with a quizzical brow. "I remember him specifically saying he wasn't into girls. He said it twice at least. And I'd have to be pretty dense not to take that hint. Wasn't long after that before I came out to him. Then he confirmed my suspicions."
"I just thought you were super friendly, at first." Jim squeezed David's hand. "But as we got to know each other, there were definitely some signs. After that, the rest is just what you see here, mom." Jim and David shared affectionate looks. "He's crazy about me." Jim smirked and winked at Sarah. It made her laugh.
"He's joking, but really, he's got me wrapped around his finger." David rested his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand.
"He's so sappy. Mom, how do you cure sappiness?"
"You endure it, hon. So enjoy it." Sarah got up and took the plates with her.
"Hear that?" Jim looked at David. "How long must I endure you?"
David kissed Jim's hand. "Forever."
The rest of the day was spent lounging and snacking. Sarah had made some treats, which she was planning on taking to some neighbors, but the snow made that a dangerous task. So instead, David and Sarah talked and played games, getting to know each other better. Jim read his book and laid on the couch, just enjoying the company and the roar of the fire. At one point, Jim fell asleep with his book laying open on his chest. David watched the slow rise and fall of his breathing and moved from his seat to a chair beside the couch.
"I appreciate you letting me come over for Christmas, Mrs. Hawkins." David whispered.
Sarah looked up from her book. "No problem at all. It's nice to have company. Especially when its such a dear friend of Jim's. Boyfriend, I mean. He doesn't really have a lot of friends here. None his age anyway."
David smiled and brushed Jim's hair away from his eyes. "Well, he's got plenty of friends at the academy. So there's no need to worry."
"Now that I've met you, I won't have to." Sarah returned to her book and sipped her tea.
After Sarah had ushered David into the kitchen for dessert, and put the presents under the tree, she said goodnight to David and kissed Jim on the forehead.
David gently rubbed Jim's shoulder, waking him. "Let's get your mom's presents, babe." Jim groaned and stretched before following David to their room and picking up the gifts. "She should be asleep." David whispered as they descended the stairs. The lights on the Christmas tree were the only thing illuminating the room. They gave off a soft glow, making the living room inviting and cheerful. After they returned to their room, Jim pulled off his shirt and hugged David from behind.
!SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD! DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ!
"Are you tired?" Jim kissed David's shoulder blades.
"Never too tired to be with you." David purred. He turned so he could kiss Jim. When Jim moaned into his mouth, he thought he was going to melt. They broke apart and went to the bed. Stripping down to their skin, David laid on the bed with Jim straddling his hips. David unwrapped a condom from the bedside table and handed it to Jim. Jim rolled it onto David before leaning down and kissing him.
"I love you." Jim whispered against David's lips.
"Oh," David rubbed Jim's hip bones. "I love you so much." Jim adjusted himself before positioning David directly below him. As he sat down on David's cock, he moaned. David pulled Jim's hips gently down until he was in completely. Jim began rolling his hips, grinding against David's. "You're so sexy, baby." Jim was getting a good rhythm of grinding, before David started massaging his cock. Jim clenched and moaned as he splayed his hands over David's stomach.
"Ah, Day-" Jim licked his lips, trying to moisten his dry mouth. He started grinding a little faster, rolling his hips and clenching David. David grabbed Jim and held him in place before thrusting up and down. Jim's mouth fell open slightly at the stimulation. David's thrusting turned into a harder, faster pounding. "Daaaaaaayyyy!" Jim moaned in an adorable, loud voice. David jerked Jim off again, until the younger brunette was gasping and moaning with every thrust.
"Oh, gods Jim. I'm gonna come." David grunted. He squeezed Jim's dick before rubbing a thumb in circles all over his head. Jim's panting was all he could do to breathe. With all this stimulation between his hips, he couldn't think. He could barely match David thrust for thrust. A few more slams onto his prostate and he'd be there. And then, and then, there it was. Jim came onto David's fist, and with that last clench, David came with him. "Ohhhhhh." David twitched and settled his hips onto the bed. "Oh, gods." His breath was stolen from him as Jim lifted himself off David and onto the bed. David reached over and grabbed a rag from the bedside table and cleaned himself. He handed Jim a different rag, and soon they were laying on the bed together, panting.
END OF SEXUAL CONTENT
"Oh, wow." David breathed and took Jim's hand in his. "You're amazing." Jim chuckled. David turned his head to look at Jim, who looked back with a smile on his face. "What have you done?" David smirked.
"What?" Jim turned on his side to cuddle. He laid his head on David's shoulder and pressed himself against David's body.
"Why can't I get enough of ya? You always have me comin' back for more." David reached over and tucked Jim's bangs behind one ear. "You're so," he shook his head. "I dunno."
Jim propped himself on one elbow, laying his other arm on David's chest. "Well with all those pretty words I'm sure you'll think of something." Jim kissed under David's ear and down his neck. "Gimme your best shot. Make it cheesy." He continued nuzzling.
"Alright. Cheesy, huh?" David started rubbing the small of Jim's back. "I'm damn near crazy 'bout ya. Every day I spend with you gets better and better. You're everything I want in every possible way. Not just sexually. I mean-" he shook his head and smiled. "gods, everything about you is all I ever wanted. You're smart, you're adventurous, spirited. And you chose to be with lil 'ol me. You coulda had anybody. I just- I just can't imagine the rest of my life…" they locked eyes. "without you." Jim's eyes were illuminated by the moon at their window. Snowflakes danced in the highlights, giving them an intense, predatory look. David's breath caught in his lungs. Slowly, he lifted a hand to touch Jim's cheek. So slowly, as though he were approaching a hungry beast. Jim's cheek was hot to the touch, but as he leaned into David's palm, he began to cool. David whispered almost inaudibly. "Would it be incredibly stupid," he dared not blink. "to say you're beautiful?"
"Not at all." Jim whispered back and kissed David's palm. "I was thinking the same thing."
They made love, talked, and cuddled til the early hours of the morning, then fell asleep in each other's arms. The morning came bright and early, and as soon as David woke, he was jumping out of bed.
"Com'mon sleepyhead. It's Christmas!" He got a clean t-shirt from his bag and threw it on. Next, he pulled out some sweatpants and socks. When Jim was just rolling onto his belly to sleep, David gave him a hearty smack on the ass.
"Ow!" Jim rolled over and threw a pillow at David. "Jeez, man. Whyyyyyy?"
"It's Christmas! I can smell breakfast- your mama must be up by now. Com'mon!" David left Jim to get dressed and made his way downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, the room was filled with all sorts of breakfast smells. Sausage and biscuits, eggs and bacon, buttered toast and pancakes. "Good morning, Mrs. Hawkins!" David greeted her cheerfully. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas David!" she beamed.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Nope! Just sit yourself down and dig in. I'm almost finished here."
Jim came through the door in a long polo shirt and sweats. He yawned before grabbing a mug off the table and filling it with coffee.
"Good morning Jim. Sleep okay?"
"We slept like babies." David answered and poured himself some orange juice. "Your rooms are so comfortable, Mrs. Hawkins."
"Why, thank you dear." She sat down and started eating. Jim played with scrambled eggs on his plate and nursed his cup of coffee to his chest. When David offered him some bacon, he groaned. Instead, he put some toast on his plate and made an egg sandwich. "Jim, have some meat, would you?" She put some sausage and a biscuit on his plate. Jim just sighed and ate his breakfast in silence. It wasn't til the middle of his second cup of coffee that he became more verbal.
"Thank you for breakfast, mom."
"Of course. I didn't think to ask what David would like last night so I just made everything."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hawkins." David smiled and drank from his cup.
"Of course!" After they'd all finished their breakfast, and put their dishes in the sink, Sarah clapped her hands together. "Presents! Let's go do presents!" She took Jim's arm and the three of them made their way to the living room. Each one of them found a present with their name on it and took a seat.
"Go ahead, mom. You first." Jim smiled and tossed his little present from one hand to the other. David was gently shaking his present and tapping the box.
Sarah looked at the tag and started unwrapping. "It's from Jim," She found a little box in the wrapping, and opened it to find a new hologram locket. "Oh, Jim! It's beautiful!"
"I can show you how to program it, so your old pictures are there too, but your old one is gold and this one is silver. So now you can match outfits with your lockets."
"Aww, thank you sweetheart." She clutched it to her breast.
"Open it." Jim smiled.
As the latch clicked and the cover opened the sound of Jim's laughter came from the locket. There were holograms of him in his uniform, saluting the camera. There was video of he and David laughing together and one of Jim sitting at his desk and saying: "Love you, mom." The holograms played a little longer before they started to repeat.
"Oh, Jim. This is so wonderful." She started to tear up. "Thank you."
"Alright David!" Jim patted his shoulder. "You're next."
David unwrapped the large box and lifted the cover. Inside, there was a big comforter stitched with images of farm life. The tag on the box said: Aunt Gracie. "Oh, this is great! I'll have to send her a note. Probably can't take it to the academy though."
"You can keep it here if need be. I could always have another blanket here." Sarah offered. Then it was Jim's turn. "Who's it from, Jim?"
"It's from David." Jim gently unwrapped the ribbon and paper. Inside the box were dog tags. Each of them had one of their pictures on them, smiling. While the back had song lyrics engraved on them. "Thank you so much." Jim smiled and looked at David. He took the dog tags out and hung them around his neck. The lyrics were from a love song. The two tags together completed the lyric. David's said: "Love, you're not alone, I'm gonna stand by you." and Jim's said: "Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through." The song was by an artist named Rachel Platten, and Jim could remember hearing it on the radio with David. He couldn't believe David had remembered the song enough to engrave it. "These are great." Jim put the tags under his shirt.
"Woah, two compliments? He must really like 'em!" David laughed.
They spent the rest of the holiday eating and enjoying each other's company and fiddling with their presents. When the time came to go, Jim and David gave Sarah big hugs and took some food for the road. They sat in silence on the way to the transporter, and then again on their way back to the Academy. "That was a really great Christmas." David remarked.
"Yeah, it was." Jim squeezed his hand.
David sighed. "I can't wait to do it again."