"Harvey," a soft voice said breathily.
Harvey turned around from his locker to find Sabrina, head to toe in black, except red lips, standing expectantly.
"Sabrina, hey, what's up?"
Sabrina smiled, "Harvey, I have a favor to ask you."
Harvey nodded, closed his locker and began walking with Sabrina through the busy high school hallway.
"What's up Sabrina?"
"What would you think of a little construction project?"
"I'm listening…,"
"Well Ambrose got the idea to build a Krampus statue for an event we're having at my school…..my other school."
"Krampus ball….is the Krampus….real?" Harvey asked incredulously.
Sabrina thought for a moment, "I'll get back to you on that…"
Harvey's eyebrows bounced in a bewildered look.
"Hm, well, I dunno Sabrina, I've been helping my dad in the mines lately."
"I see….well Ambrose did say he could help out, but if you're busy I-,"
Harvey put up a hand, "No Sabrina, in that case I can do it. Sounds like fun."
Harvey and Sabrina stopped outside of his classroom. Sabrina bit her lip and smiled.
"Okay, I'll let Ambrose know. Thank you Harvey," Sabrina said empathically.
Harvey grinned, "No problem Brina."
Ambrose, in his boxers, put on an old navy t-shirt. Since Harvey already started on the statue in his shed Ambrose was getting ready to head over and help. He slipped on some light blue jeans that were ripped at the knees, put on his shoes and headed down stairs where he found Hilda dusting.
"Heading out are we?" Hilda asked cheerily.
"Yes Aunty, shall I bring anything back?"
"Just come back in one piece for me?" Hilda replied cheekily.
"Will do Aunty," Ambrose said slipping out of the front door.
The bike ride didn't take long. Ambrose rode right up to the open shed where he saw Harvey inside carrying a small bundle of metal rods. Tools, wood and metal were scattered about the shed. Dry hay covered the most the ground with large bales of it lining the walls.
"Hey Harvey, hope I'm not too late?"
Harvey turned to see Ambrose and smiled.
"No dude, you're good," he said walking over.
Harvey and Ambrose did a slap-dab handshake.
Ambrose slid his hands into his pockets, "Okay, so where do you need me."
They looked over to the rudimentary base that Harvey put together. A bit of wood and a few melded rods cleanly put together. Ambrose gave an approving nod.
"I was thinking we can just continue melding it so we get a good frame going. I was also thinking of making the head separate-,"
"So we can really make the horns pop?" asked Ambrose.
Harvey, his arms crossed, grinned and nodded.
"Brilliant," chimed Ambrose.
Harvey showed Ambrose all the tools and supplies and they quickly fell into a steady rhythm.
Periodically checking a blueprint Harvey drew up they built upon the base. Sanding wood, melding rods and attaching them just so. After a few hours Harvey walked over to a cooler in the corner and grabbed out two sodas.
"Up for a break?" Harvey asked.
Ambrose smirked and sauntered over. Harvey handed him a can.
"Impressive work Kinkle," Ambrose said cracking it open.
"Yeah, well there is actually some construction that happens in the mines so I picked up some stuff," Harvey explained.
"Yes they say construction is an art in a way so I expect nothing less from a talented artist such as yourself."
Harvey shook his head with a grin, flustered.
"I guess so," Harvey murmured.
"No guesswork, just work and talent."
Harvey gave a slow light nod.
"I guess you could use a spell if you wanted," continued Harvey.
"I suppose, though conjuring specific items can get a little tricky," replied Ambrose.
Harvey, smiling, shook his head disbelief, "I can't believe we're talking about this."
"What? Conjuring?"
"No…well yes, I mean magick, witches….warlocks."
"Right," Ambrose said fiddling with the tab of his soda can, "I forget sometime as it's the norm for me."
"How long have been practicing…if I can ask?"
"Oh, a long time but let's not get into that shall we," Ambrose said with a chuckle.
Harvey grinned, "It's getting pretty hot in here."
Harvey peeled off his t-shirt to reveal a slim toned body. Ambrose's eyes widened at the sight and he tried to find a place for his gaze as not to stare and settled with looking straight ahead. Harvey took a gulp of his soda and noticed the change in Ambrose.
"You…okay?"
Ambrose's eyes shot to Harvey, "Oh, yes, I'm fine."
Harvey looked unconvinced but nodded anyway.
"Okay, back to work," Harvey said doing a little jog back to the base.
Ambrose watched him, noticing his taut back, it gleaming from sweat.
Harvey looked different to Ambrose. He already acknowledged that Harvey was good looking when he first met his cousin's then partner but it was never in the realm of attraction. Now Ambrose was questioning if the feelings and thoughts coursing through him could be called as such. He shook it off, took one last gulp of his drink and headed back to work.
