(for disclaimers, etc. - see 1.)
11. All Wrapped Up
'Verse: canon
Date/Timeline: December 2002 (Season 3)
"No. No way. You have got to be kidding me." Jess stared at the unwrapped gift in his hands and seriously thought something had gone wrong. As he glanced over at the self-same thing in Rory's own gloved hands, he knew there was no mix up. This was really happening.
"We did," she said, shaking her head as she realised the same thing he had. "We bought each other the same book for Christmas."
"How is that possible?"
"Well," she considered, trying for a smile, "I guess it proves we both have good taste, and also that we're really compatible?"
Jess sighed. "You sure we're not just pathetic?"
Rory pouted at that. "I think I prefer my idea."
She was too cute for him to even try to say she was wrong.
"Good taste and really compatible it is." He rolled his eyes even as he smiled, reaching out to pull her closer and plant a kiss on her lips.
"Also, it's the thought that counts," she said when they parted, "and the fact that we both knew the other person would love this book says a lot about us. I mean, anybody else would probably just have picked any old random title and figured we would read it, which is probably true, but only we know that we bought this one because we just knew the other person would love it above all other books."
"And because we each wanted to read it too and knew we could borrow it from the other person after they were done with it," said Jess, daring her with his eyes to say he was wrong, which of course, she could not do.
"Okay, so that too, but everything I said is also true!" she told him definitely.
"C'mere," he urged her, drawing her in for another kiss.
This time, she seemed a little more willing, now that she was finally done talking. Not that Jess really minded the rambling. He kind of adored it most of the time, even if he wasn't big on saying as much. Of course, he also liked when they got to use their lips for other things and was glad to know that Rory felt the same.
"Hmm, for a second, I almost forgot we were outside," she said as they parted, eyes darkened by passion. "You're very good at warming me up."
"Yeah, well, you're not so bad yourself," he told her with a smirk, diving right back in a second later.
There was a chance some passerby told them to get a room, but Jess wasn't sure if he really heard that or just had the thought in his own head. Not that he was about to suggest to Rory that they take it inside. She wasn't ready for that yet, he was well aware, so it was better for them to be someplace where even he couldn't be tempted to try. Outside on the bitter cold streets of Stars Hollow in December was certainly not a romantic or comfortable spot. Also, somebody was suddenly clearing their throat pretty loudly, and it was clearly bothering Rory, even if Jess had hoped to ignore it.
"Oh, hi, Luke," she said, her cheeks the colour of a Stop sign as she glanced over Jess' shoulder. "I was just... um, I should head home. Merry Christmas!" she called as she slipped from Jess' arms and literally ran away.
"I thought you were exchanging Christmas gifts, not the contents of your mouths" said Luke with a look. "Could you at least try to be a little respectful? It's Christmas."
Jess rolled his eyes as he walked by him back into the diner. "Ho, ho, ho," he deadpanned, like he couldn't care less, but the smile on his face just wouldn't shift.