The Only Thing I Want For Christmas
by Sistine
URL: http://www.area52hkh.net/ass/sistine/onlythin.php
Summary: Two lonely men find each other at Christmas
Info: Written for a challenge at Pepe's Place. Challenge was: fit the 15 given Christmas words into a fic, and preferably make it a Past Life with First Kiss
A small town, somewhere in England, 1910
It is a dark and stormy night.
Well, actually it's not. The sky is clear, the stars are sparkling brightly, and there's no chance of snow before the morning. And being nearly midnight, when most folks are at church attending Christmas mass, it is silent outside, with hardly a breeze to rustle the trees. Or if they're not at church, then they're at the pub, wassailing to their hearts content with copious amounts of drink.
Me, I have to look after the shop in case anyone comes looking for a gift at the last minute. Jackson's Emporium is a bit of an odds-and-ends shop, stocking many different items since the town isn't big enough for many specialty stores. I stock antiques, furniture, books - my favourite - and material, and come Christmas time, items such as mistletoe, holly, chestnuts and fancy goblets to put on the table for Christmas lunch.
I look out the window and sigh - there's no-one in sight, just a snowman down the street, one spindly arm already falling off. I feel sorry for it, sympathising with how lonely it must be out there when everyone else is inside out of the cold. As for why I'm lonely, well... my wife died nearly a year ago and I haven't found anyone else yet. Staring up at the sky, I wonder whether she's up there, an angel looking down on me and keeping me safe. Wherever she is, she's at peace now after a long illness, leaving me alone with just a shop for company. Somehow, books aren't the same as having her around, and they definitely can't keep me warm unless I create a fire with them.
Which reminds me... I go over to the open fireplace - the fire is dying down. I should be right until I close the shop as I'm already wearing a coat and gloves. After midnight mass, there aren't likely to be too many customers, and I'll have to go to bed. Alone. Without my beautiful wife.
I think I will skip Christmas this year.
Maybe someday I'll celebrate it again when I have someone in my life. I'm not too fussy - so long as they can put up with the long hours that I work in the shop and don't laugh or ignore me when I regale them with stories, then I'll be happy. Yes, that would be a nice Christmas present. In fact, that's the only thing I want this year; I've already got everything else I need.
~~~~~
I hate Christmas. I wouldn't even be doing anything for it if my sister hadn't pushed me into coming to visit her. Ever since my son and wife died several years ago, there hasn't been any reason to celebrate. I had been hoping that I could spend Christmas alone again this year but no such luck; my sister is way too persistent. So here I am, lagging behind my sibling and her family as we walk back from Christmas mass, thankful that it's not snowing although the air is somewhat chilly. My overcoat gives me some protection, as does the absurdly tight high collar and kerchief that my sister insisted I wear. Why we have to dress up so formally to go to church, I don't know. Fortunately, there's no wind or my top hat would have disappeared long ago.
I really need to get married again or something - anything so that I don't have to dress up on Christmas Eve. By the 'or something', I mean if I could find a guy that I could live with. Most people find that pretty disgusting - two men together - and originally, I did too. But then I tried it and found that I really liked it. Then I got married and had a child, so I put those activities behind me until my family died. It's a lot easier to go with men because there doesn't need to be any sentiment or emotion involved - it's just sex.
We walk past Jackson's Emporium, which is still open judging by the gas lights in the store. I need to escape my company for awhile so I tell them that I need to buy some candles and I'll meet them at home, then I quickly enter the store. It's cold inside but I don't care, so long as I'm not around people who are enjoying Christmas.
There's a young man in the store, about mid-twenties, I would say. And very good-looking too despite the large glasses and dull brown suit. Light brown floppy hair almost covers the bright blue eyes that are now staring at me, seemingly surprised at my intrusion.
"Can I help you?" he asks, his voice suiting him very nicely - not too deep or too high but just right. Smooth. Just like his skin...
Back to the present, O'Neill! "I just need some candles."
"What type?"
Huh? Candles are candles, aren't they? "What type do you recommend?"
~~~~~
I was very surprised when the man walked into my shop. He looks very rich, done up in his top hat and black coat. He also looks like he isn't the type who frequent shops but rather have their servants do it for them. And the way he looked at me when I spoke... it almost seemed like it was sexual. But that couldn't be possible, not least because we're both men. Alright, occasionally I've felt the odd bit of attraction towards male customers but I've just put that down to loneliness. And this man is quite attractive, with deep brown eyes and short ash-blond hair that isn't quite cut fashionably...
Pulling my mind back to safer territory, I reply, "It depends on what you need them for. Are they for display on a Christmas tree?"
"No, just ordinary... stuff. You know." He shrugs and looks around the shop.
"Right." I go over to the candles and pick out several plain ones of a medium size. "Will these do?"
He glances at them and then looks away. "They'll be fine. How much do I owe you?"
"A penny for three," I state.
~~~~~
That's very cheap but I'm not going to argue. I put my hand in my pocket and find that I haven't got any money with me. Why... oh yes, I put the wallet in my other coat and then changed it at the last minute when my sister complained that it wasn't dressy enough. "Um... I don't have the money," I admit. "Sorry."
He just nods, his expression downcast. Suddenly, I get the feeling that he's as lonely as I am; I don't know why but I just know it. "Listen, do you want to get a beer or something?" I ask impulsively.
His blue eyes widen behind the glasses and he looks shocked. "Excuse me?"
"I don't like Christmas much," I confess, shoving my hands in my pockets. "And I'm guessing you don't either or you wouldn't be open this late."
His face falls and I see sadness there. "My wife died this year," he states, an undertone of grief evident.
I nod sympathetically. "My wife and son died a couple of years ago. Haven't felt like celebrating since."
He just stares at me for a few moments and then says, "Would you like a whiskey? I have some out the back. Jack Daniels."
"Very appropriate," I comment, holding out my hand for him to shake. "My name's Jack O'Neill."
His sudden smile lights up the room and I feel desire swirl inside me. The feeling intensifies when he shakes my hand even though we're both wearing gloves. "Daniel Jackson," he introduces himself.
Well, if that's not an omen, I don't know what is. Glancing up, I happen to see that we're right underneath the mistletoe. Another coincidence? I don't think so. Before he can protest, I step towards him, put one hand on his cheek, and then cover his mouth with mine. There is a brief squeak of surprise from his soft lips, his body stiffens and then relaxes as he starts to kiss me back...
~~~~~
He's kissing me! I can't believe this is happening! Not only that, I can't believe how good it makes me feel! It's like kissing my wife only more intense, which is weird because Jack is a total stranger. I don't even know him and yet he is arousing desire within me with just a kiss.
I slide my hands around his waist as he pulls back from the kiss, his brown eyes full of desire. "That was... unexpected," I manage to say.
"But welcome?" There is hope and vulnerability mixed together in his voice.
I don't hesitate. "Very."
"Have you done this before?" he asks gently, his hand caressing my cheek.
"Never." But suddenly, I am eager to try.
"Good." He leans back in slowly and kisses me again.
Time will tell but I think I now have the only thing I wanted for Christmas.
