route_1065 | And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day

Entry tags:

And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day

Who: Envy, France, Miguel, Romano, and Tulio
Where: Goldenrod hotel room
When: December 25th
Summary: After all the mess with blizzards and post-fourth-wall travel and the almost-apocalypse, Christmas is the perfect time to unwind and relax with friends.
Rating: PG to maybe PG-13
Log:

The three Christmases that Envy's spent in Johto have been both remarkably different from each other and remarkable in that he's been recognizing the date at all. But living in Johto can manage interesting things like that.

He's wound up spending each one in Goldenrod, one way or another. But this is the first that their group of five has all wound up piled into a single hotel room to celebrate. There are gifts to pass around and open, food to eat courtesy of room service, and even a few decorations hung around the room. It's an all around much better atmosphere than there's been for most of the month, after everything that's been happening. Even if the room is pretty well flooded with people, but when it's people you care about (even the ones that aren't on the best of terms with each other), that's not really a bad thing at all.

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"So I guess you want your surprise now." Miguel's sitting in a chair, comfortable and with a warm drink in hand. Finally, it's time and he's excited, because this is the perfect gift and he feels proud that he came to think of it (and that Tulio agreed to get it).

"Since you got back in one piece and all."

"Was there ever any doubt that we would?"

Because there is always time for posturing. But Envy's been curious about that surprise ever since Miguel told him about it, so he's excited to see what it is. He was leaning his forearms on the back of Miguel's chair, but walks around to the side instead, grinning.

"'Course we want the surprise."

France has also been curious, although, he must admit, the spark of apprehension from earlier has had some time to grow, especially with the events prior to Christmas in mind. He smiles, though, from his own chair, wine glass balanced in that characteristic elegant carelessness in his right hand.

"I do have to admit it's been on my mind."

Goldenrod is the closest this place has to a capital city, France supposes. At least, following that disastrous trip to the Seafoam Island and that... whatever that was with the weather and the golems and all the other things, it appears to have brought people out of the woodwork and together just in time. Divine intervention or devilish intent: it all does look much the same, and France isn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, even if the gift is just a respite from Johto's general weirdness.

Thus, France is being generous with the intent to do good by providing everyone with lots of good food, booze, and his always excellent company. He swirls his wine absentmindedly, and, as he surveys the occupants in the room, pleasantly warmed, he can't resist commenting:

"One way or another, we never miss Christmas here. This place seems almost conscious of its holidays."

Miguel is still for a moment, a pause for dramatic effect is always necessary, before he pulls something out from his vest pocket (which he is wearing for the occasion). It's a simple but elegant red envelope.

"It's to both of you. Open it together."

"I haven't noticed." Romano's reply comes as childish as always. For once he has not made an attempt for the alcoholic drinks, content as he was with the sweets around him. It was more than enough to keep him distracted.

Though he'd never say it out loud, he had developed a slight inclination towards France's food. It was out of necessity, he told himself as he managed to squeeze another cookie into his mouth. His cheeks were round and full, flushed somewhat by the warmth of the atmosphere.

He took his time with another delicacy before speaking again. "... Even you should appreciate the little gifts, even if you get something that's ... you know, not as grand. ...Not that someone like you should expect little gifts or anything. I-I just thought you should know, just in case."

France reaches out and gently taps the swell of Romano's right cheek.

"Don't eat so many at one time. You could choke."

He could have also added something about taking time to savor the different flavors, but Romano is on pretty good behavior right now, so he'll keep his criticisms to the minimum as difficult as such a task may be for France. Instead, he lets his lips quirk up into a grin at Romano's ramblings.

"Of course I appreciate the little gifts! After all, I am a gentleman."

As usual, humility is not France's strong point. He moves the same hand that poked Romano's cheek to ruffle the boy's hair. It's a companionable gesture infused with fondness.

"As a Nation, we must always appreciate the little things."

Tulio is surprised by the gifts - again. That doesn't seem to change, no matter how many times now he's actually gotten them, no matter how few they are; just the fact that people took the time to get him something is, in itself, something kind of extraordinary. That said, it's shaping up to be a good morning, with his mons all curled up all over him and people he's come to like - YES, even France, a tiny bit, sometimes - in the room.

He stretches out and sinks back, pleased.

"Just what we needed, right boys", he adresses no one in particular as he reaches over and picks a chocolate from the nearest box. "Iiii'm getting used to this christmas thing."

Envy has no such apprehension; he might have at a gift from Miguel once, but not anymore. The sight of the envelope just makes him even more curious than he was before. He takes one end of it, leaving the other end to France, and helps to tear it open.

It takes him a second to realize what the tickets inside are for; cruises aren't a thing in Amestris, but he was in Vermilion long enough that he can figure it out.

"These are for that huge boat, right?" There's a grin starting to spread across his face. Presents are exciting regardless, and that boat had looked like fun.

"If it's always going to be conscious of it this quietly, I'm not gonna complain."

Envy sidles up to France's side, claiming the hand--the one not occupied with wine--with his own. He might not be wearing all of France's gift right now, but he did put on the 'gloves'.

Shaping up to be a good morning is right. It's been a good long while since Envy's found himself feeling this content. And he knows the feeling of being ever surprised at getting presents; he still feels like that himself. He looks up from his current spot by the window - he's been slowly wandering from spot to spot in the room, because what is staying still ever - when he hears Tulio speak.

"It's not half bad, is it?"

He wanders over, carefully stepping over a few Pokemon on the way, to get one of those chocolates himself.

France accepts the envelope, grinning more eagerly as he shares opening it with Envy. Once the tickets are out, France's eyebrows go up on his forehead, surprise and quick pleasure easing out the last of the apprehension.

"The luxury liner, yes."

He takes one of the tickets and turns it over, inspecting some of the instructions and details about the cruise on the back. After a moment, he looks up again, first to Envy with a genuinely excited light in his eyes, and then to Miguel, smiling brightly.

"Thank you. This is a wonderful gift."

He is a bit curious how Miguel and presumably Tulio were able to afford this, but France isn't the type to look a gift horse in the mouth.

They conned their way to it, of course. A fairly elaborate and kinda risky con that Tulio only agreed to after appropriate use of The Face (tm). So, sorry guys, it was not obtained by legal means BUT THAT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER RIGHT??

Miguel practically beams happiness. Wow, who knew giving gifts would feel so nice. He really gotta give more gifts.

"Your trip is on January 21st, you can see the date on the tickets. All the earlier ones where already booked." He smiles a bit sheepish at that. "I hope it's alright."

France snorts, twining his fingers in Envy's and rubbing the pad of his thumb against the fabric over the back of Envy's hand.

"But it's rather obvious it's just calm before another storm."

He shakes his head ruefully, banishing the spark of anxiety that accompanies that thought and putting on an easy smile that's bright even if it is partly artificial. He motions to himself, spreading his arms for a hug, the hand entwined with Envy lifted and pulled slightly forward. When he speaks it's less of a command and more of an offer.

"Come. Sit with me."

NOT AT ALL. Thievery and conning probably had a lot to do with a few of Envy's own Christmas gifts, honestly.

"I don't see why it wouldn't be." Envy's looking well and truly excited now too, both because of the imminent awesome luxury boat trip and also just because France and Miguel look so happy about it all. It's easy to get caught up in the atmosphere.

"Thanks." He's even saying thank you and meaning it maybe the apocalypse is still about to happen after all. "Hey, let me go get both your presents."

And he's off to grab those without waiting for a response. But he's back shortly, and hands over two (rather horrendously wrapped, he's never quite gotten the hang of wrapping) gifts, one to Miguel and one to France.

Envy makes a small, considering humming noise. "Storm's not here yet, though."

He accepts the invitation to hug, leaning forward and wrapping his free arm around France's back. There's the moment of slight hesitation and stiffness, as there always has been and likely always will be where Envy and hugging are concerned, but it's only for a moment before he relaxes. He's still until France speaks again, just breathing, but then he pulls back enough to look up, wearing a contented half-smile half-smirk.

"Sure thing."

It doesn't really matter at all on France's part either. After all, this looks like it'll be the vacation that he's been dreaming about for a good long time.

"There isn't anything pertinent planned for the twenty-first," he says, playfully. "I do believe it'll be easy to make the proper time available."

His eyebrows go up again at Envy's announcement that there is another surprise, but they return to their normal positions on his face as he's given over to amusement at the state of the wrapping over the gifts. He chuckles lightly, turning the gift over in his hands to find where best to begin.

"I'm going to be spoiled by the end of today, aren't I?"

France hums tonelessly in response as Envy comes and allows himself to be hugged. He waits patiently for Envy to relax and get comfortable before molding himself more securely against the warmth Envy's body gives off. When Envy shifts to better look at France, it earns lazy smile, also content as well as deeply fond.

"I do not know what I would do in this place if not for you."

It's a terribly sentimental confession even for France. Perhaps he's had a little too much to drink, but that doesn't mean it isn't honest.

At that, Envy makes a face that's a mix of strong happiness and a tiny bit of surprise, and tightens his grip on the back of France's shirt at the same time. He's never gotten over the rush of feeling that comes with being genuinely wanted. But then his expression softens back into the content half-smirk it was before, and he shifts more into the hug.

Envy really does enjoy hugs, even if he is weird about the giving and getting of them.

"Well, you'd be short some spice bottles about now," he grins, humored and lightly teasing. But then he adds, in a much quieter murmur, "Don't know what I'd do either."

France's lips lift further, a beam now that puts little lights in his eyes.

"Those spices are the perfect thing. I had just been thinking there had to be a better way to carry proper seasoning around than in those heavy glass containers I have, what with all the traveling we do."

He strokes idly at Envy's forearm, smoothing and then lightly rumpling the fabric there over and over.

"Do you have any requests for a home-cooked meal?"

Envy practically beams himself at hearing all that, very pleased that France likes his gift so much. He certainly doesn't mind his forearm being stroked either, and settles further against France with a content sigh.

"You know I like anything you make."

He looks up, a more playful grin on his face now.

"Surprise me."

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And the bells were ringing out for Christmas day

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(Spoilers: it's the tickets to the cruise.)

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