[It turns out that Tim Stoker loved the holidays. It had been years since he'd decorated - there hadn't really been the reason, or the energy, frankly, to do so. But now, with a house filled with people again, the desire for lights, ornaments and stockings was practically a genetically fired drive.
A hook pulled down the ladder to the attic, and box by box, some labelled in childish scrawl, crayons in roman lettering. Others in the tight, crisp adult writing, if in Korean.
It was a question how the boxes got up in the attic, as overloaded as they were, as bringing them down had been an affair. But chunk by chunk, a full, large tree was set up, and while that was decorated, lights strung outside. Little stocking holders set up on the mantle, with a promise - or was it a threat- that they were going to get their own.
The last few days were busy, but today? Today was festive, strewn with glittery decorations and bright lights, contrasting colors and warm throws in seasonal hues.]
Think it's enough?
[Says the hurricane of the last few days, now thankfully sprawled on the couch.]
[Jon himself welcomed the distraction from what was coming for him. Even if the boxes coming down had been an exercise in his own physical weakness. He only had the vague st memories of colored lights and music before it was all gone. Even the beach front had more generic, wholesale decorations around the streets than anything homey.
He sits next to Tim, looking at all of it.]
I think it's more than I've ever done. Didnt even decorate the break room this much.
[It had started that way, until it was a ciuple of gifts then nothing. Too much effort for his grandmother really, not when she was already doing so much.]
[ Martin keeps it to himself that every thud of his heart aches with the fact that this will be the first Christmas without his mother, who taught him everything he knows about the holiday - joy included, when he was smaller and his dad was still around - but he is also very, very grateful that he can't imagine a better way to spend this time, and people to spend it with, in her stead. ]
Is there ever enough? Really?
[ careful to not bring up his mother: ]
I think...there might be a handful that I've got left from when I was a kid. Think there'd be any room?
[Tim hasn't had family in the house so long that the ache itself has settled. Instead, a whole new energy has come up from having a full house and people he loves in it.]
[After everything is out and put up, Jonah is sitting on the floor looking up at it all. It's a different kind of lights than the domains he walked through, or the horrible shows of the Unknowing. This is softer, kinder. Warm in the best of ways, and he's taking it all in quietly. His eyes are a bit wide, reflecting off the color.]
[ Algric's slipped back into being rather cold ever since his mother died (again), but today, at least, it's a pleasant sort of coolness. Especially when he comes up next to Jonah and slides a hand in his. ]
[ if Martin's been hovering around the Jons more than usual, that can be forgiven, right? so it's not long before Martin shows up with a small smile as a greeting and two mugs of hot chocolate, one of which he sets down in front of Jonah before sitting next to him.
peaceful silence settles between them for a minute or so before Martin lets out a quiet sigh. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
A holiday scene
A hook pulled down the ladder to the attic, and box by box, some labelled in childish scrawl, crayons in roman lettering. Others in the tight, crisp adult writing, if in Korean.
It was a question how the boxes got up in the attic, as overloaded as they were, as bringing them down had been an affair. But chunk by chunk, a full, large tree was set up, and while that was decorated, lights strung outside. Little stocking holders set up on the mantle, with a promise - or was it a threat- that they were going to get their own.
The last few days were busy, but today? Today was festive, strewn with glittery decorations and bright lights, contrasting colors and warm throws in seasonal hues.]
Think it's enough?
[Says the hurricane of the last few days, now thankfully sprawled on the couch.]
Re: A holiday scene
He sits next to Tim, looking at all of it.]
I think it's more than I've ever done. Didnt even decorate the break room this much.
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That break room was barely decorated at all. And there was always something from last season still up.
That was an absolute crime.
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It was never a holiday in my home growing up.
[It had started that way, until it was a ciuple of gifts then nothing. Too much effort for his grandmother really, not when she was already doing so much.]
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It's lovely, isn't it?
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It is. Didn't think anyone had this many decorations in one home.
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(But he's had some time, at least, for the wound to stay closed for a few days of distractions.)
He leans over the back of the couch, a pleasant little breeze in the otherwise warm room. ]
You say that as if we've room for any more, Tim.
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Is there ever enough? Really?
[ careful to not bring up his mother: ]
I think...there might be a handful that I've got left from when I was a kid. Think there'd be any room?
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Absolutely. Right up front if you want.
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[ it would just be nice. to have a small piece of his own history - of her, from better days - present, even if Algric's the only one who knows.
Martin sighs quietly, but contentedly. ]
It was worth getting all of that down. This is all...really...r-really wonderful, Tim. Do you have any big traditions?
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I kinda think my dad got the idea of Christmas from the telly. But I wasn't going to complain.
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jonah specific
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It's beautiful, isn't it?
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I-it is, yes. I... Department stores and street lights are one thing, but I always only ever saw these sorts of decorations from the street.
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1/2
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... Think that means it passes the test.
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I'm sorry?
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peaceful silence settles between them for a minute or so before Martin lets out a quiet sigh. ]
Most beautiful time of year.
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Seems that way. You all certainly made sure of it.
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narrator: this is called 'foreshadowing'
sure is
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