[NYC] Only a hippopotamus will do [Cole]

It was cold outside, and Christian was glad for the ability to order in Chinese on Christmas day. It was snowing a bit, a proper white Christmas. It felt it, too. For the first time, he felt cozy and happy, surrounded by one of the two people he really cared about at all. Cole had come back to Christian’s flat, rather than staying at the orphanage or school for the winter. He had to sleep on the futon, but it was better than the cots they got at the orphanage, and he was able to keep his flat as warm as he liked, whereas the orphanage was always chilly in winter. He didn’t get much time off for the holiday, just the day itself, but he trusted Cole around his home when he was at work. Cole really was a little brother type to him, and he trusted him completely. Of course, that might have been a bad idea. Was Cole really trustworthy all around, probably not. Even so, Christian knew their relationship was different. Cole would never do anything intentionally to come between them.

Prersents had been cheap this year, but at least there were presents. He was pretty sure Cole had stolen the cool sunglasses he had given Christian, but Christian had scrimped and saved for what he had given Cole. His apartment in Manhattan was very expensive, but he liked the look of it, and spent most of his time there. He was thinking he might want a cat or a dog or something, but hadn’t gotten over the fear of fur on the furniture. He was lonely there, but also worked long days at work and wouldn’t be a great owner, he thought.

He dug into his General Tso’s and lo mein, watching Cole fiddle around with his (their) xbox. He had gotten the boy the newest game in the Grand Theft Auto saga, Vice City. He hoped it would be good. The xbox itself was used, and the game preowned, but he didn’t think Cole would mind. Had he ever played video games before? He rarely used his electronics. They always malfunctioned, but having them was better than not having them, he thought. Even if their lives were short and glitchy, from the magic undoubtedly, Christian liked muggle things and sought to share that love with Cole.

“You want to put that down and come eat?” He teased. Christian tried to be a good influence on Cole. He didn’t offer the boy alcohol or anything like that, though he didn’t necessarily stop him when he took any. He didn’t stop the smoking, though he hated the smell and was mildly asthmatic. Christian was drinking a vodka soda along with his meal, and knew Cole knew where he kept the drinks. He had bought cola for him, too, though Christian never participated in drinking sodas. He thought they were empty calories, and worked very hard to watch his figure, especially if he was going to eat something fast and greasy like Chinese takeout.

@Coleman Close

Though he might not admit to it right off, Cole would have spent Christmas with Christian even if there weren’t any gifts, let alone an Xbox and Vice City preowned or not. Christian had been his roommate for a little while before he’d graduated and aged out of care and there were few people Coleman cared about the way that he cared for Christian. So the fact that they got to spend Christmas together and got to exchange gifts that weren’t donated by someone else was pretty cool, at least to Cole.

He had played video games once or twice before, but not on any system that was his, or at least that he had unrestricted access to, and having one right in front of him had the wizard engrossed in getting it set up, not just so he could play, but so that he and Christian could play together. He could hardly tear himself away from the console and mess of wires as Christian prodded him to eat. He nodded distractedly, plugging in the wire he was holding as he waved behind him with his free hand “Yeah, yeah – just a sec, grandpa” he teased back gently.

As he turned, rising from his knees the boy stretched, feeling mildly guilty that all he’d gotten Christian was a pair of sunglasses, which he’d bought and paid for – the matching pair he had for himself on the other hand was a different story. He flashed Christian a genuine grin as he settled down onto the couch next to Christian and began to open his orange chicken with fried rice “Thank you. This might top the Christmases on record so far.” He said, bumping the man with his shoulder.

After a beat he rose again, grabbing the soda that Christian had gotten him and dosed it with some vodka. He’d debated about being good, but then had decided that there was no reason not to bend the rules a little – it was Christmas after all. As he slid back onto the couch he spoke again “And by the way I didn’t steal those sunglasses, since I know you’re thinking it” he said with a laugh, but not acknowledging his matching pair. As he chewed he thought for a moment “Do you think they’re putting kids on the wishing tree again this year so they get a chance at good presents?” Even though he was away from the group home more than he had ever been before these days, it still weighed on his mind.

For Christian, this almost definitely topped every Christmas he had ever had. He had his family with him, or at least as close to family as he had. He had the money for real gifts this year, and watching Cole light up over the xbox had totally been worth the money. He gave the other a side-eye as he doused his coke with vodka, but he didn’t say anything. Cole had been through the ringer, if he wanted a drink he deserved it. Besides, better for the kids to drink at home, right? He laughed a little at the thought, but then turned to his own bourbon chicken, sitting next to Cole on the couch.

“You seem to know how this xbox thing works better than me.” He laughed, ignoring the comment about the sunglasses. He was glad to know that Cole hadn’t stolen them, but he wouldn’t have minded terribly if he had. It was the thought that counts. “Too many wires and buttons for my taste.” He laughed.

He sobered a bit as Cole mentioned the wishing tree. “I bought a few gifts for the orphanage this year.” He admitted. “Don’t know who they’re going to, but I thought it would be worthwhile. Give back and all that crap.” He shrugged. “I also donated some food to the pantry.” He cared about others, truly. He had been through the ringer, too, and knew what it was like to have little to nothing.