wondering_why_i (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wondering_why_i) wrote2011-12-08 06:09 pm
wondering_why_i) wrote2011-12-08 06:09 pm
Comfort and Joy 2/6 - TH RPF
Title: Comfort and Joy 2/6 (currently planned out but incomplete)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wondering_why_i
Fandom: Tokio Hotel RPF
Pairing/Rating: Tom/Bill (Not-Related), G
Chapter word count: 3628
Disclaimer: All real people own themselves. No harm intended or truth implied.
Thanks:steinsgrrl for the beta and support, thilia for the banner.
Summary: As an elf, Bill’s purpose is to help spread Christmas spirit and joy. This year, Bill finds some happiness of his own while doing everything he can to bring Tom the same.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2/6
“Is it just me or do the trees look bigger this year?” Tom’s father asks when they get to the tree lot.
“Maybe you’re just the one getting shorter in your old age,” Tom comments with a teasing grin, ducking away before his father can swat the back of his head. “Come on, Dad. Let’s find Bill’s friend and then find a tree. I’m sure they have small ones at the back of the lot.”
Tom looks around what he can see of the lot and spots a middle aged man with a clipboard, talking to a family. When the family moves on to go choose a tree, Tom steps up to the man. “Hi, I’m looking for Benny?”
“You’ve found him!” Benny tells Tom cheerfully. “You must be Tom. Bill told me I might be seeing you guys. I’m glad you listened to him and came! Why don’t you and your dad walk around and look at the trees? When you’ve chosen one let me know and I’ll wrap it up for you.”
Tom thanks him, and Benny sets off to help someone else. Tom watches him go before he turns to his father. “I think he might be related to Bill.”
“Do they look alike?”
“God no. Not even close. But they act the same. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I just feel like they’re related. You’d probably understand if you met Bill. You probably will eventually.”
“You could have woken me up when he was over the other day.”
“Tried to,” Tom mumbles bitterly. “I really wish you would get help, Dad.”
“I can do this on my own. I can. I just need time.” Tom goes to argue, but his father cuts him off. “Can we not talk about this right now? We’re meant to be having a good time together. You wanted this, remember?”
“And you didn’t?” Tom snaps. “Well then don’t let me stop you from leaving. Sure as hell didn’t stop Mom from leaving.”
“Tom, I didn’t mean that. And I do not want to leave you. I never have. Listen to me,” he tells Tom, cupping his face and turning it towards him. “You are my son, and there will never be a time when I don’t want you in my life. Never. There is no one or nothing more important to me than you.”
“Did I do something to make her leave me?” Tom asks, finally voicing the one question he hasn’t dared to in the last year. “I mean, I know I wasn’t exactly an angel in highschool but – ”
“No. Her leaving is not your fault. I promise you, it is not your fault.” Tom nods and clears his throat, squaring his shoulders. “Come on. Let’s pick a tree and then go home for some lunch before you have to leave.”
*
“I can’t believe you don’t mind sticking around and working even after your shift is over,” Gustav tells Bill. “I didn’t think you enjoyed this job that much. Not that I mind you still being here,” he adds quickly.
“Of course you don’t mind. The kids behave better when I’m around,” Bill teases, knowing Gustav didn’t mean that.
“But that is a definite bonus to your company,” Tom throws in. “There aren't that many kids here at the moment, though.”
“Be patient, they’ll come. Give it thirty minutes to an hour, once parents get home from work, and they’ll be here.” Tom cocks an eyebrow, and Bill smiles, remembering in that moment that Tom would be perfectly happy for the night to go by with only a few children stopping to visit Santa. “Then again, it is a school night so there won’t be that many more.”
“Now you’re talking.”
Bill looks over at Gustav, standing behind his tripod, his eyes glued to Georg, a small smile gracing his lips. Georg is currently kneeling by a little girl who’s clinging to her grandmother’s leg shyly. He’s talking to her, and Bill can see the little girl coming around a little, pulling her face away from her grandmother’s leg. Georg holds out a hand and, after a moment, the little girl takes it, finally letting go of the leg to follow Georg up to Santa.
Bill looks back over to Gustav. “He’s good with kids,” Bill comments.
“He is. That’s just one of the things I love about him.” Gustav has yet to look away, and Bill smiles, feeling the love radiating from Gustav without even having to reach out and search for it. “One day, hopefully. Not right now, though, obviously, since we’re both still in school. But – ” Gustav stops talking, and after a few moments of silence, Bill gently urges him to finish what he was about to say. “I’d still like us to move forward.”
“Like move in together?” Bill suggests.
Gustav nods. “Except I don’t know if Georg is ready for that.”
“I wouldn’t bother,” Tom tells him. “He’ll probably just end up breaking your heart one day anyways. And if you have a kid then it’s just an even bigger mess with more heartbreak.” Gustav looks confused and slightly worried while Tom looks angry and hurt. Bill reaches a hand out to him, but Tom is already walking away. “I’m going to go see if I can find any kids to send this way.”
“Don’t listen to Tom. He didn’t mean anything by it,” Bill assures Gustav. “He’s just hurting about something and taking it out on the people around him. Georg loves you. We can all see it as clearly as we can see that you love him. Ask him. And if you’re worried he’s not ready, stick to telling him you’re ready when he is. I have a feeling his is, though.”
“You think so? You don’t think I should let him come to me when he’s ready?”
“What if he is ready but isn’t saying anything because he thinks you’re not ready?”
Gustav’s mouth forms an ‘O’ before he smiles. “Thanks, Bill.”
A mother comes up to Gustav to pick up a set of pictures, and Bill steps back to let him work, turning to look out in the direction Tom went in before deciding to go look for him.
He starts down the wing Tom headed for before stopping. The mall has two stories, eight wings and two hundred stores of all sizes. Tom could be anywhere. Bill could be lucky and find him in a matter of minutes or he could walk around and be unable to find him. Instead, Bill closes his eyes and tries to reach out with his mind, hoping he can at least get a feel for what direction Tom is in.
“Do I even want to know what you’re doing?”
Bill startles and whips his head to the right. Tom is standing next to him, cocking an eyebrow. Bill smiles brightly. “Tom!”
“Glad you still recognise me.”
Tom’s bad mood is making him mean, and Bill reminds himself that Tom is only lashing out and doesn’t mean it.
“I was expecting to have a long search ahead of me. That’s why I was surprised to see you. I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about what’s on your mind or maybe see if there was something I could do to distract you.”
Tom’s shoulders visibly slump. “I’m being an ass and you have to make me feel even worse by still being nice. I guess I deserve that.”
“You don’t mean to be hurtful, Tom. I know that, and Gustav knows that. You’re just lashing out. Though I do think you should apologise to Gustav.”
“And to you,” Tom adds.
“Apology accepted if you tell me what I can do to help cheer you up.”
“Can you buy me a winning lottery ticket?”
“I can buy you a ticket, but I can’t guarantee you the jackpot or even a winner. I’m a good listener, though, if you want to talk. If not, I’m also a great entertainer, which is good for cheering people up.”
“You are a very good entertainer,” Tom agrees. “I just feel like no matter how much I work, I can’t get ahead. It feels like on top of everything else, there’s always something, even something small, coming up, and I can’t catch a break. This time it’s my hair. It needs to be taken care of now but no matter what I decide to do with it it’s going to cost money I won’t have until next Monday. And even then I’d still have to wait until I have the time to go to the hairdresser.”
“What are your options?”
“As much as I like the cornrows, I need a simple, short cut in my natural hair color which will cost nothing but the occasional trim to maintain and that I can just take two seconds to wash in the shower and be done with until the next one.”
“I can do that for you at no cost.”
“You can’t do my hair, Bill. It’s dyed black and my natural color is brown.”
“I can do that, Tom. I promise. I’ve done it before.”
“You’ll need products. I can’t afford those until I get paid. But maybe you could just cut it for now?”
“Or I can buy what I need, and you can pay me back. I know you won’t let me pay for them myself, but I’m hoping you’ll at least agree to this? Let me take one load off your mind.”
“Thank you, Bill. Just thank you.”
*
It’s break time and shift change for the staff of Santa’s Kingdom, and everyone is making their way to the staff room: Harold, Anne and Andreas to relax, and Bill and Anis to gather their things to leave for the day.
Bill is listening to Andreas describe the photography project he’s working on when he walks right into Anne, who’s stopped walking. Everyone follows suit, stopping in their tracks.
From behind Bill, Anis chuckles. “So the rumours about those two are true.”
Bill follows everyone’s gaze and looks through the window of the storage room door they’re all standing by. Between two stacks of boxes, he can see David and Natalie in a heated kiss, and Bill’s cheeks heat up as he quickly looks away and attempts to get away by pushing himself through the small crowd of five they form.
“We shouldn’t be watching,” Bill chastises. “And they should not be doing that there.”
“You’re innocence is adorable, Bill,” Anis teases.
“This is not the place for...for that!”
Anis, Andreas and Anne chuckle and Harold comes to put an arm around Bill’s shoulder. “I agree with Bill. Though it makes for good gossip, this is not the place nor should we be watching. Come on, everyone. To the staff room.”
“Thank you, Harold.”
Harold squeezes his shoulder.
Inside the staff room, Bill changes out of his costume as quickly as he can, hoping to avoid running into David and Natalie when they make their way to the staff room before their shift. Luck isn’t on Bill’s side, though. As he prepares to leave the room, Natalie walks in followed by David, and Bill feels his cheeks heat up again. After quick goodbyes and hellos, he makes his escape into the hallway.
Back in the mall, Bill makes his way to the beauty supply store to get what he’ll need for Tom’s hair tomorrow night. After purchasing what he needs, Bill starts to walk towards the nearest exit when he notices a small jewellery store across from him. There’s a big sign announcing ‘Great Holiday Sales’, and Bill hesitates before deciding to go look, just for fun.
Though he walks out twenty five minutes later having bought a silver necklace with a snowflake pendant for his mom, he’s guilt free. She deserves it. And when he steps into a clothing store not a minute later and walks out with a new shirt, he reminds himself that everyone deserves to treat themselves every once in a while.
“And now to visit Tom,” Bill mumbles to himself once he’s outside, pulling on his gloves and setting off.
When Bill walks into the sandwich shop, Tom is busy, though Bill doesn’t think he’s working in that moment, and he waits quietly by the door. The only person at the counter is a girl wearing what Bill recognises as a school uniform. The way Tom is smiling at her and the way the girl is twirling her hair, Bill suspects they’re courting.
“Bill!”
Bill looks up from looking at the girl’s skirt which he was considering making longer – she must get cold outside! – to find Tom and the girl looking at him. Tom is smiling and a warm feeling spreads through Bill.
“I don’t want to interrupt,” he tells Tom.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Bill. You’re a friend, not an interruption.”
“I should go,” the girl tells Tom as Bill approaches them before leaning back in a little again. Bill pretends to give them some privacy by looking at the list of sandwich choices. “My sister is away for the week, and I just happen to have a key to her apartment, which is only a five minute walk from here.”
Bill holds back a confused frown. Why would Tom care to know that?
“I get off at ten,” Tom tells her.
Oh.
Even Bill can’t mistake the tone in Tom’s voice.
Bill feels his cheeks heat up for the second time that day and looks over to see the girl writing on a piece of paper.
As she walks past him to exit, Bill resists the urge again to lengthen her skirt. “She’s pretty,” he comments once the door has shut. “She seems to like you.”
“She is. And I can be a likable guy when I want to. Especially in times like this. You seem to like my company just fine.”
“You are a likeable guy,” Bill agrees nonchalantly with a shrug before smiling. “So when do you finish?”
“I’m closing up, and we close at ten today. But you already know that.” Bill opens his mouth to make what he knows would be a poor attempt at denial, but Tom keeps talking. “I do have a thirty minute dinner break coming up, though, once Lynn gets done putting away a delivery we got earlier.”
“We could go to the coffee shop across the street,” Bill suggests.
“How hyper do you get on coffee? I imagine you bouncing off the walls. Possibly literally.”
Bill blushes, and Tom laughs. “I’m not that bad,” Bill mumbles. “I have a lot of energy,” he tells Tom by way of defence. “So can we go?” Bill asks, changing the subject.
“We can go. Do you want a sandwich while you wait? Maybe food will soak up some of the caffeine you’ll drink there.”
Bill throws a crumpled up receipt someone left on the counter at Tom.
Twenty minutes later, Bill watches as Tom sighs and looks at the two large coffees and slice of cheese cake he just put down on the table between them “Bill, I said I would let you buy me a small coffee.”
“No. You said ‘a coffee’. There was no mention of size. And before you complain about the cake, it’s for me. Except it’s far too large a piece for me to eat on my own, so I got you a fork as well. It would be a waste to throw out half.”
“You think you’re so smart. I have my eye on you, mister. Next time I will leave no room for loop holes.” Bill grins triumphantly and holds out the second fork to Tom. “So how were the kids today? Bratty or behaved? And don’t say energetic in place of bratty.”
“They were very lively,” Bill tells him instead.
“Lively? You do it on purpose, don’t you. The kids visiting aren’t the only bratty ones. No wonder they like you so much.”
Bill smiles proudly. “Notice how I’m the only elf whose hair has yet to be pulled.”
“Brag, brag, brag. What’s the latest mall gossip?” Tom asks. Bill flushes yet again, quickly bringing his coffee cup to his face, and Tom grins. “Oh this is going to be good. Let me guess: Natalie and David. It’s true, isn’t it?” Bill nods, hoping to move on, but Tom has another question. “How’d the proof come about? And are they still pretending they aren’t hot for each other.”
“We saw them,” Bill mumbles. Tom clearly wants more details, and Bill heaves a sigh. “We were all on our way to the staff room, and we saw them in one of the store storage rooms, okay? Now can we not...”
Tom chuckles. “Look at you all flustered and embarrassed. It’s cute.”
Bill huffs in annoyance. “I don’t think other peoples...private matters...are appropriate conversation, alright? And I also don’t think work is the place for that kind of thing. You don’t see Georg and Gustav being inappropriate at work, do you? They’re affectionate with each other without being inappropriate. David and Natalie have crossed a line and, quite honestly, it makes me very uncomfortable.”
“Then you should talk to management,” Tom tells him seriously.
Bill sighs, shaking his head. “I don’t want to get them in trouble. It would be nice not to be mocked by almost everyone, though.”
“I wouldn’t have teased you if I had known what they were doing made you uncomfortable. I’m really sorry, Bill.”
“As you should be,” Bill tells him with mock sternness, wanting to lighten the mood and move on. “But I accept your apology. Now actually eat some cake instead of just nibbling at it.”
After a few bites of cake and sips of coffee, Tom asks about the contents of Bill’s shopping bags, and Bill gasps, quickly putting down his fork in favour of digging through his forgotten bags on the chair next to him. He pulls out one of the three boxes of hair color remover and hands it to Tom.
“And this will work?”
“It will. I bought three boxes though I don’t think we’ll need them all. But it’s better to have more than not enough. I can return what we don’t need.”
“What else did you buy?”
“A shirt that I couldn’t resist and a necklace for my mom. She’s going to tell me I shouldn’t have but she deserves it. Oh, I also bought you shampoo and conditioner because I don’t know if you have any. Conditioner, that is. I’m sure you have shampoo. But these are the same brand and scent which will help cover some of the smell from the remover.”
“I’m not going to smell like flowers or vanilla or something, am I?”
“Coconut!” Bill digs out one of the bottles and takes off the cap before holding it by Tom’s nose.
“I can deal with that. So are you going home after my break or keeping me company at work?”
“You won’t get in trouble?”
“As long as I keep you on the other side of the counter no one will complain. It won’t be busy and Lynn is leaving when I get back. You’re under no obligation, though. I will fully understand if you want to go home.”
Bill most definitely does not want to go home. Not in place of spending a few hours with Tom. “I want to stay. We can decide how you want me to cut your hair. Oh! I bought a magazine as well. Because you said you didn’t really know what you wanted.”
Tom chuckles. “You should become a hair stylist. You clearly enjoy it.”
Bill nods before drinking some coffee to avoid answering. He can’t tell Tom the real reason why he can’t be a hair stylist but he doesn’t want to lie to him either. “What would you like to become?” he asks as a quick way to avoid Tom’s comment before remembering Tom’s situation at home.
After a moment, Tom speaks. “In highschool I toyed with the idea of going into music. Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll be able to have a job that involves music.”
“You could give lessons,” Bill suggests. “I saw the guitar in your room.”
“You know, I hadn’t thought of that. I can’t make a career out of it, at least not at the moment, but for some extra money after Christmas I could give beginner lessons. Thanks, Bill!”
Tom looks happy, excited even, and Bill grins, happy for him.
*
Tom stands in front of the bathroom mirror, Bill bouncing behind him, waiting for his thoughts on his hair. Whether he’s nervous, excited or both, Tom doesn’t know.
“Wow.”
“Good ‘wow’ or bad?” Bill presses.
Definitely nervous, Tom decides.
“Good. I like it and it looks good. It does look good, right?” Bill nods enthusiastically, and Tom finds himself being hugged tightly from behind. Laughing, he squeezes the arms wrapped around his chest.
“Your roots are a little lighter than the rest, but it’s not extremely noticeable. It probably won’t take too long to grow out either. And anytime you want it trimmed just let me know.”
Tom looks at his hair again and smiles. Along with liking the new style, he also likes having one less thing to deal with and pay for. Throwing an arm around Bill’s shoulders, Tom looks at him through the mirror. “I may just kidnap you and keep you all to myself forever,” he tells Bill.
“That would disappoint a lot of kids. But I wouldn’t complain,” Bill mumbles before looking away.
His cheeks are pink, and Tom turns to kiss one, holding back a smile when it darkens. “Thank you again.”
Chapter 3
Author:
wondering_why_iFandom: Tokio Hotel RPF
Pairing/Rating: Tom/Bill (Not-Related), G
Chapter word count: 3628
Disclaimer: All real people own themselves. No harm intended or truth implied.
Thanks:
steinsgrrl for the beta and support, thilia for the banner.Summary: As an elf, Bill’s purpose is to help spread Christmas spirit and joy. This year, Bill finds some happiness of his own while doing everything he can to bring Tom the same.
Chapter 1
Chapter 2/6
“Is it just me or do the trees look bigger this year?” Tom’s father asks when they get to the tree lot.
“Maybe you’re just the one getting shorter in your old age,” Tom comments with a teasing grin, ducking away before his father can swat the back of his head. “Come on, Dad. Let’s find Bill’s friend and then find a tree. I’m sure they have small ones at the back of the lot.”
Tom looks around what he can see of the lot and spots a middle aged man with a clipboard, talking to a family. When the family moves on to go choose a tree, Tom steps up to the man. “Hi, I’m looking for Benny?”
“You’ve found him!” Benny tells Tom cheerfully. “You must be Tom. Bill told me I might be seeing you guys. I’m glad you listened to him and came! Why don’t you and your dad walk around and look at the trees? When you’ve chosen one let me know and I’ll wrap it up for you.”
Tom thanks him, and Benny sets off to help someone else. Tom watches him go before he turns to his father. “I think he might be related to Bill.”
“Do they look alike?”
“God no. Not even close. But they act the same. I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I just feel like they’re related. You’d probably understand if you met Bill. You probably will eventually.”
“You could have woken me up when he was over the other day.”
“Tried to,” Tom mumbles bitterly. “I really wish you would get help, Dad.”
“I can do this on my own. I can. I just need time.” Tom goes to argue, but his father cuts him off. “Can we not talk about this right now? We’re meant to be having a good time together. You wanted this, remember?”
“And you didn’t?” Tom snaps. “Well then don’t let me stop you from leaving. Sure as hell didn’t stop Mom from leaving.”
“Tom, I didn’t mean that. And I do not want to leave you. I never have. Listen to me,” he tells Tom, cupping his face and turning it towards him. “You are my son, and there will never be a time when I don’t want you in my life. Never. There is no one or nothing more important to me than you.”
“Did I do something to make her leave me?” Tom asks, finally voicing the one question he hasn’t dared to in the last year. “I mean, I know I wasn’t exactly an angel in highschool but – ”
“No. Her leaving is not your fault. I promise you, it is not your fault.” Tom nods and clears his throat, squaring his shoulders. “Come on. Let’s pick a tree and then go home for some lunch before you have to leave.”
*
“I can’t believe you don’t mind sticking around and working even after your shift is over,” Gustav tells Bill. “I didn’t think you enjoyed this job that much. Not that I mind you still being here,” he adds quickly.
“Of course you don’t mind. The kids behave better when I’m around,” Bill teases, knowing Gustav didn’t mean that.
“But that is a definite bonus to your company,” Tom throws in. “There aren't that many kids here at the moment, though.”
“Be patient, they’ll come. Give it thirty minutes to an hour, once parents get home from work, and they’ll be here.” Tom cocks an eyebrow, and Bill smiles, remembering in that moment that Tom would be perfectly happy for the night to go by with only a few children stopping to visit Santa. “Then again, it is a school night so there won’t be that many more.”
“Now you’re talking.”
Bill looks over at Gustav, standing behind his tripod, his eyes glued to Georg, a small smile gracing his lips. Georg is currently kneeling by a little girl who’s clinging to her grandmother’s leg shyly. He’s talking to her, and Bill can see the little girl coming around a little, pulling her face away from her grandmother’s leg. Georg holds out a hand and, after a moment, the little girl takes it, finally letting go of the leg to follow Georg up to Santa.
Bill looks back over to Gustav. “He’s good with kids,” Bill comments.
“He is. That’s just one of the things I love about him.” Gustav has yet to look away, and Bill smiles, feeling the love radiating from Gustav without even having to reach out and search for it. “One day, hopefully. Not right now, though, obviously, since we’re both still in school. But – ” Gustav stops talking, and after a few moments of silence, Bill gently urges him to finish what he was about to say. “I’d still like us to move forward.”
“Like move in together?” Bill suggests.
Gustav nods. “Except I don’t know if Georg is ready for that.”
“I wouldn’t bother,” Tom tells him. “He’ll probably just end up breaking your heart one day anyways. And if you have a kid then it’s just an even bigger mess with more heartbreak.” Gustav looks confused and slightly worried while Tom looks angry and hurt. Bill reaches a hand out to him, but Tom is already walking away. “I’m going to go see if I can find any kids to send this way.”
“Don’t listen to Tom. He didn’t mean anything by it,” Bill assures Gustav. “He’s just hurting about something and taking it out on the people around him. Georg loves you. We can all see it as clearly as we can see that you love him. Ask him. And if you’re worried he’s not ready, stick to telling him you’re ready when he is. I have a feeling his is, though.”
“You think so? You don’t think I should let him come to me when he’s ready?”
“What if he is ready but isn’t saying anything because he thinks you’re not ready?”
Gustav’s mouth forms an ‘O’ before he smiles. “Thanks, Bill.”
A mother comes up to Gustav to pick up a set of pictures, and Bill steps back to let him work, turning to look out in the direction Tom went in before deciding to go look for him.
He starts down the wing Tom headed for before stopping. The mall has two stories, eight wings and two hundred stores of all sizes. Tom could be anywhere. Bill could be lucky and find him in a matter of minutes or he could walk around and be unable to find him. Instead, Bill closes his eyes and tries to reach out with his mind, hoping he can at least get a feel for what direction Tom is in.
“Do I even want to know what you’re doing?”
Bill startles and whips his head to the right. Tom is standing next to him, cocking an eyebrow. Bill smiles brightly. “Tom!”
“Glad you still recognise me.”
Tom’s bad mood is making him mean, and Bill reminds himself that Tom is only lashing out and doesn’t mean it.
“I was expecting to have a long search ahead of me. That’s why I was surprised to see you. I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about what’s on your mind or maybe see if there was something I could do to distract you.”
Tom’s shoulders visibly slump. “I’m being an ass and you have to make me feel even worse by still being nice. I guess I deserve that.”
“You don’t mean to be hurtful, Tom. I know that, and Gustav knows that. You’re just lashing out. Though I do think you should apologise to Gustav.”
“And to you,” Tom adds.
“Apology accepted if you tell me what I can do to help cheer you up.”
“Can you buy me a winning lottery ticket?”
“I can buy you a ticket, but I can’t guarantee you the jackpot or even a winner. I’m a good listener, though, if you want to talk. If not, I’m also a great entertainer, which is good for cheering people up.”
“You are a very good entertainer,” Tom agrees. “I just feel like no matter how much I work, I can’t get ahead. It feels like on top of everything else, there’s always something, even something small, coming up, and I can’t catch a break. This time it’s my hair. It needs to be taken care of now but no matter what I decide to do with it it’s going to cost money I won’t have until next Monday. And even then I’d still have to wait until I have the time to go to the hairdresser.”
“What are your options?”
“As much as I like the cornrows, I need a simple, short cut in my natural hair color which will cost nothing but the occasional trim to maintain and that I can just take two seconds to wash in the shower and be done with until the next one.”
“I can do that for you at no cost.”
“You can’t do my hair, Bill. It’s dyed black and my natural color is brown.”
“I can do that, Tom. I promise. I’ve done it before.”
“You’ll need products. I can’t afford those until I get paid. But maybe you could just cut it for now?”
“Or I can buy what I need, and you can pay me back. I know you won’t let me pay for them myself, but I’m hoping you’ll at least agree to this? Let me take one load off your mind.”
“Thank you, Bill. Just thank you.”
*
It’s break time and shift change for the staff of Santa’s Kingdom, and everyone is making their way to the staff room: Harold, Anne and Andreas to relax, and Bill and Anis to gather their things to leave for the day.
Bill is listening to Andreas describe the photography project he’s working on when he walks right into Anne, who’s stopped walking. Everyone follows suit, stopping in their tracks.
From behind Bill, Anis chuckles. “So the rumours about those two are true.”
Bill follows everyone’s gaze and looks through the window of the storage room door they’re all standing by. Between two stacks of boxes, he can see David and Natalie in a heated kiss, and Bill’s cheeks heat up as he quickly looks away and attempts to get away by pushing himself through the small crowd of five they form.
“We shouldn’t be watching,” Bill chastises. “And they should not be doing that there.”
“You’re innocence is adorable, Bill,” Anis teases.
“This is not the place for...for that!”
Anis, Andreas and Anne chuckle and Harold comes to put an arm around Bill’s shoulder. “I agree with Bill. Though it makes for good gossip, this is not the place nor should we be watching. Come on, everyone. To the staff room.”
“Thank you, Harold.”
Harold squeezes his shoulder.
Inside the staff room, Bill changes out of his costume as quickly as he can, hoping to avoid running into David and Natalie when they make their way to the staff room before their shift. Luck isn’t on Bill’s side, though. As he prepares to leave the room, Natalie walks in followed by David, and Bill feels his cheeks heat up again. After quick goodbyes and hellos, he makes his escape into the hallway.
Back in the mall, Bill makes his way to the beauty supply store to get what he’ll need for Tom’s hair tomorrow night. After purchasing what he needs, Bill starts to walk towards the nearest exit when he notices a small jewellery store across from him. There’s a big sign announcing ‘Great Holiday Sales’, and Bill hesitates before deciding to go look, just for fun.
Though he walks out twenty five minutes later having bought a silver necklace with a snowflake pendant for his mom, he’s guilt free. She deserves it. And when he steps into a clothing store not a minute later and walks out with a new shirt, he reminds himself that everyone deserves to treat themselves every once in a while.
“And now to visit Tom,” Bill mumbles to himself once he’s outside, pulling on his gloves and setting off.
When Bill walks into the sandwich shop, Tom is busy, though Bill doesn’t think he’s working in that moment, and he waits quietly by the door. The only person at the counter is a girl wearing what Bill recognises as a school uniform. The way Tom is smiling at her and the way the girl is twirling her hair, Bill suspects they’re courting.
“Bill!”
Bill looks up from looking at the girl’s skirt which he was considering making longer – she must get cold outside! – to find Tom and the girl looking at him. Tom is smiling and a warm feeling spreads through Bill.
“I don’t want to interrupt,” he tells Tom.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Bill. You’re a friend, not an interruption.”
“I should go,” the girl tells Tom as Bill approaches them before leaning back in a little again. Bill pretends to give them some privacy by looking at the list of sandwich choices. “My sister is away for the week, and I just happen to have a key to her apartment, which is only a five minute walk from here.”
Bill holds back a confused frown. Why would Tom care to know that?
“I get off at ten,” Tom tells her.
Oh.
Even Bill can’t mistake the tone in Tom’s voice.
Bill feels his cheeks heat up for the second time that day and looks over to see the girl writing on a piece of paper.
As she walks past him to exit, Bill resists the urge again to lengthen her skirt. “She’s pretty,” he comments once the door has shut. “She seems to like you.”
“She is. And I can be a likable guy when I want to. Especially in times like this. You seem to like my company just fine.”
“You are a likeable guy,” Bill agrees nonchalantly with a shrug before smiling. “So when do you finish?”
“I’m closing up, and we close at ten today. But you already know that.” Bill opens his mouth to make what he knows would be a poor attempt at denial, but Tom keeps talking. “I do have a thirty minute dinner break coming up, though, once Lynn gets done putting away a delivery we got earlier.”
“We could go to the coffee shop across the street,” Bill suggests.
“How hyper do you get on coffee? I imagine you bouncing off the walls. Possibly literally.”
Bill blushes, and Tom laughs. “I’m not that bad,” Bill mumbles. “I have a lot of energy,” he tells Tom by way of defence. “So can we go?” Bill asks, changing the subject.
“We can go. Do you want a sandwich while you wait? Maybe food will soak up some of the caffeine you’ll drink there.”
Bill throws a crumpled up receipt someone left on the counter at Tom.
Twenty minutes later, Bill watches as Tom sighs and looks at the two large coffees and slice of cheese cake he just put down on the table between them “Bill, I said I would let you buy me a small coffee.”
“No. You said ‘a coffee’. There was no mention of size. And before you complain about the cake, it’s for me. Except it’s far too large a piece for me to eat on my own, so I got you a fork as well. It would be a waste to throw out half.”
“You think you’re so smart. I have my eye on you, mister. Next time I will leave no room for loop holes.” Bill grins triumphantly and holds out the second fork to Tom. “So how were the kids today? Bratty or behaved? And don’t say energetic in place of bratty.”
“They were very lively,” Bill tells him instead.
“Lively? You do it on purpose, don’t you. The kids visiting aren’t the only bratty ones. No wonder they like you so much.”
Bill smiles proudly. “Notice how I’m the only elf whose hair has yet to be pulled.”
“Brag, brag, brag. What’s the latest mall gossip?” Tom asks. Bill flushes yet again, quickly bringing his coffee cup to his face, and Tom grins. “Oh this is going to be good. Let me guess: Natalie and David. It’s true, isn’t it?” Bill nods, hoping to move on, but Tom has another question. “How’d the proof come about? And are they still pretending they aren’t hot for each other.”
“We saw them,” Bill mumbles. Tom clearly wants more details, and Bill heaves a sigh. “We were all on our way to the staff room, and we saw them in one of the store storage rooms, okay? Now can we not...”
Tom chuckles. “Look at you all flustered and embarrassed. It’s cute.”
Bill huffs in annoyance. “I don’t think other peoples...private matters...are appropriate conversation, alright? And I also don’t think work is the place for that kind of thing. You don’t see Georg and Gustav being inappropriate at work, do you? They’re affectionate with each other without being inappropriate. David and Natalie have crossed a line and, quite honestly, it makes me very uncomfortable.”
“Then you should talk to management,” Tom tells him seriously.
Bill sighs, shaking his head. “I don’t want to get them in trouble. It would be nice not to be mocked by almost everyone, though.”
“I wouldn’t have teased you if I had known what they were doing made you uncomfortable. I’m really sorry, Bill.”
“As you should be,” Bill tells him with mock sternness, wanting to lighten the mood and move on. “But I accept your apology. Now actually eat some cake instead of just nibbling at it.”
After a few bites of cake and sips of coffee, Tom asks about the contents of Bill’s shopping bags, and Bill gasps, quickly putting down his fork in favour of digging through his forgotten bags on the chair next to him. He pulls out one of the three boxes of hair color remover and hands it to Tom.
“And this will work?”
“It will. I bought three boxes though I don’t think we’ll need them all. But it’s better to have more than not enough. I can return what we don’t need.”
“What else did you buy?”
“A shirt that I couldn’t resist and a necklace for my mom. She’s going to tell me I shouldn’t have but she deserves it. Oh, I also bought you shampoo and conditioner because I don’t know if you have any. Conditioner, that is. I’m sure you have shampoo. But these are the same brand and scent which will help cover some of the smell from the remover.”
“I’m not going to smell like flowers or vanilla or something, am I?”
“Coconut!” Bill digs out one of the bottles and takes off the cap before holding it by Tom’s nose.
“I can deal with that. So are you going home after my break or keeping me company at work?”
“You won’t get in trouble?”
“As long as I keep you on the other side of the counter no one will complain. It won’t be busy and Lynn is leaving when I get back. You’re under no obligation, though. I will fully understand if you want to go home.”
Bill most definitely does not want to go home. Not in place of spending a few hours with Tom. “I want to stay. We can decide how you want me to cut your hair. Oh! I bought a magazine as well. Because you said you didn’t really know what you wanted.”
Tom chuckles. “You should become a hair stylist. You clearly enjoy it.”
Bill nods before drinking some coffee to avoid answering. He can’t tell Tom the real reason why he can’t be a hair stylist but he doesn’t want to lie to him either. “What would you like to become?” he asks as a quick way to avoid Tom’s comment before remembering Tom’s situation at home.
After a moment, Tom speaks. “In highschool I toyed with the idea of going into music. Who knows. Maybe one day I’ll be able to have a job that involves music.”
“You could give lessons,” Bill suggests. “I saw the guitar in your room.”
“You know, I hadn’t thought of that. I can’t make a career out of it, at least not at the moment, but for some extra money after Christmas I could give beginner lessons. Thanks, Bill!”
Tom looks happy, excited even, and Bill grins, happy for him.
*
Tom stands in front of the bathroom mirror, Bill bouncing behind him, waiting for his thoughts on his hair. Whether he’s nervous, excited or both, Tom doesn’t know.
“Wow.”
“Good ‘wow’ or bad?” Bill presses.
Definitely nervous, Tom decides.
“Good. I like it and it looks good. It does look good, right?” Bill nods enthusiastically, and Tom finds himself being hugged tightly from behind. Laughing, he squeezes the arms wrapped around his chest.
“Your roots are a little lighter than the rest, but it’s not extremely noticeable. It probably won’t take too long to grow out either. And anytime you want it trimmed just let me know.”
Tom looks at his hair again and smiles. Along with liking the new style, he also likes having one less thing to deal with and pay for. Throwing an arm around Bill’s shoulders, Tom looks at him through the mirror. “I may just kidnap you and keep you all to myself forever,” he tells Bill.
“That would disappoint a lot of kids. But I wouldn’t complain,” Bill mumbles before looking away.
His cheeks are pink, and Tom turns to kiss one, holding back a smile when it darkens. “Thank you again.”
Chapter 3
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This is the kind of story that will surely make me faint if I get to read a first kiss.
HAPPY SIGH
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You can't faint. If you faint you can't read lol
Glad you like it! <3