rp log ≈it's christmas time in the city

[headofapin]

Christmas was meant to be perfect. At least, that was they way Gabriella wanted to make it for Justin this Christmas. From everything she had gathered, he hadn’t had very many good Christmases, or holidays in general. That was the vibe she’d gotten on Thanksgiving. As though he was only putting up with it for her sake, and that wasn’t exactly what

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[headofapin]

Of course Gabriella had snooped. That was half the fun of Christmas, after all, but she had come up with nothing, leaving her to think that what he had gotten was either small enough for him to carry around with him (though she didn't let herself get her hopes up over what it could be), or he was just a good hider. And no. He didn't have to worry about her feeling disappointed over only getting on thing, if it was that. Not that she would have minded if he had gone over the top, most of the things being said because she felt it was the right thing to do. But that alone would be something she'd gush about forever.

She grinned a bit his groggy state, ducking down to kiss his cheek again, trying to suppress a giggle. "Morning, handsome," she grinned, wider and wider as she let him move, shifting with him so she could stay in his lap at the same time as he sat up.

"That comes later," she replied, though let her arms wrap around his neck. "Last. First though Santa~ came, and left stockings for us. And there's presents for you to open." She slipped off his lap, and onto the floor, grabbing his hand and gently tugging on it. "Come on."

[gotasweettooth]

"Morning yourself, gorgeous." He held onto her in a half-embrace as she clung to his neck. "Oh, did he now? And lemme guess, he left behind his little helper, too." Another comment on her outfit, which in case it wasn't clear by now was definitely getting his approval. "How thoughtful of him."

When she got off he slid his legs over to the side of the bed, finding his slippers and then letting her lead him by the hand out of the bedroom.

The decorated tree he had indeed gotten the management to let them have with some persuading (really; as much as he was paying to rent the room, and considering it was probably hardly even the strangest request they'd ever gotten, he wasn't surprised that they folded relatively easy) was twinkling merrily in the main room, and he took in the wrapped presents spread out beneath it with a half-smile.

"Should I go get yours? Or do I get to go first?" he asked Gabriella.

[headofapin]

"Yes. Yes he did. He thought it might get you more in the Christmas spirit than anything else would." Oh no, she had noticed he was enjoying it, and it delighted her to realise it. "Wasn't it? You only have 24 hours, though, so you have to use them wisely."

And she had been thrilled that he had gotten them to let them have a tree. She was sure that there had to be a bit of cash passed under the table~, but she hadn't asked for the details on how he'd done it. She had been polite to all the workers though, extra polite, so that they would know how much she appreciated everything. It was perfect.

"You get to go first. Though, you should open your stocking first." The stocking that was laid on the couch, next to hers, with his name neatly written on a piece of paper pinned to it. "And then you can pick whichever present you want to start with."

[gotasweettooth]

"Only twenty-four hours?" Justin half-protested, laughing. "Oh no! That's just awful. Cruel, even."

He looked over at the socks, taking them in. "Stocking first, huh? Alright." He gave a devious little twist to his own mustache as he looked at her meaningfully. "I can go with that plan."

Seating himself on the couch he picked the sock up, carefully dumping out the contents into his hand and lap.

"Candy," he observed brightly. "Always good - and cookies, ditto. And...what the heck are these?" He turned the container full of stays over in his hands, mystified.

[headofapin]

"Yes. After 24 hours I go back to being elf sized, which wouldn't be any fun for you. Maybe you should ask Santa to keep me next year. He might just grant it if you're a good boy." Gabriella smiled as she reached over to tap him lightly on the tip of the nose, and then kissed it. "I certainly wouldn't mind."

A giggle escaped her when he twisted his own mustache, and she nodded, gently nudging him towards the couch, while seating herself on the floor. She grabbed her stocking, too, and reached into it, pulling out a candy cane that she then started to nibble on, candy being the only thing in her stocking.

"Maybe you should open it at look, dummy," she replied, before crunching on the end of the candy cane. "How am I to know?"

[gotasweettooth]

"Well that's one way to encourage being on your best behavior and stayin' off the naughty list. Elf-size girlfriend is way more of a deterrant than coal, anyhow."

He gave her a sideways look, grinning wryly. "Right, I forgot. You're just Santa's little helper and have no idea..." He trailed off as he popped it open. "Collar pins? With...writing on them?" He squinted to make it out.

"Oh, I get it! It's like a fortune cookie. Right?"

[headofapin]

"Yes! Exactly. And on Santa's orders~ I'm to do whatever you want, since...well, while you haven't exactly been the best of boys this year, he wants you to know he has faith in you."

She watched him carefully, frowning a bit when he was squinting, and popping up. "Glasses. I'll go get them," she said, and then disappeared back into the bedroom to fetch them, bringing them back and slipping them on his nose. "Mhm. I just do what I'm told without question."

"Yes!" She slipped out of her role for a minute as she nodded eagerly, crawling over to kneel in front of him. "Two sizes, too. But you pick out two a day, and there's your fortune for what the day will bring..."

[gotasweettooth]

He said, cheekily, "Oh well, it's always nice to know the big guy is rooting for me."

He fiddled absently with his glasses, holding one of the stays up for a better look, turning it around in his hand.

"Well now. Wouldya look at that. Very clever, Miss Elf." He pressed a kiss to her cheek but then pulled back again with a smirk. "Oh, right, I forgot. All the thanks goes to Santa, doesn't it?"

[headofapin]

"Isn't it? I thought they were nice...and that they'd be fun for you. A novelty," she went on, and then oh ho~, right you are. "Oh of course. It was his doing. I just came up with it."

She took his hand, trying to pull him down to join her on the floor. "Time for you to open your presents now."

[gotasweettooth]

"Well, whoever was responsible, to them I say...thank you."

He sat down, trying to make himself comfortable. "Hmm. To start with the bigger one and go straight for the gusto, or start small to build up the anticipation?" he asked, grinning. "What do you think?"

[headofapin]

She beamed a bit when he moved to sit down, and shifted closer so she could kiss him, lips pressing first to his cheek, and then his lips. "I'll make sure to pass the word on for you, dear."

She shrugged her shoulders, and crawled from his side, over to where she could reach things under the tree. "Hm, well, you know, size doesn't always reflect the value. And something small could have just been put in a really, really big box..." She smirked. "So just pick."

[gotasweettooth]

"Alright, alright fine. I can take a hint." He made a show of closing his eyes as he reached for a present, the better to pick at random (but he opened one eye at the last possible second to sneak a peek anyway) and wound up grabbing one that hid the wrapped-up golf case.

"How do you usually unwrap presents?" he turned to Gabriella to ask absently as he pulled at one end of the paper, tearing it slowly. Half teasing, half curious. "You the kind the does it all careful and saves the paper and bows, or do you just rip it all off in an excited frenzy?"

[headofapin]

"I'm not hinting at anything. Just pointing out. My pen - you know the one I always carry? Daddy put that in a box that had had a big, old wall clock. You know, the kind that has chimes and all?"

She smiled though as he picked, seeing as they all had different types of paper, she remembered what was what.

"Oh. Well. It depends. Most of the time I just rip," she admitted, and shrugged her shoulders. "But if the paper is really pretty, or I can tell it's something really, really special? Then I'm more careful. And I only save bows if they're made of fabric."

[gotasweettooth]

"How very sneaky of him," he remarked, half-focused. "I don't think I've ever had anyone play that kind of prank on me."

He gave an absent nod to her comments about when she did or didn't say the paper, only making a conversational sound and not actually responding with words. He did however, make a point of grabbing a big strip of paper with one fist and ripping it off in a flourish, stripping half the package at once with a loud sound.

"Well, well. Now what have we here?" he said, a mixture of musing and delighted. "You got me golfing stuff?"

[headofapin]

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind for later use." Assuming they'd be together in a year or two, so she could do it when he wasn't expecting it. Though maybe going the other way around and doing something small that would lead to something much bigger.

And that made Gabriella let out a very flattering snort of laughter, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. "You're precious."

She nodded eagerly, looking pleased that he seemed pleased. "I remembered you promised to take me and teach me. And so this was to remind you, too. And I thought I could shove whatever I need in your bag now, which is why it's extra roomy."

[gotasweettooth]

He let out a chuckle of his own, mostly at that laugh of hers. "Well, I do try."

Pulling out the score keeper he eyed it through the package. "I did promise, didn't I? Well if you're still interested, I'd be more than happy to stick to that." He grinned at her broadly. "Aren't we the trickster, though, giving me a gift to make sure I remember to do something for you? Does that count as cheating?"