LuRe Yule Challenge - The Greatest Gift
Title: The Greatest Gift
Author: lurelei
Summary: About angels with wings and no men on bridges. Trust the love.
Disclaimer: One cannot own persons. Characters? Okay, that's a different story. Even though this story is mine (mistakes and all), the characters are not.
Beta: sleeper6. Thank you!
Author's notes 1: This is all about missing people even more this special time of the year. All the stars that light the dark sky.
Author’s notes 2: In honour of Syl, who brought joy to our community but had to leave this world, just when the light returned.
Author’s notes 3: The title comes from the short story the Christmas movie 'It's a Wonderful Life' was based upon.
And finally: a big thank you for tldreamer for organizing this! (I finally got an author's tag and a reason to use it!)
"Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"
Clarence in 'It's a wonderful life'
Walking in the air (The Snowman)
We're walking in the air
We're floating in the moonlit sky
The people far below are sleeping as we fly
I'm holding very tight
I'm riding in the midnight blue
I'm finding I can fly so high above with you
The greatest gift
Melancholy. Cynicism. States of mind Reid often felt this time of the year. Now, cynicism was nothing new - he could relate to that almost all year through. Lots of people would confirm that. Melancholy though, he was rather unacquainted with and every time it came over him, he was surprised. And annoyed - he did not want to feel this way. He was Reid Oliver, Doctor Reid Oliver, after all. A man of science. Not a harlequin hearted romantic, who would sit on the couch, all teared up, with a pillow, and watch the most impossible stories unfold, whether on screen or in a book. He did not believe in fairytales. He learned a lesson a long time ago - and he learned it the hard way.
But still, he could not rationalize away that feeling of sadness and gloom that came over him almost every year in those last days of December. Of course - he knew it was all about missing people. Important people, who were not around anymore. And even though he knew, that even when they were around, so many years ago, life wasn't like it was in those movies and books - and songs, let's not forget those maddening songs! - he still wished sometimes. Wished that they were. Wished that it was. Cynic or no cynic. Scientist or no scientist. But then he would shrug. And bury himself in work.
So - melancholy. And cynicism. His state of mind by the end of the year.
Yet - this year, it seemed to be different.
Hands in the pockets of his lab coat, his eyes pensive, Reid stood by the window in his office, looking out over the hospital's parking lot. It was not that late, but already it was dark outside, even though the days were lengthening again. Lost in thought that he was, he did not notice somebody entered his office and tiptoed over to his spot at the window. Not until two loving arms encircled his waist and soft, warm lips touched his earlobe.
"Hi!"
"Hi!" He leaned back against a strong body, instantly at ease.
"What are you doing here, in the dark?"
"I'm thinking of angels. And bridges. And flying high with you."
Luke chuckled soflty, his hands roaming over Reid's chest. "Flying high with me, huh?"
Reid chuckled too: “Yeah. Imagine that!", yet he leaned back even more, took one of Luke's hands and pressed a soft kiss upon it.
Yes, this year it was different. And suddenly he knew why.