ho ho ho!

[pere_noel]

Christmas morning wasn't usually like this. In fact, Christmas morning Nick was usually fast asleep after a long (very long, incomprehensibly long) night's work. But the island was a very different place, and called for a very different approach. So Nick woke up with the dawn, dressed in a pair of dark trousers and a warm red sweater he'd found in

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[real_buzzkill]

"Morning, Nick, and a merry Christmas to you!" Wilson exclaimed as he walked into the rec room with a steaming plate. "I saw you had a cookie when I walked past, so I brought you a proper breakfast from the kitchen. You must have had a long night."

He offered the plate, filled with Jane's French tast casserole and some ham to the older man.

[pere_noel]

"How thoughtful of you!" said Nick delightedly. "And a Merry Christmas to you as well, even if you don't celebrate." The meal smelled delicious, and Nick was quite happy to take the plate from him. "I've got that gift we talked about for your friend, but are you sure there's nothing you'd like for yourself?"

[real_buzzkill]

Wilson beamed as Nick told him about the cane, but he couldn't think of anything he wanted for himself. Until he thought about it for a second. "If... if there's a toy in your bag, that both boys and girls would like, I could put it in the clinic, to make them feel at ease in case one of them gets sick. I'd like that."

He wasn't selfless, but giving really was better than receiving.

[pere_noel]

"Something soft and cuddly, then," said Nick, digging in his sack. "I'm sure that shouldn't be too difficult." Wood was more his medium than fabric, but he was no stranger to a needle and thread. A few moments later, he pulled out a yellow, stuffed bunny made of a soft cotton with a few bits of faux fur here and there that he'd managed to coax out of the clothing box. "Would this do, do you think?"

[real_buzzkill]

"It's perfect, Nick. Thank you." Wilson smiled softly as he squeezed the bunny. "Are you going to be staying with us, do you know?"

The island could use a genial father figure, he thought to himself.

[pere_noel]

"Well, I find it hard to say how long I'll be here," said Nick, "considering I never expected to find myself here in the first place. My best guess is, I'll be here as long as I need to be here."

[real_buzzkill]

"That's a good answer," he said thoughtfully. Nick reminded him a little of Mary Poppins, who would stay until the wind changed. "Perhaps that's how long we all stay."

He picked up the cane. "I'm going to take these things to the clinic. I can't thank you enough, Nick. If you ever need anything, even company, stop by and see me. I'm usually there."

[pere_noel]

"I'll do that," said Nick, and meant it quite sincerely. "I don't believe I've spent much time in that area since I've arrived, but now that Christmas is upon us I may allow myself a little bit more time to go visiting."

[real_buzzkill]

"You should," Wilson said pleasantly. "The island is full of fascinating people, and there's always somebody new to meet."

He waved a little as he walked out the door, glancing at the mistletoe hanging there, grinning as he wondered if anybody had tried to plant one on Nick.