Chapter Text
The house was full of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins, and it was all noise and chaos. Most of the women holed up in the kitchen, baking Christmas cookies and gossiping. Two uncles and half the kids were out getting a tree. Others decorated or played cards or Atari in the basement.
The whole atmosphere was hot and cramped. Everyone seemed jovial, except for Jean and some of his moodier younger cousins who would rather be with their friends. Everywhere he turned, there was a body and boisterous, forced cheer.
Jean couldn’t even get away in his bedroom cause he was sharing it with three cousins. He didn’t want any of that. He didn’t want the questions on his future or his love life. He was happy enough working at his parents’ shop, at least for now. He had no desire to make it his life’s work but he didn’t know what he wanted for the future either. He didn’t think uni was really an option for him but he wouldn’t ruin Mum and Dad’s Christmas by admitting that to them.
As far as his love life…
He didn’t know whether to snog or strangle Armand. First, the man seemed to want him around. Armand made time for him in his busy schedule. But then, Armand would shut down and ghost him for a week or two. In turn, Jean would get angry and they blew up at each other. It didn’t occur to him that he wasn’t really very good at listening and he hadn’t yet learned to read Armand’s moods like Ax and Joseph.
Gaston and Ax both tried to convince him to use his words, but he wasn’t a bloody woman or on one of those daytime talk shows. Armand was the unreasonable one. He was sure of it. So, why did he feel so terrible?
He missed that stupid asshole. He missed the dates to dinner and the cinema. He missed snogging and holding hands in the dark. He missed the warm fuzzies when Armand smiled at him.
His thoughts ran in circles over Armand. Suddenly, he needed out of the house. He didn’t bother adding any other layers to his jeans and t shirt. He didn’t bother swapping his trainers for boots. He just grabbed his jacket off the rack by the door and went out into the snow. He picked a direction and started walking.
The sky was gray. The snow fell in fat, wet flakes and stuck to everything and he forgot his hat and gloves. He jammed his hands into his pockets and put his head down against the wind.
He followed the sounds of carols and bells onto a decorated street. Brightly lit shops lined both sides and the air smelled of hot chocolate and gingerbread. Garlands and Christmas lights were strung between the lamp posts.
There were plenty of people about but it didn’t feel claustrophobic like it did at his parents’ house. He browsed through the different windows. He stopped outside of a florist to blow on his hands and stamp his feet.
He felt a blast of warm air when a woman came out with a Christmas cactus. She smiled politely and held the door for him. “Happy Christmas,” she said cheerfully.
He nodded and dredged up a small smile. “Happy Christmas,” he mumbled and slipped inside the shop. He sighed and tried to shake off the cold.
“Last minute shopping?” a voice asked kindly.
Jean looked at the little old lady behind the counter. He shifted awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well…”
She came out from behind the counter and approached Jean. She barely came up to his shoulder. She was plump, with rosy cheeks. Her gray hair was in a loose bun. She wore a green Christmas apron with reindeer on it and antlers on her head. She took his arm and gently pulled him further into the shop. “We’re picked over I’m afraid, but we still have some lovely blooms left.”
He tried to ease away but she didn’t let go. He tried to swallow his nervousness. “I didn’t think many flowers bloomed in winter.”
She waved her free hand. “Oh, there’s Christmas cactus, poinsettias, English primroses, pansies, winter jasmine, Algerian irises, and snowdrops.” She brought him to a shelf against the far wall. “But these are my favorite. These are amaryllis.”
He looked over the few single flowers in small pots. Each had one or two blooms. They were all red or pink, except for one. He slowly reached out for the deep blue flower.
She chuckled warmly. “She has blue eyes, does she?”
He blushed. “I…uh…” He started to put the flower back on the shelf.
She put a hand over his. “I’m sorry. I was only teasing.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to.” He blew out a long breath. “We haven’t been together long. We haven’t even talked about exchanging gifts.” He frowned and his voice was barely audible. “We haven’t talked much lately.”
She pressed the pot into his hands. “It called to you. It’s for your love. Just call me a Christmas romantic.” She offered him a dazzling smile and went back to her place behind the counter.
He dumbly followed. He set the flower down and patted his pockets. He rolled his eyes at himself. He flushed in embarrassment. “Forgot my wallet.”
“No matter,” she said briskly as she wrapped paper around the flower to protect it. She held it out to him. “Take it.”
“I can’t,” Jean protested.
She grinned. “It’s a Christmas gift.”
He shook his head and took a step back. “You don’t even know me.”
She regarded him for a long moment. Then she nodded to herself. “Fine. You can owe me” She crossed to his side of the counter and pushed the plant into his chest. “I’ll expect to see you back in this shop in the new year. I could use the help two days a week. How does Tuesdays and Thursdays sound?”
He held the amaryllis securely. “What would I need to do?”
“Deliveries and heavy lifting.” She held her hand out. “Deal?”
He shook her hand. “Deal. Mrs?”
She smirked. “Just Liz.”
“Jean.”
“Nice to meet you.” Liz lead Jean to the door and opened it for him. “Happy Christmas, Jean.”
He offered one last smile before he stepped out into the cold. “Happy Christmas, Liz.”
“Go talk to her,” Liz ordered and shut the door in his face.