Work Text:
Christmas Eve morning, Eric woke up slowly. The bed was warm, his pajama pants were soft against his legs, his fiancé was snuggled around him.
He rolled over, gently kissing Jack’s cheek and snuggling into his neck.
Eric woke up again a little while later, Jack kissing along his cheek and jaw and neck.
“G’mornin’, honey,” Eric whispered, leaning close to kiss Jack’s lips.
“Morning,” Jack whispered back, his face alight with a sleepy smile. “Let’s make pancakes?”
Eric smiled, kissing Jack again. “Sure, honey.”
—
Peanut butter pancakes were made and eaten. Syrup sticky kisses were traded. As the kitchen was cleaned, a soap suds fight ensued.
While Jack put away the final remaining dishes, Eric went to grab the gifts that still needed to be wrapped for both sets of parents.
Coach and Suzanne were flying up to Providence. Their flight would arrive Christmas evening, and they insisted that they would be fine getting to their hotel themselves. Eric was going to miss seeing his momma on Christmas Day, but he figured it would be nice to spend the day relaxing with Jack.
Bob and Alicia were driving down, planning to arrive the day after Christmas and stay for at least a week to be able to attend two Falconers games.
“You looking forward to your parents coming, bud?” Jack asked, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Eric’s head.
“Yes! I'm a little nervous though.” It would be the first time the parents had visited together for more than just a day or two. “You know how my momma is. And how Daddy is too. And I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, sweetpea.”
“We can always take a break if it’s too much,” Jack said, looking at the gifts they had finished wrapping. “You’re good at that. Noticing when I need a break. Thank you.”
I love you. The words stood in there, unsaid. Eric knew it, knew Jack sometimes had a hard time verbalizing it. He didn’t mind.
“I love you, honey,” Eric said.
Jack smiled at him.
—
In the afternoon, Jack had an optional skate. Eric dropped him off at the rink, drove to get himself a coffee, and then drove back to watch the boys practice.
Tater was there, as he wasn’t traveling back to Russia this year. Marty and Thirdy couldn’t make it, but Guy was there. The two rookies came, along with a couple players Eric didn’t know as well.
“Hi, Little B,” Tater called, skating up next to the glass where Eric was sitting.
“Hi, Tater honey,” Eric called back. “I’ve brought y’all some cookies, so keep up the good work.”
Tater smiled wide. “Thanks, B! When we done with skate, I come give big hug!”
The team did a few easy drills and some speed work. When it became clear that the players were chirping and joking more than actually working, the coaches had them play some fun, easy non-checking hockey to finish up the “practice”.
After practice, Tater showered and changed the fastest. He ran out of the locker room and pulled Eric into a big hug. “Hello, B! Very good to see you! Merry Christmas!”
“It’s good to see you too, Tater! Merry Christmas!” Eric said, handing Tater a bag of cookies. “I hope you enjoy these cookies! They’re chocolate and peppermint.”
“Of course will enjoy. You make, yes?”
“I helped a little,” Jack said, walking out of the locker room and drying his hair with a towel. He slid an arm around Eric’s waist. “It was mostly Bits, though, so you don’t have to worry about food poisoning.”
Eric laughed, leaning up to kiss Jack’s check. “Don’t be silly, sweetheart, you’re not that bad.”
“We’ve got to get going,” Jack said, giving Tater a fist bump. “Good work today. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Zimboni, see you later. Bye, B!”
Eric and Jack walked to the car hand in hand.
—
After team skate, Eric and Jack wandered around Providence for a little while, stopping to look at the Providence Artists Holiday Market. They didn’t buy anything, but both men liked to get out and connect with the community.
On the way home, they stopped for Chinese take-out, and when they got back to the apartment, it was getting dark, and snow was falling gently.
Lights were strung over the fireplace, around the desks, near the windows, and they illuminated the apartment. Paper snowflakes decorated the windows, and the walls were lined from holiday cards from friends and family.
It felt like home. Eric took Jack’s hand, pulling him over to the couch. “Good day, honey?”
“Mmm.” Jack pressed his face to Eric’s neck, kissing along his collarbone. “Yeah.”
“Good,” Eric said, threading his finger’s through Jack’s hair. “Mmm, Jack. Kiss me.”
They kissed for a while, side by side, before Jack layed back on the couch, allowing Eric to straddle his lap.
The glow from the lights shined on Jack, lighting up his hair and creating soft shadows on his face.
“Honey, you look so beautiful,” Eric whispered, brushing his fingers through Jack’s hair.
“Euh, Bits. Please,” Jack breathed out, stretching up to reach Eric’s lips.
“I got you. I got you, honey.” Eric leaned down and kissed Jack, bit his lip, soothed it with his tongue, kissed along his jaw.
The snow fell softly outside.