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"What are you getting Jensen for Christmas?" Kim Rhodes asked as she prepped the two espresso machines for the morning rush at Java 'n Juice. A popular coffee shop, Java 'n Juice sold coffee, smoothies, and pastries, and the mornings were always busy.
The question caught Jared a little off-guard, and he almost dropped a pastry basket instead of putting it into the big glass pastry case.
"Um..."
Kim laughed. "Just a question, Jared, not a quiz."
"I don't know...I might not be able to get him anything," he replied sadly. Jared finished filling in the pastries while he continued to explain. "We both had a tuition increase this semester, and things are really tight money-wise right now." He sighed. "If anyone deserves a nice Christmas gift, it's Jensen. He's worked so hard on his music degree, and he's still pulling hours here." Jared smiled and added, "In addition to being the best boyfriend and room-mate ever, of course."
Kim patted his shoulder. "He's not going to mind, Jared. You guys being together is all he wants, and I know that goes for you too." She tossed a towel at him. "Give him an extra special blow job!"
"Ew! Stop talking about sex! You're almost as old as my mom!" Jared mock-grimaced at her, and they both laughed.
As he went about his shift, though, Jared felt sad about not being able to afford a gift for his boyfriend. Sure, he knew Jensen would understand, but that didn't make it feel any better. He was still mulling it over when he left the coffee shop.
It was early enough in the afternoon that Jared decided to pick up his art supplies and head over to the open market. There, colorful booths housed vendors selling all sorts of things: fresh produce and flowers, tasty meats and pastries, beautiful crafts of all kinds. Jared often went there with his cardboard box of artist supplies and a folding chair. He'd set up his little folding easel and paints and brushes, and he'd paint little scenes or portraits on demand. As an art student, it was all good practice, but he also loved to see the smiles his art drew from people.
The bits of money he made this way didn't hurt either. It wasn't a lot; not much would be left over after he'd replenished his paints, but every cent helped. In a similar vein, Jensen would often busk at the market, playing his guitar and singing in his beautiful voice while people tossed money into his open guitar case.
Jared and Jensen lived together in a small apartment over the Java n' Juice. Between their hourly barista wages and their free-lancing, they managed to get by while they pursued their classes as an art and music student respectively. They were young, talented, and in love, so living frugally was not a burden.
When their tuitions had increased, though, it had put a strain on their financial state. The free-lancing money went from nice-for-extras to we-really-need-it. And so, Jared had sadly realized he wouldn't be able to give Jensen a gift this year, as much as he wished he could.
It's just not fair, Jared thought, cleaning his brushes and putting them back into his cardboard box. Jensen works so hard, and he's such a good musician too. I'd love to just get him a little something as a treat. He looked glumly at his earnings for the last two hours. Enough for some necessary groceries, so he wasn't ungrateful. Just...no extra. At all.
Maybe I'll do the special blow job thing after all. He couldn't help smiling at that.
The next day was pretty much the same thing. Barista boy, then hit the market for painting. Classes were already concluded for the holidays, thank goodness. Maybe with the extra hours, he'd make enough for something. But the weather turned, and the snow that arrived, while very pretty and seasonal, chased him from the market. Painting and cold, stiff fingers did not mix.
Jared packed up his things, feeling despondent. Then the cardboard box he'd been using to transport his materials began to lose its shape as it absorbed the wet snow, and he had to struggle to not drop his paints and easel.
Goddammit. Could I just catch a break, please? Trying to wrap his arms around the increasingly soggy box, Jared paused and rested the corner of his box on a vendor's table.
"Can I help you?"
Jared looked up to see the vendor, a stocky, pony-tailed man in a leather apron, looking at him quizzically.
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I just--I needed to balance this so I can get a better grip on it," Jared apologized.
"No, I can see that's a bit...mushy? Structurally unsound? I got a big trash bag if you want to put everything in that." The vendor grinned and offered a big black plastic garbage bag. "This snow sucks. I was hoping for some more last minute holiday sales. Bet you were too." He opened the bag and held it while Jared maneuvered the box into it.
"Thanks, at least now it won't all end up in the mud and slush." Jared shook his head. "Someday I'll have a proper artist's box, but that day is not today."
The box now secured in the plastic trash bag, Jared looked around the booth. Beautiful leatherwork filled the shelves and hung from hooks; belts, bags, wallets, and more. The leather ranged from dark brown to light caramel in hue, and much of it was stamped and dyed with brilliant colors. Jared was impressed with the variety and artistry of the goods.
"Your work is stunning!" He complimented the stocky man. "I'm Jared, by the way."
"Kane, Chris Kane, leather goods." They exchanged a firm handshake. "I've seen you painting before. Nice stuff."
"Thanks." Jared gave one last glance around, and then he saw it. Hanging from a row of hooks in one corner were guitar straps. He put his bag of box down and stepped over to them. Like the rest of the leather goods, they were well crafted, with different patterns carved or stamped into them. One in particular caught his eye and he reached out to touch it. The leather was soft and supple, a deep brown with a green dragon embossed into it. The dragon would curl over the guitarist's shoulder, descending to the instrument's headstock.
"Wow," he breathed. "That's just beautiful."
Kane smiled. "You play?"
Jared shook his head. "No, my boyfriend--he plays. He's here busking sometimes, so you might have seen him. Tall, gorgeous, sings like an angel?"
"Oh, right! Bow legs?" At Jared's nod, Kane went on, "Yeah, he's terrific." Nodding at the strap, Kane said, "That would be a great gift. Pretty, but useful."
"Yeah, yeah it would." Jared bit his lip. "How much?"
Kane told him the price, and it wasn't exorbitant, but it was still more than Jared could afford. He gave the strap one last pat, and found himself saying rashly, "Can you hold onto it for a day? I'll come back."
"Sure thing." Kane took the strap down from its hook. "I'll be here. After the snow ends, that is."
"Thanks, man!" Jared smiled at him and picked his bag back up. "See you then."
He walked back to Java n' Juice through the snow. How are you going to get that strap, doofus? We don't have that extra money his brain scolded him.
Shut up. Jensen deserves that beautiful strap, and somehow I'm going to get it for him! Jared's heart answered.
No robbing anything! We are not spending Christmas in jail, Brain huffed, which Heart beat angrily in response.
Jared sighed.
How am I going to get that gift for Jensen?
* * *
Jared sat on the living room futon, fidgeting nervously. Their little tree, a hand-me-down artificial one from Jared's older brother, stood against one wall. The silver and gold foil paper chains decorating it reflected the multi-color light strings festoonning it, giving the room a festive glow. A red felt skirt sprinkled with white painted snowflakes--a craft project from Jensen's sister--was spread out beneath it. On the skirt rested Jared's package, a slim box wrapped in the gift wrap Kane had kindly provided.
I can't wait for him to open it, Jared thought. It's perfect.
He heard the doorknob rattle, and then it opened and Jensen walked inside. In one hand, he held a large but fairly flat rectangular package, wrapped up in paper with candy canes all over it.
"Hey, baby!" Jared jumped off the futon and hugged his boyfriend.
"Hey yourself," Jensen said, grinning at his boyfriend. "Sit down, Jay, I, uh--I got something for you!" He pushed Jared toward the futon with one hand.
"Oh, are we doing it now?" Jared asked. He darted over to the tree and picked up his package. "I have something for you too."
"Oh wow!" Jensen looked surprised. "I didn't expect--"
"Yeah, me either, so hush up," Jared chuckled. "Are we opening now?"
"Well, it is Christmas Eve, so why not?" Jensen sat down, and Jared joined him.
"I thought--"
Jensen put a finger on Jared's lips, then placed a soft kiss there. "I know, me too. But when I saw this--I had to get it for you. It's perfect."
They kissed again, longer this time, but then Jared put a hand on Jensen's chest and pushed lightly.
"Okay, but--you first." Jared put the slim box in Jensen's lap.
"Thanks, Jay. I can't wait to see what it is. A tie?" Jensen shook the box next to his ear and laughed.
"Of course not!" Jared punched Jensen's shoulder gently. "Go on, open it."
Jensen carefully undid the wrapping paper, causing Jared to roll his eyes. He opened the box inside the wrap, and gasped.
Nestled in white tissue paper was the leather guitar strap. Jensen gasped at the rich green design on the dark leather.
"Oh, wow," he murmured, picking up the strap and drawing it free. Running his other hand down the length of it, he said, "Jared, it's--it's beautiful." His voice caught as he added, "Oh Jay, you shouldn't have."
"I had to, Jen. It's you. I knew it as soon as I saw it." Jared patted his boyfriend's suddenly serious face. "Merry Christmas, Jensen."
Jensen turned his eyes back to Jared. Jared was startled to see tears in them. "Hey, are you okay? Jen--"
Jensen smiled, but his voice was a little shaky as he said, "Open your gift, Jared."
Jared gave him a concerned look, but picked up his present from where Jensen had leaned it against the futon and tore off the wrap.
An artist's portfolio, black and gleaming. The kind where an artist could fasten their brushes and paints on one side, and a folding easel on the other. Handsome and weather resistant, it was just what Jared had been wanting.
"Oh, Jensen." Now it was Jared's turn to be touched. "It's beautiful." He ran a hand over the smooth surface.
And now it was his turn to tear up. How was he going to tell Jensen--
"Jared...I have a confession to make," Jensen said. He laughed, but wiped a tear from his eye. "I uh..." He touched the strap again. "This is just so perfect. I love it. But, Jay--I sold my guitar."
Jared looked at him, stunned. "What? Why? Jen, how could you sell--" He stopped and clapped a hand to his mouth. Shaking his head, he put his hand down and whispered, "Oh, Jensen, no..."
Jensen nodded ruefully. "Yeah. So I could--"
"So you could buy this beautiful case." Tears began to roll down Jared's cheeks. "I can't--Jensen, you--" Wiping his face with the back of his hand, Jared began to laugh.
Jensen stared at him. "Jared, are you okay?" He gripped Jared's shoulder and shook him gently. "Jay?"
"Oh, Jensen, oh my." Jared kept laughing, despite his wet cheeks. "What a pair we are. It's like we're living that story, you know, that famous Christmas one?"
Jensen looked around before looking back at Jared, puzzled. "I don't see any ghosts?"
"No! The other one. Where the man and his wife sold their things to buy a gift for each other. You know, you have to read it in middle school or something." Jared's laugh died down to a soft chuckle. "They're us. Or we're them, rather."
"Jared, do you need a drink or something?" Jensen said, his face concerned.
Jared took a deep breath. "Jen, you sold your guitar to buy me this beautiful case for my art supplies. And I--I sold my easel and supplies to get you that guitar strap." He laid an open palm on Jensen's cheek. "Get it now?"
"Oh--oh no! Oh my God," Jensen groaned.
"Yeah." Jared smiled and drew Jensen's face close so he could kiss it. "We're both so silly."
"No, we're both so in love." Jensen finally smiled too. "Oh man, what a mess." He started chuckling. "But yeah, it is funny too, isn't it?"
"Yep!" They hugged each other, laughing even as tears trickled a bit as well.
"Okay, that's enough of this maudlin crap," Jensen said, standing up. He pulled Jared to stand up with him. "Let's get a drink and toast our silly selves and Christmas too."
"Brilliant idea!" Jared agreed. "And then, someone I know suggested that perhaps another gift might be a super special blow job." He winked. "And I can definitely afford to give that!"