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Christmas season. A time when operators could go home and spend time with the ones they love, their families. A cozy warmth by the fire seeps into the bones, joyous expressions etched into every line on their faces.
Whether it be going out to look at lights, decorating the tree, preparing dinner together, or even something as simple as making paper chains to count down the days. There was no doubt that everyone had something they longed to do, someone they longed to do it with.
Unfortunately, the weather did not always agree with their plans. Not all operators could make it home to see their loved ones.
A blinding snow drift swept across the place where Team Wolfguard was currently stationed, biting and harsh. Temperatures dropping below freezing had the base's heating systems working around the clock to keep things warm inside.
This kept everyone stationed there snowed in, unable to get home for the holidays. Many operators were disappointed by the news, as they all had important plans with their families.
Lion was especially disappointed. It had been months since he had last been available to see his son Alexis, and he had promised he'd be home in time to celebrate Christmas.
It devastated him that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to Alexis due to the blizzardy weather.
The common area was cold, the generator's attempts to keep it warm falling just a bit short of what was needed. Bundled up in a cozy pair of sweatpants and a sweater, Lion sat on the couch, absentmindedly scrolling through his phone.
The videos on his phone helped to drown out the bellowing of the snow, and the pelting against the glass as it continued to accumulate outside. The weather channel had said it wasn't supposed to stop till the next morning, meaning it'd practically be waist-deep by the time it finally ceased.
Lion's gaze flickered from the piling flakes of winter's essence to his phone screen and back again. His body and mind are equally restless. This wasn't the place he wanted to be stuck for the holidays. Sure, he cared deeply for his teammates and wouldn't mind spending Christmas with them as he had in a few past years, but this wasn't one of those times.
He wasn't supposed to be here. He wanted- no- needed to be home. To be with Alexis. His boy.
He couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering, spiraling out of control. He thought that he was failing to stay true to his word, to be there when he promised he'd be there. “I'm sorry, Alexis. I want to be there, I promised I would.” Lion could feel his emotions getting stronger, a rising feeling of failure settling in his chest. “Stupid snow. Why, now of all times, did it have to snow? Why now when I need to get home to my boy? Why-”
A firm, steady hand landed on his shoulder, pulling Lion from his thoughts. He looked up to see Doc standing behind the couch, leaning over the back to place a hand on his shoulder. His thumb rubbed soothing circles into the crook between his shoulder and neck.
“You're tense, Olivier. What's on your mind, mon amour?” Doc inquired; his tone was carefully calm, yet it still carried a note of recognizable concern. He knew Lion had had plans with his son for the holidays, and how the snowdrift had ruined them.
Lion met Doc's calm, patient gaze with a sad one of his own. He was hesitant to share his thoughts with the doctor since he had his hands full with so many other things. But, he was the man he had fallen for, and he was there for him when he needed to get things off his chest regardless of his schedule.
With a heavy sigh, he finally admitted. “I'm just disappointed, honestly. I had promised Alexis that I'd come home in time to celebrate the holidays with him this year, and now…” Lion trailed off, gaze shifting to the mounting snow outside the window.
He was acutely aware of Doc's gaze still on him, scrutinizing every twitch in the muscles of his face. The little shifts and oddities in his body language. He knew they wouldn't go unnoticed by Doc's trained eye.
The doctor's expression softened somewhat. He brought his free hand up to tilt Lion's chin up and forced him to meet his gaze once more. “Olivier Flament. Look at me.” His tone was gentle, but no less than if they were in the field commanding. “You can't predict the weather, mon amour. You didn't know it would snow this badly, you can't blame yourself.”
Lion knew that Doc was right, he couldn't blame himself for the weather. But he still felt horrible for not being able to get home like he wanted. It was what Doc suggested next that caught him off guard, but it's also what gave him a spark of hope that, maybe, just maybe, he could spend the holidays with Alexis in some way.
“Have you considered calling him? Perhaps a video call?” Doc had suggested. It was a simple yet effective solution to the problem.
Sure, he couldn't be there physically for Alexis, to be able to hold him like he wanted, but he could at least see him for Christmas.
Lion thought about it for a moment. It was a plausible idea to call Alexis. One that had him already reaching into his pocket to grab his phone, his excitement palpable.
Only his phone wasn't in his pocket?
“Olivier, amour, it's in your hand.” Doc interrupted his search with a tone of soft, fond amusement and a chuckle.
Right, of course. It was still in his hand from when he was watching, more like just staring absentmindedly at videos earlier. “Oh, right. I knew that.” Lion wasted no more time being a forgetful fool. He opened up his contacts and clicked video call under his son's name.
The tone rang once, then twice, even thrice before Lion turned to Doc.
His expression was contemplative and worried again. “I didn't think about it, but what if he's unavailable-”
“Hello?” That voice. It was unmistakably Alexis’. And Lion couldn't have been happier to hear it. “Dad? Why are you calling? I thought you were on your way home?”
Ouch. The hopeful tone of his voice sent a pang of sadness stabbing through Lion's heart. He hated that he had to break the bad news to him. “Hey, Alexis, kiddo. How are you doing?” He tried to keep his tone light and casual, but seeing the happy yet confused look on Alexis’s face hurt so much.
Alexis, for his part, was really confused and out of the loop. He didn't understand why his dad would video call him if he'd be seeing him soon in person. “I'm doing fine, Dad. What's going on?”
It was easy to tell something was amiss. It always was when it came to his dad, he wasn't that great of a liar if he was being honest.
Oh no. Of course, Alexis had seen right through him; he always did. “Ah, mon ange, I should have known you'd suspect something.” Lion's shoulder slumped with a heart-heavy sigh. He took a moment to steel himself before delivering the bad news.
“Alexis, look… I can't make it home for Christmas as I promised.” It was a quiet admittance. One filled with emotion and silent apologies. “I got snowed in at base. Je suis navré, mon ange.”
Alexis’ face morphed into one of disappointment and understanding as he took in his dad's words. He was upset and sad that he couldn't be home for Christmas, but he also understood that things happen sometimes.
The weather doesn't always play fair. “Oh… I see.”
Oh. That hurts. The obvious disappointment in his eyes, the sadness that laced his voice. “Alexis…”
“Dad, hey, it's okay. I get it. Things happen.” Alexis tried to reassure. He didn't want his dad to be upset with himself for this. He knew he had promised, but it was the weather's fault, not his. “I'm not upset with you, Dad. You don't have control over the weather, after all.” He gave a lighthearted chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
Lion couldn't help but chuckle along with Alexis; his laughter was contagious, and it helped to lift his spirits. His gaze flickered over Doc beside him, catching the faint yet fond smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
It made his heart swell. God, he truly was a beautiful man. How did he get so lucky? The rich, earthy tones that shine when hit with golden light. The way they never seemed to lose that watchful, intelligent gleam that belies both the man's professionalism and gentle loving nature. Oh, how he could get lost in those eyes-
“Dad!” Lion is snapped from his staring when Alexis calls out to him. Maybe his adoring glance had lasted a little longer than intended, and it seems like someone had caught him.
He tore his gaze away from Doc, shooting Alexis a sheepish smile. “Got a little carried away, didn't I?”
Alexis snickered, finding his dad's behavior amusing. “Yeah. Yeah, you did, Dad.” He settled back against the couch with a small sigh. “So, who were you even looking at?” He wiggled his eyebrows jokingly just to get a rise out of his dad. He had a feeling he knew who it was, his dad had talked a lot about a special someone.
Lion rolled his eyes in mock exasperation at his son's remark, he knew it was all just to get a rise out of him. “Hush, you. And for the record, it was just my friend-”
“You mean boyfriend?”
“Alexis!” Lion's face flushed a bright, cherry red at the teasing comment. While it was true that he and Doc were together, he wasn't just about to outright say it.
At his side, Doc had covered his mouth to suppress his quiet, amused chuckles.
“Hey! Stop that, it's not that obvious, is it?” Lion was all but pouting at them now. The combined laughter of both Doc and Alexis was infectious, and soon enough Lion was giggling and chuckling along with them. His exasperated annoyance had been for show anyway. This lighthearted and easygoing atmosphere that their laughter had created, however? That was real.
It was perfect.
A mixture of light chuckles, chortles and deep, hearty belly laughs fills the room. The three of them simply enjoyed the light-hearted banter for hours to come. Teasing quips, small jokes, and an endless stream of genuine laughter were the best possible outcomes for their holiday plans gone wrong.
Between the not-so-perfect-endless still pouding against frosted glass, the cold biting at Lion and Doc's extremities from just how little the heating was actually managing to do, and Alexis’s never-ending stream of comical teasing jabs at Lion's love life, it was peaceful. Cozy even. Despite all that had gone wrong, it was all okay in the end, and that's what mattered.
And if by the end of the night, when the sun had long since lowered past the horizon, and it was nearing the time for Alexis to head to bed, that a bit of extra love was shared between him and Doc, that's between them.
The shared feeling of chapped lips lingered on their tongues, that moment of warmth. It wasn't something new or substantially monumental, but it wasn't any less reverential and fueled by the core-deep love for one another.
No one else needed to know. This was their moment, a private thing.
Cuddled on the couch, after all was said and done, the frigid night would be kept at bay. Nothing is better than the shared warmth of someone else, someone close to the heart.
Or at least that's what they say.
These not-so-perfect, perfect holidays are best spent with the ones who are here to stay.
Have a very, very merry Christmas, and to all a good night.