Work Text:
Jacob’s muddy boots left tracks in the snow, trailing all the way to the tall Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. Barry trudged through the snow next to him, his cheeks flushed and his breath coming out in puffs. As they reached the castle, the Prussians drew up the drawbridge. Barry had greeted the Prussian cheerily when the pair entered the castle. Said Prussians grumbled or rolled their eyes back. Either it's the anti-British sentiment or Barry really was that obnoxious, the Frenchman wondered.
The old staircase creaked as Jacob and Barry climbed upwards. The Englishman was going on and on about nothing, as usual, but Jacob didn’t mind lending an ear. It was better than the deafening silence he was used to, back when he was marching with his father’s company.
They had finally arrived at the top of the tower, just as Jacob’s legs started to ache. There, a stiff, straight-backed Prussian stood at the window at the other side of the room, holding a steaming cup of tea. Behind him, a wooden table was laid out with a dinner for two. Well, as far as neatly arranged hardtack, pound cake, reheated smoked meat and a kettle of hot tea could count as a dinner.
Barry threw his scarf over a chair rushed towards the man, wrapping his arms around the Prussian’s middle and resting his cheek on his back. The Prussian sighed audibly before putting his cup down and turning to Barry, hugging him back. Jacob watched from across the room, almost feeling like he was violating their privacy.
“You’ve been gone for a minute,” the man said before pressing a soft kiss to Barry’s curls. “I thought you wouldn’t make it to din- who is that?” His eyes narrowed as he saw Jacob. Barry let the man go and turned as well. “Ah, right. Jacob, come here.” Jacob nodded and shuffled awkwardly towards the pair.
“Karl, this is Jacob. Jacob, this is Karl! Go on, shake hands!” Barry smiled up at them both. Jacob held out his scarred right hand, and Karl took it with his gloved one. Barry grinned and patted both of their backs before taking off his shako and setting it on the table, “Make yourself comfortable, Jacob, okay?”
Karl continued staring up at Jacob before following Barry towards the table, “What is he doing here? I thought Christmas dinner was supposed to be us time? Barry?” The Englishman turned to Karl with a pleading look, “Aw, come on. He’s all cold and shivery, let him warm up here before I send him on his way, please?” The Prussian rolled his eyes before nodding, then turning to the Frenchman, “Once the snow clears up, you’re out.” Jacob nodded before pulling off his scarf and shako, “I won’t be a bother.”
The Prussian huffed as he leaned in to whisper in Barry’s ear, “Why’d you decide to bring him here?” His partner frowned in response, “Oh, come on. He was very kind to me, and he’s on his way to see his father! I just wanted to help.” He idly played with one of the utensils. “You’ll help out too, right?” Karl sighed, “Right.”
A few hours later, Barry was adjusting the crude wooden angel hanging from the Christmas tree. He found out about the custom through Karl, and he bugged the latter to help him cut down a tree. Karl agreed after The Silent Treatment and they had cut a tree, put it on a cart and pushed it all the way to Pfalzgrafenstein Castle. It was now decorated with wooden carvings and stars made from folded paper.
The snow fell harder after sundown and the water around the castle had completely frozen over. Barry smiled as he looked down at the frozen lake. Maybe he and Karl could go out there tomorrow morning. Bring Jacob along too.
As Barry busied himself with setting up the table for a third person, Jacob was sitting in front of the fireplace, staring at the letter. The paper had torn a little around the edges but he could still read the writing. His thumb rubbed idly over his father’s name signed on the bottom. Jacob was almost there. He would arrive in Roscoff and finally see his father.
Footsteps behind him snapped Jacob out of his reverie. Karl stood over him, hands on his hips. The Prussian’s brown eyes blinked at Jacob before flicking towards the dying fire. “There’s firewood stored downstairs. You seem like an able man. Help me carry it upstairs.” He abruptly turned away and descended the stairs, expecting Jacob to follow him. The latter turned to Barry, who nodded. The Frenchman folded the letter and slid it into his pack before standing and going downstairs.
Jacob realized how much taller he was than Karl. From a distance, the officer did look pretty tall, but that was probably because of how skinny he was. He was absolutely dwarfed next to Jacob. The Frenchman carried two bundles of firewood in his arms, leaning his head to the side to see where he was stepping. Karl carried only one bundle, and he already seemed pretty exhausted. “I can carry yours if you want,” Jacob offered.
Karl huffed and shook his head, “I’m fine, I can manage.” A bead of sweat fell from the tip of his nose as they climbed the stairs of the tower. After a few minutes, Karl finally gave in. He nudged Jacob with his arm and offered the bundle of firewood. “Here.”
Jacob gave a small smile before letting Karl place the bundle on the pile in his arms. He adjusted his weight for a second before continuing his ascent. Karl was already ahead a few steps.
As they walked, Karl broke the silence. “Where did you meet Barry?”
The Frenchman tilted his head to the side to look at the officer. “He was… he was part of the soldiers back in San Sebastian. I was a sapper and he had helped me bandage some wounds. He’s… a loud man. But he’s the best man I’ve met ever since this plague began.” Jacob’s words were sincere. Karl stopped walking and looked down at Jacob from the higher step, “He was that nice to you?” His eyes narrowed as Jacob nodded. “Very well, then.” Karl continued climbing the stairs. If Jacob didn’t lose his hearing that badly in the explosion, he might’ve heard a hint of jealousy in the Prussian’s voice. He couldn’t help but be a little curious.
“Do you mind me asking… are you and Barry… a-a pair?” Jacob asked, treading cautiously. That was a pretty serious accusation to make. Karl narrowed his eyes and frowned down at the other man. “Are you one to judge?” Jacob realized he came on too strong. “Of course not! I… I like men too, you can be honest with me.” He held Karl’s gaze, trying to convince him that he wouldn’t judge. The look in the Prussian’s eyes changed from uneasy to hesitant trust. “Yes, we are,” Karl muttered. “We’ve been together for a few months now.” Jacob asked again, “Are you happy with him?” The Prussian finally smiled, “I’m very happy with him.”
Jacob smiled and nodded. They continued climbing the stairs.
The pair finally arrived at the top of the tower. They saw Barry standing there, leaning back on the windowsill with a smug grin, showing his yellow teeth and gaps. “You two are back!” Karl could sense something was wrong. “Yes, we are. What are you smiling about, you fool?” He stepped forward but Barry stopped him with a tut and a wave of his hand. He pointed upwards. Karl and Jacob looked up. A mistletoe was tied to one of the wooden beams above. Barry snickered, “You two have to kiss!”
Karl grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. Jacob just looked confused. He set the bundles down on the floor and looked down at Karl. “Is that a mistletoe? Why do we have to kiss-?” The Prussian rolled his eyes, “It’s one of those blasted English customs. Two people have to kiss if there’s a mistletoe over them.”
What an odd custom. Well, the English were odd people anyways.
Barry wouldn’t stop snickering, which irritated Karl to no end. He loved his partner, but he had his limits. He grumbled, crossing his arms. “I’m not kissing him. This is ridiculous.” Barry held back his laughter and put on a pleading front, “Aw, love, pleaaase? You’re under the mistletoe! You have to!!”
Karl huffed and looked up at Jacob, scowling. Jacob tilted his head, a puzzled look on his face. “I don’t mind.” The Prussian grabbed Jacob’s crossbelt. “Lean down a little, you giant,” he muttered before pressing his lips against the other man’s. Jacob gasped but remained still, hesitant to pull away. It’s not like it was unpleasant or anything. He was… fine with the kiss.
They both heard Barry giggle and snicker his ass off from the other side of the room. After a few seconds, Karl pushed the Frenchman away, his pale cheeks turning a soft pink. “Is that alright?” He begrudgingly met Barry’s gaze. The latter nodded and walked up to his partner to give him a kiss on the cheek. He teasingly pinched Karl’s cheek, “It didn’t hurt anyone, yeah? Just a bit of fun.” Karl pouted, resisting a smile, “Yeah, yeah. It’s almost time for dinner, you oaf.” He walked away, face still a little warm.
Barry then turned to Jacob, who was standing there awkwardly, pink dusting his cheeks. The Englishman approached him and patted him on the chest, “A little flustered?” His voice dropped to a low murmur, “You weren’t so red when you kissed me back in Spain. Am I not a good kisser?” Jacob flushed even deeper, “No, you are a good kisser, but he just- well-” The Englishman shushed him and gave him a small peck on the unmarred side of his skin, “You don’t have to say anything. Come on, let’s eat.”
The snow had stopped for about an hour before it came back heavier. The fire was stronger too, fueled by the firewood Jacob carried upstairs. The trio sat at the old wooden table, enjoying a Christmas dinner amidst a world near its end.
Jacob and Karl stared at each other from across the table. Karl looked almost hostile as he cut the smoked meat with his chipped knife. Jacob was still a little confused about the kiss. Did he like it or not? If he remembers correctly, that’s probably the third time he’s kissed a man. The first two were with Barry.
The Englishman in question was helping himself to his serving of beer, smoked meat and pound cake. He paused to glance between the two other men before wiping his mouth neatly and putting his utensils down. “What’s got you two so worked up? Come on, tell me.” He brought another piece of meat to his mouth and chewed while he waited for his answer.
“It’s nothing, mein schatz.” Karl muttered under his breath as he took a sip from his teacup, still holding Jacob’s gaze from over the rim of the cup. “Oh, alright,” Barry said with a teasing lilt in his voice, “It’s nothing, I see.”
Barry noticed how everything was coated with snow outside. Maybe a foot of snow? He turned to Jacob, who was taking small bites of his hardtack. “Are you going to leave tomorrow morning?” The Frenchman looked up and nodded, “I don’t want to take up too much of your time.” Barry smiled, “Aw, don’t be like that. Look at how much snow there is outside!” Jacob turned to the window, “I think some would’ve melted in the morning. I think I’ll be fine.” Barry placed his hand on Jacob’s forearm and squeezed him gently. Jacob flushed at the contact. Barry continued, “Don’t worry, we’ll keep you warm. Right, Karl?”
Karl’s eyes darkened as he saw how Barry was holding the Frenchman. “Ja,” He murmured, “We’ll keep you very warm, Franzose.”
It’s been about two hours. The fire was already dying down.
Jacob stared at the ceiling, panting softly as his heart pounds in his chest. His skin was flushed and covered in a light sheen of sweat. On his right, Barry was fast asleep, snoring with one chubby arm over Jacob’s chest. On his right, Karl was muttering nonsense in his sleep, with one hand around Jacob’s neck and his cheek pressed against the side of Jacob’s head.
The bedding was soaked with their combined sweat and juices, leaving a sticky sensation all over the Frenchman’s body. Though Barry and Karl didn’t seem to mind it. Oh well. They did warm him up pretty well, didn’t they?