It surprised me to find out that Silas actually had celebrated Christmas with his parents. He said when they did give him gifts, he'd sometimes get clothes or even a coat, maybe some shoes if his were really beat up. He'd get a new toothbrush, sometimes even some cheap little toys. He said his mom always bought him a little bag of cookies.
It made me both sad and happy to hear that. Sad that Christmas was so exciting for him because he might get a coat so he didn't have to wear three layers to go to school when it got really cold. Happy because at least his parents gave him a holiday.
Christmas was tomorrow, but Ray and Silas were coming to my house tonight to exchange gifts. Silas said his grandparents were coming up to stay with them, and they'd arrive early on Christmas morning to watch him open gifts.
It was late now, my family having recently gotten home from my Aunt's Christmas party. We'd exchange gifts and go to bed before a long day of family tomorrow.
The doorbell rang and I went to let them in. Silas was bundled in a warm sweater and a coat, sturdy boots on his feet. I smiled at the sight, stepping aside so they could escape the snow and the chilly air.
"What're you smilin' at?" Silas asked.
"You look warm," I said.
He looked down at himself in confusion. "Yea, I ain't coming out in my swim trunks when it's snowing."
But Ray shot me a knowing look and put a hand on Silas's shoulder. "Take your boots off. You're going to get snow all over their floor, punk ass kid."
Silas grumbled something as he kicked his boots off. He and Ray followed me out to the living room, where my parents had a fire going in the fireplace. My mom had turned all the Christmas lights on, and the room looked comforting and cheerful.
"Merry Christmas!" mom said as she spotted Ray and Silas.
"Merry Chri-" Silas paused as his eyes landed on Michigan, and he fought off a smile. "Did you really put your dog in a Christmas sweater?"
"He loves it," I said, petting Michigan's head. He pawed at the sweater.
"He hates it. You just love to torture him," dad said, standing up. "Ray, come on. We'll grab a drink in the kitchen while the boys exchange their gifts."
Mom and Ray followed dad out to the kitchen. Silas set the gifts he was holding down on the coffee table as I pulled out the ones I had for him. I led him over to the fireplace and we sat together in front of it, the heat of the flames warming us.
"How was your Christmas Eve?" I asked.
Silas shrugged. "Alright, I guess. We go to Ray's friend's place for his party. Ain't a big fan of the crowd, but I know most of 'em by now."
"Do you have fun, though?" I said.
He looked away, shrugging again. "I guess." He looked towards the fire, the flames dancing in his eyes. "It's...different. They offer Ray all these drinks but he nurses them so long he never gets drunk. My mom also got drunk after I opened my presents."
"They're siblings, but they're different people," I said, putting my hand on his back.
"Ray said Christmas was her favorite holiday. He said their dad didn't drink as much 'cause they saw all their family." Silas shook his head a little. "Learned more about my mom when I left her than when I spent every day with her. At least no one's stealing my money now." He had that nervous expression again, and hastily lifted a gift. "Let's open this shit already."
I handed him a gift as well and he nodded at me to open mine first. I tore the paper off, watching as he fidgeted a little.
A smile broke out over my face as I lifted the keychain from the box it was in. It had a picture of the two of us in it, the stars above us.
"I, uh, I know you don't collect 'em. But I thought you might..." He trailed off.
"I love it," I said, kissing his cheek. "Thank you, Silas."
He opened his gift and lifted two tickets and a small packet. "What's this?" His eyes scanned the tickets. "The aquarium?"
"Our next date. They don't have a shark tunnel, but it'll still be fun!" I said.
He looked at the little packet and annoyance crossed his face. He shouldered me roughly, glaring at me.
"You're an ass," he said.
I took the packet of tomato seeds from his hand and beamed a smile at him. "Now you and Ray can grow a tomato for Jack to set on fire."
"Ass," he repeated, knocking it out of my hands.
I laughed as Michigan ran over to sniff it and walked away in disappointment. Silas gestured to him.
"Even your dog don't want it," he said, and pushed more gifts into my arms. "Here, jackass."
We opened the rest of our gifts together. I bought Silas an astrology book, a collection of shark documentaries I'd found, and a blank photo album so he could start keeping pictures of us together. He bought me a waterproof action camera, a really nice picture frame, and a sweater with a pattern of stars on it.
"Thank you," I said, pulling him close so I could kiss him. "Merry Christmas, Silas."
"Wait, one more gift," he said, taking my hand and pulling me to my feet. "C'mon."
We went to the backdoor and outside. The part of the deck that was covered was free of snow, but I still shivered as my feet touched the cold flooring. Silas led me to the edge of the dry part of the deck, and we stood looking at the sky, holding hands and watching as snow drifted down from the sky.
"It's beautiful," I said, my words followed by a puff of breath on the cold air. I shivered and stepped closer to Silas, feeling the warmth of him against my side.
"Never was a big fan of Christmas til I came here," he said. "Thanks for all that stuff, Garrett. Except the tomato seeds. Fuck that. I'll shove them down Jack's throat if he sets our lawn on fire again."
"What a cheery Christmas tale," I said.
He didn't take his eyes off the sky. "I never paid much attention to it before. It's...calming."
"My mom used to have me watch the sky when we'd drive home at the end of the night. We'd stand out in the driveway for a few minutes looking for Santa. It was so calming and pretty that I'd start to fall asleep in her arms," I said.
I turned and put my arms around him, hugging him to myself. He put his arms around me, warm and comfortable. His sweater was soft, and I pressed my cheek against his shoulder, smiling a little. My feet were cold, but my heart was so warm.
And I kissed him. I kissed Silas Kelley beneath the stars and the snow. The cold didn't matter anymore; I'd let my feet freeze right off to stay in this moment for as long as I could. There was no tension in his arms as he held me. Silas was at ease, and that was a better gift than any camera or picture frame.
He pulled away from my lips and pressed his forehead against mine, his eyes clothes and his breath escaping in little wisps of cold air. He opened his eyes and pulled me against his side with one arm, looking back up at the sky.
"I like Christmas now," he said.
"Me too," I said, letting my head rest on his shoulder.
The two of us stood out there for a while, just watching the snow and enjoying each other's company. We'd go back inside soon enough to warm our feet and have some hot chocolate with my parents and Ray.
But right now, we were living in our own little snow globe. Snow sprinkling down around a beautiful little scene, and the holiday warmer than I could've ever imagined with Silas at my side.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
A.N.- Merry Christmas, everyone! Sorry, I've been super busy and didn't have much time for writing holiday specials!