Lost - Part 2

"What is this?" Ray thumped the small, brightly be-ribboned tree down on the dining room table right in front of Florian. The blond looked up, expression mild, and set his fork down on the plate.

"This would be a Christmas tree."

"I am aware of that. What was it doing in my study?"

Florian smiled, his eyes bright as he offered, "Dancing? Singing? What_would_ a tree be doing in your study?"

Ray rolled his eyes ceilingward and dropped into a chair with a laugh that he tried to disguise as a growl of irritation. "Must you be so irritating in the morning?"

"Of course not," Florian said agreeably, taking up his fork again and calmly taking a bite of eggs. He was in a rather strange mood today – almost giddy. To think only a few days ago he was so out of sorts. He wished once again that he had at least asked the name of the little girl who'd sold him the Christmas bows. He also wished that he'd given her more than that small sum in payment – he owed her much more for restoring his good spirits, especially at this time of year. If only he could remember the name of the street where he'd met her.

"I'm glad you're in a better mood." Ray said as he reached across the table and stole a sausage link off Florian's plate. It was gone in two bites.

"Thank you." Florian smiled again and slid his plate a bit closer to Ray, not minding in the least when the other man took another sausage. Florian always had plenty of food on his plate and Ray seemed to enjoy sharing it, as if it was his way of showing how comfortable he was in Florian's presence.

"It doesn't excuse that, however." Ray grinned and gestured with the sausage link towards the little tree. It had taken nearly half a day of visiting tree lots before Florian found the two foot high tree - actually the top portion of a larger tree too misshapen to be sold. Florian had opted to take a cab home rather than carry his tree through the crowded streets. He arrived home while Laila was out, thankfully avoiding any comments she might make about his tiny tree. She'd had enough to say a few days ago when he'd arrived home with pockets full of Christmas tree bows.

Nodding to the servants he passed, Florian took his tree upstairs to his room where he lingered over it, taking his time to get the decorations just right. There were three bows made of the same white lace that he saved to use as a tree topper, the rest he fastened to the small branches, making an effort to keep the colors, patterns and textures random so that there was a casual prettiness to the tree, but nothing forced or too orderly.

"Perfect," Florian said out loud, standing back to admire his work. He liked the contrast of the colorful bows against the evergreen, and the way the colors and patterns made the tree look cheerful rather than elegant.

He cleared a place and set the tree on the small round reading table in the corner of the room. It was half-hidden by the armoire and wouldn't be visible to someone standing just inside the room. Ray expected to work late tonight, but even if he did stop by Florian's room he wouldn't see the little tree unless he stood almost at the side of the bed. He rarely ventured that far into Florian's room unless Florian was ill.

Satisfied that his little tree would remain a secret for today, Florian left his room and ventured downstairs to see if there was a chore waiting to be done. The staff was extra busy preparing for the holiday and Florian was glad to lend a helping hand.

"Early tomorrow." He promised himself as he descended the stairs and glanced in the direction of Ray's study. He'd get up early and put his little tree in Ray's study as a surprise. He was sure the result would be amusing.

"That," Florian replied, coming back to his present conversation with Ray, "is a Christmas tree. And a nicely decorated one, if I do say."

"So these are the bows. Are they all out of your pockets now or will more be popping up around the house?"

"No, this is all of them." Of course Laila had told Ray about the bows. Laila told Ray everything, especially, it seemed, when it involved Florian. "Although if I could remember where I bought them, I could go back and see if the girl has more."

"I don't think that will be necessary." Ray wiped his hands on the napkin Florian gave him and stood up, putting his hands on the table and leaning in a bit as he added, "The bows are colorful, but you know I have a preference for one color in particular." He grinned and strode out of the room, leaving Florian to finish his meal while admiring his tree.

 

XXXXXXX
 

"I'm beginning to think your tree likes to wander about unattended," Ray said as Florian opened his bedroom door to find the man and the tree on the other side.

"I've heard some trees do that," Florian grinned, stepping back and motioning for Ray to enter. "Where did it wander to this time?"

"Oddly enough it was in my bedroom. On my bed."

"Really? That is most unusual behavior for a tree." Florian took a seat on his bed leaving the only chair in the room for Ray. The man set the tree down on the small reading table in the corner, but he bypassed the chair and sat on the bed too.

"Must be an adventurous tree. Not many people are allowed in my room."

"Trees aren't people."

"No, but the tree's decorator is definitely a person." Ray reached out and ran his hand very lightly along Florian's face from temple to jaw. "Florian…" The touch was gentle, almost tentative and Florian accepted it willingly – Ray's touch had never really frightened him, not even when Ray was in a rage. Florian knew what kind of fear a touch could bring, and this gentle, warm caress was far removed from that.

"It may be too soon," Ray said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "But I have a Christmas bow of my own." He took a small bow out of his pocket and held it up so Florian could see that it was tied around a sprig of mistletoe. Ray lifted it up over their heads and asked, "May I?"

By way of answer, Florian put his hands on Ray's shoulders, drawing him close for a sweet kiss.

The next morning, the tree, complete with mistletoe on top reappeared in Ray's study.

::end::
 

Return to The Colors of Christmas