#cksecretsanta24

He could see them clearly across the cafeteria. They were so god damn close to Johnny, like four velcro dogs in matching reindeer sweaters, Dutch practically in his lap. They were laughing. Daniel clenched his plastic fork and didn't react when he broke off in his hand. Jessica picked it up and left in the pile of other broken plastic forks and handed him another one.

"I'd give you my metal fork, but I'm scared you'll break that one, too, and stab yourself."

Daniel exhaled heavily through his nose. "What do you think they're talking about?"

"Couldn't tell you," Jessica replied through a mouthful of chicken and rice. "You could have just asked him to sit with you today."

Yes, he could have, and he should have, and he wished he had, but Daniel felt bad that Johnny hadn't been spending a lot of time with his friends lately. School and work and Daniel himself were occupying his time.

Him and Johnny made eye contact, and the smile that was sent Daniel's way made his heart melt. Johnny was so damn cute. So pretty. He could spend hours musing about his soft lips and gorgeous golden locks and expressive blue eyes. It was no wonder Dutch was still hung up on him. But did he have to literally be hung up on him? The man had an arm loosely around Johnny's neck, and God knew where the other one was.

Jessica nudged him. "You should do something about that."

He poked at his chicken salad. "What? Fight him?" Admittedly, the thought had crossed his mind.

"That's an option. Lunch and a show." She sipped her fruit punch Gatorade. "But I meant go over and remind Dutch that Johnny is your boyfriend. Give 'im a big ol' smooch. And if you wanted to show him your right hook, that wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."

He rolled his eyes at her. "I'm not bothering him while he's with his friends and assaulting his ex isn't really in the spirit of Christmas."

"Getting cucked isn't in the spirit of Christmas either."

"I am not getting cucked."

"Johnny just fed Dutch one of the chocolate chip cookies he baked this morning."

A bolt of rage surged through Daniel's body. He broke another fork and glared daggers at Dutch, who was keeping his gaze on Johnny as he chewed. Daniel should be the only one getting Johnny's cookie. He was really thinking about marching over there and grabbing Johnny. Instead, he closed his eyes and did the breathing exercises his friend Mr. Miyagi taught him.

"It doesn't mean anything," he said calmly to Jessica but was really telling himself. I just need to get through the next half hour, he thought, then we'll be headed to Johnny's dorm. Alone. Daniel had plans. Plans that did not involve Johnny's friends and especially not his ex-boyfriend. He touched the item he had in his hoodie pocket.

"You say that, but I'm pretty sure Dutch is two seconds from bending Johnny over the table."

"Do I need to sit somewhere else?"

Maybe he should move. So he wouldn't be looking at them. And his blood pressure wouldn't spike. and wouldn't be tempted to clock Dutch in the face.

"Here, I'll help you." Jessica took Daniel's chair and turned it 180 degrees, so he was now facing the windows covered in snowflake and snowman stickers.

"How am I supposed to eat?"

"Sounds like a you problem."