#have yourself

Jay had a small, content smile on his face as he made his way to Hunter and Catie’s corner of the American Museum of Natural History. He couldn’t remember ever having a more relaxed, happy Christmas season. Emblematic of this was the fact that, Hunter, who did not have close friendships, had agreed to go caroling. It was another one of the sweet surprises about this man who Jay loved so much.

Jay was looking forward to spending more time with Sam and Catie, too. His interactions with them had been in passing, but they both seemed great and Jay hope he could help broker a closer relationship between Hunter and both of them.

Also, Jay was looking forward to possibly seeing and even talking to Blaine Anderson. He would never betray his ex’s highly guarded privacy, but he felt in his gut that Sebastian was in love with Blaine all over again and might need some support to try again with him. Maybe Jay might glean a few encouraging nuggets about or from Blaine to bring back to Sebastian. His ex’s mood was very up and down lately, which was a shame, especially during the holidays.

When Jay came into Hunter’s office, he found it empty. His boyfriend’s  coat was still there, so Hunter must be in the mens room. Jay walked the few steps to Catie’s office and found Sam and Catie with their coats on, ready to go.

“Hi,” he said cheerfully.

“Hey, Jay!” Sam said with his big friendly smile. They paused a little awkwardly before Sam said humorously, “Yeah, I think we’ve leveled up to a bro-hug. Bring it in!” He opened his arms and Jay smiled broadly and gave him a bear hug, patted him on the back.

“You’re not a big hugger,” Jay said with an easy smile for Catie. “We don’t have to hug.”

Catie looked amused. “Where’s Hunt?”

“Mens room, I’m guessing? His coat is still here.” Hunter had stepped out to use the restroom before Jay arrived and they joined Catie, Sam, and Blaine on an evening of caroling.  He hadn't sang outloud with a group of people like this in a long time; he hadn't participated in any of the drunken karaoke the weekend of the Ivy opening celebrations. He wasn't expecting to walk out of his stall and to find Blaine already at the sink, washing his hands.

"Hello Blaine," Hunter said with a nod at his reflection in the mirror.

Blaine looked up, startled, but recognizing the voice immediately.  "Oh, hello Hunter."

"Thanks for letting Jay and I crash your caroling with Sam and Catie.  Jay is really excited, and I haven't really sung in forever," Hunter explained as he walked over and started washing his hands.

Blaine looked a little awkward.  "Yeah, no, the more the merrier right?"

Hunter nodded, this time it was his turn to be a little awkward.  "I appreciate it.  Like I said, Jay is looking forward to it."

Blaine turned, grabbing some paper towel and drying his hands.  "Sam says, well, I suppose it's Catie says, that you really like Jay."

Hunter ducked his head and rubbed at the back of his neck.  "That's putting it mildly, but yeah.  I do."

Blaine smiled genuinely at the show of emotion from Hunter.  He could sort of see what Sam had said about Hunter being different.  "Still, I'm sorry about you and Sebastian."

Hunter looked up at Blaine.  "Thank you.  I appreciate that.  It was kind of a shock, to me, but it really was, or, is for the best. "  He cleared his throat.  "In that vein, I was hoping we could call a bit of a truce.  For Catie.  And for Sam.  And for S--stuff.   Catie seems to really like Sam, and I don't know that I've ever seen her so happy.  I don't want to be part of something that puts strain on what's making her happy, you know?" Blaine looked at Hunter and nodded.  "I agree.  Sam was a little down for a bit, and it's nice to see him with his spark again.  I think Catie is really good for him."

Hunter grinned.  "That's just who Catie is.  She is good for me, here, at work.  She became my first friend here in the city outside of Sebastian, and his friends."  He looked down.   "I'm sorry about you and Kurt.  But you seem to be doing okay, yeah?"

Blaine chuckled.  "I am.  The best that I've done after a break up with Kurt, so that is something."  He nodded his head and smiled.  "This is going to be fun, and good.  We know that you and Sam, and I, can all sing and harmonize, so it'll be great."

Hunter laughed, a deep hearty chuckle.  "You might be over estimating my skills at this point.  But we should get back to them before they go off without us."

Blaine laughed too, and nodded his head, following Hunter to his and Catie's offices.

"Hey there, look who I found in the mens room," Hunter said as he entered, eyes lighting up as he saw Jay was already there.  He walked over to his boyfriend and wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pressed a kiss to his temple.  "Hey you," Hunter whispered to Jay. Jay's face softened at the sight of Hunter and his brows lifted at the sight of Blaine. He gave them both a sweet smile as Hunter crossed the room, saying to Blaine. "Hi Blaine! It's been awhile..." he said. He wasn't even sure Blaine remembered his name but he gave him a kind, knowing look. “i’m Jay, Sebastian’s friend? We met at your store.” His eyes conveyed  that he wasn't denying what had happened between Sebastian and Blaine. He just wasn't going to get into it at the moment. He leaned into Hunter's hug and the kiss. "Hi, Baby," he whispered.

Sam had been bent over his his phone, checking off who else would be meeting them. "Santana, Britt, Tina, Cam, Nick, Jeff, and David," he said under his breath. Then he looked up, his smile wide. "Ok!" He  clapped his hands. "Everyone else is meeting us at the hospital! Let's go!"

The group moved down the hall and down the stairs. Jay's arm was hooked in Hunter's but it wasn't long before Catie tugged at Hunter's other arm. She was asking Hunter a work-related question, so Jay let go of Hunter and dropped back behind them, which brought him in step to Blaine Anderson. Blaine smiled, recognizing Jay immediately and he looked over at Sam, wondering if Sam didn't recognize or remember him from that day in the store.  "Hi!" he waved, not wanting to pull the new couple out of their quasi embrace.  "It's nice to meet you and put a name to the face."   Blaine couldn't help but smile softly at the two, immediately understanding right away what Sam, and Catie, had said about Jay and Hunter.   He wondered if Kurt and Dave would be like that too.    As Sam named off his list, Blaine visibly brightened.  "Yay, David.  --- Wait, Warbler David right, not my ex David?  Because for a moment I was afraid it was going to be third, or eleventh wheeling it as it is."

Blaine fell behind, letting the two couples lead the way, but Catie soon was tugging on Hunter's arm and before he knew it, Jay had let go of Hunter and was falling in step with him.  He swallowed his nerves and lowered his voice so they wouldn't be overheard.   "I'm really sorry for stalking you on social media.  I really should have known better."

Hunter grinned as Jay called him baby.  It wasn't a name he would have expected to like but from Jay it worked.  Because Hunter trusted Jay was going to take care of him, and for the first time, Hunter actually wanted that, and wasn't going to fight or push back on it.  They walked arm and arm through the museum, like they did many a time, until Catie tugged on his other arm to ask him something about work.  Hunter pouted slightly as Jay pulled away and then a few moments later, Hunter checked over his shoulder to see Jay walking in step with Blaine.  Hunter shook his head with a smile.

Hunter looked at Sam.  "Careful Evans, or you might loose your bestie.  As Sebastian always says, everyone loves Jay." Jay nodded and smiled back at Blaine, relieved that they had started on the right foot.

“Yep, Warbler David, and Nick and Jeff, oh and my friend Susie (you remember, the P.E. teacher at my school)?” Sam called good-naturedly to Blaine from across the room. “You are definitely not the only el-lobo-solo.”

Catie came over and bumped Blaine's shoulder. "If he doesn't  stop speaking Spanish I'll eleventh wheel with you," she said with a smirk.

Jay wasn’t sure that he’d heard Blaine correctly as they began walking together. “I’m sorry? Uh, I didn’t think…or know... You were.” He looked into Blaine's beautiful eyes and added reassuringly, "Whatever it was, it's okay. Sebastian's told me a little about the...complicated relationship you guys have had." He wished he could say so much more, but he stopped there.

Hunter interrupted them and Jay's face lit up with a sweet smile at his boyfriend's teasing.

Sam looked backwards and answered Hunter's teasing with a jovial tone. "Nah, Blam is bulletproof. And we just keep adding on. We were Blam, then we became Blamtina. So now we'll just become Blamjaytina!"

Jay leaned forward to give Hunter's arm a small squeeze before he turned his attention back to Blaine. "Sam's so great. He said you've known him since high school, and so have a lot of the people coming tonight?  That's so great, I only keep in touch with a couple of people from high school. But Seb and I are good about keeping our college friends connected. " Blaine rolled his eyes playfully.  "Nick and Jeff are like you and I, meaning they qualify as a couple if they don't have an s.o. around.  And then Susie and David?  I am still the odd man out," he countered playfully.  "You're lucky I love Christmas so much."  He grinned at Catie and winked.  "Sounds like a plan to me."

Hunter laughed.  "They are very, very close.  And in that enviable easy way."

Blaine turned his attention back to Jay.  "Oh, now I feel embarrassed.  But that message I sent you, anyhow, I guess it doesn't matter."  He chuckled softly.  "Yeah, complicated."  Emotions threatened to take over so Blaine looked away, blinking his eyes rapidly and taking a breath, hoping to keep them at bay.

Blaine was so grateful for Sam and how inclusive he was.  "Might as well go big or go home and go Blamtiehuntjaycamtina."   He watched Jay with Hunter and it made him smile.    Hunter was definitely different from the boy he remembered.  And different even, in a way then he had been the last few times recently that Blaine had crossed his path.

He shook himself from his thoughts as Jay spoke to him again.  "Yes.  We met when I left Dalton to go to McKinley to be with Kurt, my ex.  And even though Sam was Kurt's friend first, and even lived with his family, he and I are really the friendship that stuck.  Actually Tina was Kurt's friend first too.  Opps.  I never thought about how I took his friends away like that."   Blaine raised his eyebrows at Jay.  "So when someone (s) stole the New Directions National trophy, I went back to Dalton alone, to get it back.  After charming me into a Blazer again, and a song, I left, without the trophy.  Sam went back with me the second time, to steal it back.  In our alter ego costumes I might add.  Sam is definitely my ride or die." Blaine nodded.  "Our high school group still remains incredibly close."  He wondered if it was in part because of Finn.  "We just keep adding people to it.  One big happy, if somewhat dysfunctional, family.  Welcome."  He offered Jay a smile.  "Anyone who doesn't really know Sebastian might be surprised that he is in part responsible for keeping a group of friends together."  It went unspoken that it wasn't a surprise to Blaine.

Hunter's eyes glinted mischievously as he turned around.  "Your alter ego costumes... I forgot what dorks you were," he teased.  "It was embarrassing to be bested by someone in tights, a cape and a mask."  He looked at Catie then.  "I didn't know you had a thing for superheroes," Hunter teased her now.

Blaine laughed at Hunter's teasing before he turned to Jay when Hunter was focused on Catie and Sam again.  "I never knew him well, but he is different with you."  Once again memories struck Blaine and he was glad as he spotted the hospital and some of the others. When Blaine brought up direct messaging something clicked in Jay's memory and he vaguely remembered Blaine had messaged him  - after the museum? Yes, he'd been uncomfortable about it, and had redirected Blaine to Sebastian. His blue eyes widened as he remembered. "Oh...wow, that feels like it was so long ago...I forgot...I'm sorry, I'm the one who should be embarrassed. It's just, so much has happened since then...please don't worry about it, I'm sorry if I made you feel awkward. I think that was after the Blue Diamond exhibit opening? Sebastian was upset with you then and I didn't want to make things worse. But I'm glad you two seem to be doing better. I'm not sure if Sam told you that I used to date Sebastian in college? So I know about the ups and downs dealing with him."

Sam sang back at Blaine, "Blam-tie-hunt-jay-cam-tina-expialidocious!"

Jay listened closely to the history Blaine related, giving a Blaine a small smile acknowledge that he was tracking. Clearly there was more to be said about Blaine's ex Kurt, as there usually was with all exes. He remembered Sebastian's account of the trophy steal-back, and smiled. "I heard about that," he said, with a smile. "I always rooted for you guys in that story." He wanted to add that he was also always sad for Sebastian in that story, but it felt like it would be a betrayal. Catie rolled her eyes at Hunter. "I only have eyes for the most epic superheroes..." she shouted so Sam could hear, "Sam Evans, the most nutjob superhero, ever!"

"YOUR nutjob, Babe!" Sam sang back.

Jay smiled a little bashfully, looking down at Blaine's comment, not accustomed to talking about Hunter with anyone yet. "He's wonderful with me. I'm lucky." Blaine nodded his head.  It did feel like a long time ago, but it also felt like not so long ago too.  "Yeah.  Maybe-- there was a beach trip.  There were some pictures of you, Hunter, Sebastian, maybe another guy, and a girl.  I can't even remember why... I just... yeah."  He chuckled a little at the idea of him and Sebastian being better.  Honestly Blaine kind of wished they could go back to not even really knowing they were in the same city and not crossing paths over whatever was going on now.  It was an all or nothing deal.  "Well at least we're not screaming at each other in public or snipping at each other on any kind of media.  I'm sure that's doing better, but it's a far cry from the friendship we once had."

Blaine paused, literally stopped walking when Jay mentioned dating Sebastian.  It felt jarring for some reason, even though he was sure Sam had said something.  Maybe it was the way Jay said it, maybe it was the ups and downs dealing with him.  He shook himself out of his stupor and continued walking.  "I ah, admittedly when I saw the two of you in the store with Matt and Annabelle, how are they by the way, I actually thought you and Sebastian might be a couple, and the kids were yours.  Together," Blaine admitted.  "But then... well, you were there," he said with a laugh as his cheeks flushed red.   "Although Sebastian did flirt with me right in front of Kurt all the time.  It infuriated Kurt."

Blaine was glad for Sam's comedic timing, laughing, and trying to shake memories of Sebastian.  He looked from Jay to Hunter, and back again, realizing that he was standing with two of Sebastian's boyfriends.  "Wow," he said with a shake of his head.  "Looking at the two of you, Sebastian has a type.  Not that it's a bad thing, or anything.  Or surprising.  He always had beautiful taste." Hunter had been listening slightly to the conversation going on behind him.  Worried that too much was being said he tried to intervene.  "Don't show him a picture of Marc," he joked with Jay.  He slowed and fell into step with Jay and Blaine, his arm going over Jay's shoulders.  "You're rooting for them?  I can't believe my ears.  Traitor," he teased.  Hunter pressed a kiss to Jay's temple.  "Don't listen to him Blaine.  Truth is, I'm horrible, but he puts up with me and I'm learning.  I'm the lucky one."     As he watched Catie with Sam ahead of them, and pulled his arm around Jay more Hunter also thought about how Tina was engaged, and then Seb and Blaine both were coming out of relationships while the ones around them flourished.  He wasn't a big believer in fate but sometimes things were too much of a coincidence. Jay was saddened a Blaine's words. Something in Jay's gut could tell from those words that Blaine really cared about Sebastian, maybe even as more than a friend. Actually, probably as more than a friend. Because anyone who knew Sebastian was a little in love with him, or at least had a crush on him, even if he annoyed or even tormented them.

And this was without even knowing that Sebastian was behind the love letters they'd been writing these last few months. Sebastian had let Jay read a few of the emails and they were remarkable. They were more than you usually got in person, and charming in a different way than even the most intimate conversation you might get live.

Jay looked sympathetically at Blaine. "Of course. I'm sorry."

When Blaine stopped Jay was surprised, and he stopped, too, wondering why they had halted. When Blaine continued Jay's brows raised with comprehension. He hadn't thought of that, that he and Seb and the kids looked like a little family when they came into the store.

His brow furrowed at Blaine's last comment, and he felt a badly for Blaine, who seemed increasingly awkward and uncomfortable. The right comparision would have been Blaine flirting with Sebastian in front of Jay, but Jay wasn't going to nitpick, he wished they would get off the subject all together.

Then it got worse, Blaine was kind of awkwardly objectifying Hunter and Jay, as if Sebastian dated them primarily for their looks.

Jay gave Blaine a sympathetic smile but was relieved when Hunter cut in. He smiled and shook his head slightly, trying to see the humor Hunter did. And Blaine. Blaine was trying to be funny and Jay wanted to get on board, so he did, with effort. It just hurt his heart to hear Blaine talk about Sebastian like that. He was so...wounded.  And there was so little Jay could do. "Hah," Jay chuckled. "Yeah that would prove his point." He explained to Blaine with a smile, "Marc was another one of Sebastian's boyfriends in college. Has a sexy, square jawline just like Hunter's...so yeah, maybe a type..."

Jay leaned into Hunter's kiss but he chided him for perhaps the first time since they'd started dating. "Yes, I'm rooting for them to not fight like they were in the media anymore, so they can become friends again. Beyond that, it's not my business..." He goosed Hunter's waist. "Don't mind him," he said to Blaine in a friendly tone. "He likes to tease me."

At Hunter's sweet words, he pulled Hunter back to put his arm around his waist, so his boyfriend was on one side of him and Blaine was on the other.  "You are the opposite of horrible," he whispered, looking up at Hunter lovingly. Blaine just shrugged his shoulders.  It felt difficult for him to talk to Jay about Sebastian.  Maybe it stemmed from their friendship.  Maybe it was the knowledge they’d had a romantic relationship.  Perhaps he was just a bit bitter about it.

Blaine hoped others would join their conversation; not because he didn’t want to talk to Jay but because this was one subject he didn’t want to talk about.  Hearing about multiple romantic relationships, this whole side of Sebastian he’d never known, might never know, was a difficult pill to swallow.  « Have you met a lot of the others coming tonight? » Blaine asked Jay.

Hunter chuckled.  “ I meant you were rooting for Sam and Blaine in the Dalton trophy story.  And not my ingenious plan to lure Blaine back,” he continued to tease.  Hunter wanted to say he was rooting for Sebastian and Blaine to not be arguing but he thought better of it and kept his mouth closed.  Sebastian deserved that much from him. "Ohhhhh," Jay said with comprehension. "That makes more sense." He felt embarrassed now, that he brought up Sebastian and Blaine's relationship. He turned to grimace at Hunter about his mistake.

After a beat while Hunter full into step with them, Jay glanced over at Blaine, who was quiet and throwing off an uncomfortable vibe. He felt some relief when Blaine spoke. Jay replied genially, "No, just Catie and Sam, and Santana and Brittany. Santana came out to Stanford to visit regularly, and Brittany came sometimes, too. I love them." He chuckled at his most vivid memories. "Santana was always trying to get me to get back together with Sebastian after we broke up, she was not subtle about that, at all. It drove Sebastian crazy, because he wanted the ask to come from him. I don't know what she was worried about, he didn't need any help asking, he did it on the regular!" Blaine nodded his head somewhat solemnly.  "That sounds like Santana," he admitted, even though he was busy racking his brain for something, anything, to change the topic.  "Brittany is a great dancer.  She and Mike basically taught all of us in the New Directions what we needed to know, and carried us with their fancy choreography and effortless dancing.  Mike dances at the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.  He was just in town visiting and I took him out dancing.  Even though I should have known he was going to get hit on." Hunter's eyes narrowed and he pursed his lips slightly at the continual mention of Jay and Sebastian; the reminder of course that Sebastian had always wanted Jay back.  It made him slightly uncomfortable, and fueled his mostly irrational fear of them getting back together.  Instead he pulled Jay a little closer. Jay listened to Blaine, but was noticing that he looked uncomfortable again. He thought about what Blaine was going through, a break up and closing his grandmother's store. Sebastian had shared this with Jay over lunch that week, looking more anxious than Jay had seen him in a long time. Jay knew that Sebastian didn't normally share other people's business but he seemed to really need to get Jay's support and feed back. Blaine also had some kind of emotional connection to Sebastian's alter ego which was probably not always easy - Sebastian had stood him up, after all. He suddenly felt totally insensitive to bring up Sebastian up again. He needed to relax, when he was anxious he knew he often spoke too soon.

Taking comfort in Hunter's body pressed against his, he took a deep breath and replied, "Haha, that sounds like it was fun." He gave Blaine a small smile that was more relaxed. He let a short silence pass as they walked and he looked up at Hunter and noticed he was looking a bit far away, and somewhere not that pleasant. "Are you okay? he whispered. Blaine nodded, a sad sort of smile on his face.  "It was a lot of fun.  Something I needed I think.  And Mike is great company." Hunter turned to look at Jay and nodded.  "Yeah.  I will be, at any rate," he whispered.  "I'm glad we're doing this.  It'll be fun.  And Catie and Sam are great to hang out with." Jay was feeling the brave emotions on either side of him it was breaking his heart a little. He squeezed Hunter's waist and gave him an empathetic smile. "Ok. We'll talk more later," he said, before turning his attention to Blaine as they continued to walk.  "I'm sorry," he said, his blue eyes earnest, "...if I said something wrong." He wished he could start over somehow. Blaine shook his head.  "No, it's not you, it's me," he insisted.  "I'm just all over the place when it comes to Sebastian and everything that's happened this fall.  I should probably figure out where my head is before trying to have conversations about him," he said with a determined smile.  It was easier of course, to talk to NY152 about Sebastian since he knew neither of them.  He could be more objective that way.  Perhaps Blaine was just used to talking to him about Sebastian and having it be objective, or talk with Tina and Sam, who generally took his side.   "It's been nice though, to hear about him over the years.  The ways he's changed and grown, and the ways he's stayed similar, familiar, to how I knew him."  It didn't help him decide on his feelings though.  It was still a confusing jumble and Blaine wondered if things would just always be that way for him when it came to Sebastian.  It was something to bring up with his therapist.  Caroling books began making the rounds, and Blaine smiled as he took one and handed the others to Jay.  "What song are we starting with?"

Hunter pressed a kiss to Jay's forehead in reply to the talking more later comment.  He listened to Blaine and had a strange amount of empathy for the other.  Hunter thought about how Sebastian had been at Dalton, and the changes in the man he'd been with the last several years, and then also the differences to the guy he was in California, at Standford, with Rob, while dating Jay and Marc.   He nodded his head in agreement that maybe Blaine wasn't in the right headspace to have conversations about Sebastian.  And although it was manifesting differently from his own, Hunter thought he recognized some jealousy there and it made him feel sorry for Blaine, and very sorry for the situation Sebastian found himself in. Jay nodded his head and gave Blaine an understanding smile, though his head whirling a bit, thinking about how Blaine didn't even know the full story, that Sebastian was his anonymous online friend. "Right. I'm sorry. You seem okay with him online, but of course not everything is what it seems online. You read what you want to read, sometimes. I won't talk about him anymore, I'm so sorry." Then he bit his lip and took a deep breath, trying not to be awkward.

Jay gladly took the caroling books, keeping one and handing the rest to Hunter with a slightly apprehensive look, seeking a little silent support from his boyfriend about Blaine. "Mmmm, I don't have a strong opinion. I'm guessing a crowd like this needs guidance. Why don't you lead us, so Sam doesn't make us start with 'Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer?" Jay said, feeling better already with just this funny thought. Blaine smiled and gave Jay a nod of thanks.  It wasn’t worth saying being okay online was in part a show, for all their mutual friends so they didn’t end up feeling like they were picking sides.

Hunter accepted the books from Jay, keeping one and passing the rest to David, who had come over with Jeff and Nick to say hello.   Hunter could tell Jay wanted him to do or say something, but he couldn’t think of anything that would make things better.

Blaine shook his head.  “No this was Sam’s idea, he’s leading, even if it’s to start with that,” he said with a chuckle.  “I’m just here to get some lacking Christmas spirit,” he said as Sam approached. Blaine took the opportunity to step over to the other former Warblers, greeting them with hugs. Jay felt better after ending things with Blaine like that, and took one arm and wrapped it around Hunter's waist. "Tell me next time to mind my own business, so I don't put my foot it in again like that," he whispered as Santana and Brittany came over to say hello.

Caroling at the Manhattan General began well, with Sam playing his guitar and Santana guiding the group's harmonies. They ended with "Jingle Bell Rock." Sam and Brittany danced along and the whole group was laughing at their antics as they left the hospital.

Inspired by their performance, Sam led them singing through various public areas, in front of festive stores and delighting children walking down the street. Finally, Jay looked up and realized where they had gotten to. He said to Hunter, "Oh, let's stop and sing for Mattie!" He called out to Sam, "Hey Sam, can we stop here? The boy I manny for is here. I can call them and tell them to come to the window."

"Sure!" Sam said amiably. Jay texted Bill Smythe and Sam asked Blaine, "What should we sing? Maybe a few lines from all of our favorites tonight? We could all take turns with a mini-solo? Santana could start, she always starts things off strong. Or maybe just a solo, do you want to solo?" He adjusted the strap on his guitar. Hunter gave Jay a reassuring squeeze.  “We know too much,” he said simply.  He smiled for Brittany and Santana but he was quiet.  Even for him.

The  caroling was fun though and Hunter enjoyed listening to Jay sing and playing proud boyfriend.   Although Sebastian often raved about his voice, Hunter still stayed in the background, providing solid harmonies instead of taking any leads. His mood had picked up by the time they arrived at Bill Smythe’s but the man always had a way of putting Hunter a little on edge.  However, Mattie helped make it better-- now that he was mostly past the sticky, germy phase Hunter didn't enjoy.

"He'll love it," Hunter said to Jay.  "Maybe we should sing him something fun?  Rudolph, Frosty, or  Up on the Rooftop?"