The holidays were always a little rough around the edges. It’d been a few years since Graham... well, left Gus and Chelle, and he always found it to be tough in smaller ways. He could take in the happiness of the season, even enjoy the festivities at the farm. But coming home to a quiet and lonesome RV, and not their old apartment, with no tall idiot waiting for him.. well. It was tough. He had good days and bad days. Christmas just seemed to always end up being a bad day.
But Gus and his niece (well, Graham’s niece, but now Gus’s niece, 100%) had started a bit of a tradition. Both lonely around the holidays, eager for family togetherness, they’d grab take-out and spend some time together, maybe put a movie on. Talk, reminisce. Go for a walk with Chelle. Gus had almost forgotten he’d said she could come over... to the RV... which was a bit embarrassing. Not that Gus didn’t have money. Living in the RV was by choice, to save his funds after very abruptly moving out of the old apartment. It’d been a rash decision, but he hadn’t been thinking clearly. Graham would’ve smacked him for it. Signed something akin to ‘you fucking idiot, you deserve an actual roof over your head.’ Gus tried to at least look presentable- he’d been working on grading papers all day, and they were splayed on the bed which took up its own little room at the back of the camper. Tugging the curtain to keep that hidden, he wiped his hands on his flannel, tried to fix his hair a bit, and went over to the door, leaning against it with a lopsided grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Y’know, I realized that this would’ve worked far better at your place, but it’s cozy in here. Kinda feels like you’re in a fort or somethin’.” He laughed, reaching to her for a hug, squeezing her. “Come in, we can make some hot chocolate or somethin’. How’re you doing?” Chelle yipped from inside. “Pardon the ankle-biter.”
@madibv
