#petergraham

Although Pete and Fletcher were starting fresh, they were also making up for lost time and getting to do the things they had missed out on doing when they were younger. For Pete, this gift was no exception.

"I've been wanting to give this to you since I was seventeen," he said, eyes soft and smitten. It was his varsity jacket from high school. It was freshly cleaned and mended. There were two patches on it, the 'E' for Edenton High School on the front and a soccer ball on the left sleeve. On the back, his name was embroidered above his jersey number.

He'd saved it all these years, never losing hope that maybe someday he'd finally be able to give it to the boy he loved.

"Ya can't be serious."

He knew this jersey like the back of all four hands. He had promised to keep Peter's personal Samantha on his foot, suffice to say, this gift was a legitimate surprise. He still remembered the way it shaped Peter's shoulders, broadening his chest. The scent, the -

Deep breath.

"I didn't keep anything from chess club." His grin was every bit shy, suddenly a reflection of his youth, unable to look Peter in the eyes as he shrugged on his present. He couldn't wear this on the regular. Much too precious, but right now, this moment, absolutely.

Pete knew the card was a little on the sappy side so to offset it, he chose a gift for MJ that was more lighthearted and funny but still kind of sentimental if you were to squint. He couldn’t just fill MJ’s RV with plushie grizzly bears, after all.

Still, sappy or not, the moment the vampire came through that window he was going to have an armful of bear and a ‘Merry Christmas’ squeezed in between kisses.

    Of course he was coming through the window. It was a tradition at this point, and MJ had no intention to disappoint Peter’s expectations. Tonight he would be coming through the window with two rats in tow and a backpack of Christmas goodies, one serious, one... not so serious, but would be taken seriously!

The card would be delivered through Pete and it was truly fitting that it should be.

Pete told me you like country music.

Merry Christmas, MJ!

-Callum

    And one would be given via their messenger in return. No, Peter was not allowed to see the card. Not for innocent eyes!

“Thought about giving you another bear but then this popped into my head. You’re going on so many adventures with Indiana Jones, ya’ll should have matching hats.” Pete grinned. “Merry Christmas, MJ.”

The second gift was more for MJ’s rat family, but it was for MJ, too. A little hammock for them to snuggle up in.

A card for a card, to return the gesture from the previous year.

It’s no phallic snowman but it suits you.

Merry Christmas, MJ

-Callum

    Callum had succeeded in getting a laugh out of the Ravnos. Even if he wasn't there to see it, Peter was free to tell him.

Pete had done his best to find a pink bear for MJ but it just didn’t feel right. A little stuffed grizzly felt more fitting for this fresh start they were making.

“I couldn’t find any mini umbrellas to put in them,” he said with a grin. “But I did abandon my principles and bring a jar of maraschino cherries so you can scandalize me by combining them with the beer. Merry Christmas, MJ.”

    “Now ya think it’s funny, huh? Took years t’get ya some sense of humor.” MJ shook his head. He’d take that bear just the same, though. Thank you very much. Put that somewhere in the RV. Somewhere private-ish.

Fletcher would find the small wrapped package on his doorstep on Christmas Eve.

No card, no note. Just a hint of a familiar cologne and a small cartoon bear drawn on the inside of the wrapping paper.