Vice Admiral Smoker

She listened to him ask his question and he make sure to stop her from answering with something as simple as enjoying the location. She smiled against his skin and ran her fingers through his short buzzed hair before leaning back til he had to sit up and look at her.  “Because, I love you.” She gave him an answer but she wasn’t sure if that was something he’d  want to hear. “You don’t have to say it back… or even return that feeling.” She added  after a moment.  “That’s the truth though.”  Would that turn this entire night into an awkward mess or would he just brush it off and they move on like she didn’t say that. She wasn’t a fan of wasting anyones time or wasting her time but if there was something then surely they could let it happen but if there wasn’t then… whatever happens happens. They could both just move on and if they both truly enjoyed the others company with no strings attached she realized she would still come for the holidays. 

Was it really that easy? Carson just admitted to it. Just like that. And what was worse- she did so by making eye contact with him. There was no escaping the colour that returned to his face at her honesty, nor all the other feelings that began to surface within himself. Did he return her feelings? Yes. Was he allowed to? ... That was another story.

Smoker grabbed his cigar and leaned both his hands on the counter on either side of her. Looking to the floor he tried to think of what to say or do in this scenario- one which he knew would eventually come up but he had refused so far to prepare for it. 

She would have to get used to how he  showed his affection. She was torn between sassing him for telling her to shut up or just melting into his warm touch which was much more pleasant than the other.  She did just that and smiled pressing the side of her face against his.as he rested against her shoulder. She could feel the warmth of his cheek against hers.  “Okay.” She gently ran her fingertips up and down his back sliding beneath his shirt after a moment or two.  She kept him close and began kissing softly along his neck to his shoulder as they sat there in the kitchen together focused on nothing more than one anothers touch. 

Damn it. How could he be so weak? He had certainly expected her to sass him back for what he’d said, but instead she agreed, treating him to soft affection. He could feel his face burn with embarrassment, though he had no idea what he was even embarrassed about. So what if he enjoyed her company? So what if he wanted her to stay with him? So what if he expected her every year to be here? ... Just for him- waiting for the winter months when all other life responsibilities faded like the leaves from the trees. There was warmth to be found with her, even as the cold of winter took to his home.

She let him lift her. It was effortless on his part as he sat her on the counter. She trailed her hands up over his chest to his shoulders and pulled him close.  “You know… if it was bad you could say so.” She laughed softly. “Or, did I do something wrong?”  She sat his cigar aside and kissed him softly trailing her lips to press more soft kisses along the corner of his lips and down along his jaw.  She leaned into him reveling in the closeness. 

He screwed up his face a bit at her words. Of course she knew she followed the recipe just fine, and there was no way she did anything wrong. 

Carson watched him go. She wasn’t entirely convinced at his response. He had disappeared into the kitchen and after a moment of thought she followed after.  He was faced away from her and she slipped up behind him arms sliding around his waist to pull him close as she leaned into him from behind. “Hmm~” She smiled resting her forehead against his back.  He didn’t have to tell her anything if he didn’t want to but she would still let him know how she felt even if it wasn’t with words every time. She kissed along his shoulderblades as her hands trailed up to his chest and back down to his hips. 

Smoker took his time, slowly washing the dishes, lost in thought. He’d been there many times throughout his life, he realized. Washing dishes at this very sink.

He could hear her walking closer, but for some reason it didn’t compute in his mind until she was already touching him. Letting out a deep breath of smoke, he set the plate back into the sink and leaned into her touch. 

She noticed the bit of quiet that overcame him after that but she didn’t point it out. Instead she talked and distracted and ate. She talked about an island she had visited during a holiday where people chased a cheese wheel down an extremely steep hill for fun.  “I like cheese but I don’t think I’d risk breaking  my neck to chase it down a hill.” She had already started decorating the tree and was sipping on her second cup of eggnog in between.  “Imagine getting hit by a cheese wheel going full speed down a hill…” She hummed in thought as she wrapped some silver ribbon around the tree. 

She looked back to Smoker, “You alright?” 

He listened to her ramble on about some cheese chasing island, wanting to chuckle over it but he resisted, as usual. He then watched her go about decorating the tree. Normally she’d bug him to help her, but he was enjoying the rum and eggnog enough to sit and just watch her. She was quite a fun time to watch, honestly. The lights in the tree along with the firelight lit up her figure quite beautifully.

“Ehh!?” She laughed and tried to fix her hair, “Whats that supposed to mean!” She puffed out her cheeks as he headed back out of the kitchen. “Oii!” She turned back to the food and tasted it herself. “Yeah, he liked it.”  She nodded happily and began to finish up what was left and clean any mess. Grabbing two plates she filled them up and headed to the living room since they could sit and enjoy it there by the fire and also work on the tree decorations.  “Here you go~ I also made some eggnog. Not sure if you’re a fan… but I added plenty of alcohol to it.” She went back to grab the mugs and sat them down as well before looking to the box. “We can start on that in a bit. I am hungry~” 

It really was criminal though in the way it made him feel. Fucking Brenda... The old woman was too excited to see him have a woman in his home, she decided to interfere. Of course there were many worse things in the world than this... Actually, it was kind of nice, but he wouldn’t admit it.

Smoker ignored her as she tried chasing after him and instead went to sit on the couch by himself until she finally joined him. He didn’t expect her to serve him too, but he wasn’t about to complain about that either. 

Carson looked over to Smoker as he questioned her again making his way into the kitchen.  “Ah, hmm well I was gonna let it be a surprise but it was a suggestion from Brenda.” She hummed and went back to the cooking.  She didn’t know it had anything to do with his mother and just assumed it was something he actually enjoyed eating.  “Want to taste it and see if I did alright?” She asked holding up a spoonful. 

Of course he was intrigued. The memories suddenly flooded to him more than they had in such a long time... funny how smell could do that. 

Smoker peaked over her shoulder and scoffed through a smile. Of course Brenda told her to do this. It all made sense now.

“Oh just a little something.” She shrugged and watched him as he piled on some kindling into the fireplace. “Haha, well now that you mention it…. it’s a little smaller than I wanted….” She teased and shook her head. “Nah, it’s perfect. I can’t wait to start decorating~” She turned and headed to the kitchen to get started on the food.  The sooner it was set and simmering the sooner she could get started and the process going back and forth from food to decorating could begin.  The recipe wasn’t as hard to follow along and was easy enough to get started. It wasn’t long before the kitchen started smelling delicious. 

Smoker glared, but there was no way she could see it with his back turned. He supposed she could sense it if she tried, but she likely already knew it was there.

While she was cooking he made his way into the storage room and pulled out the one box of things they’d kept for this very occasion. He’d never been one to collect Christmas decor, but with Carson here every year they’d certainly gathered enough things to cover a single tree. That was more than enough for him.

As he came out, setting the box open near the window next to the tree, he began to smell whatever it was that she was cooking up in the kitchen. It was something of a familiarity, bringing back a few memories that were only pleasant in his case. He could hear his mother’s laugh echo in his mind, causing him to creep into the kitchen just to see what she was up to.

Carson made her way through the town and looked over the list of ingredients to the  recipe that was given to her.  It took a bit of time but she managed to get everything and then some. For a brief moment she thought it would have been much harder to find some things or taken twice as long.  She had time to grab other non perishables and plenty of extra booze on her way back towards Smokers home.  She passed by a store buzzing with people coming in and out and a sign on the window mentioned free gift wrapping and she was reminded of something.  Now that they had a tree she could put the gift she got Smoker underneath. It wasn’t anything too special. Just something she had come across along her travels that she figured he would enjoy.  She made it back and noticed he had made it there before her. Of course all he had to get was a tree so that was easy enough for him.  “I’m home~” She sang at the doorway kicking off her shoes before shuffling her way to the kitchen to drop everything off.  “I hope you’re hungry because I am gonna make something nice tonight.” She began putting things away that she wouldn’t need. “And while it’s cooking we can decorate the tree~ Yay!” She peeked into the living room where the tree was and stared in awe, “WAAAO!” She pressed her hands to her cheeks. “It’s perfect!” 

Smoker had just finished adjusting the tree in its spot when she came inside. Carson still seemed to be in good spirits, which he was grateful for, and she didn’t get lost. His home was a proper home for her now too, it seemed.

“Hn? What’re you making?” Carson wasn’t usually a fan of cooking so he was surprised to hear that. Still, he wouldn’t complain. He wasn’t particularly a fan of cooking either. 

He stood and stretched, letting out a plume of smoke before wandering over to the fireplace. Couldn’t have Carson getting cold, especially in this weather. The snow seemed to be picking up now so he was glad to have these chores done and avoid going into town until after the snow storm passed.

“How about~ I get the  groceries and you,” She stepped in front of him with a hop and poked him playfully in the chest, “find us a tree! Heehee! You do have all your decorations stored in your attic right?” She stood back up and looked thoughtfully around the place.  “Either way it’ll be fun to have something to decorate.” She already had an idea of where to go for food shopping. “We can divide and conquer.” She dropped her fist into her open hand with determination.  “Then we can go home and be free from the crowds before they get bigger.” 

“Divide and conquer?” That was a surprise. He didn’t expect her to want to go on her own, but he supposed it wasn’t a bad idea. If they both got each thing done separately they could go home sooner. “Alright, fine. I’ll meet you back at the house, then.”

After patting her head to say goodbye, careful not to mess her hair too much, he left it at that. He didn’t suspect a thing. Of course he knew where to go to get a tree- which was a weird thing to do alone, but it was alright. They could have fun drinking later as they decorated it with the pieces she’d gotten them before that were currently stored away. 

Carson was a little distracted with her thoughts but she still managed to let the surroundings awe her. She looked at all the wonderful shops around and the people setting up decorations or opening shop.  There were even people setting up places for entertainment like music and such. “Still as popular as I remember.” She laughed as another person greeted him as they passed by.  “It looks like they are putting out more decorations than last time.” She took note.  Why was she feeling so flustered now of all times? This was no different than last year or the year before. Brenda just got in her head…  “So, hm, we can wait til later to get a tree since its still quite early. What do you think we should do first?” 

Smoker of course had no idea what Brenda had said to Carson. He did notice that she seemed a bit more distracted than earlier years, however, but he chose not to question it. 

Town was almost too busy for him, even though it was nice to see the people again. The streets were lit up and decorated beautifully for the season. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, and the kids running around chased one another with snow balls.