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“Where do you normally put the tree?” You asked Volt after helping him lug it from the storage closet.
“Typically on the corner of the stage.” He wiped his brow with a huff.
“Sounds good to me!” You bounced on your toes, looking at the currently bare corner with excitement. “So do you guys decorate every year?”
“Begrudgingly, yes.” Eddie had joined you, holding boxes of ornaments, lights, and tinsel.
“Eddie!” You let out an irritated noise. “You were supposed to let us grab that.”
“I made two trips into one, you’re welcome.” He placed the boxes down and stood up. A loud cracking sound came from his spine. Cringing in pain, his hand shot to his lower back.
“And that is why we told you to let us handle it…” Volt sighed, shaking his head.
“I can manage.” Eddie said gruffly, trying to straighten up.
“That’s not the point.” You walked up to the man, smushing his cheeks between your hands. “You’re supposed to be resting now. Let us handle things.”
“I want to help.” Eddie muttered through his squished cheeks.
“And you can, with the ornaments.” You released his face, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“Fine. At least let me put on some tunes while you work.”
You looked over at Volt to confirm if this would be a reasonable task. Volt nodded, motioning for Eddie to head to their audio station. Flitting through various vinyls, Eddie found the one he was looking for. Courtesy of Rainey, he managed to snag a Christmas classics album before the holidays. Crackling rang out over the speakers before the familiar sounds of “Jingle Bells” began to play. Eddie looked over to you and Volt expectantly. Smiling, you shot him a nod of approval before turning back to setting up the tree.
With Volt’s assistance, you built up the fake tree branch by branch. Both of you meticulously fluffed out the branches. Once it was fully put together, you stood beside Volt to examine the tree. Spotting a spot or two, you fluffed out bits that were too stuck together.
“You seem to be quite particular about your tree appearance.” Volt teased with a nudge as you maneuvered the branches.
“I got it from my mother. She made sure each branch was perfectly placed.” Once you felt you were done, you decided to begin stringing lights. “By the way, where did you even get this tree?”
“Holly has plenty of decorations to go around. She offered to spruce up the entire house for the holidays and said we could keep it.” Volt said, grabbing the end of your strand of lights.
“That’s sweet of her.”
“Yes, it is. Even though Eddie thought it was a bit of a nuisance.” Volt smirked at Eddie who had returned to the stage.
“We don’t need to decorate the bar. It’s a waste of time.” He rolled his eyes, though a smirk tugged at his lips.
“Oh, don’t try to pull that aloof, ‘give no shits’ attitude with me, Mister.” You sauntered up to him. “I see that smile.” You pecked his nose with a kiss, then returned to aid Volt.
“I might have warmed up to the holidays.” Eddie admitted, now with a full smile on his face and a light blush dusting his cheeks at your affections.
“It helps that he has another person to treat for the holidays.” Volt smirked at you knowingly.
You blushed, biting your lip sheepishly.
“So you guys have celebrated before?” You asked, curious as to how the objects in your home participated in the winter celebrations.
“Once Volt came into the picture, yes.” Eddie said.
“So you never did when it was just you?” The thought made you quite sad, picturing Eddie at the bar alone as holiday celebrations happened outside.
“I didn’t have much to celebrate.” He shrugged, it was old news to him. Right now, he had a reason to enjoy the season.
“He’s a very good gift giver.” Volt said.
“Yeah? What’s Eddie given you before?”
The final row of the lights were complete. Volt stood back, then raised his wrists to show off the bracelets he often wore.
“Eddie made those?” You grabbed his arm, looking closer at the jewelry.
“Yes he did.” Volt looked over his shoulder at Eddie endearingly.
“It was nothing…” Eddie rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Just messing with some copper wire is all.”
“I think they’re lovely.” You dropped Volt’s arm, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
“What has been your favorite gift?” Volt asked you.
“Hmm… Probably a book series my grandpa introduced me to.” You smiled fondly at the memory.
A Christmas over a decade ago, you ripped open a box set of a series that you knew your grandfather loved. You were the only grandchild of his that actively enjoyed reading, so he was ecstatic when you had grabbed the first book off of his shelf. When you visited their home, you often found yourself curled up on the couch reading. Your grandfather sat on his arm chair, reading a book of his own. When you two sat for hours reading in a comfortable silence, your grandmother would refer to you as her “bookworms.”
“Yeah, you’ve always been a reader.” Eddie said.
“How would you know?” You raised a questioning brow.
“I ran the electricity through the entire house decades before Volt got here. I’ve seen you visit here plenty of times before.”
“So you’ve been peeping on me since I was a kid?” You teased.
“N-no! That’s not at all what I was saying. I just—”
“Eddie, I’m fucking with you. I’m glad you got to know my grandparents, and me, by association.” He relaxed at your words.
“They were good people. Glad they chose you to take over the home though.” He smiled softly at you, making your heart swell.
“Yeah, me too.”
“Ah the holidays, they do make us quite sappy, don’t they?” Volt chimed in, feeling left out during this reminiscing.
“Got any more holiday stories of your own?” You asked, grabbing golden tinsel from a box.
“Oh do we!” Volt exclaimed with a laugh. “We like to hold a holiday karaoke night.”
“And it goes just as well as you’d think every year.” Eddie chuckled.
“Got any performances that stand out to you?” You began to wrap the tinsel around the tree.
“Would you be surprised that Johnny Splash always sings ‘Blue Christmas?’” Eddie rolled his eyes at the thought.
“Not at all.” You could already picture Johnny crooning out Elvis’ Christmas song.
“One year the office gang tried to sing ‘Carol of the Bells.’” Volt added. “Let’s just say Lux needs to be the center of attention.”
“What did they say again?” Eddie tapped his chin in thought.
“I’m obviously the best singer here. You’re lucky, my talent could rub off on you.” Volt mimicked Lux’s voice.
“Oh, that’s bad.” You snickered. “But I’m not surprised.
“At least some people happen to be good.” Eddie said, hoping you wouldn’t be put off by the karaoke night.
“Yeah? Like who?”
“Able and Dasha make quite the duo. They did a very nice duet of ‘White Christmas’ last year.” Eddie said.
“Friar Errol has a pretty good rendition of ‘Ave Marinara.’” Volt added.
“I’m excited to hear them all. It sounds like a lot of fun!” You smiled sweetly at the two.
“It’s a lot of work for us though.” Eddie slightly frowned, recalling how busy the night gets with the house practically packing the bar. “I typically have to ask Bev to come up and help me at the bar.”
“Maybe I could help out this year.” You said, not wishing for Eddie to take on more than he needed to.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.” Eddie shook his head.
“What if I want to?” You finished wrapping the tree in tinsel and walked up to the man. On your way over you grabbed more of the sparkling strands.
“I just don’t want to—” You shushed him, wrapping the tinsel around him and pulling him close.
“I’m going to help you, and that’s final.” You nuzzled your nose with his, feeling the air of a chuckle hit your face.
“I dunno…” He trailed when he saw the resolve on your face.
“I’ll be here.” Beside you, you noticed Volt had appeared. Looking up, you spotted he was holding a sprig of mistletoe. “Perhaps we could seal it with a kiss.”
“Only if you’re sure.” Eddie worried over his bottom lip nervously, the last thing he wanted was to burden you.
“I’m absolutely positive.” You murmured, leaning in to kiss him. Using your leverage with the tinsel, you pulled him to press your lips against his.
He melted into the kiss, a hand cupping your cheek to deepen it. As you pulled away, you smiled. Adoration filled your gaze, making Eddie’s heart warm.
“I’ve promised to always be here for you. You are not making me do anything I don’t wish to.” You pressed another kiss to his lips, before allowing Volt to have his turn.
The other man leaned over Eddie, still holding the mistletoe between them. Cupping Eddie’s face, he pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Watching your lovers affectionately kiss had your heart soaring. Oh how you were excited to enjoy the season with them both.
“And I’ll always be here too. I hope you know that, Eddie.” Volt said softly.
“Of course I do.”
With the tender moment over, it was time to finish up the tree. Beckoning the two over, you opened up the ornament boxes. They were filled with brightly colored bobbles of all shapes and sizes. Together your trio hung the ornaments all over the tree.
“This one looks a bit phallic.” Volt held up a long squiggly ornament that was painted a bright purple.
“I think it’s supposed to be shaped like an icicle.” You cocked your head to the side scrutinizing the ornament with narrowed eyes.
“Honestly, I think most of these could be considered questionable.” Eddie held up an ornament that was made up of a string of sparkling blue beads.
“Don’t tell Ben Hwa.” You snickered, holding up a pink ornament with a flared end.
Once the tree was complete, you set down a bright red tree skirt. Standing back, your trio looked over your work with pride. Rainbow incandescent lights shined through the branches, the lights bouncing off of the tinsel and ornaments. Truly a classic Christmas tree.
“What do you guys think?” You asked.
“I think it’s perfect, live wire.” Volt walked up behind you, wrapping his arms around your torso and pressing his head into the crook of your neck. Turning to the side, you pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.
“It looks great.” Eddie joined in, kissing you on the cheek.
“Yeah it does.”
You finished up decorating, lining the bar with Christmas lights. On the bar doors you hung wreaths and placed a holiday themed welcome mat. The place had come together quite nicely.
When you wrapped up, Eddie made up some Christmas cocktails for the three of you. An item on a new menu the bartender was cooking up for the holiday season. Something involving cranberry and ginger ale. Clinking your glasses together, you raised a toast.
“To a wonderful holiday season.” Volt raised his glass.
“And many more.” You added, raising your own.
You clinked your glasses together, then took a big gulp of the drink. It was quite refreshing, the cranberry going very well with the ginger ale. As you sipped on your drinks, you continued to reminisce on past Christmases. Sharing memories with your family and college friends. Other favorite gifts you had received. Volt and Eddie talked about the pleasures of lighting up the home’s decorations. It provided them an opportunity to look outside, which they rarely got.
“Is there anything special you would like to do for Christmas?” Volt asked you.
“Honestly, I just want to spend time with you guys.”
“Are you not going home?” Eddie asked.
“This is my home.” You smiled at him, a sight that shot straight to his heart. “I want to be with you.”
“Then we will join you for the festivities. I’m sure others in the house would love to do the same.” Volt wrapped an arm around you, pulling you tightly against him.
As you snuggled against him, you noticed the song the record began to play. Perking up, you turned to face Volt with a wide grin.
“Oh this is a fun song! Wanna dance?”
“How could I say no to that?” Volt chuckled at your enthusiasm.
Offering his hand, Volt pulled you onto the dancefloor. “Baby, it’s Cold Outside” played through the bar’s speakers. As Volt twirled with you around the bar, you sang along to the song. He joined in on the duet, making you giggle. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but Volt was a very good singer. While you felt as though you were a screeching owl, Volt’s voice worked perfectly with the song, blending nicely with Frank Sinatra’s vocals.
From the bar, Eddie nursed his drink as he watched the two of you dance around. His chest swelled as he focused on your smiles and adoring faces. How’d he get so lucky? Truly, having the two of you in his life was a gift enough. Who knows where he would be without your love and support?
Once it was over, Volt bowed and kissed your hand. Heat rushed to your cheeks at the affectionate action. Standing up, Volt pulled you into a deep kiss. His tongue parted your lips to join with yours. Allowing the kiss to grow more heated, you pressed up against him. A content sigh left you as his lips melded perfectly with yours. Pulling back, Volt smiled down at you in adoration.
“Perhaps we should do a duet on karaoke night?” Volt asked.
“Oh, I don’t know about that one, Volt. I’m a terrible singer.”
“I think you have a lovely voice.” He didn’t appear insincere, making you blush once more.
“Well, maybe. But it has to be a duet. I am not singing by myself.” You wagged a finger in his face.
“Very well. I will be sure to join you.” Turning to the man behind the bar, Volt addressed him. “Perhaps Eddie could sing with us as well?”
“I’ll leave the entertaining to you.” Eddie walked out from behind the bar.
“Still scared to be in the limelight, love?” Volt teased, inviting him into your shared embrace.
“I prefer to stay behind the scenes.” Eddie let out an amused huff motioning to the bar.
“Suit yourself, at least I’ll enjoy the company of our budding star.” Volt kissed you softly.
“I dunno if I’d call myself that…” You bit your lip, unsure of yourself.
Lifting your chin to face him, Eddie spoke. “You’ll be great, spark.”
“You two flatter me too much.” You tried to wave off their affections, but they wouldn’t allow it.
“Oh, live wire. I don’t believe we flatter you enough.” Volt kissed you once again, his passion for you translating through the heated pressure of his lips.
When he pulled away, Eddie took his place. He shared a similar passion as Volt, lightly teasing your tongue with his. Though he wished to do more, he gently pulled back.
“You are a gift, spark.” He said softly, pressing his forehead against yours.