THE FIVE SENSES OF CHRISTMAS

THE TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS

The air is still as cold as it was when they arrived earlier, sending a chill through Eddie despite the fact he's wearing a coat. It annoys him that he even has to wear one at all.

"You think we'll have some snow this year?" he can't help but ask.

Buck shrugs. "None that would stay on the ground."

"Hm." Eddie clicks his car keys. "Chris would love it anyway. And if it doesn't stay on the ground, even better. That would be a rough shift."

Buck laughs, leaning onto the top of the car door once Eddie opens it. "Can you imagine working somewhere up north like New York?"

"Work would be hell during winter," Eddie agrees. He grabs Chris' backpack from between the seats and goes to close the door again. The metal feels icy. He clicks his keys again before looking up at Buck expectantly. There's something weird happening on Buck's face, Eddie can tell.

"Are we missing another performance?" he asks instead, neither of them leaving their place.

At that, Buck comes alive again, scratching his neck. "I'm not sure. I lost track."

"Did you sing already?"

"Why?" A dangerous glint appears in Buck's eyes, "you wanna sing with me?"

"No," Eddie laughs, "I'd rather leave with my dignity still intact."

"Come on, Eddie. We're gonna sing 'Baby it's cold outside' and you can let out all your frustration over the cold weather."

Eddie levels him with a glare but he feels that he doesn't quite mean it. And Buck knows it if the grin on his face is any indication.

"I'm not frustrated with the cold weather," Eddie deflects, "and that's not what that song is about."

Buck smirks. "So what song would you rather we sing? 'Driving home for Christmas'? 'Santa Baby'? But we're not singing the 'Santa Buddy' version."

"Oh God no," Eddie groans, "none of them. What about 'All I want for Christmas is You'?"

Buck gapes at him. "That's your choice?"

Eddie shrugs.

"I thought 'Baby it's cold outside' was too romantic for you, and you're choosing 'All I want for Christmas is You'?"

Eddie smiles. "I don't mind."

He starts to move back towards the bar but when Buck doesn't seem to follow him, he grabs Buck's hand. It's cold, and Eddie might be frustrated with the cold weather after all. But this time Buck follows him back inside.