TAMED

Tis' the Season

The world was alive with colorful lights, bells, and the yearly sense of cheer. Choirs sang together the joy in their hearts, while children wistfully peered in through market windows at the wonders of Christmas time displays. Outside, mother nature chimed in with glittering snow flakes which fell to the lush blankets of snow already laid upon the city.

Thanks to Vince, inside wasn't much different.

"Come oooooon! You look great! It's supposed to be silly, its fun!" The blonde ex-waiter paused. "Oh waaaait...you don't know fun, do you. Right, 'cuz you've always been a stuffy old military guy." He taunted.

Levi gave him a somewhat challenging look, raising a brow and giving him a rather incredulous stare. He brushed his wavy hair out of his face and sighed.

"I am not wearing that thing. You won't catch me dead in it." He said matter of factly as he sipped his coffee. Honestly, the guy could be such a stiff.

Vince pouted.

"I will get you in this sweater. I'll have Ares help me." The younger man retorted with a smirk and folded his arms deviously, a rather cutsie looking Christmas sweater bunched up in his hands. It was blue with white puff ball snow flakes, cottony waves of layered snow, and a few rather childish looking raindeer with jingle bells sewn onto their harnesses. It was glorious.

Levi blinked in surprise, but then narrowed his eyes and returned the smirk.

"You think that boy could take me?"

Vince cracked an amused laugh followed by a sarcastic huff, he held his hands out suggestively.

"Uh yeah, yeah I do. I've seen first hand what he can do to people...you're just one guy..."

Levi smiled amusedly and reached into his shirt, pulling out a chain that hung around his neck, a device dangling from the end of it.

"Yes, but I have this." He chuckled in an 'I win' tone.

Vince's expression failed as he pouted and observed the shock collar remote.

"Hmph, yeah yeah whatever..." He grumbled. "I'll figure it out though, this isn't over. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and theres no way in hell I'm gonna be forced to spend it with a stuffy old guy who doesn't know what Christmas spirit is."

Levi sighed and shook his head.

"I'm not old...I'm sleep deprived. There's a difference."

....

Ares woke up and followed his nose to the dining room table. This house was definitely smaller than the estate they'd been living in, but it was cozy, and Ares was always fascinated by the city below where he was able to watch the busy bustling of people and cars. He especially loved the snow, this was his first year actually seeing it. He had spent so much time in the desert regions of the world, that the most he had ever seen was the frost on some desert plants.

He took a seat at the table and smiled as he looked on at the corn bread and chili that sat steaming hot and ready to be devoured. He picked up the ladle that sat in the big pot and brought it to his lips, taking in a big whiff. A chill ran through his body at the aroma and he immediately slipped the edge of the utensil in his mouth.

"Ares!"

WHACK

The Hound gasped as he dropped the ladle back into the pot and rubbed his head, turning to give Vince a teary glare. The blonde stood there with no remorse, a wooden spoon firmly planted in his hand as he gave him an annoyed look. Of course, with his bright red Santa Claus apron on, it would have been hard to take him seriously had Ares' head not been throbbing.