A Lovely Christmas Eve

"Joly, I think one scarf will be enough."

"Frostbite and hypothermia disagree," Joly replied, layering yet another scarf around Bossuet's neck. Bossuet couldn't quite fight a smile at his boyfriend's adorable yet genuine concern for his heath. Not that he expected any different from him. Bossuet didn't complain about a bit of it, knowing especially that he had been the one to express interest in going caroling with the rest of their friends that night.

Musichetta appeared at the doorway, smirking affectionately at the exchange. She wore a heavy knit sweater over many layers of shirts, a faded pink and brown pattern. A pillowy scarf was wrapped around her neck just enough to allow her room to breathe. On top of it all she wore a hat that matched her sweater almost exactly, a bouncy pompom fastened to it.

"You two ready to go?"

"Chetta! You need gloves! Mittens! Something on your perfect tiny hands!" Joly jumped up, taking her right hand in his and examining her soft skin. He quickly disappeared around a corner to go searching. She rolled her eyes to the ceiling but smiled all the same.

Bossuet sat down on the threadbare couch and patted the cushion next to him, where Musichetta plopped down and nuzzled up into him. He reached an arm around her, but suddenly stopped.

"Wow," he said. "Joly was so excited about getting you gloves that he didn't notice he left his cane behind, right here on the couch. How does he manage that?"

"Either sheer willpower, or he just doesn't need it as much as he thinks he does."

"Maybe both." Bossuet leaned into Musichetta a little to retrieve the stick, which he twirled around in front of both of them.

"We should decorate it," Musichetta grinned. "He'll come back to see it covered in Christmas lights and holly berries."

Bossuet laughed heartily, wasting no time jumping out of his seat and plucking a few ribbons from the Christmas tree. "That is a fantastic idea."

Musichetta rose to her feet and began fastening the ribbons to the cane in nearly equal proximity to each other while Bossuet found a bag of jingle bells to add to the look. Only when they heard uneven footsteps walking back down the hallway did they hurriedly lay the cane back where they'd found it and reassume their positions on the couch.

Joly tossed a pair of mittens toward Musichetta, who caught them midair and slid them onto her hands. She elbowed Bossuet when he started to giggle as Joly neglected to notice his cane.

"Are you two about ready to leave? I have my gloves, my scarf, my hat, my extra hat, heating pads, ace bandages..." Joly rattled off his list on his fingers, then paused, looking puzzled. "I'm forgetting something," he admitted as he flopped onto the couch next to them. He instantly jumped back up, snatching the cane he'd sat on from under him. Musichetta laughed loudly into Bossuet's large coat.

"I think you remembered it," Bossuet said, trying to stifle laughter. Joly shot them both a look.

"We looove youuu!" Musichetta singsonged, grinning up at him. "Do you like what we did with it?"

Joly looked back down at the cane, sitting back where he had tried to before. "It's... festive."

"That was the goal," she commented. "Now let's not be late!"

Musichetta gave each of them a quick kiss on the cheek, then walked out the door of their apartment without looking back. Bossuet helped Joly up and they both followed her outside, immediately huddling together for warmth when the wind hit them.

When the three arrived at the ABC, a strong, sweet, buttery aroma met them at the door. Though the place was technically closed for the holidays, that hadn't stopped Grantaire from deciding this was the best location to meet before heading out to go caroling around.