SANTA BABY [ ZANIEL ]

1 | my parents can't make it

WRITTEN BY ME !

DECEMBER 23RD, 2020
2:36 PM

"i can't believe it's already christmas!" zach squealed as he and jack entered jonah, daniel and corbyn's shared apartment.

jack took a carton of milk from the fridge, opening it and drinking it straight from it's container. "two weeks off of school? i'm not complaining."

"you are so gross," the brunet cringed, as the boys three friends made their way into the kitchen.

"avery!" jonah scolded, "how many times have we told you to get a cup to drink from?"

jack shrugged, "none of you drink milk anyways, it's just for when i come over."

"yeah, because not all of us are jocks like you, mr. athlete," daniel rolled his eyes, smacking the back of jack's head and making him spit out what was previously in his mouth.

"ew!" zach screeched, hiding behind corbyn so that he was no longer in the spray area.

"jack!" corbyn exclaimed, "come on man, we just cleaned the apartment before we go."

the boy mumbled an apology, glaring at daniel while he got a rag to clean up his mess.

"i can't wait for my family to get here," zach's eyes shone, "you guys are so lucky that you're within driving distance." the youngest boy missed his siblings and parents terribly, having not seen them for months.

"speaking of driving," jonah spoke as corbyn pulled the smaller brunet into a comforting hug, "we all need to get going soon if we wanna make it home tonight. you know how the traffic is, and even though the forecast is clear, you never know about this weather."

jack and corbyn nodded, and the three went to get jonah and corbyn's luggage, jack's being out in the hall.

zach's cellphone suddenly rang, and his mother's contact was displayed on the screen. the youngest boy answered the call excitedly. "hi, momma!"

"hi, darling," he could hear his mom's sweet voice on the other end of the call.

"are you on your way?" zach bounced on his toes, not noticing the fond look daniel was sending his way.

"honey, i'm sorry, but due to the worsening of the pandemic, they're not letting us fly out. we would drive, but there's a blizzard warning for tomorrow."

the brunet stopped bouncing, and his mouth hung open. no mom hug for christmas? "oh, okay," he frowned. "i guess i'll facetime you guys when you open your presents."

"yes, of course sweetheart. that's a great idea. i love you, baby. and i'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

"okay momma, i love you too," he sighed. before hanging up. "daniel?"

"yeah, zach?" the blond frowned at his sad face.

"i need a hug, please?" he squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself not to cry. the taller boy wrapped his arms around the smaller brunet, shushing him and letting him calm himself down.

"what's wrong, zee?" the other boys re-entered the living room, seeing the boy's position.

"my parents can't make it here," the youngest sighed.

"shit, i'm sorry zach," jack frowned, "i know how excited you were to see them."

zach shrugged and opened his mouth to say something, when daniel's phone rang.

"how much do you wanna bet i'm getting the same news?" the blond sighed, before pressing the green answer button. "hi, mom."

they spoke a few words back and forth before an "i love you," and daniel hung up. "looks like we're both stuck here, zach."

the youngest smiled weakly. at least he had someone. "okay, i think i'm gonna go back to my place, i just wanna be alone right now. but i hope you guys have a safe trip home," he hugged each of the boys before making his way out the door.

when he was gone, the rest of his friends shared a sad look. "sorry to leave you like this, daniel, but we should really get going," corbyn spoke.

jonah nodded in agreement, telling them to go outside, and that he would meet them there. "i just wanna talk to danny before we leave."

when they left, the oldest turned to the blond.

"what?" daniel raised his eyebrows.

"you're gonna make a move on him, right?" jonah asked softly. daniel opened his mouth to protest, but he quickly cut him off. "no, i don't care what you say. you two are stuck here together, and you're going to tell him how you feel. if you don't, i'll beat your ass," he chuckled.

"but what if he doesn't feel the same and i make it all awkward?" the blond bit his lip.

"this is zach we're talking about, right?" jonah asked. "our very gay friend, who stares at you like you're some kind of god all the time?"

"shut up, i'll tell him," daniel rolled his eyes.

"you better, seavey. i'm serious about beating you up, by the way!" jonah called as he made his way out the door.

"yeah, yeah. have fun man!" daniel called back as he closed it behind him.

a couple nights with zach. that's all it was.

how much could possibly happen in the span of a couple nights?