SANTA BABY [ ZANIEL ]

2 | blizzard warning

WRITTEN BY EMME !
-gloomgirls

DECEMBER 24TH, 2020
12:13 PM

daniel stared up the side of his apartment building, a thoughtful expression on his face. his hands were stuffed as far as they could go in his pockets, an attempt to keep them warm, pacing the sidewalk in the cold.

daniel eyed the rickety stairs before him, staring three stories up to the apartment zach shared with jack.

without much thinking and a slight shrug of his shoulders, daniel began to climb. the rails were cool against his skin as he clung to them. the metal froze his fingertips as they trailed up the edges, brushing over the ridges as he jogged lightly up the fire escape.

the steps shook with each step, daniel almost afraid they'd collapse beneath his weight. the shopping bag on his arm swung as he walked, items thrown around in his rush. the cold began to get to him as he hurried up the last of the steps, coming to a stop outside of a closed window.

daniel attempted to lift it open, fingertips numb and unfeeling from the brutal weather. he cursed when he realized it was locked, rolling his eyes as his original plan failed. he knocked in a scattered pattern upon the glass before pulling his hand back into his pocket, rocking on his heels as he anxiously waited to be let in.

a click of a lock sounded before the window creaked open. zach poked his head out with a frown, a blanket wrapped around his body, sheltering his frame from the cold winds that immediately rushed into the warm room.

"dani? what the fuck are you doing?"

"just let me in! it's cold." daniel begged, stumbling through the open window as zach stepped aside.

daniel blew out a breath of relief, warmth enveloping him. he remained still where he had near fallen into zach's living room, taking in the heat that soothed his reddened nose and cheeks from the wind.

"why the hell would you come through the window?" zach asked, shutting and locking the window again once daniel was through. "we have a functioning front door, you know."

"i felt like being different today." daniel replied, "i'm like santa, i feel so magical."

zach stared at him for a long moment before promptly bursting into laughter. his blanket was clutched tightly in his hands, keeping it wrapped around him as he laughed. daniel watched him with a growing grin, heart fluttering at the sight before him.

zach looked small, even with being shorter than daniel. the blanket was draped over his shoulders and hugged the rest of his body, material gathering in a heap at his feet. his cheeks were permanently flushed a cherry red, brightened under the glow of his lights.

daniel watched as suppressed giggles continued to tumble past his lips, shamelessly taking the boy in and never wanting to forget.

"okay." zach took a deep breath to compose him, "now why did you decide to grace me with your presence today, mr claus?"

"i come bearing gifts, of course!" daniel held up the shopping bag on his arm, swinging it around before zach.

"what's that?" zach eyed the bag curiously, moving to peek inside before daniel moved it back.

"it's not christmas yet, you have to wait."

zach pouted, staring up at daniel pleadingly. daniel's eyes narrowed into a squint, attempting to resist giving in, though that never seemed to work with zach.

"fine," daniel sighed, motioning for zach to sit down. "what were you watching?"

the boy scrambled to get comfortable again, sinking back into his couch cushions. "elf."

daniel hummed as he sat beside zach, pulling the bag onto his lap and pouring out its contents. a variety of candies and snacks spilled onto his legs. zach's eyes widened as he stared at all his favorites, reaching a hand out to grab one when it was slapped away.

"what was that for?" zach frowned, cradling his hand dramatically. "i want one!"

"nope!" daniel threw all the snacks back into the bag, tying it up before tossing it aside. "those are for later. right now, we're gonna go do something."

"like what?" zach asked, "i don't wanna do anything! what i want to do is sit here eating junk and watching christmas movies."

"we can do that later." daniel promised, taking zach's hand in his. "please? it doesn't have to be anything big. we could just get coffee and walk around, oh! or we could go ice skating. anything you want...as long as it doesn't involve sitting alone in your sad apartment all night."

zach pursed his lips in thought, not really feeling up to going out, but not wanting to disappoint daniel at the same time.

"yeah, okay." zach agreed, sitting up as the blanket fell from his shoulders and pooled at his waist.

"yay!" daniel cheered. he squeezed zach's hand in his, holding tight for a brief moment. he let it go, getting to his feet excitedly. "we can go soon and then maybe get some food? if you want, of course."

zach smiled up at daniel, nodding shyly to agree with the plans.

"great! i'll let you do whatever you need and then we can go-"

daniel's voice was cut short by a sudden blaring alarm from the tv. the movie playing stopped, interrupted by an automatic program.

blizzard warning
the national weather service has issued a blizzard warning for the following illinois cities: chicago.
effective until december 24, 10 pm.

the message across the screen was followed by an automated voice going over procedure and advising everyone to stay inside.

daniel let out a strangled 'no!', falling back dramatically into his previous spot on the couch beside zach.

"but ice skating!" daniel whined, lip jutted out in a pout.

"guess we're stuck here after all."