AppleHeart

Chapter Twenty-four

A month and a half go by as the weather changes from colorful fall to a white winter. The leaves no longer attached to the branches but hiding under the layers of the freshly fallen snow. December is upon the people of the city which means Christmas time is just around the corner, which also means endless gift shopping and exterior decorations for the residents. In one particular place, a rather crowded shopping mall, a certain entertainer is forcing himself through an extremely crowded clothing store holding onto two bags full of pre-bought goods for his fellow acquaintances.

"Get out of my way you heathens!" Jack shouts as he squeezed through an old man and a young boy until he literally popped out and landed on his feet. He adjusts his fedora, scarf, and coat then huffs at the chaos he just escaped from.

"Why must Christmas be the craziest time of the year?" Jack asks no one. He double-checked the bags to make sure he has everything before making his way towards another store, where his beloved is waiting for him. Meanwhile, Apple Poison exits another store carrying at least five bags full of gifts. He glanced at his wristwatch, he had been in that store for thirty minutes, mostly waiting in line. Apple looks away from his watch for a minute, to his left, he sees Jack forcing his way through the crowd of shoppers looking rather irritated. Apple chuckled as Jack finally approached before he rested his hands on his knees while panting like he ran a marathon.

"I... am... here..." Jack said before falling over. Apple caught him in time and pulled the entertainer into a hug. Hearts snuggles into his lover attempting to take all the body heat.

"Feeling better, now?" Apple spoke. Jack moans softly as he nodded, "Let's get out of here before you lose it."

The winter breeze sways quickly yet softly as Poison and Hearts walk up to Apple's home. They walk in and set their shopping bags onto the living room floor. "Would you like some hot chocolate, Jack?" Apple asked as he shook his coat off.

"Yes, please!" Jack begged. He follows Apple into the kitchen then pulls out a chair from the kitchen table. Jack sits down with one leg crossing over the other waiting patiently. Apple turns on the stovetop then placed a pot on the burner.

"So Appoi, I was thinking," Jack spoke as he rested his chin between his palms, "Should we move in together?" For a moment there was no response from Apple Poison but his body language said a lot. Apple scratched the back of his head then rose his shoulders, then lowered them again before turning around and slowly peeling his glasses off.

"What do you think?" He asked in a serious voice. Jack tilted his head.

"I know it's a huge step, but us living in separate homes even though we're committed to having a kid together would be weird and difficult.

"I mean we're only dating, but doing all the back and forth would make it seem like we're not together, and not to mention how much work that'll take," Jack muttered the last part. At first, the taller male didn't say a word, which frightened Jack. Was it too soon asking to move in together?

"Wow Jack," Apple spoke after the silence, "That is the most mature suggestion you have ever come up with."

"Wha..." Jack started but was cut off when Poison began laughing. Jack flushed before walking over to his boyfriend and began punching his arm.

"You butt! I got scared!"

"I'm sorry," Apple composed himself, "on a serious note, that is a big leap to take." Apple caressed Jack's cheek, "but it's a leap I'm willing to take." They shared another long, deep kiss. They would've stayed like that if not for the times on the stove going off. Apple broke the kiss to tend to the hot chocolate.

"Hey, I have an idea!" Jack exclaimed, "why don't we put a hot chili pepper in the chocolate."

"Are you nuts? Where did you get that idea?" Apple scolded.

"I heard the Aztecs used to do it," Jack shrugged, "so why not? Unless..." Jack narrowed his eyes at Apple, "You're a coward." Poison grits his teeth and faced Jack,

"Fine, in fact, I just so happen to have a fresh batch of peppers in the fridge." Apple walks to his fridge, low and behold, he pulls out a bag full of peppers. He makes his way back to the stove, whilst looking around Jack in the eye, and dumps the peppers into the simmering hot chocolate. Jack was slowly starting to regret his decision. The chocolate simmered for a few more minutes before Apple pulled the pot off and served the chocolate. He and Jack grabbed a mug, even though both seemed determined enough to take on such a challenge, they hesitated. They glanced at the hot chocolate in their respective mugs, thinking about how hot it's going to be. The men swallowed their pride and chugged their drinks.

At that moment, they knew they messed up.

Apple and Jack coughed harshly. Several things were wrong; the hot chocolate was still piping hot, Apple put far too many peppers, and there wasn't enough room the breathe.

"I'm never doing that again!" Jack whines between coughs.

"Agreed!" Apple wheezes. They take their cups to the sink and dump the remaining chocolate. Once they have turned off and cleaned up the stove and washed the pot, Jack and Apple return to the living room to spend the next few hours wrapping gifts for their friends.

And by wrapping, they mean Jack getting tangled into a mess of ribbons while Apple does his best to help his lover. It didn't help that Jack kept squirming around making it impossible for Apple to free him. As Poison tried to reach for a pair of scissors lying on the floor next to the tissue paper, his hand slipped on a random piece of wrapping paper and he landed right on top of Jack. At least this accidental move caused Jack to stop moving.

"Oh, I've seen this before," Jack smirks, Apple rolls his eyes then propped himself with his elbows.

"I sometimes wonder what goes on in your head."

"Would you like to know?" Despite his hands being tied, Jack reaches his arms over Apple's neck and trapped him in between. Jack pulls him closer until their foreheads touched. They stayed in that position until they fell asleep.

The following week, Mr. V invited all the recruiters for a Christmas sleepover party on the 24th, and yes, each one showed up with mountains of gifts, especially Mr. Dalmatia. At night, they wore their pajamas and sat around the fireplace talking. That is until Jack leaves the room then returns with a large box wrapped in pink and blue paper and ribbons.

"Jack, what's that?" Apple asked.

"This is for you," Jack motions for Apple to stand next to the box, "consider it an "unofficial Christmas present" from me."

"So, what's in it?" Jill asked.

"The gender of our child."

"Ooooooh, open it Apple!" Scar-Chan exclaimed as she clapped her hands.

"I wish you gave us time to plan a proper gender reveal party," Veil said.

"It's okay, Veil, I think this is enough." Miss Hades spoke.

"Before Apple and I open it, are there any guesses on the baby's gender?" Jack looks around the room. Scatter was the first to guess

"I'm going to say... a girl!"

"I second girl," Farja said.

"I'll just shoot in the dark and say boy," Joe says as he stretched his arms up.

"Both!" Dal said. All heads turn to him.

"Are you thinking twins, puppy?" Malfie asked.

"Yes. Now I know Jack never said he has two babies, but I still want to throw it out there."

"My answer is the same as him!" Pretty Scar declares before throwing herself onto Dalmatia's lap, much to the man's annoyance.

"I don't have a guess," Jill replied, "surprise me."

"I second that," Malfie and Miss Hades said.

"I'll guess boy." Veil said. Jack forms a smile on his face then rubs his hands together like he's ready to reveal something life changing (well, yeah, he is). Poison stepped closer to the box, he reached for the lid and slowly pulled it off until...

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays fellow readers!

Song: Everyday is Christmas by Sia