Just Another Christmas Story by RiseAgainPhoenix

"Grandmother, what big eyes you have!"

"All the better to see you with, my child."

"Grandmother, what big hands you have!"

"All the better to hold you with, my child."

"Grandma, what big teeth you have!"

As Darren started to read the next line, a hand dropped without warning onto his shoulder. He squeaked in surprise and dropped his book as he fell backward. Fortunately, he had been reading on the bed so he merely landed with a 'whumph' on the soft mattress.

"Well, Dazza," came the familiar teasing voice, "aren't we high-strung!"

Darren rolled his eyes as he sat up, watching Daniel retrieve his book from the floor.

"Grimm's Fairy Tales?" The blond smiled, laying the book on the nightstand.

"I was in the mood for it," Darren answered testily.

"Is that all you were in the mood for?" Daniel purred, looping an arm around him and drawing him close. His mouth received a quick kiss before he could reply.

"Not now, Daniel," he sighed. "I'm not feeling very well at the moment."

Daniel immediately became concerned. "What is it? Headache? Are you hurt? Tired?"

Darren held his hand up, cutting his lover off before he could finish. "No, nothing like that. I just don't feel like it."

"Oh, I know. You're just moodier than usual. Well, I can take care of that!"

"What are you thinking of this time?" Darren asked warily.  Not that he didn't trust his beloved Daniel.  Remember that saying, though?  It's always the quiet ones.  And Daniel was practically mute in public, meaning he should watch out.

"Don't worry, love.  I just planned on being selfless, if not insane. I, Daniel Jones, am willing to sacrifice my well-being for your happiness.  I am about to offer the infamous diva a shopping trip." Darren was about to protest the obvious allusion to his flamboyant shopping skills, but Daniel went on.  "Yes, that's it! It's almost Christmas--"

"Christmas is two weeks away--"

"And we don't have any decorations."

"They're all in the attic."

"Any new decorations," Daniel corrected himself. He grabbed Darren's hand and pulled him through the room, heading for the door. "The malls are open until three a.m. for the holidays, Darren.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, because I assure you that I will never willingly submit to going shopping with you ever again."

Darren thought about it for a moment, and the truth of that statement suddenly dawned on him.  An evil grin spread across his face.  "I'm beginning to see this your way, Daniel.  Let's go!"  He grabbed Daniel by the elbow and hauled him out of the bedroom excitedly, grabbing his wallet on the way.

Daniel immediately got scared.  "Actually, maybe this isn't such a great idea.  How about we cheer you up by watching some funny movies or something instead?"

"Nonsense!  It's a fantastic idea!  In fact, I'm beginning to feel better already, just thinking of all the ways we can max out my credit cards.  You can't go back on your word, Danny.  You wanna make me happy, don't you?"  That last bit was said with a pout and the notorious Darren Hayes Puppy Dog Eyes®.

"I can't believe this," Daniel groaned.  "This sort of manipulation shouldn't be legal!  But you're right, in a moment of stupidity and love, I did say I would go, so..."

Darren grinned and quickly pulled Daniel into a kiss.  Then, he dragged him down the stairs and outside, forcing him into the car.  Darren hopped into the driver's seat, giving Daniel some time to make a few half-hearted pleas to stay home, then started off.

They pulled into the mall's large parking lot.  Darren turned off the ignition and looked over at Daniel.  "You can joke all you like about the horrors of me on a shopping spree, but I know that you really don't like going to the mall.  I know that you don't like the crowds and the noise, and I really appreciate you doing this just to make me happy.  And if you really do feel uncomfortable, just tell me and I will turn this baby right around and go back home."

Daniel reached around to lay his hand behind Darren's neck and pulled him forward.  He looked into his eyes and said "Darren, I gave you my word.  We are going to go Christmas shopping together, even if I have to cling to you and whimper the entire time."

Darren laughed softly and closed the rest of the distance between them.  Before the activities in the car could become too heated, however, Darren pulled away and asked, "So, what do you want to decorate the house with?"

"...Pardon...?"  Daniel sounded a little dazed, licking his lips.

Darren laughed.  "Christmas, remember?"

"Oh, yeah!  I want wreaths, and lights, and holly, and a huge tree." That answer seemed to satisfy Darren, who promptly pushed him out of the car, wrapped his hand firmly around his wrist, and dragged him to the entrance of the mall.  Daniel smiled as a thought occurred to him. "And mistletoe, plenty of mistletoe."

"Daniel?"

"Yes?"

Darren stopped suddenly, turned and leaned way, way forward, forcing Daniel to fall backwards. Darren caught him in his arms, stared dead into his eyes, and said, "I love you," then proceeded to steal a long, deep kiss from him.  When they finally stood back up, Daniel was blushing a very Christmas-y shade of cherry red.

"Um, yeah.  Love you too.  Are people watching?"

It was nearly two o'clock when they returned home, with so many items that they nearly had to cram some up their butts just to get them all to fit in the car.  Daniel was cramped in the passenger seat, stuffed amongst the extra wreaths and ornaments, trying to breathe without inhaling too much gold glitter.

"At least all of these are tasteful," he sighed to himself.

Darren grinned at his boyfriend as they pulled onto the driveway. "Trust me, darling, it will look perfect once they're all up. "

They took as many boxes as their arms could carry, scurrying up the sidewalk, with the cold winter wind nipping at their heels to remind them that Christmas in America was not Christmas in Australia.  As soon as they entered the house, Daniel pounced on Darren, surprising him so much that he dropped his boxes and stumbled backwards. He winced at the clatter a certain box made, but quickly forgot his visions of headless plastic Santas when he was pulled into a passionate kiss that somehow made them both end up on the couch. Darren looked up breathlessly.

"What was that for?"

"Revenge.  For dragging me to a million different stores in the dead of the early morning, then making me carry all the packages."  He turned, and stood up already forgetting about tackling Darren.  "Where should we put the tree?"

"The corner across from the fireplace," Darren said firmly.

Daniel cocked his head.  "Are you sure? I think it would look pretty nice in the centre of the room."

"The corner across from the fireplace," Darren repeated.

"Your wish is my command," Daniel laughed, picking up a corner of the sofa and dragging it further from the fireplace, making a space for the fake evergreen. "I'll get started with it while you start on the wreaths and ivy."

Darren nodded and pulled out a large wreath to place on the front door.  "Danny," he said, turning to his lover as a thought hit him, "when do we do the lights?"

Daniel smiled his million-dollar smile and said, "I'm going to need help with those, Daz. Why don't we save them for tomorrow?"

Darren agreed with a little smirk.  He knew that the lights were Daniel's favorite part of Christmas. He had a bit of a ceremony putting them up every year, and always wanted to save them for last.

Putting up every glass ball and holly wreath took the better part of the next two nights, but the ungodly amount of lights Daniel had quietly begged to have occupied them for three nights alone. Every light had to fixed according to Daniel's exact instructions.  The outside of the house was trimmed to look like a gingerbread house, with rainbow lights lining each corner and window and running along the roof.  When they were finally plugged in, the effect was spectacular.  Darren still thought that too many bulbs had sacrificed their lives for the display, but it was spectacular nonetheless.

The inside of the house was astonishing, to say the least. The tree in more colored lights, while the walls were decked with an assortment of synthetic plants, with wreaths spaced every few feet. A wreath was also hung on every door, and ribbons curled crisply around the banister of the staircase. Only one thing was missing.

"All we need now is a nice roaring fire," Daniel grinned, setting one up in the fireplace.

Darren smiled and sat back on the sofa and deliberately tried to make Daniel blush by saying, "Not that we really need a fire.  That smile of yours could warm the entire block.

Daniel blushed predictably whilst he ignited the kindling and logs, then settled back beside Darren.  His smile only broadened when Darren leaned against his side, laying his head on his shoulder.  He quietly ran his fingers through Darren's raven hair, enjoying the moment of peace and quiet.

"You're so warm," Darren said softly.  "Like a big teddy bear."

Daniel nearly snorted at that, looking down at his bony arms pointedly.

"Well, maybe a stick teddy bear."

Daniel quickly changed the subject before Darren could go off on one of his weird babbling flings. "So, do the decorations meet with your approval?"

"Of course," Darren said flippantly.  "I helped, didn't I?"

For that cheeky comment, Daniel dug his fingers into Darren's side, making him gasp and squirm, driving closer to Daniel even as he twisted sideways.

"No, Danny, don't tickle!" He begged.

Daniel, who couldn't deny him anything, gave in and simply held the soft body in his arms. Firelight played over Darren's eyes, reflecting all the shades of blue.

"Darren?"

"Yes, Daniel?"

"What did you get me for Christmas?"

"I can't tell you that!" Darren said in an exaggeratedly scandalized voice. "Its tradition that you're not supposed to know until Christmas Eve!"

"Won't you pretty please tell me?"

Darren smirked and snuggled closer to his body pillow. "If you're good, you might find out what it is."

Daniel gave his lover a predatory grin and jumped on him, preparing for a full sexual assault that Darren surrendered to with a happy smile.

Half an hour, tops, he thought to himself, until he finds the ring in my left pocket.