The snow was falling lightly. The air was cold and crisp. Christmas was only a few weeks away. Pulling his hat down farther, Jc fumbled with the lights. His hands shook as he tried putting the wire into the clip. But he couldn't seem to get it in.
"Come on gosh damnit," he cursed pushing harder.
"You know boss it would be easier if you wore gloves." Tiffany said looking up at him from the ground. She wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to keep out the cold.
"Yes thank you Tiffany, but the gloves were too thick. Did you get the damn tree up?"
"Yes it's up. The inn looks amazing."
"Let's jut hope it brings in some guests, he mumbled trying to get the last one in. "Fuck."
Quickly he pulled his bleeding finger away from the roof.
"What did you do?"
"Cut my finger."
"Well get down here so I can put a bandage on it. Come on hurry up Jc."
Jc rolled his eyes. "I'm coming."
His finger throbbed and he watched the blood drip down. It looked pretty deep. This was just great. Carefully he climbed down the ladder. He stood back and looked up at the lights he had just hung. He hated it.
"It does not look that bad so stop," she said.
She took his arm and started dragging him into the hotel. Going into the office she pulled the first aide kit out. Jc sat down at the desk and looked around the room. The room was brightly lit by the large Christmas tree in the corner. He sighed and looked away. He was no different then any other scrooge. Christmas pissed him off.
"Would you stop thinking that Christmas is the most awful thing," Tiffany said walking in.
"It is the most awful thing."
"Scrooge," she muttered.
He grumbled as she took out the bandages and put it on his finger.
"Alright I'm heading out for the night."
"Ok."
"Keri will be in the morning."
"I'll call her and tell her not to come in we don't have any rooms tonight."
"See you tomorrow night boss."
"Bye Tiff. Thanks."
Tiffany left and Jc got up and started closing the place up for the night. He looked outside and shook his head at the vacancy sign. Normally this time of year he was busier with the ski fanatics. They had gotten dumped on with snow this last week but the little ski town was still quiet. The whole town was struggling. Some were thinking of moving away to somewhere else, but Jc wasn't sure he would be able to.
The bed and breakfast had been in his family for generations. He could never just get up and leave the building behind. Even if he had to close up.
Locking the front door, he turned off the lights as he walked to his apartment attached at the back of the building, turning lights off as he went. Going into his apartment he made a cup of hot chocolate he always made. Then grabbed a few cookies that Tiffany had made him. He didn't know what he would do with out her. Going into his small living room he sat in his chair. He liked his apartment better than sitting in the hotel. He didn't have to look at all the Christmas decorations.
Jc wondered if he would ever feel differently about Christmas again. The last happy time he had at Christmas was when he was very young. Nothing about the holiday excited him anymore. The hurt and pain was still there. It hadn't gotten better over time and the only time he didn't feel it was when he was so low on himself and drank.
But he hated the feeling of being hung over so he didn't do it often. This night was slowly getting there though.
Shaking his head he took a small drink. Turning on the tv he hoped he would fall asleep soon. He should go lay in bed, but he didn't want to get up again.
At sometime in the middle of the night, Jc woke up with a start. The doorbell was ringing. He groaned and sat up from the uncomfortable position he had fallen asleep in his chair. Oh he hated when he did that. The doorbell rang again. Moving slowly he stretched his sore body and moved towards the apartment door. Who the hell would be ringing the bell at this hour? Flipping a couple of lights on he made his way to the door.
A man stood outside his door with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He looked cold. Rightly so, as snow flakes blew around him. Jc opened the door and the cold air rushed in making him shiver.
"You open for the night?" The man asked, shivering himself.
"A hundred fifty for a room," Jc answered nodding his head.
"I'll take it."
"Come on in. The rooms are up front."
"Thank you," he said carrying the small bag in with him.
Going over to his desk he opened his reservation book.
"Could I get your name?"
"Justin Timberlake."
"Address?"
"1290 Union St. Memphis, Tennessee."
Jc looked up at him. "That explains the accent. You're a long way from home."
"Needed to get away," Justin replied.
"I can understand that. Alright, I just need a credit card."
Justin pulled his wallet out and he handed it to Jc. He ran the card then handed it back.
"Thanks for this," Justin said.
"No problem. You here just for the night?"
"I'm not sure. My car broke down just down the road. Have to take care of that tomorrow. But I'd like to go skiing so I may stay longer."
"Stay as long as you need."
"What's your name?" Justin asked.
"Jc."
"Jc. Does that stand for anything?"
"My initials. Josh Chasez. Nobody calls me that though."
The two were quiet for a minute. Jc looked down at his book and fussed with one of the edges.
"I can have someone get your car. I know the mechanic in town. Where did it break down?"
"About two miles down the main road coming in from the south."
"You walked two miles?" Jc said shocked.
"Yea."
"I...I can make you some coffee? Are you hungry. I could make you a sandwich or something."
"No that's alright. Thank you though. Just going to take a hot shower and call it a night."
"Alright," Jc said. He grabbed the room key and handed it to Justin.
Justin found himself staring at the gentlemen. Wow, he was gorgeous. When the older man had opened the door for him he was immediately drawn to the blue eyes that looked back at him.They were dark blue, almost sad, but beautiful as hell. He felt drawn to him. Just like he felt drawn to this area. When he had opened the door Justin wanted to hug him. God what the hell was he thinking. He didn't know this man.
"I'll show you to the room." Jc said softly.
Justin eyes snapped up connecting with those liquid dark blue eyes. They were calling to him again.
"I'm sorry." He was ashamed of the thought he was having of this stranger.
"It's alright you must be tired."
They walked down the hall and Jc opened the door for him. It was one of the nicest rooms he had. Figured he had no other guests so Justin might as well use it.
"There's a gas fireplace. Just make sure you turn it off when you're not in the room."
"Wow, this is a nice room. Thanks."
"I can have breakfast whenever you want it in the morning."
"Ten?"
"It will be ready," Jc agreed. "Have a good night."
"You too. Thanks Jc."
"You're welcome."
Justin smiled once more then closed the door.
Jc shock his thoughts away and walked back to his apartment. This time going into his bedroom to only slowly drift to sleep. His last thought was of the stranger that had just walked into his inn.
Looking around his room Justin took his coat off. He was shivering. Going into the bedroom he stripped and turned the water on as hot as it would go. As he stood under the hot water he couldn't help but wonder why this place was empty. Then he couldn't help but think what was a guy like Jc doing alone in this inn. It was obviously his. How could someone so handsome be sitting here alone.
Shaking his head, Justin put his curiosity at bay and finished in the shower. He crawled into the warm bed and fell asleep quickly.
Story Notes:
Warning this is a Joshtin.
This is of my own making.
Story Tags: christmas
