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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 24, 2017 22:26:09 GMT -5
It was getting late in the evening, and Spot had been rather busy. Running here and there checking on boys and running errands for the lodge owners. Oh, and selling the limited Christmas Eve edition paper. He was tired and wanted a little time for himself before he headed over to see his brothers for Christmas. He had stepped out of the girls lodge (Mr. O’Quinns had managed a compromise of a Christmas Eve party for the boys and girls, and Miss Harbour agreed only the party was at the girls’ lodge and that Mr. O’Quinns made sure to escort all th boys back to his lodge), hoping Lacey had noticed and would join him at the docks. The Christmas lights looked breathtaking against the not quite frozen waters. He wanted to see Lacey before Christmas. He had a small gift for her that he managed to buy the other day. He hoped she would like it... and he hoped he didn’t get it mixed up with the other two presents that were for his brothers.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 16:55:59 GMT -5
It had been a long month leading up to that point. Lacey hadn't been sure if she was up for the party in the first place, figuring that it was just going to be a lot of people in one place. That had never really been her scene.
However, upon seeing Spot slip out the door and into the night, Lacey was quick to follow, desperate for a way out of the crowded lodge.
It didn't take her long to arrive at the docks behind him, toying with the necklace around her neck gently that Spot had given her a while back. She had worn it every day, although she had been reluctant to let anyone else touch it, scared that it would break somehow. It was special to her.
Taking a seat beside Spot slowly, she let out a quiet sigh, watching the breath materialize in front of her face. "Too crowded for you in there?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 17:01:41 GMT -5
”Too crowded for you in there?”
Spot turned around in surprise then broke out into a relieved smile. “Lacey...” he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and shrugged. “I guess you could say that. Needed ta head out early for Staten anyways.”
He coughed to cover his his shyness. Despite being together for a little over a month, he was still awkward about all of this. And well, he hadn’t exactly told his brothers about this either. Being with Lacey was great and nice, it just still took some getting used to.
He cleared his throat. “I was hoping to see you before I left.”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 17:05:32 GMT -5
“I guess you could say that. Needed ta head out early for Staten anyways.”
Lacey nodded. She had figured that Spot would at least go to Staten for a little while, just to see his brothers for Christmas. There was no better time than now, she supposed.
"Yeah, I'm sure they'll be happy to see you over there." She smiled.
“I was hoping to see you before I left."
Lacey raised an eyebrow. Of course, she knew that she had been given plenty of time to get used to the idea of being with Spot, there was still a part of her that had convinced herself that she was still just crushing hopelessly. Hearing things like that still caught her a bit off guard, and sent a faint flush to her cheeks. "Oh? Why's that?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 17:11:10 GMT -5
”Yeah, I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you over there.”
Spot cracked a smile. “Yeah... Thunder’s been tellin’ me that Jasper is always askin’ when I’m coming over.”
”Oh? Why’s that?”
He fumbled around with the packages in his hands. “Um well... I have somethin for you... I mean it’s one of these.” He looked at her sheepishly before managing to find the correct package. “This... this should be it.”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 17:15:58 GMT -5
“Yeah... Thunder’s been tellin’ me that Jasper is always askin’ when I’m coming over.”
Lacey couldn't help but smile. She had seen Spot with his brothers, and even just talking about them, something about him would change. He looked genuinely happy and proud whenever he got to speak about his family, and she could understand why. They were a good group of people, from what she had gotten to see. "I can't blame him."
“Um well... I have somethin for you... I mean it’s one of these.”
She giggled, watching Spot as he fumbled with the presents, two of which were undoubtedly for Thunder and Jasper. Once he finally settled on one, she took it carefully.
“This... this should be it.”
Quirking a smile, Lacey slowly tore at the wrapping paper, removing it almost carefully, wanting to save it for later in case she needed it for one reason for another.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 17:31:41 GMT -5
”I can’t blame him.”
Spot nodded a bit. “Yeah... ol’ Thunder just ain’t me,” he joked lightly before becoming more serious. “But I really do need ta visit more often...”
He felt a bit nervous as Lacey carefully unwrapped his gift. He wasn’t quite sure if she’d like it. The necklace he had been more positive on. This... well, he had gone on a whim and what he had heard the other boys say about what they were getting their girls. He just had his finger crossed.
Inside the small box was a little jewelry music box. Spot knew Lacey might be able to use a jewelry box to keep the necklace he gave her safe. The music box side was just something he had thought she might like. Both combined together seemed to be a perfect gift even if it was a little on the pricey side.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 17:57:54 GMT -5
“Yeah... ol’ Thunder just ain’t me. But I really do need ta visit more often...”
Grinning faintly, Lacey nodded. "I'm sure that they would love to see you more often... And I'm sure that Cloud would keep things running smoothly here if you ever did."
Opening up the wrapping paper revealed a small box, nicely decorated with glass on the top, a faint design on the glass. It was beautiful, with sleek wood and a good size. She opened it up, and faintly, music began to play. Almost instantly, Lacey could feel her heart speeding up a bit more.
"I haven't had a music box since I first became a newsie..." She whispered, her hands almost absentmindedly reaching up to fiddle with the necklace once again. Her eyes were almost reluctant to leave the beautiful box in front of her, although they eventually did, instead reaching over to embrace Spot tightly. "Thank you. I love it."
After a few moments, she pulled away, clearing her throat and pulling a small package from the pocket of her jacket, handing it to Spot. "I was gonna give you this at the start of the party, but it seemed a little crowded in there, so, uh... It's really not much, but I hope you like it."
It really wasn't much - Lacey had been struggling with selling lately due to the fever fading late, and she had been trying to get rid of the aftershocks. Her voice had been weak and she had been exhausted, but all of the money that she could spare went into the gift. She had begged a man in a nearby shop to make it for her for almost a month now, and he had eventually come up with something as perfect as she could have imagined. While she knew that it was unlikely to be used for what it was for, she was hoping that the slingshot (with Spot's name inscribed on the side of the handle) would maybe be enough for him to at least be proud of it - it had been made from sturdy material, the wood being padded with some sort of metal to make sure that it would withstand some impact. She was surprised it had been made at all, but at least she could give it to him.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 18:12:06 GMT -5
"I'm sure that they would love to see you more often... And I'm sure that Cloud would keep things running smoothly here if you ever did."
Spot pursed his lips some but nodded. “Yeah, Cloud usually does run things nice when I’m gone. Jus’ rather not make him have ta do it so often.”
After all, he had the guy running Brooklyn almost every other week a few months ago. Cloud hadn’t made any complaints, but Spot wasn’t blind. He knew those weeks had been rough on his best bird.
”I haven’t had a music box since I first became a newsie...”
His eyes widened slightly. It seemed like he had gotten a good gift. “Oh...”
”Thank you. I love it.”
Spot blushed at her profession as he wrapped his arms around her. “I’m glad you like it,” he whispered softly, stroking her hair some. It felt so good to have given the perfect gift. Especially since he had been worrying over it the past 24 hours.
”I was gonna give you this at the start of the party, but it seemed a little crowded in there, so, uh...”
He gave her a crooked grin. “I don’t blame ya. I wasn’t really around durin’ the start of the party anyways.” He looked away sheepishly. “I came a little late and Mr. O’Quinns and Ms. Harbour had me busy runnin’ errands for them.”
”It’s really not much, but I hope you like it.”
Spot shook his head and smiled. “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Anything from Lacey would be a wonderful gift. He carefully juggled his packages so he could open his gift. It had a nice weight to it. He wondered what it could be. He pulled away the wrapping. His eyes widened as he pulled out the slingshot. The wood felt so great in his hands. His old one was... well old and getting worn. It needed a new strap and starting to get a bit of cracks in it from the cold. But this new one... it was well made and even had his name on it. He had been meaning to get a new one for quite some time, but he just hadn’t the heart to replace his old one. That is... until now.
“It’s perfect.”
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 18:25:10 GMT -5
“Yeah, Cloud usually does run things nice when I’m gone. Jus’ rather not make him have ta do it so often.”
Lacey nodded. While she couldn't truly say that she understood the stress that came with being a leader, she had seen many times the difference between Spot in times like this, where he was relaxed, and times where he had to be a leader and put his fist down about things. It seemed stressful, although she hated that Spot felt as though he had to deal with it all himself most of the time. No matter how hard it was, time off was necessary.
“Oh... I’m glad you like it.”
The embrace with Spot seemed to warm her up momentarily, relaxing into his arms despite the nipping cold that came with being outside. It was a wonderful gift, and one that she figured all of the girls wouldn't mind if she cracked open every now and then when they were trying to go to bed. The music was calming.
“I don’t blame ya. I wasn’t really around durin’ the start of the party anyways. I came a little late and Mr. O’Quinns and Ms. Harbour had me busy runnin’ errands for them.”
Lacey giggled, "I guess that's another part of bein' the leader... And bein' late." She teased, nudging him gently.
“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Watching Spot opening the present, Lacey could barely tell that she was holding her breath. Her hands had curled up tightly, her nails leaving faint crescent moon shapes in her hands as she watched him. His face changed a few times, and she wasn't really sure how he felt about it until he spoke again.
“It’s perfect.”
Lacey exhaled in relief, a grin immediately melting onto her features. "Really? Ya like it?"
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 19:04:41 GMT -5
”I guess that’s another part of bein’ the leader... and bein’ late.”
Spot turned red in slight embarrassment. “Yeah... guess you could say that.”
”Really? Ya like it?”
He nodded, smiling. His thumb rubbed over his name. “I like it a lot. Been needin’ a new one for awhile now.”
Spot gave her a hug, feeling that it was just the right thing to do. She really had made this Christmas a special one. Sure he had his brothers, but for once this Christmas truly felt complete. It was different from all the lonely years before when it was just him in Brooklyn. There was a new feeling here now that he had Lacey at his side.
((Hey just heads up, taking a quick pause from the forum to watch a movie with my sisters. XD It’s almost over but they are getting onto me for being online while watching. So just a quick break and I’ll be back!))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 19:30:14 GMT -5
“Yeah... guess you could say that.”
Lacey giggled, "Sounds stressful."
“I like it a lot. Been needin’ a new one for awhile now.”
Lacey was beyond relieved that Spot liked the gift. She had been worried that it would be pointless; that he was happy with the one that he had and that he wouldn't want to have another one just to sit around. The fact that he actually had been needing it and she had gotten it for him meant that it was money well spent.
The hug, however, surprised her a bit. She had learned early on that Spot wasn't really the hugging type, and so hugs that were initiated by him felt even more special. She hugged him back without a second thought, relishing in the warmth of his body heat once more. "Merry Christmas, Spot." She whispered.
[No worries at all! I've been shuffling around a bit trying to get ready for guests tonight for dinner. I'm done now though! I'll only be off for dinner later. Enjoy the movie!]
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 19:59:20 GMT -5
”Sounds stressful.”
Spot chuckled a little. “Yeah... it can be. But somehow,” he let his gaze wander to around Brooklyn. “It’s worth it.”
”Merry Christmas, Spot.”
He pulled back a moment and gave her a soft smile. He placed a soft kiss on her cheek. “Merry Christmas, Lacey.”
This seriously had to be the nicest Christmas he had had in a very long time.
((Yay!))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 20:04:09 GMT -5
“Yeah... it can be. But somehow, it’s worth it.”
Lacey bit her lip gently, watching Spot as he gazed around the borough. Truly, she didn't know of anyone else who could ever love Brooklyn as much as Spot did.
“Merry Christmas, Lacey.”
The kiss caught her off guard. It wasn't even a full blown kiss and Lacey's face had almost instantly turned as red as her hair, trying her best to sputter out some sort of response. The blush seemed to have gotten to her head, though, and she found herself completely lost for words.
"I, uh... Um, yeah, wow." She managed, her voice a bit higher-pitched than usual as she managed to gather herself, forcing back the blush and clearing her throat as her hazel eyes shot back to the water in front of them. "Thank you."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 20:22:47 GMT -5
”I, uh... Um, yeah, wow.”
A blush crossed Spot’s face as well as he pulled away from Lacey. “Ah, um... yeah....”
He didn’t know what overcame him. It had just felt right. He hoped she hadn’t minded... it had been such a spur of the moment type of thing.
”Thank you.”
His breath was taken away for a moment. It took him a few swallows to find his voice as his eyes wandered back and forth from Lacey and the water.
“Ah... you’re welcome. I, uh... probably should get goin’ soon,” he admitted reluctantly.
It was a shame to leave so soon. But it was getting dark fast, he needed to head over to Staten quick. Snow was lightly falling and not a good sign if it picked up.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 20:41:29 GMT -5
“Ah, um... yeah....”
Lacey didn't mind. She didn't know how she could have minded. She was happy, undeniably... She just wished that she had been expecting it so that she could have reacted more gracefully. However, instead of reassuring Spot, she found herself keeping these thoughts to herself.
“Ah... you’re welcome. I, uh... probably should get goin’ soon."
"Really?" She frowned, although looking around at how dark it was, she figured that it made sense. Staten was a good long walk, and Spot would have to get going if he wanted to get a good enough amount of rest.
"Be safe, okay? I just... I, uh..." She couldn't find the words. She was stumbling over herself like an idiot and she felt awful, but she assumed that Spot had come to expect nothing less from her. "Just make sure ya come back. I don't wanna lose ya."
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 20:50:50 GMT -5
”Really?”
Spot hated how disappointed she sounded. He really wished he didn’t have to leave her. “Yeah...”
”Be safe, okay? I just... I, uh...”
He cracked a small smile. “Staten ain’t too far. I’ll be fine.”
”Just make sure ya come back. I don’t wanna lose ya.”
He pursed lips as an idea formed in his mind. “Hey... why... um why don’t you come with me?” he asked shyly. “I’m sure my brothers wouldn’t mind...”
It was a long shot, but it was worth a try. Besides, it would mean he wouldn’t have to leave Lacey, and Lacey wouldn’t have to worry about him not coming back.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 20:54:12 GMT -5
"Yeah..."
Lacey swallowed thickly. There were a lot of things that she wanted to say, but her voice didn't seem to be working. She couldn't say any of them, and it was incredibly frustrating.
“Hey... why... um why don’t you come with me? I’m sure my brothers wouldn’t mind...”
Almost instantly, Lacey's eyes lit up. "Really? You'd, uh... You'd want me there? Durin' your family time?"
[I'll be back soon, dinner!]
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 21:16:18 GMT -5
”Really? You’d, uh... You’d want me there? Durin’ your family time?”
Spot bit his lip and nodded. Maybe she didn’t like the idea? “Yeah... I’d like, I’d really like it if you could come,” he answered softly. “After all,” he added shyly. “You are my goil now. I’m sure Jasper would love ta get ta know you better and Thunder wouldn’t mind at all.”
((Okay! Enjoy dinner!))
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 21:37:26 GMT -5
“Yeah... I’d like, I’d really like it if you could come,”
Lacey grinned. "I'd love ta come along with ya then. I've definitely got nothin' better ta do."
A night spent with Spot would be a night well spent without a doubt.
“After all, you are my goil now. I’m sure Jasper would love ta get ta know you better and Thunder wouldn’t mind at all.”
She blushed at the thought. Getting to see Spot happy around his family again would be well worth a later night. He always looked so happy with them...
"In that case, lead the way." She beamed.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 21:53:30 GMT -5
”I’d love ta come along with ya then. I’ve definitely got nothin’ better ta do.”
Spot brightened. “That’s great. I mean... great that you want ta come. Not um that ya got nothin’ ta do...”
”In that case, lead the way.”
He felt his cheeks redden a bit as he took her hand. “Let’s go then.”
For once, he didn’t care if anyone saw them holding hands. None of that mattered anymore.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 22:04:54 GMT -5
“That’s great. I mean... great that you want ta come. Not um that ya got nothin’ ta do...”
Lacey giggled. Seeing Spot get flustered was something that she didn't figure that she would ever get used to, but she enjoyed seeing it and knowing that she was the reason for it nonetheless.
"Let's go then."
She grinned, gently squeezing Spot's hand. It had been a month of hiding from essentially everyone, but the thought of holding hands in public with Spot now meant a lot to her - they were moving forward.
"The blush suits you, y'know." She teased.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 22:09:10 GMT -5
”The blush suits you, y’know.”
Spot cleared his throat. “Well... umm it looks good on you too ya know.”
Well, that didn’t come out quite so right, but Lacey probably knew that. Right now, it was just nice walking hand in hand through the snow. Life sure had changed in such a short amount of time. And with Lacey with him like this, he could almost completely forget about Rip and all his borough troubles. Right now, it was a silent night with Christmas lights showing them the way to Staten.
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Post by Lacey on Dec 25, 2017 22:30:06 GMT -5
“Well... umm it looks good on you too ya know.”
Lacey blushed. It wasn't a straightforward compliment, but she knew that it was one. It meant a lot to her regardless of the phrasing.
"Thanks, Spot." She whispered. The walk was quiet, the night was beautiful, and the company was the best that she had ever had.
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Post by Spot Conlon on Dec 25, 2017 22:54:43 GMT -5
”Thanks, Spot.”
“You’re welcome,” he answered softly as they crossed the bridge. He pulled her close as the wind started to blow. Spot didn’t want her to get cold as they crossed over. The wind got pretty strong over the bridge.
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