Christmas Eve (for Henri)

[adifferentlife]

For a short while Sybil had wondered if she'd even be able to leave her apartment on the Christmas Eve, the snow coming in droves the day before. But it had tapered off through the night, and on the 24th the roads and footpaths were all clear of it. She'd bundled up to meet Henri at the Soup Kitchen, their time there passing quickly. A few hours of ladeling soup, serving up rolls, and handing over baskets of canned goods and gifts for the children, and she honestly felt as if she'd done something to help those who needed it. It wasn't enough, the simple giving of food only a bandage on the wound. But it was what they could manage today, though she finds herself more determined to contribute more to Darrow in the coming year.

It's perhaps an appropriate mood for going to mass. She's never been to a Catholic Church before, and it seems rather disappointing in the end. In English just as any service she was used to, but with a dreadful number of candles it seems to her. Overall she finds lttle different, refusing communion as the entire idea of transubstantiation seems suspect, but enjoyable nontheless. It's nicer to have Henri to share it with, even if he seems somber at some points of the night.

When they leave it's nearly one in the morning, truly Christmas day. It's snowing again and as she slips her arm through his offered one, Sybil looks up to him contentedly. "Happy Christmas."

Comments

[jaimemieux]

“A wonderful proposition,” Combeferre said with a warm smile, glad for the opportunity to stay in Sybil’s company a little longer. All the same, he told himself that he should not overstay his welcome. He had a feeling that lingering too long was another thing that would be considered improper in Sybil’s world.

[adifferentlife]

"Good," she says, pleased that he's agreed. Sybil hooks her arm back through his, pausing only to pull her keys from the small purse that she carries. Frankly without Henri she thinks that it would have been a lonely Christmas. Having him has changed all of that. "I'm glad."

[jaimemieux]

Henri gestured for Sybil to lead the way into the building, a smile playing at his lips. His hand went to his coat pocket where the jewelry box was stashed, and he fiddled with it as he followed her into her apartment.

[adifferentlife]

She takes their coats and insists he sit, pouring them both a drink before retrieving his gift from beneath the tree. She sits with the box in her lap, hoping that he'll remember their visit to the hospital, otherwise the gift may just seem strange. Nervous, she holds it out to him, "Happy Christmas, Henri."

[jaimemieux]

Grinning softly at the anxious sweetness on her face, he set down his glass and took the box from her. The smile only grew when he undid the ribbon and raised the box lid. “Sybil. It’s wonderful” He laughed a little, taking it out of the box and holding it up. “Papilio glaucus. You remembered."

[adifferentlife]

"You like it?" She says it with honest relief, smiling wide at him and clapping her hands together the once. "Yes, I remembered. I remember it fondly."

[jaimemieux]

“It’s exquisite. My only regret is that I could never mount a butterfly so well.” He grinned crookedly at her. “Where did you find it?"

[adifferentlife]

"At a little shop in the city. It was dusty in a back corner, and I almost looked past it," she admits to him. It had been her third turn to through the shop before she'd even noticed it was there. "I am sure you would do it admirably well."

[jaimemieux]

“Quite remarkable what you can find in hidden places.” Combeferre set down the gift and leaned over to kiss her, cupping her cheek gently. “Thank you, cherie."

[adifferentlife]

"Je t'en prie," she whispers softly, returning the kiss with affection, her hand reaching up to cover his. "My darling."

[jaimemieux]

Henri blushed, ducking his head slightly to press his forehead to Sybil’s, his hand slipping to the back of her neck. “Et joyeaux Noel.” A soft smile curved at his lips. “I have something for you as well."

[adifferentlife]

"You do?" Her delight is obvious, almost gleeful. Sybil touches his cheek fondly, her fingers grazing along before pulling back to clasp her hands eagerly together.

[jaimemieux]

Her obvious delight made Combeferre chuckle softly. “Of course. Here-“ He took the jewelry box out of his pocket and placed it in her waiting hands. “I hope it suits.” The necklace inside was really quite simple, but there was an elegance to the simplicity that he hoped Sybil would like.

[adifferentlife]

"Henri," she says in awe as she pulls it from the box, letting it dangle between her fingers and catch the light. It is simple, but that makes it no less beautiful, in fact she thinks it enhances the beauty of the stone. "It's wonderful."

She hold it up to her neck, twisting away so he can catch the clasp of the chain behind her neck. "Would you?"

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre nodded, taking the chain from her. His fingertips were warm against the back of her neck. “Et voila,” he murmured, and pulled back with a fond smile. “Beautiful."

[adifferentlife]

When he's done she doesn't look for a mirror, but rather turns back to Henri, cupping his face much the same way he'd cupped hers a moment before.

"Thank you," she whispers before she presses her lips to his again, slightly parted. It's a kiss that leaves little space between them, both nervous and yet not.

[jaimemieux]

The kiss came unexpectedly - if not the mere press of her lips, then their purposeful sureness. Henri brought his hand to the back of her neck again, fingertips playing lightly against her skin. And though he sunk into the kiss gladly, he did not push further, allowing Sybil to take the lead.

[adifferentlife]

That dance of his fingers against the nape of her neck makes her bold. It's something she'd already thought of, tonight that is. What it is to care for someone and to be so close to them. What it means here in this place and how that changes her life. One of the ways that it does so is this, her fingers curling into his hair, pressing the kiss.

[jaimemieux]

Henri inhaled quietly, allowing himself to sink closer. Her fingers felt marvelous against his scalp and sent an unexpected shiver down his spine. Without quite breaking contact from her lips he murmured her name, and smiled, and kissed her once again.

[adifferentlife]

Her breath catches hearing him say her name, and she wants to say so much more. For now Sybil thinks that her kiss says enough. Even now their bodies are touching in a way that thrills her, her hand dropping from his cheek to his neck, trailing along his collar.

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre shifted closer on the sofa - just slightly, just enough to slide his hand down to the small of Sybil’s back. Encouraged by her enthusiasm, he pressed the kiss a bit deeper, too, with a murmur that was not really made of words. He knew he was becoming breathless, and could feel a flush on his brow, but did not yet want to pull away.

[adifferentlife]

Sybil shifts with him, leaning back at the press of his kiss. There is a part of her that thinks even this is scandal, and yet another part wonders how something that feels so very right could be wrong. Her lips parted against his, the press of his hand and the feel of his tongue and lips tangling with hers only strengthen that resolve. Perhaps it's wrong to pull him toward her, but when she breaks the kiss, there's only one thing she could think of saying. "Henri- I love you very much."

[jaimemieux]

Henri was sure that he was blushing now - with desire, or embarrassment, or something else - but he smiled breathlessly and ducked his head and murmured, “Le bon Dieu, Sybil… And I love you.” He met her gaze and brushed a stray lock of hair back from her face, their lips still nearly touching. “Are you all right?"

[adifferentlife]

"I think-" Sybil takes a deep breath, meeting his eyes and gazing into them for what seems like hours but is likely only a moment. There's something in there she's searching for and she finds it. Terrifying and exciting, she wonders if she would have ever had this had she stayed home in Downton. Was this a gift of Darrow?

Her hand slips around his, squeezing it gently. "I think I'd like you to stay. I don't know what I can promise. More than this, that is. But I'd like you here."

[jaimemieux]

Combeferre made a soft murmur of surprise. “Oh-“ He felt himself blushing anew and searched her face for signs of uncertainty - not for the sake of propriety, but from a deeply held sense of honor. She seemed nervous, yes, but her gaze held steady. “I would like that very much,” he said finally, pressing his lips to her forehead. “If you are sure."