"Look Catherine, a shooting star. Did you wish?"
"Oh, I didn't have time."
"Then there is something you wish for?"
"Yes." - Dangerously Yours
*-*-*-*-*
Julian had been looking for her. She looked so enchanting standing there, soaking up the moonlight. Scarlett's gaze fixed upon the stars above them as they twinkled down on the cursed isle. He was momentarily taken back to the first time he truly saw her, back on Trisda.
Scarlett Dragna was such a romantic. Julian thought about how she would love to be the muse of her lover's poem, have filthy-sweet words whispered in her ear, and get flowers just because I love you.
His eyes shut and his hand scrubbed over his stubble. Julian didn't love her. Yes, he cared about the selfless girl with a colour for a name (no one with eyes could deny that), but Julian Santos did not fall in love. Besides, the closer he got to her, the harder this game would be. It would only end in pain between them. But oh, Julian wanted her to win. And he really wanted to kiss her.
Instead, he let himself admire her for a moment longer. Admiring from afar wouldn't hurt at all. Scarlett was none the wiser and he wasn't getting too close. What was that saying... no harm no foul?
Her shiny brown hair cascaded down her shoulders, hair that he just wanted to run his rough fingers through. Julian couldn't see her pretty hazel eyes from his distance but he could imagine the glimmer in them. That sparkle of hope that made him believe in something (he wasn't quite sure what, but he knew he believed in it). Oh, and that soft pink dress that reminded him of lips longing to be kissed, it clung to her curves and...
He forced his eyes away from her. Julian had to walk away while he still could. Scarlett Dragna was merely a player in Caraval. A player he was instructed not to get too close to; his brother made it quite clear what would happen if he did. She was going to be gone from his life in a few days. As long as everything went to plan, Scarlett would get the life she deserved. Happy and safe, hopefully even adventurous. A rotten feeling churned in his stomach.
Julian would be sorry to see her go.
Maybe he could convince Legend to invite her next year, in exchange for Julian acting in another-
He picked up his feet and walked away. Scarlett Dragna was not meant to be with him. She was one of the few good things in this world, and Julian was not good. He could flirt with her all he wanted to, and even if she flirted back, she still had a fiance that Julian had no doubt ever-faithful Crimson would go back to when she discovered it was all a game.
And discovered he was an actor. A performer. A liar.
"Julian!"
He stopped dead in his tracks as his heart picked up. Her voice held a smile and the hint of a question, maybe even a little bit of hope. Probably wondering if he would stop just because she asked him to. If he recognized her voice after only a few days.
"Crimson." Confident. Cool. Cocky. "Looking for me?"
She scoffed and he turned around to face her. "Please, I'm trying to win. I just thought I saw you."
He took a few steps towards her. "Any luck?"
"Maybe you'd know if you hadn't ditched me when I went to talk to Nigel. Infront of the jade tent, remember?"
Ah. An easy subject to deflect. And a fun one.
"You mean the kissing tent?" Julian threw her a smirk. "We don't need a tent if you want a magical Caraval kiss."
"That's not... ugh, gross, Julian."
His heart constricted a fraction. He was reminded of the way she acted earlier when he teased her about a kiss: disgusted. Though her cheeks flushed, so he considered that she was just acting.
"Have you ever kissed anyone before?" He asked, curious now they were on the topic. Bonus if it helped him steer the conversation.
She sucked in her cheeks. "That's none of your business."
"So... no?"
Scarlett glared at him. "If you must know, I have been kissed before. I'm not that undesirable, am I?"
His eyebrows scrunched together. Surely someone as angelic as Scarlett wouldn't take his teasing as insinuating she was undesirable? "Would I offer someone undesirable a kiss? I just mean you're a very... 'innocent, waiting for the right man' type of girl."
Julian had been so taken aback by the undesirable comment, he didn't realize Scarlett just admitted she had kissed someone before. He hadn't expected that but wondered if the guy she locked lips with was even worth the time of day.
"You desire me?" Scarlett poked him, letting a small giggle slip.
He was about to say some flirtatious remark when his eyes slipped to the sky. Julian grabbed her hand to point to the starry night. "Look, Crimson. A shooting star."
He turned to watch her watch it. Scarlett's pink lips parted and her eyes widened. Her expression was just adorable.
"Did you wish?"
Scarlett sighed, "Oh, I didn't have time."
"Then there is something you wish for?"
"Yes."
Julian smiled. Such a romantic, of course there was. "What did you wish?"
He followed her eyes as they dropped to their hands, intertwined. She let go. You are not embarrassed, you are not embarrassed, you are not-
"I can't tell you, then it won't come true."
"That's not how wishes work. And besides, you missed the star, it won't come true anyway." Julian just wanted to know.
"Well, it won't come true with that attitude." Scarlett skipped in front of him, a new pep in her step. He followed her.
Julian had a sinking feeling he wouldn't be able to walk away from her.
"When it comes true, will you tell me then?"
Scarlett stopped abruptly resulting in Julian nearly crashing into her. She whipped around, only an inch away from him. Those pretty hazel eyes were at level with his lips, and she didn't lift her gaze.
"Maybe. If you ask nicely."
It took every ounce of willpower he had not to cradle her face and crash his lips against hers. How did Scarlett have such a hold on him?
Lucky for him, he didn't get the chance to. She turned back on her path and Julian waited a few moments, putting some space between them.
He desperately hoped no one was lurking in the shadows, ever so ready to report to Legend just how incompetent his little brother was being. Julian just wanted to stay with her, continue to discover the wonder that was Scarlett Dragna.
How in God's name was he supposed to watch her walk away in only a few days?
prompt I seen from @jackstheprinceofhearts ! their account is amazing, especially if you are in some desperate need for broken heart content. thank you for posting your wonderful prompt! It was too cute for me to pass up
this IS my first post on tumblr, although this fic will also be posted to my ouabh collection on wattpad (my handle is jennacanread if ur interested!). I haven’t read tbona since the release date so I hope no one’s too out of character?
(obviously) spoilers for tbona | minor uses of swearing | set during the Hollow chapters and briefly after the end of tbona | not canon compliant
Summary -
After discovering Jacks isn’t the biggest fan of Christmas, Evangeline plots to turn him into a festive softy, even if it means making a few extra deals with a Fate.
Evangeline always had a sixth sense, just like how bells did. Although her sixth sense wasn't nearly as helpful as it was for bells. She could sense it when she woke up that morning it was time to start celebrating her favourite holiday of the year.
Christmas.
She squealed giddily as she launched herself out of bed, choosing a pretty Christmas-red dress to get festive, her pink hair blending nicely with the red silk. Evangeline slipped on some gold jewellery to spice it up before heading to the main area in the Hollow.
When Evangeline passed by the dining room, Jacks was already sitting at the table, sipping on a mug of spiced cider. He arched an amused eyebrow at her. "What's got you grinning like a fox?"
Evangeline snickered lightly at his wordplay. "It's Christmas season!"
Jacks amused expression fell. "Oh, of course you're one of those people."
"You don't like Christmas?"
He set his mug down on the table. "It's all awful singing, terrible gifts that no one wants, and distasteful decorations."
Despite Jacks's bahumbug attitude towards the holidays, it did not dampen her mood. In fact, all that rang through her mind was challenge accepted.
Evangeline was going to make Jacks enjoy Christmas, no matter what it took.
She took hold of his cold wrist, tugging him up. "We need a tree."
"We already have some outside."
"A Christmas tree, Jacks. We need to go hunting for a Christmas tree. A big one, to fit in the main room."
"Absolutely not."
Jacks was, unsurprisingly, being difficult. Evangeline had planned for this. "Alright, Prince of Hearts. I'd like to make another deal."
"You haven't even completed your first one." Although his tone was low, his mouth stretched into a grin.
"Think of this like a side quest. What do you want in exchange for a Christmas tree?"
He hooked a finger under her chin, tilting her head back slightly. Her heart picked up in speed. "Another night."
Evangeline's eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. But before she could ask, he continued.
"Another night of you being mine."
Evangeline could have sworn her heart was going to explode from her chest.
Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea-
Evangeline hushed that voice in her head. She held out her hand. "Deal."
Jacks shook it. "Haven't you heard the warnings about making more than one deal with a Fate, Little Fox?"
"I'm choosing to ignore those warnings in favour of Christmas spirit."
Jacks bent his head to nibble the shell of her ear. "Bad choice."
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
It was the first time, Evangeline had realized, that she had been a distance from the Hollow since she arrived. They needed to find a Christmas tree farm so they could find the perfect tree.
Evangeline noted how rigid Jacks was beside her, his jaw was set, shoulders tight, and his gaze kept flicking towards her. Was there danger somewhere? Had she said something wrong since they left the Hollow?
Evangeline bumped him with her shoulder. "Why are you so tense?"
Jacks' eyes narrowed at her, blue eyes searching hers analytically. "Do you feel any different?"
"About what?"
His eyes fleeted to the sky a moment as they walked. "In general. Do you want to run away from me, Little Fox?"
Jacks was acting strange, and she didn't understand why. She tried to ease him with a joke. "Not anymore than usual."
He exhaled, breath visible in the chilled air around them. Jacks' lips formed a smile. His shoulders relaxed and his steps came more natural than soldier-reporting-for-duty.
Evangeline liked him a lot when he was happy. She tried not to. Tried telling herself that he was a Fate and it was such a bad idea.
Instead, she grabbed his hand.
Her mouth went dry and her head emptied as she realized what she had done, the only thing she could think about was his hand in hers.
Jacks removed his hand from hers quickly. "What are you doing?"
His words sent her mind in a panic. Despite the snow falling and how cold it was, hot embarrassment fled to her cheeks, face aflame. "I was just... forget about it."
Evangeline gnawed on her cheek, keeping her eyes ahead and refusing to look his way.
That was when rough fingers fiddled with her hand until both of their fingers were intertwined.
She looked up at Jacks. His eyes softened as he caught her gaze from the corner of his eye.
Her lips parted into a wide smile that Evangeline couldn't contain. Jacks was holding her hand. There was something so intimate about the action, it shushed all of the warning voices in her head. His palm pressed to hers warmly, their arms lightly swinging in unison.
Evangeline looked up from their hands to see Miller's Tree Farm.
"We're here!" Evangeline exclaimed excitedly, pointing at the sign with the hand that wasn't holding Jacks'.
"Alright, go pick one out." Jacks nodded towards the trees.
"You have to help, too. It's part of our deal."
He groaned as Evangeline tugged him forward.
"Come on, you stubborn prince!" She laughed, using her strength to drag him.
"Only because I never fail to uphold my ends of deals."
Evangeline secretly hoped that he actually wanted to pick out a tree with her.
"We have to find the perfect one, Jacks. It can't be any old tree. It has to be the tree."
"Are you even hearing yourself right now?"
"You'll know it when you feel it."
Reluctantly, Jacks trailed beside her, hands still attached as they walked through the farm. Evangeline spotted a pretty tree around the corner. She dropped his hand to dash towards it.
Evangeline heard him mutter Dead Saints, Little Fox, under his breath. She inspected the tree when she reached it, pine needles lightly prickling her hands as they moved along it.
A mischievous thought popped up in her head when she realized it wasn't the right tree. She bent down to scoop up some snow in her hand before Jacks reached her. She stood up abruptly, hiding the snow behind her back.
"What's wrong with this one?" Jacks looked it up and down.
"It's too tall. But that one over there..."
When Jacks turned his back to find the tree she nodded towards, Evangeline lanced the snowball at his fur doublet.
Jacks' body went still. He slowly turned around, lips parted as an offended demeanour took over his face. He tilted his head at her as Evangeline brought a cold hand up to her face, trying to stifle her giggles. She failed.
"You better run, pet."
A deep belly laugh emerged from her mouth as her feet sunk in the snow quickly. It slowed her down, but it didn't stop her from rushing away from him. She dodged trees, weaving in and out of them as she tried to escape Jacks.
The ice cold hit her back before the hard thump did. Evangeline squealed, her hand reaching at her back, freezing nipping at her hands. Melted snow slowly seeped through her cape as she turned around to see Jacks smirking proudly.
She quickly formed a snowball in her hands, whipping it at Jacks swiftly. He dodged it with ease before stalking towards her, already hitting her again with another snowball.
"No, no, no!" Evangeline eventually found a tree to hide behind, gathering her breath. She made another snow ball, waiting for Jacks to come from where he last seen her. But he wasn't in sight.
Her heart pounded in her ears as her eyes darted around the farm. A flash of blond hair emerged and Evangeline ran towards him. She threw the snowball at his side, but the moment it hit him Jacks tossed one at her in exchange, landing in the middle of her chest.
Jacks chuckled deeply, she imagined from how quickly her mouth drooped down.
"I wasn't even ahead of you for five seconds," Evangeline whined, walking towards him in defeat.
"Say it, Little Fox. I win."
She sighed. "You..."
Evangeline smooshed snow into his blonde hair. Jacks' mouth formed an o shape as his eyes squeezed shut, melted snow running down the back of his neck.
"...Are tied with me," Evangeline finished, flaunting a pearly grin in his face.
Jacks pulled her in by her waist, Evangeline's heart skipping a beat. "Trust me, pet, there will be another round, and you will lose sourly." One of his hands drifted to her rose gold hair, tangling it in his hand before tilting her head back. “And you’ll be sorry you pulled that stunt with the snow in my hair.”
His fingers massaged her scalp briefly, a challenge lit up in his eyes. Just as Evangeline began to respond, she peered up at the tree they were standing in front of. "This one, Jacks. It's perfect for the Hollow!"
He shifted his head to examine it. "You like this one?"
"It's the right size, it's branches are in lovely condition, and it has a nice memory tied to it."
"Then this is the one we'll get."
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
After Jacks used his magic to persuade the owner to ship the tree over to the Hollow for free, Evangeline attempted to persuade Jacks to get decorations for the tree.
"It's not a Christmas tree without ornaments, it's just a pine tree. You agreed to getting a Christmas tree."
"I taught you too well," Jacks grumbled, shoulders brushing as they walked into the town square.
Little sparks ignited everywhere Jacks touched her accidentally.
Evangeline beamed in success. "Enjoying Christmas yet?"
"No, still hate it.”
Town square was decked out in every inch with Christmas decor. Lights glowed everywhere, trees, pine or not, were littered with all different sorts of ornaments, tinsel was strung everywhere, and a small band was playing Christmas tunes beneath a street lantern.
Evangeline took it all in, joy filling her up from head to toe.
"The North takes Christmas pretty serious."
She twirled around, delighting in the festivity. "You're from here. What has Christmas ever done to you to make you such a scrooge?"
Jacks shook his head. "Why do you like it so much?"
"Stop deflecting the question."
"I'm not. I'm giving you the answer."
Evangeline worried her bottom lip between her teeth as they neared a shop selling decorations. "It gives everyone a reason to be merry. You get to spend time with your family, give and get gifts, amazing food, silly carols, funny, romantic kisses under the mistletoe..."
Evangeline realized why Jacks did not like Christmas.
"By all means, Little Fox, keep going. I just love those funny, deadly kisses underneath the mistletoe. It's a romantic experience as women drop dead in front of me." He gave her a wicked twist of his mouth, as if he enjoyed killing women, as if it truly didn't affect him. Jacks didn't even touch on the matter of family.
But Evangeline noticed his eyes. Her father used to tell her how you found people's truths; in their eyes. She seen the forced smile in them, the hurt hidden behind it.
"Jacks-"
"We're at your ornament shop."
Evangeline exhaled deeply, kicking the snow off her boots on the steps of the store before entering. Jacks did not have the same care about trekking snow in the store.
"Pick out some ornaments for the tree," Evangeline urged him, searching for pretty ones too.
"That wasn't part of our deal." Jacks side eyed her.
She turned so that she was directly facing him. "Please, Jacks."
He stared at her intently, but she did not break his gaze.
"I'll make you cookies," Evangeline offered brightly.
Jacks looked away, groaning. "For Fates' sake."
She clapped, knowing he gave in to her. "Pick out some pretty ones!"
As he walked away from her and to a different part of the store, he tossed his head over his shoulder. "They better be good cookies."
There was an extra pep in Evangeline's step as she walked around the shop, finding some lovely green and red ornaments. She stuffed the box underneath her arm and continued her search.
Fake icicles caught her eye, and Evangeline was entranced by them. They glittered when light hit them at the right angle, reflecting little rainbows. She tucked those under her arm too.
After getting a basket and finding a few other ornaments, including a star topper, Jacks returned to her.
He only said one word. "These."
Evangeline peeked inside the box, eyes widening at his choice of blue and pink ornaments. There were even little foxes painted on some of them.
"Aw, these are adorable!"
Jacks glared at her. "Call them adorable one more time. I dare you."
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
After popping cookies into the oven at the Hollow, Evangeline spent the rest of her evening decorating the Christmas tree. The minute she tried to convince Jacks to help her, he scoffed not this time, Little Fox, and strutted away.
Although he was hiding it well, Evangeline knew Jacks was starting to warm up to Christmas. Even if it was just the smallest hints of it, it was still something. But her challenge wouldn't be completed until Jacks truly enjoyed Christmas.
After placing the last of the tinsel and ornaments on the tree, it was time for the star.
Evangeline set her hands on her hips, contemplating how she would reach the top. She tried jumping, she tried dragging a chair over, but it was still just out of reach.
"What, pray tell, are you trying to accomplish?" Jacks leaned against the door way to the main room, arms crossed as he regarded her amusedly.
"I'm trying-" Evangeline hopped, "to reach-" she leapt, "the top!" She ran out of breath.
She came to the realization that Jacks might put the star on top for her. He would decorate the tree with her!
Maybe.
"As much as I'm enjoying you bouncing all over the place, there's a much easier approach to this, Little Fox."
"Uh huh," Evangeline raised her eyebrows challengingly. "And what's that?"
Jacks took four large steps towards her, and when she thought he was going to take the star from her hand, he grabbed her waist gently, lifting her up and on top of his shoulders.
Evangeline let out a gasp, heart picking up again.
"Hurry up, your dress is in my face." Jacks' voice came out muffled.
Her thighs were also around his neck.
Evangeline quickly placed the star on top, breathing quickly. "I'm done!"
He placed her back on the floor, brushing a cool finger over her cheeks. "It's so easy to make you blush."
Evangeline poked his nose in turn, Jacks swatting her hand away. "Admit it. You're beginning to like Christmas."
"Has this become a personal mission for you, pet?"
A quiet ding interrupted them.
"The cookies!" Evangeline grinned, rushing to the kitchen, slipping on a pair of oven mitts and removing them from the oven.
She stepped back, admiring her work.
"Christmas cookies?" Jacks' tone was flat and unamused.
Despite how hot the cookie was, Evangeline picked one up between her fingers, ignoring the slight burn. "Ha! Look, it's Santa."
Jacks darted his head quickly towards her and took a large bite out of the cookie she held. "Headless Santa now," he mumbled as he chewed on the sugar cookie.
"Fiend," Evangeline retorted.
Jacks reached for another one, but Evangeline smacked his hand. "I need to decorate them!"
"Someone's going on the naughty list. It's not nice to hit people, Little Fox."
"It's not nice to bite cookies out of people's hands, Jacks."
"I'm already on the naughty list, why should I care?"
"Shoo, unless you're going to help me decorate these."
"I'd almost mistake you for a Fate with how many deals you're trying to make." Jacks walked away, obviously not interested in decorating.
Evangeline sighed. She picked up the bag of icing she'd prepared earlier, piping little designs onto her first cookie. Her festive mood was beginning to dampen. Jacks really wasn't going to come around to Christmas, was he? Of course, no matter how hard she tried, she failed. He was a Fate after all. Why had she expected Jacks to look at Christmas different for her?
One decorated cookie later, strong arms wrapped around her waist and a head leaned against her shoulder, the smell of apples and something distinctly male filled her senses. Evangeline could have melted into his touch, despite her earlier frustration.
"I thought you didn't want to decorate. You know, since you despise Christmas."
"Hush, Little Fox, or I might change my mind."
Evangeline couldn't fight the smile on her face. He grabbed the icing bag, still leaning on her shoulder and reaching through her waist. Jacks tried to pipe a design, but he squeezed too hard, a bunch of icing coming out at once. He growled.
Evangeline giggled. "Here, I'll squeeze, you keep your hands on mine, guiding the bag, okay?"
Jacks grunted in acknowledgment, placing his hands over hers. He guided her slowly, drawing little snowflakes on the snowman shaped cookie.
A warm feeling rose through Evangeline. "Next one."
This time it was a tree. Jacks drew ornaments and lights, actually taking it seriously. They continued like that until all the cookies were decorated, and Evangeline couldn't have cared less that she only decorated one. She was elated that Jacks had partook in something festive without motivation. It also helped his hands were on hers and how his body fit with hers.
He set down the piping bag, grabbing her hand and twirling Evangeline around, leaning her against the counter. "Happy?"
"You have no idea."
Jacks leaned in close, close enough that they were breathing the same breaths. His lips were dangerously close to hers. "Remember your part of the deal."
Another night of you being mine.
Evangeline hadn't a problem with it. She was already his, anyway.
"I couldn't forget."
Jacks laced his fingers with hers again, leading her to his room. On their way, Evangeline pulled him to a stop.
"Mistletoe, Jacks."
He looked up quickly at the strategically placed mistletoe above their heads. His eyes creased with worry. "Little Fox-"
Evangeline stood on her tip-toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek, letting her lips linger on his cool skin. She hadn't known whether or not a lip-on-lip kiss would follow them outside the Hollow, and she didn't want Jacks to have to deal with that guilt, so she opted for his cheek instead. Evangeline had desperately wanted to feel his lips against hers. She wanted to have a true mistletoe experience with Jacks. But, as fate allowed, Evangeline would settle for a peck on the cheek.
"There," Evangeline whispered as she pulled away. "Now you have a pleasant memory under the mistletoe."
Jacks looked at her, really looked at her, with a vulnerability in his eyes that he rarely showed. His arms engulfed her and his head buried in her pink hair.
"When we leave here for good, Little Fox, please do not forget this."
"I'll never forget this," she mumbled into his shirt.
He pulled away to look at her. "Mine."
"I'm yours," Evangeline repeated as she had a few nights ago.
Jacks scooped her up, carrying her to his bedroom, holding her close to his chest. She loved how delicately he held her, how careful he was.
When they reached his room, Jacks tugged on the hem of her dress in question.
Evangeline nodded wordlessly.
He lifted it off of her, leaving Evangeline in solely a tiny slip that didn’t leave much to the imagination. Although she was sure Jacks had seen much more of her when he bandaged her up a few nights ago. She reached for the buttons of his shirt, popping them off until the item of clothing was removed completely.
Jacks then laid her down, falling on the bed beside her.
Evangeline brushed a soft lock of blond hair from his face. "I know you hate Christmas for good reasons, Jacks. But the holidays are about spending time with people you care about. I know how good you are at hiding it, but I think deep down, you care about me, at least a little bit. So I hope I changed your mind about Christmas."
Jacks knotted his hands in her hair, bringing her head close. "I care about you a lot." He frowned. "More than I should."
Evangeline's eyes fluttered closed. "I care about you too."
"I know."
Their limbs began to tangle together as they shifted in the bed. Jacks held her as if she was about to be ripped from his grasp. Evangeline nuzzled her head in his chest, letting herself lull to sleep.
"Little Fox?"
"Mm?"
"Christmas isn't so bad."
"Jacks!" she whined against his skin.
"Fine. I like spending Christmas with you."
Jacks’ reluctant words reverberated through her head a million times. Finally. Evangeline had warmed him up to the holidays, even if it took a bit out of her. It made her cheeks hot that she knew she was the reason for his new take on Christmas.
She tilted her head up to look in his eyes. “I knew you’d come around.”
“Don’t you dare start up carolling, pet, or I will take back my previous statement. The tree in the main room will be destroyed before you wake up in the morning if you pipe up with those god awful tunes.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of annoying Jacks of the Hollow.”
His hand smoothed over her hair idly and his voice was soft from tiredness. “Good.”
Evangeline waited until his eyes fluttered shut before murmuring quietly, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly fa-la-la-la-la-”
The hand that had been in her hair moments before clamped over her mouth. “Shut up,” Jacks groaned.
She laughed behind his hand, amused by his distaste for carols. Once her giggles died down, he removed his hand and closed his eyes again.
“‘’Tis the season to be jolly-”
Jacks rolled them over so that she was underneath him, his chest over top of her mouth. Despite her voice being incredibly muffled, she still sang.
“Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.”
“Are you done yet?” Jacks moved into a plank position, uncovering her mouth.
“Maybe.”
“You are insufferable.”
Evangeline smiled brightly at him. “Will you change your mind if you found out I got you a present?”
One of his eyebrows raised. “When?”
“When you weren’t looking. It isn’t much, but it’s something.” Evangeline shifted to reach beside the bed, pulling the small box out of her dress pocket. “Merry Christmas, Jacks.”
Evangeline didn’t think she’d ever seen his features so soft. Blond eyebrows knitted together, and his eyes regarded the present with a delicacy he’d only ever used with her. He moved them so that they both sat up, hands carefully holding the box she handed him. She bit her lip in anticipation of his reaction.
“Open it!” She urged, hoping he wouldn’t hate the gift inside.
Jacks pulled the ribbon around the box until it untied, popping the lid open and peering inside. His lips curved into a smile.
“I couldn’t think of what to get you, but you’re always dressing fancy, so when I saw those golden apple cuff links, I immediately thought of you.” Evangeline watched as his finger brushed over the cuff links curiously. “Everyone deserves a Christmas present, no matter how far down they are on the naughty list.”
His eyes flashed to hers, amusement laced in his expression. Still, Jacks hadn’t said a word.
“Well? Do you like them?” Evangeline demanded, palms beginning to sweat. She hoped from the bottom of her heart he adored them. That every time he would wear them, he’d think of her. His Little Fox.
“I do.”
Jacks spoke those two words with so much gentleness, yet so much force that made Evangeline believe there were a billion other things he wanted to say.
He set his gift on his nightstand, pulling Evangeline back down into a lying position. Jacks moved his lips over her neck, sucking and biting at her skin. She let out a moan at the feeling, at how fast he could send her brain into a frenzy.
“Thank you, Little Fox.” His words tickled her neck.
She hadn’t thought him capable of the words thank you.
“I’m glad you like them,” she whispered back.
Evangeline swore to never forget how soft he was at the Hollow. With her. How his expression turned so breathtaking when he looked at his present. At her. How badly Evangeline had wished she was his true love. She finally let herself fall asleep, a deathly pair of lips on her mind as sleep claimed her.
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
Jacks looked up at the winter night sky sourly, wondering if the stars were laughing at him. How many times had they watched happily ever after be wretched from his hands so despicably?
This one hurt the most.
His teeth clashed together as Jacks grind his jaw, thinking of the way Evangeline had been taken from him. Jacks had briefly pondered over if things could have been different if he’d realized Donatella hadn’t meant to him what he thought she did sooner.
He’d never loved Donatella. She was never his true love. That Jacks was sure of, he felt it all the way down to his cold bones.
Evangeline. Sweet Evangeline.
Nothing had ever meant as much to him as his Little Fox did.
Jacks touched his golden apple cuff links, taking a small comfort in how the cold metal felt against his finger. He had many regrets over all of the things he never said to Evangeline. He especially wished he’d told her how much the gift meant to him. How much she meant to him.
No one had given him anything remotely close to a present in centuries. Jacks couldn’t even remember the last time someone had did something selfless for him, like giving him a present. It meant Evangeline cared about him, almost as much as he cared for her.
She hadn’t even done it in the presence of the Mirth stone. She’d been far from it when retrieving his cuff links. Evangeline had simply wanted to give him a Christmas gift.
Jacks was taken from his thoughts as the crunching of boots trekking through snow hinted at his ears. He turned towards her, hidden by the brick building beside him and the darkness it provided.
She sniffed loudly, the back of her hand coming up to wipe her nose.
“Nothing makes sense,” she cried to the sky. “Things aren’t adding up, no matter how hard I try. Every time I think I start to remember something important, it’s like I run into a wall!”
Jacks wanted to go to her, pull her close, whisper in her ear that it would be alright. How he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. He’d torture whoever tried to lay a finger on his Little Fox.
“Apollo says he loves me, and I love him, even if I can’t remember. But… that feels like a kind of thing that the heart would remember. I just feel so alone. So empty. I don’t even know if I should trust him. He is my husband, so I should.”
Evangeline kicked the snow in frustration. “I don’t even know who I’m talking to. The stars?” She laughed humourlessly. “It just truly feels like I have no one.”
You have me, Little Fox.
Evangeline spun around. “Who said that?”
Fuck. He hadn’t meant to project his thoughts.
“Hello?”
Jacks closed his eyes, leaning into the wall so Evangeline couldn’t see him. When he first discovered she didn’t remember him, Evangeline became terrified of him. He was a fool to think Time let him off of the hook for how much pain he suffered. A bloody fool.
Jacks swore to himself he’d do whatever it took to return Evangeline’s memories to her. He would disembowel whoever had done this to her. Jacks vowed to become their worst nightmare. He would become the exact monster the stories about Fates made him out to be.
He heard Evangeline sigh. “Now I’m crazy, too.”
He felt sick for her. Jacks knew this was ultimately better than her being dead, but why couldn’t he just be happy for once? Jacks always knew Time would never have allowed them to exist, he should have never let himself hope that it might be different.
Hope. Hopeful Evangeline.
Jacks remembered when he was like her. Back before he realized he was never meant to be happy. Not for long, at least.
But he was happy with her. It was why he knew, in the end, they would never work. Curses couldn’t be deceived. They knew the truth. No matter how much one tried to hide it.
It was one week and one day from the end of Cold Season, marking it Christmas Eve. In a perfect world, he and Evangeline would be at the Hollow, curled up by the fireplace. Jacks would be kissing her breathless, and her heart would still be beating, beating fast for him. His would do the same.
He’d get her a gift that she’d squeal about, blushing furiously like the helpless romantic she was. They would both be happy together.
Instead they were here, in this awful mess.
“Evangeline, my heart, there you are!”
Jacks had felt the overwhelming urge to slash a knife through Apollo’s throat, to watch him beg and bleed mercilessly for how he was taking advantage of his Evangeline-
“Apollo! Sorry, I just… wanted to catch snowflakes on Christmas Eve.”
Apollo wrapped his arms around Evangeline’s waist, pulling her flush against him. Jacks should have walked away, saved himself from this pain. But it was as he told Evangeline before; broken hearts constructed masochists.
Apollo laughed. “How darling you are. Come inside, we’re about to sing holiday carols by the piano.”
Jacks remembered when Evangeline sang for him. She did it to annoy him, but Jacks always looked forward to her pushing his buttons. He would listen to every foul, off pitch, Christmas carol Evangeline sung if it meant that she would remember him.
Jacks had a fleeting idea.
Don’t trust him, Little Fox. He is not your friend. He is not your lover-
“That sounds lovely, Apollo.” Evangeline’s words were loud and held a warning to them.
It meant she heard him.
He just hoped she would listen.
Jacks really needed to stop hoping.
He watched as Apollo led Evangeline inside, a wet sensation trailing down his cheek as Jacks’ eyes burned.
Using the back of his palm to rub at it, his eyes quickly caught the gold flecked blood that now stained his skin. Jacks hadn’t even realized he was crying.
His breath shook as he inhaled. He closed his eyes, the image of Evangeline flashed before him. Jacks imagined her saying don’t lose hope, Jacks. Not when you just got it back.
There was nothing of equal value to him than her. He established that already. Jacks needed to get a grip of himself.
He would find Honora. She would be the best person to go to when it came to cures to curses like this. Although every time he seeked Honora’s help, it always ended miserably. Fate be damned. Desperate times called for desperate measures. Jacks would rack in his favours he built up over the years, and fuck it, Jacks was going to hope.
His fingers traced over his apple cuff links.
This Christmas would not be his and Evangeline’s last.
