Who: Rey an Xander What: Decorating for Christmas When: backdated to mid-Dec. Where: Rey’s Place Rating: low
“Thank you for helping me decorate.” Rey opened the lid to a big plastic box. They had put up the tree, but now it needed to have ornaments on. She only had a few ornaments for the one time she and Poe and put up a tree so she was also thankful Xan had gone to the store to help her pick out more decorations. “I was almost thinking of not doing it, but Leo celebrates Christmas and I always thought the decorations of the holiday were very pretty.” Rey and others from her world celebrated Life Day which had some similarities, but it wasn’t the same.
Rey pulled out a blue, round ball and looked at Xan. “Have you put yours up yet or would you like help after we do mine?”
Xander enjoyed Christmas. With his second Christmas here fast approaching, he didn’t miss his friends from home quite as much as last year. Oh, Xander still missed them, but it didn’t feel as acute as it had last year. Plus, it helped that he had Rey in this place.
“I’m happy to help with the decorating.” While Xan didn’t have the best eye, he always loved a good Christmas decoration, including a tree. “Leo deserves a Christmas tree.” While Xan and Leo didn’t know each other that well, Xan knew Leo’s life hadn’t been easy, even less so when his best friend and boyfriend got sent home early in the year.
“I could use help. I bought the tree and the ornaments, but other than setting up the tree, I haven’t done anything else with it.” At least the rest of his house was decorated.
“I would be happy to help. I find it relaxing.” She placed an ornament on the tree, considering it. “And there’s something about doing it together. It’s a feeling I’m not sure how to describe, but it’s a nice feeling.” She smiled, her chest warming even from just explaining it.
“Speaking of Leo…. I think he might have someone he likes.” Rey wasn’t a big gossiper, but considering that Leo had been her ward until he was old enough to ‘be on his own’ she did feel responsible for him even now. In some ways it often felt like Leo was still ‘just a kid’ even though he built some amazing things.
“I’m glad you find it relaxing.” Right now Xander wore the ugly sweater Kenzi bought him last year. “Trust me, I’d rather do it with you than alone.” Xander leaned over and kissed Rey’s cheek, glad to have his girlfriend with him.
“Oh! Who?” Xander obviously know Leo somewhat since the young man lived with Rey. “He deserves to have someone here he likes.” Who hopefully reciprocated those feelings. While Xander didn’t have a ward or anyone who lived with him, he understood how Rey felt.
“I’m not sure… I’ve been wanting to ask, but I’m not sure it’s something he’d want me to.” Or maybe she was thinking too much about it - that happened a lot. “He seems to be doing a lot more whistling and humming and he went out to a party on Halloween with a girl. You’re right though, he deserves it…. He took it hard when Nico left.” Leo had stayed chipper, but it had been like he was forcing himself to be happy for everyone else. Leo had slowly gotten better over time, much like she had after Ben died.
“Would it be weird if I told him he could invite someone over for Christmas dinner?”
“Well, hopefully he’ll tell you who eventually. Or bring the person home to meet you.” Xander didn’t presume the gender, given Leo seemed inclined to date along the gender spectrum as far as he could tell. “Well, whistling and humming are always a good sign. And a Halloween party is a good thing.”
At the question, Xan paused, ornament in his hand. “No. I think he’d appreciate the offer. In this place, it’s not a for sure thing that the person has anywhere else to go.”
She nodded. That was true too. Alright, that settled it for Rey. She’d talk to Leo about dinner.”
For a few moments Rey busied herself adding ornaments to the tree. As she placed another bulb, a thought came to her. “Do you know what Life Day is?” Rey obviously knew Xan knew about her universe, but Rey had never really delved deep into the lore written or created about her or their world to know if they touched on Life Day.
Xander added some ornaments and stepped back, to take in where he might see gaps or where too many of the same colour rested.
“Maybe move the blue one down a branch?” he suggested. “No. I don’t know what Life Day is.” Sure, Xander watched the movies, but that’s as far as his fandom went. “But I’d be happy if you wanted to tell me about Life Day.”
She followed his lead with the ornament. He had a good sense for this thing and she appreciated it. "It has some similarities to Christmas, actually. Or, I suppose several of Earth's celebrations. It's originally a Wookiee holiday." It made her think of Chewie who she missed dearly. She often wondered if he'd like it here. Maybe. Probably. "Wookiee culture is about family, joy, and harmony... which I know can be strange to hear for some people. But it's centered around the Tree of Life. Eventually other people adopted it and started celebrating. Trees are decorated with orbs, there's a feast with food I don't think I'll ever get to taste again, and activities. At the end of the night, people get together and sing songs that remind us of our love for one another."
Rey smiled fondly.
Xander listened and could hear the fondness for the event in his girlfriend’s voice. “I’m sorry you can’t celebrate it here.” Truly. As Rey described the holiday, it made Xander miss his mom and friends at home, even if the holiday changed over the last few years. “I don’t think it’s strange. Wookiee culture sounds like my kind of culture.”
He moved an ornament a little further back on a branch, so the tree could better support it. His arm wrapped around Rey’s shoulder and he kissed her temple. “Thank you for telling me about it.”
She hugged him back, smiling and feeling the sort of warmth that made everything feel ‘just right’. Occasionally Rey wondered if she truly deserved it, but today wasn’t one of those occasions. Today she was choosing to simply be happy and be in the moment - which was a big step for Rey.
Rey pulled back just enough to look at him, her lips forming a soft smile. “I love you Xander…. I’m happy I get to spend the holidays with you.”
“I love you too, Rey. Very much.” He loved her smile and moved in gently to kiss her before returning to decorating.