Sounds of the Season (9) WC: 1,249

The sharp n** of the winter wind chased him into the apartment building and up the flights of stairs, still clinging to his jacket and cheeks as he unlocked the door into his apartment. He stood just within the doorway for a moment, shaking the lingering snowflakes off his jacket and stomping the snow pressed into his boots off onto the entry mat.

"Oh heya, didn't expect you back in today," came a chirping voice from further into the kitchen, and Jericho lifted his eyes to meet a very uneasy looking Alexis. Sure, her smile was bright as ever, but he noticed the way she fidgeted with her jacket sleeves. Which, the fact she still had that on, and her boots, spoke a great deal.

"Neither did I," he hummed, hanging up his jacket on the appropriate hook and propping a foot up on a small bench-shoe rack thing. "Likely won't be for too long. You forget anything here?" He began to untie his boots and toe them off, keeping his gaze off of her to offer a level of space.

Alexis continued to fidget, her fingers causing the buttons on her jacket cuff to click-clack together. Still, she leaned back against the counter, not trying to bolt out for... whatever was making her so anxious. "Just dropping off some stuff, was kinda hoping to surprise you guys," she chuckled, and when Jericho finished removing his boots and straightened, she nodded her head towards the living room.

Frowning, he moved further into the apartment, though soon enough he spotted the unlit Christmas tree she'd been so excited to put up. Beneath it, a few small wrapped presents sat innocently, and he found himself smiling a bit as he gave a small snort of a laugh.

"Still a surprise," he told her, walking back to where she was still leaning against the counter. He held his arm out slightly to her, and Alexis' shoulders lowered from where they'd been lifted up around her neck. Her own arm stretched out to wrap around his middle as she leaned into his side, and Jericho gave her a gentle squeeze. "Thank you, Lex. That's very sweet of you."

"I know we all said no gifts and stuff, but..." She trailed off, a bit of laughter in her voice as she shrugged. To be fair, Jericho knew he had a small wrapped box in his closet for her as well, and one for Cabhan, and some for a few others in his life. Yes, the trio had agreed to not buy anything, but he'd said nothing against making things, personally...

He was about to let her go, loosening his grip, when he noticed she wasn't pulling away. Instead, she squeezed a little tighter, keeping her head against his chest, and Jericho paused. He never asked when things were up--he could guess sometimes, or at least pick up from her body language, but he never pried. If she wanted to talk, she would, and he'd listen to her vent, offer his thoughts if she wanted them, or advice if he could. Or just say something akin to yeah, that does really suck and she'd switch the topic to something else once she'd gotten the burden off her chest and received the much needed validation.

So, as he leaned back slightly against the counter, he just held her in the half-hug, and though Alexis didn't say anything, he grew a bit more concerned when she put her other arm around him, too. Gently, he rubbed at her shoulder and upper back, offering the most he could of silent support for... whatever was going on.

In his mind, though, he could still hear the echoes of that woman's singing. That other language's version of O Silent Night, or so he was pretty sure it was. The melody and voice had been soothing, and he'd felt lighter after his mostly quiet encounter with her.

Didn't know her name, but he knew she had a good voice that would have worked great in a choir if she ever wanted--she'd laughed at the suggestion, but had thanked him for the idea nonetheless.

Reaching into his pant's pocket, he pulled out his cell. His thumb glided over the surface, unlocking it and flicking through apps till he found the one he was after. Something to sooth...

He wouldn't sing, wouldn't subject Alexis to that, but he still found an older rendition of the song on his mind. O Silent Night began to play, the small speakers drifting out a soft violin before a voice joined it. Warm, gentle, it wasn't the one he'd heard earlier, but the music still made him feel... lighter. Warmer.

Alexis still was silent, but she swayed slightly against him to the music, and Jericho felt his lips twitch up briefly. She broke her silence, though, as she began to hum to the song, and he could feel her grip around him loosening slightly. Relaxing.

He'd enjoyed this carol before, though there was something about the woman's version earlier that just... hit different. The memory of that brought the same sensations back as he listened to the song now.

He didn't know what was going on with Alexis, and he still wouldn't ask, but he'd do what he could to show he was still there for her, if she needed the support. A moment of peaceful, beautiful music amidst the hectic holiday season... it felt right to offer it.

As the song came to an end, Alexis let him go, exhaling heavily but the smile she turned up to him was genuine and without any of the previous unease. "Not going to be sick of all those carols tonight? Don't the sermons have the choirs perform them?"

He gave a light huff. "Can't get sick of the good ones. And this..." He glanced down at his phone, the screen dark and music silenced, but still... he could still hear the warm echoes in his mind. "...this is one of the best ones."

Her brows furrowed slightly as she smiled, not expecting an actual answer. Still, she nodded after a beat, her smile growing as the corners of her eyes crinkled. "Yeah, it is. I'll have to play some of my faves for you next time."

She gave another sigh, looking towards the door. Her fidgeting had ceased, and he was glad the moment seemed to help calm... whatever was going on in her mind. "I need to get going. Dad's been prepping this big dinner all day, wouldn't really let me help so..." She gave a helpless shrug, and he nodded. His family was about the same in restricting kitchen access on certain holidays.

"Give my best to your dad and brothers," he said simply, slipping his phone back into his pocket after checking the time. He'd have enough to grab the gifts for said family, head back to the house, and after dinner, the service...

Alexis grinned, nodding as she started to head towards the door. "Will do! You know dad's always inviting you and Cabhan to dinner, one of these days I'mma make you guys take him up on that," she sing-song warned, and Jericho laughed. "Merry Christmas Eve, Jer."

The cooler air that slipped in when she opened the door did little to diminish the warmth he felt, and Jericho smiled to her, allowing some of that warmth to show. "Merry Christmas Eve, Lex."