FIC: "Holiday Spirit" 1/1 (Chad Michael Murray/Jeffrey Dean Morgan)

[broadwriting]

Title: "Holiday Spirit" 1/1
Author: Brenda (azewewish)
Pairing: Chad Michael Murray/Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Rating: PG
Summary: Shopping at Christmas is a dangerous business.
Feedback: Love it.
Disclaimer: Never happened. I have no idea if Jeff even has a sister, let alone if he has nieces or nephews. That's why it's fiction.
Notes: For antheia, because, eventually, I pay my debts. The request was Chad/Jeff, 'scarves'.



So much for the holiday spirit, Jeff thought, as a harried mother up the aisle told her son that if he uttered just one more syllable, dammit, she was going to leave him here and he could go work for the elves. Oddly enough, that didn't seem to pose much of a threat to the kid. At least, if the continued screaming for the Nerf Master Blaster on the shelves was any indication.

And Jeff's sister wondered why he hadn't had kids.

Jeff's sister was the reason he was here, actually. Here being the Target at the West Hollywood Gateway – gateway to hell, more like, but Jeff was a sucker for his family, so here he was, Saturday before Christmas, hunting for gifts. Nothing like waiting until the very last minute, but 15-hour days on set didn't leave much time for shopping, and he refused to let his assistant pick out his gifts for his family. He wasn't that far gone.

Thankfully, he hadn't been accosted by any fans – it probably helped that he was clean-shaven now, and wearing a ball cap. This particular shopping center seemed pretty relaxed anyway – he'd spotted Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in Housewares and no one had even glanced twice at them. And, it had been awhile since Denny's spectacular death. Hopefully everyone had moved on to the next big thing.

God knew he had.

There didn't seem to be anything on this aisle that screamed 'buy me', so he dodged another family and stepped into the main aisle. And ran smack into a cart. Pain shot up his leg in wicked sharp spikes as he spun back, clutching his knee and trying not to curse out loud.

"Fuck, man, I'm so sorry."

So much for not cursing. Jeff waved off the apology and straightened, plastering a smile to his face. His gaze collided with the contrite face of teen heartthrob, and Jared's best friend, Chad Michael Murray, who seemed to be in the same incognito get up of baggy jeans, t-shirt, jacket, and ball cap. But the outfit didn't do a damn thing to disguise those trademark baby blues, currently crinkled in consternation as he took a step forward, then stopped. "Are you, uh, y'know, okay?"

"Well, I don't think I'll be running any races, but, yeah, I'm fine."

"Good." Chad let out a relieved breath, and stuck out a hand. "Chad, by the way. Jared's mentioned you about a billion times."

"Jeff." He took the offered hand and shook, pleased with the firmness of Chad's grip. So many guys in the business had no idea how to shake a man's hand. "Jared's talked about you, uh, well, a lot."

Chad seemed to perk up at that, and he gestured at the madness around them. "Crazy, huh? Makes me wish I'd bought everything online."

"I heard that." Jeff danced out of the way of another cart, and decided it was safer to stand next to Chad and let his do all of the blocking. "So, uh, what brings you out to the madness?"

Chad ducked his head – was he blushing? – and cleared his throat. "Uh, would you believe I forgot to buy my sister something?"

"Ouch." Jeff nodded in sympathy. He didn't even want to contemplate the consequences if he'd ever forgotten to buy his own sister a present. Then he looked down into Chad's cart. "Is, uh, it that what you're getting her?"

"Yeah. Uh, why?"

"Really, dude, a scarf? For your sister?" His own sister would have beaten the ever-loving shit out of him.

Chad scuffled his feet, and peered at Jeff from beneath shaggy bangs. "Well, y'know, it's, uh, cold where she is, and I thought it'd be –"

"Practical," Jeff finished. Then sighed. "And to think Jared mentioned you were married."

"For five months. Not like I'm an expert."

"Yeah, but you've known your sister longer than five months, and...alright, listen," he said, when Chad just pursed his lips and glowered at him, "tell you what. You help me pick out something for my nephew and I'll steer you towards something shiny and very impractical for your sister." In truth, he'd be happy to have the company. And the second opinion. Jared was always going on about what a big kid Chad was. Maybe he'd know of some wicked cool new, uh, something, that would make him The Coolest Uncle Ever.

Chad's frown cleared into a smile. "Alright, man. Sounds like a date."

"Nah." Jeff's answering grin was lightning-quick. "If it was a date, I'd make you buy me a hot chocolate. With whipped cream."

"Starbucks in the courtyard."

Well, well, well. Chad Michael Murray was totally flirting with him. Jeff wasn't sure if he was more amused or flattered. Flattery – and curiosity – won out. "Starbucks' hot chocolate sucks, man. But there is a Coffee Bean on Beverly not too far up the street."

"The one by El Coyote with the fireplace?"

"That's the one."

"You're on." And that smile was definitely flirtatious.

Jeff returned it easily, and steered Chad down the Electronics aisle. Maybe Chad could help him pick out a PSP game or something. If he was anything like Jared, then he was a damn expert. "Now it's a date," he said, and grinned when Chad laughed.

***

Comments

[without-me.livejournal.com]

Awwwww! So sweet! And man, Jeff is braver than me if he goes to that Target. *shudders*

[chrismm.livejournal.com]

Braver than me if he goes to Target at all, between Thanksgiving and Christmas. *cuddles precious Amazon close*

This is so fun! And ow, the description of the cart injury, man, I felt that one all up the front of my leg, seriously.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Dude, I can totally feel Jeff's pain on the cart injury. I've banged my shins more than once. Ouch, indeed. *g*

Glad you liked it, hon!!! *mwah*

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Wow, you read a Chad fic. I'm shocked. Impressed, but shocked. *g*

And really, they are SO brave for going to that Target. It scares me on a random Saturday.

[antheia.livejournal.com]

At least, if the continued screaming for the Nerf Master Blaster on the shelves was any indication.
Is it wrong that I want one of those for myself, based solely on it's name?

...he'd spotted Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams in Housewares
*gigglefits*

"Nah." Jeff's answering grin was lightning-quick. "If it was a date, I'd make you buy me a hot chocolate. With whipped cream."

"Starbucks in the courtyard."
N'aw! *draws hearts around them*

"Now it's a date," he said, and grinned when Chad laughed.
So much love!


You really do make it worth the wait. *smishes*

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

The Nerf Master Blaster does, in fact, exist. I got one for my nephew for Christmas. *g*

They really were a lot of fun to write, too. So thanks for forcing me to do it. *MWAH*

[antheia.livejournal.com]

I figured as much. It's taking a lot of restraint not to buy one to use on my brother in law.

YAY!

[moimoietmoi.livejournal.com]

I wasn't sure I would like the fic because of the pairing, but since like about everything you write...
And this fic is starting so well! I loved the way those two met and I can believe the interaction between them.

You had me laughing out loud with this:
Chad's frown cleared into a smile. "Alright, man. Sounds like a date."

"Nah." Jeff's answering grin was lightning-quick. "If it was a date, I'd make you buy me a hot chocolate. With whipped cream."

"Starbucks in the courtyard."

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

They really were terribly cute to write. But is, y'know, odd for me. I don't normally do cute. *g*

Glad you gave it a chance, baby!!! *mwah*

[azraelz-angel.livejournal.com]

Oh this was just wonderful. Flirty Chad and Jeffrey! *melts* Any chance of a companion piece or several!?!

Thanks!!

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Oh, I would LOVE to make this a series. But I'm so far behind on fics right now that I don't think I could find the time.

Hopefully, SOON, I will re-visit these two & see what they're up to. And how that first date went. *g*

Thanks for reading!!!

[annkiri.livejournal.com]

Yes!! Men shopping at the last minute, flirting, and getting hot chocolate. What is not to love!?!?

Jared was always going on about what a big kid Chad was. Maybe he'd know of some wicked cool new, uh, something, that would make him The Coolest Uncle Ever.

lol...Chad is totally a big kid. And Nawww, how could anyone think Jeff isn't "The Coolest Uncle Ever?"

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Chad really is a big kid. And I bet Jeff would make THE best uncle in the history of ever. *draws hearts around them*

Thanks for reading!!!

[anakin415.livejournal.com]

see the cuteness of all these great Chad /Jeff fics is not helping maintain my annoyance with Mayhem. Shit left Jeff run into me like that I would be all over that ... hot chocolate sure I will grate the chocolate myself LOL

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Dude, I'm with you. Whatever Jeff wants, man. *g*

Glad you liked it!!!!

[wendy.livejournal.com]

"Now it's a date," he said

I'm so flail-ey, I don't even know what to SAY.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

I AM SO IN LOVE WITH WRITING THEM, WENDY!!!!!

[wendy.livejournal.com]

And that means you will do MORE SOON, riiiiight?

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

I can't see how I'm NOT going to write more with these two. They're just that damn cute together.

[wendy.livejournal.com]

Oh thank goodness. *encourages*

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

*giggles* Your icon says it all, man.

But, seriously, I'm dying to know about how this 'first date' went. *g*

[shutyourface.livejournal.com]

But. But where's the rest? Is there more? There needs to be more. Like, yesterday. Or just, y'know. Real, real soon.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

As I told, uh, someone, earlier - I would REALLY love to write more with these two. But I'm really far behind on fics right now, so it might be a bit.

However, I'm dying to know how that first date goes, so, hopefully I can get back to them SOON.

Glad you liked it!!!

[lj_stowaway]

Hee! This is cute! (omg did I just say that about Mayhem??? I blame JDM. Yep. That's it.)

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Dude, you TOTALLY just read & liked Mayhem fic. \o/ *g*

But yes, I do. Blame Jeff, I mean. Jeff makes everything better.

[koneko-meow.livejournal.com]

This is very cute. Love Chad, and JDM's reaction to the scarf.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Dude, you totally know that Chad's just dumb enough to try to get a girl something practical as a gift. Oh, Chad...it's a good thing you're pretty. *g*

[moosesal.livejournal.com]

*happy sigh* Very sweet.

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much!!! They really do make a surprisingly cute couple. *g*

[geneli4.livejournal.com]

dude, this is so fun! *twirls you* i totally wish i'd read it sooner!

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

YAYE!!!!

I do so love the idea of Jeff & Chad just sort of randomly hooking up. *g*

[hollywood-r-bin.livejournal.com]

I can't believe there isn't more of this pair here. OMG! so cute :D

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

I can't believe there isn't more of this pairing, either. They just work so well together in my head. *g*

Thanks for reading!!!

[phantomas.livejournal.com]

Ohh, I like it! :D
Very casual but with a strong undercurrent of attraction and flirting..*sits and waits for more*

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, baby!!!!!

I am so in love with the idea of these two together. :)

[phantomas.livejournal.com]

Me too ;)

I confess to liking CMM (me shallow! me proud of it!) but keeping it quiet, although I only watched the first ep of OTH, couldn't stand it, LOL

I am intrigued by CMM's 'fame', and at least, the 'media' personality of both these guys is such a perfect 'romance' match, isn't it?
(could I use any more quotes, lol)

:D

[azewewish.livejournal.com]

Hey, if liking Chad is shallow, I'll wallow in the kiddie pool with you. ;) And the only two things I've seen him in are HoW and an episode of CSI. *g*

Plus, like you, I really love the dichotomy of how he's portrayed in the media vs. his actual interviews, where he seems sort of awkward & shy. It's fun to write.