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Onboard the HMS Terror Captain Croizer rushed his last christmas presents.
He had spent hours on James gift using up several fabrics and threads he could find onboard both ships.
His fingers were covered in stitches as he wrote the letter he planned on sticking to the package for James.
Midways he realized he forgot something for Lieutenant Little.
At the bottom of his seachest he found a woolen hat -that still smelled quite alright- and thought it fitting for the mate.
Back at his desk he rushed another letter for Edward, taped one letter to each giftbox and went off.
He decided to place James gift inside his cabin because he thought it not fitting for everyone to see.
James surely wouldn´t mind that.
The crew had set up a shelter with fire, benches and some food they could spare for the celebration.
At the evening it was finally time to exchange gifts.
Francis looked out for James to tell him he would get his later but he was nowhere to be seen.
Edward Little was surprised his Captain thought of every officer on board gifting them some scarfs, gloves and sometimes also a blanket made from rags.
He studied the letter before opening the tiny box:
“Merry Christmas!
May this small token keep you warm and healthy out in the cold.
I think you lost yours some time ago and I thought this was a nice replacement.
It may not be as fancy as your last one but I´m sure you won´t mind wearing this on deck.
Best Wishes, F. Croizer”
Expecting another pair of gloves – which he indeed did lose some time ago - Edward opened the box and couldn´t belive his eyes.
“Captain… I.. I really don´t think I´d wear that on deck…” he stuttered with a flushed face.
“What do you mean? Is it too small? I was sure my eyes measured the size right.”
“It is not about the size..”
“Then what is it Mr. Little?” Francis was getting moody. Why would someone complain about some hat?
“It´s that... how are *those* supposed to keep me warm?”
Slowly Edward pulled some delicate lacy undergarments out of the box.
They were made out of different lace and had a big bow attached to the front of it.
It looked *nice?* even tho the rim was rather poorly stitched with some golden thread.
The rest of the crew made a sound like wild animals during mating season.
Captain Croizer dropped his drink.
Without any further ado he ripped the garment out of Edward´s hands and rushed for the Erebus.
He messed up.
No really, he messed up pretty bad and if Edward didn´t pull a hat out of his box then James….
Oh god, what would James think of his present?
He had to get there before things got worse.
Without knocking onto Fitzjames door first he bursted into the room only to find said man sitting on his chair with the woolen hat on and his big coat.
“Hello Francis. I got your present. Tho I have to say the letter was quite misleading at first.”
“Hey listen, this is no..” Francis started to explain.
“Shhht! It´s okai, I liked the twist.
You wrote that this is something not everybody should see and I was kind of confused.
But as I read further it said that you´d like to see me in only this I got the message.” he interrupted Francis with a wicked grin.
“James please, this is a misunderstanding…” Francis tried to explain.
“Oh I don´t think so.” James answered as he unbuttoned his coat revealing nothing but bare skin underneath.
If Captain Croizer still had his drink in his hand he would also drop that now.
“But tell me Captain... Whose undergarments are those?”