Title: the season of
Fandom: Star Trek: Voyager
Rating: G
Length: 354 words
Content notes: also for the hope prompt on my newyearcntdown table
Author notes: sequel of sorts as it also loosely ties in with colours but you don’t need to read that first and the Catherine Pulsifer quote used is from here.
Summary: Looking at the crew who were currently assembling in the room for the first Christmas speech, Neelix whispered, “What do I say? It’s not a holiday from my culture either.”

In the couple of weeks that had past since Neelix and Tuvok decorated the mess hall for Christmas. Neelix had been taking all of the credit for the work but Tuvok didn’t mind because he only attempted to fix what he still deemed to be a garish multitude of colours.

“Mr Vulcan,” Neelix said rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet as though he was nervous about something.

“Yes Neelix, what is it?”

Looking at the crew who were currently assembling in the room for the first Christmas speech, Neelix whispered, “What do I say? It’s not a holiday from my culture either.”

“I know that Captain Janeway wants you to say a few words to the crew, then she will hand out one gift to each person with the remaining gifts to be opened tomorrow.”

Neelix looked towards the doors. “Can I leave?” His nervousness over celebrating the holiday was something he hadn’t respected after he’d spoken to most of the crew about what they celebrated during the month.

Passing a small folded piece of paper to him, Tuvok said, “Use this.” Neelix unfolded it, softly smiling at the quote when Tuvok tapped a glass with a spoon to get everyone’s attention.

“I… I…. don’t really know what to say to you all, but my friend here,” a hand moving in Tuvok's direction, “gave me something to help.”

Tuvok raised an impatient eyebrow, indicating for Neelix to get on with it.

“This earth holiday isn’t something I’m familiar with but I have learned a lot about it from so many of you and I’d like to add that I’ve also learned December is the season of hope, joy, and renewal.”

A small round applause filled the room at the end of his speech. Kathryn made her way to the tree to select the smallest item from each gift bag to hand out to the crew with the rest saved for the next day when Neelix had promised a feast for the ages and a selection of seasonal movies on a holoprojector giving everyone a chance to relax between duty shifts.