Chapter Text
The pair continued to skate over the next few hours, Oliver after about the third hour actually finally started to get the hang of it and could at least try and skate on his own without Arthur's help with only a few falls to follow with laughter as an end result from the both of them. Having to assist in getting the other off of the rink and to the bench to take their skates off after they had both gotten their fill of the ice, he at least wanted to follow through with another promise of the evening that he had while his brother was still gone.
"Did you have fun?"
"Once I got the hang of it... Yes, I really did. Thank you so much for inviting me, this is likely one of the best Christmas Eves in recent years that I can really remember." Despite being as cold and red-faced as he was because of the crisp winter air, Oliver was at least relieved that it covered the heavy blush that he could feel rising up into his cheeks.
"You are very welcome, I thought that you would enjoy it. As I told you earlier, this is something that is special to me and I wanted to be able to share that with you. Now, as promised. I will take the skates back, get our shoes, and get us some hot chocolate. How does that sound?"
Admittedly, it was really quite cute with Oliver immediately perked up at the mere mention of it. At least it was something that would warm him up and he would just deal with the consequences later, it was Christmas so what was the harm? "That sounds wonderful, thank you! Are you sure? I mean-- I can pay for mine at least if I need to!"
"Not at all, I told you that I would pay for you so you don't have to worry about paying me back. You paid me in cookies, remember?" Asking with a smile and a wink after he pulled off his own skates and Oliver the same, Arthur got up to take them back and to fulfill and get the prize that they both clearly had earned. After about ten minutes of waiting, Arthur returned with both of their pairs of shoes tucked under his arm and two cups of steaming hot chocolate in his hands. "Alright, here we go. Drink up!"
Oliver gladly took his own, setting it down on the bench next to him before picking up and putting his tennis shoes back on first. "I will once it cools silly." He was grinning himself, picking the cup back up before lightly beginning to tap his fingers on the soothing warmth of the styrofoam. Watching for a brief moment as Arthur did the same, before taking a seat next to his friend.
"Yes, right sorry. Wouldn't want to burn yourself, they like to make it exceptionally warm here." There was a warmth in Arthur's tone as he spoke, unconsciously tapping at the lid himself while the pair watched the other patrons on the rink from their little spot off to the side. The snow by now had ceased, leaving only the soft breeze of the winter air. He actually couldn't have asked for a more perfect evening.
"I noticed... Did you have them add marshmallows to it?"
"Of course I did. What sort of barbarian would I be if I didn't have them add marshmallows?"
"I don't know, I would question your integrity if you didn't have them add them." This was the sort of back and forth between them that Oliver loved so much, even now, it was difficult for him to even wrap his head around the mere fact that just five months ago they were practically strangers. Arthur and Alfred tasked to help him get used to their school, now he considered them to be two of his best friends. He was actually happy at this academy, he actually found himself fitting in there. He actually had friends. He wasn't the loner that he had been for so long, he didn't want to leave. If it was one thing he knew, was that the Brit next him was actually integral in all of it. He couldn't have been more grateful for his help, to the point where he felt comfortable enough to open up about his most personal issues with Arthur behind closed doors.
He had never done that with anyone else.
"I thought you might say that, I wouldn't let you down like that." Thinking that the cocoa in his hand may have at least cooled enough to drink comfortably, taking a quick sip of the warm liquid. It was still hot, but it was tolerable now. "You know... I'm glad that you decided to come with me. You deserved to have a positive and memorable Christmas Eve."
"Well... I can tell you for sure that it was. It was nice... As I said earlier, I've never really been ice skating before. What are the odds too that we actually are having a White Christmas this year as well? It was quite honestly just... Perfect is the only way that I can describe it." Oliver replied with a smile of his own, perking at the constant single buzzes of his phone in his pocket. He would check his messages later, he just wanted to remain in the moment even as he took a small sip of the hot chocolate. At least it was cool enough for him now so he could properly enjoy it.
"I... Actually don't disagree, it was nice. It was also an added bonus to get away from the usual bickering at home that happens every year."
Oliver couldn't help but giggle in return, nodding in agreement. "I... Don't disagree. They can help Mum and Pop this year, I've done enough with a lot of my time having been in the kitchen."
"Is it normal for you to want to give sweets as Christmas presents?"
"Of course it is, since I really don't get much of an allowance and I'm not working right now, it's the best way for me to get presents to those I care about since I can make a lot in one go and divvy them out. But... This is the first year since I started doing this that I've actually been able to bake for friends to enjoy."
"I imagine that was actually exciting for you. I can tell you that the cookies and fudge you gave me was wonderful."
"Don't tell me you ate all of it already."
"...Most of it to be quite honest. I had to bribe Alex with a few cookies to get him to agree to bring us."
"I didn't think my cookies were that good, but I will take that as a high compliment."
"It is a high compliment, I wouldn't let anyone else touch them. But we needed a ride and it was the only bargaining chip that I had."
"Well, to make up for your great sacrifice, I will give you a few more. I made plenty, and I made gingerbread earlier."
"I'll take the gingerbread." Arthur replied with a grin of his own, taking another long sip of his cocoa as Oliver did the same. It was still baffling to him sometimes that this bubbly, energetic kid sitting next to him was once so shy and timid, questioning everything that he did and said. The personal growth over the past months that Oliver exhibited was incredible, actually getting him to be comfortable enough to see the school counselor as well really did help him fully blossom.
"I thought you might say that, my gingerbread quite frankly is second to none."
"That I can believe you about, given how quickly your Christmas gifts have gone."
"Well... Quite honestly, I feel a little bad that I couldn't do more for you. I mean... You invited and paid for me to join you for something as wonderful as this, and all I could give you was Christmas sweets."
"I can tell you right now that you have nothing to concern yourself over, what you did was plenty. However... There is something that I wanted to ask you, and if you said yes, that would likely more than make up for you thinking that you haven't done enough." God Arthur hated that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, especially once his nerves threatened to get the better of him. It wasn't often that he got like this, taking a long drink of his hot chocolate in an effort to calm himself once again only to look over to see the look of pure confusion on Oliver's face.
"Ask me something? What did you want to ask me? Are... You alright? You look to be kinda flushed."
"Yes-- Yes, I'm fine. It's the cold you see, you're quite red yourself so it's not just me." Teasingly giving Oliver a light poke at his cheek, at least he wasn't lying when he said that he was quite red himself. He most certainly was, though his was far more likely due to the cold. His own was for a far different reason.
"That's because of the chill in the air silly. Don't try and change the subject, what did you want to ask me?"
"Alright... Well... I know that we have gotten to be quite close over the past few months, and I consider you to be a very dear friend already but..." Arthur paused for a moment as though trying to collect his thoughts, the flash of distress on Oliver's face however didn't escape his notice before quickly responding. "I'm not ending our friendship if that's what you're thinking! I was-- I wanted to-- I was wondering if you might actually consider this to be an actual... Um... Date."
"...Are you trying to ask me out?"
"NO--" Arthur stated with a quick start before realizing exactly what he was saying, sighing as he began to tap at the lid of his cup once again. "... Y-...Yes. I am. I've gotten to be quite fond of you, I just want to see you be happy and I admittedly wanted to get to you first before certain other people did. I'm not going to name names either, so don't try and get them out of me."
"..." Oliver couldn't bring himself to respond right away, if anything, he was glad and relieved that his face was already as red as it was since it hid the mere fact that it had flushed even darker by the admission to the point where his ears began to burn. "...There were others too?"
"Yes-- But that's besides the point! If you don't want to say yes, I entirely understand. I don't want to ruin our friendship just because of a stupid crush."
"...You know? I've actually had a little bit of a crush on you for a while now, I just didn't know where exactly we fell on that sort of a spectrum. So... I'm actually surprised that you like me in the same way. I mean... I didn't expect it and just..."
"You had a crush on me too?" Arthur asked, surprise ringing clear in his tone as he stared at the clearly tomato red face of Oliver's that he tried to hide underneath his scarf and the hood of his coat.
"...Yes, but I didn't want to say anything I mean--... Since Francis keeps making passes at you, I just thought--"
"He can piss right off, that boat won't sail again no matter how hard he tries. So... Now that we have gotten that out of the way... What do you say?"
"...You know? I like the idea that this was our first official date." The soft happiness in Oliver's tone was enough to melt Arthur's heart, allowing a smile of his own before reaching over with his free hand and took Oliver's hand in his own.
"To be quite honest? Me too."
"And on Christmas Eve... This was I think the best present that you could have given me."
"Quite the contrary Ollie... You did that for me. Merry Christmas."
"...Merry Christmas Arthur." Scooting closer toward his now boyfriend to where their sides pressed onto each other's, just allowing themselves to enjoy the other's company as they continued to watch the other skaters fly around the rink over the rest of their hot chocolate now mostly cool in their styrofoam cups.
It didn't matter, even though it was a day early, they both got what they truly wanted.