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Apollo waited by the window of his apartment impatiently. Each minute that passed made him dread that he wouldn’t make it to Mr. Wright’s Christmas party afterall. The snow fell like a heavy curtain and piled on the ground just as thick. His ride probably got stuck somewhere on the road. This made Apollo worry. He twisted the bracelet around his wrist anxiously and was just about to pick up his phone to make a call when there was a knock at the door.
Apollo scrambled over the couch to answer but he must have took a moment too long because there was another, louder knock followed by:
“ Herr Forehead! Open the door! I’m gonna freeze to death out here!”
Apollo groaned as he unhooked the deadbolt. Typical of Klavier to be dramatic even in the wake of the worst snowstorm of the year. He pulled the door open and Klavier stumbled in rather unceremoniously. He was covered in snow from his hair to his shoes — which weren’t winter appropriate. In fact, his whole outfit was not winter appropriate and Apollo was glad he made to his apartment instead of being stranded on the road somewhere.
“Klavier, what the hell are you wearing?!” Apollo tried not to shout as he fought against the wind to shut the door.
“Oh this?” Klavier brushed the cold flakes off his shoulders and smirked, “I believe it’s called snow, Herr Forehead.”
“Okay you’re going back outside.” Apollo moved to give Klavier a shove but he was easily sidestepped.
“ Ach, I’m sorry Apollo. You just make it too easy.” Klavier teased, bending over to give Apollo a kiss on the cheek before turning to the window and letting out a sigh. “Looks like we’re stuck here for a while.”
It took a moment for Apollo to answer, distracted by the display of affection, but when he came back down to earth he nodded. “I’ll call Mr. Wright.”
“You do that. I’ll prepare us some hot chocolate and get some blankets.” Klavier weaved through the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards.
“Change out of those damp clothes while you’re at it,” Apollo waved him off while pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“Only if you rinse that gel out of your hair.” Klavier’s retort earned him an eyeroll.
“I’ll get changed myself in a second.” Apollo had the phone to his ear, waiting for Mr. Wright to pick up. He moved to his bedroom to get some semblance of a private conversation. Although, knowing Phoenix, there was a chance he’d be put on speaker so the whole party could hear.
“Hey, kiddo!”
“Oh uh, hey Mr. Wright,” Apollo answered.
“Trucy and I were just about to give you a call. Everything alright?”
“Everything’s fine but, the snow is too crazy for Klav and I to make it out there. He barely made it here to pick me up to begin with and I don’t particularly trust the roads right now.”
“Ah yeah I figured that the storm was keeping you. It’s alright. Stay home and stay warm. I can stop by with leftovers tomorrow in the afternoon if you’d like.”
“If the weather permits then sure. But, if the roads are still awful I’d prefer you stayed put. I wouldn’t want the whole family to get stuck in my tiny apartment.” Picturing Trucy, Miles, and the Feys all crowded in Apollo’s small living room for festivities made Apollo laugh a little to himself.
Phoenix laughed too, “Yeah, you’re probably right. Anyway, I’ll let you go. Trucy is holding mistletoe over Miles’ head and everyone has noticed except him. I figure someone ought to let him know.”
“I… did not need to know that,” Apollo responded lightheartedly still, “Well, have fun. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Phoenix said his goodbyes and then hung up. Apollo tossed the phone onto his bed as he unbuttoned his suit. No need to dress fancy if there was nowhere to go. And he was sure Klavier wouldn’t mind seeing him in more relaxed attire anyway.
He decided to take a quick rinse in the shower, noting what Klavier had said to him earlier. Due to the weather outside, the water took ages to warm up and Apollo was done before it even reached lukewarm. He stepped out and was sure he would freeze to death as his feet touched the cold bathroom tile. He wrapped his towel around himself as he went into his closet to find something warm to wear.
Klavier had been here before Apollo had. His damp clothes from earlier were hung up to dry among the other clothing he kept at Apollo’s apartment. This made him smile a bit, glad that Klavier was comfortable enough with him to leave his belongings here. And Apollo would be lying if he said he didn’t pull on one of Klavier’s shirts every once in awhile when he was feeling particularly lonely. He couldn’t help it. The hairspray and lavender detergent smell that clings to the fabric was calming in a way that was hard to explain.
A tinge of red showed on Apollo’s face as he thought about it.
“Schatzi, what’s taking you?” Klavier called from the living room, “Your hot chocolate is gonna get cold.”
“Getting changed!” Apollo called back, “I won’t be long.” And he wasn’t. He pulled on one of Klavier’s sweaters and a pair of pajamas, ruffled his hair dry with his towel, and was out in a heartbeat.
“There you are!” Klavier was laying across the couch, changed into a loose t-shirt and lounge pants. Two mugs were on the side table and one of Apollo’s large, spare blankets was draped over the back of the couch.
“You look comfy, Klav,” Apollo cracked a soft smile.
“Comfier with you in my arms, schatzi. ” Klavier winked and pulled Apollo down to sit with him on the couch.
“That’s…” Apollo couldn’t finish the sentence. Klavier always knew just what to say to turn him into a flustered, blushing mess. It didn’t take much.
Smiling, Klavier handed him one of the mugs, “Here you are. I added a little extra… something.”
Apollo raised an eyebrow and took a sip. He immediately understood what Klavier meant. “Rum? Are you trying to get me drunk on Christmas Eve?” He teased.
“ Nein! Of course not. I just figured that we should have at least one drink to celebrate the holidays on our own. Since we couldn’t make it to Herr Wright’s party.” Klavier took a sip from his own mug and wrapped an arm around Apollo, hand resting on his shoulder.
Apollo pulled his knees up to his chest and leaned against’s Klavier’s side, being careful not to spill his drink anywhere.
“Speaking of Herr Wright,” Klavier continued once Apollo had settled, “How did he take the news of us being trapped here?”
“Oh he was fine. He expected as much,” Apollo answered through sips, “He didn’t put me on speaker this time which was a relief. Trucy would’ve been teasing me all night.”
“I’m sure she’ll find a way to annoy you about it another time.”
Apollo sighed, “Yeah. She will.”
The next moments passed in comfortable silence as the two finished their hot chocolate, leaving the mugs on the side table to be cleaned up another time. Neither of them wanted to move from the couch and understandably so. They had made themselves at home in each other's arms, Apollo resting with his head on Klavier’s chest and Klavier carding his fingers through Apollo’s hair, which was quite soft when not styled in the usual way.
Apollo watched the snow fall outside the window. It hadn’t let up at all since Klavier arrived earlier in the evening. He didn’t entirely mind though. As much as he cared for Mr. Wright, Trucy, and the others, a quiet evening alone with his partner instead of a busy party was more favourable. The gentle rise and fall of Klavier’s chest was soothing and soon Apollo found it hard to keep his eyes open.
Klavier could tell that Apollo was falling asleep and he was well on the way himself. He pulled the blanket down and draped it over the two of them.
“Love you, schatzi.” Klavier closed his eyes, the hint of a small smile on the edge of his lips.
Apollo was half asleep already, but responded with a mumbled “love you too” before the sound of the snow on the roof eased him into drifting off entirely.