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'Late! I'm late! Oh, I'm dead,' thought a young man who is now running down the street which is starting to get crowded by people who are either alone, with their friends, with their families, even with their partners. The young man with the gray-green hair is now cursing himself many times, how can he be late on this important day when he proposed this.
Running as fast as he could, occasionally apologizing to the people he bumped into because he was in a hurry, John -the name of the young man - increased his pace hoping that he could get to his destination right now.
Well even though it's not entirely John's fault that he can be late like this. Blame his best friend, Sherlock Holmes, who enjoys working on cases plus invites John to experiment which John doesn't want to remember now. Not to mention that his cell phone suddenly died due to running out of battery while he was on the phone while explaining the situation to the person he had promised to meet, which made him even more panicked now.
'If I die I'll be cruising on to you Sherlock!'
The more he thought about it the more panicked he became, not to mention looking at the time on his watch made cold sweat run down his body. An hour or so and he knew perfectly well that the figure didn't like to wait. In his mind, John thought of various escape routes to escape the person's vexation. It wasn't that he was scary when he got angry, but that John didn't want to lose time with those who had become less and less.
His anxiety peaked when he saw how crowded the road he was passing was. There is nothing wrong with that in the last months of the year a lot of people want to spend time outside. And it's not the fault of the first to choose a place that is known to be crowded with visitors.
He just want to please his lover and those eye-pleasing places are in busy districts, you know?
Wait, lover?
"Louis-!"
The pomegranate bead that had been looking at his feet had now changed its direction, looking to the side. Even though the streets were so crowded, he could immediately find a voice calling his name. A voice he had memorized by heart, and the same voice he had wanted to hear from an hour ago.
Suddenly when he remembered that, he who had been preparing to greet back the call with a big smile was now replaced with an annoyed expression that was not too obvious to some people. Unfortunately, John can clearly and understand what that view means. And the nervousness and fear that he felt earlier just got worse.
Just as his feet took the last step in front of the blonde youth, John hastily stabilized his breath. Don't want to wait too long to explain what happened. His crouched position was now getting firmer, looking directly at his favorite bead who also saw him with a sharp gaze, very typical of his lover.
John swallowed slowly with force. It had been a long time since she had received this kind of bullying from Louis. Long ago, before their relationship bonded like this, he was used to being seen as just wind and then even ignored and threatened not to get close. It was only after the two of them were in a relationship that John saw another side that was so different from the usual young attitude. A sweet gesture that made John a little jealous if anyone else found out. It made John a little possessive to keep this beautiful thing to himself and Louis didn't mind that at all.
Eh, that means the lover John was referring to-
"One hour, forty-three minutes, eighteen seconds. Looks like your clock needs repair, John H. Watson."
'I'm dead!' John had guessed, but he wouldn't have thought it would be this terrible. The mentality that he had previously prepared was now shattered, melting into one in the cold sweat that was increasingly drenching his body. Every emphasis of words and piercing stares from his beloved seemed to have succeeded in destroying the military mentality that John had built so strong. Let alone carrying out the plan he had made earlier, even saying something was very difficult for him now.
It's not a good thing to be left alone for too long either. So, with all the courage that was honestly just a stick away, John managed to get his voice out. Even though it was only a low mumble which luckily could still be heard by the figure in front of him.
"Sorry, Louis. I didn't expect it to be this late."
"Hn," it seems that the pitiful gaze of a dog that has just been dumped by its owner is still not enough to melt his lover's annoyance.
"Louis, I promise this is the last time I'm late for this long-"
"That means next time it will be late again."
Seriously, why is John always stuck for ideas when faced with a situation like this?
Seeing that the situation was not going to progress for some time to come, and since John still had a lot of plans tonight for their date, it seemed that he had to be desperate. After a few seconds, however, he immediately withdrew his hand from the blonde youth who at that time seemed to be still busy with his thoughts. And he didn't waste the opportunity because the petite body of a young man who was a few years younger than him was now sweet and tight in his arms.
'All right, now or never,' without waiting for an exclamation of surprise or any other reaction, John lightly kissed Louis' cheek and forehead which was now frozen.
"I'm sorry for being late today. Even though we haven't seen each other for a few months and now I'm messing it up. Next time - no, I'll never do it again. So forgive me, Louis."
Louis didn't mean to stay angry for long. He had just been 'a little' annoyed because he thought that John had forgotten their plans for today. It was also added earlier that the phone call had dropped and was not picked up again, making his negative thoughts even more intense. Slowly, while holding back the blush that was starting to spread to her cheeks, she allowed her red bead to stare at the figure who seemed desperate to persuade her.
The pitiful gaze as well as the voice that was almost a whisper earlier was more than enough for him. And isn't he not that angry either?
"I think John forgot and intended to cancel this date-"
"There is no!" Closely the eyes of the two united, one of them was looking for honesty in the explanation he heard.
"How could I cancel something I've been waiting for for a long time? My phone battery ran out, and Sherlock kept me for experimenting after solving the case."
"Really? Doesn't John want to hurry home and sleep instead of spending time with this grumpy figure?"
"Where did that thought come from, hum? If I need to, I don't sleep at all as long as I can see the sweet face of my lover."
Even if Louis wants to reply, it seems that Louis is too embarrassed, not to mention the attitude he just thought was spoiled. Very not himself at all.
"Sorry too, John. I didn't mean to get mad at you like that."
Instead of getting an answer right away, Louis felt his forehead being kissed so gently by John. It took a long time before his lover's calming voice was heard again. "No need to apologize, Louis. There's nothing to apologize for. Don't be sad anymore okay?"
"Who's sad, stupid John," and John's wide smile returned to his face knowing that his lover was not angry anymore. 'At least this time I'm safe.'
"Then, want to continue the date?"
There was no need for a verbal reply, as a hand was tightly wrapped around his arm as if he didn't want to let go. A wish John had tonight that he didn't have to bother with first. With pleasure, the two of them are now walking, along the city streets that are increasingly crowded. Either they are lucky to choose a busy day which means the chance of the shop they are going to be open longer or the misfortune of being so crowded that their journey seems longer to reach their destination.
"Hold my tight hand, Louis."
"Ugh, yes," John glanced at his lover a little uncomfortable with the busy streets now. Understanding that Louis didn't like it that much, his eyes rolled quickly and his brain was spinning looking for a place they could use as a temporary escape.
And luckily a small tavern at the end of the street that wasn't too crowded came into his sight. "Louis let's go over there."
Louis felt the tug of his hand, confused about where John would take him. It was only a few moments before his eyes caught sight of the same place he believed to be their destination.
A building made of bricks, neither too big nor too small, with a distinctive aroma of chocolate that first wafted their noses. The warm atmosphere matched the chilly air, making the place look like a halfway house. Not many people were in the room, a smile immediately spread across their faces, and no wonder their steps then headed for a bench which was slightly in the corner, right by the window facing the street.
Great place to be alone if you ask me.
"Welcome, please the menu."
"Thank you. Now Louis, what would you like to order?"
The pomegranate bead was quick to see what was on offer. His desire seemed to want to order everything because it looked so tempting, moreover, he forgot to eat lunch and now it was almost eight o'clock at night. Not out of sight, John, who was sitting next to him, saw that view.
"Order everything, Louis."
Her cheeks turned red, knowing that the figure in front of her had been watching her all this time. "W-who wants all of them. I'll order Lasagna, with Blueberry Cheese Cake, also Hot Cocoa and Cookies only."
If they weren't outside, it was certain that those puffy cheeks would be pinched by John. 'Hahh, hold on John, hold on,' was the suggestion he'd been telling himself about half an hour ago.
"John didn't order?"
"Eh- yes, I ordered Spaghetti and Americano as well as Tiramisu."
"Okay, please wait a moment and we will deliver the order."
After the maid left, the blonde youth's expression focused on the other man, making him a little nervous to be stared at like that. "Louis?"
There was still no answer, instead, the young man's body was getting closer to him. He froze unable to move or look in another direction. All the focus is just on that sweet face and his favorite red eyes. The body kept coming closer until as John closed his eyes he could feel a small touch in his hair and the disappearance of the warmth that had approached.
"There's snow in your hair."
"Eh?" Shame on him, so don't ask again. While the perpetrator just looked at him confused while tilting his head slightly. Thinking that there was something wrong with what he did earlier, Louis decided to ask, other than out of curiosity. "I was wrong huh?"
'You are a strong man John, so resist the urge to jump now.' "No Louis, there's nothing wrong at all," the obvious difference was evident from the inside to the spoken reality. As for Louis? He still didn't believe it, he just didn't want him to force it if John didn't want to tell him.
"Ah- yes," for a moment their eyes met again, "After this, I want to take you somewhere. Louis wants to come, right?"
To Louis, it was just a rhetorical question without him needing an answer. Coinciding with that the food they ordered finally arrived. "Of course I'll go wherever John goes."
.
.
.
The streets are still congested, but not as crowded as before. All the decorative lights that have been installed have worked to their full potential, making the atmosphere less dim, on the contrary, it feels so beautiful when you walk under it. The snowflakes that were still falling although not as heavy as a few days ago did indeed make the air cold, but neither of them felt cold.
The handshake just got tighter. Even with the addition of one hand in the pocket of the young man's jacket, it did not make Louis' pale face blush. No, not from the cold, but from the nervousness that was rapidly creeping upon him.
'John is warm,' was the only thing Louis could say in his mind. It was a misfortune that he was too shy to be a free person to express his feelings. He also felt the same way when he saw his lover, who had gone to great lengths to be romantic but couldn't reciprocate.
"Louis," a soft call managed to pull his consciousness back. Lifting his head, which had been unconscious for a long time, had made John more or less worried. Even when the pomegranate bead looked back at him as usual, there was something that made the young man with the gray-green hair want to dig into its contents.
"Yes, John?"
"Look ahead, we've arrived."
Sure enough, being lost in his daydreams made Louis not realize that they had walked a long time to reach their destination. A little hill on the outskirts of town to be exact.
The plateau was they used to come. Only, Louis never realized, in this past month, at a time when many people would put up decorations making the scene he got so different from usual. The city lights that were installed became more and more, it looked like there was a layer of colorful snow there. Not to mention the original white grains that come down from above produce a perfect picture of the fairy tale world in a glass ball according to Louis.
Until then? Certainly not.
A large cypress tree placed in the center of the city made the center of all eyes looking in that direction. Many hanging decorations, large and small, also color the dark green of the tree's dense leaves. A very bright artificial star fixed sweetly at its peak. Not wanting to lose out on prestige, the big clock that the residents were proud of also chimed, right at midnight on the twenty-fifth of that month.
"Merry Christmas, Louis."
Once again, who knows how many times his gaze had to return to the figure who had moved in front of him. An existence that made Louis never get tired of always being with him, even wishing it could continue like that. His tender, soulful gaze was still etched in his favorite autumn eyes.
Louis felt a soft tug, making his body retreat backward, closer to the trees. Who would have thought that behind them there were many oak trees as well as a few apple trees? Louis felt a little strange, and it was captured well by John.
"Haha, you must be confused why there is an apple tree among these oaks, right?"
"John don't laugh. Why are they there? That's weird."
Louis could see the shake of the head. A low laugh still aired from his lover's lips. He could feel the annoyance even though it suddenly disappeared when his cheeks felt a brief kiss, just like a fire doused by cold water. The blush that had been gone for a while now returned shamelessly again, allowing John to see it.
The warm embrace was immediately carried out, and as usual, the sweet face automatically hid in the chest of the beloved. Rapidly pounding heartbeats became the rhythm that surrounded them. Louis loved it, loved it. How could he not like it if it symbolized how the feeling of his beloved figure. A taste that Louis wanted only for himself, forbidding no one else to have any of it.
Possessive right, but no one protested. The two of them enjoyed a slightly exaggerated sense of ownership with joy instead. Thinking if his partner loves him so much that he doesn't want anyone to steal glances.
"So what doesn't make them weird, John?"
His body lowered, aligning his lips on the earlobe of his lover, whispering, answering the curiosity of the owner of the red bead. "They're not weird because this is a mistletoe field, Louis. If there weren't those trees there wouldn't be such a name."
"This is the first time I've heard of such a field." His eyes darted around, looking straight up at a hanging branch with a few white grains hanging from it. A small existence that looks so pure and innocent. "But, it's really beautiful in my opinion."
"I know you'll like it, Louis." He looked very confident, no less than what Louis would expect from someone who knew exactly what he liked.
While the pomegranate was still glued to the mistletoe branch above it, John didn't miss the opportunity at all. As with tradition, more precisely the custom adopted by the community if a partner is standing under the mistletoe then the thing to do is-
"Um-"
Time seemed to stop there. No one had moved yet, one was still speechless in shock and the other was silent because he could watch the beauty of the red gem widen by his actions.
Gradually, they unconsciously closed each other's eyes. Holding each other tighter, sharing the warmth and joy that each second passes. The sensuality of the tongue dance on that snowy night slightly raised the body heat. So enjoy both of them in this 'sacred' activity. Maybe the influence is under the magic branch? No one is dizzy, for both of them wherever they are, there will also be the warmth that will follow.
The kiss slowly slipped away, leaving strands of saliva as if it was still connecting the two. Don't want to break up, just want to be connected forever. Equal to a strong bond even though it is not visible between the two. Slightly breathless, Louis tried to open his eyes, looking directly at the figure of the man he loved and also looking at him with affection.
"Classic Basics."
"But you like it, Louis," and again nothing less is expected of someone who knows his preferences.
It was a snowy night, just at Christmas that year, a pair of people who were intoxicated with love passed by. What a petty ordinary romance. Even so, it seems that this ordinary thing is enjoyed by some people. It doesn't matter what form you want to apply, what matters is how your heart puts it into practice. What is filled with all the heart will end up having feelings in it.
It won't be much different from them. A unity of taste and the heart they give to each other produce something sweet. The holy scent born of innocence and true purity is the sweetest of all. the main beauty that makes many pairs will envy because of it. Its durability would be the immortality that anyone would seek the most.
"John," this time Louis wanted to start. Say it's a gift because he's too shy to admit it. On top of that, John was already too happy about it.
"What happened my dear?"
"I am more than a mute who can never say anything good. The shortcoming I hate most is not being able to give my beloved what I most desire. And I'm lucky that the gods there don't punish me by keeping you away. this, I still can't say clearly. But, I'm not the one running out of ways to tell if,"
Stop again. So many stop them today. But, for John, in particular, this time was the culmination of all that he had been waiting for. What he had long hoped for only a second to happen, now lasted more than three seconds.
Perhaps it was true that he should thank the mistletoe around him.
"I truly love you, more than my body and soul can offer you." Who said that the kiss under the mistletoe only happened once?
"You know Louis, I think I have to thank this mistletoe. Giving me a Christmas present is at the top of my wish list, even Santa often forgets to grant it. My happiness can no longer be described in words. Not enough chapters in a novel can write it. Too big to be enough to hear. In the end, I just want you to understand in the most familiar way, the one you remember the most that even without your senses you can figure it out."
What joy must Louis feel to make him beat the current one? Too sad, feeling that he doesn't deserve all this. A real dream that he would never have imagined before. A selfish request that this he always remember became his prayer now. It's stupid if he's called greedy. Only for a John H. Watson would he do this.
"Ehehe, you haven't replied to my Merry Christmas Louis."
Yes, this is what they want to protect the most. A small dream that they have always dreamed of will come true in the future. It's also a bit of praying for the mistletoe to hear it to make it easier for them, actually.
"How impatient. But I'll forgive you this time. So," once again, for the umpteenth of the countless kisses between them,
"Merry Christmas, John."