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The peppermint-sweet air aggravated him as much as the blinking lights that shimmered around the room. iTrapped’s gaze shifted to the couch, eyes wandering over the furniture with an unimpressed look. He observed as Chance draped across the edge, grinning over at him. He normally didn’t celebrate. Yet the other had managed to squeeze a tree into the house, forcing him to help adorn the limbs with candy canes and ornaments. The surroundings were undeniably cozier with lights and tinsel; iTrapped would’ve called him out for covering everything in sight with decorations—their 'bachelor pad' spread with different levels of reindeer vomit, but he was too busy looking over at their relaxed form.
“We going out tonight?” Chance’s words were insistent, and iTrapped knew it wasn't a question—he’d have to go anyway, so he let out a long sigh, pivoting to grab his jacket.
He found it curious how smitten Chance was with getting the full Christmas experience. He watched the other gleefully grab a jacket, already walking out the door and into the elevator. iTrapped trailed behind, with half of the other’s excitement. The soft jingle of the elevator doors closing echoed around them, and as they neared the first floor, the distant sound of cars and music drifted through the gaps. His eyes moved to Chance, examining the smile on his lips.
“Are you always this way during the holidays?” iTrapped emitted, the tone half irritated, annoyance lost to the other person. “Nah. I’m just glad I finally get to spend it with you.” iTrapped paused, his eyes examining Chance for a moment, before the elevator’s door opened and he followed after them.
“...Where are we going, then?” iTrapped’s vision moved over his surroundings as they walked along the city sidewalk, the air cold, as a light foggy smoke left his words at the temperature. Chance only gave an amused sound, grabbing his wrist and pulling him along. “Today is the last day of the winter fair, since it’s Christmas Eve.” iTrapped let the other pull him along, only pausing once the other had stopped, taking in the sight.
“Oh.” The whole square had been completely redecorated for the season, trees and ground covered in a light layer of cotton white snow, the booths in the area visited by groups of families, friends, and couples—iTrapped’s face dusting a light pink as his eyes turned to the other’s hold on his hand, noting they definitely seemed like the latter of the options. Chance tilted his head with an untroubled smile. “So? What do you think?”
“There’s a... lot of people,” iTrapped’s voice was slightly out of breath, eyes moving across the heavily decorated fair, the sight truly like something out of a movie. “...are those reindeer mugs?” His eyes landed upon a kiosk, and with delight, Chance pulled him along to the kiosk, looking over the ceramics. “Aw, look. They have headbands!”
They walked to another kiosk, now sporting matching reindeer headbands—Chance’s request—the tent holding rows upon rows of different-sized skates. iTrapped’s head turned to Chance, his lips pressing into a thin line. “I haven’t skated in ages.” Chance grabbed a pair of skates his size, sliding another pair to iTrapped with an unconcerned expression. “And I haven’t skated at all before. Come on, maybe you’ll remember when we’re on the ice.” He paused, fluttering his eyelashes in a way that made iTrapped want to pummel him. “…Please?”
—
With a reluctant breath, iTrapped stepped onto the outdoor ice rink, the largest attraction of the fair, his skates sliding around as he faced Chance. The gambler took one step onto the ice, attempting the same level of conviction as iTrapped had in his skates, only to stumble and catch the wall, a nervous chuckle leaving him. “Uh, that was not as easy as it looked.” iTrapped only snorted in amusement, taking the other’s hand. “Come on. We’re blocking the other skaters.” Chance seemed oddly pleased at the prospect of skating with the other, and if iTrapped was less distracted by their eye-catching smile, he’d have been more embarrassed.
iTrapped turned and skated alongside Chance, their grip deathly tight in an attempt to stay upright, as iTrapped pulled them with him at an even pace. He’d forgotten how nice it had been to go ice-skating, the last time he’d gone being years ago—with his old friends. His eyes moved to the gambler’s, watching as he slowly gained confidence in his skating, their grip slightly loosening. “I think I’ve got it!-” Chance stumbled once he’d finished the words, a yelp leaving his throat as he attached himself to the other to prevent himself from falling. iTrapped nearly toppled at the action, only barely managing to stabilize himself and the other, as a sheepish grin landed on Chance’s face. “...Nevermind.” iTrapped could feel a small smile curl onto his lips despite himself, and the other began to skate once more, albeit slowly. He watched as they skated ahead for a moment, before following after him.
Once the sky started to darken, the light blue hue turning a warm orange, they stepped off the outdoor rink and returned to a bench to take off their skates, the music on the speakers fading into the background. Chance set their skates to the side as they slid on their shoes, eyes turning to iTrapped to examine the other as he untied his skates. “You cold?” iTrapped’s gaze moved to the gambler, observing. Despite Chance’s best attempts to hide it, he could tell the other was freezing, and as he finished equipping his shoes, he lifted his skates and stood. “Let’s go get hot chocolate, I’m thirsty.” Chance blinked at the sudden request, nodding. “Alright, ‘Trap.”
The two of them stood in front of the kiosk as the night seemed to melt into the sky, the lamps around having turned on. He watched as Chance sipped on his hot chocolate, iTrapped holding a water of his own, before grabbing a paper bag from the kiosk counter—one that was carrying a pastry covered in hardened chocolate sauce and crushed peppermint. He took it out and had a bite, the two of them beginning to walk once more. The booths around them seemed to be closing, people packing up their goods, while they walked along the path towards Chance’s place. “There aren’t as many people,” iTrapped observed, noting the emptier streets, only interrupted by one or two people walking along now and then. Chance took another sip of his drink, humming in agreement. “Yeah, most people are probably back home with their families.”
iTrapped’s eyes observed the other’s even expression as the two of them walked into the building, curious. “You normally spend Christmas with your family?” Chance watched, his gaze neutral, smile unrevealing. “Do you?” iTrapped stepped into the elevator alongside him, his eyes turning away at the words. “...Fair enough.”
When the two of them had returned, Chance had left to find the presents he’d hidden prior, wanting to slide them under the tree before it got too late, whilst iTrapped had taken a brisk shower and changed into more comfortable clothing. Now lounging on the couch opposite the TV, head laid on one of the pillows, he watched as the television played some cheesy Christmas movie he couldn't care less about, before his eyes moved to the tree. He observed as Chance slid the presents under—the sounds of the city were still audible through the window, bars filled with people celebrating and drinking the night away.
“I’m surprised you didn’t have a party this year, with how ‘festive’ you’ve been,” iTrapped mused, watching as Chance stood up straight and walked over, sitting next to him and leaning back into the couch, arms stretched behind his head. An easy smile melted onto his lips as his eyes moved to iTrapped’s. “About that...” He raised an eyebrow at Chance’s words, pausing.
“...You’re dragging me to one again, aren’t you?” Chance patted his leg with mock pity, their smile morphing into a toothy grin. “It’s next week, at that one pizza place we went to last week. Elliot invited me.” iTrapped’s gaze narrowed at the words, yet he didn’t protest as Chance slid onto him. “Elliot? The pizza guy?” Chance buried his face into the other, a content sound leaving his throat, as iTrapped slotted his hand over the other’s back, letting the other lie on him without complaint. Chance’s head tilted up to rest on the other’s chest, noticing the other’s sour expression, amusement melting into his tone. “Yeah. You’re not jealous, are you? You know you’re my plus one.” iTrapped only let out an irritated noise at his accusation, looking away. “I’m not jealous, you just go to too many parties. And drag me along. It’s annoying.” Chance hooked his finger over the edge of his sunglasses, sliding them onto the coffee table, before peering back at iTrapped. Their irises trailed over his face, trying to discern whether he really was upset or not. iTrapped only exhaled heavily in response, cupping the other’s face and pressing a light kiss to his lips, before leaning his head back into the pillow. The clock on the wall ticked to the number twelve, and with a reluctant turn of his eyes, iTrapped spoke. “...Merry Christmas, Chance.” The gambler moved his head back down onto the other, eyelids heavy. “Merry Christmas, iTrapped. Thanks for still being here.” The light flutter of snow rested upon the balcony as the weather picked up, as if nature itself controlled the timing. Christmas was easier to stomach with him in his arms.