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“Say,” Lune whispered in a very low voice, reaching up on her tiptoes to be close to Sciel's ear, “did they both really have to come? I thought going to a Christmas market fell under date activities.”
Sciel lightly hit her girlfriend's side. “They're our friends!”
“Yeah, and despite their combined intelligence, they're also stupid. I don't want to be the third wheel the whole time.”
“Technically, Gustave was going to be our third wheel. If anything it's mercy to allow Verso to come.”
“A very personal definition of mercy, then…” Lune mumbled.
Sciel raised her head immediately when she heard a voice ask earnestly, “is everything alright?”
It was Verso, the taller man putting his hands in the pockets of his fashionable coat. Unlike Gustave, he had opted for warmth and fashion. Gustave had a Decathlon wintercoat and looked more like an engineer on a ski trip than a distinguished Parisian youth.
“Yeah,” Gustave chimed in, “we barely made it two steps into the Christmas market before you, well, stopped.”
Sciel shook her head and began to walk away in defiance, Lune following her. “And now everything's good," Sciel lightly commented. "It was just…”
Hmmmmm.
“...girl things?”
Both men nodded, Verso even mouthing 'yeah, that makes sense' and she inwardly cheered. What luck that they both had sisters and had long learnt to stop asking!
“I still think it's a bad idea,” Lune whisper-shouted as their small group made their way through the Christmas market, the girls in front and the boys a short step behind. Red and green lights front all around them. “You know how Gustave can get,” her girlfriend added, side-stepping by a deer statue.
Sciel bit back a wince. It was harsh, but true.
Gustave, bless his soul, had a tendency to be… well…
At the same time, Sciel distantly heard Verso ask conversationally,
“I heard about your sister's new position. Congratulations! You must be proud, and she must be overjoyed.”
“Ah, uh, yes.” Gustave replied in the straightest, most monotone voice ever. And then said absolutely nothing else. The silence hung as heavy as lead, and Verso looked a bit lost.
And it honestly would have been funny if it was not a bit depressing.
This was, after all, how it would go every single time: Verso would make polite conversation. Gustave, overjoyed as he was, would somehow lose all manners of decency and act like an unfeeling robot. A particularly mean, asocial and silent robot, at that.
And then, when Verso would inevitably stop their silent “conversation,” Sciel was guaranteed that come the evening she would be met with a dozen voice messages from Gustave complaining and whining about his failures when it came to romance.
As entertaining as this dance was: it was getting old.
Lune probably guessed that Sciel was tempted to be a matchmaker judging by the look in her mischievous clear eyes (a kindness for all of them, really) because she diverted her attention elsewhere.
Sciel got a foreboding sensation when she saw her girlfriend eye with a bit too much interest a wood-burning stand nearby, with a scent of burnt embers and splinters flying around the enclosure like snowflakes.
“Ohhhh,” Lune said out loud, catching the boys’ attention. “I didn't know they offered for people to make them themselves!”
Verso nodded with a smile while Gustave threw not-very-discrete glances his way.
“Want to give it a try?” Verso asked their group.
Sciel looked at the price (though Verso would probsbly offer to pay for all of them). The time required (not that long). And then she was reminded of much too long afternoons helping her father and grandmother work away on wood inside of their shelf during boring, rainy afternoons in the countryside.
“Uh, I think I'll pass,” she said diplomatically.
It was, somehow, the correct answer.
“Great!” Lune answered and her warm, beautiful brown eyes crinkled. Her golden makeup glinted with the flames of the candles hanging from the stand. Lune even clapped her hands in an adorable manner. “I can make you a gift! It will be a surprise!”
“Oh, really?” Sciel replied, one hand above her chest as if she was touched, which really meant, “and you're leaving me alone with these two when they're incapable of having a conversation?”
“It'll be an early Christmas gift,” her girlfriend nodded, closing her eyes serenely. “You want to play wingman; I'd rather shoot myself in the foot.”
And then Lune sauntered on her merry way to the vendor without saying anything else, under Verso's amused and intrigued gaze and Gustave's beginning of a frown.
“Lune's already leaving us?” Gustave said while rubbing the sleeves of his winter coat, but it sounded a bit more like a desperate whine.
“I'm sure we can all three find something to do.” Sciel replied, just happy she was not stuck cutting woods. Then an idea came to her head. “Or…” she drawled conspiringly, elbowing Gustave, “maybe I can find my own gift for Lune, and you guys can do something tog-”
“Absolument not!” Gustave instantly shouted in a panic, drawing eyes on their little group, the young man himself not aware of the way Verso's genuine smile became wan.
Sciel felt like face-palming.
Instead she yanked harshly on Gustave’s sleeve and whispered, “what are you doing?”
“What?” he quacked, like he really could not fathom what he did wrong.
She looked at him with wide, disbelieving eyes. “Verso obviously wants to do something with you! Now's your chance!”
“Now's my-?” Gustave shook his head, a blush forming on his cheeks. “He doesn't like me all that much I, I am so sure you're lying.”
“Gustave…” she groaned before letting go of his arm and watching him stumble back.
She wanted to call Verso and salvage Gustave’s… lack of a relationship with the other man, but it seems he had left when they started to whisper in front of him. All fellow Christmas market enjoyers stood around, blocking their path and their field of vision.
She sighed. “I should've seen it coming.”
“Where did he go?” Gustave asked in a small voice.
“My guess is as good as yours.”
Gustave looked equally nervous and sad. He had not even wiped the snowflakes from his glasses.
“I messed up again…” he mumbled while dragging a gloved hand over his face, messing it up further.
At least the beanie made him look cute.
It was only because she loved him very much that Sciel bit back her words enough to kindly reply, “you did, Gus. But it's okay.”
“I just see him, and, and… my mind…” he made a gesture of explosion with his hand, mouthing ‘pow.’
She laughed. “Yeah, trust me, I can see that.”
They began to walk around, without aiming to follow any direction in particular, and merely basking in the ambiance. Though she was visibly much happier than he was. Hoping to lift his spirits, she looked around with these optics and quickly noticed a drink stand offering non-alcoholic beverages.
“Hey,” she called as she pointed a finger in its direction, “I bet I can find something to cheer you up.”
Gustave stood still, looking at his snowed-in boots with a dejected stare, snow falling over his hair and beanie. “I'm a mess…” he murmured.
“No you're not. You're just the most dramatic man in a country of very dramatic people. I'm gonna get us hot chocolate, yeah?”
He did not reply. This was either a good or bad sign.
She breathed in deeply, clutching at the strap of her tote bag. It would be a good idea, she hoped. Who was not cheered up by some hot chocolate?
“Do not,” she stressed out, “move, got it? I'll be right back…”
A tiny “Verso…” to the wind was her only reply.
It was quick work for her to get two (ridiculously expensive) mugs of (also ridiculously expensive) Christmas hot chocolate, but she figured that if it helped get her moronic friend with his crush, she would get a satisfying enough feedback.
Of course, as one could guess by now, as she made her – careful – way back to her friend, narrowly avoiding bumping into strangers, Gustave had disappeared.
Sciel just stared for a little while with her two steaming drinks in hands.
“I had three friends…” she grumbled under her breath.
She figured out that perhaps one of the three had texted her.
She set the mugs on one of those high tables scattered all around the Christmas market and fished out her phone. No matter how many times she tapped on the screen, it still proved that she had no messages from either of the three.
But Sciel was nothing if not determined. The idiots could play hard to get, but she was an even more stubborn idiot.
She grabbed the drinks securely, making sure her gloves prevented her from burning herself, and walked with resolve through the alleys of the market, trying to find the boys. She was pretty sure that Lune was nowhere near finished, anyway, given her lack of response…
She walked past the giant Christmas tree, past a group of children looking enthralled by a dance recital, then through the aisles of the handmade sections. She silently wondered why Paris was this big of a city, and most importantly why it seemed that there were dried fruit stands in every convention and market ever.
By chance, a voice called her name.
She turned around and saw Verso waving his arm.
“Verso!” She said, and made her way over slowly.
He was holding a mug of drink – mulled wine, given the smell – and downed it as she approached.
“Sciel! I… ah, pardon me, I thought Gustave would be with you.”
She assessed his expression, but as usual it gave nothing away. “He left me to… I don't know, to wander or something. You know how he is.”
Verso chuckled humourlessly with a longing in his eyes. “Yes,” he said in a soft voice. “I know.”
Her heart hurt for him. She hated being reminded of how genuinely sweet the two men's romance was. If only Verso was not oblivious and Gustave a fool!
“So,” she attempted to switch topics. “Want hot chocolate?” She raised one mug towards him.
His eyes lit up somewhat. “Oh,” he said with wonder, “Alicia had asked to bring her one of these mugs!”
“Then I'm happy to help.”
“Here,” Verso said as he switched their mugs, “that way you can still get the deposit.”
It was… actually really thoughtful.
“Oh, I hadn't thought of that, thanks.”
He nodded politely while sipping on the hot chocolate. It had to be lukewarm by now, but he made no comment.
His eyes were fixed on the stand behind them. The vendor sold a variety of homemade little plushies. He was looking fondly at the dogs.
“So… looking to treat yourself, or… someone else?”
He did not even attempt to deny it. “I wanted to get Gustave something, since he's so… well jarred doesn't seem like a very appropriate word, but he always is so uncomfortable when I'm around. I do consider him a friend, and I'd like to think we are friends.”
This was both sweet and a bit pathetic. Especially the sad wolf-puppy eyes to punctuate his statement, and the longing on a twin pair of dog plushies.
Sciel pushed the mugs in Verso's hands and began to text.
“What are you-?” He attempted to ask.
“Hush. Give me one second.”
‘gus,’ she typed out. ‘come quick. meet me at the ice rink entrance.’
With that done, she pushed Verso's back and forced him to walk down the path.
Verso obliged with a slightly confused frown to his eyebrows, drinks in hands and being manhandled by someone he was obviously physically strong enough to not be manhandled by, yet let himself be so.
“Where-?” He tried to say meekly.
“Hush! I'm doing something for your sake!”
She had to stop harassing the poor man to look at the signs, and she figured that since he was about to meet with the love of his life bumbling idiot he had a stupid crush on, she could be kind and relieve him of the mugs.
Verso still appeared extraordinarily confused as she took the mugs back from him.
“OK,” Sciel said slowly. “Now, you follow me. Got it?”
He nodded automatically. “You're not going to tell me where-?”
She turned around, hoping that Gustave had been far away enough from the ice rink that they would all meet right on time. She could almost picture it already. The two lovers seeing one another from afar, the white doves, the choir of children, the benevolent face of an overpriced Santa costume...
She walked up front quickly. “We don't have time for that! Do you know how crowded this place can get?”
It was a short walk over to the ice rink, blessedly. She almost weeped at the sight of soft brown curls tucked into a beanie.
“Gustave!” She cried out.
He turned and waved at her carefully.
“Thank God,” she continued, walking until she was right in front of him. “I have a great plan. But first, take that,” and she handed him the hot chocolate.
Judging by his face as he drank, it was less than tepid but she ignored it. And him.
“It's a bit c-”
“I don't care,” she said cheerfully. “I have found the perfect activity for you and our dear Verso to do. Together. Hopefully that way you two can be closer, and-”
Gustave looked around nervously, shivering a bit because of his bare neck from his coat. “With Verso? He's here?”
“What do you mean ‘he's here'? Can't you see he's-”
But she looked to her side and saw that she was effectively alone.
At the same time her phone chimed with a notification.
‘Sorry,’ Verso had texted, ‘I'll be right back! I found the perfect gift!’
Sciel stared at her screen.
“I'm going to kill him.”
“Sciel…?”
“He’s going to be so dead they'll only find his ashes.”
Gustave was looking at her with barely concealed fear.
“...are you talking about Verso?”
She shook her head and sighed. “Who cares now. Anyway, what about you? Any reason you ran out faster than the wind, earlier?”
His cheeks were very red. “I just… needed space. Hm.”
“To think about Verso, I'm guessing. Making space for your big gay thoughts, and all that.”
“Ah! Sc-Sciel! Don't say it like that!”
“Dude, Gus, Gustave, I am saying this because I love you,” she slapped his shoulder and pinched, hard, even through the layers, “you need to get a grip.”
He looked offended, his glasses sliding down with his wide hands gestures. “I don't need to get a grip!”
“You absolutely do. It's painful to see.”
She tightened up her scarf. Even with the warmth of the crowd, the weather had gotten colder. Gustave looked both chilly and unconvinced. She was tempted to sigh again.
And then, because where diplomacy failed, countermeasures had to be taken, she quipped as a last resort: “oh and by the way, Verso thinks you hate him.”
Gustave spluttered, hazel eyes wide. “W-what? No he doesn't.”
“He absolutely does." She said, not too unseriously. "He's only staying around because he likes you, and is trying his best. For all of our sakes, free that poor man.”
“But…” Gustave looked lost. Like a kitten. A sad, wet and pitiful young kitten covered in snow dripping down his brown hair and over his glasses. “Why would he think that? Do I… do I come off as hateful, or…?”
Breathe in and out, Sciel. In and out.
She looked him square in his big pathetic eyes.
“Gustave. You're always trying to leave the room when he enters, always making – admittedly funny – but very dry and sarcastic jokes, and the way your smile drops in panic when he looks at you probably doesn't help your case.”
“I…” Gustave did not know what to say.
Then, a tentative flush made his way up his bare neck.
“You… you said that he likes me?”
Sciel laughed kindly. “Oh my Lord, yes. So much. I can't believe you haven't noticed by now.”
His voice was strangled, his hair falling over his eyes. “You really think I have my chances with… with him?”
She patted his shoulder. “Go for it, atta boy.” She then shrugged, wincing a bit. “Although… maybe not now. I don't know where he has run to.”
He looked a bit dejected still, but there was hope gleaming in his eyes.
“But since we're by the ice skating rink, wanna go for a bit with me? Lune hasn't replied to me yet.”
Gustave smiled even as he shook his head. “I think I want to wait. And do it as a couple activity.”
“Oh, daring, I like that.”
He was starting to become a blushing mess. “Ah, don't, hm, don't mention it. Maybe he'll say no.”
She had the feeling Verso would not say no, but it would be useless to say it to Gustave. Her friend would only be satisfied with the proof.
“I'll be on my way,” she nodded. “I'll try to text Lune.”
He waved. “See you later, Sciel!”
“Bye, Gus. And… good luck…” she winked.
His face erupting in flames almost made the entire ordeal worth it.
She got rid of her last mug and got the deposit back quickly, then strolled quietly around the Christmas market, the snowflakes falling down over her hair and blurring the string lights of the decorations. The snow dampened the footsteps and the atmosphere got much quieter.
She got a raclette sandwich to share with her girlfriend and took a bite while attempting to understand the thread of messages Lune had left her.
It was not that Lune was particularly bad at directions, but… hum… she tended to not be aware or to completely forget about various obstacles on the way, and while very cute, it was also terribly distracting.
‘I can't find you,’ Lune had texted.
‘there is a gigantic snowman next to me. &a tree singing jingle bells. you cant miss it.’
‘The white or blue snowman?’
‘there are two??’
Sciel took another bite and quickly texted before Lune could answer, ‘ignore the previous message. white snowman. very loud jingle bells.’
“Sciel!”
The woman looked in the direction of the shout and was graced with a vision from Heaven itself.
Lune in her cute puffy winter coat, adorable white earmuffs and matching white fingerless gloves against her long black ebony hair, triumphantly approaching her with her burnt wooden creation and a smile that could bring light on the darkest of nights.
Sciel closed her eyes. Oh, thank you God.
Her girlfriend greeted her with a kiss, her lips warm against her own, tucking her head into her neck for a quick hug. Sciel sighed with contentment.
“I love you,” Sciel said against the skin of Lune's neck.
She could feel her girlfriend's laughter through her chest. Best feeling ever…
“Are you going to show me what you did?” Sciel mumbled happily.
Lune chuckled. “That would ruin the point of a Christmas present, no?”
“Fair enough…” But she would have loved to know the reason why her girlfriend was gone from her sight…
Urgh, she needed to stop sounding like a depressed, yearning gay. That was more Verso's thing.
She pecked Lune on the lips once more because she could.
“Um, mon amour,” Lune tentatively asked, “was everything okay with the boys?”
“They're idiots who can't see that they love each other.”
Sciel breathed into Lune's conforming lily perfume. Much better…
Her girlfriend was oddly silent.
Sciel lifted her head. “What? Normally you're all for calling men stupid.”
Lune was looking at a point over their shoulder, a curious glint in her dark brown eyes. “Well, it's just that I'm not sure we can call them stupid this once.”
Sciel immediately straightened up to her full height at the implication. “What? What do you mean? What are you seeing?”
Lune merely nodded her head in the direction of the ice rink, towards a part farther away from other skaters.
Two solitary figures stood, away from everyone else, like they were in their own little bubble.
She noticed Gustave first. The shorter man was laughing brightly, a healthy flush from both cold and happiness on his cheeks as he skated along the rink. He was sporting a new dark green scarf.
He held hands with Verso, the taller man obviously more at ease on ice skates, making them both twirl gently. Even from a distance, his sincere smile was visible.
“Oh my God,” Sciel whispered. “Am I dreaming?”
“I wonder what made them finally act up.”
And then Verso took hold of Gustave's chin, and promptly kissed him, and Sciel (not that she would publicly admit it) squealed and hugged Lune tighter.
“Oh my God! Oh my God!”
“Chérie… I can't… breathe…”
“They actually listened to my advice. I can die in peace. This day was amazing. Oh my God, Lune, we are free.”
“I can see your happiness, yes,” Lune laughed. “Do you want to-”
But Sciel took hold of her face in the palm of her hand and angled their faces back towards one another.
“There's no reason that they get to be the only ones having fun, now,” she whispered before kissing Lune.
And Lune… Lune was happy with this development.