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Lukey had always loved the holiday season. Despite his aversion to the cold, it became a reason to get close to someone for warmth. Then, came the colorful Christmas lights and decorations popping up all over the cities and towns, making his night walks even more enjoyable. But, if he was really getting into the nitty gritty of why he loved the season... it was probably because everything about it made it easier to form human connections. He, as a social butterfly, loved the ease in always having an ice breaker—Christmas—and how it became a reasonable excuse to buy someone a drink or shy away from boring business talk. That was of course, before he'd met Pangi. Who knew a connection made in 3 months time could change everything he’d loved about a season?
If Pangi was a surprise, then him saying that he was able to spend this Christmas with him was like wrecking ball into the carefully crafted house of cards Lukey had built for himself. Except… he was kind of excited.
The Osborn clan had, more or less, heard about this mysterious friend of his that he’d only known this year. If not because of Pangi’s prominent place in his contacts, then from his social media—and if not through there, from his sister. Somehow, she always knew things.
So, when they both showed up to the family house in Somerset, two holiday jumpers of similar sizes greeted them along with the various grins and knowing smiles from the rest of Lukey’s family. He was glad at how easily Pangi had blended into the hustle and bustle of such a large household. He’d been nervous that they would intimidate him, but after hearing his name and the word “hamster” in the same breath, Lukey knew there was nothing to worry about.
The day soon became a whirlwind.
Lukey and Pangi were separated by the family almost immediately. Lukey was whisked away under the excuse of helping take out the decorations and household chores that were left over by everyone else, while Pangi was given the title of honored guest and entertained by the various Osborn siblings who had too many things to gossip talk about. It wasn’t lost to Lukey the mischievous glints that danced in their eyes, but what could he do, his parents seemed to be along for the plan. Who made him a busybody during the rest of the year and constantly making breakthroughs that disallowed him from coming home as often as he’d liked?
In the giant family room, laughter and cheers constantly rang throughout the rest of the house as Pangi’s natural charisma entertained them all. While at every other part of the house, Lukey was interrogated in length about this new person whom they had only heard about through snippets and photos.
This continued on until the evening where everyone seemed to converge under the smell of good food into the too small a dining room, to which everyone once again congregated into the family room. It was well decorated now—which took Lukey by surprise—green garlands hung everywhere there was space, lights blinking on occasion like fireflies hidden between the tufts of green and behind colorful baubles, and candles had been lit around the room coating the room in a soft scent of vanilla and spice. It felt so overwhelmingly comfy.
As they ate, Christmas music played in the background, the already lively atmosphere turned even more festive. Although the food was eaten, the questions in turn started flying as all the couples had gathered together… of course, the two boys weren’t excluded.
“So, Lucas!” Lukey looked up from the pie he was destroying on his plate, a sense of anticipation running through his veins. He was distinctly reminded of when he was at Scott’s Halloween party, the only difference being Pangi was with him this time. “We’ve heard a lot from Sem that you and him aren’t a thing yet, what’s taking so long?”
That was not what he was expecting. The fork in his mouth suddenly became more interesting than the pairs of eyes glancing at his direction. Pangi wasn’t much help, from the corner of his eye, he could see the Dutchy taking a verrry long gulp of whatever he’d loaded his mug with. Lukey hoped it was eggnog.
He coughed, dropping the fork back onto the plate and covering his mouth with a fist, before chuckling. “What do you mean?”
“Come on Lucas~, you can share. We won’t judge.” Bullshit.
“Well um—haha—I kinda already thought we were?” The gasps and ooo’s echoed throughout the family room. Lukey saw the nod of approval from his dad, which felt like a load lifted off his shoulders. He turned to the culprit. Pangi was still mid-drink. “Aren’t we, Sem? We had plans after Christmas and everything, celebrating the New Years together and what not. Unless…”
Lukey set his plate down and leaned back on his hands, the signature smirk forming on the corners of his mouth, as he threw the hot potato to Pangi. Two can play at this game.
Like clockwork, all the curious eyes moved to the Dutchman who’s face was still covered by the festive mug. He sputtered and coughed, drawing a laugh from everyone in the room, Lukey included.
Pangi set down the mug and quickly wiped the white mess off his face. It was definitely eggnog.
“Uh, I mean… yeah, I guess?” Pangi ran a hand through his hair, chuckling. He looked adorable being nervous in the spotlight, Lukey couldn’t help but smile, to which he quickly hid behind a sweater paw. “But, it’s not like we’ve kissed or anything.”
That was the last thing Lukey heard before he suddenly found himself in his loose Christmas jumper, a defeated but fond smile hung on his face. A string of colorful incandescent lights hung off his body, along with lengths of silver tinsel that didn't match, and baubles of various shapes and colors. He looked utterly ridiculous—as if the spirit of the holidays vomited on him—but the dumbfounded look of awe on Pangi made it all worth it. His heart melted into a warm feeling in his chest and Lukey wanted to do nothing more than share it with this boy who had captured his heart from the moment they met. He stepped forward, a smiling frown on his face with arms reaching out as far as they could towards Pangi, palms upward in invitation.
Pangi slowly blinked at him, brows raised in question. Lukey nodded his head. They closed the space between them, their eyes mere inches away and breaths mingling, foreheads touching, but not quite hugging.
“You look… Christmas-y.” Pangi managed to say, but quickly laughed it off. Lukey rolled his eyes, his hands found Pangi’s and slotted their fingers together.
“Is this the rumored ‘rizz’ by the ‘Pang’ I’d been hearing all about?” Lukey asked as he leaned closer, eyelids fluttering as their noses touched.
Pangi’s breath hitched. “Lucas… your family—”
Lukey nodded quietly, his mouth opening in guided whisper. “The mistletoe, Sem…”
Pangi's eyes widened, the glow of realization on his face comparable to the lights around them.
“How did you know?” He whispered back, but didn’t pull away.
Lukey rolled his eyes, finding it adorable at how much Pangi had to learn about his family. “You think I don’t know my siblings?”
The Dutchman shrugged before stepping back, their hands falling apart as Pangi took the bundle of herbs from behind him and loosely tucked the festive sprigs into the collar of his sweater. Then he felt warm, soft lips on his as hands cupped his jaw.
The Christmas music that had been playing in the background drifted away as Lukey pulled Pangi closer by his waist and deepened the kiss. This was the undeniable rule of Christmas, right? A kiss in the presence of a mistletoe.
The corners of his mouth rose as he continued to kiss Pangi… Christmas came early.
They had fallen asleep on the couch together. The bundle of Christmas lights lay coiled around Lukey’s feet, while the tinsel wrapped loosely around his neck and around Pangi’s hand. Lukey lay crookedly against the corner of the couch, sandwiched between Pangi, who lay against his chest, and the sofa’s arm. His head leaned inwards, his nose just above the Dutchman’s hair, a smile lingering on his sleeping face.
SNAP!
The sound of a camera cut through the room.
“Shhhhhh! You’re gonna wake them!” A cacophony of hushed whispers and held back laughter followed. “Don’t they look so cute?”
There was a murmuring of agreement.
“Hand me a blanket.” There was a snicker. “Welcome to the family, Sem! I hope Lucas remembers to warn you of our shenanigans next time.”
A thick blanket settled over the two boys. It only seemed to draw them closer together.