A/N: Some of this was cut after I read it through for like the fifth time in a row. You can check out the original version on the link at the bottom!

Christmas time was here and you were the kind of person who got a little over festive. The day after Thanksgiving was over, you got down all of your decorations from the attic and put them up. Even though it took a lot of work, you were proud of it. You convinced yourself that your house was the best in the neighbourhood.
It was Christmas eve and you put on your green sweater, along with some leggings and fluffy boots. To top off your outfit, you put a small Santa hat on the top of your (h/c) head.
You opened the door to your house and let the cold breeze hit your face. You smiled and decided to take a quick walk around the block.
It had snowed the day before. Snow was a common thing in your country. Every winter you'd get 5 to 8 inches of snow covering the ground. Some would say it's a pain, but you enjoyed it. You watched your feet as they crunched through the frozen ice and leaves, not paying attention to whatever was in front of you. After all, you didn't need to, you knew the streets like the back of your hand.
Then, all you remembered was watching the snow, then you were on the ground looking at the dark grey clouds.
"Miss?! Are you alright?!"
Someone was yelling at you. 'Get up.' You repeated in your head, 'Get up. Get up!'
"Miss?" He kept at it.
You slowly sat up, hand on the back of your head and sighed. There was a sharp pain in your bottom and elbows.
"Are you alright?" The guy repeated.
You rubbed your elbow. It was wet and cold from touching the snow.
"I think so." You chuckled.
He held an arm out to you and smiled. You stared into his violet hues and couldn't help but smile back and take his hand.
He pulled you back up and helped you brush the snow off of your clothes.
"Thanks." You said, "Also, sorry for being such a klutz."
He laughed it off, "Don't worry about it. I wasn't looking where I was going either."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I'm sorry. My name's Tino. Tino Vainamoinen."
"Nice to meet you, Tino. I'm (y/n)." You curved your mouth into a slight smile.

That was exactly two years ago. You and Tino had bonded since then and absolutely love to hang out with each other.
What you loved to do with him was, during the holidays, you would go with him as he patrolled the streets dressed as Santa. The little kids who passed by loved to talk to him and ask him questions. He simply smiled and replied to them. Afterwards maybe telling them that they were on the nice list and/or giving them a candy cane.
The children would often ask who you were when they saw you with 'Santa'. Tino's face would brighten and he'd say, "That's Mrs Claus."
All of your 'friends' would tease you with the stupidest song.
'What was it again?' You thought, 'Oh right!'
"(y/n) and Tino sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Their obnoxious voices played in your head.
It was the most childish song. In fact, you had heard it all throughout your life. Mostly in elementary school.
Today, you and Tino had decided to go to a coffee shop. All of your last-minute Christmas shopping was done and you wanted to relax.
Tino ordered a short macchiato and you ordered a Borgia, wanting to treat your sweet tooth.
You and Tino chatted for a while, mainly about the weather and Christmas time, until the waitress came by.
She put both of your cups on the table carefully and grabbed a can of cream and grated orange shavings, topping off your drink.
"Thank you!" You said to the waitress as she walked off.
"(y/n)."
You turned to Tino, "What's up?"
He blew on his coffee, trying to cool it down a bit before he took a sip.
He sighed, "I'm going to be completely honest with you."
You nodded and took a sip of your coffee, burning your tongue. You gasped and apologized for interrupting him.
"Anyway, (y/n), I think I have feelings for you." His face went red.
You knew your friend to be a very honest person, but you never expected him to flat-out tell you that he liked you.
"Tino." You sighed.
He shook his head, "It's okay. I understand. I'll go."
He placed some of his money that he was keeping in his pocket onto the table and started walking away. You quickly put your coffee down and grabbed his arm.
He turned back towards you, surprised.
"Tino." You sighed again, "I have feelings for you too."
You tilted your head towards the ground. You didn't want to look at his face.
You started stuttering, "I-I-I didn't w-want to tell you b-because I was afraid o-of what you'd say."
He nodded though, you still couldn't see him.
His eyebrows furrowed and he leaned down to get closer to your face. Your face turned a bright shade of red as he whispered into your ear.
"(y/n). If you had feelings for me, you should've just told me. I lay awake at night because I'm thinking about you. You drive me nuts and most of the time, I can't pay attention to anything because you invade my mind."
This only made the situation worse. You felt bad because you didn't make the first move. Tears started forming in your eyes, clouding your vision.
"I didn't want to ruin our friendship. If you didn't like me back, I was afraid that you'd ignore me, thinking I was a creep." You blubbered.
"I'd never ignore you." Tino grabbed your chin and lifted your head, "You're the one thing that brings me joy. Maybe excluding Christmas, salmiakki, and saunas." He chuckled a bit, "But you're still at the top of the list. You think into things too much. It prevents you from doing the things you desire most in life. So what if I didn't like you back. That should give you even more of a reason to be friends with me. Isn't that what you were afraid of? Ruining our friendship?"
You didn't respond, you just nodded and wiped some of the tears from your face.
He smiled at you and embraced you in a warm hug. He smelled of coffee and liquorice.
After a few minutes of sitting in a hug and getting odd stares from the staff and customers of the coffee shop, you let go. You sides suddenly felt cold where he was touching you. You longed for another warm hug.
"Thanks, Tino." You finally said and wiped the last of your tears from your face.
He nodded.
"(y/n)?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
You smiled, "I love you too."

~

For full updates on my fan fictions, check out my Amino:
http://aminoapps.com/p/ivmurw