Tis the season to be jolly!
It's that time of the year, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

The start of December til the early January.

Winter had come to cover the houses of neighborhoods and buildings of vast cities.
People were wearing clothing like scarves, coats, and gloves to warm them from the cold.

Although the weather may seem quite... Um... Icey, the hearts of the people were filled with warmth as they gathered to celebrate the festive day.

It wasn't exactly Christmas yet, but it was sure getting there.

People simply wanted to gather around for the holidays.

Everyone was enjoying their time; all except one person in particular.

Edd had hosted a house party; inviting some friends they knew since childhood and others they met along the way.
Old and new, they came flooding in.
Some of them brought gifts and greeted each other as they stepped into the well decorated house.

He stood by the doorway, greeting everyone that came inside with a warm smile and a pat in the back.
Matt decided to help with the food.
Turns out he had a secret talent, but never wanted to be the one to cook breakfast in the morning so he played a fool.

Tord helped with most of the decor, especially with the lights.
It was patterned in a unique style. The bulbs hanging from the edge were like no other.
Interesting.

And Tom,

Well...

What else would you expect from him? The person who LEAST favors the holidays.

Yet there they were. The house filled with chatter and laughter.
The fireplace kept the household warm, accompanied by a few heaters.

"You know I hate that holiday, Jon." Tom sighed as he remained lying on his bed in the dark room. Jon sat next to him.
The two had a secret friendship.
Neither Edd nor Eduardo knew about this.

It was probably for the best.

"Well, you'll have to embrace the spirit somehow. It's going to be a shame if you can't celebrate at least part of it."

"I'm not interested." Tom stated. "I'd rather be locked in my room until New year's eve and die, than talk to a bunch of strangers."

Jon rolled his eyes.
"They're our friends, you know. Some of them from Kindergarten and Highschool."

"Oh gosh, no."

The other male let out a chuckle. "Ah-hah, still mad at dear Ben, aren't you, Tommy?"
He giggled to himself.

Tom huffed. "It was his fault! Damn! If only he didn't swallow a mouth-full of shit-"

"May I remind you that you were the one who dared him to eat a mouth-full of cow poo."

"Yeah, cause he was fucked up retarded and proud. Served him right, gave him PTSD. It was worth getting sent to the Principal's office. What SUCKED was being in detention with Tord out of all people."

"They didn't have the guts to suspend you."
Jon laughed. "Seems like you two did something bad at the same time.."

"Hah- really? Wouldn't expect less from him. He and Steven have been running off from school to do whatever. Often dragging Jay along. I'm surprised they even have a job."

"The present shapes people into what they'll be in the future." Jon pauses as he sits indian style on the bed. "You may not see it, but the next time you blink, they've become a totally different person."
He said smiling.

"Shut up, Jon. You know people don't change."

Jon hums. "I'd beg to differ."

He stands up from the bed and stretches a little.
"I'll be heading downstairs. Eduardo may find it suspicious that I'm not anywhere to be seen."
Jon sighed. "Especially beside him."

Tom looked over at Jon, still in the same position.
"Since when did he get overprotective?"

"Since we started dating. I'm not used to it since he's always- I mean..."

Tom sits up from the bed.
"Hey, if things go south, split up. I'm having doubts myself, but I can't really jump in because you guys just started a few months ago, correct?"

Jon nods.
"Anyway, see you. Come downstairs when you feel like it. You're friends are wondering where you are."

Tom simply gave a thumbs up.

Once Jon had left the room, he whispered to himself.
"Yeah right. As if I'd go down there ever."

A few minutes had passed. During that quiet time he spent with himself, he gazed outside the window watching as the small white flakes fell from the sky.

Spending time with yourself is important.  Remember to love yourself, bitch.
(just kidding- but for real though)

His quiet time was sadly disturbed by a knock on the door.
It was very rhythmic; like the one you hear in the first Frozen movie where Anna knocks on Elsa's door.

Tom groaned.
He didn't want to be bothered especially when it was close to Christmas.
He didn't bother to look towards the door.

"Go away!"

"Happy Holidays to you too, Jev!"

He recognized that voice all to well.

"What do you want?"

"Edd told me to come and fetch you." Tord said from the other side of the door.
"You better come down and greet the guests."

Ton rolled his eyes, although Tord couldn't really see it.
"I don't wanna see them."

'Stubborn as always, aren't you, Tom? Two can play that game.'

Tord sighed.
"It's almost Christmas! Where's the spirit?"

...

"Alright then."

He opened Tom's door and walked inside, stopping in front of the bed.

Tom looked up at him.
"You're not welcome here."

"Come on, Thomas. What would you want to do?"

"Nothing." Tom looked away. "Especially if it's with you." He stated.

Tord stood there for a moment.
"Alright." He shrugged.
"Nothing it is then." Tord flopped down onto Tom's bed and looked up at the ceiling.

"What-"

"You said you wanted to do nothing, especially if it's with me."

"That's not what I meant!" Tom exclaimed,  sitting up and facing Tord, to which the other simply laughed softly.

"So...  What next?" He asked him, raising a brow as he did so.

Tom looked out his bedroom window, studying the snowflakes that fell.
"I want to go for a walk." He said softly.

Tord sat up as well.
"A walk? In this weather? It's probably below zero degrees. Besides, you'd have to pass downstairs and greet the guests. I thought you didn't wanna see them?"

"We're not going through the front door." Tom smiled at him as he stood up and grabbed his coat.

"Huh?"
Tord was slightly confused. What did his "friend" mean?

"Grab a coat if you wanna tag along." Tom said, looking back at him.
"I'll be by the attic." He walked off.
Tord stood from the bed as well and went into his room to grab a coat and a scarf.
He wore his winter clothing,  closed the door of his bedroom and made his way to where Tom said they'd meet up.

He walked across the hallway of rooms and saw that the ladder to the attic was already down. He climbed up the stairs and saw Tom opening the window.

Tom heard his footsteps and looked over to him.
"Close the attic."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

Tord did as he was told, curious to see what Tom had in mind. Just a few minutes ago, he was grumpy. Now he's acting...  Less upset...?
After closing the trap door, (?) He looked over to where Tom was only to find him already outside.

"Hurry up!" Tom ushered him over.
"You wanna come or not?"

"Alright, Alright. Gimme a sec." Tord walked over to the window and climbed out. He found himself on top of the house.
"Do you usually do this?" He looked over to the smaller male.

"No, but I thought I'd give it a try." Tom simply shrugged.
"Now come on, we can climb down through the side ladder and onto the trash bin."

Tord was about to ask him how he knew these things, when Tom walked over to the edge of the house.

You know how they have those random ladders next to or under a window? If you didn't, in some houses or buildings, they use it as an emergency escape.

That's where they both went down.

They jumped off the trashy object, and snuck out into the night. No one really noticed them due to the audible sounds of laughter and talking coming from the house.

As they continued to walk, Tord questioned, "Where are we going?"

Tom simply looked back and smiled. "You'll see."

They walked across the neighborhood, hearing songs being sung and family members laughing at the memories they reminisced,  and
Children running around the house and getting scolded for breaking furniture.

Then they passed by a few stores that were open. They were decorated in Christmas lights with advertisements including Holiday Sales.

Some were getting ready for the Christmas day that was about to arrive in a few days.

Then they stopped by a lake in the park. It appeared to be frozen.
Not many people were there. Those who decided to visit the place were simply walking around or skating.

"Is there anything you wanna do?" Tord asked him. A few people were enjoying their time as they skidded on the ice, falling out of balance from time to time.

"I don't really know. I'm just walking around."

He hummed in thought.
"How about we try what they're doing?" Tord suggested at the ice skaters.

"I don't skate."

"Don't, or can't?" Tord smirked.

"Don't. We didn't even bring the appropriate shoes." Tom pointed at the boots he was wearing.
They didn't have those at home. None of them really skate much.
Tord hummed in thought as he looked around.
"We can rent a pair or two. There's someone that's providing skates over there."
He pointed out to an elderly man who was stationed at the side of the lake.
People would approach him, either buying or renting skates for a moment.

"Uh... "

"Don't sound so hesitant, Tom. Come on! It'll be fun."

Before Tom could retort, he was dragged to the other side of the lake.
He tried pulling his arm away from Tord's grasp, saying gibberish and other phrases.

Once they had stopped by the man, they were immediately noticed.
He looked up at the two with a warm smile.

"I haven't seen you around here before, do you live nearby?"

They two looked at each other. The question felt quite off, but this man didn't seem to have any other intentions.

He started to laugh, coughing a few times due to his old age and probably the cold weather.
"Sorry, that sounded wrong. Anyway,  what brings you two here?"
He asked, despite already knowing the reason.

Tord replied. "We're here to rent two pairs of skates."

"Do you skate often?" The man asked the two as he scanned through his small shelf placed behind his table.

"I used to, but nowadays, not so much."

Tord was already having a conversation with that person while Tom just stood there.
He couldn't relate very much as he had never skated before.
Because, he "doesn't" skate.

The two started to laugh about something,  Though Tom wasn't really listening.

But from what Tord had learned, this man created skates for a living, and that every year he'd be stationed at the same spot so that people wouldn't have difficulty walking to his shop.

How generous.

"What sizes?" He asked them.

Tom nudged Tord's side.
"I'm not paying for that-"

"Relax, it's on me."

"I don't skate!"

.
.
.
.

How did he find himself on the ice?
For some reason, Tord was able to persuade him into skating.

Shit.

He was sitting down on a park bench. He didn't dare stand up or he'd simply lose his head for Christmas, despite actually wanting to die.

Tord sighed. He was already on the ice, skating around while waiting for the Brit to stand up.
Although he probably couldn't skate.
It was pretty evident.

He made his way over to Tom, calling out for him to come on the ice, to which his offer was rejected with a "no"

"Jev, you wanted to go out in the first place."

"For a walk, you fuck! I told you, I don't skate!"
Tom exclaimed.

Tord rolls his eyes.
"Correction, 'can't' skate. It's pretty obvious."

"Shut up, will you?"

"So you're not denying it?" He laughed.

Tom remained silent.
Of course, he couldn't skate. He never learned to skate.
Besides, he didn't know where else to go. Was there anything else he wanted to do?

"Fine." He gave in.

Slowly standing up, he walked to the edge of the lake. He gulped slightly.
Putting one foot onto the ice, he attempted to remain in balance.
So far, so good.

Until he placed his other foot onto the ice.
Losing his balance, he fell forward.
His knees slightly bending; closing his eyes as he waited for impact.

Nothing.

Tom felt two arms holding onto his.

"Pfft- you looked stupid." Tord teased.
"Can you find your balance again?"

"No! Now bring me back to the side!"

Tord chuckled. "Scared?"

Tom's brows furrowed. "Am not!"

"Suuree."

Tord led him across the ice, skidding slowly for his sake. He felt the grip on his arms become tighter. Tom was desperately trying to regain his balance, but he was just... Not into it, so to speak.

Nah, he was just scared.

Tom was having enough of it.
"Tord, bring me back please."

"Calm down, will you?"

"I can't do that! Not in this situation!"

Tord held onto him still, stopping  at the center of the lake.
Tom started to panic.

"Hey, you're going to be okay." Tord assured.
He held onto his waist and put Tom's arms around his neck.
"Do you know how to dance?"

"No... "

"I guess I'll teach you two things in one go."

He pulled them across, gliding on the ice. Tom's balance was starting to return,  yet he still held on.

"Just keep your eyes on me."

Tord took Tom's left hand, leading them as they danced around the lake.
He then let go of his waste, holding onto his arms and guided him as they skated across the ice.

Believe it or not, Tom was starting to enjoy it.
His balance was restored, a smile was plastered on his face.
Suddenly, he started to laugh. His grip on Tord's arm became loose as he skidded on his own.
Tord laughed too, seeing as Tom was having the time of his life.

They both skated in the ice, often ballroom dancing.

Though, he couldn't do much since he was just a beginner.

They were spinning around at the center, just enjoying the moment.

Just then, everything stopped. As if time had become nonexistent.
The two locked eyes, not saying a word.

Tom smiled, and Tord did the same.

Tord took the lead, bringing them both out of the ice.
"Is there anything else you wanna do?"

Tom hummed.
"Let's go get coffee. I know this one place... "

They removed their skates, returning it to the man as he waved them goodbye.

Tom took Tord's hand, whilst saying "no homo", and began to lead him through the busy streets.
A lot of people were buying gifts for their loved ones.
After all, Christmas was in a few days.

They stopped by a cafe. It was cozy; it's design felt aesthetic.

They entered the building, immediately feeling the warm air.
They had heaters in the shop too, wow.

The two of them went up to the counter, ordering their drinks before sitting down on one of the tables.

"I've never had that much fun in years..." Tom smiled as he looked out the window.
He folded his arms on the table and leaned his head down.
"Thanks..."

Tord looked at Tom before looking out the window as well.
"No problem... About time you learned how to live."

"Well, excuse me for trying to live my own life." His head perked up.

"Do you even have a life, that is?"
Tord placed his arms on the table, folding it as well.

Tom waved him off, rolling his eyes.

Soon, their drinks arrived. Tord had strikes up a conversation that piqued Tom's interest, so for that whole time, they just talked and sipped on their drinks.

It's as if they went on a date.

Funny.

Their conversation drifted into relationships. Past relations, interests in a person, and how they're both single.

"I've never dated anyone else after that incident."
Tord said, leaning back on the seat.

"Ouch, what a bitch."
Tom commented to what he had just heard.

"Yeah...  How about you?"

Tom leaned on his hand. "I've been in one, until she left me for a girl. Not that it mattered, since it wasn't an actual relationship. We pretended to be together for a week just so that she could get her crush's attention, and well, there you go."

"Wow."

"Mhm."

Silence.

"Anything you wanna do?"

Tord was surprised to hear Tom ask him that.

"Uh... I'm not really sure. I guess we could just go back home and hope Edd hasn't noticed we left."

Tom nodded.
"Yeah... "

He stood up, walking outside the cafe, leaving Tord inside.

"Hey! You forgot your coat!" Tord walked out, holding the object in his hands.

Tord walked towards him.
But Tom was feeling playful, so he ran, causing Tord to chase after him.

"Thomas, wait! You're gonna catch a cold you fucking-"

Tom simply laughed as he continued to run.
Tord was able to catch up to him. He grabbed Tom by the waste and pulled him closer. The two laughing away.

"Wear your coat dammit."

"No. "

Tom got sick on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas everyone