γ thirty-four; video -> OPEN ACTION

[harmoniae]

Other worlds really do have a wide variety of traditions, don't they? It's hard to believe these are really even all connected to the same holiday. Last year I wasn't really feeling well enough to pay attention to all of them

Comments

action; INCOMING GAY

[chosenfake]

[Luke is visible on the street nearby. With hair like his, it's hard to hide. Anyway, he has a couple of books under his arm-- one of them clearly a kid's book about Christmas traditions-- and he seems to be peeking at it from the shelter of a store's eaves.

Somehow he's ended up with a white and red scarf and a santa hat, too.]

action; B)

[harmoniae]

[Ion is still in his uniform from the restaurant-- and even with a coat over it, he's still equally hard to miss with his cheagle-ear headband.

He catches sight of Luke easily as he heads in his direction, a bright smile spreading over his face.]

Ah--! Luke!

[He waves happily as he stops a few feet away, as if afraid of disturbing his friend's reading.]

action;

[chosenfake]

[Luke hears someone call his name and jerks his head up, momentarily confused. Then he catches a glimpse of Ion bright and smiling, and just like that, his look of deep concentration disappears. It's replaced by light dawning on his face as Luke steps out of the shade, shedding warmth and happiness in an almost-discernible glow.]

Ion! Hey!

[He closes the book and slips it underneath his arm. In true Luke fashion, he's forgotten to zip up his coat. Even though he has a scarf. What a failure.]

How was work? I had the day off, so...

action;

[harmoniae]

It went well!

[He takes those last few steps toward Luke now that he's been assured that he won't be interrupting.]

Did you do anything fun with your free time? It looks like you found some interesting books.

action; ENJOY THIS TAG.

[chosenfake]

Good. [He closes the distance between them with an easy stride.]

Oh, uh, these? They're nothing much, just some books about Christmas. Everyone in the City seems to celebrate it, so I wanted to find out more.

[He doesn't notice the little sprig of mistletoe hanging from the eaves between him and Ion. There's a clear change in his motions; something subtle and wanting makes its way into his expression, the way he reaches out for his best friend: a memory of grief. His free hand trembles until it finds the soft curve of Ion's cheek. Luke leans down without any reservation whatsoever, brushing his lips against the other boy's softer ones with peppermint breath.]

action; OH I AM ENJOYING

[harmoniae]

[He should be surprised, taken aback -- there was nothing even leading up to it -- but somehow he isn't. Because as soon as they'd come to stand before each other, he'd felt the same need. (Funny, he couldn't remember ever having felt it before.)]

Luke...

[His friend's name is scarcely more than a breath as it leaves his lips before he returns the kiss with another -- just as soft, but not tentative.]

action; dialing chris hansen pick up please

[chosenfake]

[Luke isn't thinking. If he'd been thinking, he wouldn't have gone within twenty yards of that mistletoe stuff, and he certainly wouldn't be assaulting Ion with his inexperience. Yet, the magic lends the kiss a believability he wouldn't otherwise possess. He's happy to press his lips to Ion's a second time, a thumb brushing the teen's cheek, completely immune to any stares they might be getting.]

action; sobs forever

[harmoniae]

[Ion's hands come to rest against Luke's chest, for balance, as much as closeness; he has to stand on his toes to reach. With Luke's coat left open, it's easy to feel his heartbeat through the single layer of fabric -- a reminder that they're both real and both human in spite of everything.

It's not until they finally part again, when Ion draws back enough to look into Luke's eyes, that the reality of the last few moments sets in.]

Ah--

action;

[chosenfake]

[Luke's eyes open halfway to see Ion's reaction, and then his own begins to dawn on him. His lips tingle a little, and he touches them mutely before realizing what he's just done. He doesn't understand why, but one glance at the network ought to tell him.

He lets go of Ion and steps back, blushing and with an inexplicable stomach flop.]

W-- what-- what did I-- Ion?!

[PANIC MODE ENGAGED]

... I kissed you. I think I kissed you. I just kissed you. What the hell is wrong with me?! I didn't mean to, I just-- it just-- it happened and-- t-that was my first kiss--

I'm so sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry-

action;

[harmoniae]

[A bit of color comes into his pale cheeks as his fingers touch his own lips, eyes widening a little. His heart is beating quickly, too, but his voice stays soft and steady -- whatever anxiety he feels himself is overridden by his need to reassure.]

It's all right, Luke, don't worry. I don't mind.

[It wasn't something Ion had ever expected he'd experience, not something he'd ever even given much thought to, outside of a single cursed day months before -- he'd never been meant to have that kind of normal life.

But it was something Luke hadn't experienced before either.]

...Though I should say I'm sorry, too. I-- that should have been something you shared with someone special.

action;

[chosenfake]

[Luke is still freaking out a bit over here, but this begs the question:]

Why are you apologizing? I-- I started it...

[He's sure that he's as red as his hair. He rearranges his coat and scarf and hat, because that's better than standing here and trembling out of shock and anxiety.]

I don't know why I did that, but... [It was actually-- he squashes that thought.] ... I'd rather have my first kiss with someone I know than a complete stranger. [He avoids Ion's eyes and instead inspects his holiday wear suspiciously.] Someone told me I'd have good luck if I bought a hat. This seems like pretty bad luck to me.

action; OH HTML

[harmoniae]

I should have paid more attention. I knew there was a curse today, but...

[He looks up for a moment, eyes seeking out the unnoticed leaves above them-- but that isn't so important now, really, and as he trails off, his gaze turns back to Luke.

Even as he says that it was better him than someone he didn't know, Luke doesn't meet his eyes -- and Ion can't blame him.

He finally smiles, though, and he does his best to show Luke that nothing has changed.]

Are hats supposed to be good luck?

action;

[chosenfake]

I didn't, but that's because I forgot to check the network. Looks like I need to make that a habit from now on...

[He tugs at the little white puffball on the end of the hat.]

Why not? I've heard of weirder things being good luck. [Old dice, little statues to unknown goddesses...]

action;

[harmoniae]

That's true. It's interesting to think about how all those superstitions started, isn't it? And all the traditions, here, too...

[He looks around the City; there are more lights out than usual, something he imagines is connected to the season's celebrations. And then he turns back to Luke.]

Ah-- That's what your books are about, aren't they? Did you learn anything from them yet?

action;

[chosenfake]

[Luke is happy to talk about something else other than kissing.]

Uh... [Pop quiz!] Christmas is the birthday of some god's son... I think. People gave him gifts when he was born, so that's why people give each other presents. Think I'll read more when we get back to the apartment. It's pretty cold-wanna go back?