Baby, it's Cold Outside
Who: Alfred and Ivan
When: Christmas Eve
Where: Middle of the downtown.
What: Chance meetings tend to make the world go round. And probably one of the better Christmas Eves Alfred has.
Alfred was not used to spending Christmas Eve alone.
Usually it was time spent with family, at his father's vineyard with Matthew and the large parts of his family. Grandpa and Grandma sitting by the fire, bickering and knitting while Lola would be telling Liz, Amelia and Steph about her life in Las Vegas while Auntie Marge would watch out of the corner of her eye, making sure the showdancer didn't entice one of her girls into joining her on stage. Ramona and Cascha would've been there, fighting most likely, while attempting to prepare the turkey all the while Sunshine attempting to get between them with a hot pot of calming tea. And the rest of his family, from the East, would be arriving the following day, late, but sporting gifts, apologies and fully prepared to help with the Christmas feast.
His stomach sank a little at this constructed memory as his bright yellow bike halted at a red light and he watched people cross in front of him, the lights of the street dulled by the visor over his head. At least he wasn't technically alone. The streets were still busy with last minute shoppers and Salvation Army workers ringing bells and drunk kids enjoying the festivities.
But these people didn't know what he wanted for Christmas, or what he usually wanted to do, or how they usually played a game of Charades to pass the time (after a few rounds of drinking).
The light turned green and he sped in front of the other traffic. But maybe he had a new family now... He had that part to go to that night, the one hosted by Atthis and her nasty (but admittedly hot) girlfriend. His friends would be there and of course, Christmas morning, he'd wake up to Dewi, Arthur and Matthew.
It was this pleasant thought of a smaller family that took over Alfred's mind just long enough for him to turn a corner and nearly slam into a person crossing the street. He skidded to a halt, breath heavy, heart beating fast as he stared at the person from behind the visor of his helmet and the delicate snowflakes that had been falling all day.
Tall. Russian. Long scarf. Wide, violet eyes.
"Ivan..."
When: Christmas Eve
Where: Middle of the downtown.
What: Chance meetings tend to make the world go round. And probably one of the better Christmas Eves Alfred has.
Alfred was not used to spending Christmas Eve alone.
Usually it was time spent with family, at his father's vineyard with Matthew and the large parts of his family. Grandpa and Grandma sitting by the fire, bickering and knitting while Lola would be telling Liz, Amelia and Steph about her life in Las Vegas while Auntie Marge would watch out of the corner of her eye, making sure the showdancer didn't entice one of her girls into joining her on stage. Ramona and Cascha would've been there, fighting most likely, while attempting to prepare the turkey all the while Sunshine attempting to get between them with a hot pot of calming tea. And the rest of his family, from the East, would be arriving the following day, late, but sporting gifts, apologies and fully prepared to help with the Christmas feast.
His stomach sank a little at this constructed memory as his bright yellow bike halted at a red light and he watched people cross in front of him, the lights of the street dulled by the visor over his head. At least he wasn't technically alone. The streets were still busy with last minute shoppers and Salvation Army workers ringing bells and drunk kids enjoying the festivities.
But these people didn't know what he wanted for Christmas, or what he usually wanted to do, or how they usually played a game of Charades to pass the time (after a few rounds of drinking).
The light turned green and he sped in front of the other traffic. But maybe he had a new family now... He had that part to go to that night, the one hosted by Atthis and her nasty (but admittedly hot) girlfriend. His friends would be there and of course, Christmas morning, he'd wake up to Dewi, Arthur and Matthew.
It was this pleasant thought of a smaller family that took over Alfred's mind just long enough for him to turn a corner and nearly slam into a person crossing the street. He skidded to a halt, breath heavy, heart beating fast as he stared at the person from behind the visor of his helmet and the delicate snowflakes that had been falling all day.
Tall. Russian. Long scarf. Wide, violet eyes.
"Ivan..."