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“NIKOOOOO!” a voice shouted, softened footsteps pounding from a distance.
Niko turned around to see a mob of blonde hair before being tackled onto the snow cover grass.
“Haiii!!” Charles laughed, “Did you wait long?”
“Charles, hey!” Niko replied, Charles’ hair muffling his voice. “No, I didn't have to wait long.”
The two had agreed to meet at a park, near one of the main roads of their town.
It was the day before Christmas, so why not spend it with your best friend.
The two had agreed to meet up today since, tomorrow they’d be busy with family.
Christmas preparations and all.
They’d be hanging out and doing festive activities today.
The two lied on the grass staring at each other for a few seconds, before Niko realized the position they were in.
Niko, out of surprise when he was tackled, had his arms around Charles' waist.
“Uh.. Sorry!” Niko squeaked, looking away, as he let go of Charles.
Charles’ face flushed red. Getting up he gave out Niko a hand to help him up.
“Thank you.” Niko said curtly, embarrassed.
“Okay!!!” Charles beamed, “ What are we going to do first today!?”
It was around 11 so there wasn’t much they could do.
“Um… How about we find something or place to eat? Have you eaten today yet?” Niko asked.
“Uhhh nah I haven’t eaten yet. Have you? If not then let’s go!”
“I haven’t eaten either.”
“Okokokokok I know a place! I saw it while walking over here! Let’s go!!” At that Charles took a hold of Niko’s hand dragging him along.
“Hold up Charles! Slow down!” Niko shouted, but followed Charles.
Charles turned around giving Niko a bright grin, before continuing with what he’s doing.
The pair of best friends ran through the streets, not a care in the world.
The two almost skipped a few times, but if anyone saw they didn’t say, they were too envious of the childness and freedom the two had.
Charles led Niko through twists and turns, until they were in a plaza.
The two were almost out of breath when they finally stopped.
“Charles? What are we doing here?” Niko asked, as much as he was observant on the field, he wasn’t very observant off the field.
He was very oblivious to a lot of things.
“We’re here!” Charles beamed pointing to a little cafe, it looked like a cottage that belongs in a storybook. It looked out of place in the modern plaza.
It wasn’t a place Niko would expect Charles to go too. Since his personality.
But Niko liked the place, based on what he’s seen so far.
“Let’s go!” Charles exclaimed, again dragging Niko into the cafe.
When entering a door chime rang, in which they were then greeted by an employee.
Charles marveled at the place, it was and looked so cozy and warm.
String lights were hung around the cafe, wreaths hung in places necessary, and a Christmas tree placed in the middle with wrapped boxes in the middle, whether there were items inside Charles doesn’t know.
The walls were painted forest green, the cafe gave off witchy vibes but in a good way. As if the store belonged in a fairy tale.
Even in the winter it had many plants, and vines around the area.
“Where do you wanna sit!?” Charles asked, turning to Niko, his eyes sparking.
“Um….can we sit near the window? In a corner though.” Niko replied hesitantly.
“Yes! Of course we can!” Charles said before again dragging Niko to a seat.
Charles seemed to love dragging people, especially Niko.
Charles, like the gentlemen he is, pulled out the seat for Niko.
Niko, embarrassed, lightly hit Charles on the shoulder.
“Anywayyyy! What do you wanna get!? I can order if you don’t want to!”
Niko thought of what he wanted, pondering.
He turned his head to look at the big menu screen,
“Oka!. Um…. I guess I’ll get the Chocolate strawberry crepes, aaand… hot chocolate!”
“Oh! Okay!”
Just as Niko reached into his bag to get his wallet out, Charles stopped him.
“No no no put your wallet away. I’ll pay today!”
“Are you sure?” Niko asked, giving Charles a skeptical look.
“Of course Nikki! It’s the least I could do for accidentally pushing you into the cold snow!” Charles rambled.
Niko’s back was kinda wet and cold from falling, “Well if you insist.”
Charles came back 10 minutes later with what they ordered, his hands were full.
It was a surprise to Niko that nothing had fallen yet.
“Why didn’t you call me to help you get it!?” Niko panicked jumping up.
“No, it’s fine, I've got it all under control.” Charles replied, placing the things down on the table neatly.
“Okay sorry!” Niko said, slowly sitting down.
“Well we should eat so we can get going!” Charles said, as he picked up one of his many macarons. He had gotten a dozen macarons, and like Niko, hot chocolate.
The two spent about an hour at the cafe, mostly talking, and discussing nothing and everything.
If people were to look at the two they’d see two teenagers in love, but the teenagers themselves don’t see it.
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After they left the cafe. It was around 12:00 so the pair decided to go to the ice staking rink.
It was basically one of the first times both of them ever went ice skating.
Niko was actually doing really well being able to stand and stay balanced on the ice, while Charles was clinging on to his arm for dear life, as if he was to let go he’d die.
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“Charles look,” Niko said, pointing to a little girl around the age of what looked like 4, twirling, and dancing around on the ice, “She’s doing even better than you are. You’re being humbled by a 4 year old.”
Charles glared at Niko, menacingly still holding onto Niko. His face was burning red.
‘Fuck you’ he mouthed.
Right then and there Niko tried so hard to not burst out laughing.
Charles was so cute.
❄︎❄︎
The pair spent another 2 hours at the rink.
The two were kinda being gay, but they themselves didn’t notice, others though they did.
A lot of the time was spent getting humbled.
But hey, something's gonna bring down an ego.
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After the embarrassment, the two wanted to do something with less interaction with new things.
So the two opted for shopping.
Buying gifts for their friends and family.
As well as just walking around to waste time.
They had a lot planned for the rest of the day.
They enjoyed each other's company so much, they spent another 3 hours just being together, though they swore it had only been 30 minutes.(gays)
Going back to Niko’s house they had a quick dinner with Niko's parents before they left to go to a relatives house for the rest of the day until tomorrow morning since the relative couldn’t make it to the families gathering.
After washing the dishes, and clearing the table, the two washed up and bolted to the Christmas festival.
Throughout the night they got each other little gifts and trinkets.
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“Niko.” Charles said, tapping Niko on the shoulder. They were sitting on a bench taking a little break.
“Yea?” He replied looking up at Charles.
Charles smiled, “I’ve got something for you!”
“Really! What is it? I wanna know!”
Niko’s face was so cute, and Charles could see his eyes which were beautiful.
Inhaling Charles grabbed the gift with two hands before giving it to Niko. He really hoped he liked it.
Niko saw it and gasped, grabbing it. Studying it for a second he looked up at Charles, he looked elated. It was so cute.
Niko pounced, hugging Charles so tight he felt it hard to breathe.
“Thank you thank you thank you!” He squealed, “You remembered I like ferrets!”
Charles’ heart was pounding, he, Niko were so close. He really hoped Niko didn’t feel it or look past it entirely.
“You’re very welcome! How wouldn’t I remember something my ‘best friend’ told me!”
Charles had gotten Niko a ferret plushie.
❄︎❄︎
Each time their feelings for each other started to dawn down on them.
But like the dumb oblivious fucks they were they brushed it off.
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After they got back they planned on making cookies but scrapped the idea since the two would have probably burned the house down.
They were having a sleepover at Niko’s house, which both friends' parents knew about.
They instead decided to make their fort so they could sleep and watch a movie in.
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“Charles! Stop rolling around and help me build the walls! We don’t wanna suffocate tonight do we now!?” Niko shouted.
Charles laughed, “Well if you could catch me!” Charles bolted out of the room. Niko chasing after.
Charles made it around the whole house, and back into Niko's room before Niko caught him, toppling them both onto the rug.
“Ow!” Niko groaned, having hit his nose on Charles’ chest.
Charles bursted out laughing.
It was a beautiful laugh.
So much so it stopped Niko from groaning and whining to listen to it.
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The boys stayed up until 23:40 watching movies, laughing and joking around.
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“NIKOOO!!! Can we give each other our presents now!?” Charles asked, pleading.
Niko’s face lights up, and he starts getting giddy, “Yes!”
“Yayy!!”
The two had bought multiple gifts for each other.
Not including the ones during the day.
“How about one person goes, then another person goes, then repeats?” Charles suggested.
“Charles, you're so smart!” Niko beamed, “We should do that! You can go first!”
They started trading each other their gifts, ones of interest to the other.
Coincidentally, they finished just in time for a few seconds before 0:00.
“Charles!” Niko whispered, “I have one more thing for you!”
“Sure! What is it?” Charles replied, though caught off guard, since they’ve given each other multiple things to many already.
“May you lend me your ear?”
“Uh..Sure.”
Niko leaned in and whispered 6 words. Right as it hit 0:00.
“Merry Christmas Charles, I love you.”
Niko lingered there for a few moments before pulling back and smiling.
Charles was dumbfounded.
His face was so stupid Niko just wanted to kiss it.
“Uh… Really!?” Charles stuttered, his face red.
Niko couldn’t help but chuckle.”Yes really. At first I didn’t realize, but I knew I was just in denial. But today made me realize, I’ve loved since the first time I saw you. And if you don’t feel the same it’s okay. I hope me confessing doesn’t ruin anything between us.”
“N-no I love you too Niko! Since before we have talked. At first I thought it was just a friend-crush. But over time it dawned on me. And today proved my crush on you to be real. I love you Ikki Niko.”
Niko hugged Charles tightly, and Charles hugged back just as tightly.
They sat there for about 5 minutes, before Charles whispered, “Does that mean you're my boyfriend now?”
“Yes.”
They then fell asleep cuddling with each other.