Simon Lewis didn't know how to ice skate. It wasn't that he didn't try or that his parents had never bothered to teach him. Actually, when Simon and Rebecca were just kids, the Lewis family would always go ice-skating. Rebecca had mastered the sport easily. She was graceful and managed to make it look as it was very easy.

It wasn't. Simon knew that, because he had suffered many accidents thanks to ice-skating. As he grew up, Simon had conformed with the idea that he would never be able to ice-skate. Simon, skates and ice was never a good combination. He was clumsy with his day-to-day shoes. Skates were almost like a death trap for him.

As he grew older, Simon avoided ice-skating. When his friends planned trips to the ice-rink something would always come up that didn't allow Simon to go. He would invent any excuse in order to avoid going ice-skating. He also didn't want people to know he didn't know how to ice-skate. It was embarassing, like everything that Simon did. He didn't need to add more things to that list. All of his friends already had enough material to make fun of him for the rest of his life.

He eventually stopped worrying about it. The opportunities to go ice-skating didn't come anymore and he just forgot about it. Until he was half-way through his studies in college and started dating Raphael Santiago. His relationship with Raphael was odd. Or at least, that's what everyone else seemed to think. Nobody could understand how the two of them worked out as a couple. They were very different from one another. Raphael was all composed and serious. He gave people nothing but cold stares and snarky remarks. Simon, on the other hand, was all a mess of curls and nonsense babbling. He never stopped talking and didn't have a filter. He was also warm smiled and positivism everywhere. But they balanced one another. Once they started hanging out and got to know one another, it was clear to both of them that they were perfect to one another. Raphael managed to calm Simon, brought him some stability. And Simon brought some sunshine into Raphael's life that softened him.

They had been dating for almost a year and this would be their first Christmas as a couple. They were both excited about getting the chance to spend the holidays together. Even though Simon came from a jewish family, he didn't really celebrated Hanukkah. As a matter of fact, ever since he moved out of his mother's place he joined Clary and other of his friends during this time of the year to celebrate. So when Raphael asked him if he would like to spend Christmas Eve at his mother's place, Simon had jumped at the chance.

Simon had met Raphael's mother before and they had hit it off immediately. He was sure Guadalupe Santiago would kill him if he didn't join them for Christmas. He was more than glad to join them. Raphael and his family held a very strong catholic faith. He was curious to see how they celebrated the holiday and be able to join them.

However, he was not aware that part of the tradition (according to Raphael) was going ice-skating. Simon was sure Raphael was doing it just because Simon had confessed he didn't know how to ice-skate. It was cruel and evil and Simon was sure Raphael just hated him at that moment. Raphael had just rolled his eyes at Simon's complaints and dragged him to the nearest ice-rink.

"Rosa and I used to sneak out just to come here" Raphael explained. "When our brothers got older we would bring them as well"

"Then why aren't they here?" Simon grumbled "You tricked me into believing this was a family tradition but no one from your family is coming"

"I thought I would save you the embarassment" Raphael replied dryly "You don't want my siblings making fun of you"

"Then why are we here?" Simon pouted.

"Because" Raphael rolled his eyes and pulled Simon towards the renting of skates "I'm going to teach you how to ice-skate"

"Oh no. That's a bad idea" Simon shook his head "Do you want to die or something? Becuase I'm telling you, I will kill you if I get on the ice"

"Stop being so dramatic" Raphael chuckled "Yo te enseño"

"Rapha" Simon whined "You know I don't speak Spanish"

"I just said I will teach you" Raphael translated and then leaned up to kiss the corner of his boyfriend's mouth "You'll be safe with me"

Simon sighed dramatically, but didn't complain any further. They stood in line, waiting to rent their skates. Once they got them, Raphael guided his boyfriend towards the stands so they could put on their skates and place their shoes somewhere safe.

Simon's stomach was in knots. He was trembling with anxiety and he was clutching Raphael's hand in his as if his life depended on it. And it probably did, now that Simon had his skates on and they were approaching the ice. Raphael pulled him inside the rink with ease. He skated as if it were as easy as walking. Simon envied him for that. As soon as Simon's feet touched the ice, he slipped. His arms flailed everywhere and he panicked, already fearing the moment when the rest of his body would touch the ice.

But that moment never came.

Simon hadn't realised he had closed his eyes until he forced himself to open them. Raphael stood in front of him, an arm wrapped securely around his chest and the other one holding his hand. Simon was clutching at Raphael's hand so tightly his knuckles were turning white. His other hand had gotten hold of Raphael's shirt.

"I've got you" Raphael said soothingly "Relax. I won't let you fall"

"Rapha" Simon breathed out and then started to panic again "This was a bad idea. Oh My God Raphael"

"Hey. Hey calm down baby" Raphael said, helping Simon to stand up straight. His hold on him was just as tight, though. "Do you trust me?"

"Raphael" Simon started to shake his head, his eyes wide and voice trembling.

"Simon" Raphael repeated with more force, but still sounding gentle "Do you trust me?"

"Of course I trust you" Simon replied, gulping.

"I won't let you fall" Raphael promised "But I need you to trust me, alright?"

"Okay" Simon nodded "Oh God..."

"Good. Take deep breaths" Raphael adviced "Breathe in and out"

Raphael started to breathe out the pattern he was telling Simon so the younger boy could copy him. Once Simon calmed down enough to breathe normally, Raphael started moving. He still had one arm wrapped tightly around Simon's waist and the other one was holding his hand. Raphael skated backwards, his eyes locked with Simon while the younger boy stumbled slightly forward. He would tighten his hold on Raphael's hand when he started to panic, but Raphael managed to calm him down enough. Slowly they started to skate around the rink. Simon startedd to move more smoothly, though he still stumbled a bit every now and then. They kept close to the edge of the rink so, if Simon needed, they could rest against the wall for a bit. After some time, Raphael held just Simon's hands, though he was still close enough to catch him if Simon started to fall.

"It's starting to get more crowded" Raphael observed.

"Y-Yeah" Simon nodded, nervously looking at all the kids rushing around the rink.

Suddenly, a boy that couldn't be older than 14 years old, passed by them. He was skating so fast and so close to them, he almost bumped against Simon. Simon yelped when the kid skated by his side, trying to avoid him. In his haste to move out of the way, he tripped over his own skates and started to fall backwards. Unfortunately, because of his hold on Raphael's hands, he pulled his boyfriend with him to the floor. Simon groaned when his back hit the ice and Raphael barely avoided collapsing on top of his boyfriend. He managed to put his hands on either side of Simon's head to support his body so he wouldn't fall on top of Simon.

"Are you alright?" Raphael asked in panic, his eyes searching over Simon's body in search for injuries. "Did you hurt something?"

"Just my pride" Simon groaned, blushing furiously.

Raphael chuckled, pulling away from his boyfriend and helping him stand up. Now, instead of just holding his hands, Raphael wrapped his arm around Simon's waist and brought him close to his body. He glared towards the boy who had frightened Simon, ready to snap at him when he passed them again. Simon stopped him, not wanting him to get in trouble for snapping at a kid.

"We should head out" Raphael said "I think it's enough ice-skating for today"

"You've barely skated anything" Simon pointed out "You were too busy taking care of me to really have fun"

"I had fun" Raphal protested, already guiding Simon out of the rink.

"If you say something super cheesy like 'I always have fun if I'm with you' I am telling Magnus so he can tease you for the rest of eternity" Simon grinned.

"Callate" Raphael rolled his eyes, but he was smiling fondly at his boyfriend.