Lukas concentrated hard. He would get it right this time.
He turned his focus on the small stone few meters away and took a deep breath. He extended his hand and willed the magic to wrap around the stone and bring it to him. The stone twitched, moved a few centimeters on the snowy ground and stopped. Lukas let out a small groan of frustration; he could do almost anything when he didn't have to extend his magic outside his body, but the extending was a serious problem for him. He had already been at it for hours, but couldn't make the damn stone move more than that.
"If I can have a say, I think you are forcing it too much. Just let it flow", Tino commented from the nearby fallen tree trunk he was sitting on. They were deep in a forest as they couldn't take the risk of a random passerby seeing them. And no, they were not in the same forest the incident with the fairies had been; Lukas did not want to mess around with magic in there.
"And how would you be able to tell?" Lukas asked, annoyed.
"You furrow your brows more than normal and look like you want to force the magic to move the stone. Besides, you do have a habit of being forceful and strict. I don't think that will work with magic, especially as you are naturally gifted. Think of it as asking nicely instead", Tino suggested, "Besides, this was your idea. If you're not going to listen to me, what I'm here for?"
Lukas sighed and grudgingly admitted to himself that Tino was right. He was trying very hard, and it didn't seem to work at all. He also was sometimes harsh to his surroundings, so he'd let the remark slide this time. Practicing magic was a lot harder than he'd ever guessed.
He knew he wouldn't get anywhere while being all frustrated and wound up, so he decided that a break would be in question and sat down on a nearby rock. He took a glance at Tino, who nodded in approval. It made Lukas happy that he approved, and it annoyed him that it made him happy. In any case, it indeed had been his own idea to have Tino watching, so he was not in a position to complain. Even if Tino claimed not to know a lot about magic, he could see and think of things that Lukas couldn't while practicing. Pretty much anyone would do for the job, but Tino was the only one whom knew of his secret, so there was not much of choice.
Not to mention it was already Thursday, which meant that Tino's birthday would be the next Sunday, and Lukas still hadn't approached the subject. First, he didn't even know how, and second, he wasn't eager to spend any more time with Tino. It was bad enough that he without a doubt had a crush on him; he did not want the feelings and he definitely didn't want them to continue. The best course of action would be to avoid the Finn as much as possible, but it was kind of hard in school and here he was with him again, practicing magic. He was so stupid.
At least they had managed to solve the matter of Emil, though the solution was less than ideal: Lukas had promised not to pester him about calling him 'big brother' if he'd keep quiet for the time being. So in short, Emil still thought they were in a relationship. Lukas was not happy about it, but at least his little brother wasn't asking any questions and was leaving the two of them alone. He guessed it could be worse.
"Hey", Tino said to gain his attention. Lukas looked at him and raised his eyebrow as a mark of listening.
"Would you want to know about the surprise I'm planning? I think you could maybe… assist me", Tino said, and the pause at the end didn't go unnoticed by Lukas. He was surprised: Tino was not only offering information willingly, but actually kind of asking help. He hadn't done that before and Lukas felt like it was a serious display of trust. To most people it would seem like a normal request but Lukas saw more than that, and despite himself he felt his insides melt a little. Just a little, though.
"Of course, you should know how curious I am by now", Lukas said and fought the small smile appearing to the corner of his mouth just enough to satisfy himself. Tino chuckled and nodded before taking a deep breath in turn. Lukas guessed it was hard for him in a way, especially if this was the first time he revealed something willingly.
"I'm going to give Christmas presents to everyone", Tino said shyly, but with a happy smile.
Lukas stared. He was not only processing the information, but also looking at the smile. It was somehow very different than normal, and it wasn't because of happiness. There was something so simple and natural in this smile, like giving gifts was something close to his very being. It was just as gorge- no, nice as the other smiles Tino had. Yes, nice, nothing more. Lukas preferred the soft smiles.
"Umm, what do you mean by 'everyone'?" Lukas asked. He couldn't be talking about the entire world, so that had to be somehow defined.
"Everyone I can think of. Mainly school and the children hospital nearby", Tino said. He was still smiling.
So that was the surprise he'd been working on: presents to everyone. It was such an idiotic reason to overwork for to the point of exhaustion. Tino had been back immediately on Tuesday, not that Lukas had been surprised. Actually, he would have been very surprised if he hadn't shown up. The only good thing was that Tino truly seemed to have recovered.
"I don't really know what to say. Except 'why' and 'how am I supposed to help'", Lukas said in monotone. He really didn't know what to do. Besides the feeling of astonishment caused by the reveal, the crushing side of him was squealing to help but the rest of him was tying that side up and stuffing a sock to its mouth to keep it silent. Somewhere deep he knew he'd end up helping anyway, but he could still put up a fight.
"Well, I never had a chance to give anyone anything, so I really want to. It also gives the chance for people to feel important and remembered, which feeling everyone does not have. Like Matthew, people seem to forget his existence all the time. And… we still have it good, you know. I'd like to give to those who never received anything, but that's not possible now. Maybe someday I can make more people happy, but for now I'll just do it for as many people as I can", Tino said with a very shy smile.
Lukas' expression softened a fraction. He understood that he was being told something that had never been revealed before, and that it truly seemed to be part of Tino to give. Happiness was naturally not limited to or guaranteed by gifts, but it was his way to spread some joy. He really wanted to hug Tino, and he wasn't even bothered to get ticked off by his feelings this time. Stupid crush was making him soft.
"Impressive. How?" Lukas responded. It would be a lot of work to do that all, especially with the kids in hospital thrown in. He guessed that was what Tino wanted his help for. To his shame he had to wreck his memory for a while to remember Matthew. A quiet kid, brother to the loudmouthed Alfred, right?
"Well, this is where it gets complicated…" Tino said, suddenly looking very sheepish. Lukas focused a demanding glare at him, but got the feeling that something important was about to be said.
"Um, remember when I told you that I had come in contact with magic before? I seem to have some kind of special ability to make almost anything, as long as it's small enough and I'm thinking of it as a present. I can't make anything at random or do anything else out of the ordinary bounds. I think it has something to do with the intention and feeling that makes the magic flow in my case, which is why it needs so specific conditions in order to work", Tino explained and managed to sound apologetic.
"And you couldn't mention this earlier?" Lukas asked, now very annoyed. Tino could have brought this up in many occasions after he found out about Lukas' magic, but decided not to. It was only slightly calming him down that Tino had decided to tell eventually, and without pressure, too. But seriously, some trust would have been nice!
"I'm sorry, I just… didn't know how to. Besides, it wouldn't have been a surprise if I had said something", Tino said, sounding very sad. He had tears forming in his amethyst eyes – he had taken off the brown contacts once they were alone – which he tried to hide by turning his head. Lukas couldn't be angry at that face, let alone after the apology as he understood. He felt a bit ashamed and looked at the ground as he said:
"Apology accepted. I am also sorry for getting upset. I understand it was not easy to tell and I am thankful that you eventually did. I also understand that this is really important to you, so I'll help if I can. It's just that I expected to have reached a certain level of trust with you earlier, yet you have not told me practically anything. This is the first time you offered me information."
He had put his thoughts right out there. He had decided that if he wanted more out of Tino, he perhaps should voice his own concerns more often. He looked up and saw Tino looking at him with and apologetic smile that had the unbelievably soft quality only he seemed to be able to conjure.
"Thanks, I appreciate that. I will also try to do better. And I actually wanted to surprise you as well, but it seems that I would need a little help, and I don't know who else to ask. Also as you can do magic, you'll be a lot more helpful than anyone else, and I did promise you to try to accept your help", Tino said.
Lukas nodded at that. He could understand reasons piling up and it being easier not to tell. But because of this conversation, he would feel like a hypocrite if he didn't tell about certain things as well. He stood up as he was getting a little numb in the cold, and the frost on the rock had melted from his warmth and seeped through his clothes, which didn't feel too good.
"Actually, I have also something to tell. When meeting with your foster parents, they mentioned your birthday and wished me to spend it with you. I didn't know how to bring it up either. Also they told me what they know of your past, or at least some of it. Just that you know", Lukas confessed.
Tino tensed visibly and looked away. He often dropped his guard in Lukas' presence nowadays, so he could see the tightened shoulders and slightly clenched jawline, but his position was leaning back rather than forward. From that Lukas knew Tino wasn't angry but that the knowledge definitely bothered him.
"I won't force you to my company if you don't want to; I'm not Mathias. It's your call. Also, knowing your past doesn't change anything, and if you think I'll feel sorry for you, then I recommend you to join Mathias in the 'obvious idiot' club", Lukas added. It made the tension from Tino's jaw disappear and his shoulders relaxed a bit. Lukas had been successful.
"Your company is fine. It's just not a good day to celebrate a birthday. And don't play innocent; you surely asked them about me", Tino said with an even voice. He wasn't angry or visibly upset, but he wasn't happy about it either.
"Why not? And of course I asked, don't tell me you didn't expect it", Lukas said just as evenly. Tino gave him a look.
"I can't say I didn't expect it, but that doesn't make me any more pleased about it. And about the birthday, it's 6th of December. Think", Tino said.
Lukas was confused at first before he remembered something he probably should have thought in the first place. He still didn't get why it was a bad day, though. He actually let out a dry chuckle as he realized one thing:
"I know what day it is, but I don't still get why it's a bad day, mind you. And we seem to have one similarity in our birthdays: mine is 17th of May."
Tino's head tilted in a confused manner before he realized the date and chuckled.
"Yeah, apparently we do. It's a bad day for me though as our celebrations are not really a happy sort. It's a really solemn and quiet day when you light a candle for the veterans and visit their graves and such. Some do celebrate later in the evening and I think they even have some fireworks, but mostly it's spent with family in a quiet manner. It's a happy day of course, but it's also a day to remember the sacrifices, which makes it sort of sorrowful", Tino explained. Lukas supposed that would kill the mood for a birthday.
"Also, it happens to be the day my parents died", Tino said. He was looking at his feet, not meeting Lukas' gaze. Lukas blinked in surprise. Tino seemed to be really trying to keep his promise to tell more, and Lukas could appreciate it. He smiled a little.
"Thanks for telling me. Would it be cool if I brought cake?" Lukas suggested, knowingly hitting the soft point for food. Tino looked up with mixed emotions on his face, making him look delighted, surprised and doubtful at the same time, and all that because of the mention of cake. Lukas couldn't help it: he laughed. Not a dry chuckle or a short bark, but a laugh that made him bow over and support himself by leaning his hands against his knees. It didn't last long, but Tino was still staring at him, now with awe, as he straightened.
"Sorry, you just had the best look on your face. It's decided, then: I'll come over and bring cake", Lukas declared. Damned be his feelings, he was helping out a friend on a bad day, and that was not something he backed down on because of a silly crush. He had a feeling that Tino hadn't had the best birthdays lately, so he thought that even a few good memories would help him. Tino sighed, but complied with a nod. Lukas knew he couldn't resist the cake. He wondered about Tino's family, though. Did he have any relatives? Like aunts, uncles and cousins? And what about that brother he had mentioned, but his foster parents hadn't?
"Can I ask one more question about your past?" Lukas asked tentatively. Tino gave him a pointed look, which soon softened with a little guilt.
"You can always ask, but I can't guarantee any answers. I will tell if I can", Tino said with a nod.
"Very well. I wanted to ask about your relatives. Do you have them in Finland? And I kind of heard you talking to Emil when we were doing our project in my house, and you mentioned a brother, but your foster parents didn't say anything about him", Lukas said.
"Really, you are very efficient in gathering knowledge about me. I should have known you would eavesdrop", Tino said with a shake of his head, but he sounded disappointed rather than upset or angry.
"However, I can still answer that question. I have a few cousins, but my grandparents are dead. And the brother I mentioned is actually my half-brother, we have the same father. I didn't even know I had a brother before my parents died since he was born and raised by his mother in Russia – that's why there are no mentions of him in the files in Finland. The rest that I could tell you already know as you eavesdropped", Tino explained.
"Is he the reason to your disappearance and the other things?" Lukas asked softly. If he was, Lukas could understand the term 'not the best brother' that Tino had used. Lukas was a big brother himself, and he would never even dare to think about doing such things to Emil.
"No, he's not", Tino said with a shake of his head. There was a heavy silence after that, which was not unpleasant but it wasn't the usual comfortable silence either.
"But back to the surprise, would you like to come over tomorrow and see what you can do? Also, you could continue the practice now. Just relax and let the magic flow; you're lucky enough not to need any special conditions in order to do so", Tino said, lifting the silence.
Lukas nodded, and turned back to face the small stone. At the same time he realized that Tino had been sitting still for a very long time. Apparently he wasn't teasing when he said that he didn't get cold easily – he still had no gloves on. Lukas shook the thought out of his head and tried his best to relax and just think of the stone coming to him without much force of will. To his utter surprise, he felt the magic move freely and the stone jumped to him. He stared at it while hearing Tino clap in the background.
"Good job! You got it now", Tino said with a wide grin. It was very contagious and Lukas found himself smiling a bit.
"Thanks for the advice. For someone who claims not to know much about magic, you surely seem to know what you're talking about", Lukas commented. Tino gave a shrug, but Lukas couldn't bring himself to care: he was concentrating on seeing what other amazing things he could do.
Somehow, Lukas felt very content like this.
Seriously, thank you guys for reviewing. It's really motivating, though it might not seem so as this chapter isn't the best. Bit of a filler, I'd say. Don't worry, though, I do have a plot and I did plan this way ahead - even if it conveniently happens to answer some questions asked, I actually planned it long ago.
The issue of how Finland actually aquires the presents isn't properly adressed (at least I haven't noticed), so this is my take on the process of how it's done. Elves are a bit... different in Finnish mythology.
Also, cookies for everyone who knows the history behind the dates. Take it if you deserve it: (::)