December is here, and with it, so are the finals for the semester, projects, mountains of homework, and an increasing push to apply to colleges. Leo and I never got to have that second date, but we saw each other every day, and sometimes he came over anyway, or I went to Camilla's, and we spent time that way.

Of course, with December means one thing: my birthday is coming up. And even better, it's on the first weekend of the holiday break. Every year we usually just have a small gathering with my family, and there is dinner and a nice cake baked by my sisters. This year, though, I want Leo to be there. Naturally, my family agrees.

He says he's not too sure how committed he can be, as his father's schedule has become erratic. The house is nearly finished, just in time for the holidays, and the father has been having some 'work issues' as Leo put it, and that he increasingly has become attached to the 'church'. It makes me uneasy, that his father is so attached to this cult (because let's be real, that is exactly what it is), and sometimes I wonder if Leo's father is responsible for the occasional incident seen in Hoshido Town, but surely Leo would tell me, right?

It's not like that matters though. There hasn't been one in ages, due to the Peace Pact the city government made. No sorts of groups, of religious intent or not, are allowed to enact any sorts of acts of violence in the name of their cause. So far, it's been successful, but the occasional rebellion happens. Lately, Hoshido Town has seen peace.

The world is enveloped in a blanket of white, just like you would imagine. Every inch of my house is covered in show, and I, much to my chagrin, have to shovel out snow from the steps every day. It comes down in droves, and then stops completely, waiting patiently to descend again on my front steps for me to shovel. Hinoka and Ryoma always laugh at my soured face.

It's the last day of school, which is pointless because no one is willing to work in class, and teachers hate arguing with the students, so a lot of movies are watched. I must have seen the same movie about a human elf at least three times already, and it's not even lunch yet. I sit through it, unenthusiastically, and Hinata throws paper balls my way, the teacher nose deep in a book.

Of course, he's sending me notes, and his free throw shots always hit their mark: the back of my head.

His handwriting isn't neat. It's messy, scraggly, exuberant and rushed. He's mostly teasing me about Leo, things like me being lost in his eyes, loving his embrace, and the occasional innuendo. I don't mind though. At least he isn't condemning me to hell. But it's annoying to keep receiving these notes as lighthearted as they are and I gather the ones he's thrown, turned them into one giant paper ball, and chunk it at Hinata. Unfortunately for me, the teacher catches me.

I don't get in trouble, just a hushed "stop that!" and Hinata throws the ball away, hoping no one sees what it says. He realizes his mistake. When the class is over, he apologizes.

"Hey man, sorry about that."

I sigh. "It's fine. It was in good humor."

"Yeah! Like, I just want you to know you're still my best bro!" Of course he would.

"You always will be, Hinata. You and Oboro."

We walk together to our last class, History, chatting about what we plan on doing during the break. Oboro joins us and we enter. Leo is already there, in the seat next to mine, going over notes. Always so serious, he licks his finger to turn the page of his immaculate notebook, chock full of knowledge and what have you that we learned so far in this class. It looks almost like a textbook, how detailed the notes are.

"Dude, you have got to stop staring, or people are gonna figure it out!" Hinata claps me on the back. "Just chill. You can stare at him all break long." He elongates the 'long' and I feel incredibly uncomfortable at the intonation. Leo looks up, smiles at us, and I go to sit, Hinata and Oboro taking their seats in the back. Azama enters, having done who knows what, and starts the class as soon as the bell rings.

"Ah, class, today marks the last day of our first semester! And to celebrate, I am issuing a pop quiz!" Everyone collectively groans, whines, and complains. Azama laughs. I expected it, of course. Leo doesn't look agitated like everyone else, but that's because he's prepared.

Azama passes out the stack (yes, stack) of paper as everyone curses under their breath. It's just little things, broad topics we went over, and stuff that we learned from the projects. Leo finishes first, and I finish shortly after, but we hear the desperate flipping of paper from the other students. Azama strolls around the room, ensuring no one is cheating, when he notices Leo's is flipped over, a symbol of being done.

"Ah, my dear Leo, you've finished. I expected as much. And Takumi?" I nod. "You as well. I expect no less from my best students." I can feel daggers being glared in our direction. "Oh come now, class! Don't be jealous! This is school and you should take your education seriously. I must prepare you for college, for it is not nearly as kind." Everyone groans again and he laughs harder, taking up our quizzes.

I sit there, twiddling my thumbs, not entirely what to do now. Leo shoots me a glance and smiles. He knows better than to pass a note. Azama was adamantly against that.

When the bell rings, I feel a great weight lift itself from my shoulders. School is done for the rest of the month. I can do as I please and see Leo whenever I want (within reason). He knows about my birthday, which is tomorrow at this point, and he promises he'll be there. His father isn't coming in until Monday, from who knows where, so his schedule is free until then. It makes me sad I can't see him just because the father is homophobic and racist, but I can't hold that against Leo. He's already done so much.

"So, what did you get me?" I wink and he blushes, but his resolve comes back.

"It's a surprise, idiot. It's your birthday present after all." I just laugh in response.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow." He walks me to the bus, his pinky finger intertwined with mine.

"Yeah. I'll see you then." His smile warms his face and it's here when I just feel that warmth radiate and enter my heart. I'm steeped in feelings of something more than just affection.

It's love.

Sakura outdid herself, making a giant two-tier vanilla cake with sugar icing and strawberries on top. Smelling it baking early in the morning was what got me up, and Sakura let me lick the spoon, as it's my birthday after all.

I would be lying if I said I'm not excited. Birthdays only come once a year, but I do my best to keep my composure and patiently (impatiently) wait for Leo. Hinoka laughs at me, my knee bouncing up and down as I sit on the sofa, watching some inane TV show that I secretly like. I shoot her a glare, which makes her laugh harder.

"Jeez, you're like a blushing bride. Or a Bridezilla. Just wait. He'll be here soon." I groan in response.

14:00 rolls around and a knock is heard on the door. Before Hinoka can open it, I rush past her to open the door to find Leo with a rectangular package in his hands. I help him in, placing the present next to my family's by the kitchen table, and I hug him fiercely, not wanting to let go.

"Takumi, let me breathe." I let him go, and he's got a lusty look in his eyes. "Let me greet you properly." He kisses me, and it's so sweet I feel my legs melt. Hinoka gags.

Leo lets me go and Ryoma walks in, on time as ever, ready to start the celebration with a Happy Birthday song, cake, and then opening gifts. The song is sung, off-key of course, and the cake is as delicious as the way it smelled this morning, and Leo compliments Sakura on her baking skills. She blushes, saying it isn't much, but we all know she slaved away over this cake.

Finally, it's time to open gifts. I go for my family's gift first, wanting to save Leo's for last.

"I've never seen you so excited, Takumi," Leo points out mischievously. "One would think you actually enjoy the attention."

"Don't say embarrassing things like that," I growl. "You don't know me."

He chuckles. "On the contrary, I do believe I know you fairly well." I just roll my eyes and open the gift.

What I see before me is the most beautiful bow I have ever seen. Its finish is sleek and smooth and the string is nearly iridescent, as are the arrows. I stare in wonder at my brother, knowing he is the one who picked it out.

"Ryoma, I…"

"It's called a Fujin Yumi." He explains. "It's one of the best bows in the world. We figured you'd want one eventually, since you're so skilled. You'll be the envy of all your teammates," he chuckles.

"Thank you, everyone." I murmur. "This is amazing." I go to hug Ryoma, touched and shocked. I hug Hinoka and Sakura as well, knowing they all chipped in to buy what I know must have been one expensive bow.

I turn to Leo. "It's your turn."

"On second thought," he sputters as he blushes. "Mine is really sentimental. It's…"

"Oh, now you're embarrassed," I chide. "You're never sentimental."

"It's your birthday, genius, and you're my boyfriend. I might have gone overboard."

I hear the rumble of Ryoma's deep voice in a small laugh. "How about you boys go up to Takumi's room and open it? Takumi can always tell us later when it isn't so embarrassing for you, Leo," Ryoma offers. Leo nods.

"Okay, let's open this bad boy." I grab the gift and head towards the stairs.

Leo follows me to my room and shuts the door quietly. I sit at my chair and he sits in his and carefully I open the present. It's fairly heavy despite its size and I guess that it's a picture frame. I tear apart the paper and I see for the first time what it is.

It is a picture frame, but it's so much more than that. There are selfies and pictures of us from the football game, the Halloween party, and our first date. It's sentimental, yes, but the presentation is crisp and clean, like Leo.

"Leo… I don't know what to say."

He looks insecure. "Do you like it?"

I pause, overcome. "I love it."

He smiles, relieved. "Thank goodness. I was worried it was too hokey and sappy."

"It's perfect, like you." I look at him through hooded eyes. Who would have thought a touching gift like this would be a turn on?

He blushes and I search my drawers for something to hand it up with. I can't find anything.

"Let me ask Ryoma for something to hang this."

He stops me. "You can do it later."

"But Leo…"

"There's a part two to your gift."

"Huh?" I'm confused. What exactly did he mean?

"Just get in your bed and find out."

Intrigued by this prospect, I do so. Leo climbs up after me, then pins me down.

"I hope you love this too." He goes in to kiss me.

It's then that I realize this is happening and instead of fear I feel an intense sense of happiness and excitement. I let Leo kiss my neck, leaving a hickey of a fearful sort, and he nips at my ears, my collar bone, lifting my shirt over my head… He unbuttons my pants and that's when I feel his hot breath on my boxers.

"Are you ready?" He asks. All I can do is nod, shocked that it would go this far.

He rips my pants and boxers off my body and gently holds the ever-growing member between my legs. Carefully, he pumps up and down, and I feel myself growing harder and harder. When he finds it a sufficient size, he goes down.

And boy does he go down.

He takes me in one swift motion and his tongue slides up and down the vein underneath. His mouth grows tight around the girth, and as he ascends from it, his mouth tightens even more, around the head, and I let out a whimper I've never heard come out of my mouth. I feel him smirking and his tongue dabs at the slit and I buck my hips, crying out. He continues teasing me this way, going slowly, fondling me as well, and I beg for him to go faster.

"Leo, please."

He releases me. "Beg for it." I find that begging and pleading with him turns me on more.

"Oh gods, Leo, please give me more…"

He does so. Sucking harder and harder, bobbing his head faster and faster. My fingers are in his hair, pulling as a way to release the pressure building between my thighs.

"I'm gonna…" I do. Leo manages to take the entire load in his mouth, and I hear him gulp. He makes a face, but seeing me spent, splayed out in front of him, makes him smug.

He leans over me, kissing my lips gently.

"Happy birthday, Takumi."

We had lay in bed for quite some time when it started to rain. I groan, but Leo chuckles.

"Reminds me of the first time I let you come to my house." The sound of hail is heard, and he strokes my hair.

I sigh contentedly, snuggling into his chest. His fingers are tangled in my hair and he pulls lightly, reveling in the little gasps I give out.

"You're very cute, Takumi." He kisses my forehead and moves his arms down to my waist and holds me tightly.

Leo is too good to me. I don't think I really deserve him.

"Leo… I owe you so much."

He buries his face in my hair and asks, "Why do you say that?"

"You've just been so good to me. I couldn't imagine ever being this happy."

I feel his smile against my scalp. "That makes me happy to hear."

"You know I've got to pay you back."

His grip tightens more. "You don't have to. It's your birthday; I was glad to do what I did."

"Yeah, but it was too good to be true. I've got to do something for you now."

His voice rumbles melodically in his throat, light yet sexy. "And what did you have in mind?"

"Did I ever tell you I play guitar?"

He pulls back, looking at me quizzically. "No?"

"Well, I do."

"And?"

I look at him, a glimmer of a hint in my eye. "I want to play something for you."

So I climb down the ladder of my bed, tell him to wait, and leave my room, heading to the garage that is mostly used as a storage unit now, where my old guitar and shamisen is.

I grab the guitar, also finding the pick that is stored inside, and rush out the garage. Ryoma bumps into me.

"Oh, Takumi, I see…" He looks at me and suddenly I feel self-conscious.

I may have stripped down to my underwear after the fact.

"Takumi, um…" Ryoma sputters. "So… The guitar? Why?" He's trying to focus on that, realizing that my boyfriend and I must have celebrated my birthday in our own way. His eyes land on my neck though, and I see that he notices the hickey.

"I, uh, wanted to play for Leo. To pay him back!" I try to look at the ceiling, clearly embarrassed.

"Well. Have fun with that." So Ryoma walks away abruptly, too flustered to continue this talk.

I run upstairs, hoping I don't run into Hinoka or Sakura. Thankfully, it seems they retired to their room.

I burst in my own, shutting the door quickly. Leo is sitting up, amused.

"I heard Ryoma downstairs. He must have loved your appearance," he flirts. "I know I do."

"Your dirty antics got me all flustered and now my brother knows we must have done something."

Leo laughs, harder than I ever heard. "With the way you were mewling? I'm sure everyone knows we did something."

"Why aren't you the embarrassed one? You never wanted to be out."

He shrugs. "I like your family, and I'm comfortable here."

I groan. "Whatever. Come down here so I can serenade you."

He chuckles. "Fine."

We sit in our chairs, and I give the guitar a quick tune up, surprised I still remember the notes and chords. I give a test stroke, and when everything sounds in tune and on key, I begin my song.

"It's called Shounen Jidai. It's one of my favorite songs."

"What's it about?" He asks, genuinely curious.

"It's a sort of coming-of-age song. About the wistful memories of a summer festival and realizing everything is starting to feel different."

"Appropriate," he notes. I suppose we both are coming of age.

So I begin the song, the complicated chords and notes streaming easily from my guitar as my fingers nimbly find their place on the neck. I pluck the strings and sing the Hoshidan lyrics, my voice surprisingly a nice tenor still, in spite of not singing or performing in quite some time. Sakura was always more of a musician than me, and I only played because my mother insisted. Ryoma always liked the traditional drums, and Hinoka is the only one who never played. The koto was originally meant for her, but she always neglected her lessons, and it was passed on to Sakura when she was finally of age.

The shamisen was what I first started with, but I grew to like the guitar the more I listened to more modern music. It wasn't a hard switch, and I like the way a guitar fits in my arms better. It's less complicated too.

When the song is over, Leo gives a small, light applause, pleased. His smile is warm and it reaches his eyes, pools of umber radiating with appreciation.

"That was lovely, Takumi."

I blush. "Thanks. It's been a while."

"I didn't notice. You play well. Perhaps some time I will play the piano for you. I think you'd enjoy a performance."

"If it's you, I'll always enjoy it." I beam at him. "Let's go back to bed."

He blushes now. "I didn't bring any clothes to spend the night…"

"Who says we need clothes?" His face turns an even brighter shade of red.

"Takumi!"

"Leo, your head was between my legs just two hours ago. Now you're embarrassed? Besides, you're in your underwear right now."

"Ah, um, it's different when you put it so bluntly. But… Okay. We can do that…"

I don't know why he got so flustered, considering we cuddled and necked while in our underwear. Maybe the idea of staying the night, knowing it might lead to more adventures under the blankets, frightens him, but wasn't he the one that initiated it? Now that our relationship has finally reached a sexual level, is it really so strange to want to continue exploring it?

Not that I want to force him. I wouldn't do that to him. But surely, with his blow job induction, he knew I'd want more skin on skin contact, even if it was merely sensual and not sexual.

I like Leo, the warmth of his skin on mine, his lithe yet strong arms wrapped around me, his fingers in my hair, his breath tickling my eyelashes. I love everything about him, and seeing us act like we're in an actual relationship, cementing it with full body contact… There is a certain amount of normalcy that I didn't think I'd ever know.

But with Leo, everything feels right. The world is in full color, vibrant and real. My world almost feels like a dream, but I now know it's not.