Mike sat playing his video games on Christmas Eve. His parents had hardly heard anything from him since he had come home. They had made small talk, spoke about what they had basically e-mailed to each other anyway and gave and recieved the hugs to show how much they had all missed each other. The lack of conversation didn't matter to Mike, his mother never said much and he knew that if he spoke too much he would inevitably reveal his relationship with Charlie.
"What you doing son?" Mr Teavee sat down beside him, staring at the screen.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Mike asked him, rolling his eyes. "I'll be finished in time for lunch don't worry."
"I know there's something at the school you're not telling me about." Mr Teavee replied, touching his son's shoulder to show his concern. "Though you've never told me much anyway, so it hardly surprises me."
"Does this conversation have a purpose?" Mike asked, trying to remain unemotional.
"How about that you're in another country and we thought you didn't care for so long? How about the fact that we miss you and don't see you everyday." His father pulled the teenager into his arms. "Just because I don't understand you, and believe me I would like to, doesn't mean your mother and I don't love you."
Mike felt a little shocked. He couldn't remember the last time his dad hugged him and as much as he wanted to dismiss it, Mike had to admit it made him feel a little better. "I know Dad, I'm not that stupid you know."
"I know that and I wouldn't have you any other way. We've heard you're the smartest in your grade. Strangely enough one of your top grades is sport. Funny how things change isn't it?" Mr Teavee remembered the factory tour, and how beforehand his son had never played sport or really gone outside. "Well I guess I'll see you later then."
"Wait Dad. I have a problem that I can't figure out." Mike confessed before his father could leave the room.
"This is a first, Mike. Tell me the problem and I'll try my best to help you." He came back over and sat by his son.
Mike paused the game he was playing so he could look at his father while he spoke. Once again, this was another first for Mike as he usually just kept playing. "There is this thing I have and I really love it. Infact, I don't know how I lived without it for so long." Mike started, seeing that his father was listening intently. "Though I don't know how much longer I can hold onto it when the statistics are against me. One person wants to take this thing away from me and others don't know about it, because I'm afraid they'll take it away from me."
"I didn't think you were afraid of anything. Though I do know that you analyse the facts way too much. Why don't you just have fun with it? Even after all that's happened, you're still as stubborn as ever. So tell me all about this person you're in love with." Mr Teavee smiled at his son when he saw Mike raise an eyebrow. "Yes, I'm not stupid either. Where do you think you get it from?No thing can be worth that much to you, only a person. After all, you stopped complaining about your video games and big screen after awhile.I'm guessing the school doesn't approve of your relationship."
"They don't know and I don't want them to know either." Mike replied. "This girl is trying to make me look bad. She's made gettingme her new goal. I hate it and I don't know what to do. I nearly lost my relationship over it."
"Well if this person feels the same way about you, I don't think you'll be having any problems. Sounds like you're really in love. Even though you're coming back next summer, you're smart enough to find a way to make it work." Mr Teavee explained to him, glad to see his son was feeling a little better. "So, when do your parents get to meet the girl of your dreams?"
With the good talk they were having, Mike didn't want to lie to his dad and ruin it. Also, it was obvious that his dad could tell when he was lying. He sat there and stared at the floor. "It's not exactely a girl..."
Mr Teavee stared at his son in surprise, unaware of what to say. It wasn't that he had anything against his son's decision, but he knew that his wife did. He smiled back at Mike. "You always find ways to surprise me don't you. Every time. Don't worry, I won't tell your school or your mother for that matter. That's your desision. I just want you to really think if this is just a phase or if it's the real deal."
"It's the real deal. Trust me on that one. This should be proof enough for you." Mike pulled out a chocolate bar from his pocket and bit off the corner. "He's made me realise things and feel stuff I thought was bogus. We wouldn't have had this conversation if it wasn't for him."
"I'm glad and I hope one day we get to meet him. When you decide to tell your mother, I will calm her down. You know she loves you, but that doesn't change the fact that she has issues. Mike, he's been a good influence on you, I've never seen you happier. Now you don't have to avoid me by playing your video games." Mr Teavee said. "See, I understand more than you realise."
"I know. Thanks dad." Mike replied while staring once again at the game.
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Everyone was required to come back to school on the weekend to prepare for the new year. Mike stood in his room, unpacking his belongings. Placing the new video games he recieved for Christmas by his laptop. Briefly looking at the laptop, he smiled. Before he knew it he was on his bed. Charlie lay on top of him, smiling.
"Happy New Year." Charlie planted a kiss firmly on Mike's lips. "I've been waiting to see you again."
Mike slid his arms around Charlie's waist, kicking his suitcase onto the floor. "Ditto. By the way, thank you."
"You're welcome, but for what?" Charlie planted a row of kisses on Mike's neck.
Mike was about to tell him the story, but then just looked up at Charlie's permanent smile. "Nothing, I just really love you that's all. It was good to hear from you though. I'm glad that despite everything you had a good Christmas. Must have been tough without the rest of your family there."
"I know, it's different. Atleast I had a chance to see them though. Plus I have some really cool presents." Charlie rolled of Mike, so he was by his boyfriends side. "Though, enough about that.I just want to look into your big beautiful eyes for awhile."
"I have no problem with that. Though I see you didn't get any new clothes for Christmas. What did I tell you about these sweaters?" Mike rolled his eyes, but smiled to show he was joking. Then suddenly his expression turned mischevious. "How about I get rid of it?" He swiftly ripped the sweater off Charlie.
"Well, I see you are keeping with your goth and skeleton theme. Wait, this one has a monster on it. Close enough, it has to go." Charlie returned the favour and ripped off Mike's t-shirt.
Charlie rested his head on Mike's abs, staring up at his boyfriend. "How can you have such a hard body but such soft skin?" He asked, running his fingers down Mike's bare arm.
"It all works out." Mike replied before noticing something on Charlie's arm. A big purple bruise. "What is this all about?" Mike sat up, looking at his boyfriend with concern.
"Grandma Georgina has really lost it. She lashed out at me. I know she didn't mean it but I don't know what's going to happen." Charlie replied. "I know she's not long for this world, none of them are, but it still hurts. Though if this is her last Christmas, atleast I saw her. After all, maybe it would be better for her. She could be with Grandpa George that way."
Mike ran his thumb gently over the bruise, stroking the skin. "I'm sorry, but it's good you look at it from that way."
"I think if she met you, she'd be happy. After all, you remind me a bit of Grandpa George. You look at the facts, deny that you really believe when deep down you do and when it comes down to it you care about the one's you love. Not to mention that you both call people dummies and retards." Charlie smiled at Mike, noticing his boyfriend laughing at some of his qualities Charlie was listing. "I remember with the golden ticket search, he never believed I would do it. In the end though, I know he didn't say it to discourage me but rather for me to realise so I wouldn't get hurt."
"I guess things changed for him when he saw how that worked out. Like things changed for me when I reallystarted to get to knowyou." Mike hugged Charlie so their bare torsos touched and tingled. "You're an amazing person, you truely are. Especially if you have to put up with some of my traits."
"You are amazing aswell. It's why I fell in love with you after all. Weirdly enough you were the only one that wasn't insulting to me on the tour. I don't know what you were thinking but while they all called me losers and refused to share, you didn't say anything." Charlie replied, cuddling up closer. Still blushing at what Mike said. "Who knows what you were thinking, but I'll always remember that."
"Actually when I first saw you, yeah I rolled my eyes but I have to admit I couldn't find anything to insult you with. I tried but I guess even back then I kind of liked you." Mike replied nuzzling Charlie's forehead. "Without that tour, we never would have been together. Not like this. You're worth going into a taffy puller for."
Charlie looked deep into Mike's eyes. "The first thing I thought when I saw you was I wonder how your eyes look when you smile. Needless to say I never found out that day. Now I know they're perfect." He leaned in and kissed Mike's chest, trailing kisses up to his lips, which he captured passionately.
"I love you. I really do." Mike whispered softly, practically breathing the words. "I have something for you." He sat up and leaned over, pulling a box of candy from his suitcase.
"Thank you Mike. You know I love you too." Charlie opened the box, realising the candies were on the pricey side.
"I know, what was the point of getting you candy when you're the heir to a chocolate factory. The moment I saw these it just reminded me of something you said to me. It doesn't have to have a point, because it's candy. Not to mention that it tastes so good off your lips." Leaning over to kiss Charlie he tasted some of the sugary sweet still lingering on Charlie's lips. So far, the new year was off to a great start.