Lukas isn't sure, but he thinks it must be somewhere around one in the morning - he thinks he may still hear a few fireworks going off in the distance. Mathias and Berwald have more than likely lost count of how many drinks they've had, and Lukas is sure that Tino is well on his way of doing the same. Lukas has had his fair share of drinks, to be sure. But he has nothing on Mathias and Berwald, who need more than a subtle reminder to go up to their room. Laughing heartily, half-draped over Berwald who is pressed into the wall, Mathias loudly complains, "Not as much fun, but if you insist!"

Tino stands and takes their drinks before they simply let them go as Mathias attaches his face to Berwald's neck, very willingly letting himself get dragged up the stairs. "How ridiculous," Tino giggles, taking the drinks to the kitchen where he empties the contents in the sink.

Standing from his chair, Lukas goes to the sofa where little Emil had fallen asleep a few hours before and pulls the throw blanket off the back of the couch. He covers his little brother with the blanket before going to turn off the television. He wanders into the kitchen to find Tino sitting on the counter, staring out the kitchen window at the snow falling. He goes over to him, wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his head against his chest. "Do you miss it?"

Tino runs his hands down Lukas's back absentmindedly. "Sometimes. But home has always been where my family is. So there's really not much to miss." It's been some five years since Tino had moved to Denmark with his older brother, Berwald. Lukas imagines it must have been a difficult decision, as Berwald had had Mathias as a reason to move but Tino had to go for financial reasons. But he's glad that he had decided to move - they wouldn't have met otherwise. Lukas smiles fondly at the memory and Tino mutters, "Ya know, in all the fuss that Mathias and Berwald were making, I don't think we got our New Year's kiss."

"Come down; you're too high up," Lukas complains, tugging at the back of Tino's shirt. He gets laughter as an answer, before the blond wiggles his way to his feet, as Lukas won't let go. "Are you happy with how the year went?" Lukas asks, nuzzling Tino's neck affectionately.

Tino lets his hands travel up his back as he shivers, resting one hand on the back of Lukas's neck and the other in his hair. "Yes; I think my good days outnumbered any of my bad days. What about you?"

Lukas pulls back, one hand playing with Tino's hair with a soft almost-smile that is purely him. "Yes, I'm happy with how the year went." He huffs in mock irritation. "I still think that you should call in sick tomorrow - you're going to have a hangover anyway."

Tino snorts, rolling his eyes. "Not as hungover as Matt and Ber will be. And you get to be the lucky one to take care of that. At least I get paid to go be sick at work."

Lukas whines, resting his forehead against Tino's shoulder. "Abandoning me with those two - what a way to kick off the new year."

"It's an early shift, so we'll have the rest of the day," Tino tries cheerfully, tugging at Lukas's hair a little. "Still no kiss."

"Unworthy," Lukas retorts, unmoving. "You'll be napping when you get home." He finally lifts his head, pulling him closer by his hips. "Why are you so good and responsible?"

Tino grins at him, recognising his teasing immediately after having spent four years with him. "I can't answer that with one hundred percent certainty, but somehow those seem to be qualities you like about me."

"It's unfortunate," Lukas grumbles, tapping the small of his back with a finger. "It means I can't ask unreasonable things of you."

"Like, what?" Tino leans back to look at him. He smiles, but he's clearly confused. "Like calling into work tomorrow?"

Lukas hums thoughtfully. "Yes, like that. Or eloping with me. Like, tomorrow."

Tino almost laughs, and then his smile fades some. "Wait, for real? You mean that?" Lukas makes a sound of acknowledgement, gauging his reaction carefully. "That's not how you ask!" he whines, drooping. "I mean, yes, but you didn't even ask right!"

"If you ever imagined me asking you to marry me in a 'correct' way, then you're more delusional than I realised," Lukas tells him with some amusement. "So we're going to get married tomorrow?"

"No, I'm going to work tomorrow," Tino laughs, hugging him tightly. "You are absolutely ridiculous, and I love you!"

Lukas smiles, tightening his hold on him. "Ah, good," he murmurs in that dry tone of his. "I'd hate it if you said yes and didn't love me." He takes advantage of Tino's indignance and presses their lips together. It starts soft and gentle, and he lets it gradually heat up until they break for air, and Tino makes an almost whimpering sound as he hides his face in his neck. Lukas takes great pride in the blush he can feel on the cheek pressed against his skin. "I feel as though this is a bit redundant, but I do love you as well. Even though you won't stay home to help me deal with Mathias and Berwald tomorrow."

"Or elope tomorrow," Tino agrees, his voice muffled. "But I suppose one is more offensive than the other." Neither are things to make light of, really. He's had to babysit both his brother and his brother's boyfriend when they were sick before - and it's definitely a chore. If there was any task that was meant to test one's patience, it would have to be caring for those two when they aren't feeling well. "I'll see if I can't get out of there early."

"Not what I want, but I will accept that," Lukas sighs, tone slightly more dramatic. He hears his little brother stir and call out to him. "Ah, the night is apparently still young."

Tino chuckles as he pulls back. "Well, if you're stuck with Mathias and Berwald in the morning, you can always force a trade." Lukas gives him an inquisitive look and he expands, "You babysit them, and then they get to babysit Emil so we can go out."

"Give Berwald that big puppy dog look you get with him," Lukas says as he moves away to go check on his brother. "He always caves for that."

"I don't have a puppy dog look…" Tino mutters, baffled, as he follows him back out to the living room. Lukas focuses his attention on Emil, pulling him into his arms as he sits on the couch. Tino curls up on the couch beside him, squished between him and the armrest, and sets his head on his shoulder. Emil leans back to peer up at him, and he smiles down at him. "You have an amazing big brother, you know that?" He plays with his hair gently, and Emil smiles back at him. "I'm sure you do know that."

Lukas kisses the top of Tino's head, letting his eyes fall shut. "I'm asking you again when you're sober."

"I am sober enough that my answer won't change," Tino mumbles, dozing. "If I can match Mathias drink for drink at Christmas with how much aquavit he puts in his gløgg, I can have a few drinks on New Year's and be fine. But, I want a ring when you ask again."

"Oh, did I forget to give you that?" Lukas shifts and receives whines of protest from both Tino and Emil. After a brief moment, he produces a small box and hands it to Tino. "Here, that was supposed to go with my question."

"Aw, no, I think we missed it," Mathias whines from the stairs before Tino can open the box. He and Lukas both look up, but Tino immediately ducks his head again and covers Emil's eyes. Apparently, Mathias had forgotten clothes as he had meandered downstairs - to do what, who knows. "Ber, he asked after we left!"

"Go back upstairs," Lukas snaps impatiently. "And if you come back down, make sure you have at least a leaf covering yourself." It doesn't take much more convincing than that, as Mathias is apparently put out enough that he goes to complain to Berwald in a more personal space. "Good riddance… I'm not ready for tomorrow yet…"

Emil pushes Tino's hand off his eyes, sitting up instead of being cuddled, and Tino takes the opportunity to finally open the box. He pulls the ring out, inspecting it with a soft smile. Linnunradalle is engraved on the outside, but he can't tell what's on the inside. "Is that really Finnish?"

Lukas glances at him, humming. "Yes, and Norwegian. They say the same thing, in case you were wondering."

Tino slips the ring onto his finger before he leans over and kisses Lukas's cheek. "It's gorgeous, thank you." As much as he doesn't want to, he chooses to not to mention the blush that creeps up Lukas's neck. To be fair, it may have more to do with Emil's presence than anything he could say. He doesn't usually like being affectionate around other people - particularly his little brother, which is reasonable with Mathias and Berwald around.

"I hope you know that this was very carefully planned," Lukas deflects, grabbing the blanket to drape over Emil. "I know you remember how we met, obviously. But do you remember our first kiss?"

"Yes, because I avoided you for the rest of the night afterwards," Tino answers, hiding his face in one hand. "And I will go to my grave saying that you surprised me."

Lukas rests his chin on the top of Emil's head. "I still don't know how. I made myself perfectly clear."

"Berwald could make himself clearer than you," Tino argues, looking at him in absolute bewilderment. "All you did was stare at me and make small talk before you kissed me!"

"At midnight," Lukas huffs, pulling Emil back against him as he leans into the couch. "I made a point to mention that it's a big tradition in America, one I was very interested in."

Tino rolls his eyes. "If you mentioned it, I honestly don't even remember it. You were that vague."

"I'm never vague," Lukas replies loftily. "And I'm always to the point." He ignores Tino's mutters, "Like hell you are" in favor of shifting Emil one last time so that he can pull Tino close as well. "There. This is how we start a new year. Hunkered down with my favorite people."

Emil kicks his legs out and lays them over Tino's, who snuggles into Lukas. "It's perfect…" he mumbles sleepily, drifting to sleep.

A/N: Short but I'm satisfied for now. I just wanted to write fluff. And neither of my stories have the required amount of fluff atm. So here is some NorFin to kick off your New Year. I'm plagued by these two, and their relationship isn't established enough in my other story to write about it like this. I needed release. XD

To regular readers who may have popped in: "Take Me Away" is set to be finished by February 2022 AT THE LATEST. I want to finish it so we'll see how fast I can get it done.

New readers: Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Lemme know what you think because I love reading your thoughts.

I hope to see you all in the new year! Let's make it great!