Mistletoe

What was it that made people kiss beneath these green leaves? They were seen as romantic symbols, a way to show your love to your special someone during the holiday season.

Ivan just saw a plant hanging on a string.

He didn't know why Alfred wanted him to hang the mistletoe in the threshold of their little home; maybe it was just tradition, or maybe it was just bubbly little Alfred.

Their whole house had been covered roof to basement in glimmering lights and jolly decor, giving their whole house the feeling of a Hallmark during the holiday season. No, Ivan didn't dislike it (there were a few things he couldn't stand, though, like the singing snowman on the nightstand in their room. Lord knows how hard it is to get an erection when Frosty is belting in your ears.) but had he been living alone, these decorations would not have even been purchased.

Had he been living alone, a lot of things would not have happened. Ivan had lived a quiet and comfortable life, working as an English teacher to support only himself. He didn't have a companion at his side, his sisters having lives of their own and living too far away to see regularly. Ivan was content with his small home and his small life but even in that solice, his heart ached with the weight of loneliness.

He'd spent nearly three Christmases on his own in the house, but that changed when Alfred came around. The new Science teacher just across the hall had taken both the attention and his heart in an instant. He was popular quickly, with his beautiful golden hair and shimmering blue eyes that held all the promises of tomorrow; Alfred F. Jones was a man you'd only find once in many life times.

That's why Ivan was rather confused when he came into his room one afternoon, his freckled cheeks pink with a vibrant blush, and hands fiddling with his Superman tie, and asked him to lunch. He agreed to that lunch, and the ones everyday following. Lunches turned to dinners, dinners turned to movies in the living room and star gazing on the balcony until, finally, they decided they didn't want to wait until the next dinner rolled around. Alfred moved in at the end of the Spring, just in time for summer; Ivan's heart was on fire, and not just from the heat.

Every moment was cherished and treasured, locked away in Ivan's mind to remember for the rest of his days. Yes, he loved Alfred, so dearly that he felt he couldn't bear to live without him- that's why a small box sat under the tree, wrapped in a snowflake patterned paper and topped with a silver bow that glittered like the ring inside.

That's another thing he would have never bought, had Alfred not been here. Ivan realized then, as if for the first time, as he stood under that mistletoe, just how different his life would be without Alfred in it. He could only see what his life was: waking up to an empty bed, eating breakfast alone and cleaning dinner plates by himself. He'd still be alone, so terribly alone, with nothing but his students and his conscience as his company.

The front door opened, followed by the loud rush of wind and a cold gust of winters air. Boots stopped, getting the snow off before they were slid off, followed by a scarf, hat, coat, and gloves.

"Jesus fuck, it's cold as Jack Frost's balls out there!"

The loud voice boomed from the foyer, followed by footsteps, before a figure appeared in the threshold. Alfred's nose and cheeks were tinted red with the cold of winter, and his bangs still carried little flakes of fallen snow. Despite his slight shivering, Alfred grinned at his lover, looking up at him with those baby blues that Ivan fell so horribly in love with. He opened his mouth to say something before he paused, his eyes catching on to the green vegetation that hung above them.

"You actually hung it up?"

"Da. That is what you wanted, isn't it?" He glanced up at it, "I could move it somewhere else, if you'd like. The kitchen doorway may be a good pla-"

But he was stopped by a pair of soft lips, and instantly his words were forgotten and his hands left his sides to wrap around the waist in front of him. He felt those lips pulling into a smile, followed by arms around his neck. They stayed like that, enjoying their gentle kiss and the feeling of being wrapped in each other's arms.

Ivan couldn't wait until Christmas morning- he wanted Alfred to open his present already.

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