Days passed by quietly since that special night of Sergei and Elvira. In that period of time, they kept seeing each other whenever they could. Most times, they would enjoy one or two glasses of wine at home or at one of Elvira's favorite bars, Banzai Lounge. It was a place of higher class than where Sergei and Logan used to hang out, and usually it was crowded with people of higher wealth and fame than the average. Even some of the city's elite could be spotted there, but they would always choose to socialize in the VIP room. The decoration was of Japanese style and Sergei grew fond of it, in time. He usually did not find such expensive and popular places to his liking, but a switch from the watering holes to lounges was something that turned out to be refreshing. After all, Elvira had friends in that place and they could easily gain access to it, something that kind of made the young man feel "cool."

Logan, on the other hand, would take his friend's classy hangouts lightly and would humour him, as always. Whenever Sergei was out, the blond would seize the opportunity and invite over his playful company, Alice, for a private party, or he would just spend his evening at his favorite bars, Eugi's and Waylon's Haunt.

Winter had settled in for good and people were preparing for the upcoming holiday of Christmas. The whole city was "dressed" in the festive spirit. Lights and happy colours decorated almost every house, every store, every bar and every park. Bridgeport Acres was especially decorated with festive colours and all the upcoming holiday events would take place in it. There was a large Christmas tree in the center of it, with lots of colourful ornaments and bright lights around it, and a bringht star on the top of it. The decorations were still not complete, but it was obvious that by the time Christmas and new year's eve came, the result would be splendid.

It was only the first week of December, yet it felt like Christmas was already there. The streets were crowded mostly with families that made their holiday shopping. Children were storming in and out of toy stores, eagerly pointing out what they would ask from Santa as presents, while their parents secretly decided on what would be the best (and in a reasonable price) present for them. Among the crowd's noise, festival music could be heard too, coming from some shops in order to sweeten the customers' mood and invite them to take a look at their goods.

The two friends just finished their music programme for this evening. It didn't last too long, as the place was not that crowded. Most people were out or at home, making all sorts of preparations for the upcoming days. The young men took the chance to relax. After tidying up a bit, Sergei joined Logan at his table, while the blond was finishing his second pint of beer.

"So... what do you want to do now?"
"Uh... I feel like walking a bit. This place is dead and I wanna see some people." He emptied his pint in a single gulp.
"Can't say I mind the quiet. I could use some fresh air, though," said the raven-haired.
"It's decided! Let's get outta here."

They got their weekly payment, took their coats and left the place. They walked towards the city's centre. Sergei kept his hands in his coat's pockets while Logan was acting like a child, cheering and pointing on every festive decoration and ornament that caught his eye. He even sang along at the festival tunes. Sergei rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"I'm glad it isn't Christmas yet. I don't feel like being all covered up in the snow you're going to throw at me."

A ball of fake snow immediately crashed on him from behind. Logan's annoying giggling filled Sergei's ears. The blond spoke mischievously.

"Why would you say that?"

Sergei stood there with a sarcastic smile on his face, as he shook the fake snow off of his coat. "Classic. The gift shops are this way," he said and kept walking.
Logan followed him closely and as they passed by a truck that had just unloaded a large pile of fake snow, Sergei plainly pushed the unwarned blond in the pile with one hand, without putting much effort to it. Logan happily dived in the pile, screaming dramatically. The truck driver started shouting at them and they rushed out of that street, running and laughing like the puckish children they were once.

They finally got in the shops' area. It was the most crowded place of the city at that moment, though not as crowded as it was earlier in the day. It was evening and the shops wouldn't be open for much longer. Nevertheless, taking a look of the goodies through the shop windows was all the two friends wanted for now. At some point, they stood outside a toy store and took a glance of the displayed stuff.

"What kind of presents did you wish for, when you were a boy?" asked Sergei.
"You know, the usual stuff... trucks, cars, video games... boys' stuff," responded Logan, as he eyed a train toy. Sergei smirked.
"Boys' stuff? So, you never wished for something - let's say - fluffy and warm, or a music box."

Logan's expression turned awkward and smirked. "No...?"

Sergei patted him on the shoulder and spoke with a grin on his face, as he walked away towards another store.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you get that blue teddy bear you've been staring at the whole time."
"Heyyy!" Logan blushed and simply followed Sergei, mumbling excuses to the amused raven-haired.

Time passed and they eventually reached that old place of the city that Sergei had visited before. He was immediately filled with warm emotions at the thought of that brooch he had gotten for Elvira. It had gotten late and the stores were closed now but the friends took a stroll anyway. The festival lights were still on and they provided the old buildings with an almost fairytale-like sense. It was quiet and beautiful. It was the first time the two friends visited that part of the city together.
Sergei led Logan to the store he had gotten that brooch from.

"So, uh... is that the place?" asked Logan as he checked out the store's window. It was displaying some objects which were dimly lighted.
"Yes... hm. I don't see a brooch similar to the one I bought. Maybe it was one of a kind."
"It was something else," said Logan, then he chuckled. "Are you gonna give it to her?"

Sergei lowered his gaze and touched the shop's window lazily. "I don't know. I would like to."

"Why not?"
"Well... I keep it for something special. Well, Christmas is special and it is a nice chance for me to give her my first real present, but... I had something else in mind for it."
"Like what...? Are you gonna wait until you propose or something?" said the blond in a humorous and slightly ironic way.
"No...? I was going to wait for Valentine's day or something. Or for her birthday," said Sergei, still keeping his gaze low.

Logan approached him with a smile and rested his hand on his shoulder.

"Valentine's day is over two months away from now, her birthday even more. I am just saying, don't wait too long. It is still early but you can never know how things are eventually gonna turn out. Give her something to remember now that you can," he said, then patted him friendly.
Sergei raised his gaze and smiled.
"You are right."

They walked a bit more and reached the closest subway entrance. Logan buried his hands in his pockets and made bouncy moves, clearly affected by the cold and humidity.

"It is kind of chilly, isn't it?" said the raven-haired.
"Yeah... I would kill for some hot beverage right now."
"We should go home. After all, we've got some decoration to do."
"Now? It's almost 10 pm!"
"What do you have to do?"
"Right..."

Finally, they got home. The moment they entered the apartment, Logan dropped his jacket on the couch and rushed in the bathroom for a nice and warm shower. Sergei picked it up and hung it on the coat hanger, along with his own coat. He headed towards his room to change. After a while, Logan got out of the bathroom and found Sergei decorating the living room, here and there.

"Couldn't help yourself, could ya?"
"...what? I am just earning us some time," said Sergei with a raised eye-brow.
"Do your thing. I am helping with the tree," said the blond, then he headed to the couch and collapsed on it. He was laid back with his face upwards, staring at the ceiling, when a christmas bell was tossed on him, hit his head on the side and fell down. He produced an annoyed groan.

"I am not doing all the work alone. Move your ass."

Logan rolled his eyes and snorted, as he got up and dragged his steps towards Sergei.

"I didn't ask for it..! It is late, I am tired, I just had a shower and I wanna relax," he complained in a childish manner.
"It isn't any good if we keep procrastinating. Let's get over with it."

They decorated the apartment and left the tree decoration for the end. Now they had it set in place and were about to place the ornaments and lights on it. It was almost midnight. As they were hanging the ornaments on the tree, they talked.

"So, are you getting a present for Alice?" asked the raven-haired.
"Yep," answered the blond, plainly.
"Oooh. What is it going to be?" said Sergei with a smirk.
"Well... let's say it's gonna be a present for me too, and we are gonna make good use of it," said Logan, then winked at his friend.

Sergei's expression turned ironic. "Underwear? Really?"
Logan chuckled and kept decorating higher, now stretching up.

"What? It's something nice and pretty and we are both gonna make some fun of it, together. After all, we are not close enough for those... romantic brooch things!"
Sergei smirked. "Agreed. Whatever suits you, guys."
"...and, it is a festival set! I am gonna wait for my own Santa, if you know what I mean," said Logan, making silly playful moves.
"I don't want to know," responded Sergei in an intentionally mannered shocked tone. They laughed.

They were done with the ornaments. Now the only thing that was left to do was placing the star on the top of the tree. Logan hastingly took it in his hands with excitement. It was obvious that this was the best part for him.

"Hmm... you're gonna need something to step on," said Sergei, as he looked at the top of the tree.
"What..? I am tall. I don't need it!"
"You're not that tall."
"Watch me."

Logan attempted to reach the top of the tree but during his climbing, the tree leaned on him and he almost dropped some of the ornaments on the floor.

"Stubborn, as always," commented Sergei.
"Why the hell do we have such a huge tree anyway?" said Logan with an irritated expression.
"Well, it fills the room. Christmas is only once a year, let it show for good."

Logan snorted and went to his room. After a while, he came back holding a short stool, in a quick pace. He placed it near the tree and stepped on it.

"Oh, wait! I like this moment! Hang on a sec!"

He quickly got down and rushed into his room again, leaving Sergei with a surprised expression. Then he came back, holding a festival cap, the one in Santa style. He handed Sergei a camera and put the cap on.

"There. Take me a photo while I do this!"
"Oh dear..." said Sergei with a grin, as he turned on the camera.
"What? I want to send some pictures to my family!"
"Okay."
"Just make sure the stool doesn't show..."

Sergei broke in laughs. "Once more, you can't be helped."
Logan rolled his eyes and giggled. Then, he posed on the stool, placing the star on the tree's peak with one hand, and giving a "thumbs up" with the other, his face bearing a wide and almost childish grin. Sergei took two shots and handed the camera to the blond. The latter checked it out with enthusiasm, then spoke vividly.

"That will do. Thanks!"

They rested. Some time passed and they were both laying back on the couch, both extremely sleepy. The TV was on, in a very low volume. They didn't really watch the show but it worked as some kind of a lullaby for them. Eventually, Sergei broke the monotony.

"So, is any of your relatives coming for the holiday?"
"Huh? Huhhh... I don't know. My dad may pass by."
"Haven't you thought of going at their place? To celebrate with the family?"
"Nah. I do this every year. Now, my pal is here and we're gonna celebrate like bros."

They exchanged smiles, then fist-bumped each other.

"What about you? Aren't you gonna head back for some family time?"
"Hmm... I don't feel like going back home yet. After all, my parents are probably gonna travel somewhere, now that I am absent."
"...and Elvira is here." Logan smirked to Sergei and the latter smiled shyly.
"Well, yes. That too."

Some minutes of silence passed. Logan spoke first, this time.

"Now that it occurred to me, what happened with that e-mail guy? The one who wanted to work with us? Have you talked to him yet?"
"Yes. He said that he still had to take care of some things. He has a project going on for now and he should be ready after the holiday. We have arranged a meeting for then."
"Oh... okay."

The rest of the night passed by quietly. Once again, as Sergei was lying on his bed, he held that brooch in his hand and pictured in his mind the moment he would give it to Elvira, under the right circumstances etc. At some point, the thoughts turned into dreams and drifted him away in peacefulness.