Fourth Month

As he entered into his second trimester, Red was feeling different. He no longer felt groggy every morning or threw up in the toilet before eating breakfast, or getting dizzy and queasy in the middle of class. He has moved on from his light warm weather close and slipped into the uncomfortable, itchy sweaters and sweatshirts he was told to wear. Since he was too embarrassed to wear the pants they got in the maternity section, Red's mother actually had a change of heart and went through the trouble of hemming bands of elastic to the rims of old jeans so Red could still wear them, but tuck his hips and tummy into the stretch material. His outfits looked the same every day. Cargo bands with the silly elastic shaping over his stomach and waist, long sleeved sweaters that varied in 5 other solid colors, and a thick zip up that was either his or being borrowed from Blue.

His stomach was slowly, but certainly growing. Wearing those sweaters and the big jackets hides it well when he's on the street, but in school where everything is off and warm, people purposely step out of the way if he's too close. It's not terribly noticeable, though, until a kid act as if his belly was going to expand within seconds and bump into them.

Red kept a thin and softly knitted scarf wrapped loosely around his neck when he was at school, walking around the house, or outside. His neck was the only part of skin that was exposed as they went into December, and he felt self conscious to have any part of him showing.

And December means Christmas. And Christmas means seeing more family. And family means more judging. Red was always so enthusiastic about Christmas; he got dressed in holiday attire, hummed jingles around others, and gave the cutest and most meaningful gifts to everyone close to him. Even his mother. The year before, he spent Christmas eve in the front yard of Green's house creating snow forts from that year's one and only winter storm, making teams, pelting Shadow and Vio with snowballs when they were in the middle of kissing, and being protected by Blue whenever they got attacked. They drank hot chocolate in their forts, laughed, and sat in their heated cars until midnight.

But this year, Red didn't care. The baby was always on his mind. Blue was the only one he wanted to see. He had no money. His body wasn't in the right state to do chores or work. He practically blocked out his close friends ever since he got pregnant, and they changed too.

Red found himself snuggled under a large quilted but hideous Christmas blanket everyday after school, watching his old cartoon movies, and eating whatever was in his house the first few days of the dead December month. Blue rarely showed up but for a few occasions, just to check up or to join his boyfriend under the covers until he fell asleep. Blue was still searching for a job, his confidence never wavering no matter how many times he was rejected for his inexperience or dragging grades. He didn't understand why they wouldn't hire him just because he was shy of passing classes, but didn't listen when Red tried to cautiously explain. He didn't care, though. Blue was trying and still loved him, his mother still nagged, but not as much, and his grades were borderline average and below prayed and wept every night for everything to stay simple and nice just for the remainder of the holiday season.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Red pulled out his binders from his locker and paused to look at the few pictures he had taped inside. One of him and Blue, one of just Blue, and another of him, Blue and the others-Vio, Green, and Shadow. It was taken sometime of the beginning of last year at a school event, and they were all laughing as the photo was being taken. Even Blue looked happy. Red cracked a half hearted smile, sighed and gently closed his locker and pressed his tiny stomach against it.

"RED!"

Red looked up and saw Blue rounding the corner, a huge smile on his face while he pushed by the students walking in his way. He skidded to a stop, slightly out of breath but so energetic. "Guess what! Guess-fucking-what!"

Red blinked and giggled at Blue's enthusiasm. "Don't curse! What is it?"

Throwing his hands up in the air in triumph, Blue hooted throughout the hallway-

"I got a job!"

Red's hands flew up to cover his mouth, eyes shot wide. "R-really?"

Blue bounced on his feet, fist pumping the air. "FUCK YEAH I DID!"

"Stop it!" Red shoved him as he began laughing along with Blue. "I'm so proud of you! Where did you get it?"

Blue was not calming down anytime soon. He pacing back and forth, fists jostling with that same wide smirkish grin plastered on his beaming face. "Some food court in the mall. They'll give me 7 rupees an hour and such and I'll go in every single day!"

Red continued to smile, but his heart dropped a little. He's excited Blue finally got a job just for him and the baby, and that he's so overjoyed about it, but that also means he can only see his boyfriend in school or at his job while he's working. But he'll try and get over it. He has to think of the positives right now.

As he was daydreaming, Blue was continuing on about what he'll have to do and wear, but Red didn't interrupt him. What woke him us was Blue dropping down to squat in front of Red, pointing a finger to his small bump.

"You hear me, kid? I'll provide the hell outta you when you come and you're gonna be so lucky to have us as parents."

Red blushed slightly at the act and pulled Blue up to stand just to hug him tightly; not wanting to let go. "Thank you again...you're the best."

His smile softening, Blue hugged back and buried his faces in Red's neck, inhaling. The two remained in each others arms until the five minute bell rang them out of their dreaming.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Red checked up on internet sources and pregnancy books that the second trimester is the easiest and most comfortable state to be in out of the three. He smiled to himself. That was a load of his shoulders. It was the middle of December and Blue's first day of work. To his dismay, Red ordered Blue not to be distracted so he could text him, and Blue finally agreed before he gave him a quick kiss before dropping Red off at home. It was a Friday, he did all his homework, and had nothing to do...but be bored by himself with his mom.

She gets home early on Fridays and rushes to clean the house once she does. Their house is big enough to pay a paid to clean it, but his mother insists she's not an old slob that wastes her money having strangers touch her things.

So Red found himself curled up in a pile of blankets on the couch in his living room, a small cup of microwaved noodles in his hand, watching a re run of a cartoon marathon.

His mother was walking back and forth in front of the television with a watering can, getting the many pots she had decorating the main room.

Red took a tiny bite from his fork, eyes watching his busy mother. He swallowed. He has been meaning to ask this ever since he encountered Vio after school, but was either to scared or didn't have the time to ask but...

"Mom." Red began slowly, waiting for her to react.

She concentrated on steadily watering her hanging spider plants. "Yes, hun?"

Red shifted under his blanket, playing with the curly noodles. "Am I...going to college? At all?"

His mother immediately froze and turned her head. Her face was hard and serious, and slightly shocked, like she didn't think he would ever ask that. "Of course! I'm not giving you a choice, you're going whether you like it or not."

Red opened his mouth to speak but hesitated. "B-but...I don't even know what I want to go for...what I want to be."

His mother walked a few steps to her right to water the identical dangling plant. "Are you saying you don't want to have a future or education?"

"No, no!" Red put his noodle cup down and sat up, "I-I'm just saying that...w-what's going to happen when the baby comes?

The watering came down on the coffee table, his mother casually wiping her hands on her apron. "The baby isn't due until May. You have a whole summer to get comfortable and back on your feet until you head off for college. The baby will stay home with me while you're gone."

Red frowned, not liking this little plan at all. Leaving his baby home alone with his mom? "I don't want to...I want to be with my child every day."

"And you will be, before and after school."

"Mom!"

His mother whipped around, standing in the doorway leading to the kitchen. "Red. You WILL be attending college. Everything will work out. We'll look at some schools soon and maybe, just maybe!...They'll have a nursery program we can put the baby in. End of discussion." After that, she turned around and walked out of the room.

Red sank back down in his spot on the couch, the tears stinging the corners of his eyes. That's not what he expected...he felt confident enough to start the conversation, but couldn't end it the way he wanted it to end...

He closes his eyes and watched a cat get hit on the head with a very large hammer.

He didn't realize how much he had to think about his future. The college part was coming either way, but how the baby will interfere left him confused, tired and upset.

He wanted nothing more than to see Blue and hug him and never leave...he instead drifted off into an unsettled sleep.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The school was partially decorated as Christmas grew near. A week away, but Red was less than enthusiastic about it. Girls in his grade, and even down to the freshmen, would come in skimpy Santa Clause or Elves costumes that goes against the dress code, but no teachers bother to say anything. But if Red's sweater rolls too far up his belly, exposing some skin, they ask him to fix it.

Malon hasn't changed a bit. Her and her little gang always stuck together now, like she was afraid to be see by herself and immediately give the impression she had no friends. That was a lie. The girls wanted to be accepted by her, and the boys get distracted by the tight clothing.

Apparently, she hooked up with a guy on the football team in the beginning of the year. Dark. Not at all related to Shadow, though. In fact, they hate each others guts. This Dark fellow was always grabbing Malon's behind in the hallway, lips ghosting too close to her ears and neck, and this endless look of dirty desire in his blood shot eyes. That pot he gets his hands on don't help his ego. Dark is on the football team with Blue at one point...Dark works for Malon...Malon got everyone to turn against Red...he made the connection to why Blue might have been kicked off the team, but didn't want to imagine the reaction he would receive.

Red would find himself facing the same direction as Malon whenever Dark was around, and when she would notice this, her hand would grab her boyfriend's and direct it do some visible skin or a rounded out part of her body. It made Red feel sick, knowing that she was messing with him because she was "perfect and pure" while he wasn't. The evidence was clear underneath every shirt he wore.

People he has never spoken too would bring up his pregnancy and turn it into a negative conversation.

"You won't be able to party anymore..."

"You can't smoke or drink!"

"You'll always have to watch over that thing when it comes and you'll have no free time, like, ever!"

Red just listened and kept his mouth closed. If it hadn't been for the intercom one day before classes, he would have ended up screaming at them.

"Mr. Red, please come to the main office. Mr. Red, please come to the main office."

The elderly voice sounded like they would rather be doing something else than announce his name. Some students around Red looked at him, some glaring some actually curious. Red was scared. Blue wasn't in yet, so he walked the path down the main hallway himself, head slightly bowed and pace dragging.

He opened the double doors to the office, encountering a large desk with three different women typing away at their keyboards, picking up the ringing phones. The owner of the voice looked up from over her glasses, popping her bubblegum.

"Mr. Red?"

Red stood with his fingers nervously intertwined over his stomach, shyly nodding his head.

"The psychologist wants to see you now."

His heart rate slowed down a notch. At least he wasn't in trouble for something he didn't do. He was directed to a door next to one of the women, leading into a tiny room with heat, plants, comfy seats, and a polished desk with a young women and a big smile.

"Hi, Red," she greeted him, extending her manicured hand, "nice to finally meet you."

Her friendly face and the warm environment made Red feel at ease and he had no problem returning her handshake with the same grin. "Hello." he responded meekly.

She continued to smile. "Please, sit down, make yourself comfortable." As he moved to place his books and bag down, she got up to close her door, giving them privacy. "I've heard a lot about you. I've been emailing your mom since October, you know, about your situation."

Red forced a weak smile as he took a seat across from her chair. "Yeah."

Her forehead creased when she took notice of his gloomy expression. "I was expecting a much happier young man from the way your mother described you."

At least she talks nice about me to strangers.

Red remained with that same unenthusiastic smile. "I'm not as happy as I use to be, ma'am."

"It's Ms. Walk. What do you mean by that?"

Red stepped in thinking he wouldn't let too much out today, not on their first meeting. It was probably a simple introduction and time to make appointments. But here he was, rambling to the lady he just met, tears brewing in his eyes as he got more into talking about his problems and burdens. His fists started to tremble. He was getting anxious just sitting in his chair.

"And my mom! Isn't a mom suppose to help you and love you through all your troubles? All she has done is nag me! I don't even REMEMBER the last time she said I love you! My boyfriend says it more than her!

"And Blue...if it wasn't for him in my life, I wouldn't know what to do. I've thought about killing myself before but then I think of him...and I can't bring myself to do it. But I can't tell him about these thoughts..he protects me from the people who trigger them.

"The kids in this school...I'm afraid of each and every one of them. I-I sometimes think they'll all gang against me one day! They're terrible people! They don't understand...they don't know what it's like to feel like a planet! I-"

Red was holding back throughout his whole rant but finally lost control and started sobbing into his hands. He felt a bundle of tissues being forced through his fingers, and he quickly took them and to cover up his tear stained face.

"Shh," the young woman rubbed his knee in a reassuring way, waiting until his short, broken sobs ceased. Once they did and Red peeked out from the damp tissues, she was looking at him with such a caring look; sympathetic but no pity. Like she wanted to hear more and to make him feel better.

"I understand, Red." Her eyes softened as she smiled a bit. "I was 16 when I had my first child, but it was for the wrong reason. Keep your chin up, nothing can go wrong from now on. As long as you believe so. Don't let your mother get you don't, and always love your boyfriend and your child; and especially yourself."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Ms. Walk's words haunted Red throughout the rest of the week, but in a good way. It made him happier. Though he couldn't agree with it completely. He certainly loved Blue and his unborn baby, but he didn't know if he liked himself. He couldn't pinpoint way. He just assumed he wasn't mature enough to figure it out.

The psychologist's little pep talk kept Red feeling optimistic up until the start of Christmas break-which was December 23rd-the day before Christmas Eve. He didn't have any plans. No one texted him. Blue was working, but was being let out early for the holidays. Red was going to stay in his room until Blue got home, then he'd make his way over to Blue's to get away from his mom.

Speaking of his mother.

She was leaning over a busy counter top and stove; mixing bowls and dripping wooden spoons and floured pans. Her tea pot was whistling once Red walked in the front door and kicked off his boots and was yelled at for not taking them off on the mat.

"You'll track wet leaves into the house, and I just cleaned!" She hollered over the blaring warning whistle of the teapot before turning off that burner and removing the pot. "How was school?"

"Okay, I guess." Red shrugged and neatly placed his bags and books on the staircase and shuffled lazily into the kitchen. "I guess you're making the deserts for Christmas?"

"Indeed I am." She swiftly moved from placing the filled brownie pan in the oven from dumping a whole bag of chocolate chips in the cookie dough.

He walked over to his mother and slipped a sneaky finger into the cookie batter. "Can I have-~?"

"Get out of here!" She gently bumped her hip into Red's, causing him to jump back. "Not until Christmas."

Pouting, he retreated over to a chair at the kitchen table and broke open a miniature bag of fruit snacks instead. "What's the plan for Christmas?"

His mother began plopping balls of cookie batter on a clean pan. "First we'll go to church tomorrow, then right from church we'll go out for breakfast and then immediately afterwards, we have to hit the road for your Aunt's-it's a 4 hour drive, remember that. And then we'll stay over night at your Aunt's and celebrate Christmas morning together."

Red winced and sighed. Not so much the long ride he and his mother have to take again, he just dreaded the family part. They will question and laugh at him. He didn't want Christmas to come. Then, Red felt a little confident. "I don't want to go."

"You have to go." His mother finished the first batch of cookies and popped them in with the brownies.

"But I don't want to. I have a choice, don't I?"

His mother thought. "No."

"Why not?"

"This is a family event. People who love and care about you. It's only right to visit them during the holidays."

"W-well..." Red fiddled with the wrappers of his snack, a sudden frown conjuring up on his face. "Maybe I don't want to be with them. Didn't you hear them during Thanksgiving? They were laughing at me! I don't want to go."

His mother had begun icing the now cooled off cake that was set aside before she stopped to look at her son. "Red, you're being selfish. They're just joking around, quit acting like a child before you have one yourself."

"S-see! Right there!" Red jumped from his seat, his mother flinching. "That's what I don't like! In fact, I-I...hate it! I hate what you say about me to them! You give them the wrong idea! Thanks to you, you ruined my Christmas."

They both stood in silence, looking at each other. Red took quick notice to the way his mother was tightly clutching the knife she was using to spread the icing, so much that her knuckles turned white. The anger slowly drained from Red after he realized what he said. He gulped and he backed away.

"I'm sorry I cause so many problems for you. But maybe you should have thought of the problems you caused me and this family before you got felted up by that disgrace you call a boyfriend. You will stay in bed tomorrow morning like you want to so badly and I will leave to go celebrate Christmas without you. Now leave."

Red's eyes grew wide; now that he heard it from his mother's mouth, it didn't sound like a good idea anymore. "N-no...please, I didn't mean to yell. I don't know what's wrong with me, please, I'll get up extra early tomorrow-"

"Red, leave. Now!"

His insides tumbled and his heart shriveled into nothing. He felt dead. And weak. But he managed to drag his legs out of the kitchen, through the living room, and up the stairs before locking himself in his room and doing what he did nearly every night; he cried.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

He was buried underneath the layers of blankets on his bed. He didn't see the foggy haze outside his window. It was too warm. Red was finally disturbed by the sudden vibration of his phone next to his pillow, blindly groping around until his rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Checking the screen, he was greeted with a morning text from Blue.

'merry xmas eve my angel'

Red laughed weakly and smiled. He loved when Blue purposely sounded lovey dovey to get Red embarrassed.

X-mas eve.

Christmas Eve.

He mentally groaned when he remembered the fight he had with his mother before he locked himself up in his room and fell asleep.

Red sat up and yawned, but was in more of a rush to check up on his mother. He flew down the stairs, checking out the winter wonderland scene that was currently happening outside their windows, and made his first stop in the living room. She wasn't watching television.

He poked his head in the kitchen. She wasn't making tea.

He walked down the hall and looked into her bedroom. Her bed was perfectly made.

His heart grew sore. She wasn't serious was she?

Red walked into the kitchen and scanned it. He paused when he spotted a 50 rupee crystal wrapped in a small sticky note.

"Use for dinner- Mom"

Now she ruined his Christmas.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Red was now being bombard with texts from Blue because he never answered the first one.

'red?'

'r u there?'

'u dead?'

He wasn't dead, but he sure felt like it. The strong icy wind slapping him in the face caused great pain but he continued to trudge through the storm. His thick sweater and heavy winter jacket protected his protruding stomach, but his nose, cheeks and eyes were suffering with each gust of wind. His nose stung, his feet felt frozen and his entire body was shaking fiercely. He was lucky no one was on the streets this morning except for him, painfully making his way through 5 inch snow.

His pocket was now vibrating and ringing, the signal that someone was trying to call him. He refused to answer until he was on slippery porch. His numb fingers pushed the button on his phone and he lifted it up to his clothed ear.

The door in front of Red swung open. The look of angry shock on Blue's face as he stood in the doorway infront of his boyfriend hurt Red even more.

Red's mouth could be seen opening over his tightly wrapped scarf, as if he was trying to saying something. His voice cracked, and fresh new tears spilled over his rosy, dried tear stained cheeks.

"I don't feel good."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The steaming water his feet were dipped in sent comforting shivers through Red's body. He was cold to the bone, but the new change of Blue's oversize sweat clothes and an extra blanket, plus the hot water...Red hasn't felt this relaxed in a long time.

Blue entered the living, where Red was seated. He had in his hand a pair of stained, chipped mugs with some hot beverage inside them. He plopped down on the futon next to Red and handed him the bigger cup. "Here, I found some hot chocolate."

Red smiled gratefully, taking the delicate mug and taking a sip.

"It might be expired, though." Blue took and sip and smiled cheekily while Red retracted with a disgusted look. "...But I think it's good!"

Sighing with a tiny smile, Red placed his mug on the coffee table in front of them. "Thank you...I appreciate it."

"Now are you going to tell me what the hell you were doing, walking in the middle of a storm and not properly clothed?"

Red's heart twisted as he looked away from Blue, his guilty mind from the fight with his mother to his unplanned decision to walk in the snow, until now, with his own boyfriend scolding him.

"I don't know," he whispered. "My mom...I got in a fight with her yesterday and said I didn't want to go to my aunt's for Christmas and how she yelled and said I didn't need to go...but I didn't think she was serious...and I woke up to 50 rupees for food under my Christmas tree."

Blue sighed, knowing he can't be mad at Red for that, but was still irked that he nearly gotten frost bite just for coming here. "You shoulda at least called me...You know I don't want you getting hurt."

He pulled Red to his chest, letting his chin rest on a mop of blond hair. Red was able to turn his torso to face Blue and lean in against him, while keeping his feet in place in the bucket of now lukewarm water. They remained in that position in silence until Red sniffed his running noise as a way to catch Blue's attention.

"I think my feet are fine now..."

"Oh," Blue quickly pulled away and took the bucket, retreating to the opposite corner of the room where the stained sink was connected to the wall to dump the water out. Red used one of the blanket wrapped around his shoulder to dry off his feet and hastily slipped them a fresh pair of socks.

"I don't know what to do," he sighed, "I have nowhere to go or nothing to do...my relatives live so far away but I don't want to be by myself for Christmas."

Blue whipped his head around as he held up the bucket while the water was still flowing out. "Uh, hello? You can stay here. Overnight! We'll wake up on Christmas morning together."

Red's eyes grew wide at the idea, and frankly, it made his insides flutter in a warm mess to think of something as perfect as that, yet the scolding of his mother if she found out-

"I-I couldn't...I shouldn't...my mom wouldn't like it...a-and what about you and your dad? Don't you celebrate together?"

Blue was walking back over to Red after tossing the bucket to the side. "Okay, first of all; who the fuck cares about your mother? She's the dumbass who left you alone on Christmas. It's obvious she doesn't care about what you do. And second; my dad and I don't do shit on Christmas. It's like any other day. But with you-" Blue plopped down on the couch next to Red, leaning his face in close with eyes half lidded and voice a soft mutter. "It'll be an awesome day."

Red smiled and lowered his eyes as well. He pressed his forehead up to Blue's. "That's so sweet, Blue." Blue returned the affection with a slight rub of their noses and sitting there, enjoying the contact until Red shifted away.

"O-oh, but I'm not prepared...I don't have any clothes, or my toothbrush, or the lotion for my tummy and-"

He was cut off by a quick peck, Blue pulling back with an eyebrow quirk.

"Seriously? You're clothes from today will be dry by morning," he motioned to Red's soaking clothes that were neatly hung over a thin rope over a furnace, "and forget the rest of that stuff! You can miss one day, right? See these two days, like...a vacation, sorta. Don't think about any of your troubles, don't think about anyone else..."

Red continued to smile cutely as they both leaned in for a second, more deeper kiss until the front door at the top of the stairs swung open.

"Blue, I got your beer but I didn't like the way that foreigner was lookin' at me so-" Blue's father slowly walked down the stairs, a 6 pack of beer in one arm and the receipt in the other hand that was being held up in his face. He stopped himself once he reached the bottom and noticed the situation they were in. It made his father grin rather sneakily, as if he understood.

"Heh, don't mind me...I'll just kick back with some snacks and booze in the kitchen, and I'll leave you two lovey doveys alone." His father, when Red was covering his mouth to hold in his giggling, gave his son an overly enthusiastic thumbs up with a huge grin, to which Blue shouted for him to fuck off and throwing the nearest object to the door frame joining the main room to the cramped kitchen.

Blue covered half of his face with his hand, his face chagrin. "Sorry...I think he's starting to go senile."

Red started to laugh, his hand was barely covering his mouth to hold it in. "No no, it's fine...I love your father..."

A rather pervish smile graced Blue's lips as he leaned into Red. "I love you more."

He was starting to get in the mood, and Red's stomach turned at the tempting thought. Even with the thick blanket still loosely wrapped around his thin shoulders, he was shivering from the ticklish contact Blue was giving his neck. Red pulled away abruptly and Blue slowly glanced up to his his boyfriend's conflicting expression.

"H-how about we watch a movie..?"

A look of defeat was evident on Blue's face as he thought about Red's idea, before he shrugged with a tiny smile. "Sure."

Red mentally cursed himself for tricking Blue, and he buried his face into his knees. But Blue got over it quickly. As long as he got to touch or hold him. It was easy to shove the old futon out of the way and drag Blue's rickety bed to the center of the room, right in front of the television. Blue popped in a favorite of Red's, clambered on top of the noisy springs, and pulled Red towards his chest underneath the big blanket, where they both stayed the rest of the night even as Red drifted off to sleep. It had stopped snowing hours ago, and the heavy downpour of rain helped erase that evidence and rock them both to sleep.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Red was the first to wake, and he quickly felt a weight that leaned on his waist. His eyes still heavy and filled with sleep, he trusted his hand to search his body. It was Blue's limp arm that was rested across Red's waist, and it was Blue's face that was currently nestled in Red's back, and his hand that was cupping the tiny stomach. His snores vibrated against Red's skin, and he bit his lip to keep from giggling, but his grumbling stomach out did him. He remembered he and Blue had nothing to eat yesterday afternoon or last night except for that old hot chocolate. Red held back a groan as he shifted in the spooning position they were in, in attempt to wake up his numb body. The person behind him was waken up instead when his snoring was interrupted by an accidental kick in the gut by his boyfriend. Red couldn't help but giggle when Blue let out a strangled groaned and purposely nudged Red's butt with his knee, a sign he was definitely awake. The arms wrapped around Red grew tighter and the gentle breathing of Blue tickled his ear as he leaned down for a soft kiss and lazy mutter:

"Merry Christmas, Red."

The events of yesterday flashed through Red's mind and he momentarily felt a ping of guilt stab him in the chest, but the anticipation of today, what just the two of the together, alone, will do...

Red smiled back and sighed, letting his head sink back into his pillow. "Good morning...Merry Christmas, sweetie~"

They remained there for a couple minutes; Blue closed his eyes again for extra sleep but Red stayed wide awake, gazing out the single window in that room. It looked like there was still snow on the ground, but the hazy mist outside made it difficult to tell.

"Blue," Red croaked, his shoulder twitching slightly to get Blue's attention, "It doesn't matter...how w-well we spend the day, like what we do, or where we go...as long as we're together, it'll be perfect..."

He could hear Blue take a big inhale, followed by and exaggerated exhale. He also felt his lips pressed against Red's back turn up into a smile. "I promise you won't be disappointed."

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

Blue was able to rummage around and find a spare 20 rupees in his dad's sweatpants pocket as he slept on the kitchen chair with the portable television still on. Helping Red into his now dry layers of clothes and jacket, the two of them set out for a place to get a cheap breakfast. The fast food restaurant that Blue usually went to and that also sold breakfast was closed, and so were a lot of the local stores. The only places that were open were the fancy restaurants where families like Red's would all gather for a hot meal after opening the presents under the Christmas tree.

Trudging through the slushy snow was a pain to Red's feet, legs and back, even with the support of Blue's arm. The wind was still terrible, and his scarf was beginning to lose it's touch. Unable to move, Blue took Red to the nearest bench and helped him down.

"Sorry, Red." Blue mumbled as he wiped his forehead, looking around the nearly deserted town. "Looks like everything is closed..."

Red was panting slowly, one hand resting on his stomach, the other still clutching for Blue's arm. "Why don't...we just go to the restaurant? We can buy the cheapest food there."

Blue frowned at the idea, but the desperate look in Red's eyes, and the denial they were in gave Blue no other choice. They reached the nearest place, The Hyrulian Palace, and both stepped inside, but not before Blue rushed in front of Red to hold the door open for him.

The place was crowded. Each table and each booth were crammed with big families with loud kids who had at least one new recently received Christmas toy in their hands. Most of them were electronics, which Red cringed at when he imaged them getting dirty from the food. There was an estimate of three or four families in the corner waiting section, still hoping to be served next. Red heard Blue curse under his breath, something about all the people who were too lazy to make their own food.

"C'mon Red, let's go..." Blue began to pull Red's hand before his boyfriend protested.

"No, Blue...these people are waiting for full tables and booths...lets sit at the counters!"

The two pushed their way through bustling waiters and crying children and fortunately spotted two empty stools at the bar area, just waiting for them. They were seated and waited patiently for someone to come.

"What's the cheapest thing...?" Red murmured to Blue as the two of the observed the display of breakfast meals and selections.

"...A frickin' muffin." Blue practically spat and pounded his elbows down on the marble table. "I'm sorry, Red...I probably shoulda bought something a head of time..." Blue ran his fingers through his blonde mop and glared off to the side.

Red's eyes softened as he grabbed onto Blue's shoulders. "Hey, don't say that...it's my fault; I showed up unexpectedly, you wouldn't have known..." Red stopped to check the menu again. "Tell you what; we'll both order a chocolate chip muffin and split a big sundae. It's all under 20 rupees, so we can do it."

He gave Red a sideways glance, one of his eyebrows quirking up. "Sundae...this early?"

Red's devious and teasing smile was enough to have Blue smirking along. "Who cares?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

With the last five rupees left in Blue's pocket, he decided to use it wisely and take the public bug for a tour around town; including a stop to the center's large Christmas tree. Red said he's never explored the entire town before or seen the tree everyone talked about. They sat side by side in the bus, hand in hand, by themselves with the exception of two or three people who got on and off at the occasional stops. Red would gasp or bounce in his seat at the sights he saw, all the pretty lights that were still lit in the afternoon fog, and the families that walked by in matching outfits. Blue just smiled. He has seen all this corny stuff before, but he never got tired of the look of glee plastered on Red's face right now. The way he was grinning none stop, his wide, curious eyes wondering everywhere...

Blue was snapped out of his thoughts when Red began rustling his shoulder, pointing frantically at a sign in the window of a passing bakery.

"2 MILKSHAKES FOR 1 RUPEE!"

Red's eyes bore into Blue's, his hands folding together in high hopes. "Pleeeease, Blue?"

Blue blinked, then chuckled. "First sundaes, now milkshakes...your hormones are still acting up?"

Red got what he wished, and now he was licking off the whip cream of that wish, arm linked with Blue as they kicked the snow out of their paths, attempting to hit each other. Red would start laughing hysterically each time snow would get his face, and Blue would purposely pick up a chunk of that snow and try to shove it down Red's shirt, causing him to squeak and chase each other home.

Once they reached Blue's porch, the two of them were gasping for air, having wasted it all laughing and running at the same time and not caring about anything else. As Red sat down momentarily, Blue snatched a note that was taped to his front screen.

Blue n Red-

Went too visit your Granns house be back late toknight

-Greg

"Well that takes care of the old man," Blue scoffed and tossed the paper out carelessly before going to help Red in the door.

It was quiet on the upper part of the house. The landlord's family must have left too, leaving Red and Blue, by themselves, in the entire house. Either way, Blue slammed the basement door shut and helped Red down the stairs, even though he tried to brush Blue away. They began to take their winter jackets off before Red suddenly gasped.

"Wha-" Blue spun around in a panic. "What is it?!"

The look of horror froze Blue up but he groaned and relaxed when Red's mouth opened.

"WE FORGOT TO EXCHANGE GIFTS!"

"Fuck, Red...you scared me." Blue rolled his eyes and tossed his jacket on the pile of clothes next to his bed, kicking off his boots next.

Red pouted and slipped off his. "I'm sorry...it just didn't occur to me until now..."

"Luckily I have mine right now." Blue smirked and made his way over to his dresser, where he took a peek in the top drawer and took a quick glance over his shoulder. "No looking!"

Giggling, Red casually placed his palms over his eyes and smiled, waiting for Blue to be ready. "Okay...now you can look!"

Red removed his eyes and stared into Blue's hands. His hands were facing upwards, revealing a collection of four cookie cutters that were shaped into different objects like a heart and a star. It was such a simple gift, something Red did remembered himself mentioning to Blue one time, so he did get it with thought...

"They're so cute, Blue..." Red smiled big and took the tools on his hands, examining them. "It's perfect for starters!"

"Heh, yeah, " Blue chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his messy head. "I know you wanted to learn to bake an all that...and I didn't get my paycheck in time, so I had to use the money I got from tips, but...I knew they would be useful! Somewhat..."

Red's smile weakened as he glances down at his gift. "I love them..." He soon grew quiet and wasn't looking up at Blue anymore.

"Is...something wrong?" Blue squatted down to look underneath Red's bangs to check him.

Red shook his head, a guilty smile spreading across his lips. "W-well...even though you got me such a small gift, it was with your own money...and you obviously had to think of it..." Blue stood in front of his boyfriend, looking intently down at Red. "I-I'm sorry, Blue, but...I...didn't buy you a present."

The immediate reaction Red got wasn't what he was totally expecting...Blue began hysterically cracking up, a hand gripped Red's shoulder tightly in order to maintain his balance. "Awh, Red, don't worry! I don't care for mushy...gushy gifts, anyway!" He wiped a tear from his eyes and used his gripped hand to pull Red in for a tight hug. "I don't care...you already made my Christmas..."

Blue's words touched Red's heart, and even relaxed his mind a bit, but deep down inside, there was a tight nervous feeling still being held, his hands were getting sweaty and body shaking at the thought of saying it. "B-but," he began quietly, "I may not have BOUGHT it...but I still have something for you."

Blue's laughing ceased quickly as he pulled back from the hug and gave Red a skeptical look. "Wha? You do?" He began searching Red's body and his jean pockets. "...Where is it?"

"U-um...you should probably...s-sit down for this?" Red squeaked and bit his lip.

He almost wanted to break down in a fit of giggles at how oblivious Blue looked right there. He was squinting at Red as he slowly lowered himself down on the bed and backed up to the back cushion. "Red, you're acting weird..."

Red was standing at the edge of that pull out couch called Blue's bed, standing awkwardly with his hands at his sides, breath uneven, and eyes darting everywhere but Blue's eyes. But he finally made contact with his boyfriend as he hands reached up for his collar-

"What? I'm giving you your gift."

Red began undressing himself in front of Blue, and Blue's mouth went agape and eyes shot wide.

"RED? What the-what the hell?"

His buttoned down shirt was discarded on the floor. A little shy about his specially stitched pants, he started to tug those down from over his bump, down his slender legs, down to the floor at his feet.

"I know...you're always asking for us to..to 'do it'," He smiled inwardly and glanced down at his half exposed body, "...and I've done a lot of thinking...and I thought..."

The young boy was now standing at the foot of that bed, his fingers nervously fumbling for something to do, posing in nothing but his slightly too-tight, too-short boxers shorts.

"I guess, heh, you...d-deserve this now."

"R-Red, please." Blue began to stutter as he quickly maneuvered himself to the edge of the bed, trying so hard not to let his eyes water anywhere else-ooh how he missed the chest-anywhere else BUT Red's face. "I-I know I joke about this all the time...but you don't need to take it all seriously! I don't..." He paused to sigh and close his eyes, before looking up and gazing into Red's eyes. "I REALLY...don't want you to do something you REALLY don't want to do..."

His words sounded honest, but his hard expression looked more sincere to Red. The way his eyes wavered as he thought deeply about Blue's words made the latter gulp in panic.

'Aw shit. Did I just lose my fucking chance?'

The hands that suddenly groping his shoulders and down his chest was Red's final answer, and Blue couldn't have looked more excited and pleased.

"No..." Red grinned shyly. "I got my Christmas gift...you need yours."

Two hands began feeling around Blue's chest for more contact, Blue did everything to get more contact. Soon they were both stripped to absolutely nothing; Blue finally seeing what Red looked like pregnant, with no clothes on. If anything, he saw Red even sexier than he was four months ago.

"To be honest, Red-" Blue shivered as Red's bum grazed his pelvis, "...I took those frickin' cookie cutter things from my job. Therefore-" He bit his bottom lip hard with Red now straddling above him. "...I REALLY don't deserve this..."

Red's soft hands raked through Blue's affectionately. Blue's calloused hands massaged the globe of Red's rump, now situated on top of his hips. With Blue laid back against the pillows, and Red seated up with both hands on either side of Blue's head, they both leaned towards each other for a long, drawn out kiss.

"I was giving this to you either way...but I wanted to wait until today." Red paused to smile cutely. "I guess luck was on my side...leaving us all alone in this house."

The kissed again. Blue's excitement was standing tall and ready to be embraced.

"T-tell me if I do it wrong." Red's rigid breath reached Blue's ears while his behind hide was being lifted.

Blue couldn't help but chuckled. "Fuck, how could you do any wrong now...?"

Red sat and Blue groaned.

Blue shifted and Red gasped.

They both began rocking and rocking, thrusting and rocking. The springs of the bed became unison with their movements.

Each minuted was filled with clawing and grabbing-moaning and panting. They were just two sweaty bodies molding together with each bounce, growing faster and faster in pace, louder as they clutched each other tightly and breathed in each others ear.

Red was the most vocal and finally collapsed in exhaustion. Blue laid still and out of breath. He barely managed to pull himself out and the covers up over their cooling bodies.

That was very long awaited, Blue thought to himself. But he can wait a few more months to go for another ride.