It was December. Christmas was a week away. Emil had decided 2 things. Whether he's in Denmark or Iceland he will freeze his ass off. (Of course he was much more used to it than Xiao. Emil kind of felt bad for the guy. Icelandic winters could get merciless. And Xiao wasn't completely used to it.)
Emil had spoken to Mathias the other day. They chatted about school and friends and stuff. Mathias brought up the looming holiday and his excitement. He also mentioned something about gifts. Emil thought after that on what to get for Mathias. Emil still hadn't decided. He was thinking maybe something that Mathias could use for a while. Maybe like a sweater. Emil couldn't knit but he could purchase one.
That would be 'sentimental' enough right? Of course.
Emil also was planning to give Xiao a gift. Emil chose to order a few candies of the internet. The candies were from Hong Kong. Emil thought that Xiao would like something he could reminisce on. Emil also bought him a phone case and a stuffed panda. Emil wasn't the best at gifts.
He thought of even calling Tino for help. He knew if anyone was good with gifts, it was definitely Tino. Emil soon gave up on the idea. Tino was probably to busy to help in anyway, and Emil wanted to give the gifts himself.
Emil found himself walking through the snowy plaza browsing stores to find the gifts. He really liked Christmas. He walked through the bustling town swiftly regardless of the falling flakes making the streets increasingly slick. He had his mouth and neck warmly covered but the wool, striped, scarf Mathias had given him last year. Mathias had the match to it. Emil wondered if he was wearing it now.
Regardless of the passed time Emil could almost Smell Mathias' warm ascent adorning the warm, knit, fabric. Emil felt almost as though Mathias was kissing him warmly. Emil shivered. Not from the cold but the thought of those soft, warm, lips against his. Emil sighed.
Emil entered the next store. It was the 3rd shop that day. He already had Xiao's phone case and stuffed panda. He pretty much had Xiao covered except for the candies that he would purchase off of the internet. Now all he had to find was a sweater. He was in a knit clothing shop. It was decorated with glittery, shining, ornaments.
There were icicles and small lights all over the walls of the small shop. On some of the tables were small snowmen and even a few small Christmas trees on the bigger tables.
In the corner of the shop was a large tree. Covered in lights, tinsel, and tiny, decorative, knit sweaters. Emil smiled. The whole shop looked marvelous.
Emil went up to the older lady at the front register. "Excuse me?" She looked up from the register. "Yes sir?" "Can you show me your warmer sweaters? Like, winter sweaters?" The lady smiled. "Oh course, follow me."
Emil followed the lady to around the back of the store. He thanked her and began to look through the shelves of assorted sweaters.
After about 15 minutes of browsing and feeling the sweaters, Emil found a bright red one which he deemed the warmest and softest compared to the rest. It was slightly bigger than Mathias' size but Emil figured Mathias wouldn't mind, right?
Emil paid for the sweater and left the store. Outside, the light flurry became increasingly thicker. But it wasn't a 'white out' Emil could still see. He walked along the snow covered street calmly, taking in the scenery. He thought about what Mathias would think of the gift.
Emil reminisced on the year prior. He remembered holding Mathias' hand while walking through the snowy schoolyard. His heart pranged at the loss of his loved one's company. Emil then saw a young couple sitting on a bench across the small street. The couple nestled close and kissed, giggling and watching the snowfall.
Emil wanted to feel like that. He wanted Mathias beside him, sticking his tongue out to catch flakes. Emil looked away from the happy pair and felt a tear slide down his cold cheek. Before long he buried his face in his scarf to hide the fast falling tears. Choking back a sob every now and then until he got home.
He had managed to pull himself together before settling down to wrap gifts and enjoy some warm tea. He still felt cold. Not physically, but as though the warmth in his hart was drained. He pulled out his phone.
"Mathias?" He stared at the phone screen waiting for his lover to respond to the text.
"Hey Emil! Merry early Christmas~!"
Emil giggled a bit. "Merry early Christmas to you too."
"Omg, Tino wore a whole Santa outfit to school today I'm not kidding!"
"I'm not surprised. Wait your school isn't on break yet? we went on break last Friday."
"Actually our break started today. Lucky! You get an extra 5 days!"
Emil smiled. "Yea. I wish you could see the town though! I almost forgot how beautiful Reykjavik is around the holidays!"
"Yea. I miss you. Wait do you still have that scarf I gave you?"
"Of course! I wear it everywhere. It's almost like your kissing me and hugging my neck. I do miss you actually kissing me though..."
"I miss you so much Emil."
"I miss you too. I love you." Emil's eyes misted up slightly.
"I love you too babe. *Kisses you*"
"*Kisses back*"
A week later Emil woke up to a package on his bed. He opened the box. Inside were a large batch of Danish butter cookies and a stuffed puffin. On the puffin was a small note. It read:
'I wish I were next to you. I hope you enjoy my gift. I know how much you love my cooking and they should still be edible. And I know how much you love puffins so I got you this.'
Emil smiled and hugged the stuffed bird.
"I love it, I love you more I miss you."
