Another long chapter, but this is a good one, promise :)

SIXTY-ONE

Just one day for Christmas. I couldn't be more excited to blow Marco's mind with his gifts.

Except that tomorrow's Christmas Eve and his family gathering.

I couldn't be more nervous.

-"Wh-who's going?"- I asked Marco once. I wanted to have an idea of who I'm gonna deal with -there'll definitely be dealings. Marco's family were a bunch of Christians who disliked homosexuality and when they meet a scoundrel like me, they're gonna go nuts.

-"My uncle, my aunt, a few cousins and possibly my grandfathers,"- He was cooking something and after placing the lid over it, he faced me, -"Why do you ask?"

-"Marco, you know how they're gonna react when they meet me -I mean, I've gotten into a lot of fights, I have a terrible attitude, and... and..., ugh, look, I'm the total opposite of how a teenager should be in their minds. They're gonna flip shit and I don't know what to tell them about me: I live alone, I have bad grades, I suck on math and science, my father's reprimanded by the Fam. Department and..., holy shit."- I was waving my arms in anguish and pulling my hair.

Marco sighed, -"Jean, please, calm down,"- He stepped closer to me and cupped my face, -"I'm nervous too, but do you have to be the teenager in their minds?"

I knew he was nervous, but he kept cool and I couldn't be more proud of him. I though I'd be the one calmed and composed, but then again, these people aren't one of those who rebuke you with stupid threats and comments, this was his family, wealthy and educated people, -"N-no..., I don't."- Plus, it's important to me. It's an important phase in our relationship and I had to pass it.

He smiled as he arranged my hair neatly, -"And will you just say and demonstrate all those bad attributes of you? I know there's more to you than that."

Oh, Marco, I spoke mentally. His words always enlivened me. I breathed deeply and shook my head, -"No, of course not."

-"Just be who you are, Jean. They have to understand I love you like that."- He smiled sweetly, giving me a peck in the lips.

I lashed to him and hugged him tightly, burying my face in his collar, -"Why are you so damn adorable?"- I started to tickle him and kissing his cheek madly.

Marco giggled and tried to push me off, -"S-stop... the soup's-"

I let him go and he took deep breath. He gave me a smile before turning to the pot. We then ate and I couldn't help to make silly faces whenever I took a bite. It was just so delicious...! I'm really, really enjoying Marco's cooking. Flashy images passed by my mind of Marco and I in our own house, Marco cooking while I worked...

I was so distracted by my daydream that I didn't felt a slight burn on my chest...

-"Jean!"- Marco's call snapped me awake, -"You're spilling the soup!"

I looked down and yelped at the scorch, jumping from the seat and rushing to the sink, dropping the spoon midway. I gathered water in my palms and splashed it on my burning chest, -"Ow, ow, ow..."- After it cooled down, I picked the spoon up, washed it and sat again.

Marco chuckled, -"You dozed off. Again."

-"Yeah, well, couldn't help it."- I shrugged apologetically.

-"Oh? What were you dreaming about this time?"

'This time', huh, -"Oh, just you and me in our own house and you cooking fine meal like this to me."- I raised my spoon and tucked it in my mouth, letting the luscious juice down my throttle and savoring it.

-"You want to live with me in a future?"- He asked, tilting his head and resting it on his fists, his elbow on the table, and never parting his eyes from me.

-"I want to be with you forever, Marco."- And living alone with him in our own cozy house was alluring.

His cheeks lit up as he smiled, -"I want to be with you forever too."

I smiled back. I smelled a 'future talk' coming, but apparently, he left it for later. True, we were in 12, next semester's last and we had to plan something, like where to study, for starters. I've never given it much though. Where are you gonna study, Jean? What are you even gonna do? I honestly had no idea of what to fucking study and make a living of. I wanted to become a professional athlete, but I wasn't sure if I should make a living of it. There's still a few months left, no pressure.

I knew Marco had his plans already, but he hasn't shared them with me, probably by his own volition. Maybe he didn't wanted to tell me because he knew I won't be able follow. I had a gut feeling he plans to study on Sina and with my sparkling grades, I won't even be considered. That scared me.

We headed upstairs after finishing eating and prepared our clothes for tomorrow -well, I did, Marco said he'd change in his house since his mom said she'd pick us up tomorrow morning, -"We have to sleep early, Jean."- Marco warned me several times while I played PS3. After the fifth warning, I withdrew the control and went to sleep.

Next day morning, we woke up early and made breakfast. After eating, I headed up stairs and clothed up. I pulled down my soft and white sweater that said 'Merry Christmas' in red and below it a Christmas tree. With my white jean and light brown shoes, I headed into the bathroom to work on my hair, but since it was fucking cold as fuck outside, I decided to wear my red plain beanie and be done with it. After spraying a bit of perfume, I headed out.

I almost forgot I was staying the night there, so I started packing my stuff until Marco came in, -"Mom's here."

-"Give me a sec,"- Pants, underwear, pajamas, t-shirts..., I finished packing up and stood, throwing the bag over my shoulder, -"Done, let's go."

Marco observed me with a blush on his cheeks, -"You look cute."

I smiled, my cheeks lighting up as I scratched my head. We headed down, mounted the car and rode off.

In his house, Marco quickly headed upstairs to change up and asked me to go with him so I could help him. Of course I didn't refuse, I can't tell Marco 'no'. He rummaged trough his clothes for something proper to wear. Most of his clothes were jeans and t-shirts, but he wanted something fancier. With his permission, I searched his closet too and spotted a good looking, burgundy colored over shirt and with a black shirt and boots, it'll look amazing -everything looks good on him, anyways. I spoke my suggestion to him and he accepted it. After changing up and spraying his vanilla perfume on him, I couldn't help myself from pulling him to me and giving him unchaste kiss, -"You look damn good."- I mused among the kisses.

He chuckled, -"You still nervous?"

I sighed deeply, burying my face in his hair, -"A little. You?"

He nodded, -"Yeah..."

I rubbed his hair and nuzzled him, -"It's going to be alright. Remember what you told me."

He looked up at me and smiled, his face lit up in pride.

We walked downstairs. Marco's mom already prepared everything: the table, the banquet, the music, the drinks; I was practically drooling at the food. There was even desert neatly arranged in fancy plates; like brownies, cupcakes, etc. I still couldn't believe she made all this on her own.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard several car engines nearby. Calm down, Jean, calm down. Marco's gonna be at your side and remember what Diego told you; just flip everyone off.

Well, don't do that exactly, but you know what I mean, I argued.

In a second, the room flooded with new faces, which always made me wiry, I'm kind of a distrustful kid. For several minutes, they chattered, catching up to the latest gossip, asking Marco and his mom how they been, telling Marco that he's grown a lot, that he/she watched him when he crawled for the fist time, etc.

I lurked around, avoiding as best as I could the growing crowd. My nerves were killing me and I just wanted to chicken out and go home. At the same time though, I was pissed off and wanted them all to know I was here. Everyone, literally everyone, were speaking to Marco, asking him how he had been doing, what has he been doing, that his freckles were still cute, blah, blah. He was with me a few minutes ago and they fucking took him from me as if I was just paint in the wall. Even so, they knew I was here, they knew who I was and they glared at me, but they tried to overlook me, avoid the 'let's all meet Marco's boyfriend' part. I could smell the hate. Are these people really Christians? This "gathering" became a mess and even Mrs. Bodt got lost.

Still, I could see they all adored Marco, but they were too shrewd with him.

I kept my ears attentive and heard murmurs about me, -"Is that the guy?"

-"I think so."

-"What is Marco thinking? What does he even see in him?"

-"I don't know, I really don't know."

I spotted several teenagers and kids, boys and girls, probably cousins. They were all staring at me, but there was this one guy that reminded an awful lot of my surly uncle Harris; he had his eyes carved on me, not letting me out of his eyesight for even a second until he spoke to Marco. He had black, bushy eyebrows, which made the glaring scarier. He had an incredibly, nasty huge mole below his lower lip. I never judged people with these types of moles, most were caused by a skin ailment, but I didn't liked this guy, so fuck that.

-"Huh? Where's Jean?"- That's Marco!

He was speaking with bushy eyebrows, -"Bah, forget him. You haven't seen me in years."

I made my way towards the duo. Marco was looking for me and that warmed me, -"I'm here."

When I approached them though, bushy eyebrows wrapped his arm around Marco's shoulder and began pulling him away, but Marco didn't budge. I snarled internally, -"So, this is him, huh? The one who always had your attention so that you couldn't spend time with us."- He spoke to Marco, but had an eye on me. I heard a tinge of jealousy.

I ignored that, -"Nice you meet you, um..."

-"No one you care about."

Ha! I don't, -"He's Elliot, my cousin. This is-"- Marco spoke, pointing to me.

-"I know who he is, cousin,"- He spat, turning his gaze to me, -"Why don't you leave us alone? I haven't seen him in years."

I lent back. Who does this fucker think he is? He may have come here to spend time with him, but so did I and I don't care if he hasn't seen him in years, why didn't he called Marco before? Why did he wait for Christmas Eve? I glanced at Marco and I knew he didn't wanted me to go, meaning he wasn't so comfortable with this guy in front of him, in fact, I've noted how uncomfortable he was since they arrived and I share that sentiment. They may be family, but they judged him too much and Marco didn't liked that, -"Let me ask you something,"- I spoke, crossing my arms, -"If you missed him so much, why didn't you called him and planned something sooner? I mean, why wait for Christmas Eve?"

Elliot snarled at me, but before he could spat at me, Marco's mom spoke, telling them all to organize and sit. Some did, some didn't.

I felt a slight touch on my hand. I looked down at it and saw Marco's hand sliding into mines. I glanced at him and smiled. He gestured towards the living room and I nodded. We walked towards them, hands tied, and Marco cleared his throat to attract his family's attention. The chatter subsided as they regarded us, -"Um, everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Jean Kirshtein,"- He paused and looked at me lovingly, -"My boyfriend."- He then pointed to all of them and told me their names and who they were. In a minute, I forgot them all.

-"A pleasure to meet you all."- I said, nodding and waving at them.

-"The... pleasure it's all ours, Mr. Kirshtein,"- A woman spoke with a bit of miff; the only one who spoke, actually. The rest just nodded or did nothing at all, ignoring me. Anyways, Mara's her name, I think. Marco's aunt. She was kind of a bitch, to be honest. She was tall, even without the high heels, and had a pompous red dress and huge earrings. Too extravagant for this occasion in my opinion. She couldn't even walk for fucks sake. Still, she enjoyed the attention given to her. She'd make this grin whenever someone flattered her. Elliot was her son, believe it or not, -"Marco, dear, what are your future plans, exactly?"

-"Um, I want to study Graphic Arts here in Trost and live with Jean, maybe in an apartment, doesn't have to be big."- He said, squeezing my hand.

My soul overjoyed at his words.

Mara placed her hand on her forehead, clearly disapproving, -"Surely, you have better plans,"- She sighed, completely exasperated, -"Sina is much more qualified for you, dear. And Graphic Arts? That's hardly opulent. How about engineering? Forensic Science?"

Marco shook his head at those, -"I want to study something I enjoy doing and I love to make art."

She practically ignored him, -"Architecture? Please, cooperate, dear. I care immensely for you and your future and believe me, that is no future."

I sighed and gave Marco a warning look before speaking. Here goes Jean the meddler, -"And what future do you want? A bitter, unhappy one where he studies something he doesn't even want to?"

Now, she glanced at me with a scowl, -"This is none of your business, young man."

I was about to argue that it actually was until a man walked towards us, towards Marco, specifically, -"Uncle...?"- Marco murmured, surprised to see the man.

-"I just arrived,"- He said and lent to hug him. Marco hugged him back, letting go of my hand, -"How have you been? I missed you greatly."

-"I'm... alright."- They parted and Marco gazed down.

His uncle placed his hand on Marco's head, -"Arguing with your dear aunt, I see,"- He sighed and lifted his head, -"You should listen to her."

Marco shook his head again, -"Please, not you too, not this again..."

The man huffed, vexed at Marco's stubbornness in the current matter, -"I warn you, that is no future: art itself is scarce in labor and Trost lacks educational development. What is worse,"- He whipped his eyes through me with an obvious abhor, -"You want to tenure, to live with this... ruffian who has been manipulating and feeding you with such senseless ideas."

Ruffian? Me? Feeding Marco with such ideas? Manipulating him? How fucking dare he! -"Hey, I'm stand-"

-"This is an atrocity, Marco! Your... liaison with this miscreant is foul! It has cost you your sanity!"- The man couldn't hold his tongue, contrary to his sister who held her tongue about me, even though she has some thoughts on that too. He was pacing around the living room in exasperation, -"Do you know how this looks in His eyes?"- He pointed up, as in God, -"You have sinned, corrupted your soul and wasted all I have taught you for this rascal!"

Ruffian, rascal and miscreant. That's enough. I gaped my mouth to speak, his remarks to me offending me, but Marco was as frantic with ire as I was, -"Love isn't a sin, uncle!"

-"To another man?"- He pointed at me, eyes locked on Marco, -"That is not love, that is heinous."

Marco was in the brink of tears and I hated to see him like that, so I snapped, like always, -"You've crossed the line, old man!"- I spat and everyone in the goddamn room gasped, as if his words weren't shocking, -"You can't control or decide his future! His happiness is not something to be disregarded, he's happy when he draws and he wants to study arts because of it. He's decided and you can't deprive him of it."

-"Oh, so only you can? I highly doubt it,"- He debated, shaking his head, -"You are not even from the family. You have no rights."

-"No, I can't and neither do you, but he can. No one can tell him what's best for him, not you or me. Only he knows that."- I argued, arms crossed.

-"I care for him."

-"I do too, more than you think, old man, but that doesn't mean I can go on and about telling him what he has to do,"- I said full-heartedly, remembering how bad it ended last time I did, -"I want him to be happy, don't you?"

He furrowed his brows, but he stayed quiet.

-"Speechless, huh?"- I sighed and gestured to all of them, -"He came here to spend time with you and this is what you had in mind? To lecture him?"

The man gaped his mouth until someone stomped in, -"Enough, Eugene!"- That's Marco's mom, completely infuriated. I've never seen her like that. It was... scary, -"I leave for five minutes and this is what you do?"

-"Celene, you must understand how this looks!"- He snapped at her now, -"You cannot allow this, any of this! It is preposterous! You must separate them!"

-"We've had this discussion a thousand times, my brother, and my answer is still the same: I won't take away my son's happiness. He's happy with Jean and I oblige."

Eugene gasped, waved his arms up and balled his fists in ire, -"This is unbelievable!"- And with that, he stormed off and everyone was left mouth gaped. Yup, even me. Good riddance anyways.

It stayed like that for a few seconds until Marco's mom spoke, -"Alright, everyone, back to what you were doing."

I heard Marco's deep sigh and glanced at him, -"Marco..."

-"I... need some fresh air,"- He said and strode outside, his head low. I wasn't the only one who saw him go, most of his cousins did and his aunt, but unlike them, I followed him and attempted to cheer him up, -"I didn't want any of that to happen..."

I strode towards him from behind and wrapped my arms around his torso, -"Do you want some time alone?"- I murmured in his ear. I knew his uncle's rampage harmed him.

He shivered at my voice and closeness, -"No, no, it's okay,"- He said and lent his head back on my shoulder, -"Stay with me..."

-"Are you alright?"

-"I'll be soon."

-"He didn't get to you, did he?"- I asked worriedly, but I think what hurt him more was the fact that his uncle didn't put his beliefs aside for even a minute to spend time with him.

He sighed, -"No, not really,"- He shifted his head a bit so he could look at me, -"It's just... sad that after all those years all he has to say to me is that. It's always the same. He didn't even turned back..."

I rubbed his hair, -"Yeah..., but don't dwell on it. Don't let him ruin this day."

-"Jean, everything you said was..."

-"I'm sorry I spoke to him like that, but he really crossed the line,"- I quickly apologized, -"You know me, I can't sit idle when someone speaks to you like that."

-"I know,"- He said, placing his hands over mines, -"The things he called you..., I'm sorry you had to hear it. You know it's not true, right?"

-"It's alright and yeah, I know,"- I smiled, letting him know I was fine about it, -"I've heard worse anyways."

-"What you said there...,"- He tightened his grip on me as he nuzzled his nose on my collar, -"That was really brave. Thank you for standing up for me."

-"You know I'll stand up for you on anything."

He chuckled, -"Did he get to you?"

-"A little. I wanted to run, really,"- I nuzzled him back, -"But then I felt your hand and toughen up, you know, like, the power rangers when they're defeated, but then they powered up because the people needed them or something? Well, something like that."

Marco giggled and that's all I needed to hear, -"You're kind of a geek when you need to,"- He straightened up and looked at me, -"Come, I want you to meet someone,"- When he saw my mildly worried face, he chuckled, -"Don't worry, dummy, these aren't so shrewd as my uncle."

I took his chin, -"I'll meet anyone you want me to. I'll face them all. Bring it on."

He somehow found that attractive and kissed me passionately, sliding his hand to the back of my neck and deepening it. He whispered 'I love you' to my ear before he pulled me inside.

Inside, he introduced me to Freddy and Carla, his cousins. Nice kids, really. No more than sixteen years old. They didn't mind Marco's relationship with me, unlike a certain someone, which was everyone. They followed their father's belief, but weren't shrewd like him, -"Father's a dick sometimes."- Freddy said.

-"Yeah, Marc, don't listen to him and just do whatever you want,"- Added Carla. She then gestured to me, -"Your boyfriend's hot. I wish he were mines."

Marco just laughed and I stood awkwardly.

-"Wanna play video games like old times?"- Asked Freddy.

-"Sure."- Marco took my hand and led me inside his room.

We played co-op between the four of us for a while, laughing at every stupid joke Freddy came up with and Carla's fantasies about some blue prince, until Marco's mom called us for dinner. We all headed downstairs and sat, -"Jean, that's my grandfather and grandmother, Hubert and Teresa."- He sat beside me and pointed to them, who were in front of us.

-"Well, aren't you brave talking to my son like that. Even I can't speak to him like you did,"- Teresa lent forward and reached for my cheeks, squeezing them harshly, -"He really needed that scold."

When she let go, I rubbed my cheeks, -"I... I wasn't scolding him, I was just-"

-"We know, child, we know,"- Spoke Hubert, his voice deep as he bit down the pork, -"Someone ought to stand up to him and you did just that. He stopped respecting us."

-"So, you're, uh..., okay with us? With me and Marco?"- I asked, curious.

They looked at each other and smiled, -"Our dear Marco can't be with someone better. You stood up to him when no one else did. Oh, I almost forgot,"- Terese dug a envelope from his purse, -"Here, for you, child."

I looked at the envelope and back at them, a bit surprised. I unfolded it to reveal twenty five bucks. I gasped and looked at them quizzical.

-"We know of your... issue with the Family Department and we felt like aiding you,"- Hubert said, his eyes on me -"Celene told us, our sweet child."- Mrs. Bodt...

My eyes welled, -"Th-there's no need, really, Dad already gives-"

-"Your Dad can't do all the heavy lifting so we decided to soothe things a bit."

I was in the brinks of tears. Their act was really generous. They're the only ones who gave me a gift, -"I'm... really touched. Th-thank you..."

-"Think nothing of it, child, you've done far more for us."

We ate and conversed; they asked me a lot of questions, where was I from, what I planned to study, etc. and they asked me about my relationship with Marco and I answered with my heart, full honest. Others joined, others who ignored me at first, and the tense hefted away. Across the table, Mara and his stupid son sat, watching us with hawk eyes -or, well, me. I ignored them and answered all the questions. I was glad they laid their beliefs aside.

-"Have you had sex already?"- Another of Marco's cousins asked, really young and I was taken aback.

A woman, possibly his mother, smacked his rear head, -"That's private!"

-"I'm just curious..."

My face was burning, not only at the questions, but at the images and my effort to sustain them, -"I, uh, n-no... we haven't."- I gave Marco a side glance and spotted him gawking at me, surprised and amazed at how much questions I've answered with honesty, which were all.

Wishing to take a breath and a piss, I excused myself and headed upstairs to the bathroom, the one closest to Marco's room. I dunno, I liked this one better. It smelled like him. After I pissed, I stood in front of the mirror and breathed deeply. This has been one hell of a day so far. My head ached, but it wasn't done yet and I'm not gonna bail Marco or his mom.

When I stepped outside, I bumped into someone and when I looked up, I wasn't at all surprised to see Elliot, -"Oh, it's you."- I muttered.

-"Yeah, me, and I have something to tell you,"- He gripped me by my sweater and pushed me to the wall. An unseen act, one I didn't expect from him, -"Stay away from Marco."- He snarled, our faces only inches apart.

I gritted my teeth and clutched his hand just as tightly, -"Make me."

He pushed me again, harder this time. I groaned lowly at the temporary shot of pain. I've gotten worse from Trevor and Frank, -"I mean it."- He growled, his teeth showing.

And sure he did, his eyes told me, they were full of gravity and abhorrence, -"I was wondering when you'd make your move. All that glaring was boring me, to be honest."- I spoke, a grin on my face. The tension of a fight brewing always made my adrenaline rush.

-"I'm serious,"- He snarled again, his face closer, his grip tighter, -"Stay away from him. He doesn't need you, you're ruining his life, his sanity. Your speech was unmoving and stupid, it won't change a thing."

-"I could say the same about your threats, bushy eyebrows."- I replied, watching his every move. He was in the brink of throwing a punch at me, but it'd be too noisy and I doubt he wants everyone to take notice of our little quarrel.

Another push against the wall. Same damage.

-"Is that the best you can do, bushy eyebrows?"- I provoked him. If someone realized his deed, it could prove beneficial for me, but bah, I just wanted a fight. It's been a while since I've enjoyed one.

Focus, Jean! That rational part of me spoke and I snapped from my adrenaline driven thoughts.

-"Don't provoke me, ruffian,"- He warned, -"You're corrupting him, changing him, defiling him. Your act aren't unnoticed by Him."

I rolled my eyes. Again with that, -"Then tell Him to unleash a thunderbolt at me or something and see what happens."

-"Stop your mockery,"- Another push, louder this time, -"Marco needs someone better than you."

-"You?"- I burst in laughter.

He pulled his arm and readied his fists for a punch until he heard footsteps, -"Jean?"- Marco.

Elliot glanced at the hallway and back at me. Suddenly, his face changed from anger to stupid pain. He threw himself to the floor and rubbed his cheek after yelling dramatically. What the fuck...?

The footsteps were louder and Marco appeared, -"Jean, what happened?"- He gasped at Elliot, who was still caressing his undamaged cheek.

Elliot pointed at me, -"He punched me, cousin! He's crazy!"- Were those... tears in his eyes? This is fucking unbelievable!

Marco looked at my eyes before accusing anyone. I responded with a slight shook of my head and he understood me. If I did punch him, he'd know.

-"Stop lying, Elliot. Let me see your cheek-"

-"You believe this guy and not your own cousin? Someone from the family?"- He snapped and stood up before Marco could check him, real tears this time. God, he was so dramatic.

Marco noted that, -"It's not like that, but this is clearly a deceit."- I adore his damned wits.

-"What is the ruckus over here?"- That's Mara and she too gasped at the 'accident', -"Oh, my dear son, what did he do to you?"

She didn't needed a response, she was part of the scheme.

She sobbed her son's harmed cheeks, -"This will not go unnoticed,"- She glared at both of us, -"That goes for both of you,"- Her eyes turned to Marco next, -"You disappoint me, grandson. I once called you His child, but ever since you've mingled with this hound, you've changed."

-"Yes, I've changed because He allowed it. We all do and I've realized many things. And don't call him a hound. His name's Jean."

She ignored that last part, -"I highly doubt that,"- She mocked, -"But what would that be, hm?"

-"That many hypocrites lies within the walls of His house, including you."- He stated.

Drama queen and his son gasped deeply, obviously not expecting that and to be honest, I wasn't either. Mara picked herself up and left with his son and possibly the house too, a few tears in her eyes.

Marco quickly turned to me, -"Jean, are you okay?"- He checked me.

-"I'm fine, but you,"- I pulled him close to me, -"You're sparking after that comeback."

-"Jean, I'm se-"

-"I know, I know,"- I said and pecked his lips, -"Talk later? They're waiting for us."

He nodded and we headed down. Sure, they asked us what the fuck happened up there and we told the truth. Some believed us, some didn't.

Like I said, Mara and his little prick of a son left. Good riddance.

We ate and enjoyed the dessert afterwards and then it was all just chatter until everyone left. Now, it was just me and Marco, clothing up for the night, -"Hey, Marco, about college...,"- I began, wanting to get rid of a lurking thought in my head, -"You meant what you said? About studying in Trost?"

Marco nodded. He just took off his shirt and I drooled, -"Y-yeah, why?"

-"You know that with your grades, you can study in Sina."

He lowered and shook his head, -"I don't want to... not without you."

I strode closer to him, our naked chests grazing, prickling my skin, -"Marco...,"- I sighed. I was really touched by his though. I know he wants to be with me, to study with me, but..., -"I know you want to be with me and I'm totally charmed, but don't let me stop you from reaching your dream. If you can study in Sina, do it. It'll open so many doors for you, make your future better and brighter. Please, Marco, think about it."

Again, he shook his head, refusing to listen to me, -"But, Jean,"- He drew his face closer to mines, our lips grazing, -"My dream is to be with you... forever."

My heart beats increased as his words spun in my head: my dream is to be with you... forever, if that's what he wants, then I can't refuse it to him, -"Damn you, you freckled fuck. You made me cry."- I cursed with tears on my eyes and kissed Marco fervently. A kiss like never before. It was steadily, passionate and alive. It was hot, yet warm and joyful. I couldn't stop moving my lips with his in a perfectly executed way. I felt like time froze around us. I became unaware of whatever was going on outside, it's just us now, -"I love you, I love you, I love you..."- I murmured between the kisses. I held him tightly, my arms around his torso.

Marco chuckled, but he kept kissing me.

Five minutes later, I reached an erection and I wasn't the only one, -"You wanna... take a bath?"- I suggested, pointing to the bathroom.

Marco nodded, -"I was... about to ask you that."- He spoke, his breath ragged.

I smirked as I pushed him there. Sure, we took another bath with pants on, like last time, only this time, Marco was more... loose. I 'washed' his belly button, I 'washed' his abs, I 'washed' his back, I 'washed' his nipples, I 'washed' his butt, his dick and his balls. Sure, Jean, a bath. He did the same to me, his moves a bit more wild than last time, turning me on over and over again. He wasn't careless, but he didn't hold anything back either. I knew then he was getting really comfy with me. He fingered me often and rubbed me in this particular way only he could. Not too fast, not too slow, but then fast, tucking his finger in and out. I'd dart my head back and hit the slab at the overwhelming bliss, his touch sending waves of thrills through my body. Another level up.

We did that a few more times until we both collapsed onto each other in exhilaration. After that, we truly took a bath, a real one. Like last time, we washed our hairs, our torso, shoulders, legs, etc. -"So, Jean, about Elliot. Who started it?"- He asked me as I slithered my hand down his spine. His back was facing me while he toyed with foam.

-"Pfft, he did, obviously."- I said, running my hand up again and rubbing his hair.

-"Jean."

-"I'm not kidding, really,"- I snorted, -"I know, surprising, right?"

Marco nodded and I smacked him gently, -"I'm sorry you had to go through that, through everything."

-"Don't apologize, freckles. It's not your fault."

-"So much for a good Christmas Eve, huh..."- He lowered his head.

I raised it up again, -"Hey, it wasn't so bad,"- I said, kissing his neck, -"I enjoyed it, specially our time with your cousins and grandparents."

Marco smiled, -"Yeah, you're right."

We came out, dried ourselves and went to sleep. Marco's bed was bigger than mine, so it was better, more comfortable for both of us. After saying goodnight, we fell asleep.

At 3 am though, I knew I had to wake up, especially after hearing my cue, a soft knock on the door. The gifts. Marco's gifts. I stood up carefully, sliding my body away from Marco's. I literally had my arms and legs around him, so it was a difficult process, but I managed, -"Hm? Jean...?"- Marco murmured, still in his sleep.

I winced, watching him shift position. He tapped his side, looking for me.

-"Wh... where are you going?"- God, he looked awfully cute.

-"To the, uh, bathroom. Be right back."

-"O...kay."

I made my way downstairs, my foot light. His mom was waiting for me in her pajamas, car keys on hand. She opened the front door and then her car. I helped her dismount the wrapped up presents and laid them under the tree neatly.

I sighed, watching the tree with awe and joy. I can't wait until Marco sees all this...

-"Jean, how are you?"- His mom asked after closing the car and the door.

-"You mean after my dispute with your brother?"- I said, still watching the lit up tree, -"I'm alright. Could've been worse."

She sighed. She was still frustrated, -"I told them to lay off that argument, but they never listen to me. My brother and sister are impossible to deal with."

-"They... judge Marco and expect too much from him."- I shook my head, still unable to believe his words.

-"They all care for him, wishing the best for him, but... they disregard his emotions, his happiness and I can't allow that,"- She spoke very motherly, turning to me, -"I'm so sorry, that was definitely not what I had in mind. They must have made you uncomfortable and..."

-"It's alright, really. I met another bunch of good people,"- I said, trying to reassure her, -"Don't worry, they didn't get to me."

She sighed, -"If there's anything I can do to make it up to you..."

-"Just wake me up real early tomorrow. I can't miss Marco's face."

-"Will do,"- She smiled and pointed to the fridge, -"Feel free to pick up snacks at any time, alright? You're home."

I smiled, warmed at her words, -"Thanks. Goodnight."

I stood still, still watching the tree, wondering how Marco will react until I yawned and went to sleep in the same position as last time. Marco felt me and a smile formed on his face.