Chapter Three: Christmas Eve

"You're not coming home for Christmas?" Todd said with a loud humorless laugh. His face was contorted with anger, the phone gripped hard against his ear, slouched over the counter several feet away from the living room he'd left Betto in. "You're fucking serious?"

"Todd, you told me, and I quote, that you didn't give a flying fuck if we were home for Christmas or not," Todd's mother spoke sounding caught between guilt and anger.

"No, no, it's fine," Todd snapped. "I just didn't think you would actually up and ditch the only family you have that is still in your life."

"If you didn't want me to leave you should have said so," Todd's mom was angry now, and Todd admitted that striking at the lack of family present in her life was harsh. But it was her own fault. She was the one who went and married a fucking pedophile. "You're not a child anymore Todd. If you want people to know what you want, you have to tell them. If not, you can't get all pissed off when things don't go your way."

"Quit lecturing me, Johanna," Todd bit out. "You lost your rights to play mommy with me a long time ago."

"Trust me, if this was a role I could give up I would've done it already," she retorted just as cruelly as he had, and Todd's jaw clenched almost painfully. "I left gifts for you and the Kiplings in the living room. Merry Christmas, Todd."

She hung up on him. She was rarely the one to hang up first. Usually Todd ended the calls in fits of anger. Todd jerked the phone away in disbelief then roughly shoved the device in his pocket. She hung up on him. As if it were her fucking right.

"Fuck!" Todd lashed out, slamming his fists onto the countertop. Pain rocketed up his arms and he smacked the wicker basket of fake fruit off the counter in retaliation. They scattered to the flowered tiles with obnoxious clatters and Todd delivered a final kick to the basket and it shot into the other room with even more noise.

"You okay, buddy?" Betto asked, coming carefully into the kitchen to see what the commotion was.

"Yeah. Just fucking peachy," Todd snapped, cheeks staining pink in a mix of anger and embarrassment at his outburst. "My mother's just being more of a dick than usual."

"Want me to kick her ass for you?" Betto was a big, Italian, rugby-playing man with dark features and a harsh grin. Very capable of kicking just about anyone's ass.

Todd let out a bark of laughter at Betto's offer and Betto grinned at him. "You'll have to catch a plane to Germany then, B."

"Why the fuck is she in Germany?"

"Like I said, she's being more of a bitch than usual."

Todd was beyond angry with his mother. Sure, he hadn't spent much of the Christmas holidays with her over the last few years, preferring to spend Christmas Eve and morning with the Kiplings. But Todd still came back for a brunch with his mother and stepfather, where they opened their gifts for each other and spent the rest of the day pretending they didn't all hate each other. It seemed his mother wasn't in the mood for pretending she enjoyed her son's company at all this year. She had left him without any notice to spend Christmas in Germany with her husband's family. Todd was sure she hadn't even thought about him. Todd was sure he hated her.

Johanna had set up a Christmas tree for the sake of the season. A small, plastic, silver one in the corner of the room with a scattering of gifts below it. The only seasonal piece of the house and Todd glared at it a tad murderously. Betto stood awkwardly behind him, the hockey game he'd been watching on the TV, paused.

"I'll have to bring these back with me when I go to Lev's," Todd informed his friend as it was Betto who would be driving him back to the Kipling's. The joys of having a vehicle.

"Sounds like a plan," Betto nodded and dropped back onto the couch. Todd sighed, sending a glare around the empty house. It was perfectly cleaned as people did before a long trip. He didn't want to be in the house anymore, he was ready to go back to his family at the Kiplings.

"Yeah." Todd sat down next to his friend, sagging tiredly into the cushions. "When the game is done I want to get out of here."

"Sure thing," Betto agreed easily and un-paused the TV. And maybe they ate all the snacks in the house just to be spiteful.

It was later in the afternoon when Betto brought Todd back to the Kipling residence. Todd was quick to pull the garbage bag of gifts from his mom from the backseat and climb from the car.

"Let me know if you need me," Betto told him, face soft with compassion and Todd rolled his eyes.

"I'm fine, Betto," he waved off the gesture. "But thanks for driving me home and hanging out."

"Always happy to help you avoid Levon," Betto smiled slightly in amusement and Todd scoffed. He couldn't really argue. He had been avoiding Levon. Levon was acting weird.

"Merry Christmas and all that," Todd said dismissively. "Tell your family I say 'hi'."

"Same to you."

Betto left after that and Todd went unto the salmon coloured home. It was warm inside and he quickly shed his winter gear before he started sweating. It smelled of fresh baked cookies, there was Christmas music playing and twinkling decorations all over the place. A stark difference from the lifeless house he just left.

Todd brought the gifts to the living room. There was a massive tree in the living room, covered in mismatched and bright ornaments and lights. The couch and loveseat had been rearranged to host the monstrosity, and multicoloured gifts stuck awkwardly out the bottom. Todd loved it. He gently added what he held to the stack.

"Welcome back," Levon almost sang as he came into the room and Todd almost groaned out in annoyance. Instead, he turned around to face the other man, his face already set in a glare that Levon just smirked at.

Thanksgiving break had ended on such a bad note that even Todd had found it unpleasant. The two men had hardly been able to be in the same room without it ending in a fight that Bree or Gwen had to break up before it got violent. Every time Levon had looked at Todd he had been red in the face with anger and refusing to make eye contact.

There was a sudden change since he'd gotten back for the winter break and it was setting Todd on edge. He was being friendly; their bickering was playful, he wanted to spend time hanging out with Todd, he wanted to talk about how exam season went, he sat too close and barely seemed to notice the lack of distance he kept putting between them. He was acting as if they were friends. And Todd knew they weren't and it was weird.

He was up to something. Todd knew that for sure. But Todd wasn't sure what and that was agitating.

"Don't talk to me," Todd said and Levon rolled his eyes, coming over and dropping lazily onto the couch. Todd scowled at him.

"What's got you in such a shit mood? You were happy before you left," Levon arched a brow when Todd didn't answer right away. "Was Betto talking about Ophelia again? You know, it's not a bad thing if they like each other. They'd be cute together"

"What? No. Shut up. They're not going to date." Todd grabbed a throw pillow and shoved it in Levon's face, dropping a knee onto the couch to use his weight and shove Levon down.

"Hey, don't mess up my hair," Levon protested around the pillow, trying to shove it away and Todd smiled crookedly. He continued to ruin Levon's hair for a few moments before he stopped and stood back up. Levon lay on the couch, ruffled and glaring, and Todd held in a laugh.

"Your hair looks like shit, you should fix it."

"You should fuck off," Levon retorted, and dragged himself into a sitting position, running his fingers through his hair to try and settle it back down. "Ass."

"I have one," Todd deflected lazily, then dropped himself onto the loveseat, stretching his body out to take up the whole thing. Levon looked him over, then settled his gaze on Todd's face with curiosity.

"What's up with your mom?"

"You really know how to ruin a good mood don't you?"

"I can't say that that was a good mood, Toddy," Levon smiled and Todd rolled his eyes. "What happened?"

Todd stared at Levon for a moment. Levon always knew when there was shit going on and he always seemed to know how to get Todd to talk about it. Even if Todd didn't want him to.

"Mom's in Germany with the husband's family," Todd said shortly. His jaw ticked and he looked away. "Doesn't really matter. Happier without having to see her."

"It's okay to want her around," Levon said and Todd scoffed.

"I'm the psych major here so maybe try staying out of my head for a bit?" Todd told him and Levon gave a nod, smiling rather than fighting anything and that made Todd glare harsher.

"I'll stay out of your head if you let me up in that ass," Levon said, horribly crude and grinning, and Todd chucked a Christmas penguin toy at him, sending Levon into a fit of laughter.

"Stay away from me with your gay shit before I squish you," Todd snapped.

"Glad to see your friendship is as strong as ever," Levon's older brother said as he came into the room, smiling in amusement. Jasper was as tall as his siblings with Bree's blond hair and brown eyes. He was broader than Levon, his features slightly more masculine and now covered with a short, well-tended beard.

"Oh, we're not friends," Levon corrected quickly before Todd could and Todd looked over at him. Levon's eyes seemed to twinkle right then and Todd's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Oh good, Todd you're home!" Gwen said, coming into the room flustered and busy. "We were just saying we should text you to get back soon."

"Why, are you starting dinner soon?" Todd asked and was quickly dragged into the swell of festivities.

The evening was wonderful, and Todd was easily able to forget how much he hated his mother. With Levon, Lev's siblings and mothers, Todd was at peace.

They had a dramatic fondue dinner and a lot of wine was passed around the table, even to underaged Ophelia who drank it with a smug smirk. Then they had rich chocolate cake and mint hot chocolate with their traditional viewing of The Polar Express before they settled around to each open their one Christmas even gift. Bree and Gwen liked to make it a habit to give their kids, and Todd, a new set of pyjamas every year. Todd was ridiculously thankful for every warm pair of dorky PJ's and had yet to throw out a single pair they had bought him.

By one in the morning, everyone was finally dispersing to settle down for the night. Bree and Gwen went to their room, happily tipsy on wine, and Jasper and Ophelia followed the example. Soon, Todd and Levon were the last two remaining in the living room.

The lights had all been turned off, the only illumination coming from all the twinkling Christmas lights. Todd and Levon were sitting on opposite sides of the couch, silent. Todd was thankful for the silence as it made everything about the atmosphere feel even more magical and warm.

Todd's eyes turned to Levon. He was dressed in the new pyjamas. A Stitch onzie that looked absolutely ridiculous on his tall form, but he still wore it with the hood up and a smirk on his face. Todd was much happier in his Superman pyjamas and his university hoodie.

"Why are you staring at me?" Levon spoke lowly, as if afraid of disrupting the air. Todd lifted his gaze to meet the green eyes.

"Because you look like a fucking idiot in that," Todd spoke just as quietly, gesturing lazily to the onzie. Levon grinned and Todd glimpsed his pointed white canines.

"I think you mean to say that I look fucking adorable."

"Somehow, I don't think I grown man in children's pyjamas is adorable," Todd scoffed and Levon kicked him in the leg with a foot covered in a neon green sock. Todd grabbed his ankle to prevent further attack and Levon stilled.

"You tired?" Levon asked, allowing their banter to drop and Todd let go of the ankle, but Levon left his leg extended, his foot against Todd's thigh. Todd looked at the appendage with distaste.

"It's been a long day."

"A bad day?" Todd didn't answer Levon right away.

"No," Todd stated. "Had a couple rough patches but I wouldn't say it was all bad."

"Your mom's kind of a bitch," Levon said and Todd laughed, head slumping against the back of the couch.

"It's a good thing your moms pretty much adopted me," Todd mumbled and Levon gave him a soft kick in the leg.

"I don't care that she wanted to go to Germany."

"I know."

"She just should have cared more about what I thought."

"I know."

"You think you know everything, huh?" Todd sneered and Levon smirked.

"I do know everything," Levon said and Todd scoffed. "Try me."

"Who founded psychology?"

"Wilhelm Wundt," Levon answered after a pause and Todd suddenly recalled that they took high school sociology together. They had spent the classes throwing erasers and rude notes to each other. He racked his brain for another question.

"What's my blood type?" Todd smirked.

"O-negative." Todd laughed at how quickly Levon responded and Levon grinned with wide satisfaction.

"That's so fucking creepy, Lev."

"You think that's creepy, ask me what colour boxers you're wearing," Levon grinned and Todd narrowed his eyes.

"Pervert," Todd said and Levon laughed. "Keep to yourself unless you want me to kick your ass."

"You would enjoy anything I did to you," Levon told him and Todd rolled his eyes, deciding he was done with this conversation. He pushed himself up off the couch and Levon watched him, his face oddly illuminated by the lights. "Going to bed?"

"Going to piss first," Todd told him and Levon scrunched his nose up at the information and Todd smirked slightly. He went to the washroom on that floor, turned the light on, used the bathroom quickly and washed his hands. When he stepped out and flicked the lights back off he found it was too dark. He blinked at the dimly lit room, started walking back to the living room hoping his eyes would readjust soon.

Todd entered the living room and paused, noting that Levon was no longer on the couch. Annoyance touched at him because he took the time to come back for Lev, the guy could have at least waited for him before going to bed.

"Boo."

Todd jumped violently as Levon leapt out behind him. He turned sharply and Levon was nearly collapsing with his laughter. He had a hand pressed over his mouth to try and keep his noise down but he was doing a shit job.

"What the fuck, Lev?" Todd grabbed the front of Levon's suit and threateningly slammed him against the doorframe. "I could I have punched the shit out of you."

"You jumped so high," Levon informed him with a grin, mirth in his face and Todd rolled his eyes, shoving him harder against the frame before he let go.

"You're an idiot and I'm going to bed."

"I'm a ninja and you have to see something first," Levon said, grabbing Todd's arms before he could leave.

"You're way too clumsy to be a ninja," Todd told him, glaring hard.

"You think you'd make a better ninja?" Levon asked. He stepped close and Todd was about to shove him away, but he realized Levon was just flipping up Todd's hood. The dark fabric went around his face, blocking out most of the twinkling Christmas lights so all he could really see was Levon's face in front of his, reflecting those twinkling lights.

"Damn right I'd be a better ninja than you."

"Being a ninja is about more than just punching people in the face."

"I can do way more than punch people," Todd promised. Levon's hands remained up, lightly holding onto the edges of Todd's hood, fingers breezing against his cheeks. Todd raised his hands, grabbing Levon's wrists to yank away the hold.

"Look up."

Todd stilled at the command, fingers still wrapped around the wrists. He raised his eyes, above their heads to the top of the doorframe and frowned in confusion. Dangling just above their heads; what appeared to be a red and white rocket and a plastic severed toe.

Todd looked to Levon, mouth opening to question the random objects, but his voice died on his lips. Levon pulled Todd's hood, pulled their faces so close together they were breathing against each other's lips, their hoods almost touching and locking them into an almost darkness.

Levon's eyes were fucking sparkling. Todd suddenly couldn't hear anything over the roaring in his ears. His heart was beating so fast he thought he might pass out.

And then their lips touched. Soft and warm against each other, full of hesitance. Todd was ram-rod straight. Hands tightening on the wrists that were pulling his hood. Levon pulled away after a moment, their noses touching, both their eyes were wide. Then Levon kissed him again. Harder. And Levon's eyes fluttered closed, Todd's remained wide with surprise.

Levon's lips moved and Todd's seemed to follow the movements, much more sloppily. Levon's breath was puffing out against his face. Levon's hands were pressed against his cheeks through the fabric of the hood, holding their faces together. Levon was kissing him. Todd was letting him.

Todd pushed Levon away, with very little force but Levon got the message and slumped against the frame. His eyes were wide looking almost as shocked as Todd felt.

"What the fuck, Levon?" Todd was almost shouting, had to be heard over the sound of his own heartbeat. He was almost certain that Levon would be able to hear it at this point. His face felt like it was on fire. His lips were tingling. "What the actual fuck?"

"It was just a kiss," Levon finally said and Todd wanted to smack him, the glare on his face ferocious. "For the mistletoe."

"What mistletoe?" Todd asked and Levon blinked at him, then pointed a finger above their heads to the toe and what Todd thought was a rocket. Todd stared at it then realized it was a fucking pun and Levon was a fucking idiot.

"Did you not get the joke?" Missile-toe.

"I hate you so much it physically hurts me."

"You actually love it," Levon was grinning when Todd pulled his eyes away from the monstrosity of a pun and he couldn't help the way his lips twitched into a smile.

"Where did you even find that thing?"

"It was like five bucks on Kijiji. Thought you would like it."

And then they were both laughing. They laughed so hard they were slumped against opposite sides of the frame, barely able to breath with the mistletoe above their heads and the rush the kiss had brought them. Jasper had to come and scold them for making too much noise and they made their way to bed, chuckling and shoving each other.

They lay in bed, in the dark, smiles still on their faces. Todd turned to look at Levon and Levon was already watching him. He raised a hand and pointed a threatening finger at Levon's face.

"You're getting off easy this time because I'm so fucking tired I thought it was funny," Todd told him, voice heavy with warning. "But next time you kiss me I will punch you so hard you'll see stars."

"Already thinking of a next time," Levon murmured and Todd glared at the smirk. "Makes me think you liked that as much as I did."

"Fuck off, Lev. Before I hurt you."

"You know I like it rough, Toddy."

"I hate you."

***

Hey! Early update! Thanks for reading! I know it's not really the X-mas season but whatever, hope you can still appreciate it. Drop a vote if you liked it? :)

Do you think the kiss was good? Too soon? Cute?