Hardly proof-read. You have been warned…

With so much excitement, it was no wonder Peter passed out so early. It was only eight thirty when Berwald looked over to see his son fast asleep in front of the television with his soft fluffy friend happily curled up on his lap. He burned a lot of energy out in the snow and playing with Papa, Santa, and his new puppy. The dog was given the name Hanna after a few (rather strange) suggestions from Tino and it was just as tuckered out as he was. Berwald had to pick Peter up and carry him upstairs with a groggy Hanna hot on his heels. Before leaving, Tino gave him one last goodbye present that was tucked in his smaller hands. A tiny straw Yule Goat.

"H'nna will chew it up," Berwald said before going upstairs with his arms full. Tino snickered.

"Yeah, I'm sure she will. I can always make another one."

"Yoo made it?"

He nodded. Berwald just got even more impressed every time Tino revealed one of his many talents. "After five hundred years, you tend to pick stuff up."

Tino went to the kitchen to get another cup of hot cocoa stirred with a peppermint candy cane. It was quiet in the small home under snow and ice drifting from the sky above. Though all silences sound the same, this one was somehow different. It was warm, calm, tranquil, inviting, soothing, and overall something he hadn't felt in ages. The house felt like a true home, like a family lived and loved in this small space without care or worry. If he tried, he could probably drift to sleep as he leaned on the table with his arms crossed over his chest, relishing the taste of the cocoa in his mug and basking in the feeling of it all. Just as he took another drink, Berwald came to the doorway.

"T'no, ah…oh. Was gonna offer someth'n but ah see ya helped yoorself."

"Hm, yeah. I swear, I've been making hot cocoa far longer than you have been alive but yours seems to taste better. What's the secret?"

"Fam'ly recipe. Mum's special cocoa."

"Ah, so it's a secret?"

"Hm."

"Darn." Tino took another drink and leaned back to gaze out the window to his left. "I love Christmas here. It really has been fun, thank you for including me again this year."

"Anytime." Berwald followed Tino's relaxed posture and rested his shoulder against the white doorframe. His gaze didn't leave the man for a second; it was almost hypnotic how perfect he looked standing comfortably in Berwald's kitchen. But he knew it wouldn't last long. In the morning his home would feel slightly empty again. "When are yoo leaving tonight?"

"So ready to get rid of me already?" Tino threw a teasing smirk at him but Berwald seemed to freeze up at the accusation.

"N-no. Want tah know how much time ah got before ya go. Last year ah didn't get tah say goodbye."

There was something that flashed over Tino's face at the mention of last year. Berwald internally kicked himself for reminding him. "Yeah…true."

The taller cleared his throat and tried to think of a good way to break the sudden tension. "So…yoo enjoyed this Christmas?"

"Yes. It was wonderful, but…" Tino looked down at his cup.

"But?"

"…Santa doesn't usually get Christmas wishes, but this year I have one."

Steam rose from the cup in Tino's hands in small drifts as he fiddled with the melting peppermint stick inside. Berwald didn't like hearing that his Christmas wasn't perfect, he thought he was giving Tino the best Christmas ever. The best Christmas ever wasn't the best if all his Christmas wishes weren't fulfilled. "What is it?"

The cup was set on the table and Tino stood up straight. He walked closer until he was directly in front of Berwald with a nervous look and slightly pink cheeks. This was kind of familiar to him somehow…

The shorter pointed a finger up and Berwald followed it. It was now he realized this is where the mistletoe was and it hung above their heads like a silent charm. When he looked back at Tino, he felt arms gently wrap behind his neck and pull the stunned man down.

"…You."

It was almost like a backwards sense of déjà vu when those lips, sweetened with hot cocoa and peppermint, met his in a chaste kiss. The world ceased to spin and all Berwald could hear was his own heart pounding in his ears. He was frozen, questioning whether this was real or not, when Tino pulled away. His face was flushed and his breath was stopped while he waited for a response from the other.

"B-Ber? Are you o – Mmph! M-mmh…" He was cut off when Berwald's mouth came crashing down on his. Tino may have started it, but Berwald was going to finish it. He hugged the slimmer torso to him tightly in determination never to let go, as if he thought the body would vanish into wafting flakes of white. The arms around his neck lowered so two hands could grip the back of Berwald's long-sleeved knit shirt like a lifeline. As they were there was no falling snow outside or flickering orange light dancing in the living room. There were no worries or doubts. The world receded into one corner, and it was all theirs.

They only parted when the need for air was dizzying. Tino was panting and stained crimson, and so was Berwald. He gazed at the magical violet eyes in front of him, drowned in them, watched them take him in like lenses that could peer into his soul. They stayed like that for a few seconds before Berwald spoke so quietly Tino had to strain to hear him.

"Yoo…aren't going tah…disappear, are yoo?" He was fearing the same thing from last year to happen all over again. In a puff of cold air those eyes could be gone in mere seconds. It was agony knowing what he held so dearly in his arms could vanish in the blink of an eye…literally. His grip tightened, but only slightly, and it let the other know of his worries.

"N-no, I'm not leaving this time…" Tino's sweet shy smile was all the reassurance Berwald needed. There were no lies or hidden secrets, it was true. Genuine. He breathed out and let his arms unwrap slightly from Tino's waist but Tino stayed put with his hands on broad shoulders. He meant what he said, he wasn't going anywhere. "Ber, I…I haven't stopped thinking. About you, about…this. I know a year is a really long time to get back to someone on it, but I only just recently acknowledged how much I…" He couldn't go on while looking at those strong blue orbs. They picked him apart piece by piece, studying him with soft admiration. Tino buried his face in Berwald's chest instead and let out a shaky breath. "…The point is, I was scared that you were right and I might have passed the right one by. I have been living safely alone for so long but you talked me out of it in no more than a day and a handful of e-mails. At first I thought…but then…I know only someone special could do that to me…

"But it's been so long. I tried everything I could to talk myself out of it and forget. I told myself you couldn't possibly still like me; it's been a whole year. Last night I was half tempted not to come or I might discover you've moved on ages ago but I did anyway because…because…" Berwald rubbed his back and held the man gently. He sounded like he was on the verge of tears, but his next words were resolute. "I love you. And I did come back, and unless my old eyes are somehow mistaken, you still…"

Never had Berwald felt like his heart was stopping while it beat a million miles an hour. A hand ran through the soft hair under his chin and he kissed down a stray lock. "T'no, ah did like ah said. Ah don't go back on a promise. Ah'd wait forever if ah had tah."

Tino sniffed. "Heh…and you probably would. Santa's magic is so strong, it keeps those he loves alive for centuries with him. I won't make you wait forever, though."

"'M glad. T'no," Berwald took a breath and concentrated, "I love you, too."

And so the two found themselves in the living room in front of the fire. All they did was talk…well, Tino did most of the talking like usual but they were somehow content even in a one-sided conversation. Berwald was a wonderful listener and Tino had a lot to say. If that wasn't a sign they were meant for each other, nothing was.

It wasn't until eleven that Berwald came to his senses and realized Tino was falling asleep. Light fingers toyed with the short layered blonde locks resting on Berwald's lap sprawled out in front of the gentle heat. Those violet eyes were closed and thin eyelashes graced warm glowing skin like an angel, it was so beautiful it almost physically hurt to shake his shoulder and remind him he had to get home before he was stranded here. Tino didn't do much more than sigh and rub his cheek further into the comforting warm pillow that was Berwald's thigh, much to the other's contentment.

"Hnnnn…not going…"

"Yoo won't be able tah get home, though. Not 'nough magic after m'dnight."

"Noooo…not leaving, go home tomorrow…"

"But-"

"Check coat pocket…"

Berwald looked over and grabbed the red coat from off the nearby couch. He put a hand in one pocket but found nothing. The second one, however, produced a slip of paper. When held up to the light and adjusted his glasses, Berwald could read the words stamped on the top.

"Plane t'cket?"

"Hmmm…"

The man looked from the ticket to Tino already drifting back to sleep on the cozy lap where he belonged. A smile graced Berwald's thin lips normally kept so stoic, but for Tino they could get used to this. He went so far as to buy a plane ticket in case this happened, didn't he? The ticket was inspected for a moment before put back in Tino's coat pocket with a light chuckle. "S'nta flies first class."

000

The airport was ablaze with people. Crowds and lines extended everywhere and Peter had to have his hand held so he wouldn't get lost. An announcer called numbers over the intercom and announced flights coming and going, delayed, and some canceled. It was an average day after Christmas for most travelers, but for Berwald and Tino it was nothing but.

That morning when Tino woke up in the comfortable hold of Berwald's protective arms they made a promise. No matter what distance was between them they would always wait until the days Tino could visit and the times Berwald could hold him close. The distance would be hard to manage but eventually Tino would be moving in with Berwald. He wanted to do it right now but he had a life in Finland and couldn't just drop everything and leave. Still, he ruffled Peter's hair goodbye and stood up to look into the sky blue eyes of the one he loved, he couldn't help but think if he were a little bit crazier he would do it anyway.

"Ah'll miss ya, T'no," Berwald said. He took Tino's hands and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. Tino giggled and took his hands away to wrap them around the taller man and quickly kiss his lips.

"I will too. But I will be back very soon and for longer, you can count on it."

"Ew! Adults kissing," Peter made a face. The two exchanged a look and Peter was picked up off the ground without any warning. "Hey! What are you-"

"Muah!" Tino placed a big kiss on the boy's cheek as he struggled to get away. Berwald took him and kissed his other cheek, making Peter squirm even more and rub his face with his hands in disgust.

"Eeeeewwww!" Tino laughed that beautiful laugh Berwald wanted to hear so much more often. Peter was put back on the ground, but instead of complaining further about his 'abuse' he turned and hugged Tino tightly. "Come back soon so you can be my mama, okay?"

The man blinked. "…Mama? But Peter, I would be a Papa."

"But I already have a Papa and I've always wanted a Mama, so can you be Mama instead? Please?"

Tino looked to Berwald for help but the taller only smirked. "Hm. He could be Mama."

"N-no! I mean, I am flattered and I would very much like to be part of your family, but I'm a man…"

"Doesn't matter. Would m'ke a great w'fe."

Tino puffed out his cheeks in irritation which was only making Berwald want to tease him more. Tino was by far the most adorable thing when he was mad, or happy, or…well, anything. He decided not to send Tino away annoyed but with a kiss instead. It was like an eraser for Tino's mind, and when they parted he was breathless and smiling with a faint blush dusting soft cheeks.

"C'me back soon."

He nodded, his eyes gleaming with happy tears over a warm smile. "I will. I promise."

"L've ya."

The announcer called Tino's flight and he placed a quick peck on Berwald's lips and slipped something small into his hand before reluctantly walking away, leaving the two behind as he entered the gray hallway in a button-up sleeved shirt and black jeans. "I love you, too!"

They stayed until the doors closed and the plane got ready to take off. Berwald looked down at what Tino had given him. It was a small golden bell with an inscription on the top. He kissed the trinket that chimed such a sweet note and watched Tino depart from his world once again but this time with something he could grasp. His thumb ran over the inscription lovingly, hoping Tino still had enough magic left to perhaps feel the touch on his cheek.

'Merry Christmas.'

THE END everyone wins. Yaaaay! Thank you all for reading and reviewing, you guyz are awesome like Prussia! Perhaps even more so! *brick'd by the laws of physics because THAT JUST CANNOT BE*

Lol so tell me what you think. Was the ending okay? It was corny I know but that's just how I roll. What I want to know is did it end too quickly after the climax? I don't like ending a story in the same chapter as the two lovebirds FINALLY hooking up, but this one just seemed to happen. Input would be appreciated!

*A Yule Goat is a little figure of a goat made of straw that is usually a symbol of Christmas in Sweden.

~MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL THEIR VERY OWN SEALAND TO HUGGLE AND SNUGGLE BECAUSE HE IS SO VERY KAWAII DESUUUUUU~ *brick'd by all self respecting anime fans ever*