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Description
Christmas Eve.

The floor of the old wooden house seemed to shake with the sheer amount of people crammed into its tight hallways, bodies filling every space. Paint peeled off the corners of the house, age doing a number on its exterior, but inside was bright and warm, a welcoming reprieve from the cold gusts of snow berating the guests who struggled in late.

A tall boy with shocking blond hair hidden beneath a thick black beanie numbered among the stragglers. He stood on the sidewalk, leaning against a nondescript black car, tucking his face into the navy scarf that wrapped around his neck. His gray pea coat cut out most of the cold, and with his hands stuffed deep into the pockets he could manage in the sub-freezing temperatures without shivering.

Each time the door to the house opened it showered him with warm light, the voices inside flowing out, happy cries of laughter and the merry beats of Christmas music, voices yelling shouts of greeting and wishes of happy holidays to the newcomer. Then the red door would close again and the noise of life and reunion would dim to a distant rumble.

Each time the boy made up his mind to approach the door and knock, he would hesitate and lean more resolutely against the car again. He had gotten in the day before, despite his exams at school ending in early December. Work had kept him from home until the office closed for the few days before and after Christmas; not that the boy minded, he had no particular desire to be back in Twilight Town, and he had expected to arrive and leave without seeing much of anyone beyond his father and the few cousins that still came around. But waiting on the kitchen counter for him was an invitation to a Christmas Party.

A Christmas party at Hayner's house.

Surely it was a mistake. The two of them had never been friends. In fact, they had been quite the opposite. It had been three years since the boy had left for college, sure, but he doubted Hayner would ever forget the torture he put him through in their early years.

And yet, there sat the invitation, a red ribbon tied at the top (obviously the work of Hayner's mother), and the scrawling font inviting him to an open house, dinner provided, snappy casual attire.

He was invited. So why was he having so much trouble attending?

He felt wrong walking into the door like nothing had ever happened. But it would be worse for him to ignore the invitation and just go home. And what did he have to do at home but sit around with his drunk dad?

Biting his lower lip, the boy stood up, a thick torso and strong arms shaking off the snow that had collected on his shoulders. He took a deep breath, and his icy blue eyes narrowed resolutely.

No turning back now.

He approached the door, his long legs carrying him across the distance easily, and, after hesitating for a second, knocked.

The door swung open instantly, shocking him with the warmth that flowed across his numb, exposed features, only to come face to face with a grinning, older, prettier, and much more mature (if that was even possible) version of Olette. So it really had been three years.

"Seifer Almasy?" She gasped, the grin slipping slightly from her lips. "I didn't expect you to…Oh nevermind, come in!" She forced the smile back onto her face and stepped aside. Seifer moved into the warmth of the entryway, the door swinging shut behind him as he looked around at the masses of people. He had no clue that such a small place could host such a large crowd. But no one seemed uncomfortable with the close proximity; in fact, they seemed overjoyed to be surrounded by so many faces. Everyone seemed so…happy.

Of to the left, a long table filled the living room, topped with a red and white striped festive tablecloth and loaded down with plates and plates of food. Silver icing sparkled on candy-cane shaped cookies and a fondue fountain glinted in the light as the liquid chocolate cascaded down its height. Bright red strawberries and juicy slices of pineapple filled the area surrounding the fountain, and countless other brownies, slices of gingerbread with lemon icing, and warm bite-size slices of breaded chicken spread on down the table.

To the right was a sitting room, people occupying all of the seats and any standing room, hot cider and cocoa in their hands. Further down the hall Seifer could see the kitchen and three all-too-familiar bobbing heads of hair.

He swallowed thickly, instantly regretting his decision to come.

"Can I take your coat?" Olette asked warmly, reaching up to place a hand on Seifer's shoulder. He nodded, shrugging out of it.

"Uh, nice party." He commented lamely. "Er, how have you been?"

"Great, just great!" And it was genuine. Her eyes glistened, and Seifer could tell the years had been good to her. She had probably really come into her own in college, and the blond couldn't help but catch a bit of her contagious good cheer. "But hold on, stay right here, ok? I'll be right back."

She trotted down the hall towards the three that Seifer had seen previously noticed and his mouth went dry. "Oh, no, don't--!" But she was already gone.

He was really regretting this.

---

"Dude, watch it!" Roxas had to jump back a foot when a large splash of hot chocolate sloshed out of Hayner's mug as he gesticulated wildly in a dramatic retelling of a Struggle match from the past semester.

"Oh, shit!" Hayner dodged the hot liquid as it splattered on the kitchen tile. He stared at the puddle, the traces of a pout dancing across his lips as he huffed, then checked his mug. "Maaan..." And with that, he turned to grab some paper towels, folding them up and dropping them over the spilled cocoa, using his foot to wipe the floor while draining his mug with long gulps.

"You can actually use your hands, you know," Pence chided with a grin. Hayner waved him off, still drinking.

Of course, at that moment Olette came up to them, an urgent yet excited look on her face.

He ignored it.

Mistake.

"Guys, Hayner, Seifer's here!"

The dusty-blond boy choked, leaning forward to protect his clothing as his throat closed in protest at the hot chocolate trying to go down the wrong tube, spitting it back out into his mug.

"Oh, that is just gross," Roxas said, his lips curling in disgust. Pence reached forward to pound Hayner on the back as he coughed, bent over, hands on his knees, trying to force air back into his lungs. Finally, his body cooperated, and he inhaled deeply, catching his breath, then looked up at Olette with wide brown eyes.

"WHAT?!"

The party went near silent save the music playing over the stereo, conversations stopping at his exclamation.

Olette nodded quickly, her smile widening happily as she indicated the direction of the front door, and Hayner's head whipped to the side as people started talking again around them softly.

She wasn't kidding.

He'd actually showed up.

Holy shit.

Yeah, Hayner'd invited him. On a whim, mostly. Olette had mentioned it. The four of them had talked about it, citing how he might've changed in college, and if he didn't then there'd be no reason for him to show because he'd think it was lame; besides, if he did show and try to start something, he couldn't exactly beat Hayner up at his own house surrounded by Hayner's friends and family.

The more he'd thought about it, the more he'd been okay with the idea. More than okay. Maybe Seifer had changed after three years in college. Hayner certainly had in the past two. Calmer (mostly), taller (by 2 whole inches!), stronger (Struggle season had paid off really well), less clumsy (now that his feet didn't feel like they were a little too big for him), less likely to completely overreact to something...

He still had his moments, as evidenced by the hot chocolate dripping down his chin, which he hastily wiped off with the back of his hand and the sleeve of his dark green turtleneck as he looked at Roxas and Pence, who looked at least half as surprised as he did.

He'd gotten his hopes up, thinking how maybe they'd be cool with each other, now that years had distanced them from whatever it was that drove the older boy to pick on him in high school. Hayner had grown more mature, enough so that he didn't always feel the need to rise to a taunt.

But as each guest arrived and it wasn't him, Hayner had resigned himself to the fact that yeah, he was probably busy, or had his own parties to attend, or just still hated Hayner's guts. The college sophomore had finally stopped looking over at the door each time it opened, because what was the point?

But no, there he was, standing in the middle of the entryway, looking... good. Really good, in well fitting jeans and a dark blue button down that emphasized his broad chest and shoulders and trim waist, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and maybe some things hadn't changed at all because he was still wearing that stupid beanie of his.

Holy shit...

He must've said it out loud without realizing, because Roxas gave a "Yeah, no kidding," in reply.

---

Seifer watched Olette's figure retreat into the crowds, the top of her head still visible as it bobbed down to the kitchen. Seifer sighed, reaching up and scratching the nape of his neck absentmindedly as he looked around again. He saw a few faces he recognized, people he had known forever around Twilight Town, and suddenly he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. As much as he had claimed he was going to get out of this lame town full of chickenwusses and has-beens, he suddenly felt a warm sense of home, something he had never really felt before.

And like having the ice of a pond crack beneath you, leaving you to plunge into freezing waters, your skin screaming in agony at the cold, Seifer's warm sense of hospitality vanished.

"WHAT?!"

In their silence, Seifer was sure that everyone was looking at him, like they knew he was the reason Hayner had exclaimed so loudly.

He really shouldn't have come, he knew it was a bad idea. After everything he had done to Hayner in high school, all because Seifer couldn't come to terms with the feelings that Hayner's presence created within him, Seifer had the nerve to come to one of his Christmas parties as if it had never happened?

What was he even doing? Hoping, maybe, that Hayner would see him and…what? Confess a heartfelt desire for Seifer that he had always hidden?

Even the thought of it was enough to make him want to kick himself. Instead, he turned, grabbing the handle of the door and grinding his teeth together. This was ridiculous.

He pulled the door open, marching out into the street. He would go home, take a long shower, and bury himself in his bed until he had to leave again in five days.

Hayner's eyes flicked to his friends – Olette's smile bright and hopeful, Pence wary, and Roxas with an expression of mild interest. He asked the other blond a silent question with his eyes, and Roxas shrugged one shoulder, looking more amused. Hayner grinned, then look back at the door – to see Seifer disappearing out of it.

"Hey!"

He didn't even think about it. He shoved his mug of backwash hot chocolate into Roxas' hands, Roxas's complaint and exclamation of his name barely registering in his ears as he took off down the hall, pushing people out of his way, scrambling towards the door.

"Damn it, Seifer… Could you be any more of a goddamn loser?" Seifer growled at himself, making his way down the sidewalk. The wind picked up, chilling him, and he realized he had forgotten his coat. He hesitated, a voice in his head reminding him that Hayner had invited him. It wasn't a mistake. But Seifer shoved his hands into his jean pockets. He couldn't go back, not now. It was too late.

With one last look at the sparkling house, Seifer turned to go.

Hayner yanked the door open, eyes searching in the snowy darkness past his porch, and he spotted the older boy, walking down the sidewalk.

"Hey!!"

Seifer cringed as he heard the door open behind him, Hayner's yells following shortly.

Hayner ran out into the cold after him, swearing as his foot landed on a frozen patch on the
sidewalk, arms flailing slightly for balance. He didn't let the momentary slide stop him though, and he continued chasing after the retreating blond, shouting at him.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!!"

After attempts to ignore the blond failed, Seifer paused, grinding his teeth together once again as he clenched his fists in his pockets, and waited for the younger blond.

Hayner slowed to a stop behind Seifer, panting white clouds in the frigid, snowy air. He paused for a moment, catching his breath, then straightened, raising his gaze to find Seifer's. He blinked, brown eyes wide with surprise and confusion, brow furrowing.

"What… where're you going??" he asked, still a little short on breath.

Damn, it was cold.

But one look at the younger boy made Seifer forget any thought of the temperature. Hayner's eyes glistened, wide, but Seifer no longer had to look down into them. Hayner was nearly his height, just an inch or two short of it, and his build had filled out well. Seifer swallowed thickly, blinking, "Uh…" He stalled, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion. He felt something warm stirring deep in his abdomen, and his fingers tingled. Hayner looked good. Really good.

"I was just stopping by to say hi, since you…y'know…invited me and all. But I have…" nothing else to do, he finished silently. "…stuff."

Hayner's chocolate brown eyes were captivating. Seifer's whole body felt warm, and he suddenly wanted to escape. It was too much, and he felt as though the blond saw straight through him. A clawing panic tore at his insides, a feeling he had once known so well, and the words 'chickenwuss' and 'lamer' danced at the tip of his tongue. But he held back—he was better than that now.

"Well…uh…Merry Christmas. And…Thanks." But the look in Hayner's eyes told him that the sophomore would have nothing of it.

Hayner blinked, his brow dipping lower, the confusion and mild hurt in his expression draining as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"But... you didn't even say hi. You just walked in and then left without saying a word to anyone."

He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest, hips cocking to one side. "How much of an idiot do you think I am?? And-- and what the fuck are you doing out here without a coat?? It's like, ten below!!" Even as he spoke, his own shoulders hunched against the cold, and he had to clench his jaw to prevent his teeth from chattering.

Seifer snarled in indignation and self-defense, searching frantically for a viable excuse, when Hayner rapidly switched the subject, bringing attention to his own shivering form.

Seifer stared down at the blond, the hungry force in his abdomen expanding as he noticed the way Hayner's muscles clenched against the cold. There was a ferocity in Hayner's glare that made Seifer crazy, a tension in his jaw that made the older blond want to pin him against the nearby car and--in an act of self-preservation, he stopped himself.

"Look, just go back inside, you'll freeze to death out here." Seifer growled weakly, his mouth voicing commands that went against his true desires. "Sorry I didn't say hi, it was just a lame party," he lied, his face showing no conviction behind his words. It was actually the best party he had seen in the better part of his college career, which was saying something. But if he got Hayner angry, the younger blond would give up and go back to the warmth of the house before he caught cold.

Hayner flinched, some of the bitter hurt from Seifer's words showing on his face.

"Okay, seriously? You're standing out here in nothing but jeans and a collared shirt and you're telling me to go inside??" But there was something lacking in the older boy's tone – the vicious glee and smug superiority that had always been present before whenever he insulted him in high school. Hayner made an exasperated noise, his expression going a little sad. "I was— Dude, I invited you for a reason, you asshole. Okay? I thought—" He cut himself off, looking away.

"Fine," he finally said quietly. He swallowed, trying to ignore the bitter taste in his mouth and the twisting in his stomach. He'd really hoped— "Well… hi. And… Merry Christmas." His shoulders hunched further as his gaze flickered back to Seifer's for just a moment, then he sighed and looked away again. "See ya, I guess." And he slowly turned away to head back towards his house.

Seifer frowned deeply, the sensation of water flooding his chest overwhelming. He felt suffocated. He lifted a hand to his face, grimacing and knocking soundly at his forehead with his knuckles. This was so messed up, it was always so messed up. And here he was, watching his last chance walk away from him, too weak to even do anything about it.

Hayner had invited him for a reason. He had said so. Was he going to throw that away for nothing? For his own pride?

Seifer groaned softly to himself—it was now or never.

"Yeah, ok, fine, you win!" He shouted after Hayner, taking a few quick steps to catch up with him. "I'll stick around, alright?" He rolled his eyes, adding on a playful "chickenwuss."

"Now let's get inside before we both freeze to death."

Hayner blinked, stopping to turn, eyes wide with surprise, towards the older boy. And man, was it weird to be near eye level to him.

Then he smiled.

"Yeah."

But before he took another step, his gaze turned mischievous, and Hayner reached out with one arm and shoved Seifer into the snow, taking off at a sprint for the front porch. He leaped over the icy patch on the sidewalk, and was almost to his door, bounding up the steps when a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around, pinning him.

For a moment, both boys stood there, panting for breath, wide brown eyes that glittered with amusement meeting narrowed blue. Hayner swallowed, then grinned, a wide brilliant smile, and Seifer blinked, his eyebrows raising. For a moment, he looked confused, and Hayner's heart started to pound in his chest, so he grabbed the handle and pushed the door open behind him, pulling away from the other boy.

Both boys were flushed from the cold, but grinning at each other as they went inside. Hayner got Seifer a cup of cider and one for himself, and then they found Roxas, Pence, and Olette, the first who was wearing one of Hayner's shirts ("You spilled your nasty backwash hot chocolate on me, asshole!") and the last who smiled knowingly at him. Hayner made a face at her and shoved a cookie into his mouth.

The rest of the party was... awesome. Hayner found out about how Seifer had just gotten back in town because of work, and tried not to feel disappointed when he learned Seifer was leaving again in five days. Seifer seemed surprised to hear that Hayner was actually on the Struggle team at his and Roxas' school and was doing really well; Hayner made a face at him and elbowed him in the side. At one point, Roxas was telling a story and Hayner made a joke at his expense, making Seifer laugh. Hayner stared at him in shock for a good two seconds, then grinned proudly, laughing as well.

He completely forgot that Seifer had said he had things to do.

But finally guests started leaving, the party dwindling down. Olette somehow roped all of them into helping start clean-up ("Geez, 'Lette, you don't even live here!" "Well, someone has to help out around here!"), and at last Seifer was pulling on his coat. Hayner blinked - he hadn't had that on when Hayner had followed him outside...

But he said nothing, pulling the door open for the older boy, grinning crookedly at him as Seifer stepped outside and turned back to bid farewell.

Hayner ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "So, I know you're leaving in a few days... but if you wanna hang out or something, I'll be around..." And as he trailed off, he spied the mistletoe his mother had tied to the roof of the porch... Seifer followed his gaze up, and when the older boy looked down again, Hayner, going on sudden impulse, darted forward, pressing his lips against Seifer's. It didn't last more than two seconds, and Seifer's lips were a little dry, but they were warm and soft, and Hayner pulled away just a little breathless.

"Merry Christmas."

And with that, he closed the door quickly, leaning back against it, his heart thudding in his chest.

When he looked up, he blinked then scowled at discovering all three of his friends standing there, Pence covering his eyes, Olette smiling brilliantly, and Roxas looking just vaguely amused. Hayner's scowl didn't quite hide his grin.

Seifer fell back two steps as the door slammed shut in his face, his vision unfocused and his lips tingling sharply. His whole body felt warm, so much so that he felt his coat was entirely unnecessary. Hayner had just...kissed him? It took Seifer a minute to quiet the buzzing in his mind and then a wide smile spread across his lips.

He would hang out with Hayner alright. The next day. And he would make it a real kiss.

And with that he turned, exhaling blissfully in the cold as he stepped out into the dark night, stopping only long enough to toss a snowball at the door with a laugh.

"Heh, Merry Christmas, lamer."

Description
Christmas Eve.

The floor of the old wooden house seemed to shake with the sheer amount of people crammed into its tight hallways, bodies filling every space. Paint peeled off the corners of the house, age doing a number on its exterior, but inside was bright and warm, a welcoming reprieve from the cold gusts of snow berating the guests who struggled in late.

A tall boy with shocking blond hair hidden beneath a thick black beanie numbered among the stragglers. He stood on the sidewalk, leaning against a nondescript black car, tucking his face into the navy scarf that wrapped around his neck. His gray pea coat cut out most of the cold, and with his hands stuffed deep into the pockets he could manage in the sub-freezing temperatures without shivering.

Each time the door to the house opened it showered him with warm light, the voices inside flowing out, happy cries of laughter and the merry beats of Christmas music, voices yelling shouts of greeting and wishes of happy holidays to the newcomer. Then the red door would close again and the noise of life and reunion would dim to a distant rumble.

Each time the boy made up his mind to approach the door and knock, he would hesitate and lean more resolutely against the car again. He had gotten in the day before, despite his exams at school ending in early December. Work had kept him from home until the office closed for the few days before and after Christmas; not that the boy minded, he had no particular desire to be back in Twilight Town, and he had expected to arrive and leave without seeing much of anyone beyond his father and the few cousins that still came around. But waiting on the kitchen counter for him was an invitation to a Christmas Party.

A Christmas party at Hayner's house.

Surely it was a mistake. The two of them had never been friends. In fact, they had been quite the opposite. It had been three years since the boy had left for college, sure, but he doubted Hayner would ever forget the torture he put him through in their early years.

And yet, there sat the invitation, a red ribbon tied at the top (obviously the work of Hayner's mother), and the scrawling font inviting him to an open house, dinner provided, snappy casual attire.

He was invited. So why was he having so much trouble attending?

He felt wrong walking into the door like nothing had ever happened. But it would be worse for him to ignore the invitation and just go home. And what did he have to do at home but sit around with his drunk dad?

Biting his lower lip, the boy stood up, a thick torso and strong arms shaking off the snow that had collected on his shoulders. He took a deep breath, and his icy blue eyes narrowed resolutely.

No turning back now.

He approached the door, his long legs carrying him across the distance easily, and, after hesitating for a second, knocked.

The door swung open instantly, shocking him with the warmth that flowed across his numb, exposed features, only to come face to face with a grinning, older, prettier, and much more mature (if that was even possible) version of Olette. So it really had been three years.

"Seifer Almasy?" She gasped, the grin slipping slightly from her lips. "I didn't expect you to…Oh nevermind, come in!" She forced the smile back onto her face and stepped aside. Seifer moved into the warmth of the entryway, the door swinging shut behind him as he looked around at the masses of people. He had no clue that such a small place could host such a large crowd. But no one seemed uncomfortable with the close proximity; in fact, they seemed overjoyed to be surrounded by so many faces. Everyone seemed so…happy.

Of to the left, a long table filled the living room, topped with a red and white striped festive tablecloth and loaded down with plates and plates of food. Silver icing sparkled on candy-cane shaped cookies and a fondue fountain glinted in the light as the liquid chocolate cascaded down its height. Bright red strawberries and juicy slices of pineapple filled the area surrounding the fountain, and countless other brownies, slices of gingerbread with lemon icing, and warm bite-size slices of breaded chicken spread on down the table.

To the right was a sitting room, people occupying all of the seats and any standing room, hot cider and cocoa in their hands. Further down the hall Seifer could see the kitchen and three all-too-familiar bobbing heads of hair.

He swallowed thickly, instantly regretting his decision to come.

"Can I take your coat?" Olette asked warmly, reaching up to place a hand on Seifer's shoulder. He nodded, shrugging out of it.

"Uh, nice party." He commented lamely. "Er, how have you been?"

"Great, just great!" And it was genuine. Her eyes glistened, and Seifer could tell the years had been good to her. She had probably really come into her own in college, and the blond couldn't help but catch a bit of her contagious good cheer. "But hold on, stay right here, ok? I'll be right back."

She trotted down the hall towards the three that Seifer had seen previously noticed and his mouth went dry. "Oh, no, don't--!" But she was already gone.

He was really regretting this.

---

"Dude, watch it!" Roxas had to jump back a foot when a large splash of hot chocolate sloshed out of Hayner's mug as he gesticulated wildly in a dramatic retelling of a Struggle match from the past semester.

"Oh, shit!" Hayner dodged the hot liquid as it splattered on the kitchen tile. He stared at the puddle, the traces of a pout dancing across his lips as he huffed, then checked his mug. "Maaan..." And with that, he turned to grab some paper towels, folding them up and dropping them over the spilled cocoa, using his foot to wipe the floor while draining his mug with long gulps.

"You can actually use your hands, you know," Pence chided with a grin. Hayner waved him off, still drinking.

Of course, at that moment Olette came up to them, an urgent yet excited look on her face.

He ignored it.

Mistake.

"Guys, Hayner, Seifer's here!"

The dusty-blond boy choked, leaning forward to protect his clothing as his throat closed in protest at the hot chocolate trying to go down the wrong tube, spitting it back out into his mug.

"Oh, that is just gross," Roxas said, his lips curling in disgust. Pence reached forward to pound Hayner on the back as he coughed, bent over, hands on his knees, trying to force air back into his lungs. Finally, his body cooperated, and he inhaled deeply, catching his breath, then looked up at Olette with wide brown eyes.

"WHAT?!"

The party went near silent save the music playing over the stereo, conversations stopping at his exclamation.

Olette nodded quickly, her smile widening happily as she indicated the direction of the front door, and Hayner's head whipped to the side as people started talking again around them softly.

She wasn't kidding.

He'd actually showed up.

Holy shit.

Yeah, Hayner'd invited him. On a whim, mostly. Olette had mentioned it. The four of them had talked about it, citing how he might've changed in college, and if he didn't then there'd be no reason for him to show because he'd think it was lame; besides, if he did show and try to start something, he couldn't exactly beat Hayner up at his own house surrounded by Hayner's friends and family.

The more he'd thought about it, the more he'd been okay with the idea. More than okay. Maybe Seifer had changed after three years in college. Hayner certainly had in the past two. Calmer (mostly), taller (by 2 whole inches!), stronger (Struggle season had paid off really well), less clumsy (now that his feet didn't feel like they were a little too big for him), less likely to completely overreact to something...

He still had his moments, as evidenced by the hot chocolate dripping down his chin, which he hastily wiped off with the back of his hand and the sleeve of his dark green turtleneck as he looked at Roxas and Pence, who looked at least half as surprised as he did.

He'd gotten his hopes up, thinking how maybe they'd be cool with each other, now that years had distanced them from whatever it was that drove the older boy to pick on him in high school. Hayner had grown more mature, enough so that he didn't always feel the need to rise to a taunt.

But as each guest arrived and it wasn't him, Hayner had resigned himself to the fact that yeah, he was probably busy, or had his own parties to attend, or just still hated Hayner's guts. The college sophomore had finally stopped looking over at the door each time it opened, because what was the point?

But no, there he was, standing in the middle of the entryway, looking... good. Really good, in well fitting jeans and a dark blue button down that emphasized his broad chest and shoulders and trim waist, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and maybe some things hadn't changed at all because he was still wearing that stupid beanie of his.

Holy shit...

He must've said it out loud without realizing, because Roxas gave a "Yeah, no kidding," in reply.

---

Seifer watched Olette's figure retreat into the crowds, the top of her head still visible as it bobbed down to the kitchen. Seifer sighed, reaching up and scratching the nape of his neck absentmindedly as he looked around again. He saw a few faces he recognized, people he had known forever around Twilight Town, and suddenly he felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. As much as he had claimed he was going to get out of this lame town full of chickenwusses and has-beens, he suddenly felt a warm sense of home, something he had never really felt before.

And like having the ice of a pond crack beneath you, leaving you to plunge into freezing waters, your skin screaming in agony at the cold, Seifer's warm sense of hospitality vanished.

"WHAT?!"

In their silence, Seifer was sure that everyone was looking at him, like they knew he was the reason Hayner had exclaimed so loudly.

He really shouldn't have come, he knew it was a bad idea. After everything he had done to Hayner in high school, all because Seifer couldn't come to terms with the feelings that Hayner's presence created within him, Seifer had the nerve to come to one of his Christmas parties as if it had never happened?

What was he even doing? Hoping, maybe, that Hayner would see him and…what? Confess a heartfelt desire for Seifer that he had always hidden?

Even the thought of it was enough to make him want to kick himself. Instead, he turned, grabbing the handle of the door and grinding his teeth together. This was ridiculous.

He pulled the door open, marching out into the street. He would go home, take a long shower, and bury himself in his bed until he had to leave again in five days.

Hayner's eyes flicked to his friends – Olette's smile bright and hopeful, Pence wary, and Roxas with an expression of mild interest. He asked the other blond a silent question with his eyes, and Roxas shrugged one shoulder, looking more amused. Hayner grinned, then look back at the door – to see Seifer disappearing out of it.

"Hey!"

He didn't even think about it. He shoved his mug of backwash hot chocolate into Roxas' hands, Roxas's complaint and exclamation of his name barely registering in his ears as he took off down the hall, pushing people out of his way, scrambling towards the door.

"Damn it, Seifer… Could you be any more of a goddamn loser?" Seifer growled at himself, making his way down the sidewalk. The wind picked up, chilling him, and he realized he had forgotten his coat. He hesitated, a voice in his head reminding him that Hayner had invited him. It wasn't a mistake. But Seifer shoved his hands into his jean pockets. He couldn't go back, not now. It was too late.

With one last look at the sparkling house, Seifer turned to go.

Hayner yanked the door open, eyes searching in the snowy darkness past his porch, and he spotted the older boy, walking down the sidewalk.

"Hey!!"

Seifer cringed as he heard the door open behind him, Hayner's yells following shortly.

Hayner ran out into the cold after him, swearing as his foot landed on a frozen patch on the
sidewalk, arms flailing slightly for balance. He didn't let the momentary slide stop him though, and he continued chasing after the retreating blond, shouting at him.

"Hey, I'm talking to you!!"

After attempts to ignore the blond failed, Seifer paused, grinding his teeth together once again as he clenched his fists in his pockets, and waited for the younger blond.

Hayner slowed to a stop behind Seifer, panting white clouds in the frigid, snowy air. He paused for a moment, catching his breath, then straightened, raising his gaze to find Seifer's. He blinked, brown eyes wide with surprise and confusion, brow furrowing.

"What… where're you going??" he asked, still a little short on breath.

Damn, it was cold.

But one look at the younger boy made Seifer forget any thought of the temperature. Hayner's eyes glistened, wide, but Seifer no longer had to look down into them. Hayner was nearly his height, just an inch or two short of it, and his build had filled out well. Seifer swallowed thickly, blinking, "Uh…" He stalled, his eyebrows pulling together in confusion. He felt something warm stirring deep in his abdomen, and his fingers tingled. Hayner looked good. Really good.

"I was just stopping by to say hi, since you…y'know…invited me and all. But I have…" nothing else to do, he finished silently. "…stuff."

Hayner's chocolate brown eyes were captivating. Seifer's whole body felt warm, and he suddenly wanted to escape. It was too much, and he felt as though the blond saw straight through him. A clawing panic tore at his insides, a feeling he had once known so well, and the words 'chickenwuss' and 'lamer' danced at the tip of his tongue. But he held back—he was better than that now.

"Well…uh…Merry Christmas. And…Thanks." But the look in Hayner's eyes told him that the sophomore would have nothing of it.

Hayner blinked, his brow dipping lower, the confusion and mild hurt in his expression draining as his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"But... you didn't even say hi. You just walked in and then left without saying a word to anyone."

He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest, hips cocking to one side. "How much of an idiot do you think I am?? And-- and what the fuck are you doing out here without a coat?? It's like, ten below!!" Even as he spoke, his own shoulders hunched against the cold, and he had to clench his jaw to prevent his teeth from chattering.

Seifer snarled in indignation and self-defense, searching frantically for a viable excuse, when Hayner rapidly switched the subject, bringing attention to his own shivering form.

Seifer stared down at the blond, the hungry force in his abdomen expanding as he noticed the way Hayner's muscles clenched against the cold. There was a ferocity in Hayner's glare that made Seifer crazy, a tension in his jaw that made the older blond want to pin him against the nearby car and--in an act of self-preservation, he stopped himself.

"Look, just go back inside, you'll freeze to death out here." Seifer growled weakly, his mouth voicing commands that went against his true desires. "Sorry I didn't say hi, it was just a lame party," he lied, his face showing no conviction behind his words. It was actually the best party he had seen in the better part of his college career, which was saying something. But if he got Hayner angry, the younger blond would give up and go back to the warmth of the house before he caught cold.

Hayner flinched, some of the bitter hurt from Seifer's words showing on his face.

"Okay, seriously? You're standing out here in nothing but jeans and a collared shirt and you're telling me to go inside??" But there was something lacking in the older boy's tone – the vicious glee and smug superiority that had always been present before whenever he insulted him in high school. Hayner made an exasperated noise, his expression going a little sad. "I was— Dude, I invited you for a reason, you asshole. Okay? I thought—" He cut himself off, looking away.

"Fine," he finally said quietly. He swallowed, trying to ignore the bitter taste in his mouth and the twisting in his stomach. He'd really hoped— "Well… hi. And… Merry Christmas." His shoulders hunched further as his gaze flickered back to Seifer's for just a moment, then he sighed and looked away again. "See ya, I guess." And he slowly turned away to head back towards his house.

Seifer frowned deeply, the sensation of water flooding his chest overwhelming. He felt suffocated. He lifted a hand to his face, grimacing and knocking soundly at his forehead with his knuckles. This was so messed up, it was always so messed up. And here he was, watching his last chance walk away from him, too weak to even do anything about it.

Hayner had invited him for a reason. He had said so. Was he going to throw that away for nothing? For his own pride?

Seifer groaned softly to himself—it was now or never.

"Yeah, ok, fine, you win!" He shouted after Hayner, taking a few quick steps to catch up with him. "I'll stick around, alright?" He rolled his eyes, adding on a playful "chickenwuss."

"Now let's get inside before we both freeze to death."

Hayner blinked, stopping to turn, eyes wide with surprise, towards the older boy. And man, was it weird to be near eye level to him.

Then he smiled.

"Yeah."

But before he took another step, his gaze turned mischievous, and Hayner reached out with one arm and shoved Seifer into the snow, taking off at a sprint for the front porch. He leaped over the icy patch on the sidewalk, and was almost to his door, bounding up the steps when a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around, pinning him.

For a moment, both boys stood there, panting for breath, wide brown eyes that glittered with amusement meeting narrowed blue. Hayner swallowed, then grinned, a wide brilliant smile, and Seifer blinked, his eyebrows raising. For a moment, he looked confused, and Hayner's heart started to pound in his chest, so he grabbed the handle and pushed the door open behind him, pulling away from the other boy.

Both boys were flushed from the cold, but grinning at each other as they went inside. Hayner got Seifer a cup of cider and one for himself, and then they found Roxas, Pence, and Olette, the first who was wearing one of Hayner's shirts ("You spilled your nasty backwash hot chocolate on me, asshole!") and the last who smiled knowingly at him. Hayner made a face at her and shoved a cookie into his mouth.

The rest of the party was... awesome. Hayner found out about how Seifer had just gotten back in town because of work, and tried not to feel disappointed when he learned Seifer was leaving again in five days. Seifer seemed surprised to hear that Hayner was actually on the Struggle team at his and Roxas' school and was doing really well; Hayner made a face at him and elbowed him in the side. At one point, Roxas was telling a story and Hayner made a joke at his expense, making Seifer laugh. Hayner stared at him in shock for a good two seconds, then grinned proudly, laughing as well.

He completely forgot that Seifer had said he had things to do.

But finally guests started leaving, the party dwindling down. Olette somehow roped all of them into helping start clean-up ("Geez, 'Lette, you don't even live here!" "Well, someone has to help out around here!"), and at last Seifer was pulling on his coat. Hayner blinked - he hadn't had that on when Hayner had followed him outside...

But he said nothing, pulling the door open for the older boy, grinning crookedly at him as Seifer stepped outside and turned back to bid farewell.

Hayner ducked his head, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "So, I know you're leaving in a few days... but if you wanna hang out or something, I'll be around..." And as he trailed off, he spied the mistletoe his mother had tied to the roof of the porch... Seifer followed his gaze up, and when the older boy looked down again, Hayner, going on sudden impulse, darted forward, pressing his lips against Seifer's. It didn't last more than two seconds, and Seifer's lips were a little dry, but they were warm and soft, and Hayner pulled away just a little breathless.

"Merry Christmas."

And with that, he closed the door quickly, leaning back against it, his heart thudding in his chest.

When he looked up, he blinked then scowled at discovering all three of his friends standing there, Pence covering his eyes, Olette smiling brilliantly, and Roxas looking just vaguely amused. Hayner's scowl didn't quite hide his grin.

Seifer fell back two steps as the door slammed shut in his face, his vision unfocused and his lips tingling sharply. His whole body felt warm, so much so that he felt his coat was entirely unnecessary. Hayner had just...kissed him? It took Seifer a minute to quiet the buzzing in his mind and then a wide smile spread across his lips.

He would hang out with Hayner alright. The next day. And he would make it a real kiss.

And with that he turned, exhaling blissfully in the cold as he stepped out into the dark night, stopping only long enough to toss a snowball at the door with a laugh.

"Heh, Merry Christmas, lamer."