Vincent and Lucas entered the local coffee shop, welcomed by the warm smell of spice and Christmas drinks. In all the commotion, Vincent had forgotten how close the holidays had grown. He supposed Lucas' soccer games had taken the place of his usual advent festivities and he'd neglected to realize how much time had passed. Snow drifted lazily down outside the large windows, and a roaring fireplace burned in the corner surrounded by college kids cramming for final exams.
"It smells like Christmas." Vincent inhaled deeply with a smiled. The room was decorated with garland and had a tree in the corner. "We should decorate your apartment."
"We should." Lucas nodded. "If my mother ever leaves."
"Why wait?"
"She'll ruin it." Lucas frowned. "She ruins everything... But I won't let her ruin us. It's too important."
"You'll need a lot worse than a scary mother to get rid of me." Vincent chuckled, and Lucas looked around to be sure he didn't know anyone before stealing a kiss.
"Good."
Vincent broke his tea trend or a peppermint hot chocolate, and Lucas ordered some type of gingerbread chai drink which smelled amazing. The coffee shop had an upstairs and despite the moderate bustle downstairs, it was empty save an elderly couple in the corner. Vincent and Lucas decided to set up shop at a table not far from the window so they could watch the snow.
"This reminds me of the first time we met for tutoring." Lucas chuckled as Vincent spread his books out on the table. "You looked so cute that day."
"Thanks." Vincent smirked. "You weren't so bad yourself."
Lucas shuffled his white high top nike's so he could pull himself closer to the table. Above his black swiped shoe was the wrinkle of a pair of white socks. Vincent took a moment to look at the boy again, just as he had that first day. He really was beautiful, at least in Vincent's eyes. At first he couldn't comprehend the love Lucas had for him, but after a few months he was so blinded with affection he couldn't imagine ever loving another person for the rest of his life.
"Do you like what you see?" Lucas asked, rolling up the sleeves of his green sweater.
"Yes." Vincent blushed, having been caught staring. "You look good in green."
"Oh?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"It looks good with your eyes."
"I'll never wear another color again."
"No!" Vincent frowned. "That's not what I meant, you don't..."
"If you like me in green then I should wear green."
"I like you in every color.. you look nice in every color. If you were wearing red then I'd comment that you look amazing in red." Vincent struggled to explain.
"Thank you." Lucas looked down at his hands and flushed. He reached across the table and took Vincent's hand in his own. Lucas' hand was warm, despite the chill of the shop, warm like hot chocolate on a cold day or a fire when it snows, and Vincent clutched it tight.
"I like you in every color too."
"Thank you."
"You know something?" Lucas asked, leaning back in his chair.
"What?"
"I think red is my favorite hair color in the world."
Vincent flushed red and he took his hand back to cover his face. Lucas had a prideful smile on his face, betraying his happiness at exciting emotions within Vincent.
"I wish I could stop time so I could keep you like that forever." Lucas grinned causing Vincent to flash redder.
"I love you." Vincent stated.
"I hope you already know that I love you."
"I do."
"Good." Lucas sipped his drink quietly for a moment. Both boys falling back into their respective text books to study. Finals were fast approaching and on top of the championship games, it was a lot for both boys to deal with. Vincent's phone pinged after a few moments of studying and he shifted to look at it.
Hailz <3: what r u up to?
"Who is it?" Lucas asked out of curiosity.
"Hailey.. She asked whatI'm doing. I haven't seen her in a few days.. she probably wants to meet up."
"Invite her to join us." Lucas suggested.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
Vincent: I'm getting coffee with Lucas, meet me here?
Hailz <3: yes! studying and need caffeine. see you in 10.
"I'm glad you're okay with her coming." Vincent admitted. "I've kinda missed her a bit... Not that I haven't had an amazing time with you."
"I know." Lucas smiled.
Hailey found them a couple of minutes afterwards, coffee already in hand. She had gotten some type of latte, probably, if Vincent knew his best friend, Christmas themed. She was dressed in comfy clothes including leggings and a sweater, and had grabbed her backpack, knowing they would likely end up studying.
"Hey guys!" Hailey smiled as she sat down. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
"Not at all." Lucas smiled sweetly. "It's always good to see you."
"You too, soccer star." She chuckled. "I heard you were unreal in the last game. Are you nervous for the Championship game?"
"No.." Lucas lied. "Yes."
"I'm sure you'll play great!" Hailey smiled. "Is it home or away."
"Home." Vincent answered.
"Well then, Vincent and I will be there to cheer you on!" Hailey smiled. "Hey Lucas, what's tha-" Hailey began then stopped herself. She had been about to point to Lucas' neck where bruises from the night prior had formed pretty prominently. Vincent had forgotten to bug Lucas about covering them, and the green crew neck did little to disguise them.
"I uh.. I had an accident with the vacuum cleaner." Lucas pursed his lips, then turned to Vincent with a coy smile. "It's got great suction."
"Of course." Hailey nodded sarcastically. "Vincent? Comments?"
"We're dating." Vincent admitted.
"Oh my god!" Hailey grinned and stood up to wrap her arms around Vincent. "I mean of course, you've been for literally ten years, but I'm glad you finally stopped being stupid and realized it."
"Hailey!" Vincent chuckled.
"I mean come on, this has been exhausting for me. Like just get over it and do it!" Hailey exclaimed. "How long have you been together."
"Not long after Thanksgiving... almost a month." Lucas answered.
"A month!" Hailey practically shouted. "You kept that from me for a month! Oh my Lord."
"I'm sorry!" Vincent explained. "I wanted to tell you, we just weren't ready yet and I didn't want to screw anything up."
"I didn't want to screw anything up." Lucas corrected. "Vincent wanted to tell you right away."
"It doesn't matter." Hailey assured. "But you've got a boyfriend now! I'm so excited for you."
"Thank you." Vincent beamed.
"So how'd it happen? Tell me the story." Hailey rambled.
"What story? You lived the story." Vincent chuckled.
"No, the story of when it went from friends to more! Who confessed first?"
"I did." Lucas answered.
"I knew it!" Hailey exclaimed. "Somebody needed to take the initiative."
"I suppose." Vincent agreed. "What else do you want to know?"
"Who initiated the first kiss?"
"I did." Lucas answered.
"Who asked who to be boyfriends?"
"I did." Lucas answered.
"Okay, and Vincent, what did you do?" Hailey teased.
"I did a lot." Vincent rolled his eyes.
"Yes he did." Lucas kissed Vincent's forehead. "I've liked him for nearly fifteen years and nothing, and he likes me for a month and boom we're dating. That's something to me."
"Aww." Hailey smiled. "So did you-- ?"
"No."
....
Vincent and Lucas exited the coffee shop with genuine smiles on their face. It had been a good day, as if a crushing weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Everything felt brighter, happier, more alive. It was as if they could finally just exist as themselves. Of course Hailey was just one person, but that it had gone so well made Lucas confident in explaining it to the next few people who were close to him. All of who he figured would take it equally as well, that is... excluding his mother.
"Science Hall?" Vincent asked, and Lucas nodded wordlessly. "I'm in Main."
"I'll see you later?" Lucas bumped his shoulder into Vincent.
"Of course."
"Thought's on dinner?" Lucas mused.
"We probably should do something with your mom... maybe we should go out to dinner and tell her?" Vincent suggested.
"No. Tell my mom? Never. Why do we have to tell my mom?" Lucas asked.
"Because she's your mother." Vincent narrowed his eyes. "Besides, the longer we wait, the harder it will be."
"Not if we wait until she's dead."
"That's an awful thing to say." Vincent scolded. "We have to tell her eventually. Maybe not today, but at some point. Sooner rather than later."
"Well we have to do it someplace public. She's big into appearance, so then at least she won't make a scene." Lucas gulped. "I hope."
"I'm sure that would be a lot worse for your father's campaign than a hot gay son." Vincent joked.
"You'd be surprised." Lucas stated. "You're sure you're alright with telling my mom before yours?"
"I want to tell my mom in person." Vincent explained. "Listen... I think you should tell her in the near future, but it isn't my decision to make. You have to decide. I'll support whatever decision you make. She's your mom."
"Unfortunately. She's gonna be pissed." Lucas scrunched his eyebrows. "But maybe if she's pissed she'll leave."
"Maybe."
"How about... this Saturday? We could tell her at brunch before the game."
"I don't know if that's a good idea... won't it make you nervous? You don't want to be all anxious and hyped up. That's a recipe for disaster... and aren't you supposed to watch what you eat?"
"No.. I think it'll be like tearing the bandaid off and then kicking her onto a plane.... And, I can pick a place that's healthy." Lucas mused.
"Why Saturday and not today?"
"Because that gives us a longer time to spend together. Besides, she did come here for the game, so I think she'll stay for the game no matter what. I'd rather she be angry right before, than the whole preceding week." Lucas explained.
"Okay. It's your choice. Saturday for sure?" Vincent confirmed.
"Yep." Lucas nodded. "Saturday."