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Ever heard of mistletoe? Most folks instantly picture those cheesy, heart-fluttering scenes from Hollywood Christmas flicks couples locking eyes, leaning in slow-motion under a sprig of green, snow swirling around like some fairy-tale magic. But truth is, it's this sneaky semi-parasitic plant that clings to apple trees, willows, or ancient oaks, drawing life from its host while adding its own wild touch to the branches. Back in old England, people loved hanging bunches over doorways, swearing it brought good luck and warded off dark spirits lurking in the winter shadows. And that iconic mistletoe kiss? It's the ultimate classic tradition for lovers on Christmas Eve. Legend whispers that if you seal it right there, beneath those berries, your love will bloom eternal, unbreakable against time's relentless pull.
Junio Agung stood shivering by the campus gate, the first real snowfall of winter drifting down in lazy, feather-light flakes. His breath puffed out in thick white clouds as he glanced at his phone for the hundredth time, checking the hour. The cold bit deep tonight, sharper than anything he'd known growing up in Jakarta's humid haze. Back home, snow was a novelty fake flakes in upscale mall playgrounds during school holidays, melting too quick under bright lights, leaving only puddles and fleeting chills. But this? This was the real deal, falling straight from a vast, star-dusted sky, blanketing the sidewalks and dorm lawns in a pristine hush. Junio couldn't help the grin creeping across his face, a quiet thrill bubbling up inside him. Finally, he was living it the authentic winter wonder he'd dreamed about since binge-watching those foreign films.
"Juy! Dude, sorry i'm late!" Marvin Ekaputra came jogging up from the direction of the music faculty building, his hoodie shoulders dusted white and damp from the accumulating snow. His laptop bag slung casually over one arm, even though his face carried the worn-out glow of someone who'd just battled a long studio session. He looked effortlessly cool, as always, that easy vibe cutting through the chill.
Junio waved with a soft chuckle, stamping his feet to shake off the numbness. "It's cool, just a bit. I'm starting to turn into an icicle here."
"Studio ran over.. prof wanted another track revision. You must be freezing your ass off waiting out here," Marvin said, closing the gap quick. He cupped Junio's cheeks with hands still warm from his jacket pockets, thumbs brushing gently over the flushed skin. "Damn, you're red as hell. Like you're blushing hardcore or something."
Junio shook his head, a shy smile tugging at his lips. "Nah, it's fine. Actually, this is kinda epic. First time feeling real snow falling like this. Back then, it was just mall fake stuff half-assed cold that vanished in seconds."
Marvin's grin widened, genuine and bright, lighting up the dim evening. He looped an arm through Junio's and tugged him toward the dorm courtyard. "Come on, let's head inside. Got some hot chocolate stashed from Mom's care package. We'll sip it on the balcony, watch the snow pile up."
They wandered together through the quiet dorm corridors, most students holed up cramming for finals, the halls echoing softly with their footsteps. Junio and Marvin had been roommates since freshman year, thrown together by random assignment despite their wildly different majors, Junio in Fashion Merchandising, Marvin deep in Music Production. What started as chance had turned into something irreplaceable; the thought of switching rooms now felt impossible, like losing a piece of home.
As they passed the small garden nestled in the heart of the dorm complex, Junio paused, eyes drawn to the fresh layer of snow carpeting the grass. It was building up nicely, soft and inviting under the faint glow of string lights. "Hey, Marvin... remember that time we ditched class to hit the mall just for the fake snow? You kept slipping and ended up soaked head to toe."
Marvin laughed low, the sound warm and familiar. "How could I forget? You were hyped as hell even though it was bogus. And now we've got the legit stuff right here. Screw going inside, let's mess around a bit first."
"You serious? It's late, and you've got that final track presentation tomorrow, right?"
"I can nail the presentation in the morning. Tonight? I wanna see that spark in you again, like back then."
Junio couldn't say no, not to that look in Marvin's eyes, not to the pull of the moment. They veered off into the empty garden, the snow already deep enough for real play. Junio dropped to a crouch, scooping a handful and tossing it skyward. The flakes exploded in a shower of white, drifting down like slow-motion confetti, catching the light in tiny sparkles.
Marvin joined in seamless, packing a loose snowball and lobbing it gently at Junio's back. "Welcome to the real snow war, Juy!"
Junio yelped in surprise, spinning to retaliate. "Hey! You started it, man!"
What followed was pure chaos joyful, breathless chaos. They chased each other through the cluster of young trees, building makeshift forts from piled snow, laughter echoing into the night. Marvin ducked behind a park bench, unleashing a barrage of soft projectiles at Junio, who zigzagged evasively, cackling the whole way.
"Marvin! That's cheating!! You're throwing too hard!" Junio protested, but his voice was laced with glee as he fired back two snowballs in quick succession. One clipped Marvin's shoulder; the other smacked square into his hood.
Marvin clutched his chest in mock agony, dramatic as ever. "Oof, straight to the heart. You're brutal, Juy."
That only fueled Junio more. He charged forward, shoving Marvin playfully until they both tumbled into the snow, rolling in a tangle of limbs and muffled laughs. Powder clung to their clothes, dusted their hair like icing sugar. Breathless but buzzing, they shifted gears and teamed up on a snowman, Marvin's version leaning comically sideways, lopsided and charming in its imperfection, while Junio's stood taller, more symmetrical, thanks to what he called his "fashion sense."
"Your snowman's looking like it's had one too many," Junio teased, pressing small pebbles in for eyes.
"As long as it's fun. Yours back at the mall were way worse," Marvin shot back, flicking a pinch of snow into Junio's hair.
They played until their lungs burned and their clothes were thoroughly soaked, but the laughter never faded. It rolled out easy, unforced, wrapping them in a bubble of pure, carefree bliss. Finally spent, they collapsed side by side against an old oak tree at the garden's edge the one the dorm committee decked out every year with twinkling Christmas lights. The warm golden glow from the tiny bulbs made the snow on the branches shimmer like scattered diamonds, turning the whole scene into something out of a dream.
Junio was still panting, chest heaving, but his smile stretched wide, unguarded. "This is seriously the best, Marvin. Thanks for going along with my crazy tonight."
Marvin just smiled back, reaching over to brush snow from Junio's dark strands, his touch lingering soft. "I'm having the time of my life too. Been a while since i saw you laugh like that full-on, no holding back."
They fell into a comfortable silence then, simply existing in the quiet fall of snow. The lights danced softly overhead, painting everything in a nostalgic, postcard-perfect hue. The world felt paused, just for them.
"You know about mistletoe?" Marvin asked suddenly, his voice dropping lower, almost hushed against the stillness.
"Just from Christmas songs, mostly. Why?"
Marvin tilted his head up. "Look up there on that branch. Real mistletoe, growing wild at the tip. Old European tradition: if two people stand under it around Christmas, they're supposed to kiss. They say it makes the love last forever."
Junio's cheeks burned hotter than the cold could explain. He followed Marvin's gaze, fixating on the small cluster of green leaves and white berries to steady his nerves.
Marvin shifted closer, the space between them vanishing. His hand came up gentle, fingers tracing Junio's jaw before tilting his chin. Then he leaned in, lips meeting Junio's in a kiss that was soft, warm, electric, a stark contrast to the biting air around them. It lingered, tender and sure.
Junio froze for a split second, heart slamming, before melting into it, eyes fluttering shut.
Marvin pulled back slowly, eyes locked deep into Junio's, searching yet certain.
"Juy... from high school days back home, through all this time rooming together here, i've always felt so damn at ease with you. More than anyone. I never had the guts to say it out loud, this thing I've been carrying. You've been so patient, never pushing, never asking what we really are. But tonight, under this real mistletoe we found together... I need you to know: I love you, Junio Agung."
Tears pricked at Junio's eyes, emotion swelling. He pulled Marvin into a fierce hug, voice barely above a whisper against his shoulder.
"I love you too, Marvin. Have for the longest time."
Marvin smiled against his hair, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. "Every Christmas from now on, we'll hunt down mistletoe again. And every time it snows, we'll play like idiots just like tonight."
"Deal."
They stayed there for what felt like hours, hands intertwined, the snow continuing its gentle descent, softly veiling their little world in white. The oak's lights twinkled on, the mistletoe swayed faintly overhead, and in that frozen moment, everything felt infinite.
As they sat under the oak, Junio leaned his head on Marvin's shoulder, watching flakes melt on his gloves. The garden was utterly still no footsteps, no voices, just the soft hush of winter claiming the night. Marvin's thumb traced lazy circles on the back of Junio's hand, a silent reassurance.
"You know," Junio murmured after a while, "back home, Christmas was all lights and malls, no real chill. This feels... magical. Like we're in one of those songs you produce."
Marvin chuckled softly. "Yeah? Maybe I'll sample this vibe for a track. 'Mistletoe Nights' or some poetic shit."
Junio elbowed him lightly. "Don't ruin it with your producer talk."
But he was smiling, warmth spreading despite the cold seeping through their wet clothes.
Eventually, reality nudged tomorrow's responsibilities looming. Marvin stood first, pulling Junio up with him. Snow cascaded from their jackets as they brushed each other off, fingers lingering longer than necessary.
"Hot chocolate still waiting?" Junio asked, voice light.
"Absolutely. And balcony views."
They trudged back, arms brushing, the dorm lights welcoming them in. Inside their room posters of bands on one wall, fabric swatches and mood boards on the other they kicked off snowy boots and brewed the drinks. Steam rose from mugs as they settled on the tiny balcony, knees touching, watching the campus transform under the snowfall.
Conversation flowed easy reminiscing about that mall day in detail, how Junio had built an entire "snow palace" from fake drifts, Marvin providing soundtrack with hummed tunes. They talked about fears too: Junio's homesickness in quieter moments, Marvin's pressure to make his music stand out.
But tonight, under the spell of snow and confession, it all felt lighter. Resolved.
As the clock ticked toward midnight, Christmas Eve blending into the day itself, Marvin set his mug down and turned to Junio fully.
"This is our start, yeah? No more dancing around it."
Junio nodded, eyes steady. "Our start."
They kissed again there on the balcony, slower this time, deeper, the city lights blurring in the distance. Snow kept falling, silent witness to promises unspoken until now.
Years later, they'd look back on this night, the real snow, the wild play, the mistletoe revelation as the moment everything shifted. But in the here and now, it was enough to simply be: two guys who'd found home in each other, wrapped in winter's gentle embrace.
And as the flakes continued to dance down, blanketing their world anew, Junio whispered against Marvin's lips, "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, Ijuy."
The oak tree stood sentinel outside, its mistletoe a quiet guardian, ensuring their story would endure, just like the legends promised.