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It was Christmas day in Christmas Town. Elves all around town got the day off as they all celebrated the very thing they work year round for with family and friends. The children ran around town on the crunchy snow as they played with new toys they had been gifted just hours before, but they would soon have to wound down since the sun was indeed starting to go down as the evening went on.
“Do you think they have sea salt ice cream?” The blond asked, his hand comfortably clasped with the red head's hand.
Roxas hadn’t ever been to Christmas Town, the only reason the two were actually there was because they had heard the word ‘Christmas Town’ thrown around way too often during a get together with all their friends that it hadn't gone unnoticed.
Axel just shivered at the thought of cold ice cream in such weather, “How could you even think of ice cream right now, it's freezing!”
Axel had underestimated the harshness of the winter in Christmas Town. He didn't have much experience with the cold, from what he could remember, from when he was a kid in Radiant Garden, was that snow was something that happened rarely and most of the time never came. It was in these moments that Axel had found out he was a huge freeze baby.
“It’s not even that cold.” Roxas said, looking up at Axel with a grin.
The other just whipped his head towards the other, a smile also growing on his face at seeing the others. “Yes it is! Come on, it's snowing and the wind isn’t helping either, therefore it is cold,” Axel said as if he just proved a huge point. He turned his head back forward as the two continued to walk through the town. Roxas did the same with a chuckle, not wanting to bicker with his boyfriend on their date.
Oh right.
It was a date.
The plan was heavily under planned, meaning they decided that this was a date only a couple hours ago when the couple decided to actually come here; but a date was a term they stretched the boundaries out of a lot. The two literally lived together in an apartment in Twilight Town where they spent most of their time together, so a date night was just a special term they used when they felt like it.
******
Just a couple minutes later was all Axel could take until he started to shiver and also Roxas’s cue to drag him into a warm building even if Axel said it was fine. The two walked into a cute little cafe that was adorned with sparkly Christmas decorations and nice scenery of the streets outside. It was decently packed with customers but wasn’t too busy. As they got in line Axel finally let go of Roxas’s hand and rubbed his hands together to gather heat, peering up at the menu. He smirked before looking at Roxas who was also reading through the menu.
“Sorry Rox, no sea salt ice cream here.” He teased as the other just rolled his eyes and elbowed him in his side with a smirk.
“You act like I'll be devastated by the news,” Roxas said, shoving his hands in his grey hoodie while also burying the bottom half of his face into the soft yellow scarf that was snugly around his neck for a few seconds to warm his face back up before popping his head back up, “In which I'm not, we’ve always got plenty at home.”
Axel just scuffed in a loving manor and wrapped his arm around Roxas’s shoulders and pulled him close. Roxas blushed in return. He was all for physical affection, he was a literal kouala sometimes back at home, but when in public he felt it was more embarrassing, plus he was pretty stubborn. Nonetheless, he still leaned into Axel comfortably, taking in his scent and the feeling of safety until the elf in front of them was done taking their order and it was their turn, resulting in Roxas pulling away softly.
“Hello and welcome! What can I get for ya?” The women behind the counter cheered, too sudden of a tone shift and volume shift for Axel to immediately respond, feeling like he had just been fully woken up.
“Hi um can we get…” Roxas responded first, unbothered, his voice fading as he stared at the menu since neither of them really picked out anything in line. “How about some hot chocolate?” Roxas said, looking at Axel to see if he agrees.
“Hot chocolate should do fine.” The red head said with a nod and offered a smile to the women.
The lady nodded and put the order into her computer. “Very well!”
The two paid and took a waiting ticket before finding a place to sit. They both slide in a booth on the opposites of each other, Roxas leaning forward a bit with his hands clasped together on the table and Axel who just leaned back and threw his arms over the top of the booth. Roxas sat in thought for a moment.
“So what are we gonna do after this?” Roxas asked, lifting his gaze to Axel.
“Huh?” Piercing green eyes met with the other blue ones.
“I mean what else are we gonna do here? This place is fun and festive and all but I'm kinda lost on what travellers can do here.” Roxas explained, looking out the giant window beside the booth.
“Hm… I don't know.” The other answered truthfully, keeping his gaze on the other, “Maybe we could go look for a good view around here, this place is beautiful– or maybe go see if there's gift shops? I know we already exchanged gifts but it'll be different.”
Roxas smiled, “I guess it wouldn't hurt to spoil you more.”
“Nuh uh I spoiled you way more!” He challenged, leaning forward against the table now like Roxas was.
“Oh come on I practically got you all the stuff you've said you wanted all year.” Roxas laughed as he added fuel to the flame.
“No, I did just that as well and-”
Axel was cut off by one of the workers who was standing at the end of the table like she had suddenly teleported there.
“Order 108?” She asked, looking at her notepad that had the order written neatly on it.
Axel backed off immediately, leaning back in the booth again, “Um yea.” He grumbled, a little embarrassed that the worker had heard the couples bickering. As the lady passed the drinks to them and walked away Roxas started laughing. Axel just sat there at first but couldn't help but join him.
After the fit of laughter, the two grabbed their drinks. Since the hot chocolate was still hot they didn't drink it immediately, even if Axel tried, and failed, at taking a sip, resulting in him burning his tongue slightly. Roxas dug in his pants pocket for his phone to check the time, sighing as result.
“It's 8 o-clock, we should probably go walk around a bit before heading back home. I wanna be back before 10, if that's okay with you obviously.” Roxas explained as he turned his phone off and put it back in his pocket.
Axel nodded and grabbed his drink and got up from the cushy booth, “Sounds good to me!” He said as he waited for Roxas to stand up and grab his drink as well, “Come on, I wanna look around a bit before we head out.”
The two made their way to the door and back outside to the streets. Axel already wanted to go back into the heated environment moments after they walked away from the cozy place, holding his drink in both hands to feel the warmth. They walked in comfortable silence– the sound of cheery music coming from houses they passed was enough to fill in the silence. Not much after Roxas’s eyes landed on the giant building that was placed at the back of the little town.
“Hey, let's go check that out.” Roxas encouraged as he already started his way there, Axel following not far behind.
Roxas tried to look through the glass, trying to make out what was in the large building but it was pitch black inside. “I can see anything… They must be closed or something.” He realized, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
Axel analyzed the other and smiled gently, nudging the other with his elbow, “Hey cheer up, I'm sure it was boring anyways.” He shrugged, looking to see if his words successfully cheered up his boyfriend. Roxas thought about it and nodded, the smile Axel adored so much on his face yet again.
******
The two were again walking about, finally able to take sips of their hot chocolate which was deemed the best they've ever had quickly, better than Twilight Town’s which they had thought had the best drinks. Coincidentally they ended up on the path to the many holiday towns, they needed to go through Halloween Town in order to get home anyways.
“Too bad this date was short.” Roxas said, breaking the silence as the two could see the circle of trees ahead.
Just as Axel was about to reply he heard Roxas gasp softly. Axel looked at Roxas, seeing what was wrong. Roxas just stared up at the dark sky in awe. Axel was confused at first, worried if something was wrong as he also looked up before spotting the bright twinkling dots in the sky. The stars were a beautiful sight, some stayed bright while some flickered, almost like it was alive. There were so many stars, way more were visible just due to the lack of lights around.
“They’re beautiful…” Roxas commented after a few moments, looking over at Axel who looked back as well. The two share a loving smile, Roxas being the one to turn his body to face Axel first, stepping closer. “I had a lot of fun today.” Roxas almost whispered the words out, looking to the side for a second before looking back at Axel.
“I did too, even though we got here probably too late.” He chuckled, scratching the back of his neck. They were late, it was the truth. Most of the people had already gone home and most stores were closed obviously due to it being Christmas. “Just being with you makes me happy, I think you know that by now. And of course the fact we went to get hot chocolate–”
Roxas listened to Axel ramble on before deciding it was enough and he wanted something else. He grabbed the collar of Axel’s black winter jacket and pulled him to his level, closing the distance to connect their lips. Axel tensed, not expecting the sudden kiss but melted into it just as quick, his hands finding their way to cup the side of Roxas’s face. He enjoyed the feeling of the other's warm lips against his own, the gentle touches from the other and just the sound of his breathing which he found calming. Roxas just kept a grip on Axel’s jacket, his thumb rubbing the material mindlessly before he pulled away, letting the two take a deep breath.
They both just looked at each other before falling into laughter. Laughing seemed to be the one thing that kept occurring on this date. After they calmed down and Roxas felt like his face was about to break from smiling so much, Axel spoke up, “Let’s go home.” He said with a soft tone, a goofy grin also on his face.
******
Just as promised the two were back at their apartment by 10. Roxas was getting water before bed, dressed in some shorts and a baggy sweatshirt; that was his normal for pajamas. After filling a glass he turned off the kitchen light and made his way to the bedroom with a yawn. He found Axel was already in bed, having all the blankets in bed and on his side, huddled in them. Roxas smiled and walked to his side, placing the glass on a nightstand that was beside the bed. Roxas climbed in bed and under the sheets but Axel was quick to wrap himself around Roxas for warmth, which made the other stiffen for a second because to his surprise Axel felt like an ice cube.
“God your freezing Axel!” He exclaimed yet not making any mores to push Axel away.
“I told you I was cold.” Axel just muttered into the blond hair he buried his face in, he was like a shrimp around Roxas at that point. “You're warm though.” He added, sounding like he could fall asleep at any moment.
Roxas chuckled before yawning again, the two were exhausted. He reached as far as he could to turn off the lamp on the nightstand before snuggling into Axel’s embrace, pulling the covers around them both.
“I love you..” Roxas said before closing his eyes.
“Love ya too Rox.” The other responded as the two quickly fell into a comfortable slumber.