#EcoAoi

[startouche-d]

Under The Mistletoe (EcoAoi Christmas AU)

It was Christmastime.

The eighteen-year-old Deadly Chaser may not have been the happiest person known to Elrios, but something about the holiday season had sparked a noticeable light in him. His smiles were brighter, his laughs happier, his actions more affectionate.

Eco had noticed this change in behavior.

He felt as if he was falling in love with the blonde all over again; his smiles were a shining ray in a cold, wintery world, causing his face to flush and his heart to flutter.

On Christmas Eve, the petite paladin ventured outside onto the front porch, into the chilly winter air. He wore an oversized yellow sweater, and a striped beanie covered the top of his head. He blew into his hands to help warm himself up, admiring the snowy landscape around him.

Not too long after, Aoi followed him outside, a blue scarf wrapped around his neck, his hands balled up in the too-long sleeves of his pale teal sweater.

"What are you doing out here? ‘s cold," the older boy muttered, lightly nudging his friend on the shoulder.

"I love the snow," he replied, looking up at the other with a smile, "I always have."

"I was never a fan of the cold," he pulled his scarf up further, to cover his shivering lips.

"But the snow’s pretty, I suppose."

"It is."

There was a small silence between the two boys, both observing the tiny snowflakes that drifted down from the sky, landing ever-so-gently onto the ground.

"Why’d you come out here?" Eco finally asked, breaking the silence. His blue orbs darted to the other, searching for his gaze.

"I was lookin’ for you," Aoi muttered in reply.

The Iron Paladin’s face flushed at the thought. Why would Aoi come looking for him?

"How come?"

"Eh, no reason," the blonde’s eyes drifted around the area, then locking on to an object hanging from the ceiling of the porch above them. His face flushed a pale red, and he pointed to it.

"Hey, look at that," he said quietly.

The boy’s eyes darted to the ceiling, his face flushing dark red as the object came into his vision.

Mistletoe.

"A-ah, uh…" he stuttered, trying to find the words to say, but unable to do so through his flustered thoughts.

A gentle hand soon found his, long fingers intertwining with his.

"You know we’re supposed to kiss now, right?" the older boy smiled, taking a step closer to the petite blonde.

"W-well, only if y-you want to, I m-mean, we d-don’t /have/ to…"

He was cut off by the other pulling him close, his hand still holding onto Eco’s, the other placed on his hip.

"A-Aoi…" he muttered, staring into his cerulean orbs.

Aoi simply smiled again, then leaned in to press a soft kiss to Eco’s lips. His warm breath tickled the boy’s upper lip, and he found himself wrapping his one free arm around the taller boy’s neck, and his eyes fluttering shut.

A minute later, the Deadly Chaser pulled away- barely,- and rested his forehead against the other’s.

"I love you," he whispered, bringing a hand up to caress Eco’s cheek.

He smiled. “I love you, too.”

After that, the pair decided to head back inside to escape the cold, cuddling together under a warm blanket, complete with cups of hot cocoa.

And, maybe, sneak in a couple more kisses, too.

#I actually don't hate this thing I wrote #I'm proud of it tbh #watch as I start hating it in three hours. #pained laugh #EcoAoi #Elsword #DCIP #i also don't know how to put read mores on mobile #well shit