[meme] christmas means k-i-s-s-i-n-g

[scovilles]

mistletoe meme!

hello friends! you've stumbled upon the dc universe's newest crop of hanging mistletoe - with your new favorite person! whether it's magical compulsion, that you're trapped until you kiss, or just tradition and social pressure, you've been caught under the mistletoe and that means you have to kiss.

get ready to pucker up, buttercup!

Comments

[chosenbylightning]

[Barry doesn't make it to the park as often as he'd like anymore, but the spot that Len selected is pretty. The light sparkling off the water and the sound of the wind stirring the branches above them, it's nice and he's glad that Len reached out to share it with him. He sits down beside him, shoving his hands in his pockets and resisting the urge to tuck in closer to stay warm.]

It's a nice place. [He shivers a little.] I can see why you like it.

[And then Len turns his attention back to him, that small smile sending his pulse skittering and his stomach into freefall.] Yeah? And what did you find?

[icejacking]

[It's good to note he's still wearing the ring and the watch. As Barry sits with him he'll shift his position some. He's already looking comfortable, one knee crossed over the other. But he'll stretch one arm over the back of bench as Barry joins him, sort of opening up the space between them, making an invisible bubble for just the pair of them. It's a silent invitation should the speedster eventually get too cold.

His blue eyes lift to the cloudy and dark sky above as he searches for an answer.]

When I shut down my rampant thoughts it helps to focus. So I can get a better grasp of my gut feelings about something that might be eluding me.

[Like his feelings in general and sorting them all out. He knows what his brain is trying to warn him about, he can hear all the reasons screaming at him not to pursue this. But his heart and his gut feeling are winning out over the bad vibes right now.

Long fingers tap the wood behind Barry's right shoulder in a light, thoughtful rhythm. Maybe he's still a little nervous about this, though he appears fairly calm compared to earlier. He takes a deep breath and tries to figure out the words to say or how to actually answer the other and not just give him some story hinting at what he's been doing since he left the party.]

I'm sorry... about how I acted earlier.

[Apologies are hard, ok?

He tilts his head and notes the way the others shoulders are drawn in and or how he shivers slightly.]

Are you cold?

[He unzips his parka.]

You can come closer, I won't bite.

[chosenbylightning]

[It does help to see that glint of silver, the dark blue face of the watch peeking out from the sleeve of his parka. His posture is open and inviting, wanting Barry there rather than simply tolerating him.

He turns a little more towards him, focusing on Len's words and letting him find his way to the conclusion he's trying to make.] It's okay. It was probably a little much, especially at a party like that. [An abashed smile because yeah, he should have thought about that.

And he's trying hard not to shiver, but the breeze off the water is frigid.] Yes. God yes.

[He doesn't go as far as sliding his arms around Len and burrowing into the parka, but he does crowd in closer with a small smile.]

Thanks. Guess I brought the wrong jacket.

[icejacking]

You uh... you did catch me a little off guard.

[As Barry moves in he'll slip his arm around his shoulders and hug him closer to keep him warm. He's welcome to slip in under the parka and get closer still, but Len figures he'll let the other do as he likes.]

It's alright, the parka is big enough for the both of us.

[chosenbylightning]

Sorry. I should have waited. [But he doesn't regret giving him the gifts.

As Len hugs him in closer Barry finally gives in and wraps his arms around his very warm and very solid torso. His head is all but resting against his shoulder as he speaks and maybe it's for the best, so he can confess how he feels quietly.]

You're important to me, Len. I've always seen something special in you. I guess I'd hoped.. that maybe you saw it in me too.

[icejacking]

Quit apologizing, you did fine. I just...

[He shifts to get comfortable as Barry wraps his arms around him and settles in against him. He falls silent, listening to what the other has to say about him and he tips his head to press his cheek to Barry's. He swallows softly as the words twist a knot in his chest.]

You've always been dead set on making me your friend. I just... missed the signs I guess... I didn't realize you started to see me as something more. I didn't really understand how much you meant to me.

[chosenbylightning]

[He tips his cheek against Barry's and he has to resist the urge to bury his face in Len's warm sweater and breathe in the way his skin smells. The slight spice of his cologne, clean soap.

Barry is ready to tell him that it's okay if he doesn't feel the same way, that he'd still like them to stay friends, but his last statement has him pulling up short.]

You mean a lot to me Len. You've got such a good heart.

[icejacking]

[He'll shift just enough to slip his arm out of the sleeve of his parka and tuck the edge of it around Barry's shoulders so he's nearly wearing half of it. Now that they're both inside his jacket he'll pull the other closer till there's no more room between them. If he gets any closer Barry would be in his lap. He rubs his arm with long fingers to work up more warmth and friction to keep the speedster comfortable.]

I don't. Not when compared to yours. I'm capable of some good, but nothing like what you do every day. I couldn't do what you do all the time. I'm too selfish to make those kinds of sacrifices.

[chosenbylightning]

[Ever since the lightning Barry has been absolutely terrible about the cold. But with his arms around Len, half-buried in his parka, suddenly it doesn't seem so bad. There's something wonderful about the closeness. Maybe the start of something, relationship or friendship, Barry would be happy with either.

The comparison draws a small snort as he shakes his head.] But you are capable of it. [He touches a finger to Len's chest.] You deserve to be happy, to have something good in your life.

[icejacking]

[He hasn't even let anyone he considers a friend this close. not quite like this anyway. He wouldn't dream of doing anything like this with Mick. If his sister needed comfort she'd be just about the only person in his life that would be able to do this with him.]

I don't have to do good to be happy. I don't want to be saving people all the time, too much hassle. That's your job.

[He pauses.]

I do have someone good in my life.

[chosenbylightning]

[Barry laughs into the warmth of Len's shoulder as he curls in a little closer against the chill.] Right, right. That's my job. [This is.. nice. Sitting beside Len, curled up close with his arms around him to keep warm. He lifts his head to watch his eyes, that small smile of his.]

So do I. Someone pretty wonderful.

[And as much as he wants to lean in closer, to kiss him, Barry has to be sure.] Len? I'm not.. I'm not reading this wrong, am I?

[icejacking]

[The ex-criminal tips his head so he can look into those curious, if slightly worried eyes and draws out his answer for a moment before shrugging. He'll then lift his free hand, brushing light finger tips along Barry's jaw to cup his chin and lean in for a kiss. It's soft and slow, lips a little cold from the air but the kiss itself is warm and sensual. He breaks after a few heartbeats and smirks.]

How does that read?

[chosenbylightning]

[Barry doesn't think he's misread things, but he doesn't want to be wrong, doesn't want to risk a friendship on the chance that he's wrong. The touch along his jaw causes his pulse to skitter and he moves in just a little bit as Len kisses him. A soft sigh slips free as he tries to crowd in closer.

As the kiss breaks, Barry's smile is warm and bright as he tips his forehead to Len's.] That reads just right to me.

[In fact, it's perfect. Best Christmas ever in his book.]