A Nordic NYC Christmas

Part X

-Matthias' POV-

"Lukas! Look what you've done! Now Berwald left and he's probably going to get lost!"

Lukas shrugged, returning to his usual nonchalant attitude. "Oh well."

Oh well?! Was that all he had? I stood up and grabbed him by the shoulders. "You don't understand! You insulted his country and made him leave!"

I will never, ever in a million years understand what Lukas did just then. It was so quick and so elusive that one could barely notice it. But he did it anyway. Somehow. Then, just then, Lukas Bondevik leaned in for a kiss, a short, almost surreal one that took a minute for me to register. He smirked, domineering as ever, and leaned back. "Wasn't expecting that, eh Køhler?"

"Uh..." I was at a loss for words.

He stirred the straw in his drink around, never losing that triumphant smirk on his face. "You know, Køhler, I'd say what you're feeling is confused, and maybe a little insecure. Wondering if you're good enough, or if I'm for real. Then you're also on cloud nine, finally getting the slightest sign of affection from the most desirable, yet most unattainable person in your life."

I was in shock. He was dead on.

"Don't be so shocked, Køhler. I can read you like a book."

He seemed so calm, confident, and dominant, that I felt that he was almost dangerous. Like those charismatic villains in the comic books. They're always tha hardest to defeat because they know the game so well. Too well.

"What just happened?" I asked, finally gathering up enough courage to speak.

Lukas' eyes held a devilish spark. "You're in love."

As usual, he was right.