Christmas Time

In the past

London

16th December 1974

Brian and Roger went out earlier that morning as they had something "Really important to do alone". They were missing somewhere around london. Actually, Roger knew well where they were going, but little did Brian know about it... He was confused, as it was already one hour that Roger was driving and they weren't still arrived... "Where are we going Roger?" Roger began to grin "You'll find out soon... Also, explain me why I have to let you know where are we going if you never tell me? Shut up Brian, enjoy the journey!" Roger was smiling widely, while Brian started to think

- Ok, so, this is going to be a surprise, but, what kind of surprise? It must be something I really love... What about a place where we went when we were children? Something about our childhood? Yes, It can be, but it will be something important... Wait... It can be something stupid too!-

He had an idea about where they could go, but he was still confused. When Roger made surprises, it used to be something either too stupid or too important; it depended on Roger's mood. That day, he looked particularly happy and joyful, but this didn't help Brian made out where they were going... At some point, Brian decided to stop thinking about it, and got lost in his thoughts. Roger kept giggling

-He will never find out where we are going! It will be the best surprise ever!-

This was what Roger was laughing about.

After a couple of minutes, they were about to arrive to the secret place. In the end, what was that  secret place? When they parked they were near a wood, but one which was too familiar to Brian's eyes "Is it what I think?" Brian said looking around after he got out the car. Roger, who was standing at the enter of the wood, turned around and smiled at Brian "Come on Bri!" Brian looked surprised "I remembered the way to come here was shorter..." he just said, walking slowly to reach Roger "The fact is that now we live  far from here, so we need almost an hour to arrive" Brian was looking all around "This place is so different in the past..." He then said, still walking to Roger, who laughed softly "Yes... We haven't came back here for a long time... Actually, the last time was exactly on the 16th December 2018..." Brian looked at Roger astonished "I didn't think you could remember the day and the year too..." Roger smiled proudly "Ok, I have to admit that I've just looked at the photos of the view and the stupid selfies we took that day; there was the date, this is why I remember it..." Brian burst out laughing "Of course you remember it just for the photos! It was too good to be true!" He said between the laughs. Roger rolled his eyes "Neither you remembered today, so shut up!" Brian kept laughing "Yes yes, Roger" Roger then sighed and took a look all around "We're here just because I know you love this place and also because we haven't been here together for too long. Let's go then, Brian! I want to see how it is in the past!" Roger said with enthusiasm. Brian smiled softly, and followed the running Roger "Wait Rog!" He shouted, running as well.

They were walking through the wood. Every thing was covered in white snowflakes: it was so cold that the water in the river was about to freeze. Every thing was silent; the only noises you could hear were the water in river flowing and Roger's and Brian's steps. "It's not far from how we knew it... Maybe, there are less houses around the wood" Brian said, almost whispering. Roger breathed deeply, looking all around him. Suddenly, his sight was cought by something to him familiar "Bri! Come here!" He was running to a tree "Do you remember this place?" He then asked to his curly haired bestfriend "This was our place Rog. Isn't it? We used to come here every time" they recounted every single memories about that wood "Do you remember that day when we fought for I'm in love with my car and Sweet lady?" Brian asked Roger, who nodded "After we had that quarrel, I came here to clear my mind. I was so upset..."

-What if I tell him the truth about why I got so angry at him?-

Roger began to think

-And what if he tells me that he doesn't love me back? But he needs to know it...-

"When I received your message I felt somehow relieved..."
Brian kept talking to Roger, who wasn't particularly focused on Brian's words since he was still thinking

-I can't just tell him "I love you" But he needs to know it... I don't want to be hurt either!-

"The wood calmed me down that day and when I came back I wasn't upset anymore..." Brian stopped talking at this point. He looked at Roger, and blushed

-And when I came home and I saw you asleep in the cupboard I took you upstairs and when I laid you down on the bed, I couldn't resist, I gave you a soft peck on your lips... Because... I think... I've fallen in love with you that day...-

Brian told this last part just in his mind, staring at Roger and blushing more and more "Oh yes, the wood is calming... It helps..." Roger said looking away from Brian's eyes and blushing as well "I... I... I think we can go back home now..." Brian then said "Yes... We can..."