#━━ ˟ ⊰ ✰ INTERACTIONS FEAT. ⋮ TEDDY SINCLAIR.

[courtofmuses]

@flovraelies​​  →  ✉  ‘ mistletoe ’

ੈ✩‧₊˚   ---   CHRISTMAS   HADN'T   BEEN   THE   MOST   EXCITING   TIME   FOR   NIKO   GROWING   UP.   Since   his   parents   had   been   so   deeply   entrenched   in   their   faith   and   religious   ideals,   it   was   always   about   the   birth   of   Christ   and   nothing   else.   A   Christmas   tree   was   erected   in   their   living   room   for   show   more   than   anything   else,   and   gifts   were   never   exciting   but   practical.   Niko   didn't   get   the   latest   toys   or   electronics   and   the   morning   was   spent   at   mass   in   the   Catholic   church   his   parents   attended   regularly.   So   he   finds   it   almost   mystifying   as   he   watches   the   Sinclairs   run   around   their   home   decorating,   trading   out   baked   cookies   for   unbaked   ones   in   the   oven,   the   smears   of   colored   icing   as   Erica   and   Lucas   decorated   them   with   a   few   of   their   younger   cousins   and   other   kids   of   people   who   had   been   invited   to   the   Christmas   party.   The   house   was   in   complete   chaos   and   Niko   finds   himself   a   tad   overwhelmed.   He   needs   to   step   away   from   the   noise   and   bodies   and   too   loud   music.   He   badly   needs   a   smoke.   

Niko   manages   to   sneak   away   from   the   bedlam   through   the   kitchen   and   walks   around   the   Sinclair   residence   to   the   front   porch.   He   perches   on   the   top   step   and   digs   his   pack   of   cigarettes   out   of   his   coat   pocket,   along   with   a   lighter.   Just   as   he   lights   it,   he   hears   footsteps   crunching   in   the   thin   layer   of   snow   on   the   ground   and   looks   up   to   find   Teddy   standing   before   him.   ❝   Hey,   ❞   he   says   with   a   small   smile,   breathing   out   a   white   stream   of   smoke.   ❝   Sorry,   I   just   needed   a   minute   away.   It's   crazy   in   their.   ❞   His   words   are   affectionate   and   he   gestures   for   the   other   man   to   sit   down   next   to   him,   scooting   over   to   give   him   room.   Niko   offers   him   a   cigarette.   

❝   Didn't   take   you   long   to   notice   I   was   missing,   ❞   he   teases,   nudging   Teddy   with   his   elbow.   ❝   Didn't   think   I   ran   away   did   ya?   ❞   There   are   still   times   when   Niko's   fight   or   flight   instinct   kicks   in.   Days   when   he's   mentally   back   in   Hawkins   Lab   even   if   he's   not   physically.   He   doesn't   think   that's   ever   going   to   go   away.   It'll   never   stop   happening.   The   reckless   behavior   and   disorders   created   from   years   of   trauma   can't   be   cured.   He   can't   afford   treatment   so   he   does   what   he   can   on   his   own.   Some   days   are   better   than   others.   

The   blonde   tilts   his   head   back   with   the   intent   of   looking   at   the   stars   since   it's   a   clear   night.   A   grin   spreads   over   his   features   when   he   notices   the   little   plant   hanging   from   the   awning   above   them.   Mistletoe.   ❝   Hey,   look   at   that.   ❞   He   laughs   at   Teddy's   exclamation   before   angling   his   body   toward   the   other   man.   Niko   looks   around   to   make   sure   no   one   is   around,   then   leans   forward   and   presses   his   mouth   to   Teddy's   gently.   This   can   go   one   of   two   ways,   and   he   hopes   it's   not   the   bad   way.