Closed Celebrations of Us

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper had thought long and hard about what to do that day, wanting to make sure it was special. He'd gone over a lot of options- from Christmas tours to vacations out of the country to visiting some places he was sure Linden would like. But in the end, Casper had settled on a... different approach. One a bit less grand, perhaps, but much more personal. For him, at least. With his plans decided, Casper got dressed the morning before Christmas and popped over to Lindens' parents house to pick him up like they'd planned. He stepped up to the door, knocking before putting his hands in his pockets and stepping back.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden was looking forward to today it was a few days before Christmas but most importantly it was his and Caspers first anniversary. He had organised the most of their big dates so far but today was caspers turn their first anniversary. he was excited to see what cas had planned though he hoped that he hadn't spent too much time worrying about making it something perfect. he knew how cas could get, and he was just looking forward to a date with cas.
he had spent a bit of time getting ready, cas had wanted to keep what they were doing a surprise. in the end he had gone with a nice smart casual button down with some pants. if cas needed him to change then he would just have to ask. he was just tying up his shoes when he heard the knock at the door allerting him to cas outside.
he opened the door and saw casper standing there looking handsome in a smart lightweight jumper, his hair a mess. and he suddenly felt like the protaconist of a bad teen movie that willow had made him watch that he secretly enjoyed more than he wanted to admit. 'wow baby. you look great" he said stepping forward to wrap his arms around his man and kiss him in greeting.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper smiled as Linden opened the door, leaning into the man and holding him close. He kissed Linden back easily, reaching up to press his hand to the mans face. "Hey, there, Lin," He murmured, stealing another kiss before leaning back. "Are you ready to go?" He asked, brushing Lindens hair back from his face.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden smiled as he kissed him back. "hey there cas" he muttered when they broke apart before he leaned in for another kiss enjoying the feeling of Caspers lips under his. of course, as much as it was nice just standing here on the front step making out with cas it wasn't the best plan on how to spend the day, or at least not the best location for a make out session. and they broke apart with a sigh. his fingers instinctively entwining around Caspers. "of course i am" he turned into the house. "Bye Dad, Bye Ivy, have a good day" he called before stepping though the threshold and closing the door. "so, Mister mystery. where are we off to?" he asked a slight flirt in his tone

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper chuckled softly, waiting for Linden to bid goodbye before holding out his hand. "Well," Casper smiled impishly. "I'm stealing you for the next few days, actually." He replied easily. "First of all, we're going to a Christmas market, and a few shops. We need to buy some ingredients for dinner, and a whole bunch of Christmas decorations." He smiled, winking playfully. "I haven't gotten a tree or any decor for the flat. We should go out and fix that, don't you think?"

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden smiled t cas before taking his hand and lacing their fingers together. "a few days ay, we could do a lot with that time, or very little if that is what you want" he said he teased. "decorations are fun. We have to get lots of tinsel and fairy lights. And hang it up everywhere. and some m- fairy lights" he said. they were the best things about Christmas decorations the sparkle and shine. well, almost the best thing. he had just thought about something else. but that was something he was going to keep as a surprise. "we need to fix the tree situation. are you thinking living, cut or fake?" he said.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper smiled, pulling Linden in and apparating them away. Once they'd landed, he wrapped his arm around the man and pulled him along gently. "Well, thats up to you," He told Linden easily. "We're starting at the market, looking for some decorations." He smiled at Linden. "What kind of tree do you want, love?" He asked, stopping to look around the bustling market, unable to help smiling broadly. He was starting to get excited, squeezing his arm around Linden gently.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

linden felt the familiar tugging feeling of apparition before they landed in a market and caspers arms were around him. He was loving the more confident and self assured casper, taking the lead in things, and, well, looking after him. so much different from the boy a year ago who would shy away from himself and run when he felt things too much. "It's your place. so you get to decide" he said as they walked in sync through the market stopping at a stall filled with Christmas decorations and picking up a very kitchy flamingo decoration "what kind of style do you want to decorate with. Because i know you Casper Beckett and you have an artist's vision of what you want things to look like" he said. giving him a little squeeze to show that it wasn't a bad thing.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper chuckled, shaking his head. "I was wanting your opinion all the same." He told Linden. "I'm thinking... maybe a real tree, with a blue and white decor," He mused. "But I want this to be something we do together, is that broad enough for us both to work in?" He asked, moving his eyes from the market to Linden, smiling warmly. "I'm also open to discussion. I want to build something together," He insisted again, not wanting Linden to just defer to Casper.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

linden thought about the tree when cas let him have his option. "maybe a real living tree. that way we can plant it with collection of old Christmas trees on the farm" he said. and he smiled. "so you are saying no tacky pink flamingo. got it" he deased putting the flamingo down and instead picking up a silver butterfly decoration. "I like the idea of blue and white. it is very you, modern but classic. but white should also include silver. And we will need a little bit of yellow too" he said. before he realised caspers eyes were on him and not the decorations. "We are building something together. something more than a Christmas colour scheme." he said reaching up and resting his finger tips on caspers collor just where his tattoo would be under his jumper.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper smiled shyly. "That would be nice... a living, growing testament of our lives together," He agreed, squeezing his arm gently around Lindens shoulders. He shuddered a little as Lindens fingers brushed over his tattoo, blushing and smiling shyly. "A few pops of color would be nice," He agreed softly, leaning down to nuzzle his nose in Lindens hair. "I love you, snowflake," He murmured, enjoying the warmth of Linden close to him.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden nodded. "we can find an area and make it ours. put trees in at Christmas each year. as a way to i don't even know. start a tradition. have something we can share with our kids someday." he said. not even noticing that this was the first time either of them had mentioned kids before. "Yes we need to add some buttercups to it. it doesn't have to be too much to distract from the blue and white. but just just subtly threading them in." he said it seemed casper was rubbing off on him thinking about colour schemes and aesthetics. feeling caspers breath against his head he slowly looked up. "I love you too Casopiller" he said kissing him lightly on the cheek. "now what is your favourite decoration here?" he asked.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper smiled shyly at Lindens words. He heard what the man said, but decided not to press it, instead just biting his lip and leaning in to nuzzle his nose against Lindens hair. "That sounds perfect," He agreed gently, pressing a lingering kiss to Lindens temple. He hummed happily as Linden kissed his cheek. "Oh, you are," He replied immediately, a cheeky grin on his face, but all the same he turned his head and began to peruse the stalls. Casper was quickly swept up in the project, gathering decorations and chattering to Linden about all of them. Casper didn't notice it, the way he'd opened up. He was completely vulnerable; smiling, laughing, moving about quickly with an awe and wonder to his tone that he'd never shown before.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

linden smiled at Caspers attention. he could quite happily spend an afternoon nuzzling kissing cas, talking about anything. but that was not what cas had planned. and he was looking forward to seeing what the date was going to be like. he felt his face warming at Caspers comment. "am I now? just a trophy boyfriend. i will spend the entire holiday standing in the apartment looking pretty. how would you have me posing" he said picturing himself like in an old-school movie wearing a woolly jumper even though it would not be the season for it and making gingerbread.
as their attention turned to the task at hand lin started to look at the decorations. picking a few up but after a little while more of his attention was turning towards cas. watching his boyfriend purse the stalls the sheer look of joy lighting up his face he was like a kid at christmas. well, the Christmas thing was understandable. but he seemed so light and free. he was so drawn in by cas that he hadn't even realised that he had stopped looking at decorations and was just standing there starring as if hypnotised.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper laughed lightly. "You'll see," He teased. The thought was soon lost however, as he got lost in the magic of the stalls. He pulled Linden along with him, hardly noticing how preoccupied the man was. Their collection of bags was quickly growing, Caspers collection of decorations expanding rapidly. He chattered mindlessly at Linden, commenting on the different decorations and things they came across. Caspers' eyes lit up again as they came to a food stand, and Casper accepted one of their free samples, grabbing Lindens hand and pulling him in close. "Say 'ah'," He murmured, his free hand laced through Lindens while he offered out the bite with his other.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden followed cas through the market watching as he passed like a whirlwind of glitter and sparkle his hands filling up with bags of things he hadn’t bought. It was almost a shame to stop cas as he seemed to be having so much fun but he was conscious of how much he was buying. um casper. Do you think you should slow down. We are going to have many more christmases to add to the decorations. And I don’t know how much more we can budget” he said. Their finances were separate and he didn’t know the details of Caspers finances he knew his income wasn’t great. As a first year magizoologist in training. It was enough to keep them with basics if they were stringent but with the amount cas was spending he was starting to think that they would be living on pasta and rice for the next month with how cas was going.
eventually they stopped in a food market. He put his arm around cas as he held his hand. Before smiling and opening up hos mouth for whatever it was in the sample. He chewed it slowly letting the flavour wrap around his tongue. A Moroccan something. A bit of couscous. Some fragrant vegetables and fruits. Was it lamb. ”mmm. That is good. Your turn he said smiling at cas. Your turn he said taking another sample and holding it out to cas.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper giggled at Lindens words. "I've been saving up, it's alright. The gallery brought in a lot of commissions," He told Linden easily. When his love offered him a sample of his own, Cas couldn't help but smile, taking the bite slowly, savoring the flavors and the closeness of Linden. He smiled warmly, drawing Linden in ever closer, nuzzling his nose against the other mans. "Shall we go home and decorate?" He murmured, brushing his nose gently against Lindens.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

linden nodded as casper said heh ad been saving up "so long as you are sure" he said. not wanting to spoil his mood though he had a feeling they would be having a rather frugle start to the new year, but cas was so hard to say no to. He smiled as his man moved closer and took the food. He had been right back at the restaurant. it was an incredibly romantic thing to do.
as cas moved closer he tried to lift his arms and put them over caspers shoulders though the stack of bags hanging off them made it awkward. he smiled and kissed him lightly "Yes darling. lets go home and ger decorating" he said. letting go of cas and taking his hand instead. before giving it a slight squeeze. "I am looking forward to hanging up the fairy lights and tinsel" he said. and a couple of other decorations that he had managed to buy without cas seeing.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper chuckled, stealing another kiss. He led Linden back to the alley, apparating them home. He walked to the kitchen table, setting the bags down and pulling the decorations out. "I bet if we buckle down we can get everything put up in just a few hours," He commented. "I cleaned the entire apartment yesterday," He looked to Linden with a smile. "Maybe when we're done, we could order in some food? Or we could make dinner?" He offered two suggestions, running his hand through his hair.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden miles and did not resist as cas lead him down an alley. Holding his hand. As they apperated home. Only then did he realise just how much cas had bought. There was one bag of his purchases. And the rest of the table was taken up with Caspers. a couple of hours how much have you got cas? he said opening the nearest bag and finding a mix of silver tinsels, blue ribbons, and ball balls. how do you want to do it? he’s asked sure cas would have a vision for his appartment and he was looking forward to seeing it come to life. i can make something or we can get take out if it ends up late or we are too tired. he said putting the tinsel over his shoulder like a feather boa.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper smiled bashfully. He hadn't bought any Christmas decorations before now, and going out he just hadn't been able to resist himself. He'd also gotten Linden a lot of presents, and had them wrapped and hidden in his closet. "Well, lets go through what we have," He murmured, turning his attention to the table and starting to take everything out of the bags. He organized them on the table, crafting a look as he went over it. Lights, ornaments, knick knacks. He chewed on his lip, sure he was forgetting something. He looked over the decorations again, trying to figure out what it could be. He snapped his fingers. "We didn't get a topper for the tree," He blurted, his mind racing again. "And I wanted to start a Christmas Village for over the mantle... we should go to the craft store," He mused almost to himself.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

linden helped cas unload the decorations from the bags. as they started to fil the table. orniments in one area, lingts in another. tinsel moved to one of the chairs. "you really went all out, didn't you, buttercup?" he said coming to stand behind cas and wrapped his arms around him as he rested his chin on his shoulder. at caspers question he nodded "Yes over there we have a snowflake for the top" he said yesturing with his hear not sure if he could see or feel the movement much less know where he was gesturing. It was then that he realised something. "Umm, Baby, we may have a topper but i think we have forgotten something. we haven't picked out a tree" he said before kissing cas in the spot just behind the ear.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper blushed, laughing lightly. "Maybe just a bit," He agreed. "I couldn't resist. I've never had a real Christmas before," He leaned back against Linden, shutting his eyes. "Not one where I didn't feel like an intruder," He turned, stealing a kiss. He blinked at Lindens words, before cursing slightly. "Right, right. Where do we go to get a real tree?" He asked, before looking around the apartment. "How big should it be? Where would we put it?" He mused, decorating the room in his mind.

 

[Linden Kinnek]

Linden felt Casper relax against him. It was certainly one of his favourite feelings. He held cas close. Not overly tight but securely. that’s okay buttercup. We will make this christmas one to remember. One where being an outsider won’t ever cross your mind he said before kissing him back. A kiss that was cut short as cas clicked abo it the tree. don’t stress buttercup. We have time. Let’s get some of this up and then we can go and get a tree we may get an idea of where we want it once we start decorating but my guess would be over there near the fireplace he said not wanting to rush out again right away. And being the middle of summer it was very unlikely that they would need the fire for any more than the floo network.

 

[Casper Kinnek]

Casper chuckled, nuzzling into Linden a moment. "Every day with you is one to remember." He countered, knowing it might sound a bit cheesy. Still, he chuckled, pressing a kiss to Lindens temple. He turned, stealing a proper, lingering kiss before pulling back. "Alright, let's get started," Cas looked energized, and starting moving around the flat quickly. He put in his favorite Christmas songs to listen to while they worked, dancing around as the flat slowly began to transform into something gorgeous.