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Eric had a bunch of friends over for a christmas party. Just the weekend before christmas for a little get together. Nothing wild really. And as a part of the christmas decorations, he put up some mistletoe in the doorway between his kitchen and living room. Not many people pointed it out at first. But of course all it takes is a drunk friend to point it out any time that a pair is walking underneath and to start making jokes.
So on and off all night, different people had to make it known that there was a mistletoe there. Then everyone else was making sure to walk out one by one, not wanting to bring any more attention to the festive plant.
By the next morning, when Eric was cleaning up his apartment he forgot to take down the long forgotten mistletoe. Sure Eric didn’t drink much to forget last night. But it’s true that gamers don’t look up often. It really went out of sight out of mind for him.
Eric has been meaning to take it down but he always gets distracted with something else. Hence why it got to stay up for like a year before he remembered to take it down.
1. CJ
Eric invited CJ over to hang out and play some games. It’s not often that the two are in the same place at the same time. So a chance to hang out is always a good time. Della was off hanging out with her own friends somewhere else in the city. She dropped CJ off so that he could have some fun time with a friend rather than sit alone in their hotel room.
As Eric is showing CJ around his apartment, CJ notes the fact that there is still a mistletoe hung up in the doorway from a couple months ago. “No way you forgot to take down the mistletoe when taking down your decorations a while ago,” CJ manages to bark out a laugh while pointing at the said mistletoe.
Which in turn causes Eric to start blushing out of embarrassment. He could’ve sworn that he managed to take down all of his Christmas decorations back in early January. It’s now early March and that somehow was missed then.
“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it then?” Eric asks, trying to get the embarrassment to die down while scratching the back of his neck. Also noticing that he is within arms reach of CJ. Like CJ could reach out his arm and tug Eric closer to himself if CJ wanted to.
Which of course is what happens next. “Well you know the rule about mistletoe being out of course,” CJ smirks as he brings the other boy closer to himself. Placing a hand at Eric’s waist and the other reaching up towards Eric’s hair.
Eric lets himself melt into the touches. It’s been a moment since he last had any sort of intimacy with anyone that isn’t himself in the dark of his bedroom. Letting himself follow CJ’s guiding touches. “Sure Della is okay with this?” Eric asks, wanting to check in before anything happens that could break his friends apart for any reason.
“Of course dude. We both know that kissing someone else won’t hurt our relationship. It’s not like we do it super often in the first place anyway,” CJ shrugs like this is second nature for him to go around, kissing all of his friends.
With all of their bases covered and boxes checked, CJ leans in closer. His lips ghosting Eric’s. Teasing him. Pulling a needy whine from Eric. Now crashing their lips together. Fighting for dominance.
It got hot and steamy real quick. So much passion. Eric’s hands going to hold onto CJ’s hips while CJ’s hands move to both be tangled in Eric’s messy hair.
Now both are breathless, standing in the doorway between a kitchen and a living room. Tangled together, making no effort to pull apart any time soon. “So what now?” Eric asks in a hushed whisper while his eyes are half open and staring at CJ’s lips. Feeling the warm fuzzy feeling in chest slowly sprawling out in his body. Letting the feeling swallow him whole.
A moment later, Eric is leaning back in for another kiss. Hard to keep his hands off. Even harder to keep his lips to himself. Finding himself leaving trails of kisses around CJ’s jaw and down his neck. Letting himself kiss anywhere there’s exposed skin.
There’s no protest from CJ. CJ isn’t pulling back on Eric’s hair. CJ isn’t making any escape. CJ is just letting himself feel the buzz too. Letting Eric get all handsy with him.
Not like it’s going to go any further than this anyway. There’s not much of a point to stop now. They both know when to quit and call it done.
Long forgetting about the video games that they currently have queued up on Eric’s tv just a few feet away from them. Eric is too busy running his hands under CJ’s shirt and kissing the top of CJ’s collarbone that is peaking out around the neck to care about anything else.
The touches and kisses are much more needed right now. Getting a bit too love drunk on the kisses and how he is able to pull a few noises from CJ.
Pulling back to catch his breath, Eric takes a small step back. Needing to pull himself away before he gets too carried away. And next thing he knows that his knees will hit the floor. Though the idea of getting on his knees for his friend doesn’t sound bad. He can’t in good conscience do that to Della.
“So uh yeah… Guess I need to take that down now, don’t I?” Eric jokes, trying to find an out of this moment without it turning sour. His face is bright red, still full of embarrassment. Still feeling a bit fuzzy throughout his being. Now being able to take note of the hickies that he placed all over CJ’s neck. Feeling even more warm and fuzzy even though he has no right to call CJ his own. He’s just a friend that doesn’t mind a heated kiss once in a blue moon.
CJ just manages to get a light giggle out in agreement that he should take down the mistletoe.
“Probably should unless you just want everyone to know that you would like to kiss them breathless,” CJ jokes, trying to come down after being kissed like that unexpectedly. Eric nods, making a mental note for later to take it down.
That suddenly goes out the window as CJ walks by the mirror in the hallway. “Bro what happened?” CJ shrieks, noting the handful of hickies that are littered all over his neck and around his collarbone. CJ knew that Eric was going to town, kissing him anywhere he could reach. But didn’t think that it was this dramatic.
“Oops,” Eric shrugs as he walks up behind CJ. He just got the blush from earlier to calm down. Now Eric’s cheeks are redding like he just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Eric is trying his best to play it chill. But there’s no way possible to keep his face a normal color at the moment.
The lack of intimacy is really messing with Eric he guesses. Hookups aren’t really his thing. And he just hasn’t had the time away from his career to take time for himself and his dating life. It’s not like he meant to go that hard on CJ’s neck. But it felt too good in the moment to really stop himself. And CJ was no help either.
Breaking away from his thoughts, Eric tracks back to the kitchen to get them each a cup of water and the platter of snacks that he made earlier in preparation. Placing it all down on the coffee table in the living room. Handing CJ a controller and starting a round of Mario Kart.
—--
2. Tanner
It’s been a while that Eric has had any friends over to hang out with the purpose of hanging out. Sure he has had friends over within the past couple of months. But that was all for some content thing or stream so it didn’t really count then.
Now both he and Tanner have some Redbull stream to do together tomorrow. Naturally he offered Tanner his guest room so that they both can get there on time.
With being a good host, Eric is cooking them an easy dinner. His speciality, hot and sour egg drop soup. Just moving around the kitchen with grace. He has made this before so he knows what to do without a recipe.
Now being able to take a break while the soup simmers, Eric notes that Tanner is just casually leaning in the doorway. Like he just got back from using the bathroom and doesn't want to make an entrance just yet. Eric turns his head to the side like a dog questioning what its owner is doing.
“Soooo are you going to come over here and kiss me or something?” Tanner asks while pointing up at the mistletoe that once again has gone long forgotten about. Eric follows Tanner’s finger to see that yup, the damn mistletoe is still up there. He really thought that he took that down after CJ left that night. But guess not.
With his face flushing bright red once again, “I guess I could,” Eric manages to mutter out. Making his way across the kitchen to that doorway that Tanner is currently occupying.
Tanner pulls him in gently, resting his hands on the shorter man’s waist. Leaning down to place a quick peck to Eric’s lips. “Come on you know that ain’t a real kiss mister,” Eric teases, poking at Tanner’s side.
Making a big deal out of this, Tanner rolls his eyes and sighs dramatically. Moving a hand from his hip to cup Eric’s jaw, leaning down and giving Eric the most breathtaking kiss that Eric has ever gotten in his life.
Eric just melts like putty in Tanner’s hands. Letting himself be kissed. Letting himself be engulfed by the warm fuzzy feeling in his chest. Not making any efforts to pull away or move.
Only pulling apart when they both need to breathe. “Woah there buddy. Think I just heard the timer for the soup go off,” Tanner carefully whispers while holding Eric like he is a precious piece of handmade pottery that he doesn’t want to drop and break.
Eric nods and scurries off back to the stovetop. Making sure to turn off the stove before serving two bowls. His mind now feels like mush. Not being able to think clearly or straight at all. Wanting to go back and keep reliving that kiss.
That kiss was like no other he had before. It’s like Tanner knew how to read him like an open book and took what he wanted without a second thought. Feeling like the purpose of that kiss was for Tanner to take his soul from his body right there through their connected mouths.
They both sit down at the kitchen bar. Eating their soups in silence. Not much to talk about at the moment. Eric’s mind keeps going back to the kiss. And he’s unsure if they want to talk about it or not. So they are better off just being quiet.
—----
3. Trey
It’s now June and Eric’s best friend, Trey, is coming over for the day to hang out. Eric is doing one last sweep of the apartment to make sure that everything is clean. As a streamer, it’s easy to ignore and neglect other parts of the living space that aren’t often on camera. So last minute cleaning never hurt anyone.
But the one thing that Eric has been meaning to take down has still slipped his mind. He’s been meaning for a half of the year to take down the stupid mistletoe that he got talked into putting up for his christmas party ages ago.
So the mistletoe stays up as Eric goes to open the door to greet his best friend inside.
Trey is walking into the kitchen for a glass of water and notices the little fake plant taped to the top of the doorway. “Bro you really still got that mistletoe up?” He yells out into the apartment.
Eric walks up to find what Trey is yelling about, feeling his face warming up as soon as his eyes find the green still taped to the ceiling. “Fuuuuck. Thought that I took that down once again,” Eric grimaces, really thought that he took it down a while ago.
“Christmas was 7 months ago and it’s still up? Damn guess Christmas in July is true after all,” Trey comments, making a funny face towards Eric.
“Yeah guess you could say that,” Eric sighs, sounding defeated. Might as well make the mistletoe a part of his apartment decor at this point with how much he has forgotten to take it down.
“So what did you get me then?” Trey continues the joke, seeing how far this will go. Not expecting much but here to see how far the boundary lies.
“I dunno. Didn’t think to get you anything. What would you like?” Eric asks, without thinking too much about where that question could lead to.
“Hmm. How about a kiss? That’s it. Just one kiss from the homie,” Trey answers.
Without second guessing himself, Eric stands up on his tiptoes and holds Trey’s head with both hands as he gives his friend the sloppiest kiss that he can manage. Trey is frozen in place, clearly not expecting that involved of a kiss.
Eric pulls back, now standing flat foot. Watching his best friend’s face. Now taking the time to second guess himself. Thinking he’s gone too far with this bit. Thinking about ripping down the mistletoe right then and there so that no situations like this could happen again.
“Was expecting more of a quick peck to the cheek or something. But goddamn. Didn’t know that you had it in you like that,” Trey sighs, not quite sure how to feel after that kiss.
“Oh. Makes sense. But yeah kissing boys isn’t that different from kissing girls really,” Eric shrugs, not taking time to think too much about his sexuality. Any time that he has tried thinking about that just makes him more confused than feeling like he’s figured something out about himself. He just knows that he wouldn’t mind kissing either gender from time to time. And has left that at that.
“Really now? What boys have you been kissing?” Trey pokes, wanting to know more about what his best friend has been up to since the last time they got to hang out.
“No one important really,” Eric mutters as he feels his face heat up as he remembers the kissing he had done with CJ and Smant. Scratching the back of his neck, trying to calm down.
“Seems like the opposite. What you’ve been kissing Smallant and just haven’t gotten around to telling me or something?” Trey pokes even more. Knowing that at one point Eric did have feelings for that particular streamer.
“What? No that would be wild,” Eric tries to lie but is caught right in the moment with his face turning bright red and he’s more giggly than normal.
“Sure thing bud. Sure thing,” Trey says, not fully believing what Eric is saying. But doesn’t want to push any further than what Eric is comfortable with sharing.
—--
4. Fir
Fir happens to be in town for some event that Alpharad is running. And Eric offered to give Fir a doodle plushie a while ago. So they managed to come up with a plan that Fir could come over, bringing some lunch for both of them and Eric would give Fir the doodle plushies.
Sounds like a great plan so much so that now Fir is at Eric’s door with a bag of sandwiches from the local sandwich shop. One knock to the door later and Eric opens the door. Guiding Fir to his kitchen bar to put the food down.
“Don’t take you for keeping decorations up all year long kind of guy,” Fir says out of the blue upon noticing the mistletoe in the doorway. At this point Eric doesn’t even have to ask second questions to know what Fir is talking about. Eric has given up on trying to remember to take it down at this point. It’s not that Eric is too short to take it down. He just gets too busy with streaming and other tasks throughout life that reaching up to take it down slips his mind.
Sure he could take it down when guests are over to get this all done and over with. But Eric isn’t sure where to put it at this point so the easier option is to leave it up and see who points it out. Really tells you what kind of friends he has that come over to his apartment.
“Yeah that’s like the one thing that slips my mind when it comes to cleaning this place,” Eric shrugs, trying to not think about it too much. Trying to not expect a kiss since he basically has pavloved himself into kissing whomever underneath it when the other person brings it up. It’s not like he intentionally did that. It just has happened enough that he needs to fight back on his brain a bit sometimes.
“I know of a way that you could additionally pay back for the sandwiches. Cause jesus christ these sandwiches are pricey,” Fir says light heartily with a giggle knowing the struggles of living in a big city himself.
“Oh really? What do you have in mind?” Eric asks, reaching for his wallet, prepared to give him whatever amount of cash Fir asks for.
“You can put the wallet away I promise. I don’t need any money. But I suppose I could get a kiss or two over there,” Fir suggests, pointing over where the mistletoe is hung up. Eric rolls his eyes while sporting a smile on his face. Holding out his hand so that Fir can lightly drag him over there.
Both full of smiles and giggles. “Really going to do this huh?” Eric questions to make sure that they are both chill with this happening. Without missing a beat, Fir leans in and puts a chaste kiss on Eric’s lips. Testing the waters. Learning how much to give and take with Eric.
This time leaning back in for a more open mouth kiss. Fir’s hands reaching around Eric’s neck. Letting his mind wonder away. Letting the warmth in chest flow through him.
And just like that, the kiss is quickly over. Just as the warmth swells, it dissipates away. Leaving the two feeling a bit more lighter. Both in a better mood. Perfect for the sandwiches to taste a bit better now.
—--
5. Dougdoug
Doug is over to discuss potential merch ideas. Just hanging out in the living room on the couch. Writing down whatever sounds remotely good. Letting every idea flow through them. Seeing each other's ideas out. Adding on top of the other’s ideas. Using the ideas like building blocks and combining ideas together.
“I’m going to get water. Need anything?” Doug nicely offers as he gets up off the couch.
“No, I don't think so. Thank you though,” Eric politely declines. Too focused on the current idea that he is writing down and drawing up a rough design for.
Doug doesn’t think too much about it and continues on his way to the kitchen. Only stopping in his tracks upon seeing the mistletoe that he knows has been up since last christmas. It’s now August at this point.
“Hey Crow, why did you leave up the mistletoe from last year?” Doug calls out across the apartment. The embarrassment floods Eric’s face, once again forgetting to take the stupid thing down. Mentally slapping himself again as he gets up to see what Doug is yelling about.
“At this point, I’ve made it a part of my apartment decor,” Eric shrugs, trying to make it not this a big deal.
“Is that so?” Doug further questions, poking and proding. Mainly wanting to get on the other’s nerves.
“Yeah,” Eric manages to whisper, letting his feelings catch up to him for a second. Not one for falling for a friend like this. Feeling the warmth preemptively heating him up. That stupid mistletoe is already getting him worked up and ready for whatever Doug wants.
“Guess that many people don’t notice, do they?” Doug wonders out loud, trying to go somewhere. Not sure where but somewhere perhaps.
“More people than you’d expect really. You would think that gamers don’t look up that often. But yeahhhh gets a good use every once in a while,” Eric shrugs, trying not to give too much out.
“It gets a good use, you say? Wonder what that is like?” Doug questions broadly.
“You? Want to know what using a mistletoe is like? Hmm wonder how that could be solved,” Eric giving Doug the same type of broad questions right back. Playing along with whatever Doug is doing.
“So like if I were to kiss you, you wouldn’t mind right? Since we are under the mistletoe after all,” Doug trails off his question as he leans into Eric. Slowly wrapping his arms around Eric’s neck. Eric putting his hands on Doug’s hips, finding himself also leaning in.
Lips crashing. Hesitating at first. Finding a pace that works for both of them. Feeling the warmth spread through them both. Finding it hard to stay apart for long.
Just letting each other ride the waves together. Pushing and pulling against each other. Slowly letting things get more heated. Hands are slowly moving and exploring each other.
Doug’s hands sliding down Eric’s shoulders. Holding onto his biceps. As if holding onto him is helping at keeping Doug more grounded.
Eric’s hands slowly find their way under Doug’s shirt. Finding a place to rest underneath the clothing.
Doug moving to kiss down his neck. His beard tickling Eric’s neck. Eric lets out a few small giggles. Feeling too floaty too care how scratchy the facial hair feels against his skin.
Doug leaving a mark or two in his path. Pulling a few whines from Eric the more he keeps kissing.
Feeling the warmth in chest settling down in his gut the more Eric gets kissed. Feeling like his legs are turning to jelly. Like his knees could buckle at any moment. It's been a good while since anyone really paid him any attention like this. Forgot how good it feels to be kissed and taken apart slowly but surely.
Right when Doug starts to nudge where Eric’s neck meets his shoulder, Eric suddenly becomes overwhelmed with every emotion ever. Feeling like he is drowning is the vast sea of emotions. His dick is too hard in his pants that makes everything too hard to think about. Gasping for air. Pushing away Doug.
“Sorry sorry about that. Just need to excuse myself here,” Eric manages to breathe out before he goes to the bathroom to fix himself. To calm himself down. He can’t believe that he let himself get that carried away with the whole kissing and mistletoe thing.
Now that he has splashed cold water on his face and readjusted his pants, Eric feels like he can conquer the world. Walking back out to finding Doug standing in his kitchen, drinking some water.
“Sorry again. Just got too overwhelming out of nowhere,” Eric apologizes.
“It’s okay. Things happen. Hope that you are better now,” Doug says while putting down his glass. Eric nods in agreement, feeling better now.
—--
+1 Eric
A bunch of Eric’s friends are in town all at the same time. So naturally Eric is hosting a get together so that everyone can see each other for one last time before they have to go back home.
Everyone is in the living room telling stories. Laughing up a storm. Leaning into each other. Eric is sitting on the couch next to CJ. Everyone else is spread out amongst the room.
Once there’s a break in all of the stories, Eric speaks up, “I’m going to get snacks from the kitchen. Does anyone need anything?”
“I’ll come help with the snacks,” CJ says while he is getting up, following Eric into the kitchen.
CJ has helped with snacks before so he generally knows where everything is. Eric is just lost in his mind, standing to the side. Feeling a bit too spaced out to really have any focus on anything.
“Hey you doing alright?” CJ asks stopping for a moment, looking at Eric trying not to be so worried.
Eric shakes his head, trying his best to clear his mind and come back to whatever he was thinking. “Uh yeah. Just feeling a bit lot I guess,” Eric explains.
“A good lot? Or a bad lot?” CJ trying to better understand where his friend’s headspace is at.
“A good lot I think. Like if I wanted to, could drag you over to the stupid mistletoe and kiss you till we are out of breath or something,” Eric laughs as he explains. Trying his best to keep his hands to himself even though he is itching to reach out and just touch.
“Oh? Really?” CJ assumes this thought. He supposes that a kiss doesn’t sound too bad at the moment.
“Well guess this couldn’t hurt,” Eric says, reaching out to CJ dragging him over to the doorway where the mistletoe is hung.
Luckily no one in the living room is paying attention to what is going on in the kitchen. So two boys standing there in the doorway sort of off to the side is pretty much unnoticeable.
Now standing underneath the mistletoe, Eric puts his hands either side of CJ’s face. Pulling him in close, letting their lips connect. Letting the kiss speak for itself. Not caring about much else outside of the kiss.
Bodies moving. Kisses fluttering everywhere. Hands finding places to reach and touch. Small whispers and groans escaping their throats despite trying their best to be relatively quiet.
Eric’s hands are now sliding down CJ’s arms. Down his sides. Down to reach CJ’s ass. Gently cupping. Testing the waters. CJ’s hands have found their way underneath Eric’s shirt. Running up and down the lightly defined ab muscles.
This time CJ is the one kissing down Eric’s neck, leaving spaced out marks. The air between them is hot and heavy. Making it harder to pull apart and stop whatever this is.
Only pulling apart when they hear someone get close towards the kitchen. Probably Smant or Della come to check on them and see how the snacks are doing. Eric quickly excuses himself to the bathroom.
“Everything okay?” Tanner peaks his head in the doorway.
“Uh yeah yeah everything is okay,” CJ says, messing with his hair. Trying to look presentable quickly so that no one questions the two boys who went missing from the living room minutes prior.
“Okay if you say so. Just wanted to check on you two,” Tanner says, walking into the kitchen. CJ nods, doesn’t have much to say.
“Is it alright if I take these back to the living room?” Tanner asks, while pointing at the few snacks that they have pulled out and put on the counter.
“Yeah you can. I’ll be out there in a moment. Just need to go to the bathroom,” CJ answers. Smant smiles and grabs the snacks so that he can go back to what he was doing before.
~~~
After everyone has left for the night, Eric makes sure to take down the stupid mistletoe. He doesn’t mind kissing his friends whenever they notice it. But he could also just ask if his friends would like to kiss instead of being a cop out and using some plant as a way to ask.