"Everything is different

But nothing has changed

Are we going in circles?

It’s Christmas again"

Kian closed the front door carefully, shutting out the noise from his relatives. He took a deep breath of the crisp air and as he started walking, he felt himself relax as the stress vapoured off his body.

The road was quiet and empty apart from a stray dog looking for a scrap to eat, and an elderly couple walking with their arms interlocked. It was lit up by numerous Christmas lights and other decorations, and the living room windows with their images of Christmas trees and happy families spread warmth through the cold night.

He turned off the street, making his way towards the beach nearby his house. The waves rolled up onto the frozen sand, the stars reflecting in the sea making it look as if the mermaids had put up a million Christmas lights.

He wandered slowly along the empty beach, reflecting on his life. He had had to go for a walk to think, and to get away from his noisy cousins, his mum fussing and his grandparents asking about his travels. He was the center of attention that night, still he felt so lonely. It was as if fame and fortune had changed even the way his relatives treated him.

A noise made him stop. He gazed in front of him, and could just about make out the outline on somebody sitting a few feet ahead on the sand. Even so, he was quite sire he knew who it was.

He walked closer to the figure that rocked back and forth as if the wind tugged it in different directions. He was now sure who it was. He walked up to his friend and sat down beside him.

It took a while for Shane to realise he wasn’t alone anymore. He glanced at Kian, who was quietly gazing out over the never-ending mass of water.

"Kian?" He finally said, barely audible over the gentle clucking of the water.

Kian turned to face him, seeing the tears that had frozen on his friend’s cheeks. "Yeah?"

"What are you doing here?"

Kian shrugged. "I don’t know, just needed to get away for a while." He stared into the distance.

Shane nodded. "Me too – if I eat another piece of turkey I’ll burst!" He chuckled lightly, making Kian laugh as well.

Their gazes locked as Kian turned around, and the laughter suddenly died down.

Shane was the first to speak. "I parked my car just up the road. Want to go over to my house for a while?"

Kian shivered, suddenly. "Yeah, it’s rather cold." They rose and quietly made their way to the car.

The drive to Shane’s house took some five minutes, all of which was spent in a tense, but still comfortable, silence.

Shane quietly let Kian in the door, and closed it behind him. The warmth slowly entered their bodies and thawed them.

"Tea? Coffee? Chocolate?" Shane finally broke the silence as he took Kian’s coat.

"No thanks." Kian shook his head as he licked his lips, his gaze focused on Shane’s.

"Ok." They made their way into the living room, where Shane coaxed Kian onto the rug and lit the fire.

As Shane sat down Kian finally took the final step, leaning forward he lightly placed his lips on Shane’s. Shane pressed himself harder against Kian, causing Kian to groan as he moved his cold hand up to Kian’s head, interlacing his fingers in the blonde curls.

They didn’t break apart until they really had to in order to catch their breaths. Drowning in each other’s eyes, they both let powerful feelings take control of their bodies and minds.

"Merry Christmas." Shane whispered slowly, a smile forming on his slightly swollen lips.

Kian smiled as well. "Merry Christmas."

"Everybody need a little lovin’

Around the Christmas time

Somehow you gotta know you’re gonna be aright

Do you remember how it used to be?

Sitting under the Christmas tree

In your heart you’ll find the season"