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Joululahja (1/1); Slash, A Christmas Present
Topic Started: December 25, 2008, 8:36 am (2,909 Views)
Shayi
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Bring me that horizon
[ * ]
Author: Shayi
Disclaimer: This is a complete work of fiction, purely an act of my own imagination. I'm not saying that any of this ever happened. Ever.
Notes: Just a quick Christmas Fic.

In case you don't know who the characters are - they are Perttu Kivilaakso, and Eicca Toppinen.

Posted Image
This is Perttu.

Posted Image
This is Eicca.


The soft light of the grey afternoon filled the room, snow beginning to fall outside. The muted light gently touched all in the front room of the apartment. An apartment that barely looked lived in at that moment. Save for the coffee cup left on the edge of a windowsill, there was no real sign of habitation. No cushions were out of place, the only incongruity being a single chair placed in the centre of the room, disturbing the uniform neatness of the place.

Every other room of the place was the same, save for the bedroom where from the rumpled sheets it was obvious that someone had spent the night there. The only life in the apartment was the man who stood leaning out of the window slightly, cigarette in hand, gently blowing the smoke out towards the rest of the town. His elbows rested lightly on the sill and he seemed at ease, watching the passers by in the street below with a strange smile almost touching his lips. His dark hair, streaked with red, silver and a touch of blond fell in disordered waves well below his shoulders, moving slightly in the light breeze that came through.

He had bothered only to pull on pair of old trousers that morning and now in the ice cold air goosebumps stood out on his pale bare skin. He did not seem overly concerned as he finished his cigarette in a leisurely fashion, stubbing it out on the windowsill, dropping the butt in the small tin can he had balanced there for that purpose.

That done he slowly withdrew back into the apartment, closing the window and locking it, looking around instead at the silent place surrounding him. The lack of life, lack of sound played on his nerves, growing like a thunder in his ears, as did how tidy it was. Not often was it that way – usually it was a mess, it was well lived in. He had spent the day alone and bored and on edge he had cleaned until even his anal retentive sometime bandmate would have been proud.

Outside on the streets were all the sounds of life, of the festive season. He could not bring himself to care. He had seen all those who meant something to him in the past few days. He had given them their gifts, had watched with a genuine smile of pleasure as they had received them and opened them. Now the season for him was over. He was spending Christmas alone this year, and he saw no point in decorating his apartment. It would simply feel too hollow, serve only to accentuate his loneliness.

He had hoped to spend his Christmas with Eicca, but Eicca had been invited to spend it with his family. Perttu had urged him to go, knowing how long it was since he’d seen them, how much pleasure he would get from it.

Eicca had hesitated at first, when he realised that the invitation had not been extended to Perttu as well, but Perttu had said that it didn’t matter, even when in reality it cut deeply. Eicca’s look of concern had lightened and he had said that that only meant that Perttu would have Christmas in the Kivilaakso household which would no doubt be a relaxed and enjoyable one. Perttu hadn’t had the heart to tell him that his parents had gone away for Christmas.

And so Eicca had gone with his family to their cabin in Lapland, and here Perttu stood on Christmas Eve, alone in his empty apartment. His lips twisted into a bitter smile. Somehow, somehow he always felt alone, always seemed to end up that way. It was a sensation that he was used to, a hollow ache inside that was growing ever stronger. He used to fill that ache with drink, used to seek oblivion in the bottom of a bottle of vodka, or in more beers than he had been able to count. And for the most part it had worked. Everything had passed as a blur. When he wasn’t fall down drunk he could be what everyone thought that he was, what they all expected him to be. Perttu, the crazy one, the klutz, the one who could be relied upon to raise a smile. He’d held that mask for so long that he had wondered whether he might end up being lost completely.

But Eicca, Eicca had seen through it, seen what lay underneath. He had seen the dark, beautiful soul that was touched by music and light. Eicca had seen the uncertainty that lay behind the crazy whirlwind that was Perttu Kivilaakso and had accepted his demons keeping them away. Eicca had always been different. Even when they had not been together, he had been the one who had held Perttu together when nobody else could, who along with Paavo and Antero had managed to pull him off the drink.

And Eicca had been there waiting for him when he finally realised just how much the other man meant to him.

Perttu sighed softly, his eyes scanning the empty apartment once again and he felt an overwhelming urge to fill it with something, anything. Without a second though he moved to his cello, the one constant that had been there with him, the love of his life, his joy. The familiar subtle scent of rosin came to him as he prepared his bow and then sat on the chair in the centre of the room, the familiar shape of the cello between his legs, his touch almost a caress as he raised his fingers to the strings, slowly breathing in the warm, mellow scent of old wood.

He hesitated for a split second, and then stretched over, flicking the switch on the digital recorder that sat on the coffee table. Eicca’s idea that one, and the thought made him smile. At this moment he was not Perttu Kivilaakso, rock star, cello destroyer, no, at this moment he was nameless, faceless, just a vessel for the music that wanted, needed to flow from his soul.

Perttu drew in a slow breath, his eyes closed as he pulled the first haunting notes from the instrument. The melody was nothing that had ever been played before, it was simply his heart and soul played out to the empty room, his every emotion coming through the notes as he played.

When he did finally lay the cello down he felt a sudden rush of overwhelming peace take him, a rush of calm that soothed his mind and let a genuine smile touch his lips. He did not need Eicca tomorrow, he had his cello, his first love. Christmas could come and go, he no longer cared. Perttu leaned over and flicked off the recorder before tidying his cello away, noticing as he did that it was already dark.

The remainder of the night he spent playing on his Playstation before realising the reason his character kept getting killed was because he was too tired to concentrate anymore. He knew that that was the point to just give it up and left the room, taking himself off to bed. Lying there alone in the darkness it took him a surprisingly long time to drift off to sleep, but when he eventually did, it was into a sleep that was deep and dreamless.

The dawn light was just beginning to steal through the windows of the apartment when there came the click of the key sounding in the lock of the door, unnaturally loud in the silence, followed by the sound of the door opening. There came a soft curse as Eicca tripped over one of the bags that he was dragging in, followed by the sound of footsteps, and then the sound of the bags being dropped onto the floor of the lounge.

It wasn’t until he had dropped his two bags that Eicca really took a look around him. It was tidy. That was the first thing that struck him. Perttu’s apartment was rarely tidy. If ever. Maybe if Antero had been around without Perttu there, but when Perttu was alone or if Eicca was there it had takeaway boxes in the kitchen, coffee cups everywhere, Eicca’s bottles of beer. It was never tidy. He frowned, looking around the place one more time with a shake of his head before going through to the kitchen, finding himself a cup and putting the kettle on. He knew he wouldn’t wake Perttu, he had lost count of the amount of mornings that he had spent banging about the place while Perttu soundly slept through it all.

Eicca leant back against the sideboard wearily. He was exhausted, but he wouldn’t be able to sleep, not now that the day had come. Caffeine would have to give him the kick he needed to get through the beginning of Christmas day. A slight smile touched his lips at the thought of Perttu’s surprise when he found him there. It was worth it.

With his tea made he moved into the lounge and was going to switch on the television for some entertainment while he drank his tea, but as he sat down he noticed the recorder on the coffee table. Out of curiosity he switched it on and into playback to see if Perttu had come up with anything that they could use on an album. He heard the beginning rustles as Perttu sat back from switching it on and he closed his eyes, sitting back into the sofa as he waited for the first notes.

When they came he found the hair standing up on the back of his neck, mug of tea suddenly forgotten as the haunting strains played across his mind. It was mournful yet powerful, a tale of loneliness and desolation, tempered with determination. It was a man playing out his very soul, a soul that was a beautiful contrast of light and dark, it was a song that rippled and flowed, soaring high and plumbing depths that made Eicca feel his throat thicken, tears rising unbidden to his eyes that he blinked away. The music wove around him like a living being, shivering across his skin and he was lost.

“Eicca?” A sleep roughened voice came from the doorway and Eicca’s eyes opened slowly as he looked up at Perttu who was standing, leaning against the wall, watching him.

“How long have you been there?” Asked Eicca, rubbing one hand across his face.

Perttu chuckled, moving across the room, turning off the recorder. Eicca watched him, his ice blue eyes roving over Perttu’s half-naked form. He was still sleep tousled, his hazel eyes still slightly heavy with sleep. He was wearing only a loose pair of trousers that were slipping down over his narrow hips, not held by a belt. He moved with his customary loose, lithe grace. At moments like that it was hard for Eicca to remember just how much of a klutz the other man could be. “Long enough.” Replied Perttu, turning round to face him, studying him.

He could see that Eicca was tired, dark circles under his pale eyes, but there was a smile quirking up the corners of his sensuous lips, a look of real happiness on his face along with the exhaustion. The morning sun, weak though it was made Eicca’s blond hair shine like spun gold. Eicca chuckled, breaking Perttu’s concentration, the deep sound of his laugh incongruous with his almost elfin looks to those who did not know him. “Long enough? Long enough for what?”

“To be wondering how, why you’re here?” Replied Perttu, watching as Eicca stood up, finally asking the question that had first sprung into his sleep fuddled brain when he had seen Eicca there, sitting on his sofa, his music filling the room, while the track of a silver tear had made its way down Eicca’s face, something that he had not seen before.

“I’m here for you.” Replied Eicca with a wicked smile as he stretched. “I drove here yesterday.”

“You must have driven all night.” Protested Perttu, his eyes widening slightly as he thought of the distance that Eicca had had to travel, and just how long it must have taken him.

“I did.” Replied Eicca with a shrug, moving closer to Perttu, the reason that he had come back, the reason that he had left the warm festivities in his parents’ cabin. The reason that he had travelled for so long. He could see the slight smile tugging at the corner of Perttu’s lips, could see the wonder in those expressive hazel eyes that someone would care enough, that someone would bother to do something like that for him. Eicca reached out, running one hand over Perttu’s bare shoulder, the pale skin warm and soft beneath his fingers, one of Perttu’s slender, strong hands closed over his and he smiled.

“Why?” Asked Perttu suddenly, head on one side. “You were supposed to be spending Christmas with your family. I was fine here.”

Eicca shook his head. “I realised yesterday that there was no point in being there. No point in being with them if they couldn’t accept the one person that I did truly want to spend Christmas with. If they cannot accept that I am with you, then they can do without me for Christmas too.” He broke off, seeing a flicker of some strange hope in Perttu’s expression, gone as soon as it had appeared. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to be alone?”

“Because you were so happy to be seeing your family. Vittu, what kind of person would I be to deny you that?” Asked Perttu, looking at Eicca frankly. Suddenly he frowned. “How did you know I was here? You should have gone to my parents.”

Eicca chuckled. “I would have done, but at about half past midnight last night while I was driving and cursing the snow, the dark and everything else that I could, I got a phone call from Paavo asking why the hell I wasn’t with you, and what I was thinking going away to Lapland.”

Perttu winced. He remembered talking to Paavo the previous evening because Paavo had called to wish him Merry Christmas and then wondered why the background seemed so quiet. Perttu had told him, making him swear to say nothing to Eicca about any of it. “Sorry about Paavo. He wasn’t supposed to talk to you. I didn’t mind being here on my own. I just wanted you to be happy and have some fun.”

Eicca shook his head at Perttu but said nothing, pulling him in until their bodies were together, pressing a kiss to his lips. “I wouldn’t be happy there without you.” He murmured, voice just a rumble. “Wherever you are, that is where I want to be for Christmas, kulta.” He finished, Perttu putting an end to anything else he was going to say by kissing him again, more insistent, harder.

“I am glad you are back.” Said Perttu with a smile as they broke apart.

“So am I, although if it will make you play something like that again, I will go for longer next time. Perhaps over your birthday?” Said Eicca with a chuckle, nodding towards the recorder that still lay on the table.

Perttu rolled his eyes. “Paskapää.” He said without rancour, making Eicca laugh again.

“Merry Christmas to you too.” Retorted Eicca. “I love you, you know.”

Perttu stared and almost took a step back in shock. They had been together for the best part of a year, but never had those words come between them. Perttu knew that he loved Eicca, and had been fairly certain that Eicca felt the same way, but it was something that had never been said. He grinned suddenly. “I love you too.”

Eicca grinned back and pulled something out of the back pocket of his trousers and Perttu looked at it with narrowed eyes. “I saved some mistletoe.” Announced Eicca, holding it up.

“That’s what it is?” Asked Perttu, looking at the somewhat mangled remnant that Eicca was holding up.

“It is.” Retorted Eicca, kissing him hard as though to prove it. “And now, since it’s Christmas, I want my Christmas present.”

Perttu rolled his eyes, moving away from Eicca, heading into the kitchen to get some coffee going. “You had it already, remember, at Antero’s.”

“Yes. But now, I want my other Christmas present.” Replied Eicca with the same shit eating grin on his face that he had made the first request with. In Perttu’s view it was far too early in the morning for Eicca being this way, far too early. He was beginning to wonder if perhaps somewhere on the way over aliens had abducted his bandmate and lover and replaced him with something else.

“And what is it that you think you’re getting?” Asked Perttu, one eyebrow raised, pushing some of his dark hair away from his face as he looked at Eicca who had lost the smile, and was looking at him seriously.

It was then that Perttu looked down to see what Eicca was holding in his hand. A simple silver band, a ring. Eicca held it out to him and Perttu stared at it as though he’d never seen anything like it before, so many sudden emotions and thoughts rushing through him it was making his head spin. He picked it up, looking at it, seeing the inscription on the inside. Elvish. He’d have to translate it later.

“You.” Said Eicca suddenly. “That’s what I want for Christmas, what I think, I hope I’m getting. You.”

Perttu swallowed hard, face transformed by a smile of pure happiness as he slipped the ring onto his finger, pulling Eicca into a soft, gentle kiss. “You’ve always had me Eicca. You always will. Happy Christmas, kulta.”

The End.
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Rhia
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And you are all I see...
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:heart: :heart: :heart:

This is sooo great! I absolutely love it.

Everything you write is just fabulous!

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Lucifer's Angel
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Heavy Metal Seanchai
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That was so sweet, great story, and it's awesome to read an Apo fic Christmas morning, I'm listening to Cult right now :horns2
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Virtual Bettie
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Poor Twisted Me
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Awwww, how sweet. Merry Christmas, I love Apo they are like two of my favorite things swirled together. Cellos and Metal, like the Reese's of music. Two great tastes that go together.

"Hey, you got your cello in my heavy metal."

Thanks, it was a fun read.
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Shayi
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Bring me that horizon
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Thank you guys so much - I'm really glad that you enjoyed it - and that people other than me on here like apo-fic!!

Thank you all again! :heart:
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Taimi
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that was awesome, Shayi
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Hellfire
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Whipslasher
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Why I didn't saw this before? Because I'm an idiot. :tardlol:

It was goddamn awesome, Shayi. I LUVD the way you described Perttu's feelings as he was alone in there and as he played his cello. I had to concentrate tho, 'cause I could't get the image of a half naked Perttu playing....:lol: :drool: And my Eiccaaaaa, so sweet! :heart: :lol:
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Jik Hyun
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Poor Twisted Me
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they so belong together. and r 1 of my fav couples. dunno I didna notice it b4 but yeh eicca does look like an elf. so that's make perttu a faun.
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