Day 14 — Discovered in the Tinsel and Glitter — Christmas Kisses and Traditions

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Happy Christmas, everyone! It's been many years since I last wrote a Pros story, but my love for Bodie, Doyle, and this wonderful fandom has never faded. Returning to these characters has been a joy—it feels like reconnecting with old friends. Writing them again has reminded me of everything that makes their dynamic so special. I'm thrilled to be back writing, and I hope you all enjoy reading this little story as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Christmas Kisses and Traditions

By Ankaree

 Slash or Gen: slash

It was Christmas Eve and the flat felt snug and inviting, a cosy retreat from the chill outside. Doyle stood in the lounge, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he breathed in the fresh scent of pine wafting from the Christmas tree and the sweet aroma of cinnamon buns baking in the oven. The two fragrances mingled in the air, wrapping the room in a comforting embrace and filling the space with the cheerful warmth of the holiday season.

Doyle's stomach fluttered with anticipation as he waited for Bodie to return. He listened intently, eager to hear the familiar rattle of a key in the lock—the small sound signalling the start of their first Christmas together as a couple.

Standing in the stillness of the evening, surrounded by the small touches that spoke of the life they were building together, Doyle realized this place had become more than just a flat—it was their home, a shared space where they truly belonged.

Doyle crossed the room and peered out the window, watching snowflakes drift lazily under the orange glow of the streetlamps. His breath fogged the glass, and he swiped it clear with the heel of his hand. After one last look at the tranquil winter scene, he turned back to the Christmas tree, where the fairy lights continued their stubborn refusal to work.

"C'mon, you bloody things," he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation as he released a heavy sigh. "Testing my patience, you are."

He scowled at the uncooperative lights, hoping his glare alone would make them work. When that didn't do the trick, he gritted his teeth and started yanking at the wires with a bit more force than necessary. What had seemed like a straightforward task at first was swiftly becoming a real bother.

"More a pain in the arse than Bodie after a pint," he muttered, giving the lights another exasperated shake.

The faint jingle of keys reached Doyle's ears right before the front door swung open and then slammed shut with a loud bang, announcing Bodie's arrival. A few seconds later, the thud of boots hitting the hall floor echoed through the flat.

"Blimey, it's cold out there!" Bodie's voice rang out, full of his usual boisterous energy.

Doyle rolled his eyes at Bodie's typical dramatic entrance, the sound of the slamming door still ringing in his ears. In no time, Bodie appeared in the doorway, cheeks rosy from the cold and arms stacked high with a pile of greenery.

Throwing a glance over his shoulder, Doyle shook his head. "For once, Bodie, could you come in without all the fanfare?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Bodie grinned, completely unapologetic. He walked through the room, dumping his bundle onto the coffee table. "Feast your eyes on this!"

Doyle turned to where Bodie stood, squinting at the heap of foliage. "What's all this, then? Been nicking the neighbours' bushes, have you?"

"It's called getting into the Christmas spirit, Doyle. Might do you some good to give it a go," Bodie teased, his eyes twinkling. Holding up bunches of holly and ivy with a flourish, he added, "Look at this! Festive, isn't it?" Without waiting for an answer, he strode towards the window. "Now, sit back and watch an expert at work."

Doyle casually leaned against the wall, arms crossed, with a bemused expression on his face. "Go on, then. Impress me."

Wasting no time, Bodie set to work, draping the holly and ivy along the sill with surprising artistic flair. He intertwined the greenery, arranging it with a precision that hinted he might have done this before. When he was done, he stepped back and rested his hands on his hips, admiring his handiwork.

"There we go. Proper Christmassy, that," Bodie declared, his face alight with triumphant.

"Not bad," Doyle admitted, trying to suppress a smirk. "Didn't know you had it in you."

"It's pure talent." Bodie gave a subtle nod, clearly impressed with his own brilliance. "Don't get too comfy, there's more." He spun around and rummaged through the pile on the table. "Ta-da!" He produced a sprig of mistletoe, lifting it high like it was the crown jewels.

"Oh, bloody hell." Doyle groaned. "You paid for that, didn't you?"

"Every penny well spent." Bodie jiggled the mistletoe in front of Doyle's face. "And I know exactly where it's going." With a wink, he grabbed the stool and sauntered towards the lounge archway.

Doyle watched with a mixture of amusement and exasperation as Bodie climbed up, mistletoe in hand. "You're seriously hanging it there?"

"It's tradition, mate. No arguing with that." Bodie said, casting Doyle a sly glance. He secured the sprig onto a hook that seemed to have been put there for this exact purpose. Stepping down, he clapped his hands, his face beaming with satisfaction. "Spot on, don't you think?"

"So this is your master plan, is it? To trap some poor sod under the mistletoe and subject them to your… questionable charms?" Doyle quipped.

"You ought to know by now—I'm irresistible." Bodie wagged a finger at him, smug as ever. "And you'll be thanking me soon enough."

Raising an eyebrow, Doyle asked, "For what, exactly?"

"For making your Christmas unforgettable," Bodie said with grandeur.

"Unforgettable? That's one way of putting it," Doyle muttered, earning a chuckle from Bodie.

Still laughing, Bodie sprawled out on the sofa, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing his arms behind his head, like he was lounging in a sunny park.

Meanwhile, Doyle crouched by the tree, scrutinizing the plug socket with a disgruntled frown. He unplugged the lights, gave the wire a firm shake, and then jammed the plug back into the socket. To his surprise, the fairy lights flickered to life, casting a soft, multi-coloured glow across the room.

Doyle stood up, dusted his hands against his jeans, and flashed Bodie a victorious grin. "Well, would you look at that?" he said, nodding towards the lights now glowing steadily, as if the darn things had never caused him a lick of trouble. With a nonchalant shrug, he began to carefully weave the strand through the branches.

"You missed your calling, mate." Bodie propped his feet up on the coffee table, observing Doyle as he worked. "Could've been a Christmas tree decorator. Travel the world, spread cheer…"

"And leave you unsupervised?" Doyle retorted, still focused on the tree. "Not a chance."

"Fair point. Wouldn't be half as fun without you," Bodie said, his voice carrying a hint of humour, though the sincerity was unmistakable.

Doyle's hands paused mid-motion, and he glanced over his shoulder to find Bodie's eyes on him, watching intently. Every time Bodie looked at him that way, Doyle felt it deep in his chest—a sense of being seen, known, and entirely Bodie's.

Clearing his throat, he redirected his attention back to the tree, pushing the moment aside for now and focusing instead on the task at hand.

When all the lights were finally in place, Doyle nodded. "There. Sorted."

"Not bad." Bodie pushed to his feet, eyes still fixed on Doyle. "Not bad at all." The way his eyes roamed over Doyle made it abundantly clear he wasn't referring to the lights.

As Bodie closed the distance between them, Doyle's breath hitched and his heart beat a little faster. "What now?"

Instead of answering, Bodie casually ran a finger along Doyle's arm, threw him a wink, and then wandered over to the archway. He tilted his head up, gesturing towards the mistletoe with exaggerated innocence.

Doyle followed his gaze and chuckled softly. "You're impossible."

"I don't make the rules, I just follow 'em," Bodie said with a mischievous, over-the-top salute.

Doyle released a long sigh, but his steps were sure as he strode across the room, stopping in front of Bodie. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

"Oh, there's no rushing, love." Bodie placed his hands around Doyle's waist and eased him closer. "This is for savouring."

Doyle opened his mouth to reply, but Bodie silenced him with a kiss. Any words he had planned to say vanished as he surrendered to Bodie's touch.

His hands instinctively found their way to Bodie's chest, pressing lightly. Beneath his palms, the rhythmic thrum of Bodie's heartbeat grounded him—a silent reassurance that spoke louder than words ever could.

Bodie's kiss was both tender and commanding, coaxing Doyle into it effortlessly, and he yielded without a second thought. This wasn't a fleeting, teasing peck—this kiss was deliberate, unhurried. Bodie's lips moved against Doyle's, claiming him with a force that went beyond desire. There was a quiet certainty in it, as they savoured every second, with Bodie marking Doyle as his in a way that was uniquely theirs.

The heat between them built, like embers coached into flame. Bodie's hands wandered from Doyle's waist, one sliding lower to give Doyle's bum a cheeky squeeze, while the other tangled in his hair, tugging gently. Tilting his head, Bodie deepened the kiss, urging Doyle's mouth open, and Doyle let him in, their tongues entwining in a rush of heat and passion.

Closing his eyes, Doyle let out a long groan, and Bodie responded with a low, satisfied hum. He could feel the faint curve of Bodie's smile against his lips—maddeningly smug and utterly endearing. It was the kind of smile that said Bodie knew exactly how to drive him mad, always tempered by a tenderness that made resistance impossible.

Time seemed to dissolve around them. Whether the snow outside raged into a blizzard or melted away entirely, Doyle neither knew nor cared. All that mattered was the warmth of Bodie's hands, the solid press of his body, and the taste of him. When Doyle's knees wobbled, he instinctively gripped Bodie's shoulders, finding reassurance in his unshakeable presence.

Bodie was the first to pull away, resting his forehead against Doyle's as they both took time to catch their breaths. Bodie's thumb traced slow, deliberate strokes along the side of Doyle's neck, gently gliding along the edge of his jawline.

"You good, sunshine?" Bodie asked, his words barely audible as his lips grazed Doyle's temple.

Slowly, Doyle blinked his eyes open. "Yeah," he managed, his words raspy, then his lips twitched. "Though you've got some nerve, kissing me like that under a sprig of twigs."

"Twigs?" Bodie echoed, feigning outrage. "This is a sacred Christmas tradition."

Doyle huffed out a laugh. "Sacred, my arse."

"You didn't seem to mind," Bodie pointed out, his finger lightly tracing Doyle's bottom lip.

"Never said I did." And before Bodie could crow about his victory, Doyle took his mouth in another kiss.

This one was slower, sweeter, lingering. It spoke of a quiet belonging and a comfort they rarely voiced aloud. Bodie sighed into it, his arms tightening around Doyle, keeping him close, as though determined to hold him there forever.

When they finally broke apart, Doyle rested his head on Bodie's shoulder, letting the peaceful silence settle between them as his breathing evened out.

"Satisfied?" Doyle asked, a teasing edge to his tone.

"Never," Bodie responded, pressing a soft kiss to Doyle's cheek.

Doyle snickered, nuzzling against the side of Bodie's face. "You're insatiable, you know that?"

"And you love me for it," Bodie countered, his head shifting just enough to meet Doyle's gaze. His expression was unguarded, his blue eyes revealing emotions that were rare—reserved only for Doyle.

Doyle's lips curled into a fond smile. "Reckon I must."

"Lucky me." Their lips met again, a gentle touch that spoke of promises rather than playful taunts.

"All this for a kiss under a bit of greenery?" Doyle asked, casting a pointed glance at the mistletoe hanging above them.

"Wasn't just a kiss," Bodie replied, his finger tilting Doyle's chin until their eyes met. "Not with you."

Doyle brushed a stray lock of hair from Bodie's forehead. "You're a big softy, you know that?"

Bodie's grin returned, brash and cheeky as ever. "Says the pot to the kettle."

Doyle laughed and grabbed Bodie's hand, tugging him towards the kitchen. "Come on. If you're done with the theatrics, those buns in the oven are about ready."

Bodie followed willingly, his usual swagger intact. "Theatrics? You wound me, Ray. I'm the very picture of restraint."

"Restraint, eh?" Doyle remarked, opening the oven and then grabbing a tea towel to shield his hands from the heat. "How about showing some for five seconds while I get these out."

The warm, sugary scent of cinnamon filled the air as Doyle carefully lifted the tray free and set it down on the trivet Bodie had placed on the worktop. The soft golden hue of the buns, fresh out of the oven, made him smile—bringing back memories of when his mum used to make these same treats.

Bodie moved closer, his shoulder brushing against Doyle's as he gave a low whistle. "You've outdone yourself. Those look fit for royalty."

"Yeah, well, don't burn your fingers trying to nick one before they've cooled," Doyle warned, though he spotted Bodie's hand inching towards the tray.

"Me? Impatient?" Bodie said, smirking as he made a playful grab for a bun.

"Oi! Proving my point!" Doyle slapped Bodie's hand away, laughing. "Plates first, you heathen."

"Fussy," Bodie murmured, but he obediently grabbed two plates from the cabinet. He held them steady while Doyle added the buns and spooned generous dollops of icing on top.

"Now that's what I call a Christmas treat!" Bodie exclaimed, licking his lips, his whole body vibrating in anticipation. "Can't wait to get a taste."

Doyle chuckled, giving Bodie a light shove towards the lounge. "Hurry up. Before you start thinking you're getting the whole lot to yourself."

They made their way back to the lounge, and Bodie placed their plates on the coffee table. When he turned to sit, Doyle stopped him, slipping his arms around Bodie from behind. He laid his chin on top of Bodie's shoulder, swaying them gently to the carols playing on the radio.

"I do love you, Bodie," he whispered, his voice soft, but certain. "You know that, yeah?"

Bodie stilled for a beat, then shifted around in Doyle's arms, their eyes locking. Without hesitation, Bodie cupped his face with both hands. "'Course I know. Never doubted it for a second," Bodie said, his words firm and deliberate. "I love you too, Ray. Always will."

With that, Bodie kissed Doyle, slow and deep, their mouths moving together in perfect sync. No more words were needed, just the connection between them—a silent understanding. Trust. Belonging. A love so strong, it didn't need to be declared to be felt.

Bodie eased back enough to look at Doyle. "First Christmas together, eh?" he said, a hand trailing down Doyle's back. "Not sick of me yet?"

"Not even a bit." Doyle chuckled, his knuckles grazing along Bodie's cheek. "A perfect Christmas, right here with you."

"Perfect? You sure?" Bodie arched an eyebrow. "There's no big feast, no fancy parties, just us and some takeaway."

"Don't want fancy." Doyle shrugged, absently fiddling with the collar of Bodie's shirt. "As long as you're here, that's all I need."

"Well, you've definitely got me." Bodie reached for Doyle's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, the simple touch speaking volumes.

Doyle smiled, a surge of affection flowing through him. "Good thing too, 'cause you're stuck with me."

"Won't hear any complaints from me." Bodie gave him a quick peck, his grin widening, the corner of his eyes crinkling with happiness. "Right, first we eat, then pressies." He rubbed his hands together gleefully.

"Deal," Doyle said, his smile never leaving his face.

They settled onto the sofa, sitting side by side, eating their treats in comfortable silence. When the last bite was gone, Doyle leaned back into the cushions, shifting closer to Bodie and letting out a contented sigh. Bodie, without a word, draped his arm around Doyle, pulling him snugly against his side.

"Happy Christmas, Bodie," Doyle said quietly, his fingers drawing slow, lazy circles on Bodie's chest.

Bodie stroked Doyle's hair, then pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "Happy Christmas, Ray."

As they nestled together, the world outside faded away—no work, no missions, no dangers to worry about. Nothing mattered except the steady comfort of each other's company, the soft glow of the tree lights, and the soothing hum of carols drifting in the background.

It wasn't about what they had—it was about what they meant to each other. And it made everything feel right. Simple, peaceful, perfect.

It wasn't a Christmas measured by what they gave or received, but by the love that filled the space between them, the quiet connection that made everything else fade away. This was home. This was everything.

The End.

Title: Christmas Kisses and Traditions
Author: Ankaree
Genre: Slash, Christmas
Archive at Proslib: Yes, please
Word Count: 2,831
Warnings: None

Comments

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

Lovely, just lovely. Thank you!!!!!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Kriss! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

A sweet story for Christmas. I love it! Thank you for bringing a smile to my face. Adding: I like your Christmas card also. Very nice.

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Kat! And thanks for all your help!

[cloudless-9193.livejournal.com]

A beautiful Christmas story. Thank you! :-)

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[ali15son.livejournal.com]

A lovely christmas together story.

Thankyou.

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[lrhbalzer.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Lovely. This last line: "It wasn't a Christmas measured by what they gave or received, but by the love that filled the space between them, the quiet connection that made everything else fade away. This was home. This was everything." So warm and sweet. And now I want a cinnamon bun.

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Awww, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I like thinking of Bodie and Doyle being everything to one another.

[byslantedlight.livejournal.com]

*popping my mod hat on*

I'm looking forward to reading this when I can snatch some time! In the meantime — could you please shrink your picture a little? It's just big enough that it's throwing my lj friends page out so that I have to scroll horizontally to read anything! Thank you!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Sorry about the pic! I think I've fixed it. Is it any better for you?

[miwahni.livejournal.com]

That was lovely, I did enjoy it so!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[f-m-parkinson.livejournal.com]

Really nice and Christmassy!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It was fun writing them spending Christmas together.

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

A warm and lovely Christmas story. Your descriptions set the mood beautifully. Thank you!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[queenafoster.livejournal.com]

Love that Ray thinks he can make the lights work with a glare. Because of course they will!

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

LOL! He tried his best even though the lights were winning for a while. I'm so glad you enjoyed this little story. Thanks for letting me know!

[cim3745.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed your story immensely. So well written and heartwarming. Thank you for having a beautiful Sunday morning read.

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Aww, this was so sweet and perfect, I loved it! ❤️

[ankaree.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much!

[trepkos.livejournal.com]

Beautiful!

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

This was delightful! I can so see Bodie triumphantly assessing his efforts as 'proper Christmassy, that! :D

I feel the same as you, about Pros. ...We may drift away from time to time, but the love never dies.

Happy Christmas and New Year!