#fusionfall retro

Dexter lowered his head, burying his face further into the thick scarf wrapped around his neck. He should've never agreed to go outside, but he loved Ben too dearly to deny when his boyfriend seemed so excited to show him something.

Ben turned his head to look at him and almost immediately could read the scientist's mood. He gave Dexter's glove-clad hand a squeeze, reassuring, "It's not too far now. Don't worry."

Dexter simply grumbled in response. His face felt a little stiff from the cold. He could already imagine how nice it would be to go back home and sit by the fire with Einstein in his lap. At the thought, he tried to sink even further into the scarf.

The two turned the corner, but only got a few more steps in before Ben gently grabbed Dexter's shoulders and turned him to face him. He looked the shorter man in the eyes and suddenly said, "Give me your glasses."

Dexter blinked rapidly a few times, his brain failing to process those words, "Huh?"

"Your glasses," Ben repeated, holding out a hand. "I want this to be a surprise."

Dexter made a thoughtful noise. Had it been anyone else, he would've immediately declined. His glasses were too important.

But this was Ben, who was also very important to the scientist.

Finally, Dexter relented and took off his glasses, placing them in his boyfriend's palm, knowing that he wouldn't allow anything to happen to them. He let out a little grunt of surprise when hands suddenly covered his eyes.

Ben walked behind Dexter, keeping his hands over his eyes as he murmured gentle instructions to avoid having the smaller man trip and fall. He led them beneath a portico in front of a random building, making sure the scientist was facing forward before giving his glasses back. "Now look," he softly said.

Dexter kept his head down as he put back on his glasses, though he had to squint once he raised his head again, blinded by lights of many colors. He blinked a few times to let his eyes adjust and finally got a good look at what was in front of him. His eyes widened slightly.

Across the street, between the front of two buildings, stood a massive tree, covered in lights and decorations. No ornament was the same as another, and no two strands of lights had the same color or pattern. It was clearly an effort from many people around the city. It was different. It was very beautiful.

Ben stood beside Dexter, his hands on his shoulders, an affectionate smile on his face as he watched his boyfriend just stare in awe. He couldn't blame him. He was quite surprised when he saw it at first too.

He gave Dexter some time to take it all in, then gently nudged him.

It took Dexter a second to register the nudge, but once he did, he looked at him, his eyes following the hero's finger when it pointed upwards. There, hanging not too far above them, was a mistletoe. Smooth, Mr. Tennyson, he thought. Real smooth.

Ben chuckled when he noticed the look on the scientist's face. He turned them both to face each other, hooking a finger around the front of Dexter's scarf to tug it down so that he could see all of his face.

"How romantic," Dexter said, almost sarcastic, but his voice held an undeniable fondness.

"Very," Ben teasingly agreed. He took a quick look around to make sure nobody was looking, then leaned in to press his lips against his boyfriend's softly and sweetly, Dexter meeting him halfway.