Ao3 Link. 708 words. General Audiences.
It was on this day, in the middle of December, that a piece of mistletoe was placed upon the rafters of a firehouse. It was deliberately placed at the top of the stairs so as to envoke many kisses. It was not a particularly large or expensive piece of mistletoe but to the people who saw it that year, it was priceless.
The mistletoe was placed by none other but the fire captain's own wife. It should come as no surprise to anyone therefore, that the first pair who shared a kiss beneath it were her and her husband.
Firehouses are usually full of activity and this December was no different. Many couples had found themselves beneath the object before the week was out.
The second pair was another couple. A woman had brought her child and a plate of cookies to the firehouse. Her boyfriend all but bounded over to her before she had moved out of range. The kiss was met with laughter between them, leading to the third kiss between father and daughter.
The woman was caught again as she began to decend the staircase. This time by her brother. She kissed his cheek with a promise to see him later. He kissed his niece in response.
Another father and child duo took the fifth as the youngest pointed out the mistletoe to his father. While the father laughed, the boy regretted his actions as his face was covered with kisses. He was too old for this, didn't he know?
What are two fathers supposed to do when they find themselves under the mistletoe? Especially when their friends, including their captain, are encouraging them? Well they share a kiss of course. Made a real show of it too, leaving their friends in stitches.
Two best friends take the next spot. There are many friendships to be found in a firehouse but one forged in the on-going battle for a seat at the table, makes this one all the more special. A black policewoman and a black lesbian firefighter share a sweet but simple kiss.
This firefighter has more than one best friend in the room right now however and the other makes a show of being jealous. Rolling her eyes she beckons him over to the mistletoe. It's there the two woman sandwich him in with a kiss to each cheek.
As luck would have it, yet another pair of best friends find themselves under the mistletoe. Too engrossed in conversation, this had to be pointed out by friends. The tallest rolled his eyes and went to move away. He was quickly stopped by the other firefighters who insisted he couldn't move until he had kissed his friend. His friend seemed frozen in place. The kiss was as awkward as two grown men forced to kiss would be. That didn't stop either of them wanting it to have been more than the three seconds it lasted. Or the lingering looks they gave each other afterwards.
Another unfortunate soul was trapped between his parents kisses during a Christmas party at the firehouse. No matter how cool having a fire captain as a dad is, everybody looks lame when kissed by family so he ran away. His parents just laughed and kissed each other.
Seeing the fate of his friend another boy ran ahead of his mothers, avoiding the mistletoe and heading straight for the food. His mothers didn't mind, they had each other.
The remainder of the party saw similar scenes. Couples luring their partner whenever they could and children running past the mistletoe whenever possible.
Two of the younger firefighters had found themselves on cleaning duty that night, everyone else going home. The men, upon finding themselves alone and under the mistletoe yet again, had two choices. A half seconds pause was given before temptation was too much and the men rushed towards each other. The collision was rough, all nose and teeth but they didn't seem to mind. Strong hands grasped firm bodies and the firefighters knew. This was the start of the rest of their lives.
That was to be the last kiss shared under the mistletoe this December. It was stolen by the blond and placed in his bedside cabinet for safekeeping.
