There wasn't a lot of things that Kody Green cared about, but Christmas was definitely one of them. Not for him, he didn't care about it but even he could see the beauty in how the snow twinkled on the pavement, frost fogging up store windows and coffee shops teeming with chilly people pushing for a cup of liquid warmth. Cliches were bound to happen.

People bumping into people and making that 'connection' before an awkward smile would be offered and maybe a 'is anyone sitting here' before there would be small talk and the exchanging of number. The cold would be blamed for color staining cheeks and shy chuckles or giggles would sprinkle the conversation, a few bold carcasses of the hand over the table being shared before they would smile at each other. Just smile.

Ah, the spirit of holidays.

What a fickle thing.

Kody liked to watch; watch as people found pure happiness if only for a brief moment in time. Or, more like, what they thought was pure happiness. He knew for a fact that the woman there sprawled over that man's lap had a husband at home, and that the man currently flirting with the young blushing waiter was by no means in the market for a real relationship although his honeyed words crooned otherwise.

The thing was, in Kody's observation people only did what made them feel good. They didn't stop and think. Didn't think about what they already had, didn't think about what would truly make them happy. It was just take, take, take. Take now what would make them happy to grasp a second of what they thought was perfect, only to regret it later when they lost what they already had.

Kody watched nonetheless, eyes darting to and fro as he took in all who entered the quaint little coffee shop. He sipped his tea, pushing farther back into his booth and jumping slightly when someone tapped his shoulder. How had he missed that? He must have zoned out.

It was a girl, pretty and petite in her knee-length coat and thick woolen scarf. She said something, her lips partially covered by the billowy scarf and Kody shook his head. No use, he couldn't understand.

His lips twitched slightly upwards for a second -blink and you would have missed it- into his version of a smile before he licked his lips and focused on wrapping his tongue around the words he wanted to say.

"I'm sorry," He said quietly, trying to enunciate and not quite sure if he had said it correctly; pushing on regardless. "I'm deaf." Was all that he said, not at all surprised when the girl just made a shocked expression; lips moving in what Kody assumed was some sort of excuse before she just walked away.

He didn't let it affect him, but still, a part of himself cried on the inside.

He was okay. He told himself so and so it was.

The days are the same to an outsider looking in, always one step behind. People bustling back and forth, heavy coats around their shoulders and bags in their fists. Groups of people traveling around the square together, books and fake candles grasped in gloved fingers as they stop at a corner or two to share the anthems of Christmas.

People. So many people.

And Kody just looked.

His tea was cold. It didn't matter, there was only a few teaspoons left. But it meant that it was time to go home now, so Kody roused himself and fished the appropriate amount of bills and coins out of his pocket, setting them atop the little black book with an additional two dollars as a tip. He didn't even have to think as he completed the action, muscle memory doing the work for him as he straightened his jacket and tied his scarf a little more snugly around his neck.

The chill of the air hit him hard as he started the short stroll back to his apartment, it hurt his exposed ears and the thought made him stop abruptly. His hat was gone. He turned quickly, dashing back towards the coffee shop before some stranger could scoop up his poor unsuspecting hat.

There was someone at his table, two someones to be exact. They were chatting merrily and laughing every once in a while, sipping at their coffees and smiling fondly at one another. In the short time that Kody observed them, he was almost completely sure they were a couple, and if now, they might as well be.

They didn't even notice him when he stepped up to the table, to engrossed in one another to do so. Kody's mouth was dry, his tongue heavy as guilt grew in his chest. He didn't want to disturb the couple, he just wanted his hat back.

"Excuse me," he whispered, reaching out to tap the man to his left on his shoulder but flinching back when the man turned to look at him with a smile. His mouth moved, and by the way his cheery demeanor looked Kody could tell he had said hello.

Kody tried to smile back, not really sure if he had succeeded but moving on so he could leave. "My hat." He continued, gesturing to the empty space of booth closest to the wall and frowning when he saw that there was nothing there. He took a step back, leaning back a little to glance under the table and a small 'ah!' slipping past his lips as he saw that his hat had slid to the floor. That must have been why he had forgotten it.

Both of the men were quick to duck their heads as well, peering underneath the table to see what Kody was gesturing to. The man on the left went to reach for it, but Kody stopped him with a quiet but firm 'please, let me'. He didn't feel it was right to have a stranger picking things up from him.

Both men were a little confused as they heard Kody's voice for the second time but didn't say anything and the man reaching for his hat nodded before scooting out of the booth for Kody to slide in. He did, scooting all the way to the wall before he reached down and grasped at his hat, his chest hitting the table oddly as he strained his arms further. Returning his hands to his side, from the corner of his eye he could see the man across from him mouthing something, but he couldn't catch the whole sentence.

He hesitated, deciding if he should ask him to repeat what was probably a question.

He hated this. Why couldn't he just be. He didn't want much, didn't need any friends or a loving family. He just wanted to be.

His shoulders tucked in around himself, the cushion underneath him shifting as the man sat back down beside him, blocking him in. A little flare of panic pulsed through him but it wasn't too bad, he was okay. A hand settled gently on his shoulder, drawing Kody's eyes to the man sitting next to him.

"Are you okay?"

That was easy enough to understand. Kody's lips twitched at the question; nodding and shrugging slightly.

He took the easy way out of the situation, taking in a small breath through his nose and clearing his throat slightly, 'I'm deaf' leaving his lips on a decently voiced whisper before he looked back and forth between the two. He assumed they would let him leave then, wish him a Merry Christmas before he would be on his merry way and they would talk about the strange deaf boy for the rest of their coffee date. Who knew, but Kody didn't care.

They both just blinked at him, a small vibration coming from the man beside him that could have passed as a chuckle while the blonde man across from him smiled and set his coffee mug to the side so both his hands were visible.

"Hi, my name's Todd."

Kody could have cried.

He eagerly dropped his hat into his lap and signed back at him, excitement bubbling up in his stomach.

"Hi! I'm Kody!"

There was a tap on his shoulder, making Kody turn to look questioningly at the man sitting next to him.

"Phillip." Was offered, making Kody crack another smile as he quickly signed 'nice to meet you' back at him.

This was unbelievable. Unbelievably wonderful.

Kody's parents hadn't even learned ASL for him, and here were two complete strangers who were talking to him like any other person. He felt normal. Oh gosh he felt good.

They spent the next few hours together, Phillip moving over to the other side of the booth next to Todd so Kody could see them both without having to turn. They ordered more drinks, a few muffins and scones that Phillip and Todd insisted on paying for.

When the coffee shop announced they were closing Kody felt his heart sink in his chest. Would this be it?

"Hey, do you wanna keep this gong a little longer?" Todd's question surprised Kody, but he didn't waste a second before he was nodding his head eagerly.

The three of them walked together in silence, admiring the lights and big flakes of snow falling around them. It was really a beautiful night; one that Kody never wanted to end. He could feel eyes on him, and he turned to see Phillip smiling at him fondly. He blushed, turning away to aver his gaze and gasping quietly when a gloved hand intertwined with his, warmth seeping through regardless. His hand was squeezed reassuringly, and he squeezed back gently.

He... liked this. He flicked his eyes over to Todd to see if he would be upset, if he even knew that Phillip had taken his hand. The blonde man looked peaceful, smiling warmly at Kody and winking at him when he caught him staring.

It turned out none of them wanted the night to end, so Kody went home with them. One thing led to another and with Kody's agreement they ended up in bed; naked and warm as they kissed and moved together. Kody had never felt more cherished as Todd and Phillip loved on him, stroking and kissing his thin body and he gasped and moaned in pleasure.

His hair was mussed and he returned their affections as much as he could, sucking and licking down their gorgeous bodies as fingers found their way inside of him. It was painful at first, but soundless words being whispered into his ears and their tend caresses calmed him as the pleasure started to take over.

They were both beautiful, and they signed to him over and over how perfect he was, thrusting into him as hoarse cries left his mouth, eyes closing and lips parting as he was catapulted into release.

He fell asleep in the warm embrace of them both, and from that time on Kody never spent another Christmas alone.