Yuletide (A BoyxBoy Story)

It was in the middle of winter—the harshest weather of Mairaxias. Dwarves, elves and even regular mortals are probably spending the night with their loved ones seeing that it’s the only holiday that celebrates togetherness while being huddled by the fire and enjoying the warmth of the hearth as the snow falls outside, blanketing the ground with white powder.

It’s Yule. Even though the air is freezing and my nose is probably turning purple from the long exposure to the frosty breeze, this time of the year is still my favorite. It seems perfect to me. How the sky bears aurora borealis, all those green and purple and pink luminescent lights on the cold air and the ground seem to glisten under the decorative lights that the shop put out, it’s just… magical.

“I’m sorry sweetie, I have no work to offer to you.” The gentle maiden from the bakeshop said with a shake of her head. It’s the fourth shop tonight and it’s easy to see why job hunting, in the middle of the Yule, is hard. Shops are closing early and I still haven’t had a glimpse of hope in seeing any job to replace my last one.

You see, I’ve been fired today from my job as a waiter and instead of moping around, I took my separation pay, said 'fuck you to my boss' and began job hunting again. Any job is good—I can carry things, clean, and even do some basic cooking. I’ll take any job as long as I can pay my rent.

That boss was totally mean, firing me in front of the whole staff and in the middle of Yule. I merely sighed and looked around for a new place to apply and submit my resume. This is going to be a tough night.

Entering the supposedly last stop, I breathed in the warm smell of bread cooking in the oven. It’s a relatively nice restaurant that’s mostly empty save for the ones buying some freshly baked goods probably for their evening celebration. Families celebrating Yule just… it just makes me jealous more than ever. It must be nice spending the holiday with your family—your loved ones.

“Hello Sir, what can I help you?” the young man behind the register smiled at me and I feel my cheeks warming. Come on, Elixir. Don’t be shy.

“Um, hello Sir, I was wondering if there’s a way I can apply for a job here. I bought my resume.” I said and held my envelope out. Please, I need work. Source and all the Gods out there, help me out for once.

“Oh, I’m not sure. Let me ask our, err—manager. Wait for a second.” He said before disappearing into the small door behind the counter. The whole place seems friendly and nice, I just hope they have a job for me, it’ll probably be nice working here.

Lost in my thoughts, I roamed my eyes around the place, it’s somewhat huge with a counter hosting a chiller that displays cakes and a few pastries. The bread section is on its left and it has a variety of loaves that I’m pretty sure is freshly baked due to the warm aroma. I got a feeling that this is a casual restaurant/café that caters both who are on the go and those who want to stay and enjoy the ambiance.

“Hi, are you the one looking for a job?” A somewhat deep yet mellow voice disturbed my thoughts and I looked back to the source of it. A man—no an elf with silver hair and light green eyes made me hold my breath. My god he is gorgeous, what the hell? No one told me to prepare for this. “Excuse me? Hello? You still here?” I heard him say making me blink my eyes. My cheeks warmed in embarrassment and I looked at my feet.

“I’m very sorry Sir, I am Elixir Fernosia and yes, I am the one looking for a job vacancy, if you have one.” I said while handing him the man my manila folder. He took the folder with a nod and motioned me to follow him to a table by the corner of the restaurant. God, I hope this is some good news or at least I could have an interview.

“Have a seat Elixir. I am Kymil Elasandoral and I own this café. It says here that you’re quite young for someone looking for a job.” He said as he sat down and waved something to the counter.

“Oh, I suppose sir, I am still on my 103rd cycles. I suppose that’s quite young but I have already finished Academy and basic knowledge on my race Sir.” I confidently stated. (In Human age, Elixir is 25 years old. 1 cycle means one season and there are four seasons in one year so Elixir is 25 years and 3 months old.)

“I see. I don’t see why you’re actually applying for a job on a humble café like this if you’ve already completed your higher education and basic race—judging by your race, hmm... a half elf half faerie, you can work at the weaponry or the botany industry.” The elf said and I just awkwardly fidget in my seat. What he said is true—I can definitely apply for some decent jobs. I could even be a professor if I wanted to but the problem is? Age. That’s what. Every time I apply, they always tell me I could come back if I’m on my 130th cycle. See what they did there? Discrimination, that’s what. I know that dwarves and faeries age slow (that’s also the same for some races) but you see, dwarves are known for their fairly short temper or in other words, the lack thereof. Young dwarves especially excel in the temper area and tends to make a lot of impulsive choices so I may or may have not got into a fight that also led to me not being accepted. But to be fair, I only answered back and they considered it rude so I walked out even before they finished. I mean, that's not bad, right?

“It’s the age Sir, they don’t hire someone who hasn't reached their 130th cycle—but Sir, I assure you. I have excellent hold on my temper and I can do anything around here.” I said, trying to regain my confidence.

“Hmm, okay. We are kind of low on people so you’re hired. We pay three pieces of gold an hour and you’re gonna work for 8 hours. We need someone to run the counter and to close up since Hyfel have evening classes,” he said with a smile and handed me my envelope. “I believe you’ve met Hyfel by the counter earlier, he’s gonna help you with things. You can also ask me anything if you see me on the kitchen.” Good sir, please don’t smile. I’m gonna wet my underwear here.

“Thank you so much Sir, this means a lot to me.” I said while beaming. Fuck yeah, I have a handsome and kind boss and the work doesn’t really suck plus its way more than what I used to earn.

Sir Kymil looked at me with a chuckle and stood up. “Come on, I feel like I should show you around. You really had a bad timing of going into job hunting in the middle of Yule celebration.” He said as we stood up and I blushed.

“What do you mean bad timing? Look I got a job.” I excitedly chirped and giggled while following him to the kitchen.

“Well it’s either good or bad but hey, that’s very true, you’re lucky enough tonight.” He said and opened the kitchen door. “So here is the kitchen, to your right is the staff room and the left by the exit is the washroom. No one is here besides me and Hyfel since it’s a holiday.”

“I heard my name, what’s up?” The short male said as he peered in.

“Nothing Hyf, just showing the new kid around.” He said and rolled his eyes playfully.

“The new—Oh! A newbie! Oh my god!” Hyfel said and rushed towards me and before I knew it, I am jumping along with him as he hugged me tightly. “We are so gonna be best friends. I am Hyfel and I’m a Dryad—oh you smell so good, you’re like flowers.” He said and kissed both my cheeks. Wow, talk about space.

“Come on Hyfel enough hogging Elixir.” Kymil said and pulled me to his side. Fuck that thing about me smelling good, Kymil has the real stuff. He smells heavenly.

“It’s okay Sir. Um—uhh So, I’m Elixir Fernosia, I'm half dwarf, half fae.” I said and extended my hand which Hyfel immediately took. I haven’t seen a dryad with this much energy before. Dryads just seems so lazy whenever I see them in their tree houses.

“Nice to meet you Eli, I’m definitely not backing out from being your bestie.” Hyfel said and beamed at me. Wow, he’s like the sun.

Kymil just chuckled and motioned me to go outside. “We’re about to have dinner before closing up. You’re joining us. I won’t take no for an answer.” He said and I shyly nodded as we sat down on a table after he flipped the open sign to close. Everybody has to do things manually here and by that, it means no magic. Magic can only be used at certain situations like transportation and stuff.

Living in Mairaxias, you would assume that magic is usually used here since this is the melting pot of almost all races and creatures, but no. There’s actually a lot of rules, laws and regulations that we are passed to insure the safety of everybody. Mairaxias is the neutral ground so to say and the royal elves, the clan of Miraxis are powerful enough to maintain the peace, rumors have it that centuries ago, they are in reality, the descendants of half dragons who defeated the orcs during the first Great War.

“You space out easily Elixir.” Kymil teasingly said making me blush again for the nth time tonight.

“Oh. I just like thinking. Besides, I hope this doesn’t offend you but it’s rare for an elf to be working here.” I said and took a sip of the chamomile tea that Hyfel offered before he disappeared to get the food. Elves mostly work in the government as high ranking soldiers.

“Oh, that.” Kymil said and leaned in his chair before drinking his tea quite elegantly. Let’s all accept it, Elves are elegant. “I’m on off duty now, I work at the uhh infantry.” He said and leaned forward. “You might not believe it but the king and I are close, we’re of the same age, 216 cycles.”

“Oh! I haven’t seen the king before, what does he look like?” I asked. The king is a subject that commoners often have—we only assume on what he looks like. Silver hair, fair skin and all that since that’s the common elf physique.

“Meh, not really handsome. I’m look better than the king.” He smugly said making me giggle.

“Don’t believe our idiotic boss Eli, the king is a hundred times better looking than him.” Hyfel said as he set all the food down from the cart.

“I knew I should have fired you when I got the chance.”

“You can’t do it, you love honest people.” Hyfel giggled before sitting down as Kymil pouted.

“Oh come on Hyfel, Sir Kymil is handsome enough.” I said while smiling.

Kymil clutched his heart playfully and breathed in and out, “That’s it Hyfel, I’m adopting him. He’s adorable.”

“What happened to not dating your employees?” Hyfel huffed and served himself some food as Kymil placed some type of Yule soup in front of me.

“I can make an exception.” He said and winked at me making my whole face heat up. Fuck you Kymil! Don’t make me blush like this, my heart can’t take it.

Notes:

Age- 1 cycle is equal to three months. 4 cycle is equal to a year.

This is just a new story, I hope you all give it a chance. The chapter is also just a teaser, regular uploads will be on February 1, 2019. Hope to see you all. :)