S2 99. Christmas Time!

 - Merry Christmas boys! Bertta takes everything out of this Christmas and puts an jolly elf cap on.

- I can feel myself turn into full brownie mood already, Iiro grins and pulls the top of his hat over his eyes.
- Yep, looking excatly like yourself, Ilari chuckles. - Goofball.
- Says the guy who has huge gingerbread on his sweater, Iiro's grin widens. - It's like exclamation mark saying "desperate dude, haven't got any for while!"
- Ha ha, dying of laughter, Ilari says clearly not very amused.
- No shit dude, she really cut you out?! You had a fight? Iiro peeks under his cap with mischievous smile. - Okay. Blue balls much?
- Cut it out. None of your business.

It's finally time for Christmas dinner! Some are hungrier than others.

They have traditional Finnish Christmas foods; ham, salmon, potato casserole, rutabega casserole, carrot casserole, rosolli salad (mix of cold boiled beetroot, potato, carrot, apple), sweet bread.

-Uuuuuh, Iiro grunts and opens his belt.
- Bro... Ilari shakes his head. - I was just thinking should I help myself with another round? Amateur.
– Urgh. I can’t anymore, Iiro leans back. – Even emergency pants don’t help anymore!
Ilari gives Venla a meaning look and she starts to giggle
– I told you it’s a thing. He says.

– Thank you, It was very good Venla. Very good! Bertta gives her compliments to the chef.
– Thank you. There’s cake for dessert too.
– What kind of cake? Iiro gets interested.
– Chocolaty one.
– Mm. My favourite. Ilari touches Venla's shoulder, tugs her collar little bit down and no one can miss the heated looks they give each other.

- Is something wrong? Venla comes to sit with Iiro when table has been cleared, Ilari is taking Lucky out and Bertta takes a nap. Iiro sure is more quiet than usual.
– I don’t know. I… Um. Can I ask you something personal?
– Of course.
– Which one of you said the words first?
- What words? Venla knits her brows together and tries to get the picture.
– The big ones? You know, the three words?
– I don’t get it?
– L- word? Uh, love? It seems hard for him to even say it aloud.
– Oh! She finally gets it. – Ilari did, Venla tells him. – But I had hoped for it for a long time.

– Mm. Iiro makes a face. – Did you say it back?
– Naturally! I had kept from saying it for months. I just wanted to hear it from him first. Venla beams.
– Hmm.
– Why do you ask?
- So if she doesn’t say it back what does it mean?

Venla looks at Iiro’s resigned demeanor.
– I don’t know, she replys honestly. – It could be anything.
– So she doesn’t feel the same. There's clear sounds of defeat in his tone.
– Oh no. It can take time for some people. Venla takes his hand. – There can be millions of reasons.
– But you knew right away? Knew you love my brother?
– Err. Not right away but it happened fast. I just wanted to make sure he feels it too. The wait for it felt like million years though. Maybe... Maybe she isn’t ready yet?
– Yeah. You’re probably right, Iiro sounds disappointed.