escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

[Her laugh is soft, and though there is a hint of teasing to it, it is nothing if not fond.]

I think all of this is new territory for us, hm? Even last winter, we were... not quite like this.

[Living together in their home. Showering each other in gifts just because they can. Indulging one another in little things that will make them happy.]

We were not.

[A rueful smile against her lips before he presses them against hers.]

I only want to give the best for you, Benna.

[His words tickle at her heart, perhaps more than he realizes, and the only way that she can show him what they mean is by closing the distance between them again with yet another kiss, this one leaving behind a burning need as she pauses for a breath.]

You do not always have to work so hard, you know.

[Another kiss.]

Not anymore.

[And then another, before her arms are going around his shoulders.]

[He knows in his head, but in his heart he will always feel as if he needs to make it up to her. Make up for all the misunderstandings, missed opportunities, missing her...

So he only pushes back with that kiss, arms tightening around her before he's pulling her back to him as he leans back against the couch, that heated desire to not let her go clear.]

[The box is gently set aside on the table for now, arm stretching to reach before it goes back around him, and she falls with him to the couch. The touch of her lips is firm, her own desire making it clear that she does not intend to let him go anytime soon either.

She also knows that saying as much will change nothing because she feels the same. There are so many days, months, years to make up for. So many missed opportunities. So much anger. She wants to banish them from their thoughts and fill them instead with memories like this one. And even when they have finished that, she does not think that either of them will be able to stop. This is just the way that things are now, and she would have it no other way because it is so very them.

Her body melts over his, relaxing, and she only parts from him when her lungs betray her with their need for air. She chastises herself, missing the taste of his lips when she does, but at one point, she giggles.]

This will make my last gift to you seem far too silly...

[At some point a hand slid down behind her and around her hip to guide her leg more over him as they settle in position, and his lips play with hers as he hums in response.]

I doubt that.

[And while he would want nothing more than to continue, he is a little curious about the gift. That and knowing what would happen if they continued further.]

Shall we see?

[Well, now she's embarrassed, and she tries to hide it by burying her face into his neck and kissing him. Maybe she can distract him enough...]

Perhaps it will be better saved for after... Or tomorrow...

[It's a valiant effort...]

Now you have me more curious.

[A low, rumbling laugh as lets her continue before he's pulling back to look at her with some mischief.]

[... But not good enough it seems. She will have to try harder.]

It is nothing special. Truly. Hardly comparable to pearls and warm scarves...

[And when that look of mischief has her flushing further, she'll breach that space that he created to kiss him more fully, dragging her teeth across his lower lip.]

And yet...

[A low murmur as he lets her lips take his before he counters with his own.]

You seem too embarrassed to share.

[There will be a flutter and crinkle of ribbons and paper as he suddenly pushes her back onto the couch, his body now looming over her as he cages her.]

As eager as I am to "unwrap" a different gift, I can have enough restraint to wait until we finish with our other exchange.

[While she does allow him to push her down instead, she can only let out a sound of discomfort in the back of her throat, not quite able to meet his gaze now.]

I'd rather you unwrap a different gift first...

[Mumbled under her breath.]

But I can't very well get it for you if you have me like this, can I?

[He eyes her for a moment, as if reconsidering her words, before he sits up to let her go.]

I'll clean up around here a bit.

[She'd lament him letting her go for just about any reason right now, but this time, there's a sad little whine that turns into a groan when he sits up to free her. She remains slumped on the couch for several more seconds before she finally gets up with a slight wobble—]

Fine.

[—and drags her feet to head to the kitchen.]

But if it ruins anything, I am blaming you.

[She disappears, making a bit of a ruckus as she does, mostly with her drunken complaints. She returns only a minute later, and peers around the corner.]

Close your eyes.

[Oh? The kitchen? He watches with more intrigue as he picks up the wrapping and sets it all aside, and once she peeks out...]

All right.

[A quiet chuckle as he does so.]

They're closed.

[She does wonder if he's managed to guess simply from where she had come from, but she does peek further to make sure that his eyes really are closed before she scurries over and slumps back down onto the couch beside him.

Without a word, she will lift the gift to his nose, and he will catch the smell of something sweet, like icing...

And upon opening his eyes, there will be a small cupcake held in her palm, and her glancing away, embarrassed.]

[He did have a suspicion, and that sweet scent is all he needs to confirm it. So he's already smiling with a huff of laughter before he even opens his eyes, and seeing the cupcake just makes them shine in delight.]

You did make one for me!

[She pulls it back when he opens his eyes before he can take it from her, and now her entire face is coloured red.]

Only the one...! I don't know if it is good or not, I have not tested. And only because you would not stop asking me.

[There's even a little candied snowflake on top of the icing!!!]

[HE LOVES IT ALREADY THOUGH???]

I'll be judge of that. Let me try.

[And he's reaching for the cupcake!!]

[She doesn't know why, but she's pulling it away from him again, though it won't be hard for him to reach for it at this point, with the couch blocking her. So he'll eventually get his fingers on it, to which Benedikta grumbles at him for.]

I used less sugar this time...

Hopefully didn't mix it with salt?

[A playful grin as he succeeds in retrieving the cupcake, admiring the way it looks. Should he take a picture?]

[No, he shouldn't, and she has half a mind to just shove it against his lips to get it over with...! Now she's nervous!!!]

I did not!

[She puffs up like an upset bird that is trying to make itself look bigger in the face of a very real threat.]

It should be better than the cake... I followed the directions. Now are you going to eat it or not?

[But she looks so cute all puffed up.]

I just wanted to admire the craftsmanship first before savoring the first bite.

[And he really does think she did well, noticing that little snowflake. But now he really does want to taste it so he'll take a bite...!]

[She winces when he finally does take a bite. And while it will not be so overly sweet or doughy as the birthday cake was, the sweetness is still there, especially in the icing. The cupcake itself will still be a little dry, but it's certainly an improvement from last time. She might have baked it for too long, worried that it would not be finished when she tried taking it out, but perhaps she shouldn't have put it back into the oven for those few minutes earlier.

All in all, it's not perfect, but he'll be able to taste that she has made strides in refining her baking skills!

She waits with bated breath for his verdict with a nervous flutter in her chest...]

[It may not be perfect, and it may be sweet, but—]

It's delicious.

[His sentiment is genuine as he takes another happy bite out of it. Sure it may be a little dryer, but the icing helps to balance it out. Most of all, she made it, so that already makes it taste perfect to him.

He's also not choking on it so that's a plus.]

[She's still holding onto that breath, and she fixes him with a dubious yet hopeful look.]

... You are not simply saying that to make me feel better? Because might I remind you what happened last time?

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