Chapter Text
Aob was unaccustomed to looking forward to Christmas. It wasn’t a holiday he normally gave a shit about, apart from the extra baht he’d normally earn servicing the foreign tourists coming through the lounge during their vacations. To him, December 25th had always been just another day…until now.
He woke with a smile on his face, anticipating the pleasure with which Puen would open his gift. It would be their first Christmas together and evidently his young boyfriend wanted to mark the occasion by putting up a small fake tree and exchanging presents. Of course, Aob had played it cool, saying that was fine, he had no strong objections, but then had found himself coming around to the idea more and more.
He'd begun, well, not spying on Puen, exactly, but paying closer attention to what he was looking at on his phone, especially on the shopping apps, trying to glean clues of what the younger man might enjoy receiving. He’d briefly thought of offering another trip, as their previous one to Koh Samet had gone so well, but didn’t like the idea of Puen opening an envelope, or, worse, an email, instead of a physical gift.
In the end, Aob had decided on a denim shirt the two of them had seen hanging in a store window after Puen had admired it. He’d almost blushed when the store clerk had asked if it was a gift, and upon hearing it was, offered to wrap it. He gratefully accepted, not having thought far enough ahead to have bought wrapping paper — and frankly hadn’t been sure where it was sold — and left the place happily, intending to arrive back at their apartment before Puen would have returned from campus so he’d be able to stash it away somewhere the younger man wouldn’t run into it.
Now the day had arrived and Aob was surprised to find that he was nervous about Puen’s reaction. At least he wouldn’t have long to wait; his boyfriend knew from Western films that most people opened Christmas gifts first thing in the morning, so that’s what he wanted to do.
“Merry Christmas, Phi!”
“Merry Christmas, Puen.”
There were already two mugs of coffee waiting on the kitchen table when Aob emerged from the bedroom, freshly showered and shaved. He’d vaguely remembered Puen rising earlier to do the same, presumably, but had fallen back to sleep.
Aob placed the sizable, rectangular box on the table next to Puen’s mug and took a seat in the opposite chair.
“Ooh, I can’t wait to see what you got me!” Before he pulled out his chair, Puen gently laid a square, hand-sized box next to Aob’s coffee. “This is for you.”
He smiled as Puen sat down. “Thank you. Open yours first.” Aob was dying for him to see it but outwardly simply picked up his mug to sip the hot drink.
“Okay!” Puen’s eyes flicked between the wrapped box and Aob’s face before he grinned and tore into it. When he’d ripped enough off to read the name of the store on the box, he paused and his eyes widened. Then he pushed aside the rest of the paper to lift the top off…and his mouth dropped open.
“Phi! It’s that shirt we saw! You remembered!” He took it out of the box and held it up, his eyes sparkling much like the lights on their tiny tree, though even more beautiful…but suddenly his face fell. “But it cost too much, you shouldn’t have. I don’t need something like this.”
Aob leaned forward, a gentle smile on his face. “I wouldn’t have bought it if I couldn’t afford it. And are you saying that I shouldn’t want my boyfriend to look hot in a designer shirt?” It was true that Aob would probably need to service a few extra clients in January to make up for the small dent to his savings, but it was worth it to see Puen’s face…and it would be worth it to have the fashionable young man by his side when they were out and about. “Please, I want you to keep it.”
Puen looked down to where the shirt was crumpled in his lap and then back up at Aob, his lips forming into a smile. “Well, okay, if you want me to have it, I’ll keep it.” He folded it nicely and put it back in the box, which he then set to the side. “Thank you. I can’t wait to wear it.”
And Aob couldn’t wait to see him in it…and then peel it off him.
“Okay, now it’s your turn. Open your present.”
Aob set down his mug and reached for his gift. When he glanced across at Puen, he wasn’t sure what he saw behind the younger man’s eyes…curiosity? Concern?
He picked up the box and found it wasn’t very heavy. He shook it lightly and heard a faint rattling. Jewelry?
When he looked up at Puen again, his boyfriend simply gazed back calmly, not fazed by Aob’s investigative techniques.
He carefully undid the paper, wanting to draw out the process as long as possible. He’d realized that he honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d received a gift, which made this all the more touching and special.
The plain box in his hands now, he lifted the cover…and knit his brows. Sitting there, in a loose circle, was a strip of black leather with holes, a buckle, and some silver-colored studs. A collar for a house pet?
Confused, he raised his head. “Are we getting a dog?”
Puen smiled and chuckled. “No, Phi. It’s for you.”
He wrinkled his forehead even more. “I’m getting a dog?” Since when had he wanted a pet, let alone a dog? Could they even have one in this building? And they were never home, so who would take care of it? Wouldn’t it track dirt in and leave hair everywhere?
“Phi.” Puen’s firm tone cut through his spiraling thoughts and got his attention. “It’s for you. To wear. With me.”
As the younger man’s words finally sunk in, Aob stopped breathing and his bottom lip fell away. Then their eyes met and air rushed back into his lungs, and he swallowed as a molten warmth spread throughout his body.