Chapter Text
Bloodhound was quiet for most of the car ride.
“Houndy, she loves you! Don’t worry so much.” Elliott patted the top of their head. He couldn’t see because of the mask, but he knew their eyes were downturned and they were biting their lip in thought. They often did that same expression when reading, and it was absolutely adorable.
They shrugged. “I know. I am very lovable.”
“Yep, you are. And she’ll love the gifts you made her.” He gazed at the intricate weavings they were holding in their lap, alongside a candle. Their gift seemed a lot more intimate than the ones he had gotten her: a silver necklace and a rare figurine of “Mirage” that had not yet been released. It was a pretty necklace and she enjoyed getting his merch, but neither were personally handmade by him. “I just feel bad because I know you usually celebrate in your own way for this time of year and I’m making you go to my mom’s house.”
“I have been celebrating Yule, Eli. And I wanted to finally meet your mother.” Bloodhound turned to look out the window at the night sky. They hoped for snow. Even though it was a very hot planet in the summer months, it could get quite cold at the end of the year, but snow was rare. “Have you noticed me burning herbs, burning candles, and bringing more plants inside to decorate?”
Elliott unconsciously fidgeted with the engagement ring Bloodhound had given him. “I did notice! So that’s how you celebrate?”
“Well, there are other ways, but these are the most practical when you have someone else living with you.”
“Bloth, you can celebrate how you want. I don’t mind. I love it when you tell me about your religion and show me how you follow it, and stuff. I want you to be comfortable, be yourself.”
“You are sweet.” Bloth reached over and affectionately placed a hand on top of Elliott’s. “Many Christmas traditions were originally from Yule, too.”
“Like what?”
“The Christmas tree, feasting, and kissing under the mistletoe, for a few examples,” they said.
Elliott smiled. “You don’t need mistletoe to make me kiss you.”
They waved their hand by his face to dismiss his flirt.
The car pulled over in front of a house that had colorful lights lined along the bushes. Bloodhound vaguely remembered the house from an old photo of Elliott that he had shown them.
“We’re here, honeybun.” Elliott got out of the car and walked to Bloodhound’s side to open their door for them. They were being quiet again.
Elliott slung an arm around their shoulders. A cold breeze blew at them, and Elliott scrunched his nose after it began to sting. “It’s cold!” As he shivered, the bells on his ugly Christmas sweater, which was made to look like the wearer was a Christmas tree, jingled loudly. He also had a giant roll of tinsel wrapped around his torso to add to the flashy look.
Bloodhound wrapped their arms around Elliott’s torso. “Then we should head inside.”
The two of them walked up the pathway to the door, and Bloodhound raised their hand to knock on the door, but slowly brought it back down before they could knock.
“Baby!” Elliott leaned in to kiss the front of their mask. “Don’t be nervous.”
“Ah, you just cured my worries,” they said sarcastically.
Elliott knocked on the door for them. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“Come in!” The familiar voice of Elliott’s mother yelled from inside.
Elliott opened the door slowly, and let out a gasp. Bloodhound reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder, unsure of what he was surprised about.
“PORK CHOP!” Elliott placed his mom’s presents on the end table, then kneeled on the floor and held his arms out. A plump brown dog-like creature jumped at him and gave him a flurry of kisses. “Your breath stinks, baby boy!”
Bloodhound chuckled and peered inside for Elliott’s mom. His mother was tall, with a warm, dark complexion. Her face was alluring even in her older age; they figured out where Elliott got his attractive looks from. She stood up from the couch, walked around Elliott who was playing with the dog on the floor, and approached them. “You must be Bloodhound!” Evelyn exclaimed.
They began to smile under their mask. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Evelyn.” They held out their gifts for her, and she gasped.
“You didn’t have to bring me anything,” she said. She ran her hand across the weaving they had made. It consisted of white, brown, and red cord. “It’s so pretty.”
“It is to bless you with life and wellness.” They held up the candle. It was a dark red color and had various flowers and leaves sprinkled inside the wax. “I also brought a candle.”
“You’re too sweet,” Evelyn held the candle to her nose. “Ooh, such a nice smell. Thank you!” She held her arms out, and Bloodhound went in for a quick hug. In the past, they probably would have declined shyly. Now, they realized the importance of showing affection.
Evelyn walked over to the dining table and placed the candle in the center, then brought the weaving to the wall and hung it so it was above the doorway leading into the kitchen. She then walked into a separate room and emerged with a different candle in her hands. “I had asked Eli what sorts of things you liked, and he said you burned a lot of herbs. So I figured, maybe you’d like a candle?”
They turned the candle over in their hands. This one was a light purple color. “It is beautiful. Thank you so much.”
Elliott began to listen in on the gift exchange. “You both got candles for each other? You’re too much alike.”
His mom reached a hand down and tousled his hair. He exclaimed loudly, claiming that his hair took hours to do. Bloodhound knew it didn’t take hours, but it took a good thirty minutes or so for him to get it ‘perfect’.
“I’m sure you two are hungry.” Evelyn gestured to the table. “Take a seat, and I can bring everything out.”
“Ah, would you like some help, Miss Witt?” Bloodhound followed her to the kitchen and she smiled gratefully.
It was silent between the two of them as they grabbed the plates and brought them out to the table. “I assume Eli has told you about his father and brothers,” Evelyn said, her voice quiet.
Bloodhound glanced up at her. “Yes,” they said after a moment, and nothing more.
“He’s a sweet boy. I’m surprised his enthusiasm about himself didn’t chase you away. Eli…” She laughed a bit. “He is a little full of himself, but he’s really a generous person. I’ve noticed that he’s been a lot more honest, emotional, and happier since he met you.”
Shyly, Bloodhound shrugged slightly. “He has been a big influence in my life, as well. He seems so without worry, that you cannot help but fall into the same mindset as him.”
“I’m happy. I’m happy for both of you! You two deserve it.” She brought the last plate out to the table. “Eli! Stop messing around with Pork Chop, he’s too old to be playing around like that.”
Elliott pretended to cover the dog’s ears. “Ma! He’s still just a baby puppy, right Pork Chop?” His tone rose baby-voice level to enunciate that Pork Chop was an infant, rather than nearing his twentieth birthday.
He got up from the floor and sat at the table. Evelyn pulled his plate away. “Wash your hands; you have doggy slobber all over them.”
Elliott held his hands to his tummy and sighed. “Hungry…” He sauntered to the bathroom and washed his hands quickly, then came back to the table. He sat down with a huff. “Good?”
Evelyn squinted her eyes as if she was inspecting his hands. “Good enough.”
Bloodhound watched the interaction while trying to hold back a laugh. They looked over and saw Elliott cover his plate and dig in.
Rolling her eyes, Evelyn said, “At least chew, Eli!”
“Itch sho dam guhd,” Elliott muttered, his mouth stuffed.
Slowly, Bloodhound added some ham and mashed potatoes to their plate. They did not want to grab too much; eating with their mask on was a difficult task.
When everyone had gotten some food, they cut off a small piece of ham and brought the fork up. Slowly lifting their mask, they guided the fork underneath and into their mouth.
Elliott looked up at them after a moment, much like the way a person will absentmindedly and often look at their crush or lover. He cursed silently at himself. I should have given it to them earlier. It wouldn’t be much use tonight when he gave it to them after they had already eaten here!
Bloodhound glanced up at Elliott after they felt him pushing his foot against theirs. This was common at home when they ate dinner, or when they were sitting on the couch together, so they assumed he just wanted to be in contact with them in some way. But he motioned to his food and then down to Pork Chop, who was sitting underneath the table, waiting for some scraps.
They nodded slowly, tore a little piece of ham from the slice, and held it out for Pork Chop. The dog jumped up and happily grabbed the treat. After he had eaten it, he licked Bloodhound’s hand.
Elliott smiled gently as he watched Bloodhound pet the top of Pork Chop’s head affectionately. “I was worried he wouldn’t like you. He just needed a little encouragement.”
Bloodhound resisted the urge to get down on the floor and smother the dog in hugs and kisses. He is so small and adorable. Also, a bit more dopey and energetic than Artur.
After dinner, Bloodhound took the chance to play with Pork Chop while Elliott and his mother watched Christmas movies on the television.
Bloodhound imagined what having a dog at home would be like. They knew Artur would probably be apprehensive at first, then quickly warm up when he realized that a pooch would be easier to mess around with than Elliott.
When the credits rolled, Elliott stretched his arms and groaned. “It’s already near midnight!”
Evelyn yawned. “Santa won’t come if you guys stay any longer. Plus, I’m tired. I’m an old lady; I can’t party all night like I used to.”
Getting up, he sighed. “Wow, just kicking us out like that?” He held out his hand for her.
His mom grabbed his hand and lifted herself from the couch. “Give me a hug first.”
Elliott embraced her tightly and kissed her cheek. “Love you, Mom.”
She hugged him, then pulled back after a moment. “Your present! I almost forgot.” She walked over to a staircase and began to go downstairs. She came back and held a small box out to him. “I knew you mentioned something about you being a little too visible when you used a swarm of decoys…”
Elliott cocked his eyebrow, then quickly opened the box. It was full of about a dozen circular pads.
“You put them on the little circle things on your suit. They detect your surroundings and cover you so that you become practically invisible.” She smiled up at him. “Maybe this will help you be almost as good as Bloodhound.”
“Hey, I’m pretty good… I bet if I tried I could be better than Bloodhound.” Elliott took one out and inspected it. “Thank you, Ma. This is some hefty tech.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Evelyn went in for one last hug, then turned to Bloodhound. “I’m so glad I finally got to meet you!”
Bloodhound held their arms out for a hug. “I am glad as well. The food was delicious, Miss Witt.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. You’re welcome here whenever you’d like, and you can bring Eli along I guess.”
Elliott sighed as he said goodbye to Pork Chop with many hugs and kisses. “It’s really starting to feel like you like them more than me.”
“I love you, Eli,” she said.
“Love you, too…”
Bloodhound reached down and patted the top of Pork Chop’s head. “Goodbye, barnið hvolpur,” they whispered.
Evelyn and Pork Chop stood at the door and she blew kisses to Elliott and Bloodhound as the two of them made their way to the cab waiting.
In the car, Elliott yawned. “Maybe I’m getting old, too! I just want to sleep.”
“You are only thirty, dearest.”
“Baby, you’re supposed to say I’m only just hitting my mid-twenties!” He reached over for the candle that his mother had given them. “Lemme smell.”
He brought it to his nose and took a whiff. “Lavender-y and vanilla-y. Yummy.” He handed it back to them. “I have a present for you at home,” he added.
“Is gift-giving not usually done on Christmas day?” Bloodhound smelled the candle and felt their cheeks tingle. This would become one of their favorites.
“I’m too excited to wait!” Elliott shivered a bit. It was chilly in the cab. “I wanna give it to you. Tomorrow we can watch dorky movies and you can show me how to celebrate Yule. Anyways, by the time we get home, it will already be past midnight. So technically Christmas Day.”
Bloodhound noticed him begin to tense up to keep warm, and they scooted closer to him in the backseat. “Should I give you my gift as well?”
“If you’d like. I wonder what it is? The only thing I asked 'Santahound' for this year was lots of kisses.”
They linked their arm with his and leaned their head against his shoulder. “Maybe some coal.”
“No. Kiss.”
Bloodhound kissed their fingers gently, then brought their fingers up to Elliott’s soft lips.
“You’re a dork.”
“I am your dork.” They turned to look out their window and smiled at the sight outside. Large white flakes were beginning to fall. “Snow,” they whispered.
Artur perched on their shoulder as Bloth shook the box lightly. The two of them were sitting on the couch, with Elliott’s arm around their shoulders.
“I’m not very good at wrapping presents,” he alluded to the random bare spots devoid of any wrapping. “Open, open, open.”
“Calm down, elskan. I am taking in the moment.” They slowly peeled off the wrapping paper.
Elliott whined. “Houndy, I want you to see what I got you!”
Chuckling, Bloth took the lid off of the box. They gaped at what was inside.
With a nervous smile, Elliott gazed at them. “Okay, I can explain it. So, like, your mask. It’s not your actual mask so don’t worry, but I copied the design as much as possible. Pretty realistic, right? Anyways, the fr-”
“Eli,” they whispered. Taking the mask out of the box, they held it up in front of them. It really did look exactly like the original, with all the little details and everything.
“Check the front.” Elliott could barely sit still, he was so giddy. “The mouth.”
Bloth carefully pulled at the mouthpiece and it came off with a click. Just like he had joked about on that night long ago. “Wait, Eli. You remembered?”
“Of course I did. I- It was the night we first kissed. You came over for pizza and booze, and we talked about a mask that could let you eat and drink. I was so wasted, but that night stayed in my mind,” Elliott said.
They placed the mouthpiece back on. “You…”
Elliott reached his hand up to caress their cheek. “Aw, cutie. Do you like it?”
“I love it. I love you. Elliott, I cannot believe you actually remembered.”
“I’m so glad.” He kissed their cheek. “You don’t wear a mask around the house, but I figured if you do go out to eat or drink it’ll be easier… I should have given it to you before we went to my mom’s. I’m sorry.”
Bloth leaned over and hugged Elliott. “No, I love it. Thank you.” They smiled up at him, their cheeks a slight pink tint. “Now for your gift.”
Elliott watched as they got up from the couch and went to their room. Artur stayed at the couch and stared at him. Reaching into his pocket, Elliott grabbed a small felt mouse toy and held it out to the bird, who gladly took it with a chirp. Bloth returned with a box that was wrapped only a bit better than Elliott’s gift to them.
“I cannot wrap that well, either,” they admitted. Handing the box to Elliott, they laughed as he shook the box by his ear.
“You can’t really hear anything.” He pulled off the decorative paper and opened the box, being a lot more impatient than Bloth was. Elliott pulled out a long, grey scarf.
They bashfully spun the engagement ring on their finger. “I made it because I know you love to keep up your appearance… I saw somewhere that scarves are fashionable now. I figured you could wear it in or out of the Games.”
Elliott ran his hand across it. “It’s so soft and warm!”
“Do you really like it?”
“Baby! It’ll look great on me! It’s so pretty. You made it yourself?” Elliott put it over his shoulders and posed a bit.
“Yes, it was easy. Just some weaving and such…” Their voice was quiet. Elliott could see how shy they were.
He gently moved their head to face him so that he could kiss them. “I love it,” he mumbled against their lips.
Bloth pulled away before he could kiss them again. They dug in their pocket for a moment before pulling out what looked to be a bundle of leaves.
“Ooh, you actually have mistletoe?” Elliott grabbed the holiday plant and raised it above their heads.
They kissed him lightly. “Of course, kæru .” Slowly, they left a trail of gentle kisses along his jawline and stopped at his ear.
A shiver went through Elliott’s body. “Do you happen to know why everyone kisses under the mistletoe?”
Pausing to tease him, they felt his body begin to pull closer to theirs. “The god Baldr,” they began and took care to enunciate any rolling of the tongue or lilts in their accent as they whispered the story into his ear. “He was the son of the goddess Frigg and the god Odin. When their son was prophesied to die, she went around to every plant and animal in the world to make them promise to her that they would not harm her son in any way.”
Elliott had lowered the plant by now, for his arm was getting tired. He wanted to have Bloth’s beautiful, strong body under his and waste the night away by showing his love through intimacy. But, the sad truth was that they loved to tease him. He carefully leaned in and grazed his lips against their sensitive neck. “Go on,” he said.
They wrapped their arms around his body. “She had forgotten to ask mistletoe if it promised to never hurt her son. When Baldr was shot by an arrow of mistletoe made by the god Loki and killed, rather than be angry that her son was dead, his mother Frigg had sworn to keep peace and kiss anyone who passed underneath the plant.”
“That’s kind of a sad story.” Elliott rested his head on their shoulder. “And romantic.”
“Frigg is the goddess of love and fertility.”
He played with their gorgeous hair absentmindedly.
“Elliott?” They chirped up.
“Mhm?”
They paused. “Can we get a dog?”
Leaning back quickly, Elliott held their shoulders and looked into their eyes. “You want a dog?”
Bloth nodded. “They are so cute.”
Elliott cupped their cheek in his hand. “Of course,” he said. “As many as you want.” He pulled them close and snuggled deep into the crook of their neck. He was very tired. “Bloth?”
Bloth raised a hand to the back of his head and slowly petted him, which comforted both animals and humans alike. “Yes, beloved?”
“I hope we can spend all kinds of holidays together. And for a lot of years to come.”
They smiled to themself. Artur could be heard snoring on a couch cushion, and they could feel Elliott’s breathing slow down as he became more and more drowsy. Bloth didn’t want to forget this. They didn’t want to forget any of this. Celebrating the holidays with the person who helped them open up and realize life didn’t have to be all about fighting was wonderful. They felt a yawn climb into their throat. “We will, Eli,” they replied.
“I love you, Houndy,” Elliott murmured. “Happy Yule and Merry Christmas.”
“I love you, too,” Bloth said. “Good Yule and Merry Christmas to you, as well.”