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The decorations were everywhere, each app had better things than others, and every year they were renewed and were more creative, he didn't know what to choose, but what he did know was that he had to start buying things if he wanted to convince Aemond to decorate with him, it was still early December but he didn't want to have to leave everything at the last minute, that only made him in college.
Perhaps he could call his younger brothers, the little silver princes, he was sure that Aegon and Viserys could help to decorate, the seven knew that those children should be distracted from everything that was happening in that castle, but none of them would come alone, and Aemond couldn't bear to see royal guards, not after what happened to his family.
He knew that this subject should not be brought up, as his lover's gaze darkened, before his mother Rhaenyra ascended the throne there was almost a civil war, but that was several years ago, fortunately they stopped in time, and the Aemond's mother was imprisoned in her home in Oldtown, but that didn't matter to him.
Luke just wanted to decorate and post nice stories to his Instagram profile, it was a private account, but he liked to brag to his whole family how happy he was living an independent and wealthy life, obviously financed by his mother and grandfather, and Aemond's support, that in the end that money came from his mother's side.
"Love, look what our friend Baratheon has sent" Aemond suddenly appeared with a letter in his hand, although he did not look as happy as expected after a good night of sex, he was dressed in a red satin robe, and some pants of the same material, only that and his abdomen looked very good. But still it didn't matter, he was angry about what happened in his castle several years ago and he didn't let Aemond's abs distract him.
"Your friend, you know I don't have fond memories of Storm End" he replied with a pout, which Aemond kissed.
"But look at this, I'm sending it asking for your forgiveness," he showed the letter.
"Like every year, I'll say thanks but no" Luke answered and returned his attention to his cell phone.
"He sent reindeer"
"Real reindeer? Alive?" There all the attention was directed to his boyfriend, he loved those animals in charge of pulling Santa's sleigh
"Obviously not, that would be illegal, but the ones he sent are life-size, I think they're statues, but they're so hyper-real."
"...okay?" Luke still thought they were cool no matter what Aemond said.
"Come see them, I don't want to call the delivery guys so they have to take away"
"And it's all nine?" The excitement was growing in his chest, his mother always made him have the best Christmases in the first years, when he was with dad Laenor, but then it was Daemon who took care of everything and made the few Christmases that did pass pleasant, and that meant hundreds of super extravagant decorations with Santa included, he was once the Master Gerardys
"They are, and they are life size"
"I'll go see them then"
The reindeer were too ostentatious for his taste, and he had extravagant tastes, but they were almost life-size. But they were definitely beautiful, so they would be in the main room, so that if they had visitors they could be admired, although now a sleigh would be missing, but that would be later, now he would have to accommodate them.
"Aemond, we have to haul them out, wouldn't it be great if we bought a sled?"
"I admit the attic is big, but if we buy a sleigh later you'll want the whole Christmas village, and I really don't want to put up with that."
"Fine, but at least I can call my brothers to decorate"
"Your brothers will come?"
"I don't know, I have to talk to mom, and maybe they'll come with a guard, hopefully it's Erryk"
"I was going to say that if they came I would leave, but if any of those foolish attempts at guards come I will stay"
"Someday we'll have to talk about it, you know"
"No, you least of all will know that, so if your little brothers come, call your mother once and for all" and with that Aemond left, his eyes cloudy, but not with tears, but with anger, it didn't matter that he already 5 years have passed, he would never forget what happened, but those reindeer would not be enough.
In the end his mother accepted, she was very busy somewhere in the riverlands, concluding a business so she was glad to know that the children would be in more company than their nannies, Joff was in his Driftmark boarding school, so that he couldn't come, but Daemon hadn't let his two precious children leave the nest, so they stayed in the capital, going to private schools.
Fortunately dad Daemon was with his mother, if not, he didn't want to imagine what it would be like to be in the same room as Aemond and Daemon, his family was in a bad way, but not even a Christmas miracle would fix everything that happened between they.
"Ae, honey, my little brothers are coming, I hope you don't get angry" Luke asked kindly, batting his eyelashes.
"I'm not angry, that they are irritable wanting to touch everything is different"
"The last time you saw them they were kids, it was obvious they wanted to do that, but that's not the point, you'll behave" and it was true, they were only 10 and 8 year olds
"Okay okay, I just don't want to be interrupted, I'll work on my thesis"
"Whatever you say love, but I do not promise anything, they are as enthusiastic as I am when it comes to Christmas"
Aemond just snorted, it was really funny to see him pout.
"By the way, those pants highlight your butt, it looks like a beautiful peach"
And it paid off to see how a slight blush appeared on Aemond's milky skin.
For the older Targaryen, Christmas was not a big deal, and many times he had already made it clear, but his beloved never understood that, always insisting on instilling in him a Christmas spirit that he never had.
He could hear the happy music playing in the living room, along with the laughter of three young people, the little princes had arrived, so he would do his best to hide inside the study, and hopefully they would leave before…
"Uncle Aemond, why are you locked up here like a curmudgeon?" the minor prince entered without permission, laughing as he ate from a bunch of grapes.
"Viserys, I think your father should have taught you manners, before entering you have to knock"
"Okay, but you should come, Aegon and I brought presents, I know you'll like it"
No, it was not a good idea at all to be convinced by that child.
“You look adorable uncle, you are very handsome even with that headband”
Yes, his nephews brought many decorations, among them some curious headbands with reindeer ears and antlers, and they brought for everyone, then the photos started, even the guard Erryk was in the photos, and he looked funny.
"I promise those kids will pay for it"
“Or if you leave them alone we can have a nice night in one of your favorite restaurants”
"If you say so, but if the opportunity comes I hope the gods have mercy on them"
But even he knew that was a lie, it didn't matter if his ego was broken, it was all worth it when Luke's smile lit up the room, he would do anything for his boy.