Chapter Text
It’s their first Christmas actually spent together. Their first ever holiday where they’re married, and safe, and don’t have to worry about anything or anyone keeping them apart.
Ian tells the family to enjoy themselves without him. He just wants to spend some time with his boy. He wakes up Christmas morning to Mickey curled around him, still fast asleep. Ian wonders quietly if Mickey will regress today. He did during his birthday earlier that year, and he always seems to on any day where he’ll get presents or a lot of extra attention. Ian doesn’t mind when or where Mickey regresses. It’s a coping mechanism for him, a way to deal with the fact that he never got to have a childhood. Ian likes being able to give that back to him, to protect and cherish and love him in any way he can.
He gives Mickey a few more minutes of sleep before gently kissing his husband on the cheek. “Baby? Come on, time to wake up. It’s Christmas, sweetheart.”
He can tell instantly from the way Mickey groans and tries to burrow even more under the covers that he’s regressed, and he can’t help but chuckle as he gently pulls the covers away. “Daddy got you presents, baby.”
That gets Mickey’s attention. He bolts up almost instantly, a look of wonder in his eyes. “I get presents this year?” He asks in amazement.
“Why wouldn’t you get presents from Daddy, hmm?” Ian gently kisses the top of his little’s head. “You know Daddy never leaves you out on holidays, right?”
“I never had presents for Christmas before,” Mickey replies, a downtrodden look on his face that Ian wants desperately to kiss away. He doesn’t want Mickey thinking about Terry. Not ever, but especially not on Christmas.
“Well, all the more reason for Daddy to spoil you today, right?” Ian gently boops Mickey’s nose, grinning when he manages to get a giggle out of his baby. “No sad thoughts today, okay? Daddy wants you to have the best Christmas ever.”
“No sad thoughts,” Mickey replies, wrapping his arms tightly around Ian. “Carry me to the tree, Daddy?”
“Carry you?” Ian chuckles. “But Daddy hasn’t stretched yet baby.”
“‘M not that heavy!” Mickey huffs, only burrowing into Ian’s chest even more.
The redhead bursts into laughter, easily scooping Mickey up without too many problems. When Mickey’s not regressed, he likes to work out with Ian sometimes, which means he’s got a bit more muscle than he used to have, despite his height. But Ian never complains, not once. He loves carrying his husband around, whether he’s regressed or not. The couple just like to be close as much as they can. Even with the fact that they’ve been married almost a year now, they still make everyday count as if it was their last. Being close and showing how much they love and adore each other is important, and they both do everything they can to make up for all the lost and wasted years of being apart.
Ian can see the smug look on his little boy’s face as he carries Mickey bridal style out into the living room where all the presents are.
“Is someone being cheeky?” Ian asks with a smirk on his own. “Better be careful. Daddy never did manage to find where that old tickle monster went.”
“Nooooo Daddy! Not the tickle monster!” Mickey half whines, half giggles as he gives Ian the most adorable little pout ever.
Even when regressed, Mickey knows that sweet face will always win Ian over. And like clockwork, Ian simply kisses Mickey’s forehead with another chuckle.
“Well. Maybe Daddy will make sure he doesn’t visit today, how about that?”
“Thank you Daddy!” Mickey beams, quite proud of himself.
Ian can’t contain his laughter as he finally seats himself on the couch next to the tree. He makes sure Mickey is planted on his lap, close to him, safe, protected, warm, and loved.
“Can Daddy sing Christmas carols while I open the presents?” Mickey asks, a slightly more nervous look in his eyes at this request. “Sissy always used to sing on Christmas when I was little. It makes me happy and calm, Daddy.”
“I bet Mandy has a lovely singing voice, baby. Daddy will have to call her later tonight and ask her to help me sing you to sleep. But for now, what about Silver Bells?”
“That’s my favorite, Daddy,” Mickey is smiling brightly again, burrowing deeper into Ian’s body as the redhead gently hands him presents and begins a soft rendition of Silver Bells.
He loves how calm Mickey looks like this. How peaceful. Sometimes his little boy is bouncing all over the walls and Ian has to have several monster energy drinks mixed with caffeine just to keep up with him, which he doesn’t mind at all of course. But he likes these quiet moments too, where they just enjoy each other’s company.
“Daddy!” Mickey’s voice puts a pause in his singing as he looks down at the present his little has just opened. “Daddy look! A foxie! Santa sent a foxie!”
“No no, baby. That one’s from Daddy. Santa sent you a bunch of others though,” Ian replies, grinning at the stuffed fox he chose specifically for Mickey.
Mickey’s got a ton of stuffed animals: cats, dogs, bears, there’s even a dragon somewhere. But for months he’s been begging for a Fox, something to remind him of Ian during those unfortunate moments when they have to be apart. Ian kept promising he’d get one. He had wanted it to be a surprise, something really nice and special for his husband. He was just glad that Mickey knew Ian kept his promises and hadn’t asked much about it after that conversation.
“Daddy, I know what his name is!”
“What is it baby? Is it a good name for a fox?”
“Mhm! Red! Like Daddy’s hair!”
Ian almost cries at how fucking adorable and sweet and thoughtful that is, but he manages to reign it in even though Mickey’s the most precious thing in this world.
“That’s a perfect name for him, sweet boy. Do you wanna hold him while you open more presents?”
“Can he sit next to you Daddy? I don’t wanna drop him.”
“Of course, baby. Daddy won’t let anything happen to him. I promise, sweetheart.”
Red takes his rightful place next to Ian as Mickey tears into a few other presents. Most of them are for regressed Mickey, but Ian helps his baby separate some of the more grown up presents to open later when he’s in a more adult headspace. Mickey doesn’t seem to mind this arrangement at all, letting Ian separate the presents however he needs to. He seems mostly thrilled to just be getting anything for Christmas at all.
The last present he opens is one that has Ian grinning at his reaction.
“A whole tin of cookies Daddy? All for me??? Can I eat them all now? Can I can I can I Daddy, please??”
“Of course you can,” Ian says in between bouts of laughter. “It’s Christmas. You can have as many cookies as you want.”
Mickey spends the rest of the morning and afternoon enjoying his toys, eating cookies, and most importantly, spending time with his Daddy.
Ian’s so glad he can give Mickey this last gift: an absolutely perfect first Christmas together.