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The Murder Time Trio loved Giftmas, they had always insisted on decorating the castle even when Nightmare hadn’t been the best and they’d always insisted on exchanging gifts even when Killer and Dust did nothing but fight each other. It was also always a good excuse for a party. Each year it got bigger, more alcohol, more decorations, more fun and more loud noises and mess for Nightmare to deal with.
Although even Nightmare began to join in when he became closer to his gang, and he’d found it enjoyable. He was often given new books which he wasn’t going to complain about and with the boys finding out his birthday was only a few days before meant he ended up with a lot of new reading material.
This year was going to be different once again now that there was a child in the castle. It was more exciting, everything was so new to Miracle and Nightmare found himself getting excited to see Miracle’s reaction to his new toys.
It wasn’t Miracle’s first Giftmas but his second. That being said his first Giftmas hadn’t been all that exciting. He wasn’t even a full month old during his first, still just a new-born and had had no reaction to anything going on. On top of that Killer was still recovering from his C-section and everyone had been so tired from taking care of a new-born. Giftmas had been small, with them all just trying to relax and take it easy. They’d barely even decorated.
Now Miracle was a year old and much more interested in what was going on around him. The Murder Time Trio was putting up the decorations, boxes had been taken down from their storage room and shiny decorations were being taken out of those boxes. Miracle was watching them closely, the sparkly baubles catching his attention as he watched Horror put them on the tree.
Even Diamond, their cat, was taking an interest in it all, although she seemed far more interested in the boxes than the decorations. Killer had quickly emptied “a her sized box,” and Diamond had quickly jumped in and made herself comfortable inside of it, while still keeping her eye on what they were doing.
Miracle’s eyes were glued on the baubles Horror was putting up, his eyes following Horror’s hand as he unwrapped it and moved it towards the tree. As soon as the large Sans had noticed he’d scooped Miracle up into his arms. Holding him in one arm as he decorated the tree with the other. He was cooing over Miracle as he let the baby closely examine each decoration before he put them on the tree.
“So shiny and pretty, aren’t they,” Horror said to his nephew as he held up a bauble to him, letting Miracle reach out with tiny hands to touch it. “And you are so adorable~”
“Better watch he doesn't try to put them in his mouth,” Dust commented as he placed some ornaments on the shelves in the corner. “The last thing we need is a baby with a mouthful of broken glass.”
“I know,” Horror said as he took the bauble away from Miracle so he could put it on the tree. “I’m not letting him hold them, just touch.”
“Good,” Killer said as he looked over at his son from where he was up a ladder, pinning up tinsel over the door frame. “Because I just know that if you did, he would put them in his mouth or throw them across the room. Either way, it's not good.”
“Which is why I’m not,” Horror said as he picked up another. “He’s really interested in them.”
“Well they are shiny and to him, new,” Killer pointed out as he climbed down the ladder. “Also why am I putting up the tinsel? It goes up high and I’m literally the shortest adult in this castle.”
“Because you're annoying,” Dust answered quickly, “and it’s funny to watch you struggle.”
Killer scowled at Dust and flipped him off. He didn’t want to swear in front of Miracle in case he started saying it and then Nightmare would be mad. When he turned to his son to make sure he hadn’t seen him flipping Dust off, he saw him happily reaching for the baubles as Horror kept cooing over him, talking to him about how pretty they were. A smile found its way onto Killer’s face, this was going to be the best Giftmas ever. The innocent wonder on Miracle’s face was just so sweet.
“There we go, the last bauble,” Horror announced. “Now it’s time for the moon, would you like to see it, tiny one?”
Miracle looked up at Horror at that, he really did look interested so Horror was quick to take it out of the box and unwrap it, with a little difficulty since he only had use of one arm with the baby in the other. He got it out though and held it up for Miracle to see. The golden crescent moon was rather simple, but it was shiny and Miracle’s eyes lit up upon seeing it, his eyelights turning into stars as he stared at it.
“Another pretty thing. It’s normally stars that go on the top of Giftmas trees but we all thought a moon was more appropriate here, don’t you agree, tiny one?”
Miracle began to babble as he reached for it, Horror bringing it closer for him to touch and Miracle quickly doing so.
“Very pretty, maybe next year you’ll be able to put it on the tree if I hold you up. Would you like that?”
Miracle just babbled more as he examined the moon ornament before he looked up at Horror, the stars in his eyes morphing back to rings as he tilted his head curious as to what Horror would do with it.
“It goes on the top, like this,” Horror said as he put it in its place. “There we go, all done.” Horror took a step back to admire his handy work. “A very pretty tree; all ready for Giftmas.”
Miracle stared at the tree for a moment, taking it all in before he turned around in Horror’s arms, looking over at his other uncle to watch him now that he was sure Horror was done.
Dust had opened another box and was pulling out stockings, each one with a gang member’s name on it. This seemed to have grabbed Miracle’s attention now and he reached out for Dust and made a grabby motion with his hand.
“Oh?” Horror said as he began to walk over to Dust. “I think it’s your turn to cuddle the curious baby.”
Dust looked up from the pile and nodded. “Alright,” he said as he carefully took Miracle from Horror, holding him in the same way so he’d still have an arm free. “Want to see the stockings now, do ya, kid? Well here ya go.”
Dust picked up the top one and handed it over, not worried if Miracle put it in his mouth or tossed it across the room, after all these were only fabric. Although Miracle didn’t do either of those, he simply held the bluish purple stocking in his hands and stared at it. There were bones all over it and the white trim at the top was embroidered with a name.
“This one’s mine,” Dust said, “see here, D U S T, Dust, that’s me.”
Miracle looked closely at it for a bit, examining it closely, taking it all in… Before looking up at Dust and smacking the stocking into his face.
“...Thanks for that,” Dust said as he caught the stocking as it fell. Miracle giggling and clapping happily before snuggling into Dust.
With a sigh Dust grabbed a drawing pin and walked over to the wall, ignoring Killer’s laughter as he went. If he acknowledged Killer it would only get worse, it was best to just move on.
“Normally stockings would go on the fireplace but your dad insists that the three of us can’t be trusted with fabric that is close to fire so they go on the wall instead.” Dust was quick to pin up the stocking and turn back to the pile.
Once again Miracle watched closely as Dust picked up the next one and handed it to him. This one, a dark red and covered with embroidered Giftmas puddings. Miracle studied it closely, squeezing the soft fabric in his hands and pulling at it.
Dust pointed to the name that was also embroidered onto the white top. “This one says ‘Horror.’ H O R R O R, so it’s Uncle Horror’s.”
Letting go of the stocking with one hand, Miracle pointed at Horror who was tidying up the tissue paper and bubble wrap that the baubles had been wrapped in. “Nom Nom,” Miracle said as he looked back up at Dust, still pointing at Horror.
“...Yeah, that’s Uncle Horror… He’s still on that…”
“Dumb Dumb!” Miracle said with a giggle as he pointed at Dust and clapped his hands, dropping the stocking on the floor as he did so.
“I’m still waiting for him to call me Mama,” Killer said with a sigh, he still wasn’t over his son calling him dumb even if he was also calling Dust that.
“It’ll come in time, he’ll grow out of it, besides he already knows a lot of words for his age,” Horror told them.
“You’re just saying that because what he calls you isn’t that bad!” Killer argued before he sighed again. He knew Horror was right though, surely it wouldn’t be long.
Dust just shook his head, quickly bending down and picking up the dropped stocking and pinning it next to his one. The next one was grabbed up and once again Dust handed it to Miracle. The lighter red stocking was covered with cat faces and once again a name was embroidered on the white part at the top.
“This one is your Mama’s. See, K I L L E R, Killer,” Dust said as he pointed to the name.
This time Miracle pointed at Killer and babbled, making Killer turn to look at his son and give him a smile and a wave. Miracle waved back, with the hand that was holding the stocking, flapping it around as he did so.
“This is why I didn’t give him baubles,” Horror said with a smile as he watched.
“Good thing these are just stockings,” Dust agreed as he gently took the stocking out of Miracle’s hand to pin up with the others. “There’s just a couple left.”
The next one was purple and covered in moons, Miracle stared at it as it too was handed over to him, his babbling stopping as he looked it over.
“This is your Daddy’s but we didn’t put his name on it, we put Noot, see? N O O T. He hates it but that’s what makes it funny.”
Again, Miracle examined it, running his hand over it and hitting it before he looked over to the other three and pointed at the wall.
“That’s right, it goes over there too,” Dust said as he reached for the stocking, this time Miracle handing it over so Dust could pin it up. “Now there’s only one left and it’s the most special one.”
Miracle looked up at Dust, waiting to see what was next. Dust smiled as he picked up the last one, the newest one. His eyes were glued to it as Dust handed it over. It was red and covered in gold moons. Miracle took it and once again looked it over.
“This is yours,” Dust explained, “that’s your name there, M I R A C L E, Miracle. It’s going to be filled with little gifts on Giftmas day. All for you.”
Miracle babbled some more, seemingly very happy as he began waving the stocking around and laughing.
“Aww,” Killer cooed as he watched, “he’s so happy and so, so cute!”
“He sure is, he’s really enjoying all of this.”
“Well it is bringing some colours to this dark castle, it’s bound to be exciting for him,” Horror mentioned, now having all the wrappings and boxes tidied away ready to be removed from the room, except the one Diamond had claimed of course.
“True,” Dust agreed, smiling at Miracle as he stopped waving the stocking around and quickly put it in his mouth. “No, no!” Dust called out quickly and gently, taking the baby’s wrist and pulling the stocking out of his mouth. “Not food, don’t eat it.”
Horror laughed as he watched. Miracle gave Dust a dirty look but didn’t cry and let Dust take the stocking so he could put it up with the others. To Horror this was really funny, it was almost nice to see someone else being told something wasn’t food. Horror had tried to eat odd items when he was still recovering, but in his defence those colourful glass beads that were in that vase did look an awful lot like gummies.
“Well I’m all done,” Dust said as he quickly pet Miracle’s head.
“Same,” Killer said as he folded up the ladder. “All I have left is the scraps.” He held up the small bits of tinsel only to have Miracle reach out for him.
“Oh, your turn, Kills,” Dust said as he walked over to Killer and handed Miracle over.
Killer grinned as he took him, happy to cuddle his son. He gave him a quick kiss as he handed the tinsel over, Miracle grabbing it quickly to look at. “It’s pretty, just don’t put it in your mouth, don’t want you swallowing any part of it.”
Miracle only babbled some more as he looked at the sparkly tinsel. He liked it, just like how he liked the rest of it. This was all so new and interesting and he was having fun. He was even getting lots of hugs as the pretty stuff got put out.
“This is going to be a great Giftmas,” Killer said as he walked over to the fireplace, crouched down and lit it, making Miracle look up from the tinsel to the hot pretty fire before going back to playing with the tinsel. “We’ve just finished decorating and he’s already so amazed by everything.”
“He is, it’s so cute,” Horror said as he watched the baby play with the little bit of tinsel. “I can’t wait to see his reaction to all his gifts.”
“Same,” Dust agreed, “it’s going to be so much fun… And once he’s older it’ll be even more fun because then he’ll understand more.”
“I can’t wait,” Killer said as he stood up again. “Although I don’t want him to grow up too fast, he’s still my little baby.”
“Look at you, being all motherly, the killer is going soft~” Dust teased.
“Well I am his mother!” Killer argued back. “Doesn’t mean I can’t still kick your ass.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Horror cut in before an argument started. He didn’t want to ruin a good day. “Dust, help me put all these boxes away would ya? …Except the one Diamond is in, I think she’s falling asleep in it…”
“Alright,” Dust said as he grabbed some empty boxes and followed Horror out of the room.
It left Killer by the fire, holding Miracle in his arms and watching his cat sleep in the box she’d claimed, a content smile on his face. This really was going to be a fun Giftmas even if there would be less alcohol; he had his son after all and they had to stay somewhat sober. Just seeing Miracle so interested and excited was enough to make him happy. Despite his many mistakes in life he was glad to have this chance at a family.
The door opening again made Killer look up, wondering if Horror and Dust forgot something, only to see Nightmare walking into the room with his hands behind his back. Miracle had also looked up from the tinsel and upon seeing Nightmare, he dropped it and called out; “Dada!”
“Hello, Little Prince,” Nightmare said with a smile as he walked over, a tentacle coming up to pet his son’s head before looking back at Killer. “Looks like you’re done decorating the common room.”
“Yep,” Killer said happily. “Miracle was watching us closely the whole time, he was so interested in everything.”
“That’s good, it means he’s learning. We should encourage his curiosities.”
“We were, we each held him and showed him what we were putting up. He’d had fun with it, he hit Dust in the face with his own stocking, it was very funny.”
Nightmare smirked at that, knowing Dust he wouldn’t have liked that, Miracle was so good at causing negativity. “Well then, I’m glad you all had fun… But there is still one more decoration to put up.”
“There is?” Killer asked as he looked around, not seeing anything they forgot about. “What?”
“I got this for you,” Nightmare took his hand from behind his back, showing Killer the fresh mistletoe. “I know you like romance and I figured you’d like to have something like this at Giftmas.”
“Aww Moonlight~” Killer cooed as he looked at the mistletoe, “thank you, that’s great! I knew you could be romantic sometimes~ Even if it’s just a little~”
“Count it as an early Giftmas gift. I just wanted to do something nice for the mother of my son, especially since you were still healing last year so I wanted to make this year better.”
Killer smirked as Miracle reached out to grab at the mistletoe that was too far away from him. “You know,” Killer said as he took a step closer to Nightmare, “this means I’m gonna be kissing you every time we walk under it.”
“I figured you would but I’m prepared for that.”
“Great!”
Miracle began to babble again as he reached out with both hands, he wanted to see the pretty plant his father had. He wanted to see all the new things that were being taken out.
“Miracle wants to see,” Killer said as he looked at his son as he desperately tried to reach the mistletoe. “And I want my kiss~”
“Well I guess we’ll just have to try both at the same time.” Nightmare reached for MIracle, Killer handing him over. He put Miracle on his shoulders, making sure he was stable, tentacles hovering around him just in case he tipped backwards. With another tentacle Nightmare took the mistletoe and held it up above them, Miracle reaching out to touch it, with one hand on Nightmare’s head.
Killer smiled, keeping his eyes on his son. He didn’t notice Nightmare sneaking a tentacle around his waist until it was there, pulling him close and knocking him off his feet a little. Nightmare smiled as he reached up to place a hand under Killer’s chin, making him face him and quickly leaning in and kissing Killer deeply, the mistletoe still over head and Miracle touching it, his own tentacles out, mostly for balance as he reached for the interesting plant.
Nightmare held Killer close as he kissed him, pressing his tongue to his mouth and Killer letting him in. Nightmare was firm and demanding but Killer melted into it, recovering from his surprise and wrapping his arms around his lover.
Everything felt so warm and comfortable, Killer couldn’t help but smile into the kiss as Nightmare lightened up a bit. This was perfect, everything was looking so perfect for Giftmas, it was warm and he had the two people he loved the most right here with him, so close to him.
Eventually Nightmare pulled back, a smirk on his face, the mistletoe no longer being held in his tentacle but in Miracle’s hand, being examined closely and carefully. Killer couldn’t help but smile at the sight; his son was so cute.
“This is what you were wanting, isn’t it?” Nightmare asked, he was still holding Killer close not wanting to let go.
“Yeah… That was nice, provided Miracle doesn’t decide to rip it up there will be a lot more of that.”
“There will be, I do have spares too, just in case. But we probably shouldn’t let Miracle hold that for much longer; he might try putting it in his mouth.”
“That would be really bad,” Killer agreed as he pulled away from Nightmare and reached up to Miracle. Gently taking his son’s hands and prying the mistletoe away from him. It was a little bit of a fight with Miracle not wanting to let go but when Killer got it away from him he didn’t cry, he just gave Killer a dirty look. That quickly changed when Killer grabbed Miracle’s plush octopus from the table and handed it over. Miracle smiled and clung to it happily and started babbling away again.
“Well someone is talkative today,” Killer commented, quickly booping Miracle’s nose before he grinned at Nightmare. “We better pin this up somewhere.”
“I’ll get right on that,” Nightmare said as he carefully took Miracle off his shoulders, not wanting to risk him falling when he moved and held the child in his arms, it’d be easy to pin up the mistletoe with his tentacles.
“Thanks, Moonlight!” Killer said as he flopped down on the couch. “Then we can just chill for the rest of the day.”
“We can, although I think with how wriggly he is, Miracle wants to play.”
“Family time then, I’m always down for that… We’re going to have a great Giftmas, aren’t we?”
“We are, it’s only going to get better as Miracle gets older too, at least when he’s still a child. The wonder on his face is something special.”
“It is,” Killer agreed as he watched Nightmare pin up the mistletoe and set Miracle down in his playpen. “He’s a happy kid, we’re doing a good job, at least for now…”
“You’re a wonderful mother, Kills,” Nightmare said as he sat down next to him. “You always will be.”
“And you’re a wonderful father and always will be.”
Nightmare merely hummed in acknowledgement as he let Killer cuddle into him as he watched Miracle play with his toys. He hoped he’d be a good father but he knew his son was happy. Nightmare was just glad he could give his boy the life he didn’t get himself. He was glad that Miracle got to celebrate his birthday and enjoy Giftmas. Miracle was surrounded by people that loved him, not just his parents but Horror and Dust too, even Colour as well. They’d make sure his childhood was great no matter what.