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The cottage is always cold in winter. Eunkwang spent the past few in multiple layers and thick socks while he puttered around the empty space. This year, though, he hasn’t needed them. An exception has been made for the socks because they’re very soft and cozy.
Eunkwang basks in the warmth of the sheets and wiggles his toes in his cozy socks when he wakes. He brushes up against the source of the heat when he arches his back in a long, languid stretch. He bites his lip to hold back a giggle when the heat source grunts.
Then one strong arm wraps around his waist and pulls him in. Eunkwang goes willingly.
“Good morning, honey,” he greets softly, his eyes falling closed.
Minhyuk brushes a kiss along his bare shoulder. “Good morning.”
There’s a clattering sound downstairs which is most likely the rest of their family stumbling through yule preparations. Eunkwang completed his tasks yesterday so he can afford to stay wrapped up in his lover for a little longer. He traces his delicate fingers over the curve of his wrist.
Minhyuk kisses the shell of his ear. His warm, smooth skin presses up along Eunkwang’s, heating him thoroughly. Eunkwang hums and twists his neck so their lips can brush.
Only then does Eunkwang open his eyes. He’s met with Minhyuk’s smile, as soft and tender as a watercolor painting. He feels his affection curl up warm and toasty in his belly. Eunkwang smiles back.
Then there’s a sudden loud bang from downstairs. Eunkwang jumps in Minhyuk’s hold.
“Do you think we should go help them?” he asks, his heart racing and eyes wide.
Minhyuk frowns and kisses the corner of his mouth. “Probably. But I wanted a moment alone with you first.”
Eunkwang smiles and turns in his hold to face him. He traces his fingertips down the curve of his cheek. “What do you think this is, darling?”
Minhyuk rolls his eyes and leans in to peck his mouth. “Mm. I know we said no presents-”
“ Baby ,” Eunkwang scolds, “we did.”
Minhyuk runs his palm down the curve of his spine in a soothing gesture. His hand rests at the small of his back. “Shhh.. I know. I may have made you a little something. Can I give it to you?”
Eunkwang pouts. The entire coven had decided on no presents this year and to focus on the perfect yule celebration instead. He can feel the hope and nerves rolling off of Minhyuk, can feel him shrinking away from him like a scolded puppy. He sighs and taps the tip of his nose.
“That’s very sweet of you, of course you can, darling,” he acquiesces. The smile that breaks across Minhyuk’s handsome face stops it from feeling like defeat.
Minhyuk kisses his forehead before disentangling them and rolling out of bed. He takes his furnace-like heat with him. Eunkwang quickly burrows in the blankets to try and keep some of it in while Minhyuk rummages in their shared closet.
He’s naked, as he often is. Eunkwang takes the time to idly appreciate the lines of his body and the way his strong muscles shift under smooth skin. This is really all the present he needs.
Minhyuk looks over his shoulder at him with a smirk. “Smelling spices, babe, focus.”
“I can’t help that you’re very distracting.” Eunkwang plumps up his pillows and nestles back into them with a huff.
Minhyuk chuckles. He finally produces a parcel from the back and returns to the bed. He sits on top of the covers with his gaze focused on the object in his hands.
Eunkwang watches him shuffle it from palm to palm for a long, quiet moment before he reaches out to gently grip his wrist. “Do you want to give that to me, sweetheart?” he coaxes, swooping his thumb over the thin skin.
Minhyuk nods. He finally looks at Eunkwang and gives him a shy smile before plopping the parcel into his lap.
Eunkwang makes quick work of the brown paper and finds a sweater inside. It’s a heavy knit pale pink with little white snowflakes dotted along the front. Eunkwang bites his lip and presses his hand into it. The fabric is soft and plush and warm . The heat radiating under his palm feels cozy and familiar. He looks up at Minhyuk with wide eyes.
“I-it took me a long time to figure out how to infuse an object with my magic,” Minhyuk tells him, his voice a little shaky. “Peniel helped me a little. Um. I know you hate being cold so I just.. wanted to be able to keep you warm, even if we’re separated for any reason. It was sill--”
Eunkwang’s heart threatens to burst out of his chest.
“It’s not silly at all , my sweetest darling.” Eunkwang grips the sweater and pulls it to his chest. A lump forms in his throat as the familiar warmth seeps into him. “And it’s pink .”
“Oh, well, it’s your favorite color and--”
Eunkwang surges forward to kiss him. He cradles his cheek in one hand while their mouths move together. Eunkwang pours all of his happiness into it. Tears build at the corners of his eyes. He lets them fall with little embarrassment.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he whispers against his mouth. “This is the greatest gift I have ever received. I love you. Thank you.”
“I love you too. So much,” Minhyuk replies before pressing their mouths together again.
A knock comes at the door.
“You two better not be fucking,” comes Changsub’s gruff voice. “There are some very hungry boys downstairs that won’t stop whining so if you can spare a moment to feed them, hyung, I would very much appreciate it.”
Eunkwang grins into the kiss and pulls away. “I’ll be down in a moment, dearest! If you could put the kettle on, I made all of us some special tea for today.”
Changsub sighs heavily enough to be heard through the door. “Fine. As long as you cover up any new love bites.”
They only kiss for another minute or so more before Eunkwang finally has the strength to push Minhyuk away from him. He slips into the sleep shorts he knows drive Minhyuk insane and the new sweater, which is just oversized enough to fall over his hands, before flouncing down the stairs and into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
“Is that a new sweater, sweet one?” Hyunsik asks when he enters the kitchen.
“It might be,” Eunkwang says with a cheerful smile while he grabs bacon from the fridge as well as a pan to fry it in.
Eunkwang moves to the stove. A familiar hand rests possessively on his hip when he turns on the heat and begins to add the bacon. Then it slides under the sweater to press against the softness of his tummy. Eunkwang instinctively leans back to find Minhyuk’s sturdy form behind him.
“Hey, I thought we said no gifts!” Ilhoon pipes up from where he and Sungjae are sitting at the kitchen island.
“Yeah! That’s not fair, why does Eunkwang hyung get a present?” Sungjae whines.
Minhyuk chuckles against his ear. Eunkwang feels the vibrations where his chest is fitted up against his back. “Because I’m not good at following directions.”
“Yah, are you saying Eunkwang hyung doesn’t deserve a gift? After he takes care of you all year long? You jobless brat,” Changsub grouches. “He’s given you many gifts already.”
“I don’t see you having a job--” There’s an audible noise when Changsub smacks the back of his head. “Ow! Eunkwang hyung, he hit me!”
Eunkwang huffs out a laugh. “Okay, okay, no violence before breakfast,” he scolds them, cozy familial happiness filling him up. Minhyuk’s touch is still firm against his tummy. “If anyone hits anyone else they’re getting less bacon.”
The kitchen dissolves into its usual loud chaos. Eunkwang lets it and Minhyuk’s warmth surround him. Gifts he had never expected to receive. They’re both the best presents by far.