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Azriel tucked Eris’ cloak more tightly around him as he flew through the softly falling snow back to their Winter Court cabin. The male had fallen asleep tucked into his side as Azriel had enjoyed the company of his family and friends in the Townhouse. Rhysand had looked between the pair, Azriel’s arm wrapped safely around his mate, and a soft, knowing look came over his eyes.
“Brother you don’t have to stay.”
“I know,” Azriel responded. He looked down at Eris, whose hair had fallen in his eyes. Azriel carefully swept it back behind his soft ear, lingering at the tip longer than necessary. “But he wouldn't want me to leave on his count.”
Rhysand smiled wider at that. “You’ve got your own gifts to exchange. Get out of here. We’ll see you for the snowball fight.”
Azriel took another look around the room. Elain and Feyre talked quietly on the sofa while Nesta played with Nyx on the carpet. Cassian, Mor, and Amren carried on their own conversation by the fire, and Azriel noticed that Cassian’s eyes longingly gazed over at his mate. Though he’d never spill their secret, Azriel knew the pair had been discussing when they'd bring their own little bat into the world.
Seeing that all was well, Azriel looked back at Rhysand. “You have a point.”
Rhysand looked taken aback. “I often do, it’s just not often that you admit it.”
Azriel smirked, letting out a soft chuckle. “Consider it a solstice gift,” he said as he gathered his mate into his arms. Rhysand helped him tuck the cloak around Eris when they reached the door and Azriel gave him an appreciative look.
When they reached the house, Eris stirred. Once he realized where they were, he awoke abruptly. “Oh, I’m sorry Az. You didn’t have to bring me home just because I fell asleep.”
Azriel chuckled. “I know, and I didn’t. Rhysand practically kicked me out so I could receive my present.”
At that comment, Eris’ eyes lit up. “Yes! Your present!” He jumped out of Azriel’s arms and ran over to his bedside table. When he turned around, his eyes were nervous, and his hands held a medium size box. It rattled when Eris walked toward the couch with it, and Azriel’s curiosity peaked.
Eris flicked his hand, and a fire bloomed in the hearth. He patted the cushion beside him, a plea in his eye. Azriel understood and came to sit beside him on the couch.
Taking a deep breath, Eris prepared to present his gift. His fingers were white knuckled around the box, and anxiety came off him in waves.
“There’s no reason to be nervous, love,” Azriel reassured. “I’m going to love whatever you got me. I already said, all I truly wanted for Solstice was you.”
Eris smiled weakly back at him and handed over the box. When Azriel opened it, it took a moment for him to realize what the objects inside were. When he did his heart bloomed.
“I know you don’t really like jewelry or anything flashy,” Eris started to explain in earnest. “And I know you’re not a male who likes a lot of trinkets either. But I’ve been saving these things since we met. Little pieces of you… of us… I wanted us to be able to share them.” Eris shook his head as if he was saying all the wrong things.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not a lot. I’m not good at this gift thing, I’m not even sure I’m doing it right.”
With tears shining in his eyes, Azriel looked up at his mate. He cupped Eris’ cheek with his hand and met his gaze. “Eris… It’s perfect.”
The box contained small things, little pieces that would seem insignificant to anyone else, but they were everything to the two males on the couch.
Azriel recognized them all. A leaf from the clearing where they’d found out they were mates next to the blade Eris had been holding. His invitation to the ball under the mountain, smeared with the ash Azriel had saved from Eris’ fire and returned to him. The foil from the apples Eris had cooked Azriel, along with the spoon Eris had used to eat Azriel’s soup. The list went on, small little pieces of their secret lives together. The last object in the box that Azriel noticed was one of the crumpled up notes Eris had been working on for the Inner Circle just hours ago.
“Thank you.” Azriel’s voice was choked with emotion. He wasn’t one to save things, but hadn’t conceived how much it would mean to have them. The realization that he didn’t need to, that Eris would do it for them, was just another reason he so deeply loved the male next to him: mates or not.
Beside him, Eris’ body language oozed relief. His shoulders slumped and his face relaxed, a smile blooming on his lips. “I’m so glad you like it.”
“Would you please keep collecting them?” Azriel asked, slightly sheepishly.
“Always, love,” Eris responded, excited that he’d found something to give the male who asked for nothing.
“I have something for you, too,” Azriel said, jarring Eris slightly.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Eris said, a small furrow returning between his brows.
Azriel smiled. “I know. But I wanted to.” He pulled a small box out of his leathers and presented it to Eris.
When he opened the box, Eris’ jaw dropped. “Azriel… you didn’t.”
“I did,” Azriel said with a smirk.
“But… your magic.”
“I can spare what I gave you. I want you to have this Eris. A piece of me with you at all times.”
Azriel’s shadows swirled around Eris then, as if to say he’s already always got one of us! , but Azriel focused on his mate.
The male hadn’t moved, still shell shocked by what he saw in the tiny box in his hands. Azriel decided to move for him.
He pulled the delicate earring from the velvet casing and gently used it to replace one of Eris’ piercings. The small piece of siphon glistened in the firelight. It was within a piece of Truth Teller’s hilt and lined with gold to hold it together and tie it into Eris’ preferred jewelry color.
“You shouldn’t have.” Eris said, lightly touching the dangling earring.
“And you should know by now that you don't get to tell me what to do.”
That made Eris smile, and Azriel returned the expression before leaning in to kiss his mate.
“Thank you for sharing this with me,” Azriel whispered against his mate’s lips.
“I’ll share myself with you as long as you’ll have me.” Eris kissed Azriel back more fervently, needing to feel the touch of his mate against his skin.
The males shared pieces of themselves long into the night, falling asleep on the rug before the fire that had become something of a second bed. In the morning Azriel’s shadows woke him with a flurry. He dressed quickly, pressing a kiss to Eris’ still sleepy form.
“Meet me at Rhys’ cabin when you’re awake, love. I’ve got a snowball fight to win.”