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As the days grow colder, the familiar setting begins to change. What starts off as a modest home slowly fills with merry delight. The changes start small, yet never go unnoticed.
The first thing that catches Veritas's eyes is a pair of stockings hanging in the living room. A few smaller ones are lined up beside them, smaller ones meant for the snack felines that reside in their home. It's an amusing choice to hang one for each, making their home feel more lively.
Then the doctor notices the decorations. It's a slow build-up of figures and ornaments that begin to line the shelves of their homes. There are various trinkets related to the holiday in almost every corner of the house. A snow globe as a centerpiece, festive towels replaced regular ones, and lights that shine from the outside to color the interior at night.
The tree is one of the latest things Aventurine had set up. Veritas recalls coming home one day and being surprised to see a rather large tree in the living room. While it was littered with tinsel, he doubts that it would be so plain. Give it a couple of days and that tree would be blossoming with ornaments.
Veritas normally doesn't care for the holidays. He'll begrudgingly participate when necessary but would prefer doing something more worthwhile with his time. Why bother wasting time decorating and celebrating a mythological man when he could be expanding his knowledge instead?
While he would scoff at this holiday, this is the first year he is spending it with another. Admittedly, he felt a pang of guilt for not assisting with decorating. Granted, this all felt like it was done in the spur of the moment, but Veritas figured he could have helped set things up. Perhaps he could when it comes to the remainder of the tree.
Regardless, he enjoys how things have come together. His boyfriend has a knack for the systematic placement of decorations. Veritas couldn't argue with what he did as it brought more life into their home.
Despite the gambler's freedom with decorating, he only did so with the places others would frequent. The living room, the kitchen, the bathroom. He had gotten lucky with placing a festive lamp inside the doctor's study, but aside from that, the rest of their home was left untouched by the festive atmosphere.
Until now.
Hanging at the door of their shared bedroom, a little piece of green hangs from above. It's almost unnoticeable, never in the way for them to walk in and out. It stays dangling in sight, always there for both to see right before they leave the room.
"Is this really necessary?" Veritas asks, huffing with arms crossed as his gaze lingers at the mistletoe taunting him from above.
"I don't see why not," Aventurine smiles. "It helps get into the Christmas spirit, doesn't it?"
Veritas has to resist rolling his eyes. This little thing is supposed to help them get into the Christmas spirit? He can hardly believe it. In his eyes, this seems more like an excuse to hang it up. The doctor is certain that this damn boyfriend of his had other things in mind when hanging this plant.
"If that is its purpose, pray tell, why is it the only decoration in here?"
"Oh, I don't think you want me to go all out. Would you care to wake up to a cutout of Santa waving at you first thing in the morning?"
Veritas knows he's joking, but a part of him can't help to think that he has considered it at some point. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. Truthfully, he doesn't know what to make of the gambler's shenanigans.
"I suppose the placement is better here than elsewhere..." Veritas mutters. The last thing he wants are guests using it as an excuse to get overly comfortable in their home. And with this here it meant anything done would be in privacy.
"What was that?" Aventurine asks as he steps toward him, a sly grin inching onto his face. "Is that little plant distracting you? I mean, even you have to know what to do if two people are underneath it, don't you, doctor?"
"You're not serious about this, are you?" He sighs out once again. Did he really need to find an excuse to kiss? He found it a little idiotic...and a bit romantic, he supposes. Although, it's not like they need some little plant to dictate when they have to kiss.
"You know, they say bad luck comes to those who break tradition," Aventurine chuckles. He takes another step forward. Veritas steps back, his back firmly against the door frame. "Is that what you want?"
"Really?" Veritas deadpans. "Must you use such hearsay as your reasoning?"
Despite his verbal protest, Veritas remains still. Aventurine doesn't back down as he presses his body against his. This isn't the first time they've been close nor would it be the first they've kissed. And yet, the doctor can't help but feel his heart rate increase due to their close proximity.
Aventurine slides a hand onto Veritas's chest, to keep him there. As if he would move in the first place. The gambler may be unable to match him in terms of physical strength, but he had the upper hand when it came to his words and physique. The doctor doesn't even consider trying to escape.
His free hand rests on the doctor's cheek. He gives it a gentle caress and watches as the stoic expression begins to falter. Veritas's usual annoyed resting face begins to melt. The soothing touch makes him fall victim to the gambler's plan.
"You're not going to keep picking apart my words?" Aventurine hums, expecting him to bark back.
Veritas only huffs. A scowl inched onto his face briefly. It disappears as soon as it appears. The doctor's hands fall to the gambler's waist. They comfortably rest there, holding him steady.
He takes in a breath as their eyes meet. There's a playful yet sinister shine in the gambler's eyes. Then again, when isn't there? He's got something in mind and the doctor can only guess what it could be.
For now, there's nothing really at stake. The only thing he has to lose is the taste of his lips. The consequences aren't as dire as they could be. They both know the situation could be worse.
Should Veritas expect something different? He isn't sure. Time isn't on his side as Aventurine is inching closer and closer. Their bodies meet, pressing against each other with just the right amount of force. He leans forward, ready to give him a kiss.
As he waits for the kiss, it never comes. At least not in the way he expects it. Instead of their lips meeting, only Aventurine's lips meet with Veritas's cheek. A gentle touch brushes against his skin. It causes the doctor to shiver upon receiving such a gentle and surprising action.
"Aww, were you expecting more?" Aventurine breathes against his skin. He pulled back so he could see the reaction on his face. And it's priceless, worth the risk.
"No..." Veritas huffs. It's a lie, a blatant one. His cheeks are warm for thinking he would obtain such an easy kiss. The gambler wanted to make this a game. And he knows that the doctor only plays when no one else is watching.
"Don't worry, I'm sure you know that's here for a reason," Aventurine hums as he allows himself to rest against him. His head nestles into his shoulder as he gets comfortable. His hand falls from his face so that he can wrap his arms around him.
"We'll have plenty of chances to do more...you know, so we don't get bad luck."
"Yes...of course, for the bad luck," Veritas shakes his head. He's a fool to believe everything would be so easy. Now he has Aventurine comfortably in his hold and he's not intending to let him go.
He can feel the warmth and love radiating off of him. It's hard to believe he's found someone dear to his heart. Even if he can be a reckless gambler, he knows how to take care of him.
"Perhaps," Veritas starts, causing Aventurine to look up at him. "I could assist with the tree. I am aware that it needs to be up to your standards."
He doesn't miss the way Aventurine's smile widens and how there's a new sparkle in his eyes. Nor does he miss how he squeezes him in his embrace. Veritas never thought he would get excited from a simple offer to help. Then again, this was the gambler’s first time spending the holidays with a significant other too.
"I thought you'd never ask. And here I thought you'd be a Grinch for the entire month. Can I get you to wear a Santa hat too?"
Veritas groans.
"Very well. Only because you asked."