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The gaming chair creaked as Falcon Graves leaned back, arms crossed over his muscular chest. "Absolutely not."
Mark Beaks held up the Santa hat like it was made of solid gold instead of cheap polyester and faux fur. "Come on, babe! It's December! The fans will eat this up. 'Holiday stream with the Graves-Beaks power couple!' The engagement will be insane."
"We already did a couples' stream last week," Falcon pointed out, though his resistance was weakening. It always did when Mark got that excited gleam in his eye.
"That was a gaming stream! This is festive!" Mark bounced on his heels, phone already in hand calculating projected view counts. "Besides, you know the holiday content performs better. And you'd look so hot in this hat."
Falcon felt his beak curve despite himself. "You think I'd look hot in anything."
"True facts, but especially this." Mark moved closer, straddling Falcon's lap in the gaming chair with practiced ease. "Please? For me? For us? For the #GravesBeaks shippers who live for our content?"
Falcon's hands automatically settled on Mark's hips, thumbs rubbing small circles. Six months of dating this ridiculous parrot, and he still couldn't believe how completely Mark had infiltrated his life. His work. His carefully constructed walls.
"Five minutes," Falcon growled. "Then you're making it up to me."
"Deal!" Mark kissed him quickly, then carefully placed the Santa hat on Falcon's head, adjusting it with the same focused attention he gave to everything related to his boyfriend. His fingers lingered against Falcon's temple. "Perfect. God, you're gorgeous."
"You're biased."
"I'm right." Mark grinned and hopped up, pulling Falcon toward the streaming setup. "Come on, Mr. Grinch. Let's give the people what they want."
The livestream went exactly as Mark predicted; thousands of viewers, endless comments about how "adorable" they were together, and far too many screenshots of Falcon's perpetual scowl beneath the jaunty red hat contrasted with Mark's infectious enthusiasm. They played a few holiday-themed games, with Mark providing running commentary while Falcon occasionally interjected dry observations that made the chat explode with laughter.
"See, this is why we work," Mark told the camera, leaning against Falcon's shoulder. "He's the straight man to my chaos. The yin to my yang. The Grinch to my Cindy Lou Who."
"You're mixing metaphors again," Falcon murmured, but his arm wrapped around Mark's waist, pulling him closer.
"That's what you're here for, babe. Quality control." Mark blew a kiss to the camera. "Alright, Beakheads, that's our show! Remember to smash that like button, and maybe we'll do a New Year's stream too. Peace!"
When the stream ended, Falcon immediately reached for the hat, but Mark caught his wrist.
"Actually... can you keep it on? Just for a little longer?" Mark's voice had dropped to something softer, more private. The persona had melted away, leaving just Mark; the real one, the one only Falcon got to see.
"Why?" Falcon asked, though he already knew. He could read Mark like code now.
"Because I want to remember this." Mark climbed back into Falcon's lap, arms draping around his neck. "Our first holiday season together. You wearing this ridiculous hat because I asked. Being happy."
"I'm always happy with you," Falcon said quietly, surprising himself with the honesty. "Even when you make me wear festive accessories."
Mark's expression softened into something tender and vulnerable. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." Falcon pulled him closer, one hand cradling the back of Mark's head. "You're... everything I didn't know I needed, Beaks."
"Wow." Mark's voice was slightly choked. "Going full romantic on me? In a Santa hat?"
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late." Mark leaned in, pressing their beaks together in a slow, sweet kiss that tasted like the peppermint mochas they'd been drinking during the stream. When they parted, Mark's eyes were bright with emotion. "Love you, Grinch."
"Love you too," Falcon murmured against Mark's beak, the words getting easier every time. "Even if you are insufferable."
"That's part of my charm." Mark settled more comfortably in Falcon's lap, head tucked under his chin. "So... about that making it up to you..."
"Later." Falcon tightened his arms around his boyfriend, the Santa hat still perched on his head. "Right now I just want to hold you."
Mark made a content sound, melting against Falcon's chest. Outside, the Duckburg city lights glittered with holiday decorations, but neither of them looked away from each other.
"Hey, Falcon?"
"Mm?"
"Thanks for being my partner. In every way that matters."
Falcon pressed a kiss to the top of Mark's head. "Nowhere else I'd rather be."
And for once, even the Santa hat didn't seem ridiculous at all.
Written by a human in Ellipsus.