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Snow settles on Izzy’s coat as they step into the winter market, the lights hitting him all at once. He tells himself he’s only here because Lucius wouldn’t drop it, but the truth presses quietly at the back of his mind.
Lucius walks beside him, already scanning the stalls with an amused expression on his face, focusing on all kinds of things. Izzy keeps his shoulders tight, bracing for the noise and the crowds, but every time Lucius’ gloves brush his, it pulls him back and nervous runs through his body. He wants to hold his hand, Izzy realises.
“You think Ed would like that mug?” Lucius asks, gesturing to one with the finger at the stall on his left, taking him out of his bubble when it makes him chuckle softly.
“That’s what I get him every Christmas,” Izzy admits, limping by his side.
“Yeah, maybe that’s why he left you the first time, hon.”
That’s what encourages Izzy to take his gloved hand on his while they’re laughing. Lucius doesn’t say anything but holds his hand back very quickly, so naturally, which is perfect as they keep walking.
“I still think it’s crazy you’ve never had hot chocolate at one of these—like what’s the whole point, babe?”
“Too sweet. And I’m not used to coming here. It’s too loud, twatty.” He lets pass the endearment word as he gets used to it.
“But you’re here,” Lucius says with a big smile on his face before covering it under a scarf. “It’s fucking freezing, I give you that. But we’ll get the hot chocolate and your husband’s fucking present and go.”
“Cheers,” Izzy says expressionless to which Lucius pokes his tongue out in the cold and Izzy can only hold his hand tighter, shaking his head when Lucius covers half of his face from the cold.
The snow doesn't last long as they head into the market, which, as pretty as it looks, Izzy isn't in the mood to walk around in a coat that's heavier than it should be, thank you very much, not to mention he’d be in hell with his walking with the leg in the snow.
But the whole scene it’s cuter than it should be, Izzy thinks when he sees Lucius looking at a stall selling different types of Christmas lights. The way his face lights up, and not just because of the lights, is cute. Fine, he can admit it now because they're dating and have been glued to each other for several minutes without feeling embarrassed or anything. It's as if Lucius has opened something inside him that he thought was closed forever.
It's strange and perhaps bizarre. Look at him here, spending time with his younger boyfriend while his husband waits at home.
It’s new too, but Izzy is so ready to make all of this work because it’s not his fault his heart is divided… or rather full of love. But really, look at him, thinking like this. When he thinks it’s other people feel this way, not him, never him. That part it’s embarrassing.
Izzy pays for a set of Christmas lights that finally convinces Lucius and receives a sweet kiss on the tip of his nose.
“Thank you, daddy,” Lucius says only loud for him to hear and Izzy almost chokes on saliva as the seller hands him the bag.
“Seducing me for Christmas lights,” Izzy says when they start walking again. “Proper little seductress.”
“They’re pretty, we can have wild sex with the new lights on next week, don’t you think?” Izzy feels his cheeks red and miraculously doesn’t choke as he shakes his head. Not as an answer but because of the lad’s boldness.
“Wild sex,” Izzy repeats.
“So wild, you’ve got no idea what Christmas makes me.”
“Santa turns you on, got it.” Izzy nods.
“Because I have a thing for older people, babe.”
“Oh my God—fuck you.”
Lucius barks a laugh and it’s stupid how beautiful he looks when he’s happy and jokingly.
“Don’t worry, I’ll tell Santa he can wait outside that night.”
“Right, because you’re on the nice list.”
“I’m such a nice boy.” Lucius turns to look straight at him and there they are, the butterflies.
“Don’t make it weird at this market, there are kids, Spriggs.”
Lucius pouts and nods but still mutters, “Sorry, daddy.”
Izzy can’t help it anymore when he pulls Lucius in a hug, leaning part of his weight against him and they walk a few steps like that. Fine, this is new too, but it feels good and warm.
“Look, secondhand clothes that look dark enough for both of you.” Lucius is nodding to another stall and he’s right. Black clothes. “You may find something for Ed here.”
“He can buy himself his own clothes. In fact he does.”
“Yeah, but it would be cuter if you pick something for him. Let’s go.”
It doesn’t make sense for Izzy. Edward has his own money to which he can buy anything he likes. The point of being here was to find something Izzy thinks would make a difference and clothes don’t sound like it for him.
The seller is really nice even when Izzy shows himself a bit shy here.
“Oh my God, look at this leather jacket.” Lucius holds a hanger with a beautiful and shiny black jacket. “Tell me it doesn’t scream Edward Teach here.”
“Well, yeah, but he already has one.”
“And he can have two now,” Lucius tries to convince him, shaking the hanger with the jacket in it. “Babe, it’s a gift. You don’t have to put so much on it.”
“I mean, I have. We almost got divorced this year,” Izzy mumbles looking at the jacket and some memories flash in front of him. “He wanted one of these when we were kids,” he starts. “And I promised myself that I would get him one because, you know—”
“You were in love,” Lucius says sweetly.
“Yeah, whatever.” Izzy clears his throat. “We grew up, he got the money and bought one himself. He buys himself one whenever he needs a new one, he has the money it’s what I mean.”
“Aw, Iz.” Lucius holds a hand to his heart for a second. “It’s the perfect present, I’m telling you.”
“But—”
“Stop overthinking. Buy it.”
“Fuck, fine.”
The girl at the stall must have heard everything and Izzy is embarrassed when he makes the transaction, looking down until the girl gives him a paper bag with the jacket inside it. He mutters his thanks and puts Lucius’ Christmas lights in the bag and starts walking without waiting.
“Yay! We made it,” Lucius quickly takes his hand and Izzy is not upset, he’s slightly embarrassed yet but still takes his hand back. “Izzy, it’s a beautiful present. Just tell him that story you told me, it’s cute.”
“Whatever. Let’s go now.”
“Nope.” Lucius shakes his head, taking Izzy’s hand a bit tighter as he pulls from him to keep walking. “Hot chocolate from the winter market is what I promise you.”
They don’t have to walk far before Lucius finds a stall he likes.
It was a lot, Izzy thinks, looking at the list with the prices. He means, not only were the prices high, but there were too many Christmas lights decorating the stall and the chairs full with families and crying babies. Or maybe it’s only one. Izzy starts feeling overstimulated right after Lucius asks for two big cups of hot chocolate, as he promised.
Not far from them is an empty bench, perfect for them to sit on which calms Izzy down. Lucius is holding both cups and Izzy sets his leg delicately, still getting used to this too and puts the bag with the jacket on the floor between his feet before taking one of the cups.
“Alright. Only two spoons of sugar because you’re the devil and hate sweet things.”
“How many did you put on yours? Twenty, ‘cuz you’re a kid?”
“Shut up, old man and drink your chocolate before we’re putting you into bed—”
“Oh, I’m putting you into bed—”
“—’S that a promise?”
“Everything is an innuendo with you.”
“Oh my God, just have a drink already,” Lucius says laughing before taking a drink himself, smiling at Izzy as he’s waiting for his reaction.
“Fuck me,” Izzy mutters then and has one little sip. Too hot, too sweet, too much but he takes another sip because of the way Lucius is looking at him. “Happy?”
“Yep.” Lucius keeps drinking his, both of his hands surrounded the cup. Izzy holds it with one hand and embraces Lucius with his free arm, dragging him closer this time. “You fucking hate it, don’t you?”
“I was waiting to throw it away while you didn't look, twatty.” Izzy shrugs. “Nothing beats a good coffee, you know that.”
“Yes, because you’re bitter, baby.”
“I’m not,” he says and fine, there’s a pout there before he takes another sip and regrets it rapidly. Definitely not his taste. “I’ll go and buy myself—”
There are sweet, too sweet lips on his mouth before he can finish. And fuck the hot chocolate and the coffee and the noises and everything else because Lucius Spriggs is kissing him like Izzy is somehow the sweetest thing he’s ever tried on and by the taste of his lips, Izzy knows that’s wrong.
“I love you, you know?” Lucius says against his lips before one more peck. “Bitter and all,” he finishes when he pulls apart.
“Twat.” Izzy doesn’t actually care actually and just goes for another longer kiss. “I love you, too.”
Christmas morning is dim and grey when Izzy makes it to the living room. The house is slightly cold around him. He is using crutches and has left his prosthetic leg in the room because Ed has repeatedly told him to relax, and that is part of his relaxation. Not having to worry about how his leg looks in front of his husband anymore. They’re still wearing their pajamas though.
Izzy brushes one eye with his free hand and lets out a big yawn as he helps himself to the floor where he’s actually more comfortable with the crutches on the couch.
“Wait, wait.” The voice of his husband when he’s rushing into the living room putting on a Santa’s hat on top of his long and messy hair from just waking up too.
He looks beautiful, Izzy thinks. Even with the make-up spread from last night’s dinner with their friends.
Edward takes a seat in front of him, by their little Christmas tree side and takes the first present.
“I want you to open this first—I know we said only one gift but—” He hands it to Izzy.
It’s not a big box wrapped in Christmas patterns but a bit heavier so he’s careful as he opens it.
He looks inside and fuck him, there’s a fucking fancy coffee machine inside.
“It’s one of those who reads your mind and shit?” He asks jokingly but takes it out of its package. It’s a beautiful thing in fact.
“It knows you want an americano before you even think of it,” Ed follows him with a big grin and Izzy shakes his head. “This is a present for the house, I think we deserve it.”
“I love it, Edward.”
“Yeah!” Ed punches the air with a fist and looks so funny Izzy laughs at him.
“We’ll get a proper breakfast in a bit then.”
“Huh, proper-proper breakfast or just regular breakfast?”
“Edward, I’m old and tired, don’t think of seducing me at this hour of the day.” He fakes a yawn but Ed, his lovely husband, laughs with him.
“Not what you showed last night.”
“Ok, keep going.” He ignores him with a smile on his face.
“Another for you!” Ed exclaims like it surprises him too. He leans forward and grabs a big box this time. Big thin box, Izzy definitely wonders what’s in there.
“Jesus, it’s not a robot, is it?”
“Right, Izzy. Because I want to share you with the fucking AI now.”
“Ha.”
“Take it and open it, please?”
Ed leaves it on his thighs and Izzy starts unwrapping it delicately, slightly scared of what he might find or rather overwhelmed he got Edward only a jacket in comparison to this big box.
“A fucking bass?” Izzy lets out when he finally rips the wrapping off and sees the picture outside the box. “Edward?”
“Open it!”
He obeys but it was in fact a black and grey bass guitar inside the box. Edward helps him to get rid of most things until it’s only the instrument on his thighs.
“Oh, my God, Edward!”
“Is it bad?”
“Of course not!” He looks down and it’s a fucking beauty, so shiny and new he can’t wait any longer and starts playing what he remembers, which isn’t much to be honest but it feels good touching the strings with his fingers.
“I don’t know, I remembered we used to play in our twenties and then you had to sell yours and I know you loved it.”
“Well, yeah. But you didn’t have to, love.”
Izzy’s still looking down at it, amazed.
Then a song comes out as if his fingers were waiting for the memory.
It’s a quick one and Edward starts laughing as Izzy starts singing to it, not putting too much thought. Until the chorus.
“Ever fallen in love, in love with someone you shouldn't have fallen in love with?” Izzy sings and then stops, laughing.
“What, have you?” Ed asks then, his eyes shining bright and fuck—
“No, shut up.” He looks down and plays the song again but doesn’t sing this time. “I love you so much.”
“Fine, it’s a great song,” Ed offers then with a shrug when Izzy looks up. “Miss those days.”
“Yeah, me too.” Izzy’s still playing the same chords. “Next present?” He asks without stopping now he remembered more bass lines.
“For me!” Edward exclaims now when he finds his present. It’s perfectly wrapped but it doesn’t matter when he rips it off and Izzy can’t help but chuckle. “Oh my God!” He sees the jacket and Izzy’s cheeks reddens. “Izzy! I love this.”
“It’s stupid, I—”
“I love the grey lapels, it’s so cool.”
“I’m getting you a guitar—”
“Izzy, stop it, I love this.” Edward gets up and rapidly throws away the hat and takes his ugly Christmas jumper off and tries the jacket on. “Wait, wait.” He puts on a messy bun and fuck Izzy, this is definitely a good look on his husband, ignoring the Christmas pajamas pants. “Don’t I look cool?”
“No, you’re a dork.”
“Fuck off.” He runs to the closest mirror and pulls from the lapel putting on a face as he looks at himself. “Izzy, it’s amazing.”
“I—” Tell him, he thinks because Lucius told him to and Eddie gave him something special with a story too. “I—when we were kids, you wanted a leather jacket.”
Ed chuckles.
“Yeah, I remember.”
“I meant to buy you one by then but… they were pricey and you—you beat me and got one anyway because of course you did.”
“Oh yeah, I stole CJ’s.” Ed laughs but turns to Izzy, walking back to him. “You never told me that story.”
“It was stupid, we were young, I wouldn’t get the money—Wait, you stole it from Jack?”
“Yeah, he got it from Hornigold and I stole it anyway.”
“You’re something else, Eddie.” Izzy shakes his head but Edward kneels in front of him. “A beautiful something else too.”
“I love you, Iz.” Ed kisses Izzy like that first time in their twenties, like dreams that are up to come true, like something new and something old. Something familiar, something odd. Something; everything. Izzy could kiss Edward for hours, and he’s found out he can.
“Eddie,” he lets out against his lips when he pulls away to catch his breath. The bass is still on his thighs.
“I’m gonna make some coffee, what do you think?” Edward whispers, a lovely reflection in his eyes.
“Yeah, perfect.”
Ed doesn’t take the jacket off and leans forward to grab the coffee machine and runs to the kitchen while Izzy keeps practicing with his fingers.
Songs come and go until something catches his attention as he remembers how to play it.
“I like that one!” Ed’s head comes out of the door frame.
“Crazy, but that’s how Ed goes,”
“You love this crazy.” Ed winks at him and then his whole body is in the living room. “Now come here, I bought some syrups I want you to try too.”
“No, dark coffee,” Izzy says as he puts the beautiful present on the couch and gets on his crutches, putting on his foot and making his way to the kitchen, passing by Ed’s side.
The new machine is settled on the countertop and it’s beautiful too. Izzy can’t wait for his espresso.
“Vanilla syrup first.”
“Twat.”
“Yeah, Lucius told me you hated the hot chocolate, but you’re trying this, it’s good I promise,” Ed says.
“Traitor.”
Edward hands him one mug and takes one for himself, not knowing there’s another mug waiting for him under the tree as a tradition Izzy just made up.
Izzy takes the mug, pretending he's unimpressed even though the smell alone already betrays him. Ed watches him too closely, waiting for a reaction like it's the most important thing in the world right now. Izzy tries the first sip and the warmth hits him fast. Sweeter than he’d admit, he likes it. Ed brightens immediately and takes from his own mug, stupidly pleased. Izzy has to look away before something shows on his face.
The house is still grey and quiet, Christmas morning barely beginning, and Izzy lets himself breathe for a moment. It's just him and his Eddie and now the soft clink of their mugs before the “I love yous”. It's just them.