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The tree in the corner of the apartment, adorned with lights, cast a warm glow across the room, and the scent of cookies still lingered in the air.
Kakavasha sat on the couch, his legs tucked beneath him, gazing at the small pile of gifts between him and Veritas. The tall man beside him glanced at the pile with just the slightest hint of frustration.
“Why did we even agree to do this?” Veritas muttered, running a hand through his purple hair.
Kakavasha tilted his head, giving Veritas one of his playful grins. “Because, babe, it’s a nice little thing.” His magenta-blue eyes gleamed as he ate up his fiancé’s—just slightly—annoyed expression. He was enjoying this way more than he should. Kakavasha was sure he could crack the professor and get him to be less serious tonight.
Veritas’ gaze hardened, a trace of a smile tugging at his lips despite himself. He shifted his weight, leaning back into the couch. “I just didn’t want to make it a big deal, but you just—” He cut himself off, letting out a frustrated breath as he motioned to the pile between them. “We agreed on a small thing, and you got me a pile.”
Kakavasha grinned wider. “Well? Unwrap them, Veri!” he demanded, grabbing a gift from the pile and handing it to Veritas.
With a sigh, Veritas accepted it. He unwrapped it slowly, pulling the green wrapping paper off with more care than he’d ever admit. Kakavasha watched with a gleam in his eye.
“Huh.” Veritas blinked as he unwrapped the gift and finally realized just what he was holding—a scientific work explaining a new concept of quantum physics, newly released just a month ago.
Kakavasha was practically vibrating where he sat. “I had to go ask one of your colleagues to figure out what you might not have read yet,” Kakavasha explained. “It’s niche and nerdy. So it’s perfect for you!” He looked very self-satisfied with this gift, and Veritas had to admit, it was nice.
“Thank you, love.” Veritas leaned forward, brushing his lips over Kakavasha’s forehead.
It took a total of 30 minutes to get through the pile of gifts Kakavasha had gotten Veritas. By the end of it, the professor was practically covered in new notebooks, pens, books—he could probably put together a whole new office with just the gifts.
Veritas let out a soft sigh. “You’re ridiculous, ‘Vasha,” he said, shaking his head. “We said something small.”
Kakavasha just sent him a half-apologetic smile. “Sorry~” he said, though he wasn’t sorry at all. Veritas could practically hear Kakavasha's smug little laugh in his ear.
With a sigh, Veritas handed Kakavasha the last small remaining wrapped present. “This is for you,” he said, the annoyance fading into something close to embarrassment.
Kakavasha blinked in surprise as he took the small, carefully wrapped package from Veritas’ hands. It was light and delicate, wrapped in simple dark blue Christmas paper.
“Why do you always act like I’m going to hate everything you get me?” Kakavasha teased as he pulled the wrapping paper off. Inside, nestled in a small jewelry box, was a golden pendant with Saint Sara stamped into it.
Kakavasha’s lips parted slightly in surprise, and for just a moment, there was no mask of charm, just genuine raw emotion flashing across his face. He blinked as he gently pulled the necklace out of the pouch, his fingers brushing it. “Veritas…” he murmured.
Veritas looked away, suddenly uncomfortable, his lips pressing into a thin line. “It’s directly from Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer. I tried to get you something authentic. If it’s wrong, I do apologize,” he said quietly.
Kakavasha swallowed thickly, his eyes momentarily brimming with something that wasn’t quite sadness but was close to it. He cleared his throat. “It’s beautiful.” His voice was soft as he looked up at Veritas, a warm smile tugging at his lips. “You’ve been paying attention, haven’t you?”
Veritas’ brows furrowed slightly, though there was a faint blush coloring his cheeks now. “I try.”
Kakavasha reached out, cupping Veritas’ face with one hand, his thumb brushing over his cheekbone gently. “Thank you, Veri. It’s perfect.”
Before Veritas could respond, Kakavasha leaned in and kissed him—brief, soft. When he pulled back, his expression was still soft.
“Merry Christmas, Veritas.”
“Merry Christmas, Kakavasha.”