5 - All I want for Christmas

Ariadne beamed. "Of course! I will find back the beginners' recipes I was given back then - I'm sure it will be easier and funnier to learn together", she added with a smile. She got distracted when Theseus exclaimed something about gifts, and chuckled at that. "That's right, you kids still need to exchange gifts. Go ahead! Don't mind us- actually, I should get to wash the dishes before Aria comes over with Dio tonight", she added, getting up from the couch. "Sweetie, can you give me a hand please?" Ga'roh nodded, raising up from the couch. Of course it was a little excuse to give those two cute couples a little bit of privacy.

Asterius really wanted to explain to Theseus that he could, even should, definitely do that again once they were alone - but since he had finally succeeded in attracting attention by raising his voice about the presents, he bit on his tongue and let it go.
For now.
"Right. I'll fetch them", he said as he got up from his seat along with Horknath. They got the four packets and brought them back to the couch, sitting back down.
"So", Horknath interjected. "Who wants to open first?"

Carleen thanked Ariadne for her recipe books warmly, and would have offered to help with the dishes if she hadn't understood that it was all a ploy to give them a bit of privacy - and maybe for her and her husband to discuss their impressions about her and her brother in private as well.

She smiled shyly at Horknath, and reached for him. "Give me both. I'll open mine and if my gift idea feels terrible afterwards, it'll give me a few seconds to improvise," she joked kindly.

Theseus, on the other hand, had excitedly gotten up and took his present. "Open yours first, Asterius! I can't wait to see you try it on!"
He had gotten his boyfriend one of those expensive connected watches, since he had noticed he had none yet - he had already connected it to his own, so that they might see each other's activities daily. And text or talk while on their respective morning runs.

Horknath smiled just as shyly, and offered the packets to her.
He had tried hard to find something nice for Carleen - and it hadn't been easy at all, seeing as she was coming froma  wealthy family and had basically everything she wanted already, but in the end he had been very happy with his idea: a cute, simple bracelet (that, the jeweler had assured him, could go well with anything outfit-wise) where he had asked for her favorite quote from one of the books she loved to be engraved.

Asterius chuckled in front of Theseus' eagerness, and ended up opening his own packet. He gaped a little bit when he saw the watch - indeed, that was an expensive gift! "I- wow. I had thought about getting one, but I never got around to it", he confessed, feeling embarrassed. He tried it on, regulating it on the largest size. "Thank you, Theseus. It was a very nice thought", he said sincerely, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.
Well - his gift was most definitely not as expensive, but he hoped his boyfriend would have liked it - a camping trip for two to the nearest mountain climbing site and a card to buy a piece of whatever gear he would have liked at the specialized shop.

Carleen carefully unwrapped her gift, and brought a hand to her lips when she opened the box to reveal the cute bracelet inside! "Oh gods this is adorable!" She was beaming when she read the quote written on it over and over again, and she grinned some more when she pulled Horknath down for a kiss. "I love it! Oh, would you put it on me?"

Theseus didn't open his gift right away - namely because he was busy explaining Asterius what they might be able to do now thanks to those watches! Keep in touch, be aware of each other's training routine, and! it even had a plug-in that would alert them if they were jogging at the same time and not too far from each other, so that they might join! He was quite hyped about it.
But his giddiness didn't die down when he opened what probably was an enveloppe containing his gift. "We're going camping?! And moutain-climbing?! Oh, I can't wait to get there, Asterius! When shall we go! Where is it?" He was already pulling his phone out to google the location, excited as he was.

"I'm happy you like it!" Horknath felt himself grow pleasantly flustered when Carleen beamed at him, being visibly happy about his gift! What a relief that he hadn't gotten it wrong! "Of course", he stuttered, still giddily confused about being kissed like that. He took the bracelet from its box and gently adjusted it on Carleen's wrist, regulating it a little bit so that it would fit properly.

Asterius was very interested about all of those functions, and carefully listened to Theseus as he explained them to him - he even poked around with it a little bit, to see if it would work properly and actually alert him when his boyfriend was close to him. It was definitely going to make his morning runs better, especially if he got to know that Theseus was close by and he could reach him in a matter of strides to run together!
He smiled, though, when he saw how enthusiastic he was about his own gift. "It's a relatively popular place among climbers, a very beautiful one", he added after specifying the location to his boyfriend so that he could look at it to his heart's content. "It was a little hard to find a spot in the camping lot, but I've found a relatively quiet day just by the second week of January. If the weather will be foul, we'll be able to postpone it."

"Oh I love it Horknath, it's perfect! And- it sort of goes with my gift to you, I think." She held back a shy smile and finally gave him his own gift. The box was small, and contained a silver chain with a round pendant, neatly carved. The moment Horknath might look back at Carleen, she had pulled a matching one out from under the hem of her dress, that she was currently wearing.
She was a sap, and had gotten them matching pendants.

Theseus kept on grinning, and he gently grabbed Asterius by his piercing to guide him down and peck his lips softly. "I'm French kissing you as soon as this cast gets taken off," he whispered into his ear. "I couldn't hope for a better gift than the promise to spend more time by your side!"

Horknath perked up at those words, and eagerly unwrapped his gift, curious to see what Carleen meant - just to beam when he saw that elegant, carved pendant. "Oh, Carleen, this looks amazing-", he started, raising his eyes to look at her just to notice that she was holding a matching one that he had totally failed to notice and that she had very possibly fished from under her dress - at least judging by her sheepish and pleased smile.
Oh, no. This was too much, he couldn't possibly take it. He cupped her cheeks and leaned in to kiss her on the mouth. "You're too cute for your own good", he murmured against her lips. "I love this. Thank you so much."

Asterius felt a rush of warmth shooting down his spine when Theseus led him down to him by pulling gently on his nose ring, and whispered those words in his ear. Before he could completely process it though that same warmth settled pleasantly in his guts - because those next words had been probably the most romantic thing someone had ever said to him. "I'll be honest - it's a very egoistical gift", he murmured, placing both his hands on his hips. "This way, I can have you all for myself for a while."

Carleen chuckled softly and hugged Horknath close. "I'm glad you like it. I've been dying to gift it to you since I've had it made. I just... I like the thought of us having something to match each other every day." She grinned while looking at her bracelet. "And now I have something else to think of you at all times."

"My, Asterius, I don't think you fully understand," Theseus said, on a teasing tone. "Having you all for myself for a while is exactly what I'm looking for as well! Oh, by the way, how often do you go climbing?" He was grinning excitedly again, happy to realize that he shared one more of his passions with his amazing boyfriend!

Horknath smiled sheepishly at her. "I quite like that thought", he admitted in a low voice. He got the pendant out of the box carefully, and immediately put it around his neck, happily admiring it as he brushed his fingers against it. "I'm going to always wear it. And think about you." That was just out of a romance novel, and he loved that so much.

Asterius chuckled. He loved how direct Theseus always was with his affection. "Back in highschool it was once every two weeks. But lately I didn't have many occasions - especially since I've started University." He used to go with Horknath a lot, but now they always had so little time for that - especially his brother, since his faculty was quite demanding study-wise. And going alone didn't really cut it for him. "I thought I would have liked to get back to it, if it was with someone else."

Carleen smiled at Horknath and wrapped her arms around his hips for a tight, happy hug. She loved him so much, and was really happy he enjoyed her gift to him. "I really can't wait to introduce you to all of my friends in a few days!"

Theseus beamed some more, and grabbed Asterius' hand in his. "Asterius, I'll always be happy to go hiking or mountain-climbing with you! Oh, if this trip is a success - and it will be - we'll have to organize many more to come!"

"I can't wait either. I'm really looking forward to spend the evening with you", Horknath answered as he hugged her back with a sigh. To be completely honest he also couldn't wait to be able to hold her tight for the whole night, and sleep by her side. Not necessarily after anything in particular had happened, honestly.

Asterius smiled at Theseus. "We will", he promised. He gently grasped his hand with both of his, and lifted it to his lips to leave a soft, chaste kiss on its back. "You haven't told me if you like camping", he added then nonchalantly. "Nor if you're alright with sleeping in a tent." A tent they would have shared. With very little personal space whatsoever.

Carleen smiled back at Horknath, and her face lit up. "Hey, since we're here... Do you think I could see your room?" She was a little curious, alright! Besides... "You said you keep some books here as well!" And she might spot adorable pictures of him as a kid on their way!

Theseus wasn't used to that kind of sweet affection, but it made him really fuzzy inside. He grinned again at Asterius. "I love camping! I haven't been able to do it much though, my father hates it. But our butler has taken Carleen and I out sometimes - he's like a surrogate grandfather to us. He's taught me fishing, and how to start a fire. And of course, how to throw the tent!" Let's be honest- Theseus had no idea how to build a tent or fold it. He only knew those modern ones that you throw and just pop up, ready to use.

Horknath perked up. "Oh! Yes, I do!" He raised from the couch, waiting for her to come with him. Well, judging by how their brothers were all busy chatting with each other and holding each other's hands, he didn't think they'd miss them all that much. He smiled to himself as he and Carleen left the room together.
He made her tour the house until they got to his old bedroom, where he had some old posters still attached to the wall, some books he hadn't yet brought away - and yes. Some cute pictures with him and his siblings as little kids, when he still hadn't had his growth spurt and his tusks were small and barely peeking out of his lip as he grinned at the photographer.

"Oh, I'm glad you love camping", Asterius answered with a larger smile. "I went often with my family, and it's really fun. We should organize a trip only for hiking, so we could get to fishing too-" He paused suddenly. "... what do you mean, throw the tent?"

Carleen got up with Horknath, and she looked around with wonder. Especially when she spotted a picture of a younger Horknath and she cooed at it, stepping closer. "Oh no! That's you, there? Oh, you looked adorable!" She tried not to think too hard about the fact that maybe, one day, they'd have children who would look just as adorable. She turned towards Horknath with a wide smile. "The tusks grow during your teenage years, then?"

Theseus didn't see the issue with that. "Oh, you know, I fish it out of the bag, and just-" he made a swinging move. "You throw it, and it builds itself. You didn't get to do it on your own yet?" He actually didn't know about tents you had to build by hand.

Horknath turned away from his bookshelf to see what Carleen was talking about and- oh no indeed. He had completely forgotten to take those pictures away. He smiled, looking embarrassed. "Yeah, that's me", he confirmed. "And- also yeah. Tusks start to grow when you hit puberty. I also started growing a lot, and fast", he added, awkwardly pointing towards some other pictures. In one he looked just slightly taller than the regular growing boy, and a little larger - tusks were starting to jut out of his lip, and underneath it read Horknath, 11 years old. On the next one he was surrounded by classmates who were at least one head smaller than him and his tusks were already quite larger. Horknath, 12 years old. "I started to get facial hair at 13", he added with a little shrug.

Asterius raised his brows at him. "... oh, we're going to have fun", he muttered as he got his phone out to look for some pictures - that he proceeded to show to Theseus - where he, Horknath and Ga'roh were actually building a tent - planting pickets and tending to the ropes. "This is the kind of tent I'm used to - but if you prefer the throwable one, we can do that", he added helpfully.

Carleen chuckled. "Woah. Thirteen is early! I bet all of your classmates were envious, though. Some of Thee's friends wouldn't shut up and even came to me to brag about the few hair growing on their chin." Let's be honest, when she was a teen a lot of boys wanted to become Theseus's friend so that they might approach her. Thankfully it stopped in university, since all of her brother's friends were his football teammates and there was an unspoken rule between them about dating each other's sisters. That, and they had heard of the guy whose teeth Theseus shattered.

Theseus looked at the picture in confusion. "Well- I'll let you choose actually, I always relied on Alfred for that kind of things." He showed Asterius a picture of him and Carleen sitting by a fire, and showed him one of those small, throwable tents. He made a slight face. "Then again- you're taller than me, and our tents felt already a little small to me. We should probably take yours!"

Horknath laughed. "Yeah, all the boys in school were extra envious of my early beard - and my hair in general. They kept asking what was my secret, and nobody wanted to believe it was really just genetics pure and simple", he confirmed, looking briefly again at the pictures. "I never understood why, though. They were clearly trying to appeal to the girls, but girls didn't really seem fond of body hair at all back then." He threw a fond glance at Carleen. "I guess that every boy really wanted to impress you, then. I can't really blame them - had we been in the same school, I might have tried to gather the courage to woo you as well." He could bet she was already looking lile a princess, back then.

Asterius hummed thoughtfully, squinting at the clearly-too-small tent in the picture. "Hm. Yes, I think it'd be safer to take ours", he agreed distractly. After all, they were quite buff both of them - and as Theseus had pointed out, he was very tall even without taking his horns into account. "I did have a romantic getaway in mind, but we definitely need more space than that would provide." It would have felt so nice to lay almost under the stars with his boyfriend, snuggled close for warmth in the chilly air of January, maybe even kissing for a while before falling asleep...
It sounded so romantic.

Carleen chuckled kindly, and looked back at the picture. "You know what? Had we been in the same school, I'd have been likely to fall for you back then too. I mean, look at how adorable you look! Who would have thought you'd turn into this big, handsome man." She turned towards Horknath again and leaned into his arms with a smile.

Theseus laughed. "Well, then, we'll take yours! But I won't shy away from that 'romantic' side to our getaway, dear Asterius. Oh, I'd love nothing more than to fall asleep in your arms and have you be the first sight to greet me on the next morning."
He gently cupped Asterius' cheeks, and leaned in closer to him.
"And by then, my love, I'll be able to kiss you to my heart's content."

Horknath flushed, but still wrapped his arms around her. "Adorable? Really?", he muttered, looking clearly embarrassed - but maybe a little flattered, too. He chuckled awkwardly though, scratching his chin for a second. "Oh. Well, in that case, I think my schoolmates would have definitely envied me if that had been the case - but surely not for my beard", he added in a gentle whisper, smiling as he leaned in to kiss her on the mouth, holding her against his chest.

Asterius felt his heart leap. My love. He cupped Theseus' cheeks back and leaned in for a soft kiss, since they really couldn't do much else than that. But it was a long, loving one, and only when he got afraid that this could strain his boyfriend he pulled back. "I love you", he murmured, resting his forehead agaisnt his. "And I can't wait."

Carleen chuckled against Horknath's lips, and stayed to kiss him for a little while, before she finally did ask about seeing his books, or ask him some other questions about trophies or medals proudly displayed in his room.

Theseus grinned and kept on kissing his boyfriend for a bit, that is, until they'd be joined by the others again.

Unfortunately, the afternoon was coming to an end, and the Laurkinsons still had other guests planned to arrive for dinner that evening. At last, the time to leave had come, and no matter how they disliked it, the Mishra siblings prepared to go.

"Thank you again for lunch, it was delicious, Ariadne," Carleen said with a bright smile. "And thank you for the recipe book! I'll try to give some a try in the holidays."

"Wait!" Theseus suddenly exclaimed, his brows furrowing. "I forgot to challenge Mr. Laurkinson to an arm-wrestling contest-" He stopped himself short, and threw a scandalized look at Carleen, who had elbowed him in the side.
"Asterius said he's strong!" Theseus protested when he understood that his sister wouldn't let him do it.

"Aw, anytime, sweetie!", Ariadne cooed, clearly pleased with Carleen's compliments. "Keep the book all the time you want. And you're both welcome to drop by again for lunch whenever you want of course-" She briefly interrupted herself when Theseus mentioned arm-wrestling Ga'roh, and she threw a wide-eyed glance at her husband when she noticed that he was merely raising his brows, looking interested in that challenge. "Oh, please - not on the kitchen table", she protested with a little whine. Ga'roh looked apologetically at her, and then back at Theseus, grunting, "When you will have beaten one of my sons - then I will accept your challenge. In the meantime", he added, passing over a basket to him, "bring this to your parents. My wife prepared it." Most of it was made up by homemade italian pastries - plus a bottle of wine that Ariadne's moms had sent them.

Theseus blinked a few times. He was thrilled about the opportunity to challenge Ga'roh, of course! but the basket had distracted him.
Only for two seconds, though, for he turned to look at Asterius with a bright smile. "Well, I'll just have to keep on training until I can beat you in that field!"

Carleen sighed, but she smiled at Ariadne and Ga'roh. "Thank you for the gift. Our parents will love it! We probably won't have anything left by the time Horknath and Asterius come to our place on the 30th."

Asterius snorted. "That will require a lot of training", he teased his boyfriend a bit, crossing his arms on his chest. "I am very good at arm-wrestling."

Ariadne looked relieved - the last time Ga'roh had accepted to arm-wrestle someone, she had watched her poor kitchen table break in exactly two pieces under her husband's powerful finishing push. "Well, that's exactly how it should be! The basket isn't for my sons", she grinned at Carleen, and winked at her. Then both she and Ga'roh bid goodbye to the Mishras, wishing them nice holidays, as Horknath and Asterius accompanied them to the main door.

Theseus grinned at Asterius. "Another field we shall compete in! Ah, but first I need to train for our wrestling! As soon as this blasted thing is off," he said, pointing to his nose, "we'll get down to it!"

Carleen thanked Ariadne and Ga'roh again, and made sure Theseus did the same before she got back in the entrance with Horknath to retrieve her coat. And since her brother was excitedly talking to Asterius once more, it meant she could have a little moment to properly bid Horknath goodbye. She raised on her tiptoes and kissed him again, with a soft, fond smile. "See you soon. And say hi to Aria for me!"

Asterius held back a smile, and rested both of his hands on Theseus' shoulders. "No. First, you need to kiss me breathless", he pointed out softly. "You've promised. Remember?" He leaned in, gently brushing his lips against his boyfriend for a short second before pulling away, even taking a step back - crossing his arms on his chest. "Until then. I'll see you on the 31st."

Horknath gently held Carleen to try and prolong that gentle kiss a little, his hands on her hips. He sighed against her lips, and smiled down at her. "Sure, I will. And - see you soon too", he added with a brighter smile, remembering that indeed they were going to be together both on New Year's Eve and the following day!