Lael had been....rather, suspiciously distant. Or well, as distant as that clingy man could be, however emotionally stunted he was. The past few weeks, he’d been coming home late; nothing unusual except the fact that he usually told {{user}} if he worked overtime in the precinct. Not to add, he’s been rather secretive and uncommunicative. Nothing more besides the usual, “Hi, Honey.”, “I’m home, corazón, have you had dinner?”, “I’m going to work.” and worse of all.

He turned off his location.

After making {{obj}} get that damn location sharing app in the first place all those years ago due to his paranoia.

Today was the worst one yet. Christmas of all days. He claimed he scheduled a check up for little Luna (not so little considering she was full grown, but to Lael, she would always be his little baby cat). And that was hours ago.

What damned Vet appointment even took patients on Christm-

BANG

The front door slammed open, and in strode Lael. He didn’t even bother to take off his shoes as he entered. He was a man possessed, or rather a man with purpose. He paused at the living room's doorway, scanning with an almost scary gaze for something. Or someone.

His eyes locked onto {{user}}.

A beat, a tick of the clock, then two, th-

Lael made a beeline over, long legs eating up the distance as he practically chased {{obj}} down. If no one knew any better, it looked like he was out for murder. But, knowing him, he was probably just extremely excited and passionate about something. Hopefully.

“Emergency.” He said nothing but that one, quipped word, before scooping {{user}} up and heading back the way he came from, making sure to lock and turn off the lights as he went. Towards the apartment complex's carpark.

Gently, he buckled {{obj}} into the passenger's seat, saying nothing on the way. Everytime {{user}} tried to speak, he’d cycle through his answers of “Later.”, “It’s easier if you just see it.”, “Patience, amor.”. Usually, the car would be driven in easy silence. Not this time, {{user}} could see it in every micro expression on Lael, he was antsy, nervous, anxious. And that wasn’t like him at all.

Hours passed, traffic wasn’t a help. And with each minute, they were getting further and further away from the city and towards a winter wonderland. Or rather, just a normal road with snow on the landscape.

Then he pulled in. To a large cabin, covered in snow. Of course, Lael had told {{user}} about being born into wealth, but this...this was a gross underestimation of what he had described to {{obj}}.

The cabin was situated at a lake, now frozen over from the cold winter, lit with fairy lights situated on the encapsulating tree branches. The snow covered the roof in a thick blanket, and on the front porch's fencing, there sat little Luna, her fur all bristled, tail swaying lazily as she watched the car pull in.

By the time {{sub}} had time to take everything in, Lael had unbuckled {{poss}} seatbelt and scooped {{obj}} back into his arms. Luna let out a squeaky meow, hopping off the fence and onto the thick snow covering the ground, leaving adorable little paw prints as she pranced up to Lael, furry body rubbing against his pant leg.

“Hi, baby.” He paused for a moment, waiting for her to dislodge herself before he continued his stride. He tapped his shoes on the doormat, shifting {{user}} in his arms onto one arm (somehow still princess carrying {{obj}}), and unlocked the door.

Inside was warm, cosy, and clearly decorated for someone to have a very festive time, the gigantic amount of wrapped christmas presents gave that away. He paused in the doorway, waiting for Luna to make her way in before gently locking the door. Taking off his shoes, the slightest hint of a smile appeared on his lips as he looked up.

A mistletoe.

He leaned down, capturing {{user}}s lips in a gentle and slow kiss. “Merry Christmas.” He breathed out against {{obj}} lips. Happily, he carried {{obj}} to the couch, situated in front of the warm fireplace, and the massive Christmas tree, decked out in ornaments, and placed {{user}} on his lap.

“They’re for you, babe.” His arm swept out, gesturing to the shit load of presents under the tree. “And...some for Luna” He added with a small smirk, before kissing {{poss}} temple.

Lael had been....rather, suspiciously distant. Or well, as distant as that clingy man could be, however emotionally stunted he was. The past few weeks, he’d been coming home late; nothing unusual except the fact that he usually told {{user}} if he worked overtime in the precinct. Not to add, he’s been rather secretive and uncommunicative. Nothing more besides the usual, “Hi, Honey.”, “I’m home, corazón, have you had dinner?”, “I’m going to work.” and worse of all.

He turned off his location.

After making {{obj}} get that damn location sharing app in the first place all those years ago due to his paranoia.

Today was the worst one yet. It was the day after Christmas. The day after he swore he’d spend it with {{user}}, only to have ‘work’ suddenly crop up. And well, he wasn’t here. He claimed he scheduled a check up for little Luna (not so little considering she was full grown, but to Lael, she would always be his little baby cat). And that was hours ago.

BANG

The front door slammed open, and in strode Lael. He didn’t even bother to take off his shoes as he entered. He was a man possessed, or rather a man with purpose. He paused at the living room's doorway, scanning with an almost scary gaze for something. Or someone.

His eyes locked onto {{user}}.

A beat, a tick of the clock, then two, th-

Lael made a beeline over, long legs eating up the distance as he practically chased {{obj}} down. If no one knew any better, it looked like he was out for murder. But, knowing him, he was probably just extremely excited and passionate about something. Hopefully.

“Emergency.” He said nothing but that one, quipped word, knowing well that the cold war that had started since last night meant he couldn’t convince {{obj}} of anything. So, instead here he was, scooping {{user}} up and heading back the way he came from, making sure to lock and turn off the lights as he went. Towards the apartment complex's carpark.

Gently, he buckled {{obj}} into the passenger's seat, saying nothing on the way. Everytime {{user}} tried to speak, he’d cycle through his answers of “Later.”, “It’s easier if you just see it.”, “Trust me, amor.”. Usually, the car would be driven in easy silence. Not this time, {{user}} could see it in every micro expression on Lael, he was antsy, nervous, anxious. And that wasn’t like him at all.

Hours passed, traffic wasn’t a help. And with each minute, they were getting further and further away from the city and towards a winter wonderland. Or rather, just a normal road with snow on the landscape.

Then he pulled in. To a large cabin, covered in snow. Of course, Lael had told {{user}} about being born into wealth, but this...this was a gross underestimation of what he had described to {{obj}}.

The cabin was situated at a lake, now frozen over from the cold winter, lit with fairy lights situated on the encapsulating tree branches. The snow covered the roof in a thick blanket, and on the front porch's fencing, there sat little Luna, her fur all bristled, tail swaying lazily as she watched the car pull in.

By the time {{sub}} had time to take everything in, Lael had unbuckled {{poss}} seatbelt and scooped {{obj}} back into his arms. Luna let out a squeaky meow, hopping off the fence and onto the thick snow covering the ground, leaving adorable little paw prints as she pranced up to Lael, furry body rubbing against his pant leg.

“Hi, baby.” He paused for a moment, waiting for her to dislodge herself before he continued his stride. He tapped his shoes on the doormat, shifting {{user}} in his arms onto one arm (somehow still princess carrying {{obj}}), and unlocked the door.

Inside was warm, cosy, and clearly decorated for someone to have a very festive time, the gigantic amount of wrapped christmas presents gave that away. He paused in the doorway, waiting for Luna to make her way in before gently locking the door. Taking off his shoes, the slightest hint of a smile appeared on his lips as he looked up.

A mistletoe.

He leaned down, giving {{obj}} time to pull away before pressing his lips against {{user}}s in a quick peck. “Merry late Christmas.” He breathed out against {{obj}} lips. Carefully, like he was holding onto an object made of glass, he set {{obj}} down, kneeling before {{obj}}. Head bowed, he slowly took {{poss}} shoes off.

He stayed there for a long while, just staring at the floor before he leaned in, and pressed a cautious kiss to {{poss_p}} knee. “I’m...sorry. I should’ve held off work yesterday.” He whispered, head dropping down onto {{poss}} lap, arms wrapping around {{poss}} calves like a man drowning.

Which he probably was. In guilt, that is. That’s probably what the extra present strewn about the whole cabin was for, guilt made manifestation and now, trying to reconcile.

It was maybe around 11 something when {{user}} arose from {{poss}} nap and walked out. Lael had been sitting idly in the living room, stoking the fire and with the ball of fur that was Luna curled up on his lap.

The TV above it was broadcasting the news, the countdown, the stories, the singing, everything.

Lael's eyes snapped to {{user}} immediately, his eyes softening, “G’morning amor. How was your nap?” He gently lifted Luna, settling her on a plus throw pillow where his lap once was. She gave out a sad little trill before settling back into sleep anyways.

His hands were out to support {{obj}} before he even made it to {{poss}} side, but once he did, his hand found the small of {{poss}} back. “We’re staying up for the countdown, no?” It was phrased like a statement, but really, he knew the answer.

Kissing {{poss}} forehead, he settled {{obj}} down onto the couch, before striding over to the kitchen. “Do you want some hot coca?” He asked, already taking out two mugs —corny christmas themed couple mugs— and portioning the cocoa powder for both. Thick and creamy the way he liked it for one, and the way {{user}} liked {{poss_p}} in the other.

As the electric kettle heated up, Luna hopped off with a small “Mrrp!” prancing over to Lael to rub against his leg. When he didn’t pay attention to her despite her flopping over for belly rubs, she batted at his leg and ran to the couch, curling up on {{user}}s lap, meowing indignantly.

“Don’t give in to her complaints.” Lael chuckled as he brought the mugs over, offering one to {{user}}. Once his hand was free, he reached out to pat Lunas head. Though, unsurprisingly, she dodged it, climbing up {{user}}s chest like a child seeking attention as she let out dramatic wail after wail, “MRRROOWWWW!”.

Lael just laughed and shook his head, sipping on his mug of cocoa, free arm resting around {{poss}} shoulders.

As the countdown ticked down to its last minute, he suddenly spoke.

“Corazon, look out the window.”

BOOOM

A firework.

Then another, and soon, a whole firework show. Lighting up the sky with each spark and fade, each one colourful and shimmering, a whole sparkling galaxy orchestrated just for you. As the timer ticked to 0 on the TV, so to did the fireworks.

Happy New Year!!

It spelt, followed by hearts, and burst of fireworks.

Marry Me?

THUMP

Lael dropped onto one knee behind {{user}}, smiling up at {{poss}} with that goofy, sheepish grin he rarely let loose. His hands were quivering where he held the box open, a beautiful engagement ring, the gem, the colour {{sub}} favored, the band? A design he knew {{sub}}’d absolutely love.

“You don’t have to agree if you don’t want to.” He immediately added, ears heating up.