#vav fluff

One of his hands dropped from his phone and onto your shoulder, squeezing gently as he stroked your arm up and down. You snuggled further into the blanket that was messily wrapped around you, nudging his leg with your head in an attempt to get comfortable. His hand was warm, and his touch made you feel safe. You had already closed your eyes and nearly fell asleep when his voice alerted you back to consciousness.

“Babe?” You looked up at Geumhyuk from your comfortable spot of using his lap as a pillow. He wore an amused grin, looking down at you with love and laughter in his eyes. “Are you falling asleep?”

“Yes,” you answered. “Let me. You’re comfy.” You turned away from him as you spoke, shifting again before settling against him. You could hear him chuckle above you.

Geumhyuk took the blanket and covered you up again, resting his hand on your waist as he turned back to his phone. His thumb stroked back and forth absentmindedly, lulling you to sleep. He would occasionally hum, one of his songs of course, and his gentle voice further sent you into a state of rest.

Eventually, he noticed how soft your breathing had become, and he pulled his eyes from his phone once more to look down at your sleeping figure. Part of him never expected you to actually fall asleep, but he wasn’t complaining. Instead, he smiled and made sure you were comfortable. He carefully tugged a bit of your hair back, away from your face.

He was different, he was really different from you. Curiosity could soon be discovered in your watchful eyes. His dark hair hid the sight of his eyes, but by the pool of that house sometimes when the lights danced above you, you could see a spot of light hidden in his well-designed eyes. The way he looked at you was different from the way others looked at him.

He had seen something in you, something that seemed clear. But you couldn't understand what was holding you to that person. What drew you so much attention? His appearance was already peculiar, it was already something to become personal, so you knew it was not his appearance that got you sitting next to him for so long.

— Did I get your attention? ... — He asked quietly, discreetly, even if the party around didn't ask for it. You almost saw a nice smile come out of the corner of his mouth, but it didn't happen anyway. — It usually happens ... did I scare you? ...

— You didn't scare me, I don't think you're scary ... You look like that because you like it more, it doesn't scare me.

He remained silent and calm, moving minimally for any gesture. It would be a risky bet to characterize him as shy, but you kept thinking it was, for you it was a good guess that maybe some others would not agree.

— What caught your attention about me? ... — He asked in the same tone, but you couldn't look at him for much, the lights were dim, he could hide his gaze, but he didn't feel like he was doing it.

— I'm trying to find out ...

He nodded slightly, without complications. It seemed unhurried, as if the night was long enough to pass the time there.

— Are you curious?

You watched him a little, stating.

— I'm a little curious about you ...

— If I let you get close to me, would you like to know about me? ... — His voice came out more firmly, a direct question that stuck in your mind. His voice echoed a little more, making you a little lazy, you ended up answering low after.

— I'm not sure I know how to do this ...

His hands slid on the floor, pulling himself a bit closer.

— Do what?

— To be close someone ... — You said shyly but loud enough, so he wouldn't notice your traces of shyness. — I don't know much about it ...

His head dipped a little, paying attention to the movements of your mouth to help to understand a little against the beats that echoed in the speakers scattered around the party.

— You shouldn't be here ... isn't?

You didn't answer, but waited him to continue.

— You don't need to feel alone ... I shouldn't be sitting here either ... — He fell his head, his bangs danced without losing every gesture he made, it seemed to be all on purpose, but when you saw his eyes exposed, you realized he was purer than you thought he would be.

This boy was so soft that his clothes seemed to lose all of his real meanings.

The darkness was so comforting that the surrounding light began to bother you. However, it continued to slide to where you were in the same order as always, and you ended up regretting your thoughts every time his face brightened and you could memorize all the exposed features of his face.

Then he smiled.

When that happened, you forgot that you could be far away. When his smile appeared, that person you would like to see far from you ended up mesmerizing you and making you fall into his charms.

Was he an angel? Was he so beautiful all this time? ... Why did you think to keep him away from you?

For you, an angel wouldn't have black, peeled nails like he did. An angel would not have tattoos on his hands showing the boldness of a mysterious young man as he showed himself to be. He wouldn't wear black clothes or piercings, nor would he have dark, intense eyes like the ones he had.

You were silent, looking at the brilliant water of the pool, only adorned by a light blue sky.

— Among all these people, you are here with me, even scared ... That's cool ... I would like to be talking to you if we were not anyway... — He said between pauses, quietly, sometimes pressing his lips, but you didn't know well what it meant. — Thanks for staying with me.

— I'm not scared. — You said it again.

His attention turned towards you, looking at your form from the corner of his eyes.

— Come with me...

You bent your head, so he stood up extending his hand to you.

— Would you accept me?

You took his hand and he helped you to stand up, not letting go to hear your answer closer.

— Come with me ... — He lowered his head to speak close to your cheek.

— Where would you take me? ...

— Not far. I don't want to do anything different, don't think too much, just look around ...

You looked around, seeing young people having fun with each other everywhere, some groups, some friends, some couples.

His face turned back to yours, but he didn't do anything, he stayed that way.

— I want to stay with you tonight. — He murmured, his sweet voice preventing my desire to look anywhere else. — So come with me.

He held your fingers, pulling you slowly just to allow time enough to you deny it, but that didn't happen anyway. You followed him, paying attention to his face, extremely curious.

Habits that you had never made, decisions that you never would have made, you ended up forgetting these things. No, you haven't forgotten them, you just left them aside.

It was just a distant wall, where the lights didn't shine, where there were no eyes. There was nothing different, and it was there that he touched you, hiding you with his body.

The night was cold, but your hands were warm enough with the situation you was in. Your cheeks were flushed with his eyes meeting yours.

He didn't touch you at first, he just got a little closer, lifting his hands up to your neck, sliding his cold fingers through the strands of your hair, resting on the back of your neck.

You held his clothes in your hands, without strength, but it brought him closer. His head lay down until it reached your face, his bangs brushing against your skin.

You closed your eyes, which were already a little heavy, feeling his lips pressed against your cheek, going to the other one leaving one same kiss there. You opened your eyes, a little impressed by it, receiving a friendly smile from him. Then you felt a tender squeeze on the back of the neck, feeling his lips on your forehead.

His eyes met yours again, but this time his smile remained there, a little lighter, but there.

— I will ask the question again ... Answer me in good tone ... — He slid his thumbs around your neck, like a harmless caress, but the cold rings he wore send you shivers in a matter of seconds through your body. — Would you stay with me tonight? ...

You held his wrists, feeling the thick texture of his clothing.

— There would be no denying ...

— Just tell me again ... in the right way ... — He brushed his nose over yours, not getting any closer.

— I want you to stay with me, so please stay with me tonight ...

He confirmed with satisfaction, letting out a smile again at one time or another as he smoothed his hands around your neck.

— It's gonna be a pleasant evening ... — He murmured, closing his lips to rest them on yours silently.

[...]

You stared at him while he stopped in front of you with a confused expression.

— What makes you think so deeply that I'm different from you?

You didn't know how to answer.

— Why can't you accept me?

— I can't just trust you that much.

He looked upset but not hurt by what you said.

— I know you wouldn't have done this with anyone, I know that, don't think these things ... — He seemed to try to explain himself, even without needing to, he was attentive and careful and he still tried to avoid misunderstandings even when you offended him. — I know you wouldn't kiss anyone else like you kissed me ...

You avoided his eyes quickly when felt the embarrassment restraining your movements.

— It's so hard to think that it was the same to me? ... That I happened to make an exception just that time? ... Why it is different only for you?

You bit your lip, you didn't want to offend him, but you couldn't defend your thoughts without doing so.

He frowned, this time breaking your heart with the disappointment draining from his eyes.

— Can't you really accept me?

— I-It's not that way.

He was silent, watching you briefly before leaving without saying goodbye.

— I thought you wouldn't regret it.

You saw him leaving and don't looking back, you feeling a certain lack of his presence.

[...]

Everything was dark, it was late, everything was silent, so you was afraid before you saw him.

— Why were you walking around alone? It's so late, you know it's dangerous ... Don't scare me like that ... — You said a little low and sleepy, seeing him so late at night had scared you, without any warning of his arrival.

— I wanted to visit you, I wanted to see you ... despite that, I feel sorry for bothering you, I'm sorry for not thinking twice ...

— I can't imagine what you would like to talk to me at a time like this ...

The murmurs stopped slowly, an awkwardness being built in the air as only breaths could be heard.

He was looking good, he should have stayed on the street until that moment, strolling around. You could feel the perfume exhaling from the boy from where you were, you tried not to get closer the boy to feel more of his fragrance.

His mouth opened for a moment, it quickly caught your attention, then he proceeded in whispers.

— If you want me around ... Why don't you have the courage to tell me? ...

You were quiet, organizing the thoughts that flew in search of answers. He didn't wait for you even if he still didn't hear anything from your mouth.

— If you had called me ... said you wanted me with you, I would have come after you without doubt... — He approached, enough so that you could see his eyes. — Am I still the problem? ...

You pressed your fingers together, don't wanting to answer him directly.

— Did you ... have you been drinking before you came here? ...

He closed his eyes, patiently denying.

— I just came ...

You noticed his melancholic tone, a little discouraged, so you decided to leave the insecurities aside to actually talk to the boy in front of you.

— Yoonho ...

When you said his name out loud, you felt something different when you heard it leave your own mouth. His eyes lifted towards you quickly, attentive and intense, it seemed to be something intimate to hear his name coming from you.

— I don't think you're the problem because ... — I pressed my lips together. — Because I think you're beautiful ... You're ... more beautiful than I thought you were ...

He listened without moving a single finger, but his expression softened when he heard that statement.

— I didn't want to hurt you, nor make you think that I regret having stayed with you at that party ... — You commented low, trying to find any sign under that long, smooth bangs if his.

— So ... — He interrupted you, curious but subtle, he always knew how to stay in his place, like a good boy. — What is holding you back? ... What could prevent you from approaching me? ... Fear?

You sighed.

— I told you before that fear is not what I feel for you.

— Not that fear. — He took two steps forward, still keeping some distance. — Fear of me being different ...

You remained silent, receiving those words with emphasis echoing in you thoughts. Then you realized that you was a little surprised to hear the truth coming out of his mouth.

He didn't expect an answer from you. He looked at the floor, smoothing his hands between his fingers, catching your attention to his tattoos and rings.

His hands seemed to be soft, his fingers were long and his nails were cut perfectly, but they seemed to have been painted for a long time ago, due to the peeling nail polish.

His hand moved up his arm timidly, landing on the curve of his neck, gently pulling the ends of his hair behind his ear.

His piercings were finally seen, your attention being especially on the earrings that occupied the pinky skin of his ear.

He knew you was paying attention on him. He wanted this, he wanted to see how you were watching him. How you admired him.

You closed your lips and opened it a few times, unable to make the sound in your throat come out on the first try.

— You...

His gaze lifted quickly, but remained in the same position, crossing his other arm in his body to hold his waist, as if he were hugging himself because of the cold.

— Do you want to spend the night here?

He remained silent, letting his hand on his neck fall on his shoulder.

— Are you inviting me to stay? ... — His voice came out light and hopeful, only that was able to make your body tense.

— Yes. I prefer you to stay. Sleep here tonight.

— Are you sure?...

You agreed, stepping away from the couch a little.

— You can sleep here, it is safer for you wait the day to come.

— Thanks for worrying about me ... — He smiled with his mouth closed, looking away.

You agreed, going to the bedroom to get a sheet for him.

You took a thick, soft sheet, hoping to please the boy with dark clothes. When you returned to the room only lit by the light outside the balcony, you saw the boy already barefoot and sitting on the sofa, hugging his legs with his back on the arm of the sofa, looking to the side, perhaps nowhere in particular.

You approached the sofa slowly, but the boy didn't look at you, he lowered his head, hiding his face on his knees.

You waited standing, silent, until you felt the corage to sit in front of him.

You left the sheet aside.

— You're sad?...

He raised his head, laying in his arms, looking at the floor. He slightly denied it.

— If I spend the night here ... Will you remember me tomorrow? ... — He lifted his head, resting his chin on his arms. — Or will you just remember what I was wearing? ... What others will think ...

You looked down, shaking your head.

— There is no way to forget you ...

He smiled weakly, lowering his head a little. Upon hearing it, you soon searched for his face when you raised your head, not being able to see his face because of the dark and his long hair.

He dropped his head when he noticed.

— What are you looking for? ... — That soft voice appeared again, and that shiver circulated through your body.

— Your eyes. I can't see them ... — You said in the same tone, still analyzing him.

Gradually his hands slid down his legs, making a path to your hands that shaked a little with the unexpected touch.

— If you can't see my eyes ...

He took them to his face, making your fingers run through his skin and the root of his hair, combing the silky, soft strands of his locks back.

— It's because you don't want to.

You could see his face perfectly, his forehead, his eyebrows and his well-formed and open, dark and shiny eyes that were watching you deeply.

After that moment of silent observation he placed your hands on his knees, slowly putting his hands to the sides of your face, bringing you closer.

— Listen to me...

He commented in whispers, running his fingers in small, simple lines across your face and neck.

— I would undress myself for you ...

Such a comment made your fingers hold on his knees, scratching the fabric of his pants.

— Everything in my body. — He said without stuttering, he seemed convinced of it. — Just for you.

You was paralyzed, even so, he didn't expect an answer yet.

— If you wanted, I would take it all out ... — He looked at his clothes, you ended up looking together, following his gaze anywhere. — I would take off each piercing and ring ... one by one, each piece of clothing ... until nothing is left.

You felt your face heat up intensely, his fingers remained cold on your skin, sometimes curling up in your hair.

— If you asked me to, I would do it for you ...

His whispers remained soft, as if they were little secrets made only to you to hear.

— Now? ... Would you do that now? ...

He nodded slowly, looking at the pieces of your face, pulling you close from the back of the neck, his scent becoming more and more irresistible.

— I would throw all those pieces away ... Just so you could finally see me for real ...

— Ayno ... — You murmured. His eyes closed for a moment. — Would you do that now for me? Would you let me see you? ...

His hands expanded, holding the back of your head into your hair to join your lips to his. You grabbed his knees, accepting his kiss willingly, feeling his warm breath against your cheek.

His kiss lasted for a while, barely pulling his lips away to bring them back to yours, making you feel the contrast of his warm lips and the little could piercing pressed against your lower lip.

His lips moistened yours for a long, silent time, but he did not deepen in the kiss. He pulled away, leaving the tip of his nose to brush yours.

— Don't waste a second ... — He took his hands out of your hair, taking them to his ear, removing an earring. — Look at me...

Then he took off one after the other, without haste, until his ears were bare.

He looked at you a little.

— Do you want to do this for me? ...

You confirmed slowly, he brought his face closer, lifting his chin a little, then opening slightly his mouth.

He watched you remove the piercing from his lip, tilting his head a bit to the side when you did, looking into your eyes temporarily.

— What do you think? ... — He asked quietly, waiting for your approval.

You watched his features, making him hold his piercing with the other earrings to slide your hands under his hair, finding his warm ears hidden by the long dark locks.

You smiled.

— You look like an angel.

His eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up a little. He opened his mouth, but said nothing, ducking his head a little, but not so far as to be away from you.

You looked at him confused, sliding your fingers through his hair, combing them behind his head and ears. His eyes fluttered and then softened after the affection.

His cheeks turned red. His eyes closed and his eyebrows rose slightly. His fingers surrounded your wrist and his rings gave you a small thermal shock again.

— An angel? ... — He sighed, laying his face on the palm of your hand, making you melt with the gesture.

You stroked his cheek with your thumb, enjoying the feel of his fingers around your wrist.

— Yes ... the purest ...

His other hand ran backwards, leaving his piercings beside the small lamp without having to leave your hands, then bringing it back to hold your other wrist while you stroked his hair over the head.

He continued to feel it, opening his eyes when he felt the proximity of your face. You sealed your lips to his, this time only feeling heat from him.

Without separating from the kiss you let go of his fingers to hold one of his hands, sliding your nails across his skin until you removed the first ring, repeating this with the others.

You sucked on his lips, hearing a sigh.

His hands remained still in the air, even though you had already removed all his accessories.

You pulled away from his mouth, he stared at your face, looking for something that not even he seemed to know what.

You looked at his necklaces, he straightened up, hurrying.

— I will help you. — He commented a little more shy, bringing his bare hands to the back of his neck, but you wanted to be part of it anyway, approaching his neck to remove his necklaces on your own, his hands stopped automatically, waiting for you to finish.

You removed them, joining them with the rings and putting them next to the piercings behind him, next to the unlit lamp.

His breath hit your neck as you slowly came back. His body had laid down a little so that you could take his accessories to the others, but his knees remained glued to his body.

His torso was slightly curved, so that he could lay his head on the arm of the sofa where he was leaning before. You leaned, giving him space to stretch his legs more between yours, so that he could go down a little more and feel comfortable.

He lifted up with his elbows, searching for the proximity of your face again.

— Are you going to do this 'till the end? ... — he murmured quietly, enough to create a more intimate atmosphere.

You sat on his hip, trying to take his coat off his shoulders, realizing this he soon sat down, making the job easier, staying only with a sweater.

— You want me to do?...

He stated with some slight nods, caressing your cheek with his.

— I will ... but before that — You held his hands, kissing his hand's backs, paying attention to their tattoos. — I need to worship you a little more ...

His eyes followed his hands, watching each of his fingers being kissed and caressed, then you noticed that until then his hands which were so cold now were as hot as ever.

— Do you ... l-like my tattoos? ...

You stated with a murmur, continuing with the kisses.

— You are telling the truth?

You smoothed his nails with your fingertips, looking at his face after the question.

— I am.

— It's not a problem anymore? ...

— It was never a problem, Ayno ...

A smile escaped the corner of his lips, a sheepish smile.

— I'm feeling good ... — He held your fingers, squeezing your hand gently.

— Are you? ... — You asked, he confirmed.

— Because you're seeing me exactly the way I wanted you to do...

You met his attentive gaze, smiling along with his relieved expression.

— As you said ... I just didn't see you, because I didn't want to ... The problem was with me, after all.

He shook his head, lowering his face to yours, to kiss your mouth.

— It's nobody's fault, baby. — He raised his hand to the side of your face, drawing with his fingers up to your jaw. — You just need to trust me. — He lowered himself again to your face, meeting your lips again.

You let go of his hand, taking both of yours to his hair, pleasing him in the strands of his locks, listening to a contented sigh coming out of his throat.

One of his hands came to grab your neck, while the other landed on your back. His tongue moistened your lips, asking for passage to deepen the kiss, letting out a little whimper and making you both weak by the first intimate contact. You pulled his hair lightly with your hands, hearing another pleasant sound coming out of his throat.

You grabbed the hem of his sweater, just holding it for a moment, noticing the boy shivering all over.

You separated the kiss for a moment, letting one last peck before running your hands along the sides of his torso, sliding up in his thin waist until he removed the piece from his body.

You hugged his waist, sliding your fingers down his back, leaving some small kisses on his shoulder until the curve of his neck.

His head fell to the other side, giving full access to his neck, you took the opportunity to smell him, closing your eyes, almost bewitched.

His hands slid down your arms, kissing the area below your lobe, kissing your jaw, cheek and forehead.

You smiled when you felt his lips on your forehead and temple, keeping your eyes closed.

— Hm, yeah ... I missed that ...

— You did? — His voice came out lower, but he still smiled. You agreed, he continued. — You can have as much of it as you want ... — He kissed my head once again, hugging my neck.

You looked to the side, meeting his face, receiving another kiss.

— Do you accept me? ... — He murmured with his lips still near yours, giving some pecks.

You returned his gestures, removing the fringe from above his eyes, looking at him for a few seconds.

*          *          *

It was a little before two when you woke up cold and alone. You slipped out from between the covers and wrapping the throw blanket at the end of the bed around your shoulders, went in search of your demon and his unnatural body heat.

You found him- sitting on a blanket on the living room floor, knees pulled to his chest and his chin resting on them, gazing up at his beautiful glowing Christmas tree.

“Ayno? You ok?” you asked softly. He unfolded himself and opened his arms, beckoning to you with his hands. You went straight to him, letting him wrap his arms around you and pull you to lay on the floor with him. “Did I wake you?”, he asked as he placed a kiss on your forehead, “I was trying to be quiet.”

“No. I was just cold…and I missed you being next to me. I know the not needing sleep thing makes it boring just laying there.”

“I do not mind. I like looking at you when you sleep. You are so beautiful and peaceful. Sometimes I talk to you…”

“I’ve never heard you…”

He smiled and spoke in barely a whisper “I am very quiet. And I speak in my language so it will seem like background noise to you.”

You giggled, “What do you say? Are you telling me demon bedtime stories?”

He laughed lightly, “I do not think we have those…our stories are not the kind of thing that helps people sleep.”

“I don’t know…you seem to help me sleep…”

Ayno smiled and gave a slight laugh “That is not because I am telling you soothing stories, it is because I wear you out…” he said as he brought his lips to yours.

His kisses were achingly soft as he lifted you and slipped your shirt off over your head. You felt the cold sting your nipples to rigid attention. Ayno cupped your breast and let his thumb graze lightly over the bud as he lowered you back down to the blanket. His hands traveled down your sides and waist until he hooked his fingers into the waist of your pajama shorts and underwear so he could pull them off as he continued down your legs to your feet. He reached down and slowly ran his hands from thigh to ankle, and cupping your heel he brought your foot to his lips, delicately kissing the ball, arch and heel before bringing his lips to your ankle bone and beginning to leave a trail of kisses along your calf, the back of your knee, and up your inner thigh. You could feel his hands running soothingly up and down the outside of your leg as he went. You giggled as he nipped gently at your inner thighs “Mmm what are you doing No?” He smiled against your skin. “I am memorizing you. So even if I spent a thousand years in the circles of hell, I would still know every line and every curve.” He skipped over the place you most wanted him to touch and instead went straight to your other inner thigh kissing and nipping and working his way back down to your foot just as he had on the other side. After he had kissed each of your toes gently from biggest to smallest, he leveraged himself over you, and starting at your hip bone begin placing kisses in an arc just above your pubic bone before stroking his cheeks on your stomach, and ghosting kisses around your belly button. You ran your fingers into his hair, thumbs brushing over his temples and cheekbones as you breathed soft sighs of contentment. While you kept wanting Ayno to rough you up a little bit now and then, there was no denying that when he loved you gently you melted under his touch. His lips continued to explore your skin as he worked his way up your body, leaving gentle touches in the valley between your breasts, and then gently circling your mounds until he placed his hot mouth over your cold nipples, swirling his tongue and sucking. He ran his hands from your hips up your sides and breasts over your shoulders and down your arms until he reached your hands, threading his fingers between yours, and lifting your hands over your head. Ayno lowered his body and positioned himself at your entrance while still gently kissing your face and neck. He pushed himself inside at a slow steady pace, until he filled you completely. He stayed there, his body was flush with yours, creating as much skin on skin contact as possible. He pressed his cheek to yours as he continued kissing and sucking your neck and earlobe as he gently thrust into you at a steady pace. You closed your eyes, focusing on the incredible feeling of his weight on you, all over you, moving inside you. Wishing there was a way to get even closer, you wrapped your legs around his hips. Ayno lifted his head and kissed you passionately. He stayed close, nuzzling your nose with his, and lips still brushing yours and leaving fleeting kisses. When you opened your eyes to look at him, the tender look in his eyes caused your breath hitch. He looked deeply into your eyes with that soul penetrating gaze he had. “Thank you for keeping me. In all my years, nothing compares to these last weeks. Nothing even comes close.”   His words left you speechless, so you squeezed his hands and brought your mouth to his, hoping you could convey your emotions in the kiss. You felt his thrusts gaining speed and getting more intense. The familiar heat began to build in your belly, your toes tingled, stars appeared in your vision and you keened softly when Ayno hit the spot that made your legs start shaking and your whole-body jolt.  Your walls tightened around him as he took you over the edge. He slowed his pace, his hands squeezing yours tightly until he thrust into you one last time. He laid there and kissed you tenderly as his body softened and he could slide out of you without overstimulating you. 

 You had no idea how long you just laid there in each other’s arms just nuzzling and kissing, but Ayno’s bond with you told him you needed some after care. He wrapped you in your blanket before he padded off to the kitchen. He returned a few moments later, pajamas having magically reappeared on his body, with ice water and snacks- which he promptly began feeding you.

 “Do you want your present now?”, he asked, looking over at the tree, barely able to contain his excitement.

“It’s not Christmas yet!”, you laughed.

He pointed at the clock. “It is three hours past midnight. It is Christmas Day.”

Technically he was right, and he looked so hopeful.

“Ok,ok! Do you want yours?”

“I get a present too?”

“Of course you get a present! Did you really think I wouldn’t get you something?”, you said with mock offense.

He grinned. “Never got a present before! ...never celebrated Christmas before either. I did not really expect anything...already have you, so I consider myself spoiled anyway.”

If any other person had ever said that to you, you would have considered it the cheesiest fake line ever...but you knew Ayno meant it with utter sincerity.

He reached under the tree and pulled out a brown cardboard gift box

“You first!”, he said excitedly. “If you do not like it, tell me and I will fix it.” He seemed a little nervous. What kind of presents did demons give exactly? You undid the bow and cautiously opened the lid. You parted the tissue paper and pulled out a long, wide scarf that had been knit in an intricate open pattern out of soft cloud-like yarn in the most luscious color you had ever seen. “Do you like it?” he asked as he took it from you and began to drape it around your neck.

“Ayno, this is beautiful! …it’s so soft! …and the color is amazing…where did you get this?”

Ayno smiled shyly, “I made it for you.”

You sat staring at him with your mouth hanging open. “You made it???”

“Mmm-hmm. There is a shop downtown called “Knitch”. It is populated mostly with women who are nearer to death than not. They practice the old arts by using sticks and hooks to make things from fibers. I liked watching them. They noticed my interest, so they showed me how to do it…apparently I am clever with my hands. Do…do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s beautiful. I’ve never had someone make me a gift… I had no idea you could do this. I don’t ever want to take it off.”

He smiled proudly. “Now I will know you are warm when I am not with you. It is made from the hair of an alpaca and an angora rabbit, so we will have to clean it carefully.” He paused as he fluffed and adjusted it around your neck. “I am so relieved it pleases you…I was afraid you would not like it.”

 You took a small box out from under the tree. “I feel a little guilty about yours now. It seems so impersonal.”, you said as you somewhat reluctantly handed him the box.

Ayno’s face glowed as he turned the box over in his hands and ran his fingers over the foil paper. “So shiny! You wrap so well. I must learn this from you.” You expected him to rip into it with the fervor of a five-year-old, but he surprised you by carefully removing the tape at the seams and unfolding the edges. He lifted the paper away to reveal the gleaming white box with the holographic rectangle and number. He looked at it curiously before sliding the lid off and staring wide eyed at the object inside. He looked at you, and back at the box, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “For me??”

“Yes.”

“It is real? I may use it?”

You laughed. “Of course it’s real. And I got it so you could use it.”

He gently lifted it out and turned it over in his hands. “It looks just like yours! It even has the little apple on it!”

“Yes- we have the same model iPhone. But you have your own phone number. I hated that we had no way to get in touch with each other during the day, and well…it seems like you’re going to be staying awhile…”

You looked up into his face, his dark eyes filled with affection. He pulled you back into his arms, burying his face into the crook of your neck beneath the scarf. You realized that for you, giving Ayno his own phone had been a practical decision…but for Ayno it was far more: he had keenly observed that couples seemed to be linked by their phones – sending texts, calling, shared calendars and lots of pictures. While you had verbally acknowledged the relationship- and your desire to continue it…to him this was a physical symbol of that: a sign that you had accepted- and desired him as something fixed in your life.

“So exciting! Now I will look like everyone else at the coffee shop!” he said grinning.

“We can set it up and order you a case tomorrow, well, later today,” you said as you watched him power it on. “…or right now…”

“Can I play Candy Crush on it??”

“Yes, but you’ll have to start back at level 1.”

He was undeterred. “That is ok. Then I will have three stars on all my levels.” he said giving you a pointed look.

“So many languages…” he said scrolling through the list to make his choice.

“Is yours there?” you asked curiously.

He laughed “I think not…although more of us have cell phones than you might imagine.”

He happily set about picking a background, chose dark mode, let it scan his face for ID, set up a passcode (your birthday), found the app store and began downloading Candy Crush and Snapchat. Then he opened his “contacts” icon, pushed the “+” sign and handed his phone to you. You typed in your name, cell and office numbers, e-mail, and the apartment address.

“No picture?” he said as you handed it back to him. “Well, it’s the picture that will take up your whole screen when I call… so I’ll send you one that wouldn’t embarrass you…or me…to have everyone see it.” you explained.

Suddenly his face lit up. He pulled you into his lap, and turned on the camera to portrait mode, flipped it to front facing, and held his arm high as he brought his head next to yours and snapped his phone’s first selfies. He smiled with joy as he gazed at the two of you: still flushed with afterglow, colored lights reflecting off his blonde hair, bright smiles and all wrapped in each other’s arms. He immediately set it as his lock screen. “You don’t think we’ve taken better pictures?” you asked looking at your happy but disheveled faces .

He shook his head, “Look at us”, he said admiring the pic again, “so beautiful- happiness…affection...look how we fit together…all that is good in your world is reflected in us here. Now I have this moment forever.”

You threw your arms around him and held him as tight as you could. His arms came around you, holding you fast against him, his fingers in your hair and his soft cheek rubbing against yours. You wished you could stop time so this feeling would never end.

“Merry Christmas, Ayno”, you whispered.

    “Babygirl, don’t swing that around. If you drop it, Daddy and Uncles won’t have food.” You gently scolded your daughter as she happily started twirling around in the elevator-a bag full of food grasped in her tiny hands.

    She pouted up at you and stopped spinning just as you crouched down to her height. “Is it getting heavy for you? Want Mommy to hold it?” You asked her, holding your hand out.

    Her head jerked back and forth as she stepped away from you, the bag clutched tight to her chest. “I’m a big girl! I can carry it! I wanna show Uncle Ayno and Uncle Ziu I’m not a baby!” She wailed.

    You smiled at her adorable antics and scrunched your nose at her. “Okay Baby. We’ll show them you’re grown up.” You told her, trying your hardest to keep the teasing tone out of your voice.

    She nodded her head in determination right as the elevator dinged, indicating you were on the right floor. You held a hand out to make sure the door wouldn’t close on your child as she zoomed out and into the hallway where she immediately followed the familiar path to her father’s practice studio. “Mommy, are they in there?!” She asked loudly, while trying to whisper to you.

    You could hear them whispering to each other, and a specific loud mouth asking if he heard someone at the door. So you just shrugged at her and held her hand while waiting for the boys to open it for you. “Let’s find out, yeah?” You replied simply, getting her to nod excited up at you.

    Not even a minute later, two familiar faces peaked out to see what the commotion was, eyes glinting mischievously at seeing the familiar mop of black hair clinging to your hand. “Y/N where’s Yoona? How could you have possibly left our favorite little girl at home?!” Ayno pouted at you while Ziu opened the door wider and allowed you both inside.

    At hearing your name, your boyfriend of 8 years looked over in your direction wide eyed. “Y/N is here?!” He yelped, quickly rushing up to your little group and immediately crouching down to take his squealing little girl into his arms.

    You smiled at the sight and giggled a little bit as Yoona was passed around the group, gaining kisses from all her uncles. “I thought you were staying home with her today. What if you’d gotten hurt or kidnapped? You should’ve told me you were stopping by for a visit, I would’ve asked for a driver.” He gushed, checking you over for anything wrong while Yoona managed to stop in Ayno’s arms and hug him around his neck.

    You pressed your hands against St. Van’s cheeks and squished them a little, giving him a bright smile. “I drove here. We’re fine. It’s okay My Love. Breathe in, and breathe out. Everything is okay. See? Look, Yoona is with her favorite uncle now.” You replied to him, motioning towards Ayno who was zooming around with the raven-haired toddler wrapped around his neck and back squealing happily.

    You sighed in content at the sounds of your daughter having fun with her uncles, and stepped into St. Van’s arms, smiling a little when his arms wrapped around your automatically. “Oh! I brought food in case anyone is hungry!” You said suddenly, looking up at him.

    St. Van smirked and spun you around. “I knew I picked you for a reason. Hey! Who’s hungry!” He chuckled, setting you down right as he called for the others.

    “I am! I am!” Your child screamed from her perch on Ziu’s shoulders.

    You smiled over at her and tried stepping out of St. Van’s arms, wanting to go set the food down on the table set up in the back corner. “Babe, can I put down the stuff please?” You asked him softly, chuckling a little when he grunted and held you tighter.

    It took the both of you waddling over to the table for him to finally be content enough to let you go long enough to set the food out for grabs. “Okay, that’s done, now come back here.” He pouted, wrapping you up in his arms again just as a pair of loud yells sounded behind you.

    You squealed just as Ayno and Ziu zoomed into the area with Yoona giggling happily atop one of their shoulders. “Yayyyy! Food!” She yelled happily as Ayno grabbed a tiny piece of food to feed her with.

    The rest of the group was too busy either recording the fiasco, or laughing at how everything was turning out to even try stepping over to the food. “Ya! Let us eat too!” Ace grumbled in fake annoyance.

    Yoona stuck her tongue out at him. “No!” She called back without hesitation, which earned a surprised look from you.

    St. Van snickered and hid in your neck to keep from getting glares from his group mates as his daughter started telling them all off while continuing to eat out of Ayno and Ziu’s hands. “Come here you little-!” Without warning Lou snatched Yoona off Ziu’s shoulders and rushed her around the room while still being cradled gently in his arms.

    You jumped at her scream in laughter and looked over to see what the commotion was just as St. Van gently tugged you out of the room. “She’s fine Angel. Don’t worry, you know she’s their pride and joy as much as ours.” He chuckled.

    You nodded your head. “It’s just been so long that I’ve heard it, it startled me.” You admitted, hiding your face in your hands in embarrassment.

    He just grinned at you and lifted a hand up to cup your cheek, stroking his thumb along you cheekbone soothingly while you let your head rest against his palm. “Maybe we should let her see them more often then. I’m sure her little crush will go away after a few more years.” He quietly muttered, leaning in to press a sweet kiss to the crown of your head.

    You sighed in content and leaned into him, momentarily forgetting what the conversation was about; just allowing yourself the moment in his embrace to be the only thing on your mind. “You see? It’s fine. She’s perfectly fine with the-” At the sudden crash and screech in the room you both pulled away from each other and stared at the door wide eyed. 

    You glanced up at him. “What was that?” You asked him in a deadly quiet voice.

    Just as he was about to answer, your daughter’s whines and cries gave you what you wanted, before a large figure stopped in the doorway and coughed into his hands. “Now before you freak out and try hitting us. Just know she’s perfectly fine. She didn’t get hurt. But um...Ayno might have fallen down and scared her.” Lou explained quickly, doing his best to block the door the moment he saw your facial expression change.

    Lou gulped quietly and glanced toward St. Van who was keeping in his snickering so as to not turn your wrath on him. “Might have fallen? Or been pushed?” You hissed, narrowing your eyes.

    “Now now, let’s not panic Y/N. Like I said, she’s perfectly fine.” Lou mumbled holding his hands out.

    You shoved passed him without a second thought and stormed into the room. “I swear if my daughter is crying-what are you doing?” You said, cutting yourself off in confusion upon seeing Ayno in the middle of a strange and goofy dance for Yoona who was sat in Ace’s lap bouncing up and down a little in rhythm. 

    The group of guys all grinned innocently at you, and Ace went as far as to bounce Yoona a little bit higher so she was giggling loudly in his grip. “He’s dancing Mommy! Look!” Yoona squealed, pointing at Ayno who was grinning like an idiot while swiveling his body around randomly.

    You huffed out a breath and crossed your arms over your chest, narrowing your eyes a little more at the group as they slowly and subtly began to cower under the stare. “Babe, give them a break. She’s not crying anymore, and she’s not hurt.” Your boyfriend’s soothing voice called behind you, rubbing his hands up and down your arms to help calm your frustration.

    Without thought, you leaned against his chest and sighed. “Be that as it may. I still don’t trust her alone with them. At this point I don’t know who’s worse; a toddler with a crush, or a group of adults acting just as insane as said toddler.” You grumbled out finally.

    You glanced over at the table just as St. Van wrapped his arms around you again and kissed your temple, his chuckles vibrating against your back. “Hey! Have you even touched the food Yoona and I both slaved over for you?!” You cried out, pointing at the untouched food that looked like it hadn’t been eaten since the tiny little bites Ayno and Ziu fed Yoona.

    All the boys, including your boyfriend rushed toward the table to grab a small portion, giving you loud thanks with stuffed faces and happy grins. No one wanted to poke the mama bear anymore than they already had, and Yoona even went so far as to stick her tongue out at the boys. “Yeah! Mommy and I slaved over that for hours!” She commented, crossing her arms in the same manner she’d always seen you do.

    Her favorite uncles crouched down to her level after finishing their plates and bowed before her. “All hail Queen Yoona! All hail Queen Yoona!” The two chanted while picking her up gently and prancing her around the room.

    You rolled your eyes playfully when St. Van’s arms once again found your body and wrapped around your waist. “Don’t fret My Love. They’re definitely wrong.” He whispered in your ear, kissing the shell to earn a giggle from you.

    A couple of the guys who managed to hear the giggle glanced over for just a moment, practically sagging in relief at seeing the happy smile on your face like when you first stepped through the door. 

    “She’s Princess Yoona, Y/N. Because you’re my queen.” 

~~~