deercountry | [closed] it's fantasy christmas time

Entry tags:

[closed] it's fantasy christmas time

Who: Flynn, Yuri, & Blue (and Repede)
What: Winter holidays mean gifts no matter what world you're in
When: End of December
Where: Flynn, Yuri, & Blue's house in Crenshaw

Content warnings: none this will be very soft

[ Flynn and Yuri have spent most of their lives' combined winter holidays together. They didn't get showered in gifts as children, of course: the Lower Quarter was too poor to do things like that. Instead, the solstice and the associated feast usually just meant a lot of food and a lot of drunk adults, a few gifts scraped together from whatever money people could afford. Last year, Flynn had spent half the day in Zaphias Castle and then ditched the glittering festivities to go sneak gifts down to the Lower Quarter, dressed in the closest approximation of the Winter Spirit as he could manage.

But this year. This year?

This year, they do the best they can in the warm little bubble of their house. Flynn makes hot chocolate (spicy hot chocolate, following a recipe so Yuri doesn't reject it) and then a little garbage dipping sauce with way too many spices just for him and Blue, since at least someone likes his cooking. Yuri makes everything else, and they have a proper feast in their little warm kitchen, decorated with the best approximation of winter cheer that Flynn could manage. That mostly involves a lot of evergreen boughs, candles, and lunar-orb string lights, which are nothing like anything from Zaphias and which Flynn is absolutely delighted by.

The food is amazing, but when they've gotten through everything and are just sort of picking at one of the desserts Yuri made, Flynn, who has been vibrating with excitement for the last ten minutes, finally gives in and pushes himself up from the table. ]

Yuri, help me bring this into the living room?

[ It's PRESENT TIME. ]

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[ Spending a whole day cooking with Repede and Smokey, and sometimes Daisy and the lion, keeping him company is a pretty pleasant way to spend a frigid December day. After Lysithea forced him to eat one of those nasty mushrooms, he was forced to admit that he was, in fact, experiencing symptoms of corruption. It's not hard to trace it to why, the days spent in the farm weigh on the back of his mind even if he isn't ready to address it yet. But their little house, and the friends he's made in Trench, they help. Spending time with Blue and Flynn, Lysithea, Anna, Kaeya, it all helps. Fangs still press at his lips, but they seem to be the only leftover from the corruption he was feeling. He even feels warmer, like the intense cold of his first few months in Trench were because of corruption, not because of his new blood. Although, it's still damn cold.

He hums to himself as he spends hours making dumplings, carefully wrapping them, then steaming them, making cakes, ones from home and ones that he learned from Lysithea, calling Flynn in to decorate them because he has the patience for it, but Yuri doesn't.

As with any meal like this, it takes hours to make and is consumed in minutes, but he doesn't mind. It's nice, to watch Flynn and Blue enjoy themselves, to eat the fruits of his labor and relax in this little house that feels a lot like a home with the three of them in it. He feels more calm at home than he does outside of it, these days.

He looks up at Flynn, and it takes a second for his mind, hazy from food, to catch up with what's happening. ]

Oh, sure.

[ He pushes himself up with a groan and picks up a plate of cookies, Flynn's favorites from childhood, shuffling it into the living room. Smokey flits after him, and Repede seems to get the memo too, getting up with a yawn. Yuri slips him a cookie as they walk. It's fine for dogs to eat cookies, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. He glances back just to make sure that the lion is there to help Blue move over to the other room. ]

[if only a moment like this could last a lifetime.

Blue may not be able to eat as heartily as the others, but even the littlest samplings are a joy - to say nothing of simply enjoying witnessing the process of it all coming together. while he could help here and there, the Mu mostly stepped aside to let these two young ones go about their paces as they saw fit, with Yuri at the helm with most of the foods, but Flynn being close at-hand all the same. at least two people here can enjoy some of his hell-cooking...

Yuri gets all the compliments, of course: before coming here, Blue's palette was always pretty...eh...considering what was available to him, is it any wonder his eyebrows lift every time a new combination of flavors hits his tongue? it's like Ratatouille, psychic edition.

this feeling of home...it's different than being in the company of other Mu, but the warmth and comfort contained within these walls is precious, priceless beyond counting. if every evening could come to a close like this, Blue thinks that life here could be something wonderful.

now, finally, whatever's got ants in Flynn's pants will see him seated no more, and now everyone's to move, huh? tough call, given the spread they've been picking at, but maybe it will be more comfortable to digest in the den. Blue's omen lets out a long, lazy yawn before getting up and taking point at his side to help usher the Mu along and settled on one end of the sofa. when that's taken care of, the lion pads over to the fireplace and stretches out in front of it, taking up all of that precious real estate without much care.

looking to Yuri:] The rest of that...I hope it keeps. There's still so much.

[ Flynn flashes Blue a bright, warm smile for his care as he heads back into the kitchen to fill their cups up with more of the hot chocolate, glad to see him settled. Blue deserves warmth and comfort, and if he doesn't have any traditions like this of his own—it seems his people were just beginning to form their own—then Flynn is glad to get to share theirs. Maybe they can make their own in this harsh new land. ]

If it doesn't, I'm sure someone could use it. Half the reason we made so much at home was to make sure everyone got a chance to eat, even the people too prideful to admit they were hungry.

[ Carefully, he hands off one of his three mugs to Yuri, pushes a second into Blue's hands, and then practically jogs over to the little potted tree he'd brought inside and covered in lights. There aren't presents under the tree, really, but they're sort of scattered around it. The ones Flynn wrapped are very clear, because they're wrapped neatly in brown butcher paper, decorated with little bits of branches and ribbon.

He picks up one of each of these and whirls back around with a smile on his face. ]

We didn't really do presents back home, but. Well.

Flynn likes holidays.

[ Yuri says this as an aside to Blue, like Flynn can't hear him, and like it isn't obvious. He learned years ago to just let Flynn have his fun. He's along for the ride, after all. ]

But, yeah. The food is for everyone. This was just us, now, but we'll go take it around tomorrow, make sure it gets eaten. That's the best part of Christmas.

[ When he was a kid, it really was the best. The lower quarter went all out, and Jiri and Hanks would have him in and feed him until he could barely move, before he and Hanks would take their leftovers to everyone else, and Yuri would act as their rationer, making sure no one took too much, so everyone could have at least some.

But then his eyes are on the presents. No, they didn't really do presents, but Yuri likes new stuff. It's exciting, thrilling, and he never had it back home. And new, free stuff? That's just for him? It might be his new favorite thing. He's taken to wearing the blanket Flynn got him for his birthday around like a cape. ]

Better be good, Flynn. It's Blue's first Christmas, right?

[the fact Blue wasn't really seeking out any notion of secret gifts is what's kept these things unknown to him, but that might work only this one time! savor it, Flynn...or get better at not thinking about surprises later on. honestly? he thought the boxes were just part of the décor...]

Wait-- [frown.] Was...there a step I was supposed to do for this as well? How does this work?

[ Flynn shoots Yuri a fond look that absolutely fails at looking annoyed as he crosses back and presses a gift first onto Blue's lap and then into Yuri's hands. ]

If you were meant to do something, we'd have told you. Some people exchange gifts on Christmas.

[ With that, he makes himself stand beside Yuri, a little too close, practically radiating excitement. ]

These are for both of you! They'll be good.

[ Yuri stares down at the gift, his face flushing. He isn't used to getting gifts, he's not sure if he ever will be. ]

Flynn...

[ He shifts a little closer to Flynn, but doesn't open his gift yet, instead watching Blue. ]

Do the Mu do gifts?

I don't recall... [he hesitates.] Well, no...the children, sometimes they would make little drawings or write something up and share it. But nothing wrapped like this, no...

[where would they get the wrapping? it's not like they could go out and gather things.

Blue finds it hard to focus on that box, actually, given how bright Flynn is with that energy of his. he looks to him once more for a beat before his gaze trails to Yuri before finally falling back on the box. there's a little comfort in knowing he's not the only one here who's unused to this, at least.

despite the anticipation pressing in from Flynn, Blue is careful at picking and pulling at seams of paper, not keen to tearing indiscriminately.]

My... [eventually he can get the box open and lift some of the woven fabric up.] Where did you find such a thing...?

[ Flynn is practically breathless with anticipation, though he does an admirable job containing it, standing there. He's used to controlling his feelings, after all, and so instead of proverbially vibrating out of his skin he's mostly just watching Blue very intently with a thoughtless hand braced on Yuri's back, firm and warm.

When he finally breaks the thing open and lifts it, Flynn beams. ]

The markets are truly full of wonders, and you can trade a lot for those cakes Yuri brings home. It's enchanted! It should do like Yuri's blanket and keep you warm—those beads are meant to represent stars, and since you showed me your sky, I thought—well. Maybe it would remind you of home. Supposedly in the design are constellations.

[ It's really kind of sweet to watch, Blue's intent focus, Flynn's excitement. It's nice. He misses being around people, being around the joy of just being together in one place. He leans back a little, into Flynn's hand. ]

Well, if it's anything like the blanket, you'll love it, no matter what it looks like.

[ He wears it around the house, almost constantly these days, fighting off the chill of the winter.

But, well-- there's a gift in his lap, too, and his anticipation can only be held back for so long. He waits just another moment before ripping into it, tearing off the paper uncaringly only to grin brightly. In his gift is two whole pounds of chocolate. Even though he's been eating a ton of sweets at Lysithea's bakery, there still isn't enough chocolate in this world ]

Shit. Thanks, Flynn. It was either chocolate, or a brick to hit you over the head with.

[Blue is careful in lifting the shawl out of its box and onto what space is left on his lap, gingerly feeling over those starry beads. it's a tremendously thoughtful gift - perhaps the most thoughtful one found and given to him.

humbled and grateful, Blue looks up to Flynn before his attention shifts to Yuri's own gift, gleaning that spark of delight that just fuels his own.

looking back to Flynn:] You're tremendously thoughtful, Flynn...

[ Flynn mumbles something, flushed with the joy of them liking his gifts and also at the praise, because he... he tried really hard. It took him forever to save up enough for that shawl, and he'd had to do a lot of favors for the vendor, including working for the value of the beads alone, tiny glittering things that they are. Yuri's chocolate had been a full-day adventure out in one of the boats, a harrowing thing full of creaking frozen metal and ice and goods that other people were all also trying to get. He'd had to be selfish, just a little, and that they like them—

Well, it's a nice little beacon of normalcy in what has been a very strange and uncomfortable month, and Flynn is thrilled about it. He shifts a little on the couch, leaning in to push a soft kiss against the side of Yuri's jaw without really thinking about it. ]

If I was going to get a brick, it would be to hit you with, Yuri. I hope it's good chocolate. It was, um. Quite frozen. Possibly a little salty?

[ The kiss throws him off, a little, his eyes going wide for a second. They don't do that around other people, not even Blue, but he doesn't really want to bring attention to it, either, so he just glances at Flynn, still smiling because he can't help himself, and clears his throat, voice a little strained ]

Salted chocolate is good.

[ His eyes linger for a second, before he pushes himself up and grabs his coat ]

I got you guys stuff, too. Sort of.

[ He got Blue the intention of something, at least. He shudders as he heads out into the cold to collect it from the stable-- Flynn's gifts are kind of obvious, and he didn't really want to wrap them. Smokey flies with him, and picks up one piece while he grabs the other.

With a caw, Smokey flies back into the living room and drops a slim sword on Flynn's lap. Yuri carries in a shield and a small gift that's in one of the gift boxes from Lysithea's bakery with a poorly tied ribbon around it. He hands the wrapped gift to Blue and sets the shield down next to Flynn, feeling a weird combination of nervous and annoyed. He doesn't really do gifts, but it felt right this year, it felt like he wanted to, but now he doesn't really want to be looked at. ]

Happy Christmas.

[ He says it gruffly before sitting back down. In Blue's gift is a package of tea he got from the market. The sword and shield in Flynn's lap are well made, if unadorned. Simple, light, easy to carry around with him when he needs them. ]

Blue, yours is just... part of it. I have something else for you, but I couldn't do it yet.

[here's the thing: that's not the first kiss of theirs Blue's known - it's just the first one physically in front of him. the mix of emotions is different...and it's easy to assume he's part of the cause of that, but the warmth is still there.

so is the uncertainty. even now, after all this time, they're painting pictures of each other in their minds without the input of the other...and this is just how humans are, how they've always been. it's a bit hard for Blue to stand, but that he is alive and able to learn at all is just as much a marvel, isn't it?

that moment ebbs, the atmosphere cooling a bit with Yuri's brief absence. Blue doesn't speak to it, his eyes downcast on the little runes dappled across the shawl still in his lap. so much thought and effort put into something like this for him...

when Yuri returns, he lifts his gaze just in time to catch Yuri plopping back down. he takes the package in his hands, about to examine it, but Yuri's words give him pause.]

Part...? [but...he's already getting spoiled here.]

Yeah, that... I know you don't really need stuff, but, y'know, climbing up those stairs is hard for you. I can build you a room, off of this one.

[ He jerks a thumb to the backyard, still feeling very self conscious about this. It's a lot of work, and he didn't really want to pitch it as a gift, but here he is. ]

When the ground isn't frozen. If you want it, I'd like to do that.

[a room...? another room?

Blue briefly glances in the direction Yuri indicates, putting the notion into place as it's explained. when it clicks, he looks back to him with a mix of surprise and concern - a look that flits from Yuri to Flynn and back again.]

Is that not...a great deal of work? Resources alone, it seems...a lot.

[a great deal, in fact.

for him?]

[ It isn't actually to give them privacy, or to get Yuri's room back. It's honestly because Yuri hates watching Blue struggle up the stairs, and he knows he can do something about it. ]

Yeah. It's fine, really. I mean, if you want that. You can stay upstairs.

[ He shakes himself out of his dislike of being vulnerable like this, of wanting to do something like this for his friend, and offers Blue a small smile. ]

If not, y'know. We can do something else.

[ Flynn has been sort of sitting here in a quietly-stunned silence, admiring the sword in his hands with a reverence reserved entirely for weapons. They're beautiful things, both of them, slim and light but not without heft. Well-crafted and simple, and they must have come from here. It feels like a sign.

He looks up, though, at Yuri's last words and smiles, his voice soft and small and full of an aching warmth. ]

But it would be nice, I think, to be closer to the kitchen. Yuri, these are... this is wonderful. Thank you.

...

[which of these feelings...are really his? Blue finds himself in a swirl of gratitude, unease, doubt, and hopeful affection; it's almost like the three of them are the same, feeling organism cut into disparate pieces - edges that don't link together correctly. that's the consequence of being in the company of people not able to consciously resonate with unspoken feelings, isn't it?

those last words Flynn says aloud seem right, though: this is wonderful. thank you.]

If there is some way...I, too...can help make that happen. I would want to. [because if he's going to be sharing these feelings in him, he may as well share some of the labor, too.]

Would...that be alright?

Not much of a gift if I put you to work.

[ He reaches out to squeeze Blue's thigh gently with a little smile. Even if he can't feel their feelings the way Blue can, he feels better, more at ease, with the two of them. They really have carved out a little life here, a family, just for them, even if none of them have blood families back home. ]

I want to do it, but I won't say no to help. You should get a say in what it looks like, at least.

Believe me, you should, because if you don't then Yuri will have free reign.

[ Flynn is entirely teasing, leaning into Yuri's side with his face flushed with warmth and happiness, but also... he kind of means it. His and Yuri's aesthetic tastes run pretty much counter to each other. ]

[the reassurance of their words, coupled with Yuri's gesture, greatly soothes the concerns that were brimming in him. being humbled by these two seems to be a common, inevitable occurrence, and he's grateful for each opportunity. a voice in the back of his head will always, always remind him that he shouldn't even be alive for something like this, so more's the importance.

he places one hand over Yuri's while smiling over at Flynn; he'd reach over to touch his cheek if it wouldn't be so inconvenient from the order they're all sitting.]

I want to be there for that. And whatever else is ahead of us all.

I'm so grateful...to both of you. Thank you.

[ The tenderness in this moment is almost too much for Yuri. If he was thinking more, he would pull back, but as it is, it's nice. It's nice and he can't help but fall into it, into having two people he cares so much about on either side of him, sharing love and gifts and touch. It's so different than the last few week, few months, where he's felt more disconnected from everyone, changing in ways he doesn't understand.

He turns his hand over to grip Blue's gentle, and leans into Flynn's touch. Maybe it's safe to like this, to enjoy it, with these two. His feelings about this might be enough to satisfy Blue, but he needs to say something, for Flynn ]

Don't thank us. We're in this together, the three of us.

[ Yuri's pretty sure he gets more from both of them than he gives, even if he tries to give back just as much, to make sure to keep earning his place here. ]

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[closed] it's fantasy christmas time

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