"If I knew you wanted expensive candies, I would have," S says with a shrug, teasingly serious. It's not such a bad idea, really, when he knows how much J likes sweets and that pricier candy isn't something they would be likely to splurge on ordinarily, but for Christmas, he wanted to choose gifts that would be more personal, more lasting. J baking for him is, he thinks, different; it's something homemade, done especially for him, even if also for the two of them to share, and deeply touching as a result. Picking out store-bought candy for J, regardless of the price, wouldn't have felt half as significant. Besides, he hasn't often been able to do much for J for Christmas. This year, having a little more money seemed like something to make the most of.

Settling close beside J on the couch, he smiles, leaning into him just a little. "Next year," he decides, and even still being less than serious, it's nice to say that and know that they might actually get there, that they might have the life together he used to imagine, if different now in some ways. "For now, hopefully you won't be too disappointed with what I got you instead."

Despite the lilt in his voice, he means this more than any of the rest of it. He has no idea what J will actually think of his gifts, can only hope they go over as he intended. As far as he's concerned, though, everything is already perfect. Having his boyfriend safe and warm beside him is the best gift of all.