Bandom One-shots book 3

Christmas (Duzzy)

The soft glow of Christmas lights filled the living room, casting a warm, multicolored hue over the cozy chaos of our little home in Seattle. Snowflakes drifted lazily outside the window, painting the city in a blanket of white. It was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fireplace and the occasional coo of Mae, our five-month-old daughter, who sat snugly in her little bouncer, waving a tiny fist in the air like she was conducting her own private orchestra.

I glanced over at Izzy, who was crouched by the Christmas tree, inspecting the pile of presents. His dark hair fell in front of his face as he pushed aside a few wrapped boxes, trying to find the one he'd deemed the most important to open first. He was wearing one of my flannel shirts, a size too big on him, and a pair of worn jeans that made him look effortlessly cool, as always. Even now, years after leaving Guns, he had this magnetic energy about him, like he didn't need a stage to command attention.

"You're cheating," I said, smirking as I sipped my coffee. The mug was one of those tacky holiday ones, with a snowman whose carrot nose was slightly faded from years of use.

"It's not cheating," he replied without looking up. "I'm... strategically organizing."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Strategically organizing, huh? Mae, you hear that? Your dad's trying to justify snooping."

Mae's only response was a happy gurgle, her big blue eyes fixed on the twinkling lights of the tree. I set my coffee down and moved to sit on the floor beside her, pulling her bouncer closer to me so I could run a finger gently along her tiny hand. She grabbed onto it immediately, her grip surprisingly strong for someone so small.

"She's already on your side," Izzy said, finally settling back onto his heels. He turned to face us, a crooked grin on his lips. "Not fair."

"Maybe if you didn't cheat," I teased, leaning down to press a kiss to Mae's forehead. "Alright, let's do this. You've waited long enough."

Izzy perked up, and I couldn't help but laugh at how excited he looked. He reached for the first present, a small, neatly wrapped box with a tag that read, "To Izzy, from Duff."

"Open mine first," I said, leaning back against the couch and pulling Mae's bouncer closer so she could watch the unfolding chaos.

Izzy tore into the paper with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for kids, his grin widening as he revealed a leather-bound journal.

"I noticed you've been scribbling lyrics on napkins and receipts again," I said, shrugging. "Figured you could use something a little more permanent."

He flipped through the empty pages, his smile softening. "Thanks, Duff. This is... really thoughtful."

"It's just a journal," I said, though my chest warmed at his reaction.

"No," he said, looking up at me. "It's perfect."

We moved through the presents slowly, taking turns opening gifts and watching Mae's reactions to the crinkling paper and the shiny bows. Izzy had gotten me a new leather jacket, the exact style I'd been eyeing but never got around to buying. For Mae, there was a soft stuffed bear that she immediately latched onto, hugging it tightly to her chest.

"Looks like you're already her favorite," I said, nudging Izzy with my foot as Mae babbled happily at her new toy.

"Obviously," he replied, his smirk playful. "I mean, have you seen me?"

The last present was the one Izzy had been so insistent about earlier. He handed it to me with a look that was equal parts smug and nervous, which immediately put me on edge.

"What did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Just open it," he said, leaning forward like he couldn't wait to see my reaction.

I carefully unwrapped the paper, revealing a small, framed photo. It took me a moment to process what I was looking at: the three of us, taken just a few weeks after Mae was born. I was holding her, my arms awkward but protective, while Izzy stood beside me, one hand on my shoulder, both of us looking at her with this raw, unfiltered love.

"I found it in that stack of prints you never organized," Izzy said, his voice softer now. "Thought it deserved more than a shoebox."

My throat tightened, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. Instead, I reached out, pulling him into a kiss. It was slow and warm, a quiet thank you that I hoped he could feel.

"I love you," I said when we finally pulled apart.

"I know," he replied, grinning. "I love you, too."

Mae let out a happy squeal, as if she were agreeing, and we both laughed, pulling her into our arms. Sitting there, with Izzy by my side and Mae in my lap, I realized that this was it. This was everything I'd ever wanted. A family. A home. Love so big it didn't seem possible to contain it.

"Merry Christmas, Izzy," I said, my voice full of everything I couldn't put into words.

"Merry Christmas, Duff."

~Christmas~