It's All Fun and Games

Chapter 6: All That Glitters

A/N: Here's the Christmas-y chapter that I've been meaning to do for a while! Thank you all for each and every read, comment, vote, and follow! You're all great and I'm glad you're digging this. ~Ace

--------------

The next few weeks dragged on as if they were months. Between spending time with James, recording with the other Creatures, managing his own channel, and taking care of himself, Aleks felt pretty overwhelmed. The holiday season came and went before he could know it, though that might be in part due to how busy he was as of late. A part of him felt guilty, as his own disorganization had caused him to spend a max of a few days back at home before he had to travel back to Colorado. 

Initially, James was upset when Aleks told him he was travelling home for Christmas. He didn't show it of course, but by now Aleks had learned how to tell when James was covering his feelings. There were no hard feelings for long, however, as Aleks was quick to explain that as soon as he returned the two could exchange gifts. Hearing that put the other to ease, if the way he began to grin and laugh was any indication.

This was why today, as he pulled in the driveway to the Creature house, Aleks felt giddy. None of the others were coming today, making this the perfect time for their late gift exchange. Grabbing the messily wrapped present, the Russian climbed out of his car, letting himself into the house. He wasn't nervous, but for some reason, he felt a sort of twisting in his stomach. It wasn't bad enough to warrant concern, though it did make him rather uncomfortable.

"James?" He called out, drumming his fingers on his leg hesitantly when no response came. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "James! I'm here!" Yet again, silence fell following his question. "God dammit." The Russian cursed under his breath, heading up to James' room. Hopefully, he hadn't forgotten that Aleks was coming back today and went off somewhere. Granted, it was somewhat early in the morning, meaning James probably hadn't left.

"What the fuck, dude?" Aleks asked, irritation seeping from his words as he pushed open James' door. Any anger he possessed was dispelled, however, as his eyes fell on the sleeping face of the older Creature. The usual annoyed look he usually sported was replaced by a calm one. His lips curved up into a smile as his chest raised and fell with each soft breath he took. It was still so strange, seeing James in this state of peace, even though Aleks had seen it before. After always being so livid, tranquility just wasn't a word anyone would associate with James Wilson. 

Not wanting to wake him up just yet, the Russian instead set the gift on the foot of the bed, sitting down next to the sleeping Creature. Slowly, Aleks leaned over, kissing his forehead before giving his arm a light shove. When the other didn't wake, he tried again, this time harder. "Wake up, you ass. As much as I love watching you sleep, I've got a lot to do."

A groan was the only warning Aleks received before James, groggy from just being woken up, shoved him off the bed. With a thud, he hit the floor, glaring daggers up at James, who yawned loudly before speaking. "Fuck off. You couldn't even give me a nice wake up? How about some breakfast in bed or something?" Rubbing his eyes, he pushed off the sheets and stood, stretching out his back while the younger did the same.

"Fuck you, James. A 'welcome back, I missed you' would be nice." Grabbing the present, he tossed the box at the other, who struggled to successfully catch it.

Raising an eyebrow, James shook the box beside his ear, a grin stretching ear to ear. "Welcome back, Aleksandr. I missed you." His reply earned a nod of approval from Aleks, which was followed by a gesture to open the gift. "Yeah, yeah. I'll open the damn thing."

True to his word, he opened it, tearing off the angry bird themed paper eagerly. Tossing the trash away carelessly, James looked up to his boyfriend with curious before opening the small box left. Inside was a circular silver pendant, attached to a matching silver chain. The pendant wasn't anything fancy; in fact, it was mostly plain with the exception of a cursive engraving on the back that read "Forever yours, Aleks".

James drew in a sharp breath, his gaze meeting Aleks' as he clipped the necklace behind his neck, tucking it in under his shirt to assure that nobody else would see it. "Aleks, I. . . I don't know what to say. Thank you." He mumbled, pulling the other into a tight embrace before pulling back to grab the even messier present from under his bed. " I got you something too. I don't know if you'll like it, but I sure hope so."

Hastily tearing off the paper covering his own gift, the Russian pried the lid off the box, revealing an onyx ring patterned with thin swirls of gold. "James, it's beautiful. I love it." Aleks stammered out, holding it up to the light to get a better look. "Thank you so much, dude. I mean it."

"I'm glad you like it." James laughed, grin faltering for but a moment. "I asked around to get your ring size, but I'm not sure it's right. Try it on and make sure it fits."

Nodding in agreement, Aleks slipped it onto his ring finger, a smile lighting up his face as it fit. "It's perfect." Words seemed to do no justice in communicating just how happy the two of them were, so instead they settled with actions.

Cupping Aleks' face in his hands, James pressed a light kiss to his lips, wrapping his arms around the other's waist. When the kiss broke, however, they didn't step back like usual. Instead, James pulled Aleks down onto the bed, pulling the sheets over them before falling asleep, curled up next to the Russian. Neither of them objected in the slightest, despite having other plans for the day. Aleks simply pulled James' arm over him, pushing back until they were so close that he could feel James' breath on the back of his neck. Not long passed until the two of them drifted off into sleep, hand in hand, their hearts beating in sync.