#25daysoffluff

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 10

Ship: Malex

If you enjoyed reading even a little bit, please reblog instead of just liking (and comment if you can!), it helps so much, and it means a lot 🎅🏻

***

“If you could wish for anything, what would it be?”

               Michael turned his head to watch Alex’s profile. They were lying on opposite ends of Alex’s bed in his cabin, their shoes off, Alex’s prosthetic against the bed, his crutches against the headboard. Michael couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen Alex so well rested, but the look suited him. His windswept hair splayed against the pale-blue sheets and curled slightly below his ears, his long lashes curled against his rosy cheeks, golden specs danced across the brown of his eyes. He wore a long white sweater, the sleeves down to even the tips of his fingers, and when he realized Michael was staring, his beautiful rosy lips broke out into a shy smile.

               “What?”

               Michael returned to staring at the ceiling, moving his head closer to Alex’s so that their temples touched. He sighed, content. “Nothing. Why the random question?”

               “Come on,” Alex said. “It’s Christmas. You have to want something.”

               Michael smirked. “Well, what do you want, Private?”

               Alex said nothing for a moment. Michael wondered how often the airman was asked what he wanted, and if he needed a moment to actually consider it. The thought made him angry, that Alex had spent his entire life living for others that he struggled to know what he wanted for himself. Then Alex pecked his cheek lightly, and all his troubles vanished in an instant. Alex’s lips really were as warm as they looked.

               “This,” he said. “Just this. Forever.”

               “Forever,” Michael smiled. “I don’t know, I think we’d get hungry.”

               “You know what I mean,” Alex laughed, and Michael’s eyes fell shut as he took the beautiful sound in. He thought he could spend the rest of his life listening to that laugh. “Us. Together. No secret government organizations, no alien enemies. A warm house, a town that minded its own business, and… a Christmas tree.”

               “Oh, that’s a must, is it?”

               “Totally,” Alex scoffed. “Imagine Christmas without a Christmas tree.”

               “Outrage.”

               “Exactly. What about you?” he turned on his side, pillowing his head on his arms. “I know you want something. Everyone wants something for Christmas.”

               Michael pursed his lips to keep his smile from widening. “You really wanna know?”

               “I really want to know. Tell me.”

               “Alex,” Michael shook his head. How could Alex not already know? Michael was basically a koala, holding onto him every second of every day, clinging to him whenever they were in the same room, kissing every part that he could reach when they were alone. Michael had stopped wanting to go anywhere Alex wasn’t for a long time, had stopped wanting to sleep in a bed that Alex wasn’t in, had stopped wanting to eat unless he knew that Alex was beside him, eating and happy and comfortable, too.

               “You,” he said. “I want you, Alex.”

               Alex blinked, his smile faltering. “Michael…”

               “I don’t care where we live, how small the place is, how nosy, how loud. I don’t care. I just want you. You’re all that matters. You’re all that’s ever mattered.”

               Alex said nothing for a moment, and Michael wondered if maybe he’d said something wrong. Then Alex suddenly took Michael’s face in his hands, and he was kissing the cowboy into the mattress.

               “Hm!” Michael managed as Alex pulled away. “What was that for—”

               “I love you,” Alex said, his breath hot against Michael’s lips. “I love you so much, Michael, I love you.”

               Michael’s cheeks hurt with how hard he was smiling, his chest aching with how hard his heart hammered. He reached up to hold Alex’s waist. “Yeah?”

               He nodded, and as he did, his lips brushed against Michael’s. “Yeah.” And he took Michael’s lips slowly before he pulled back again. Michael made a sound of protest in the back of his throat, and Alex laughed against his lips. “Are you sure you wouldn’t want anything else?”

               Michael shook his head. “I told you, Private. You’re it for me,” he breathed before he pulled Alex back down, taking his lips in his. Nothing, he thought. Nothing he could ever get under the Christmas tree could be more special than Alex.

***

I’m so tired.

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 4

The ship of today is: Malex

Please, if you liked reading this even a little bit, reblog (and comment if you can), it’s really a big help 🎅🏻

***

               The rain poured outside, the humming whirr of the computer on Alex’s lap played on, and the sound of Michael’s soft breathing as he slept filled the room. Alex opened his eyes. His lids felt heavy, and his back was aching from sitting against the headboard, but he couldn’t stop now. If he stopped, he’d fall asleep, and if he fell asleep –

               He pressed the bottoms of his palms into his eyes, and exhaled. He looked to Michael, the curls splayed over his eyes as he slept on his stomach. He had one hand in Alex’s shirt, something he tended to do every night, insistent that he was just trying to comfort Alex, though Alex suspected it was to comfort himself. To remind himself that Alex was there, safe with him, and not in some ditch somewhere with a weapon in hand and fire in the background. Little did he know that, in the dead of night when he dared close his eyes, Alex was back in that ditch, with that gun, and the smell of smoke surrounding him.

               Whatever, he told himself. It wasn’t a big deal. All veterans suffered nightmares, it was just something else to learn to live with. He resumed his typing, the light of the screen burning his eyes no matter how much he dimmed it.

               He only realized he was dozing off when he felt an arm come around his waist.

               “Do you hear a jingling?” Michael grumbled, half-asleep.

               “Hm?” Alex stopped typing.

               “Do you hear a jingling,” he repeated, and Alex huffed a chuckle, running a hand through Michael’s curls, moving them out of his face.

               “Are you even awake?”

               “It’s probably Santa,” he said, ignoring Alex’s question. “You should sleep so he can come in.”

               Alex smiled tiredly. “Should I?”

               “He knows if you’re awake,” he said. “Haven’t you ever heard the song?”

               Alex scoffed and pressed a kiss to Michael’s temple. “Got it. Just give me another minute, and I’ll go straight to sleep.”

               Michael leaned up on his elbow, rubbing his face against Alex’s arm. Alex smiled. Michael checked the time on his phone before letting it drop onto the nightstand.

“Alex, it’s the middle of the night. You said, ‘another minute,’ four hours ago.”

“I just really need to finish this.”

“But Santa,” Michael said, as if that was supposed to be his only, and best, argument.

When Alex didn’t respond, Michael sighed, shut the laptop for him, and moved it off the bed despite Alex’s protests.

“Shh, shh.” Michael tugged on Alex’s waist to make him lie down, and pulled him against his naked chest, his arms tight around him. “If you try to get up again, Private, I’ll launch your computer right out the window. See all your military coding try to survive the rain.”

Alex shook his head. “That’s a terrible misuse of your powers.”

“Right,” Michael scoffed, and Alex felt the cowboy’s hot breath on his forehead. “‘Cause if there’s anything I’ve ever been with my powers, it’s responsible.”

Alex only exhaled deeply as he felt Michael’s chest rise and fall beneath his fists. He was exhausted, every fiber in his being urging him to sleep, and with Michael’s scent engulfing him, he found it impossible to keep his eyes open… but he could still smell the smoke, and hear the explosions, and despite the rain and the computer’s humming and Michael’s breathing, there was still so much noise that it was all Alex could do not to cover his ears.

Then he felt Michael’s hand run down the back of his head, then again, his fingers digging into the hair at the nape of his neck – and it all turned to silence.

“I’ll kill anything that tries to touch you, Alex,” Michael suddenly said into the darkness, his voice quiet but strong enough to reverberate throughout every corner of Alex’s mind and heart. “Go to sleep. I’ll keep you safe.”

Alex’s brows furrowed. He slowly wrapped his arms around Michael’s waist, not knowing what else to do. It wasn’t a surprise that Michael wanted to protect him, but Alex had lived his entire life with a weight on his shoulders he had been resigned to carry, only growing more and more every day. Now someone wanted to take some of that weight away, to help him stand, to breathe, better. He didn’t know what to do that.

Michael pulled him in tighter, and suddenly, all Alex could hear was the rain, his and Michael’s soft breathing, and Michael’s heartbeat through his chest. Beating for him.

“For Santa, Alex.”

A soft smile tugged at Alex’s lips. It was true, Alex really didn’t know what to do with someone loving him so much, they were willing to burn the world for him. But for tonight, he would close his eyes. He could do that much.

“For Santa.”

***

All I can currently hear is the rain, some ambiance music, and my typing. That’s where today’s piece came from. I hope you enjoyed reading 🎄

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 5

The ship of today is: Malex

If you enjoyed reading even a little bit, please reblog instead of just liking (and comment if you can!), it really helps a lot, and I would appreciate it so much 🎅🏻

***

“Nice tree.”

Alex looked over his shoulder at a shirtless Michael in his doorway. He turned back to his Christmas tree where he was currently hanging up a candy cane, and smiled to himself. It shouldn’t have brought him so much joy to see Michael there, to know that Michael had slept in his bed, that he’d been sleeping in his bed for the past three weeks. It shouldn’t have made him so happy to believe in this as the new norm. But it did.

“Thanks,” he said, biting his lower lip to keep his grin from widening as he felt Michael’s arm come around his waist, Michael’s chin hooked over his shoulder. He was dressed in a large sweatshirt and sweatpants, yet he could feel Michael’s heartbeat against his back, Michael’s muscles as they flexed against him, Michael’s warmth through the fabric.

Michael pressed his lips to the nape of Alex’s neck, and inhaled. “You smell so good,” he breathed. “Have I ever told you that?”

Alex thought of Michael muttering those same words – praising Alex’s scent, his touch, his taste – against the airman’s skin over and over last night as they shared each other’s bodies, both of them glistening with sweat and radiating heat.

Alex turned in his hold, hooking his arms around Michael’s shoulders. “Once or twice,” he said, and pressed his lips to the cowboy’s. Michael moaned softly as he ran his hands up and down Alex’s sides. When Alex pulled back, his forehead pressed to Michael’s, his eyes remained closed.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” Michael said, and Alex’s eyes opened fractionally. Michael didn’t really use the word ‘baby,’ not unless they were in bed together and the heat was so perfect and unbearable that it just slipped out. But whether Michael meant to use it or not, Alex always loved it. He loved knowing he was that to Michael, loved being the only one who could uncover that side of him.

Alex pecked his lips. “You’re up early,” he said, pushing a curl behind Michael’s ear with his thumb.

Michael hummed, his eyes on Alex’s lips as his arm tightened around his waist. “How do you expect me to sleep alone, Private? You abandoned me, left me to a very cold and very empty side of the bed.”

Alex laughed. “Abandoned? Guerin, I had to start decorating for Christmas, my schedule –”

“Ah, yes,” Michael rolled his eyes. “Your schedule. You know, I can help with that,” he said, already sliding a hand up Alex’s shirt. Alex gasped and pulled his wrist down, leaning in close to smile against Michael’s lips.

“No,” Alex said, “no, I know what your version of help means.”

“Would it help if I talked about strategy to get you in the mood?” Michael suggested. “Show me your exit points, baby. Tell me how much you love my armed forces.”

“You’re such a loser,” Alex’s laugh died as Michael pulled him in, devouring his lips. Nothing but Alex’s tree had been put up. He’d never gotten to properly celebrate Christmas before, and had resolved, in his last few months in the Air Force, that if he made it out, he would start the holiday preparations as soon as December 1st.

According to his schedule, he ought to have finished decorating the tree by now, but as his back hit the branches, and he gasped against Michael’s lips – as Michael’s hand came around Alex’s back, protecting him from being poked, as Michael promised him, “I’ll protect you, baby,” Alex could only fall further into the kiss. Michael carried him back to the bed, his body hot against Alex’s, and Alex thought that as far as Christmas celebrations went, this was a good way to start .

***

A little late in the day, but I made it in time! I hope you enjoyed reading 🎄

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 3

The ship of today is: Malex

If you liked this even a little bit, please reblog (and comment if you can!). It helps a lot 🎅🏻

***

               “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la.”

               Michael smiled as his boyfriend sang. Alex wasn’t the cheery type of person, always careful to keep his feelings close to his chest. Except on Christmas. The airman seemed to love decorating, baking, watching cheesy Christmas movies. It was refreshing, seeing him so openly happy, not caring, for this short time of the year, whether or not he deserved to be.

               Michael looked over his shoulder at the airman from where he was hanging the tinsel, watching the way he carefully decorated each gingerbread man on the tray, and bit his lower lip.

               Alex was too busy singing along to the Christmas radio to notice Michael coming into the kitchen. He gasped when Michael suddenly wrapped an arm around his waist, and kissed the nape of his neck.

               “Guerin!” Startled, Alex accidentally squeezed too much frosting out of the bag, and the gingerbread man looked more like a gingerbread cyclops.

               “Mistletoe,” Michael smirked against Alex’s neck, and Alex looked up to see that Michael had indeed been holding a mistletoe above their heads. “Always so alert, and you let a plant get past you?”

               Alex sighed, turning in his hold. He squeezed some frosting onto Michael’s cheek. “You know you can’t just keep following me around with that thing, right?”

               “Did you just decorate my face?”

               “No,” Alex bit his lower lip to keep his grin from widening, and right away, Michael knew where this was going. “But you definitely look sweeter.”

               Michael squinted, trying to keep a serious face, but as Alex laughed so heartily at his own stupid joke, the corners of his lips quirked upward. “This season is breaking you.”

               Alex’s laughter died down as he leaned forward, and slowly licked the frosting off his skin. Michael’s eyes fluttered shut, his arm around Alex pulling him in tighter. When he was cleaned up, his forehead fell into the crook of Alex’s neck, where it always fit so perfectly, and he hummed, content.

               “Silly cowboy,” Alex muttered fondly, wrapping his own arms around Michael’s shoulders. After a few minutes passed, he said, “We do have to move at some point though.”

               Michael grumbled. “Mistletoe.”

               “That doesn’t keep us glued together,” Alex laughed, and Michael smiled.

               “I love hearing you laugh,” he said, and even without looking at Alex, he knew the airman was blushing. He pulled back to see that he was right, his boyfriend’s face red and warm.

               Michael couldn’t take it. He wanted to kiss him. So he did. It started out innocently enough, with their lips pressed together, but then Michael slipped his tongue in, and Alex gasped. He tilted his head, deepening the kiss, and all but devoured Alex’s mouth. The cookies still needed to be decorated, the tree still needed its star, and if they didn’t have everything ready in time and put away, Buffy would wake up and eat it all… but Alex smelled so good, and he tasted like cinnamon, and his skin was so warm that Michael just wanted to feel more of it. He slipped his hand up Alex’s shirt, inhaling sharply at the feel of his soft, strong back. The Christmas music played on as Alex released a breathy moan against Michael’s lips.

               “It’s too warm in here,” Michael muttered, and took Alex’s lower lip between his teeth. “Take your clothes off.”

               Alec grinned and took Michael’s lips in his, moaning. The sound had Michael pushing him back against the counter. “Mistletoe won’t get you that far, Guerin.”

               Michael dug his nails into Alex’s back, making him gasp. “Won’t it?”

               “Okay,” Alex said, ripping Michael’s shirt open as Michael let the mistletoe fall from his hand, and onto the counter. “Maybe it will.”

***

Just a cozy little piece. I hope you enjoyed reading 🎄

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 17

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Symptoms of Claustrophobia/Cleithrophobia. (It’s fluff, though, I swear.)

***

               If Michael straightened his back, scrunched his shoulders, and furrowed his brow, he would look convincingly upset at waking up to find that he and Alex were snowed in. Alex was muttering under his breath about water bottles while setting candles everywhere, Buffy following him as if to ask if she could help with anything.

               Michael hadn’t meant to fall asleep on Alex’s kitchen counter, but the two had been up looking at files for all hours of the night, and before he’d realized it, he’d drifted off. Alex had nudged him awake, hardly looking at him as he did, and told him they were stuck inside with no way out.

               He had asked Michael with a plea in his eyes that Michael didn’t want to think about too much (was Alex so desperate to be away from him?) if he could move the snow away from the doors with his telekinesis.

               “Sorry, Private.” And he explained to Alex that snow wasn’t one big thing, it was a bunch of little things piled on together, so he had no idea how to move something like that. Not that it bothered him in the slightest. Why? Simple. He wanted to be alone with Alex. There was no reception with the storm, the electricity was off, and with nothing but faint candlelight and the fireplace to show them the way around the cabin, Michael found himself getting excited.

               He and Alex had tried for months to be friends, to talk as normally with one another as Michael might talk to Isobel and Max, or as Alex might talk to Kyle, but Michael had realized all too quickly that he and Alex just weren’t meant to be friends. He couldn’t listen to Alex without wanting to hold him and tell him everything would be okay. He couldn’t see him with tears in his eyes without wanting to kiss him senseless, until Alex forgot all about his troubles, all about what haunted him, all about the darkness of the world. He couldn’t sit beside him without wanting to reach over and touch him. And it was all driving him crazy.

               He sat down on the couch with a deep sigh, his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlaced.

               “You gonna sit down?”

               Alex glanced at him. “Yeah. Yeah, just – uh – let me put up another few candles.”

               “This is as bright as it’s getting, Private. Sit down. Did you even sleep at all?”

               Alex didn’t answer as he leaned against the wall in an attempt to crouch down beside Buffy. He said something to her, and she barked before running into the hallway.

               “She understands you?”

               “She’s a service dog, Guerin,” Alex said distractedly as he shuffled around the room, unable to stand still.

               “Alex, would you please just – Alex,” he said, grabbing his wrist to hold him in place. Alex blinked and looked at him as if just remembering he was there.

               “Sorry,” he muttered, and slowly took a seat on the opposite end of the couch. As far away from Michael as he could get. He hugged his arms, his fingers scratching the fabric of his sweater as if looking for something to do. “Um… I didn’t even ask. A-are you okay?”

               “Me?” Michael blinked. “I’m fine.”

               Alex’s head fell into his hands for a second as if he was struggling to hold it up, his fingers running incessantly through his hair before he was hugging himself again, looking into the flames of the fireplace, their biggest source of light. “I’m sorry we’re stuck in here.”

               “Not your fault, Private,” Michael fell back against the couch, hands spread out beside him. If he turned his palm up, would Alex come closer and take his hand? Would his always-cold fingers curl around Michael’s warm ones?

               “Hey,” he nudged. “You okay?”

               Alex began to nod, his eyes glancing to the door, then the windows which on account of the frost were sealed shut. He looked away without saying anything, his left foot tapping against the rug.

               “Alex?”

               “Yeah,” he rushed out. “Yeah, I’m – yeah.”

               Michael looked to the door himself, the windows, thought of the way Alex had been dashing around, making sure they had enough supplies – as if he didn’t know Max or someone was bound to come looking for them later if they couldn’t answer any calls – and it clicked. The way he slouched forward as if it took too much energy to sit up, the way, at the same time, his fingers and leg couldn’t help but be jittery as if itching to escape, the way he kept looking for exits. Alex was terrified of being trapped.

               “Alex,” he tried slowly. “Are you claustrophobic or something?”

               Alex shut his eyes tight, his head ducked. “I don’t know. I don’t – I’m going to throw up.”

               “Okay, okay,” Michael said, moving to his side of the couch in a flash, putting an arm around his shoulders. He couldn’t understand the tone that his voice had taken, the fierce desire to protect Alex from what bothered him. He considered using his powers to shatter the windows, but there was no way Alex would get them all fixed in this snowstorm, and he lived in the coldest part of town, so he’d freeze to death without them.

               “I’m here, Private. Look at me, I’m right here,” and he pulled Alex against his chest, one hand on his back, one on his head. He held on so tightly that Alex was unable to keep fidgeting. Michael kept repeating, “I’m right here, I’m right here,” even as he felt Alex’s arms go around his waist, holding on just as tightly as if hoping to keep himself grounded to earth, and not sucked into whatever dark nightmare his head was trying to suck him into.

               “Hey, see?” he said into Alex’s hair when he felt the airman’s breathing calm. “You’re okay.”

               After a long while, Alex’s arms around him loosened, and when Buffy ran in with a small plastic bottle in her mouth, Alex let go completely. He took what Michael now saw were pills from the beagle, and popped one into his mouth.

               “You get anxious a lot?” Michael asked, his hand still on Alex’s back. He refused to take it off.

               Alex said nothing for a moment, then, “Everyone gets anxious.” He rested his head in his hands with a deep sigh, and if nothing else, Michael was relieved he wasn’t panting anymore. “It’s just a little… too much sometimes.”

               “I never knew that,” Michael said, rubbing Alex’s back soothingly, eliciting another deep sigh. He felt pride and warmth bloom in his chest. “I always thought you weren’t afraid of anything.”

               At this, Alex scoffed. “That’s rich.”

               Michael stared at him. He really was an idiot. Ten years in the war after spending an entire childhood under the roof of a homophobic monster – of course Alex was afraid. But the thing was, he was always so good at making you forget. Michael was ashamed to admit it, but sometimes, he’d forget Alex had been a soldier, that he had been abused at all. He’d even forget about the prosthetic. All he saw was Captain Alex Manes, the hero. His Alex Manes, the love of his life.

               He told Alex as much, leaving out the “love of my life” part, and Alex said nothing for a long time.

               “Stupid, huh?” Michael said, if only to fill in the silence.

               Then Alex wordlessly rested his head on Michael’s lap, staring at the flames. “It’s kind of nice, actually.”

               “Oh,” he said, and felt like an idiot for it. He put a hand in Alex’s hair, and tried not to melt at the way Alex’s eyes fluttered shut. “Are you… feeling any better?”

               Alex sighed, reaching down mindlessly to pet Buffy who was staring up at him, as if awaiting her next orders. “Yeah. I think the pill’s starting to work.” Then, as if afraid to say it, “Someone will come get us soon, right?”

               Michael once again heard the silent plea there, the one he’d initially misunderstood so badly, loud and clear. Alex was smart, he must’ve known it would only be a matter of hours before one of their friends came to check on them and got them out, but he was not in a state to think rationally right now, not in a strong enough state to reassure himself. Which was also fine. Michael didn’t mind being the strong one if it was for Alex. In fact, he liked it.

               “Yeah, Private,” he said reassuringly, raking Alex’s hair back from his face. “Any second now.”

               Alex bowed his head gratefully on Michael’s lap, turning to hide his face which – by the tips of his ears – Michael guessed was flushed. He fell asleep with Michael’s warm hands on him.

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 8

Ship: Malex

If you enjoyed reading even a little bit, please reblog instead of just liking (and comment if you can!), it helps so much 🎅🏻

***

               Michael hated Christmas. Why? Because it gave people the idea that they could come into his airstream, without warning, in the early morning so long as they yelled the words, “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” and every time, Michael barely resisted the urge to shoot them back out into the desert. But Michael had been through one hell of a year, and he wasn’t having it this December.

               When Max had come in, Michael had grabbed the bowl of uneaten cookie dough he’d had on the floor beside him, and launched it at his brother. Max ended up with the stuff in his hair for a week, but as far as Michael was concerned, he had warned them. No jolly, no cheer, no Christmas. Too much had happened, and Michael just didn’t want it.

               After the whole Isobel and bucket of snow incident, Michael figured they had understood not to bother him. That was why, when he woke up one morning to someone opening his front door, he hadn’t bothered with the tricks or the batter, but he nearly pulled himself out of bed.

               “If you say Merry Christmas, I swear –”

               Michael froze, his words caught in his throat as a startled Alex Manes stood, his brow raised. “You’ll yell ‘humbug?’”

               “Alex,” Michael breathed, and realized too late that he was not wearing a shirt. He quickly grabbed one off the floor, and pulled it over his head. “What – uh – what’re you doing here?”

               “Sorry,” Alex said, holding a plastic bag. “I know it’s early, but I’m going to be at the soup kitchen for breakfast, so I wouldn’t have been able to get these to you fresh.”

               Michael took the bag, trying to ignore the way electricity shot up his arm as his fingers brushed the airman’s. He cleared his throat. “The soup kitchen, huh?”

               “Oh, yeah,” he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “It’s Christmas, you know?”

               “Yeah,” he huffed a chuckle, his eyes on Alex. “My favorite holiday.”

               Alex glanced at his messy bed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Uh huh.”

Michael tried very hard not to stare, but it was Alex, and Alex didn’t really come to his airstream much anymore, didn’t really bring him fresh waffles in the morning, didn’t stand there as Michael took his first bite and smile when Michael moaned at the taste.

“I love you,” he said before he could help it, and looked to see Alex’s reaction. He didn’t know what he’d been hoping for, but as Alex looked away as if he hadn’t heard the words at all, Michael realized he’d wanted a little acknowledgment to what he’d said. Then Alex coughed, and Michael noticed his cheeks were tinted red. He smiled.

“The others told me you weren’t letting them in,” Alex finally said, and Michael stilled midbite. “They wanted to make sure you were eating.”

Michael set the plastic fork down. “So you’re here because Max asked you to come?”

Alex stared, then softly said, “No.”

He looked at Michael as if asking if he was really questioning whether or not Alex would’ve wanted to come regardless of anyone’s requests.

“No?” he said, aware of the hitch in his throat.

Alex blinked several times and looked away. “Uh, s-so, have you given any thought to what you want? You know, for Christmas?”

Michael scoffed. “You,” he muttered so quietly that even Alex’s trained senses couldn’t catch it.

“Hm?”

Michael shook his head, stuffing a large piece of waffle down his throat. “I said you don’t actually believe in that stuff, do you? Christmas miracles, Santa, gifts under the tree –”

“Of course I believe in it,” Alex said, leaning against the counter, his hands in his pockets. Michael realized he hadn’t considered what the cold was doing to his airman’s leg.

“Huh,” he said. “That’s not very rational and military-like of you.”

“They didn’t suck my entire soul out, you know,” Alex said, though his voice was free of any malice or bitterness. “If Christmas doesn’t make you happy, then nothing will.”

Michael scoffed, reaching across Alex for the napkins. His lips were barely an inch or two from Alex’s when he said, his voice low, “Don’t be so sure.”

When he pulled back, Alex was shaking his head, a smile at his lips despite how hard he seemed to be trying to keep it hidden. Michael’s heart fluttered. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.”

“No, I do. You’re insufferably charming, and I hate you for it.”

Michael bit his lower lip, grinning. His and Alex’s relationship hadn’t been great, it hadn’t been what he wanted, but it was better than it had been in a very long time, and sometimes, just sometimes, Alex let slip a few choice words that turned Michael’s neck and cheeks hot. Words that Michael suspected the airman had often forced himself not to say. Or maybe Michael just never deserved to hear them. But when he did, he heard them. Loud and clear.

He dared inch closer, one hand gripping the counter on Alex’s other side. “You know,” he swallowed. “If you have time, we can… do something better than waffles for breakfast.”

It was a bold question to ask nowadays. Do you want to? It had never been easy, but Michael used to be almost certain of the answer. Alex had always given him access first. Michael had rarely started. But he could think of nothing he wanted more now, with Alex so close and the scent of sugar in the air. Michael was incredibly careful, incredibly gentle as he moved to cage Alex against the counter, his eyes falling to the airman’s lips.

His eyes fluttered halfway shut as he leaned in, and his lips barely brushed Alex’s before the airman pulled away. “I – er – I can’t,” he said. “I promised I’d get there early to help set up.”

“Oh,” Michael said. “O-okay.”

Alex’s expression softened. “I really did promise.”

Michael waved his concern off, but the gesture felt half-hearted. “No, yeah, I know.”

Alex’s shoulders slumped, and he looked to the door, then to Michael, and muttered, “Damnit, Guerin,” before he took Michael’s face in his hands, and crashed their lips together.

Michael gasped against Alex’s mouth, his eyes fluttering shut as he felt the airman’s tongue against his. He wrapped his arms around Alex’s waist, holding him closely to him.

It felt like the kiss had barely started before a loud ringing went off, and Alex pulled away with a light groan. Michael only hesitantly let him move far enough to pull his phone out of his pocket. Michael saw an alarm for ‘KITCHEN SET UP’ blaring on the screen. He looked up at Alex. He really had planned on going early, and had even set an alarm, so he was worried he’d lose track of time with Michael.

“Sorry, Guerin, I really should get –”

But Alex’s words were cut short as Michael pulled him in again, pressing his lips roughly against Alex’s. When he pulled back, their foreheads were pressed together, and Michael was grinning, his eyes closed.

“Come right back when you’re done, okay? We’ll go together tomorrow.” He opened his eyes to see Alex watching him with curious but amused eyes. He shrugged. “It’s the holidays.”

Alex’s smile softened. “Uh huh. Oh, and,” he turned at the door, his eyes kind. “Merry Christmas, Grinch.”

And with that, Alex left. Michael touched his fingers to his lips, remembering Alex’s taste, his touch, his warmth – and he smiled. His heart, though he’d never confess it, beat three times as fast at the thought of the airman.

“Merry Christmas, Alex,” he said in the silence of his airstream. He supposed that Christmas wasn’t so bad after all.

***

BAH! HUMBUG! 👴🏻💚

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 25 🎉🎄🎁

               Michael woke to Alex’s head on his shoulder, the airman breathing softly into his skin. It was snowing outside the window, and Michael could already hear the others waking outside the bedroom, laughing sleepily and playing Christmas music to properly wake up.

               At one point, Liz had come in to wake them, to wish them a Merry Christmas, to urge them to come open their gifts, but Michael had held up a hand; Five minutes, he silently asked. Michael knew none of them would dig into the presents without him and Alex there, but all he was asking for was five more minutes. Five more minutes of morning peace, five more minutes of Alex asleep in his arms, the sleeves of his white sweater hiding his fingers as they curled to fists on Michael’s stomach. Five more minutes of this, and then they’d get up. Liz gave them a soft smile, and nodded before closing the door.

               Alex stirred awake not long after, and Michael raked his soft brown locks for another bit before they finally got up. As they waddled into the living room where everyone was already gathered, hot chocolate or plate of scrambled eggs and pancakes in hand, Michael hugged Alex from behind, hooking his chin over the airman’s shoulder.

               They each took the presents with their names on them, and while Michael was grateful for the gifts he’d gotten, the one he really cared about, and had been saving for last, was the large one from Alex. He remembered the airman’s face last night as he’d held it up, his cheeks red and his smile shy, and he was determined on loving it no matter what it was.

               Alex took the small box Michael had handed him last night as well, and they each dug into their present. Alex held up a brown-string bracelet with a little charm on the end; a guitar. His boyfriend seemed to have a similar idea because when Michael opened his own gift, he was shocked to see an actual guitar.

               “I know you don’t… own one,” Alex said shyly, clutching the bracelet tightly as if afraid he would already lose it if he let go. “I wanted to help make things quieter for you –”

               But Michael had already taken Alex by the waist with his free hand, and was kissing him so fiercely that all Alex could do was gasp against his mouth. He pulled back enough to rest his forehead against Alex’s, gently taking the bracelet he gave him out of his closed hand, and slipping it around Alex’s wrist.

               “You’re my music, Alex. You make everything quiet.”

               Alex stared at the little golden charm at the end, a promise that Michael would be with him forever, and with a smile happier than Michael ever thought possible for Alex to be happy, and glassy eyes, the airman took Michael’s face in his hands, and kissed him softly.

               Michael reveled in the press of Alex’s body against his, in the warmth of Alex’s fingers on his cheeks and jaw, in the taste of Alex’s lips. Half an hour later, as they had the breakfast spread out on the small coffee table, the Christmas tree lighting up merrily in the background, the snow falling peacefully outside, Michael had Alex on his lap in the armchair. The airman’s head was on his shoulder, his arm around Michael’s waist as they half-listened to the others’ conversations, their attention mostly absorbed with one another’s heartbeat, the warmth of one another’s skin.

               Finally, Isobel asked Michael to put his new guitar to good use, and Max asked Alex to sing. “That really would make this Christmas perfect,” Liz said.

               “I haven’t heard Alex sing since high school,” Maria agreed.

               “Come on, Manes,” Cam said. “It is Christmas, after all.”

               But Kyle, who seemed to always be able to read Alex, looked to the others and said, “Let’s all sing. Together.”

               Alex and Michael looked to each other. Normally, Alex didn’t like to have the spotlight, but they seemed to have the same idea; this was the morning for miracles.

               So Michael pulled out his guitar, and while Alex had to move off his legs, Michael moved over on the chair so that his airman could still be at his side.

               And so, Michael strung the first few notes, Alex softly began singing Welcome Christmas, and soon, everyone was joining in. Michael didn’t know if, through the falling snow outside, he could hear the faint jingling of Christmas bells, the hearty laugh of an old man, but as he and Alex sang together, Alex staring back at him with his brilliant, loving eyes and his even more loving smile, Michael was sure of one thing; this was a gift. And he would never let it go again.

***

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄

This is it, the last Christmas fluff piece, and on Christmas morning, too. I can’t believe I did it, actually. I’m not going to ramble on. Just know that I’m very appreciative of you all, I love you all very much, and I hope you have a very merry Christmas 🎄🎅🏻❄

[pastelwitchling]

25 Days of Fluff Day 9

Ship: Malex

If you enjoyed reading even a little bit, please reblog instead of just liking (and comment if you can!), it helps so much, and it really means a lot 🎅🏻

***

Michael woke to the smell of coffee. He didn’t remember how he’d ended up at Alex’s cabin, but when he’d woken up, the airman nowhere to be found, Michael stumbled out of bed with the sole intention of finding him and asking him what had happened last night.

As Michael came groggily into the living room and caught sight of Alex, he froze. The airman was laughing with Buffy who was barking at his heels. There was a steaming mug of coffee on the table, and one in Alex’s hands as his eyes went between the lights and ornaments of the Christmas tree, and the television screen as it played an episode of Friends.

Michael’s thoughts turned silent as he watched Alex laugh along to the sitcom, his smile wide and bright. It had been so long since he’d seen Alex genuinely smile like that, and before he knew what he was doing, he walked up to the airman.

“Good – oh,” Alex gasped as Michael wrapped his arms around his waist, pressed his nose to the nape of Alex’s neck. “Hi.”

Michael inhaled Alex’s scent, exhaling on a, “Hey,” of his own. He kissed the crook of Alex’s neck to test the waters, and when Alex didn’t pull back, moved the trail to Alex’s jaw, his cheek, then gently turned the airman’s head to capture his lips. Michael moaned. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d kissed Alex, and he didn’t know if it was because the two might’ve had some drunk night together last night that he was suddenly confident, but Alex was kissing him back, cupping his cheek, and pulling him in deeper as he tried not to drop his coffee, and Michael was encouraged to keep going.

It was when he slid a hand under Alex’s shirt, feeling for the first time in months Alex’s toned stomach that the airman made a small noise of protest against his lips and pulled back. “Whoa, s-stop, stop.”

Alex’s hand was tight around his wrist, and Michael found he didn’t want him to let go. “Yeah?”

“I just,” Alex shook his head. “I don’t want a repeat of last night,” he said softly, and he released Michael’s arm. He stared at Michael a moment, seemingly waiting for something – a reaction, a confession, something (though Michael struggled to figure out what) – and when Michael could only return his searching eyes with his own curious ones, Alex visibly deflated. It was only for a split second, and had Michael not known Alex as well as he did, he might’ve missed it. As it was, he did so he had.

“Uh – I made coffee,” he said, holding up his own mug and gesturing to the one on the table. “The eggs should be finished boiling by now.” He walked past Michael, avoiding his gaze. Michael frowned.

“Wait,” he said, and Alex looked over his shoulder. He should’ve let it go, should’ve pretended he was fine with Alex being so far away from him, that he was fine with being kept behind Alex’s walls, no different than everyone else. But he wasn’t fine, and it was Christmas, and if there was any time a year to say something heartfelt and stupid, this was it. “Last night… we didn’t…”

Alex’s brows furrowed in confusion a moment before he blinked, realization dawning. “You don’t remember?”

“I,” Michael hesitated, then at Buffy nudging his ankle with her nose, said, “I remember getting drunk. Don’t remember what happened after.”

Alex pursed his lips, and sighed, setting his mug down. “Acetone. You had a lot of it, and you tried to kiss me.”

Michael’s heart nearly came to a stop. He didn’t dare step closer. “Alex,” he breathed. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t –”

“I was drunk,” Alex said. “So really, don’t – don’t apologize. But,” he cleared his throat, “the acetone was all over you, and it got into my mouth, and… I got pretty sick after that.” As sort of an afterthought, Alex added, his voice lighter, “But hey, I’m a lot better now. I don’t even remember half of it, honestly. I just woke up in the middle of the night on the bathroom floor, and I cleaned myself up, and came to finish the night on the couch.

Michael looked and now saw that there were in fact sheets and a pillow folded neatly on the armchair. He felt guilt eat his insides. He was never, he decided, never having acetone again.

“So you really don’t remember?” Alex asked, and Michael didn’t fail to notice the hopeful question in his voice, the way his eyes twinkled as if everything he had was hanging on to whatever Michael’s next words would be. Michael realized Alex had thought he had purposely blocked out the kiss (as if he ever could), and for once, chose the truth.

“Not a thing,” he said. “I wish I did. Sounds like a crappy way to end the night.”

A soft smile tugged at Alex’s lips. “Not really,” he said, reaching for his mug again. “I like taking care of you.”

Michael swallowed. He came to stand in front of Alex, plucking the warm drink out of his hands, and setting it on the counter. “I should’ve been taking care of you.”

“It was just a night, Guerin.”

Michael gently pushed Alex’s bangs back from his eyes, his fingers coming down to tilt Alex’s chin up, bringing their lips closer. “I’m not just talking about last night, Alex.”

Alex’s eyes fluttered halfway shut, and as their lips brushed one another, Michael asked, “Can I kiss you?”

Alex grinned. “Please do already.” And with the show playing on in the background, and Buffy’s cheerful barking, Michael closed the distance between them.

***

👀🌝