open to EVERYONE, even those he hasn't met yet

[narcolepsy]

[ baein has been busy the past weeks, cooping himself up in his little cottage when he hasn't been to the treehouse to welcome the new life into the world along with everyone else. and he already left something behind for the little one, but the truth of it all is that's not the only gift he's been preparing.

it feels like it's the only thing he can do.

christmas isn't really something he ever celebrated back when he was still just baein, stuck going to a university for a degree he didn't care for. when jasper and princess were the only bright things in his life, and thinking back on that time now it feels so long ago and a little faded, if not a memory with his boyfriend in it. now... now jasper is there, but also not, and baein is so melded with the forest he never quite feels alone in a sense of the word. (until he does feel a little lonely sometimes.)

the ruinwood is his home. and it's made him part of it in a way he'd never anticipate in his life. and yet, it still doesn't feel like it's finished with him.

back to the present, it is yuletide, christmas, or more importantly now than ever, it's the time around the winter solstice, and baein emerges from his hidey-hole with a bundle of soft things in his arms, heading for the treehouse. (maybe it's also to steal a hug from someone. what? he's touch starved half the time he's alive and he just wants a cuddle please and thank you.)

this time around, he knocks on the door with his elbow instead of walking right in, hands too occupied trying to balance the load in his arms. ]

Whoouups—

[ he stumbles slightly with wide eyes before righting himself, and then calls out. ]

Knock knock~!

Comments

[faeshim]

For you!

[daeshim echoes. and he hates leaving him even for a moment, so he gives bae a quick hug before letting go of him to retrieve something from the attached pantry.]

I finished just before she arrived! Happy Yuletide!

[daeshim holds up the basket made of carefully woven branches. inside is an assortment of small homemade things - some dried fruit, honey and apple butter. packets of seeds for spring and a renewed acorn protection charm.]

[narcolepsy]

[ he manages to hug him back before the fae slips away, and baein watches him go, eyes wide, small excitement already curling into the frame of his body.

but he cannot hold back the soft gasp when daeshim presents his gift, and with his mouth hanging open he looks between the basket and daeshim and oh. his vision blurs without his consent and baein ducks his head and rubs his sleeve over his eyes to abate the burning behind his eyelids to no avail. so instead he just sniffles and looks up and gives daeshim the biggest smile he can muster, though his voice wavers slightly as he speaks. ]

Daeshim... this is beautiful. [ he takes a breath and huffs it out on a laugh. ] Whew... uh, sorry. I don't know why I'm crying. Thank you.

[ baein swallows the tears away carefully accepts the basket to set it in his lap. and then he looks at the package in his hand, and he hands it over before he starts thinking he should have done more. that's not the intention of gifts, bae. ]

Please accept this.

[ it's a scarf, mittens and hat-set, all knitted in the softest yarn baein could procure. they're in soft colors that both go well with the forest around them but also matches the colors that are daeshim's favorites. little mushrooms decorate the rim of the hat, and baein has made little bunnies and cute forest creatures to litter the pattern of the scarf. lastly, the mittens have small crocheted acorn charms hanging off the cuffs.

baein's had decades to learn how to knit, after all. ]

[faeshim]

It is quite modest, but it was made with love.

[he knows that the city beyond his boundary is filled with shiny things that possess their own magic. screens that bring up words and images. fancy toys and foods that have been shipped from far away. these are the things that the humans exchange during this time of year. he has none of that, but he knows that bae above everyone can see the beauty in all that the ruinwood has to offer, warmth and substance and the promise of more beauty to come. the fae reaches up to brush at a tear tenderly, clutching his fist around it like it's a precious gem.]

Oh! [his eyes widen at his gift, which he immediately rubs against his cheek.] It's so soft! And look here! Mushrooms! And these are all our bunnies, down to the exact number!

[he immediately wraps the scarf around his neck. and anyone who catches him wearing it at midsummer still, mind your business.]

They are the finest things I've ever owned!

[narcolepsy]

[ baein looks up at the fae again, open awe in his expression. he couldn't care less about the screens and shiny lights of the city. he much prefers the natural beauty of the forest they live in, prefers the company of critters and plants and the fae he has come to love so much. it's where he belongs, and is probably where he'll stay until the end of his days. ]

Daeshim. This is incredibly thoughtful. This is a better gift than I could have ever imagined.

[ sniffling again, baein can't hold back the little fond laugh as he rubs at his cheek, ducking his head again, eyes darting over all the little items in the basket. he picks up the acorn and curls his fingers around it with a little smile. but oh, the exclamation catches his ear, and seeing daeshim's reaction, his expression, and baein has to clear his throat again, flush high on his cheeks as he watches the fae fawn over the gift. ]

Mm, I made sure to include them all.

[ reaching up, he helps daeshim tuck the ends of the scarf before he pulls back. his smile almost turns his eyes into crescents. ]

I'm so glad you like it.