(no subject)

[stuckonyourheart]

There's a nebulous period that Patrick thinks is acceptable to have holiday gifts during, and for David, he picks a rough period that's close to Christmas, even though he knows that technically they could also be doing Hanukkah. And yet, he also remembers the big rush last year with Johnny deciding he wanted a big family Christmas.

Patrick's not complaining. There's no store to mine for decorations this time and thanks to the difference in time between them, Patrick also knows a perfect gift for them. He'd worked a few extra shifts doing math tutoring to buy it, which means that he's able to have it wrapped and ready when he comes home, carrying the large box with a bag on top of it. It fills him with absolute warmth as he steps over the threshold into their home, because it's more than he had at home. Here, this is their place, firmly together.

Back home, it had still felt like Patrick's, because David didn't love it the way that he should, not for a place that belonged to both of them.

Maybe at some point, they'll find something here that they both like. For now, he's happy to just be here with David. Peering just over the large wrapped gift, he tries to signal David with his eyes. "Can you take the bag?" he requests. "There's some cheese and wine inside." He's also not about to cook a whole holiday dinner, but he figures that he can do that much.

Comments

[very_uninterested]

If there's one thing in life David is actually good at, it's giving gifts.

It's just that sometimes he doesn't necessarily give gifts people actually want, because he gives them the gifts he thinks they should have based on his opinions and his tastes. Which he recognizes is kind of shitty, but it also doesn't stop him from doing it most of the time. With Patrick, he knows he has to be better. He has to not screw it up, even if he's not prepared to get engaged just yet, and that is why, along with the regular gifts of a kind of boxy button down in a blue pattern that will definitely bring out Patrick's eyes, made of the highest quality cotton he was able to find in Darrow, as well as a very nice watch, there's a card in a white envelope. The card itself is kind of silly, just a dancing snowman, but inside the card, David has very neatly printed good for one trip to the dog adoption place.

He's not actually sure what it's called, the dog place, but he'll go with Patrick. Once. And if they don't find a dog they can agree on in that time, then he's on his own.

"Ugh, god, you are the sexiest man alive when you talk like that," he announces as he takes the bag from Patrick as requested.

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick's amusement is clear from only his eyes (and seeing as his mouth is covered by the gift, that's a good thing). "Now you're making me worried that my sexiness and your cholesterol levels have a correlation," he jokes with a deadpan, setting the gift down on the counter so he can lean over and press a kiss to David's lips, his hand securely on his back as he leans in, giving him a fond look.

"Can I just say, I'm really glad we're both here, celebrating this together," he says, rubbing his hand back and forth over David's shoulders. "Hi," he whispers, and leans in for another kiss. "Happy holidays."

[very_uninterested]

"You're the one who started celebrating milestones with giant cookies," David points out in return, because if he's going to be associating Patrick with food, there's really only one person who can be blamed for it.

"And I am really glad the box you just brought in is so big," he answers as he plucks gently at the material of Patrick's shirt, then rests his hands on his shoulders. The twist of his smile says he's joking, but he does like receiving gifts. It's the best part of the season. Besides the food.

[stuckonyourheart]

"There were also bracelets and other non-food items," Patrick feels compelled to point out, even if he's pretty charmed by David's adoration of food, because it makes it seem so easy when he needs a quick win. He knows that he can find a bottle of something good and make that work.

Grinning as he leans into David's touch, he stares up at him with a besotted beaming smile. "I have to be honest. I'm cheating," he confesses. "It's something I already knew you wanted from last Christmas."

[very_uninterested]

"That is cheating," David answers. "But I'll allow it, because I'm about ninety-three percent certain future me still has excellent taste and that anything he wanted is something I'll want now."

He has to allow for seven percent, just in case Patrick has ruined his aesthetic somehow. Not that he wouldn't want it to happen. Being in love sort of trumps aesthetics. Sort of.

"Are we going to be cheesy and put one of those fireplace things on the TV?" he asks, then groans. "God, I miss a real fireplace."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick feels pretty good about cheating in this case, seeing as David doesn't remember. Besides, he's not giving him the engagement rings, which means that he has one more surprise up his sleeve (that isn't a giant anniversary cookie). He pats the large box and then leans in to lift himself up on the tips of his toes for a thoughtful kiss.

He eases back, gesturing to the couch. "I mean, I could serenade you," he says, very seriously. "I know your feelings on Mariah, but I also think I could win you over with my rendition of All I Want For Christmas. I'd wear a hat. Maybe just the hat...?" He drifts off towards the couch, lifting up his present with ease and bringing it over to the coffee table.

[very_uninterested]

"Okay, you know I love you very much, but if you so much as touch Mariah, we might have to end things," David threatens and he absolutely doesn't even mean a word of it. Patrick could do just about anything to Mariah, because David knows he would respect her properly and any cover would be absolutely beautiful.

He knows, because Patrick knows David will have a meltdown otherwise.

"So are we doing this tonight?" he asks, making no attempt to hide his interest in presents. "Kind of a pre-Christmas, sort of Hanukkah gift giving deal? Because I can be Jewish today if it means I get a present."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick raises his eyebrow because he thinks that sounds a little bit like a challenge and one that he thinks he'd be okay with taking on. He has this little suspicion that he could definitely do a cover of her Christmas masterpiece that David would appreciate.

His amusement is absolutely clear as he gives David an expectant look.

"I mean," he begins, running his hand over the gift, "if you want to leave this perfectly wrapped gift in the living room until Christmas, we can do that," he promises. "We can absolutely wait." Or at least, Patrick knows he can.

[very_uninterested]

"You have entirely too much patience to be healthy," David accuses. "Frankly, it's a little disgusting."

This isn't Christmas like they had in years past, back when his family was still rich. There's no enormous, glittering party, featuring an enormous, glittering tree in nearly every room. He and Patrick don't have a team of caterers making sure they're eating and drinking only the finest of everything, and Alexis isn't barging into his room every thirty seconds, asking to borrow his concealer.

Most of that he doesn't miss. The rest he doesn't think he would admit to missing.

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick's feeling pretty good about his patience, actually, because watching David squirm as the gift sits there makes every second worthwhile. He presses his lips together, calm as anything. "Well, I guess I'm just a disgusting patient person who thinks your company is as much of a gift as any present," he quips.

"I also want the present," he guarantees, because he's not that patient and altruistic. "Come here," he says, patting the seat beside him. "Come open your gift, because I'd love to see your face when you do and I'm not sure I trust you not to sneak a peek of it while we're sleeping."

[very_uninterested]

"Oh, I see, so you got us a gift," David says as he sits down beside Patrick. "That's going to make my ridiculously selfless gift even better, so thank you for that."

He's touching Patrick as he speaks, though, his hands warm and maybe even a little impatient, and while he very much wants to open the present, he thinks he would also like to unwrap his very sexy boyfriend, too.

But he forces himself to go for the box instead. Not that it's really that much effort, and as he begins to pull off the paper and sees what's wrapped up inside, David stops and stares at Patrick. "Can we afford this?"

He cannot believe those words have come from him.

[stuckonyourheart]

"I may have bought a gift that I'll occasionally benefit from," Patrick agrees, because if David thinks he's going to sit there and not use the new coffee machine, then he has another thing coming. Is he going to be the one making fancy espresso drips and lattes?

Definitely not, though he wouldn't turn one down if David happened to bring it to him in bed.

He's still beaming, radiating warmth as he watches David open the gift. It's worth every single extra tutoring session he took on, and he leans into David's touch as he opens it. "Luckily, it's exam season at the college," he says. "I took on some kids to tutor them in accounting," he promises, beaming at David.

"I take it that means I can throw away the receipt?"

[very_uninterested]

"Um, what do you think?" he asks before he turns to face Patrick, wrapping his arms around his shoulders. "This is quite possibly the best gift anyone has ever gotten for me."

There's really no pretending it's not actually the best. David has been given more expensive things and designer clothes of all kinds, but he knows this is really for him. Because Patrick knows him better than anyone else. Besides, he's always preferred buying his own clothing when it comes down to it.

"Okay, so which of your presents do you want to open first? The nice ones or the sentimental one?"

[stuckonyourheart]

It feels like cheating to be able to do this so well only because he has a few extra months on David back home, but when he sinks into David's embrace, he's not intending to fight it. Once he's there, he wraps an arm around David's waist and stays, because it's been given to him, and he has no intention of abandoning it.

"I mean, it's still just a coffee maker," he protests, a stubborn little voice reminding him that the best gift is sitting in a bank safety deposit box, but they don't talk about that. It's not the moment to talk about that.

He gives David a pleased smile, though, and it means a lot to him that David likes it so much. "Definitely the sentimental one for last," he insists, reaching for the first. "Am I going to find some passive-aggressive fashion suggestions in here?" he teases.

[very_uninterested]

"I mean, if you consider a gentle nudge in the direction of higher quality fabric a passive-aggressive fashion suggestion, then yes," David answers as Patrick unwraps the shirt first. "But I'm just thinking about your skin. Polyester will never be the right choice for anything. Ever."

The shirt and the watch are fine. They're better than just fine, but it's still the last gift, the card with his message inside, that he's actually waiting for. David isn't sure if he's going to regret it. Chances are high he will, because he's absolutely not a dog person, but it might be hard to regret anything that makes Patrick happy.

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick's laugh is bright, delighted, because he'd only been joking, but there's definitely a shirt and a watch, but both things are really thoughtful and beautiful. He turns to cup David's cheek with his palm, leaning in for a long kiss. "They're amazing, David," he praises, voice low before he eases back to look at the other gift.

He takes the card, eyeing David warily.

He's absolutely not sure what he's expecting, but what's inside...isn't it. "Is this a joke?" he asks warily, staring at David because it seems way too good to be true, considering the number of rants about pet fur he's heard in his life.

[very_uninterested]

"I sort of wish it was," David answers, his teeth pressed together in a grimace. "And there are caveats. First is that we have to make sure my wardrobe has its own place to go so it doesn't get covered in fur and second is that you will vacuum every single day."

There are other caveats, too. Less important ones. They can go over those things later, because right now David isn't sure if Patrick is just shocked or if he isn't interested in the whole thing.

"You look like you think I might be an imposter," he says.

[stuckonyourheart]

David absolutely doesn't look very happy about this gift, which has Patrick really intrigued. He watches him with an amused look on his face, and when he glances down at it again, it still says what he thought he'd read the first time. "David," he exhales, and it means so much to him.

There are some things he thought he'd never get to have, because David's a little picky about some things, and Ray had some rules about pets in the apartment, but he's always wanted a dog that he could go to the park with and play with, and this is...

"David, this is incredible," he shares, ducking in to kiss him, hard. "You have to admit, this is pretty shocking."

[very_uninterested]

"I know," David says. "I'm very generous and sweet, but also if we talk about it too much, I might start to regret it."

As long as Patrick knows this whole thing doesn't extend to the idea of children, because David very much does not want to think about what might happen to his clothes if some little monster decided to puke on them. Even the thought terrifies him and he has to shove it aside quickly.

"Nothing that chews," he adds. "So maybe... something older. Not a crazy little puppy. There's only so much drama I can deal with on a daily basis."

[stuckonyourheart]

"I can get on board with a rescue dog that's house-trained and knows all its commands," he promises, his eyes bright with the hope of actually getting a dog, which is something he'd ruled out when he and David had started getting serious.

The envelope goes down so Patrick can wrap his arms around David's neck, pressing kiss after kiss to his cheeks and lips, so buoyantly delighted and happy, and grateful. "You really are the kindest, sweetest, most incredible man," he says, and there's no sarcasm in those words, because he's genuinely touched that David would do this for him.

[very_uninterested]

"Ugh," David says, but he's smiling as he wraps his arms around Patrick in return, letting himself bask in the kisses as they lean back against the couch. The lights on the tree sparkle and he knows he's technically supposed to be celebrating Hanukkah, but it's not like his family ever really got all wrapped up in that. They had the annual Christmas party because an annual Hanukkah party just never seemed to have the same ring to it.

"Well, merry Christmas," he says, rolling his eyes, still fond, still struggling with his smile. ""I just... want you to be happy."

Which probably doesn't come as a surprise to Patrick, but at the same time, David knows he never would have expected the whole dog thing. He's glad to have been able to do something that was a legitimate surprise for their first Christmas here in Darrow and, for David, their first Christmas together.

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick loves it. He loves when David protests like that, because he can press flush against David, his fingers gently pressing into the skin at his hips, a possessive touch that isn't painful, and he brushes the tip of his nose to David's as he eases back, not willing to go too far.

"You're here, with me," he says, and it might sound soppy and romantic, but it's the truth. "I've told you before, David, that you make me feel right. Celebrating the holidays with you is the best thing I've done in years," he says truthfully, so glad that they're still able to have a home like that here.

"I promise that when we look for a dog, I will make sure it's one that fits in with our lifestyle," he vows. "And we can adapt a room into the dog room so if you want some time alone, the dog can take a nap or something."

[very_uninterested]

"Can you just... make a dog take a nap?" he asks, although it doesn't really matter. He figures if he needs time alone Patrick can take the dog to the park or David can disappear to Celeste's or something. It's not the same as bugging Stevie in the motel lobby, going to visit Celeste, but it's also not not the same.

"Okay, but do you like your watch?" he asks, trying not to grin as he speaks, knowing that isn't quite the best part of what he's given Patrick. Still, it's a nice watch, and he had saved up his crappy Darrow stipend to pay for it and he hopes Patrick actually likes it. "Because if you don't, we can exchange it for something else. I didn't engrave it or anything, just because I wasn't totally sure."

[stuckonyourheart]

"We can put the dog in a room with a bed," he says, "and if it's not a puppy, the chances are it'll sleep." He's trying not to get too visibly excited, still cautious about David's mood about the dog, because he doesn't want to scare him. He still carefully and reverently folds the little paper and tucks it into his pocket, because he doesn't want to ruin it.

And then he moves to the others, sliding his fingers over the watch. "It's beautiful, David," he says, and it looks expensive. Leaning up to reward him with a soft kiss to his cheek, he eases back. "We should go engrave it as soon as we can," he insists. "What do you think we should put on it?"

[very_uninterested]

"I don't know," David answers, feeling suddenly flustered, even if he's not sure why. This is the sort of romantic stuff that had made him so uncomfortable in the first place, when the cookie had made him feel as if everything was going to literally crumble around him and he was going to be left with nothing. Again.

He knows there's time between them. He wants to be better at this, be the David that Patrick had left behind, but it's not always easy.

"Maybe something simple like our initials," he says.

[stuckonyourheart]

That brings up something that Patrick actually hasn't even thought about back home. The engagement had been so fresh that details about the wedding had been distant, never mind the practicalities of being married.

Things like where they'd live, what they would do after, those things had been a distant thought. Also something that only occurs to him now? He doesn't know what name he's going to have, in the distant future, when they eventually do get married (because he's still determined that it's going to happen).

"If we're engraving it, we can wait," he says, patiently, but he still slides it onto his wrist, holding it up to see it reflecting in the light. "David, it's beautiful," he praises, and kisses his cheek fondly.

[very_uninterested]

"Obviously," David answers, rolling his eyes at the praise and trying not to look at pleased as he feels that Patrick likes it. "I have very refined taste."

He relaxes back onto the couch, the lights of the tree sparkling, and then he looks over at Patrick with a twist of a smile. Before Schitt's Creek, he'd never really had anyone who accepted him exactly as he is. Maybe Alexis and his parents would argue that they had and he guesses that's not completely wrong, but they hadn't spent much time together at all. It was Stevie who had been the first. Then Patrick.

And now here he feels more comfortable than he should.

"Ugh, we're really lucky Alexis isn't here. She would be banging down the door demanding to know what her presents are."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick levels a fond smile on David after he adjusts the watch on his wrist, leaning in to press a soft kiss to the corner of his lips, staying there as he asks, "Are you honestly telling me that you don't miss that, even a little?" he whispers, because Patrick's come to love and appreciate the whole Rose family, for all their frustrations and quirks.

He reaches over for the envelope, holding it up. "I'll save this, if that's okay with you? I want to make sure we're really secure and settled before I introduce a dog into the equation."

[very_uninterested]

"Ugh, I don't know, maybe," he says, nodding when Patrick says he'll save the dog gift. That's actually preferable, because it means David gets a little more time to try and figure out how the hell he's going to actually live with a dog.

All he can think about is all his knits.

"I don't miss sharing a space with her," he says. "Because Alexis is filthy. She shoves everything under her bed and thinks that's being clean because it means it's not actively on the floor for me to step on."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick can admit that he's also glad that David hadn't inherited that sloppy gene (apart from his clearly sloppy mouth, a feature Patrick frankly adores), and the relief shows on his face. "I don't even want to think about what your bathroom looked like," he admits, tucking away the envelope, and adjusting the watch a little.

He grins at David. "Do you want to, I don't know, have me put on the shirt and then install the espresso machine for us?"

[very_uninterested]

"Um, I don't know, maybe you should try it on, but if you're going to install the espresso machine, you could try doing that without a shirt at all," David suggests, his mouth twisted into a smile.

If there's a chance here to get his very sexy boyfriend half naked while he does something resembling manual labour, then David is absolutely going to try to make that happen.

"Consider it my Hanukkah gift," he adds. "The big one. Who cares if this is the wrong day."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick raises both brows so he can stand and start to unbutton his shirt. This isn't a fantasy he knew David possessed, but he can't say he's upset about it, and seeing as he grins at him, he's pretty sure that they can make it work.

"In that case, how about you show me where on the counter you'd like our espresso machine to go," he offers, pushing his shirt off, and plucking at his undershirt to start pulling that up.

[very_uninterested]

David hadn't intended on getting up. He'd mostly intended on sitting here and watching Patrick from over the back of the couch while he works, so David just waves his hand in the vague direction of the counter.

And then he immediately realizes his mistake. If Patrick puts it in the wrong place, it throws off the entire aesthetic of the kitchen.

"Wait, no, over there," he says as he gets up and moves to stand in front of the counter. "There, in that corner."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick's completely unsurprised when David changes his mind, but he smiles warmly, because he'd kind of been planning for it, and he heads over to clear the space that David's pointed to. He does go a little overboard, flexing and being ridiculous, frankly, but he thinks he's allowed a little bit of dramatics.

After all, look who he's marrying.

"I think I just also bought myself many mornings making coffee for you."

[very_uninterested]

"I don't get out of bed before ten," David replies, as if that information itself is enough of an answer. Which it is.

His words are a little distant, though, because mostly he's just watching Patrick move and flex, and it's all kind of ridiculous, but he's also completely certain he's never loved anyone like this.

Maybe he isn't ready to think about getting married, but the possibility of engagement isn't as terrifying as it had been when Patrick first got here.

[stuckonyourheart]

"I know," Patrick assures him, with a breezy confidence that comes of having been in bed with him until ten in the morning, and knowing exactly what time David likes to get out of bed, and he doesn't mind it in the least.

He smiles warmly, because that doesn't change anything, and he leans down to plug in the machine to at least get things heating up while he reads the instructions, very thoroughly. "Can you grab me a wrench from the second drawer?" he asks, knowing that he's going to go over these about ten more times, but best to keep David's fantasies somewhat alive.

[very_uninterested]

David goes to the drawer and returns with a pair of pliers, handing them to Patrick with the confidence of someone who's never held a tool in his entire life. He remembers watching Mutt build something once, that amazing cedar chest for his knits, but he hadn't exactly helped. Mutt had known better than to ask.

"What else?" he asks.

Usually he's not quite so keen on helping someone work, but in this case, he figures he's going to be reaping all kinds of benefits, so he might as well try to lend a hand.

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick gives him an appreciative smile, leaning over for a kiss, leaning back over the counter. "I think you're gonna need to open the counter from below, I need to connect some of the piping to the water so it can just draw from the sink."

Hopefully, that won't cause other issues, but this might end up being a project that's a touch longer than he'd expected.

"And I know this is supposed to be sexy, but I'm actually kind of cold," he admits. "Maybe a sweater?"

[very_uninterested]

"Okay, so I'm all here for espresso, but maybe we can worry about it tomorrow?" David asks, walking his fingers up Patrick's arm. "I didn't realize you would have to turn into a legitimate plumber to make it happen."

He had sort of just thought they would turn it on and it would start making coffee.

"Then you can put on a sweater or we can just get cozy under a blanket."

[stuckonyourheart]

Patrick lets the wrench fall into his waiting palm, his smile playfully growing as David starts to walk his fingers up his arm. "Tomorrow," he echoes, like he intends to consider it, but then he grins and nods. "I think we can make tomorrow work."

He sets it aside so he can wrap his arms around David's waist. "And until tomorrow, where do you want to get cozy?" he whispers.

[very_uninterested]

"Um, bed?" David asks, like it should be obvious. "Or the couch, I guess. Where else do people get cozy these days?"

He's not sure if they're using get cozy as a euphemism for sex, but either way, his answer is the same, because he's not as young as he used to be, according to his crow's feet, and he's pretty sure his back can't handle sex or cuddling on the kitchen floor.

And he would very much like to be able to stand up straight in the morning.

[stuckonyourheart]

"Bed," Patrick echoes with a fond grin and nods towards the bedroom, which just so happens to be in an actually different room, so it's already a step above what they had in Schitt's Creek. "And in the morning, I'll see what I can do with an internet tutorial, a few wrenches, and some determination to get you a coffee first thing."

[very_uninterested]

"Ugh, no wonder I love you," David says, the words coming easier than they used to. He takes Patrick's hand and heads for the hall, grateful all over again that he's not still stuck sharing a space with Alexis.

Private time had been tough to come by in Schitt's Creek.

"Merry Christmas," he says, pausing by the bedroom door to kiss Patrick.