Okay, so for the holiday season, I'm trying something a bit... unique (I hope). All twelve of these stories occur in chronological order. Hopefully you will all enjoy these and please leave comments/reviews cause I'm iffy about how this turned out. Winterfair comes from the Vorkosigan Saga. Sassy wrote Zack's present.

Happy Christmas, Hanukkah, Yuletide, Solstice, Life Day, whatever it is you celebrate!

"Mmm," Zack murmured as he sleepily shifted closer to Leon. He was barely awake but aware enough to know that his lover was also at this stage. "Morning."

Leon turned on his side, slipping an arm along the taller man's waist. He gave his own little hum of contentment but did not say anything else. He showed no sign of waking up further.

Chuckling softly, Zack casually brushed at Leon's hip. "So I guess you've decided against going out this morning."

"It's Winterfair," muttered Leon. "Work can wait till tomorrow."

Zack lifted an amused eyebrow and looked at the other man. Leon's eyes were still closed and he really did look like he was going to go back to sleep. "Oh, you're finally learning, Squall! I'm so proud."

A small smile tugged at Leon's lips. The arm draped over Zack's body moved slightly and his hand began idly stroking the white feathers of the ex-SOLDIER's wing. He smirked a little at the tremor that ran through the other man's body.

"Well," Zack breathed out, trying to focus on his words but becoming increasingly distracted by Leon's touches. "I was gonna get up and start setting up your present but…"

Leon sat up and carefully climbed on top of the slightly larger man's body. Both were unclothed from the night before and it was quickly becoming obvious that neither one of them was thinking much about holiday-related activities at the moment. "I told you what I wanted and you gave me all that plus some last night."

Last night had been rather spectacular; the complete disarray of the bedroom being the proof. Zack did not want to even think about what downstairs looked like. It was an extremely good thing that no one was expected to pay a visit today.

"Yeah, well," he groaned softly when Leon rolled his hips. "That isn't really a gift."

The younger half of the couple leaned forward, hands braced on either side of Zack. He hovered a few inches above him, steel colored eyes gazing into violet. "Having you all to myself and knowing how much you love me is all the present I'll ever need, Zack."

The statement moved Zack deeply. Though they had been together for nearly two years now, Zack did not count the month and a half they had been separated, they rarely verbally expressed their feelings. There was an unspoken understanding between them about it but it always seemed so much more meaningful when the actual words were said.

Leon placed a soft kiss on Zack's lips and lifted his upper body back up. "Any idea what time it is?"

"Still pretty early." Zack reached for the nightstand clock but the younger man stopped him. He lifted an eyebrow at Leon and then made a weak sound of disapproval when he climbed off of him. Apparently, the moment of playfulness was over.

Leon fixed his pillow and settled back against it. "When are we supposed to go to the happy couple's?"

Chuckling, Zack turned on his side. "We are due at the Strife residence at three."

Nodding slowly, the former SeeD flicked his eyes toward his lover. "So are you getting my present or what?"

Zack propped up his head on an upturned palm. He grinned down at the other man, eyes bright with amusement but his voice scandalized. "You said having me was all the present you need!"

"True," Leon confirmed neutrally. The corner of his lip curled up and his scarred face crinkled. "I didn't say anything about it being all I wanted."

The raven-haired one snorted before moving in for a quick kiss. He pulled away quickly and got out of bed, searching the floor for at least a pair of underwear. While he really had no problem walking around naked, he did not think it was appropriate to do what he was about to do with absolutely nothing on.

Once he found adequate, minimal clothing, he threw it on and glanced over his shoulder at Leon who was casually watching him. "If I'm not back in fifteen minutes assume I wussed out and ran away."

Leon's mouth twisted in confusion. "Uh, sure."

Winking, Zack hurried from the bedroom. As soon as he was in the hallway, the minor panic began setting in. He felt the muscles that controlled his wing flex as the wing itself twitched nervously. On his way downstairs, he willed himself to settle down.

The main room did not look as bad as he thought; the lamp lay on the floor near the desk and a few odd things had been knocked off the bookshelves. Their shirts and a few belts were strewn across the carpet and over near the table was a toppled bottle of water.

He left everything as it was, figuring there would be plenty of time to clean up later. Right now, he had more important things to be doing. He headed into the kitchen and opened up the fridge.

During the day yesterday, he had gotten Sephiroth to help him make Leon's favorite breakfast. All he had to do now was warm it up in the microwave, which Sephiroth had said would be fine so long as he did not over due it. Zack had been so paranoid about ruining the breakfast casserole dish that his friend had to write specific directions for him on top of the container.

Zack followed this carefully and as he waited for the microwave to finish, he made up a pot of coffee. After the food was warmed, he set up a tray with plates, cups silverware, food and coffee. Once satisfied, he carefully lifted it and brought it upstairs.

Leon was laying flat on his back with his eyes closed when Zack returned. He immediately opened them as the older man entered and a warm smile lit his face. "Now you're just spoiling me."

"Naw, you can't be spoiled." Zack set the tray on the bed as Leon sat up. He then moved away again and went toward the dresser. "Go ahead and start if you want."

The sable-haired man looked over the spread. "This is what you were going to wuss out on? It looks fantastic."

"Uh, no," Zack stated a bit nervously. He opened up the small, plain box on the dresser that he kept odds and ends in. From it he removed a folded up slip of paper. He turned back toward Leon and toyed with the paper using both hands.

Leon frowned at his lover's ill-ease. He eyed the scrap Zack was fidgeting with. "What is that?"

"Well, uh…" Zack took a deep breath. He unfolded the note and rushed out. "Look, just pretend you like it no matter how bad it is, ok?"

Now even more confused, Leon nodded and then waited for Zack to reveal whatever that paper was about. Zack was definitely more of an actions person, he could not think of anything that Zack would have taken the time to write out. Usually Zack much preferred spontaneity.

Standing straight, Zack took another breath and with a bit of silent encouragement, began reading:

"It's Christmas time.

And now I get to rhyme!

I love you

And your eyes so stony blue.

I love your hair,

So brown, not like air.

Air is clear,

But to me you're still very dear.

I love your leather obsession

And your interesting sense of fashion.

Though all those belts just get in my way

Especially when I want to play.

But I love the way you kiss

Your lips I always miss.

You can make out very well,

And trust me, I can tell.

I love you very much,

You're the only one I want to touch.

Merry Christmas, Leon my lion.

I love you so dearly, and I'm not lyin'!"

Zack refolded the paper, not looking at Leon. The room was silent and he honestly could not decipher what it meant. He knew he was not the brightest guy around when it came to literary things and all that but he had really put his heart into the attempt. He only hoped that Leon would not think it too-

There was a light chuckle and Zack was crestfallen. He tossed the poem back on the dresser and sighed. "I know, it was terrible."

"No," Leon quickly countered. "I mean, it was pretty bad but…"

Zack waited and when the man did not continue, he faced him. He was not prepared for the few tears that traced a thin line over Leon's cheek. The former mercenary's blue-grey eyes held a brightness that Zack had never seen and the sheer…joy for his expression was enough to tell Zack that his efforts were not in vain.

His Squall had been very deeply touched.

Smiling softly, Zack motioned with his hand toward the breakfast on the bed. "Your food is getting cold."

"C'mere," Leon ordered, repositioning the tray further down. When Zack resumed his spot on the bed, Leon moved closer and placed a single, gentle kiss upon his lips. "I love you."

Zack bit his lip happily. "Merry Christmas, Squall."

"Happy Christmas, Zack."