Day 2 – 15 December
Yao had been finishing up with washing the dishes after dinner when Arthur approached him. Arthur was hiding a box behind his back.
Arthur rested his chin on Yao's shoulder and took in a deep breath. "You smell good," he commented.
"That's… good to know, aru," replied Yao as he dried his hands on a towel. "What's Hong Kong doing?"
Arthur shrugged. "Watching cartoons," he told Yao. "He likes 'Hello Kitty and Friends' now, thanks to you."
Yao harrumphed. "That's a respectable cartoon!" he retorted. "It teaches him about being friends with others, and it's also very cute, aru!"
"I didn't say it was bad," replied Arthur. He then took Yao's hand and led him out of the kitchen and out of the house into their garden. They had a swing outside, so they sat down together on the swing. "So… what did you think of the picture I drew?" Arthur asked nervously once both of them were comfortable.
Yao covered his mouth with his hand. "It's nice," he replied.
Arthur looked at Yao incredulously. "You don't think it's funny?"
"Well," Yao began. "Your artistic skills still need some improvement, but I could tell you put a lot of effort into the picture, aru. So… I thought it was very sweet of you." Yao took Arthur's hand and kissed it softly.
"That's why you hung it up in our room," deadpanned Arthur.
"It's a pretty nice picture," Yao told Arthur.
"I… I'm glad you liked it," said Arthur. He then paused to reach to the side of his seat, retrieving the box he had been trying to hide from Yao.
Yao peered curiously at the box Arthur was holding.
"This… this is for you," Arthur told Yao and gave him the box.
"What is it, aru?"
"Why don't you open it and find out?" Arthur smiled pleasantly at Yao and placed the box on his lap.
Yao lifted the lid of the box. He found an assortment of chocolates in the box. "Oh my," Yao muttered. It was a known fact that Yao had a sweet tooth, so he was most pleased with Arthur's present of chocolates to him.
"I tried to find you the Lindt chocolates that you like, but the flavour that you are so fond of is sold out everywhere," Arthur babbled. "So I settled for your next favourite – Godiva."
Yao grinned and kissed Arthur on the lips. "It's not that I'm not grateful for these gifts you are giving me… but why are you giving me so many gifts, aru? I mean, first it was the drawing, now it's the chocolates…"
Arthur grinned. He turned his body so that he and Yao were face to face. "I wanted to give you a different sort of Christmas gift this year. So, I'm giving you twelve gifts everyday until Christmas day."
Yao gaped at Arthur in silence. When he had finally found his voice, he managed, "But… but I only have one gift prepared for you this year…" Yao thought of the Christmas present he had prepared for Arthur that year, safely hidden in the storeroom. He hoped that would make up for what Arthur was doing…
Arthur waved a hand nonchalantly. "Haven't you heard the saying, 'it is more blessed to give than to receive'? Besides, I'm just happy seeing you pleased over the presents you receive from me."
Yao reached forward and gazed deeply into Arthur's eyes. He stroked Arthur's cheek gently. What had Yao done in this life to be blessed with such a sweet and caring partner? "At least, let's share these chocolates, okay, aru?"
Arthur nodded happily. He then extended his hand into the box and took a piece of round-shaped chocolate. He held it to Yao's face. "I know you like this one," he said. "So open up!"
Yao turned pink. He thanked god that it was dark and Arthur couldn't see his cheeks colouring. Yao opened his mouth, and Arthur placed the chocolate into his mouth.
As Yao sunk his teeth into the piece of chocolate, the sweetness and flavour burst in his mouth and attacked his senses. Yao let out an involuntary moan at the delightful sensation.
"Enjoying it?" asked Arthur smugly.
Yao had no words to articulate. He merely nodded.
