Happy Birthday, Viktor (25.12.19)

'That's kind of like having one's birthday fall on Valentine's day. Of all the ill luck…'

'Well, it's not all bad. Christmas and birthday presents on the same day, right?'

'…It doesn't work like that.'

'No. You're right. It doesn't. At best, I might get a gift from the kids. Maybe.'

'You're the king. Make and enforce gift-giving rules if you have to.'

'Worrying thought. In all honesty—if I had to chose between a national holiday or Christmas… Come to think of it, I'd probably choose Christmas.'

'The Holy Church would be proud…'

'It's Christmas—you can't be cynical.'

'That's going to take a royal decree, you know.'

'I know. By the way, is this the point where I pester you about whether you got me a gift or not?'

'…Oh.'

'Yikes, you don't need to take it so personally.'

'Well, no. It's not that I just… didn't know what to get you.'

'You give me the same thing every year.'

'I know that! I know that. But I forgot about Christmas shopping and by the time I remembered, all the stores were closed.'

'You're saying you left your shopping until Christmas Eve?'

'I had to get creative with the princes' gifts, yes. But I… truly did not know what to get you.'

'You don't need to look so stricken about it. I was kidding.'

'What did you want me to do—gift you cash from the salary that you pay me? I think not, on many levels.'

'Hey. Look at me. Your presence here is a gift.'

'A gift isn't a gift if it's not given freely. You're paying me to be here.'

'I'm paying you to teach my sons. No one's paying you to take such good care of them. That wasn't in the job description. Also, time is possibly the greatest gift that one can give. You can't buy it, you can't get it, you can only give it.'

Heine lowered his eyes to the pocket watch in his hand, the crystal face glimmering like liquid—reflecting the stars, the city lights, the facets of the wine glasses in their hands and the low-burning candles.

'That's… kind of you. Truly. Though you are over romanticising the situation to make me feel better.'

'If you'd give up your cynicism, then that would be a Christmas miracle.'

'Harsh…' Heine half-smiled. 'But honestly… what would you give to a king who has everything anyway?'

'A New Year's resolution to stick it out with me for another year. That's all I ask.'

'And it's all I can give. You have my word.'

'Thank you.'

The End

A/N: Thank you, everyone, for all the support, follows, favourites, kind reviews, and reads over the last year. It was so much fun, and I can't wait to share some exciting new projects with you in 2020. Happy New Year, everyone!

(And stay posted, because I'm thinking of kicking off the new year with a bang tomorrow, and you all know I don't do anything by half measures... Watch this space!)