If there was one Christmas Carol Giles hated, it was "The Twelve Days of
Christmas". He'd always hated it; but today of all days he hated it even
more. If he heard Xander singing that, he would personally shove him out
the door and straight into a pile of snow! Which reminded him; he needed to
tell Buffy to keep his 'marriage' a secret.
Whatever had possessed him to tell her about that? And what in the world had possessed him to use Ethan's insistence on calling it a marriage? God, Ethan and the stupidity of his youth! Well, that night in his office telling Buffy all about it had proved he hadn't lost that stupidity. Maybe it wasn't youth but a defective brain cell or something; perhaps he should get a CAT scan. Whatever was wrong, he *really* didn't want to remember that day. Which, of course, meant his mind replayed every last second.
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Christmas Morning, 1975
Rupert made sure to wake up early. After all, it wouldn't do to have Ethan find his presents before he could give them to him personally. And Ethan on the hunt for presents was almost unstoppable! Rupert still remembered the night before his birthday.
He got them ready, piling them up on the floor under his side of the bed. It was a small pile as it was, seeing as how both of them were broke. Then he waited for Ethan to wake up. He watched his lover, his stomach in knots as he hoped and prayed that Ethan wouldn't find his little gesture too ridiculous for words. Rupert really wanted it, really believed in it; but Ethan's acceptance was another matter.
"Mmmfff," Ethan managed as he pried his eyelids open.
Rupert smiled down at him, knowing how hard Ethan found it to wake up every morning. The budding Chaos mage was a night person if ever there was one. But Ethan was making an effort. Perhaps he should do something to help? He smiled wickedly and leaned over him, pressing a kiss onto each fluttering eyelid.
Instant wake-up call- Ethan blinked at him and smiled back shyly. "Good morning, dearest," he murmured, "You look chipper."
"Well, you could do with a wash and a shave," Rupert laughed. He let Ethan trace his brows with one long finger before pulling away. "Come on, hurry up and get dressed. We're going out."
Ethan drew back with a frown. "We are? Why?"
"Because that's the only way to wake you up, luv," Rupert taunted, "Remember last Monday, when you refused to leave the bed until I promised to take you to a movie?"
Ethan looked drowsily amused, "Ripper, beloved, that was because I was hoping you would join me in bed! When you said a theatre- well, of course, I could get you to make love to me there, couldn't I? And hearing you try not to scream in a room full of people is a pleasure I hardly ever get!"
Rupert had the grace to blush. "You're an exhibitionist and I've always said so! Now get up, luv, do! We can't start the day until you at least brush your teeth."
"Okay, okay," Ethan grumbled, stumbling up and reaching for something in the way of clothing. He looked around and couldn't find a thing except an extraordinarily hungry look in his lover's green eyes. "You hid my clothes again, didn't you?"
"They were dirty and I put them to wash," Rupert said with an innocent sniff. But both of them knew him well enough by now and Ethan only smiled and stayed exactly as he was.
Rupert double-checked the little box in his pocket while listening to the various sounds the person he was in love with made. And he was in love with this man; he had nothing in him to prove otherwise. And that Ethan cared for him was evident too.
"Are you done yet?" he called impatiently.
"Yes. I'm ready," Ethan smirked, strolling in. He'd managed to find a pair of jeans and put them on, simply because he wanted very much to give Rupert his presents and see what he said. And he had the sneaking suspicious Rupert wasn't exactly un-present-laden either. But first things first: "Merry Christmas, Ripper," he sighed as he slid his arms around the other man and kissed him soundly.
Rupert kissed back hungrily, devouring his mouth in a painful rush of emotions, knowing his plan might end with Ethan kicking him out and so he made the most of what might be a last kiss. Ethan moaned and pressed pliantly against him, molding his body to Rupert's.
The shirt Rupert was wearing was hurriedly tugged off, Ethan needing skin and warmth to remind him that this was really happening. It was all very well to know mentally that his Ripper had claimed him; but he usually needed constant physical assurances. And this was the one way he knew how to get it without being too afraid Rupert would grow tired of him. When the kiss finally broke, Ethan found himself in Ripper's lap, his wrists caught tight in Ripper's hands and Ripper's green eyes staring into his.
"God help me, but that was the best Christmas present ever," Ethan gasped, nuzzling closer.
"It's not over yet," Rupert murmured in his ear, giving him one last kiss and then dumping him back on the bed. Ethan was treated to what he considered the breath-stealing sight of his lover's delectable arse in the air, as Rupert wriggled on the bed to pull the presents out. "Merry Christmas, Ethan."
Ethan ripped the paper off the biggest of the two, yelping at the sight of the book he'd been trying to find for ages and clasping the text on Chaos magic to his chest before instantly flipping through it and talking at top speed.
Rupert really hadn't been keen on Ethan laying his hands on the book, but when they had spent one entire night talking in each other's arms, he'd had to accept that Ethan without Chaos would not be Ethan at all. He hoped the book would guide his lover to a less reckless use of magic that was gray at best, though thankfully not black in most cases.
Then Ethan's eyes fixed on the other present and hands were deftly shredding the paper instantly, eyes wide at the sight of what it contained. "You bought me a- a dress?" he asked dubiously.
Rupert corrected his mistake. "I *stole* you a dress, love. I couldn't possibly have afforded anything like *this*."
Ethan collapsed on the bed, laughing until he cried. Rupert smiled in satisfaction; he'd hoped to get at least one present that made Ethan laugh. It seemed he'd succeeded. In fact, Ethan was laughing so hard Rupert had to grab his ankles as to prevent him rolling off the bed.
"It's beautiful, beloved; thank you," Ethan finally gasped, throwing his arms around Rupert and giving him a kiss. "What do you say we try it out tonight? I know for a fact Deirdre's giving me make-up because I caught her with it three days ago and that girl just cannot lie. So I'll get all dressed up just for you."
Rupert moved closer, pulling him further against himself. "And do I get to take it all off?"
"Only you, beloved," Ethan said huskily, "I'd only ever let you see me like this."
They smiled at each other and then Ethan bounded away to the cupboard. He flung it open and fell to his knees. Rupert at first thought something was wrong until he realized Ethan was prying up the wooden floor. Of course! That was where they stashed the magic books! Ethan must have bought him something and hidden it there.
"I- I wasn't sure what to get you," Ethan's voice floated out, "And I wanted it to be special so I tried." Ethan was clutching something thin in his hands, wrapped up in Christmas paper. A lump caught in Rupert's throat at the hesitant look on Ethan's face, not to mention the flat-out fear in those dark eyes. "Well, at least I tried. But- but don't think that you have to- after all, you've given me so much- I just wanted to- but here! I- I hope you like it."
Rupert put the package aside for the moment and pulled Ethan back into his arms. The mystic looked confused for a moment and then snuggled in closer. "You know that having you here is all the present I want, right?" Rupert asked quietly, stroking his hair, "Without you, Ethan- well, let's say that I would find life very hard. Even *this*," he gestured vaguely around the shabby single-room apartment, "Even *this* is paradise because you're here. Do you know that?"
"So long as you keep reminding me," Ethan agreed. He looked up. "So hurry up and open the damn thing! I want to shag you senseless and I'm restraining myself until after the presents."
Rupert considered it, his eyes transfixed by Ethan's mouth. "Uh, hurrying- yes, that would be the best thing," he gulped, reaching hurriedly for the package and opening it with fingers that were suddenly clumsy.
The thick single sheet of paper was not very big, but the attention and care to detail was so painstaking his hands began to tremble. He was staring at himself and all of a sudden the drawing was showing him exactly what Ethan saw. And what Ethan saw took his breath away!
"You were playing your guitar and sitting on the bed," Ethan said softly, putting his arms behind Rupert from the back, "And this inquisitive ray of sunlight fell over you, bathing you in light and suddenly I had to draw you. I used to draw as a child. Heh, I thought I'd lost the knack but for you- for you I would have re-learnt everything!"
"You spent so much time on this," Rupert whispered, finger tracing lightly over the guitar, "And I never knew."
"Well, now you do," Ethan reminded him, "I want you to see yourself for what you truly are. The way I see you."
Rupert put the drawing down carefully, swallowing the little hysterical sob in his throat as he turned and caught hold of Ethan's hands. He shifted himself until he was on his knees.
"There was a speech I prepared," he started, "But suddenly it's not enough. Ethan, how- how am I supposed to tell you what this means to me?" and he seriously looked at Ethan as if he expected an answer. Ethan looked a little worried as he gave a small shrug. "There are no words, Ethan. And considering I'm supposed to dedicate my life to words and their meanings, I think you can safely feel proud of yourself."
"Ripper, if it makes you uncomfortable, I- I can take it back," Ethan suggested.
Rupert chuckled and shook his head. "No, love, that's not what I meant. I meant to do this the proper way but- but there is no proper way; no sufficient way to show you exactly how much I love you."
He let go of Ethan's left hand long enough to fish the little box out of his pocket and hold it out. "I kept this one for the end because it's the most important to me. Please, open it."
Ethan took the box in his hands and untangled his fingers enough to pry the lid off. What he saw had him speechless and slack-jawed. Rupert stared anxiously at his eyes, "What are you thinking, love; tell me?"
"I'm thinking that I never thought I would ever be as much in love as I am now," Ethan said slowly, looking up, "You stupid prat! Of course, I do!"
The wedding rings were duly taken out from the springy bed of cotton and exchanged. Ethan celebrated the ring on his finger by pulling Rupert down on top of him on the bed and kissing him into a stupor. When that had been accomplished, he undressed him and kept his promise of shagging him senseless after the presents were all opened.
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Giles' eyes snapped open, tearing his right hand away from fingering his ring finger.
"I must have been mad that year," he murmured, raking his hand through his hair in frustration, "All your fault, Rupert old boy! You gave him the damn book and then gave him the ring. Everything he has become is because of you; you might as well accept it."
He firmly pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and forgot about his anniversary in the rush of ensuring that his gifts were ready under the tree Buffy had insisted on setting up in his house. But the silence meant all he had were his thoughts and once he distractedly remembered the black dress looked a lot like one he had seen Buffy wearing once, he could no longer stop remembering his 'wedding' night than he could fly.
He was almost ready to kiss even Xander when the doorbell rang and disturbed the storm of memories. He rushed to the door with a grin wider than the one he normally wore and threw it open in relieved enthusiasm. "Buffy, Willow, Xander, Merry Christmas," he sang out.
Then he stopped short with his mouth open. The three were standing on his doorstep looking guilty and not a little apprehensive. The fourth figure had his back to him but the shape and the set of the shoulders and the color of his hair were too familiar to ignore.
"Giles, we've brought you a kinda special Christmas present this year," Buffy said awkwardly.
The fourth figure turned around and walked the three or four steps to stand in his doorway. "Hello, Ripper," Ethan Rayne murmured, smiling nervously at him, "Happy Anniversary, beloved."
Giles blinked and then moved faster than Willow had ever seen him. Ethan was pulled inside by one hand while the other banged the door shut in everyone else's faces. Then Ethan was slammed up against the door with Giles pressing him further into the wood.
"What are you doing?" Ethan gasped, looking fearful.
Giles kissed him then- softly and tenderly- before answering in that grating, passion-filled voice that had always set Ethan's knees shaking, "Unwrapping my Christmas present, love."
And he proceeded to do just that!
Whatever had possessed him to tell her about that? And what in the world had possessed him to use Ethan's insistence on calling it a marriage? God, Ethan and the stupidity of his youth! Well, that night in his office telling Buffy all about it had proved he hadn't lost that stupidity. Maybe it wasn't youth but a defective brain cell or something; perhaps he should get a CAT scan. Whatever was wrong, he *really* didn't want to remember that day. Which, of course, meant his mind replayed every last second.
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Christmas Morning, 1975
Rupert made sure to wake up early. After all, it wouldn't do to have Ethan find his presents before he could give them to him personally. And Ethan on the hunt for presents was almost unstoppable! Rupert still remembered the night before his birthday.
He got them ready, piling them up on the floor under his side of the bed. It was a small pile as it was, seeing as how both of them were broke. Then he waited for Ethan to wake up. He watched his lover, his stomach in knots as he hoped and prayed that Ethan wouldn't find his little gesture too ridiculous for words. Rupert really wanted it, really believed in it; but Ethan's acceptance was another matter.
"Mmmfff," Ethan managed as he pried his eyelids open.
Rupert smiled down at him, knowing how hard Ethan found it to wake up every morning. The budding Chaos mage was a night person if ever there was one. But Ethan was making an effort. Perhaps he should do something to help? He smiled wickedly and leaned over him, pressing a kiss onto each fluttering eyelid.
Instant wake-up call- Ethan blinked at him and smiled back shyly. "Good morning, dearest," he murmured, "You look chipper."
"Well, you could do with a wash and a shave," Rupert laughed. He let Ethan trace his brows with one long finger before pulling away. "Come on, hurry up and get dressed. We're going out."
Ethan drew back with a frown. "We are? Why?"
"Because that's the only way to wake you up, luv," Rupert taunted, "Remember last Monday, when you refused to leave the bed until I promised to take you to a movie?"
Ethan looked drowsily amused, "Ripper, beloved, that was because I was hoping you would join me in bed! When you said a theatre- well, of course, I could get you to make love to me there, couldn't I? And hearing you try not to scream in a room full of people is a pleasure I hardly ever get!"
Rupert had the grace to blush. "You're an exhibitionist and I've always said so! Now get up, luv, do! We can't start the day until you at least brush your teeth."
"Okay, okay," Ethan grumbled, stumbling up and reaching for something in the way of clothing. He looked around and couldn't find a thing except an extraordinarily hungry look in his lover's green eyes. "You hid my clothes again, didn't you?"
"They were dirty and I put them to wash," Rupert said with an innocent sniff. But both of them knew him well enough by now and Ethan only smiled and stayed exactly as he was.
Rupert double-checked the little box in his pocket while listening to the various sounds the person he was in love with made. And he was in love with this man; he had nothing in him to prove otherwise. And that Ethan cared for him was evident too.
"Are you done yet?" he called impatiently.
"Yes. I'm ready," Ethan smirked, strolling in. He'd managed to find a pair of jeans and put them on, simply because he wanted very much to give Rupert his presents and see what he said. And he had the sneaking suspicious Rupert wasn't exactly un-present-laden either. But first things first: "Merry Christmas, Ripper," he sighed as he slid his arms around the other man and kissed him soundly.
Rupert kissed back hungrily, devouring his mouth in a painful rush of emotions, knowing his plan might end with Ethan kicking him out and so he made the most of what might be a last kiss. Ethan moaned and pressed pliantly against him, molding his body to Rupert's.
The shirt Rupert was wearing was hurriedly tugged off, Ethan needing skin and warmth to remind him that this was really happening. It was all very well to know mentally that his Ripper had claimed him; but he usually needed constant physical assurances. And this was the one way he knew how to get it without being too afraid Rupert would grow tired of him. When the kiss finally broke, Ethan found himself in Ripper's lap, his wrists caught tight in Ripper's hands and Ripper's green eyes staring into his.
"God help me, but that was the best Christmas present ever," Ethan gasped, nuzzling closer.
"It's not over yet," Rupert murmured in his ear, giving him one last kiss and then dumping him back on the bed. Ethan was treated to what he considered the breath-stealing sight of his lover's delectable arse in the air, as Rupert wriggled on the bed to pull the presents out. "Merry Christmas, Ethan."
Ethan ripped the paper off the biggest of the two, yelping at the sight of the book he'd been trying to find for ages and clasping the text on Chaos magic to his chest before instantly flipping through it and talking at top speed.
Rupert really hadn't been keen on Ethan laying his hands on the book, but when they had spent one entire night talking in each other's arms, he'd had to accept that Ethan without Chaos would not be Ethan at all. He hoped the book would guide his lover to a less reckless use of magic that was gray at best, though thankfully not black in most cases.
Then Ethan's eyes fixed on the other present and hands were deftly shredding the paper instantly, eyes wide at the sight of what it contained. "You bought me a- a dress?" he asked dubiously.
Rupert corrected his mistake. "I *stole* you a dress, love. I couldn't possibly have afforded anything like *this*."
Ethan collapsed on the bed, laughing until he cried. Rupert smiled in satisfaction; he'd hoped to get at least one present that made Ethan laugh. It seemed he'd succeeded. In fact, Ethan was laughing so hard Rupert had to grab his ankles as to prevent him rolling off the bed.
"It's beautiful, beloved; thank you," Ethan finally gasped, throwing his arms around Rupert and giving him a kiss. "What do you say we try it out tonight? I know for a fact Deirdre's giving me make-up because I caught her with it three days ago and that girl just cannot lie. So I'll get all dressed up just for you."
Rupert moved closer, pulling him further against himself. "And do I get to take it all off?"
"Only you, beloved," Ethan said huskily, "I'd only ever let you see me like this."
They smiled at each other and then Ethan bounded away to the cupboard. He flung it open and fell to his knees. Rupert at first thought something was wrong until he realized Ethan was prying up the wooden floor. Of course! That was where they stashed the magic books! Ethan must have bought him something and hidden it there.
"I- I wasn't sure what to get you," Ethan's voice floated out, "And I wanted it to be special so I tried." Ethan was clutching something thin in his hands, wrapped up in Christmas paper. A lump caught in Rupert's throat at the hesitant look on Ethan's face, not to mention the flat-out fear in those dark eyes. "Well, at least I tried. But- but don't think that you have to- after all, you've given me so much- I just wanted to- but here! I- I hope you like it."
Rupert put the package aside for the moment and pulled Ethan back into his arms. The mystic looked confused for a moment and then snuggled in closer. "You know that having you here is all the present I want, right?" Rupert asked quietly, stroking his hair, "Without you, Ethan- well, let's say that I would find life very hard. Even *this*," he gestured vaguely around the shabby single-room apartment, "Even *this* is paradise because you're here. Do you know that?"
"So long as you keep reminding me," Ethan agreed. He looked up. "So hurry up and open the damn thing! I want to shag you senseless and I'm restraining myself until after the presents."
Rupert considered it, his eyes transfixed by Ethan's mouth. "Uh, hurrying- yes, that would be the best thing," he gulped, reaching hurriedly for the package and opening it with fingers that were suddenly clumsy.
The thick single sheet of paper was not very big, but the attention and care to detail was so painstaking his hands began to tremble. He was staring at himself and all of a sudden the drawing was showing him exactly what Ethan saw. And what Ethan saw took his breath away!
"You were playing your guitar and sitting on the bed," Ethan said softly, putting his arms behind Rupert from the back, "And this inquisitive ray of sunlight fell over you, bathing you in light and suddenly I had to draw you. I used to draw as a child. Heh, I thought I'd lost the knack but for you- for you I would have re-learnt everything!"
"You spent so much time on this," Rupert whispered, finger tracing lightly over the guitar, "And I never knew."
"Well, now you do," Ethan reminded him, "I want you to see yourself for what you truly are. The way I see you."
Rupert put the drawing down carefully, swallowing the little hysterical sob in his throat as he turned and caught hold of Ethan's hands. He shifted himself until he was on his knees.
"There was a speech I prepared," he started, "But suddenly it's not enough. Ethan, how- how am I supposed to tell you what this means to me?" and he seriously looked at Ethan as if he expected an answer. Ethan looked a little worried as he gave a small shrug. "There are no words, Ethan. And considering I'm supposed to dedicate my life to words and their meanings, I think you can safely feel proud of yourself."
"Ripper, if it makes you uncomfortable, I- I can take it back," Ethan suggested.
Rupert chuckled and shook his head. "No, love, that's not what I meant. I meant to do this the proper way but- but there is no proper way; no sufficient way to show you exactly how much I love you."
He let go of Ethan's left hand long enough to fish the little box out of his pocket and hold it out. "I kept this one for the end because it's the most important to me. Please, open it."
Ethan took the box in his hands and untangled his fingers enough to pry the lid off. What he saw had him speechless and slack-jawed. Rupert stared anxiously at his eyes, "What are you thinking, love; tell me?"
"I'm thinking that I never thought I would ever be as much in love as I am now," Ethan said slowly, looking up, "You stupid prat! Of course, I do!"
The wedding rings were duly taken out from the springy bed of cotton and exchanged. Ethan celebrated the ring on his finger by pulling Rupert down on top of him on the bed and kissing him into a stupor. When that had been accomplished, he undressed him and kept his promise of shagging him senseless after the presents were all opened.
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Giles' eyes snapped open, tearing his right hand away from fingering his ring finger.
"I must have been mad that year," he murmured, raking his hand through his hair in frustration, "All your fault, Rupert old boy! You gave him the damn book and then gave him the ring. Everything he has become is because of you; you might as well accept it."
He firmly pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind and forgot about his anniversary in the rush of ensuring that his gifts were ready under the tree Buffy had insisted on setting up in his house. But the silence meant all he had were his thoughts and once he distractedly remembered the black dress looked a lot like one he had seen Buffy wearing once, he could no longer stop remembering his 'wedding' night than he could fly.
He was almost ready to kiss even Xander when the doorbell rang and disturbed the storm of memories. He rushed to the door with a grin wider than the one he normally wore and threw it open in relieved enthusiasm. "Buffy, Willow, Xander, Merry Christmas," he sang out.
Then he stopped short with his mouth open. The three were standing on his doorstep looking guilty and not a little apprehensive. The fourth figure had his back to him but the shape and the set of the shoulders and the color of his hair were too familiar to ignore.
"Giles, we've brought you a kinda special Christmas present this year," Buffy said awkwardly.
The fourth figure turned around and walked the three or four steps to stand in his doorway. "Hello, Ripper," Ethan Rayne murmured, smiling nervously at him, "Happy Anniversary, beloved."
Giles blinked and then moved faster than Willow had ever seen him. Ethan was pulled inside by one hand while the other banged the door shut in everyone else's faces. Then Ethan was slammed up against the door with Giles pressing him further into the wood.
"What are you doing?" Ethan gasped, looking fearful.
Giles kissed him then- softly and tenderly- before answering in that grating, passion-filled voice that had always set Ethan's knees shaking, "Unwrapping my Christmas present, love."
And he proceeded to do just that!