The holidays are different this year. Mike Taven has to admit that. He's sprawled out on a couch, tapping his fingers against a mug of hot chocolate, marshmellows melting lazily within, and he's watching the Christmas tree across the room sparkling merrily as lights flash and shift. It's mesmerizing, but as soon as steps start to come his way, he stirs, and shifts around to make room for Michael Bennett, handing him a mug.
"Oh, hey, thanks," Mike says with a smile that leaves Matt feeling warm too. "Sorry it took so long, the kids wanted more stories, they just kept wanting to hear about different adventures Santa has had over the years."
Taven chuckles into his mug, brows lifting when Mike drapes an arm around him and draws him closer, pressing a kiss to the shaved part of his hair, lingering there for a minute. "It's ok, I was content waiting for you here." He tips his mug at the tree, and mumbles, "Maria did a hell of a job. As always."
"She really did," Mike chuckles, remembering the fury of activity Maria had been on the weekend following Thanksgiving, putting the tree up, decorating it, stockings hung carefully, other various Christmas decorations finding their way around the house. Both Mike and Matt had tried to help just to get rebuffed, Maria much preferring to decorate her way without either man's hands around to disrupt her. The first couple of years, this had been a bone of contention among the three of them, but now they're just used to it, content to sit back and watch the hurricane of activity from a distance.
"She's something else," Matt murmurs, resting his head back on Mike's shoulder and taking another lengthy sip.
"She is," Mike agrees, hand warm and gentle as it trails slowly up Matt's side.
He makes a noise deep in his throat and Mike glances down at him, a knowing smirk on his face. Their eyes meet and Matt exhales slowly, fingers tapping against Mike's wrist until they shift to hold hands, fingers fitting incredibly well together. "I know I've mentioned it before, but really. I'm so glad you're back in ROH. With me." His eyes gleam with an overwhelming wave of emotions. "And thank you for saving me."
"Oh boy," Mike jokes gently. "Thanksgiving still has you in its grasp, huh?" He tilts Matt's face up and kisses him unhurriedly and gentle, squeezing his hand when Matt trembles in his grasp. "Any time," he finally whispers when they break apart, foreheads resting together as they just breathe each other in, enjoying the moment for as long as they can.