Things are going pretty good. Roddy doesn't need pushed around in his wheelchair anymore, which is great, because the thing was half-busted anyway. He still needs his neckbrace, and his glasses, but he's wrestling again, which makes things easier. But he's still melancholy and depressed the longer he goes without hearing from Adam, which makes him cling even tighter to the prospect of being friends with Joe, which makes no sense to Matt or Mike, but they try not to fight Roddy on what he wants. The guy's been through enough, after all.
Thankfully, he's asleep right now, which means Matt and Mike have some time to themselves, are sitting around the tree with apple cider and hot cocoa, wrapping gifts. They'd both gotten things for Roddy, but it'd been difficult to wrap them with the guy always around, needing attention. "I've gotten you something too," Taven says with a smirk, watching as Mike's eyes light up.
"Oh yeah? I have a gift for you too," Mike says with a chuckle. "Can't wait to see you open it, hope you like it."
"I'm sure I will," Matt responds, lightly nudging him with his foot. "I like everything you give me."
Mike huffs a laugh, then takes another sip from his cocoa, leaning back to look up at the tree. "Never imaged we'd be here when 2023 started, y'know?"
"What, at Roderick Strong's house, sitting under his Christmas tree, wrapping gifts?" Taven scoffs out a laugh. "Yeah, me neither." He leans back too, glancing around. "It's not too bad though, it has its moments."
"Yeah." Mike snags the giraffe toy and bops Taven playfully with it, grinning as he gasps, offended.
"How dare you!" Matt gasps, grabbing the giraffe back. "It's ok," he mumbles, petting his long neck slowly. "You're safe now, daddy's got you."
Mike snickers, then sputters into his drink. "No comment," he chokes, struggling to take in a full breath. "Oh my god."
Taven shoots him a dirty look. "Maybe I'll give your gift to Roddy after all."
"You wouldn't dare," Mike gasps, grabbing at his chest in mock pain. "C'mon, you know I would never really hurt the little guy." He reaches over and lightly pokes the giraffe, grinning as Matt watches him intensely. "See? He's fine."
Matt rolls his eyes, snags Mike by the collar and drags him in for a deep, biting sort of kiss. "Youi're lucky I like you," he mumbles.
"Oh, is that all?" Mike asks, breathless.
Matt huffs, pushing him back a bit. "Yeah, yeah, even though you're a mean giraffe abuser, you know I love you."
Mike's smile is large, overwhelming in how Matt can never look away for long when he's this pleased. "I love you too."
Kicking aside the gifts, and the drinks, but holding onto the giraffe protectively, Matt leans in for another long, less painful kiss, curling his fingers around the back of Mike's neck. The tree's lights gleam cheerfully behind them as they make the most of this time alone.