Silent Night, Holy Night

Ivaylo pushed her head against his chest, stroking her hair. Paetyn's ear was right on top of Ivaylo's heart, listening to the beating. The lights of the apartment were off. It was only illuminated by the light coming from the outside streetlamps, which were amplified by the white snowflakes dancing in front of the window.

The warmth of their bodies created a silhouette of mist on the glass. The steam from the teas was slowly disappearing because the beverage was cooling down but the smell of apple with cinnamon still lingered in the air.

Were these the emotions of having his destinate one in his embrace? He could stay like this forever. That blissful feeling of her scent and touch made him show Paetyn his loving personality. From the time they first met, Ivaylo became so meek around her. Even he didn't know, he had such a side to him.

Paetyn was resting her head on his chest, observing the streets. She realized, her feelings for him began not so long ago. Seeing him at his lowest, asking for affection and then the kiss... She knew he wasn't a bad Beastman, he was just hiding his hurt heart from the world. As he showed her the real him, she understood, that they were not that different from each other.

Paetyn's body began to twitch and her breathing got slower but louder. She fell asleep in his arms. That kind of "magic" made Ivaylo smile. While holding her, Ivaylo was brushing his fingers over her back, caressing her.

Watching her sleep was so assuring of happy times coming their way. But then... Ivaylo noticed something sticking out from under the sleeve. He pulled it a little up, without waking her up. "I did this..." He whispered with a remorseful glance.

What he saw, was the scar from the first-ever meeting. Her forearm, which he held in that exact same hand, that injured her. He swiped after Paetyn, as she tried her best, to keep him alive. Ivaylo gently lifted her arm and kissed the scar making a promise to make it up to her.

Only now it sank in, that she was his guardian angel, always appearing, when he was on the verge of dying... He observed her peaceful sleeping face and then turned to the window glimpsing at his reflection. When did he stop to loath it?

In the past he cursed the gods for giving him this body, now he was happy to be able to hold her in his arms. Finally, he understood Kay's emotions and pitied him. In his mind, he apologized, but from now on, he will claim Paetyn as his.

All the thinking made Ivaylo fall asleep as well...

In the middle of the night, they both got awoken by weird sounds... Christmas bells? Where they were coming from? The outside? The blizzard turned to a light snowfall and the moon peeked from time to time from behind the clouds, smiling brightly at them.

A shadow in the shape of a sled flew across. Did they both see it? Baffled Paetyn looked at Ivalyo. They brushed it off as their imagination. Moreover, they didn't need any more presents. They had each other now.

Paetyn turned to him because she remembered something. "You never told me your name." He was caught off guard. She was right. He chuckled and took her hand into his placing it on his cheek. "I am YOUR Ivaylo." With a soft look in his eyes, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and hugged her again.

At last, Ivaylo lifted her into the air and carried over into the bedroom shutting the door behind him with his foot. Despite the bed being huge in diameter, Ivaylo snuggled up tight against Paetyn's body, as they would lay in a tiny bed.

Seemingly, their neighbors upstairs had a Christmas party, because they could hear some Christmas carols coming through the floor. It didn't bother them. Actually, it was nice, creating a pleasant holiday atmosphere.

Tightly wrapped in Ivaylo's arms, Paetyn drifted back to sleep awaiting a happy morning. Even Ivaylo couldn't wait for the beginning of a new stage in his life.

The nightly snowfall covered the whole city in a white blanket. The couple sat next to each other under the Kotatsu eating their breakfast and then munching on some tangerines. Ivaylo was peeling one for Paetyn and then feeding the slices to her like to a baby bird.

Paetyn couldn't remember the last time she felt this content and happy for just living a mundane life. It was always about hardship and loneliness. Now looking up, she found someone to share and drive it away with. Same for Ivaylo...

Since it was a holiday today, it meant a day off. No work, no worries, no chasing after anything...

Paetyn turned to Ivaylo with a request. She wanted to visit Kay. They had a plan to spend the evening celebrating together. She felt guilty, that she had to lie to him yesterday and instead stayed with Ivaylo. Since it was his fault, he couldn't say no. "We can go after lunch. What do you think?" Paetyn smiled at him.

As promised, together, they made their way to the bar. Kay was happy to see Paetyn but his facial expression changed as soon, as he spotted Ivaylo strolling behind her. What the...?! Why was he again near her? Marsh peeked out from behind Kay.

Kay hugged Paetyn to welcome her and Marsh did as well. They both looked over to Ivaylo, questioning his presence and intentions this time. "What are YOU doing here? Why can't you let her be?!" Ivaylo smirked. "Why shouldn't I... I can spend the time with my girlfriend however I want."

Kay flinched. "What?" Even Marsh didn't expect this. What was he saying? When did that happen? Paetyn was taken aback. She didn't want to spring this on them as quickly, as Ivaylo did. Kay finally snapped and ran past Paetyn, grabbing Ivaylo under the throat pushing him into the nearest tree, and raising his fist at him.

The small box he kept in his pocket slipped out. In mid-fall, he noticed its presence disappearing out of his pocket. It opened and the ring fell into the snow. It took Paetyn out of the shock and she picked it up, showing it to Kay, to distract his attention, so he wouldn't hurt Ivaylo. "Are you finally going to propose to your girlfriend?"

Kay's eyes got wide. "What? Girlfriend?" Kay dropped Ivaylo, turning towards her and she stepped closer. "Yes, Marsh told me..."