At that, he laughed, making them preen. “Maybe you can show me sometime.”
“I do not like heights, but I could be convinced to give a small demonstration,” they said haughtily.
“Maybe after presents, though.”
“Yes, we must commence with the first Christmas tradition.” Zef took their coffee from Bryce so he could grab the first gifts from under the tree. They were matching packages with Nan’s writing, and Bryce settled the one addressed to him in his own lap as he handed Zef theirs.
As they sipped their coffee, they carefully unwrapped the gift with their lower hands. Bryce did the same, revealing a hunter green knitted sweater with a reindeer on the front. Zef’s sweater was pastel pink with a snowflake front and center and, yes, four sleeves.
“Nan didn’t have your measurements, so it might be too big on you,” he said as Zef held up the sweater. “She makes one for each of us every year. You’re officially an Elliot now.”
They blinked rapidly as they ran a hand over the fabric. “Your family has never even met me.”
“Sure, but they know how much you’ve done for me and that you’re my friend.” They lifted their gaze to his, and he smiled. “They wanted you to have a good first Christmas, and that includes an Elliot sweater.”
“I did not give your family any gifts.”
“I added your name to the package I sent them,” he said with a dismissive wave. “So don’t worry about it.”
They folded the sweater with care, a soft smile on their lips. “It is a very thoughtful gift. I shall call Nan back and thank her. I will also apologize for blaming the breakfast catastrophe on her, as I am sure the fault lies with me.”
They took turns opening the rest of the presents, Zef unwrapping each one carefully and folding the wrapping paper like it, too, was a gift. Bryce ripped his open and balled up the paper, tossing it into the trash can—much to Zef’s dismay.
Zef had given him a flexible reading light that could clip on to a book’s cover, a pair of glasses specialized to filter out certain light waves that caused migraines, and a container holding several different types of teeth. “To start your own collection,” they said as Bryce studied the teeth in his palm, half-disgusted, half-intrigued.
As for Zef’s gifts, Bryce had bought them a door draft stopper to blockthe light under their bedroom door, local loose-leaf teas from his hometown, and human flower seeds for their garden. “Lilac, honeysuckle, and primrose,” they read, wings fluttering in excitement. “I have never planted human flowers before.”
“I don’t have much of a green thumb, but I thought we could plant them together, once the weather warms up,” Bryce offered, and they nodded exuberantly.
“I would like that very much.”
When the cinnamon rolls finished baking, they sat in the kitchen nook and ate breakfast. They were doughy on the inside, but Bryce didn’t care. It was the thought that mattered most, so he left the goopiest parts on his plate and ate the rest with gusto. Then they video-called with his family, ensuring to keep the camera pointed above their necks so his parents couldn’t see the costumes they wore.
Before they left for the Christmas party at Oliver’s, Bryce convinced Zef to change out of the Mrs. Claus costume so they could both wear their Christmas sweaters instead. Thankfully, they agreed, and Bryce removed his own outfit, grateful to be free of the tiny shorts.
In jeans and his reindeer sweater, he returned to the living room to wait for Zef. Oliver, who had officially moved into Liel’s apartment in Gluttony, had invited everyone over for a Christmas dinner celebration that doubled as a house-warming party. Since his mom had taught him manners, Bryce was bringing a bottle of wine—picked out by Zef—as a house-warming gift.
Still wearing the Santa hat, Zef emerged from their room, the pink sweater hanging off their thin frame in a stylishly slumpy way. The ends of the sleeves hung past their wrists, and the hem was nearly as long as their Mrs. Claus dress had been. Combined with their striped elf leggings, they looked comfy and adorable, and Bryce wanted to snuggle up with them on the couch under a blanket as they watchedFrosty the SnowmanorA Charlie Brown Christmas.
Since cuddles were out of the question, Bryce settled for complimenting how nice they looked, loving the shy smile they offered in return as they tucked their hair behind their ear. They caught the train to Gluttony, earning weird looks from the other commuters thanks to their Santa hats, but Bryce wasn’t embarrassed. Zef didn’t care—or maybe, they were just oblivious to it—so he wouldn’t either.
They were the first to arrive at exactly three o’clock, but Oliver didn’t seem surprised at Zef’s punctuality. He welcomed them inside, giving Bryce a hug and Zef a warm smile.
“Nan made me a Christmas sweater,” Zef said before they’d even removed their shoes. “Bryce said she makes them every year for everyone in the family, and she made one for me. Is that not so thoughtful?”
“That’s great, Zef,” Oliver said as he took the wine Bryce offered him. “It looks nice on you.”
“Pink is my favorite color. How did she know pink was my favorite color?” they asked Bryce as they set their heeled boots aside.
“I told her,” he said, and their face did something complicated, their wings buzzing.
“But how didyouknow?”
He fought a blush as he shrugged. “You wear a lot of pink at home, and I just assumed.”
“Bryce is so attentive and caring,” they told Oliver, who was smirking unfairly.
“He’s pretty great,” he agreed, and Zef nodded.
