Scenario inspired by @Shortyyy05

The oven warmed the home as it baked an assortment of holiday cookies. There were candy canes set in a holiday themed bucket at the table and a cute snowman platter set up just waiting to be decorated by the cookies. Sitting at the table was a large baking tray with an assortment of gingerbread house decorations waiting on paper plates. The gingerbread kits sat on the tray and the icing "glue" sat in the fridge for the moment.

You were sitting at the couch waiting for Hawks to finally come home. You weren't surprised when the workaholic told you he would be working throughout the holidays, and you didn't mind. He promised he would come right about now to celebrate as much as he could before returning to work.

On the stove was a soup you often at this time of the year as a child that was simmering on low heat. You couldn't wait for Hawks to come home and finally spend some quality time with you.

You checked on the soup one last time before the door flew open and a blur of red rushed you.  It tackled you into a warm embrace and whispered in your ear, "Happy holidays, Songbird."

You pulled away to see Hawks still wearing his visors and his breath was quick from rushing home. Behind him, you saw his feathers still working hard closing the door and locking it, including holding a small gift. He kissed your cheek gently and reached for the gift to give to you.

You eyed him suspiciously to which smiled in return. "You gonna open it or do you want me to do that too?" He teased and you rolled your eyes.

You ripped open the wrapping paper to see a pristine box paralleling that of one for jewelry. You raised a questioning brow at the sight but opened it. It was a necklace with a red feather that looked way to similar to Hawks'.

You looked up at Hawks unsure of what to say. And he, in return, grew worried. "Do you not like it?" He asked with a hint of panic to his voice and regret.

"No, no! That's not it! I just... is it... yours?" You asked as you carefully picked it up. You watched him flinch upon the touch and you quickly put it back in.

"Hawks! Does it hurt?" You asked as you reached for him but he only picked up the necklace from the box. He turned you and unclipped the necklace to help you put it on. He reached over you and clipped the necklace but he didn't turn you back around. No, his hands slipped down your neck, to your shoulders, and stopped at your waist.

"I know I'm always busy and I'm so glad that you understand that about me. But this ensures that even when I'm not here, I'm always by your side," he whispered carefully. He kissed and kissed the skin that the necklace lay on, as if leaving a small trail of kisses until he couldn't reach anymore.

"Keigo, but—," you began but melted into Hawks' arms when he hugged you tightly. You felt him smile into the curve of your neck. You couldn't fight the smile that responded to Hawks' warmth.

"Thank you for waiting for me, can you show me what you've been working on?" Hawks asked as he turned you and held your hand to give a light squeeze. His eyes skimmed over the kitchen and the dining table with awe and tried to hide his excitement.

"Go change and I'll show you everything," you said when the timer for the oven beeped. Hawks rushed to change immediately after and came back to see you setting the cookies on its awaiting platter.

The night went on with you enjoying the best time with Hawks. You both filled your stomachs with the soup and desserts, which Hawks absolutely enjoyed and kept asking for more, despite your pleas to stop stuffing himself like a turkey. You built gingerbread houses and even made one large abomination together. It was fun desperately trying to keep the gingerbread houses from falling and even more when Hawks thought his plan of using hot sugar as glue. A great plan, but horrific execution that almost cost you the table.

When you both finally reached the end of your sugar high and crashed on the couch to watch holiday themed movies, Hawks held you close on the couch staring at the necklace at your collarbone. Upon noticing his gaze, you twiddled the end of the feather between you fingers as you stared at it too.

"You didn't answer if it hurt or not," you reminded Hawks.

Hawks shook his head and sighed into you as sleep started to tug at his eyes. "It didn't hurt. What hurt more was not feeling you at my side, Babybird," despite his sleepy state, his head rose to look you in the eyes. "Are you sure you like it?"

He looked so unsure and hesitant like he was still regretting not getting you a better gift. His expression tugged at your heart strings and made you feel guilty for not explaining why you were hesitant at first. You reassured Hawks by kissing his forehead and saying, "Of course I do. I was just afraid of you hurting yourself. I'd rather not have this if it meant your pain, even if it was temporary."

"Good... it hurts more that I'm not at your side as much as I can be," he slurred into your shoulder.

"I know, I feel the same," you said and flinched when the feather slipped from your fingertips and tickled at your nose.

"Thanks for today. It means a lot... happy holidays, Songbird," Hawks mumbled as his need for sleep finally had a hold on him.

"Happy holidays, Keigo," you replied despite knowing he had already fallen asleep. You rest your head on his and turned off the long forgotten movie.

***

A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to my Hawks readers! Thank you so much for enjoying my works!