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"Your hands are cold. Like... extremely." Rocket clasped their hand, shivering. Their prosthetic arm tightened the scarf as they shifted closer to Sword's side. The winter's in Crossroads were very cold, notoriously so. Sword gratefully took the opportunity to wrap an arm around Rocket, Sword is very passionate about Rocket. With Christmas coming around the corner too, they had the once in a lifetime opportunity to make Rocket the happiest Inphernal alive.(well... one a year opportunity but it doesn't matter)
As they walked down the alleys Sword's mind kept wandering to the present they had prepared for the coming holiday. "What if they say no? How can I do this without failing? What if I fall flat on my face?" These were many of the thoughts floating around in Sword's head. Anxious, they unconsciously squeezed Rocket's hand tight.
Suprised, Rocket squeezed back with a questioning look, " Is everything okay? You normally talk my ear off whats up with you?". Confused by Sword's recent behavior Rocket worries if the problem was them. Hesitantly, they murmur, "... is it me?". Sword looked over at Rocket in a panic. "What? Why would you ever be the problem, you're amazing!" He tries to reassure Rocket, "Listen, why don't we go home and prepare for Christmas tomorrow!".
As they reach home, Sword helps Rocket take his scarf off, feeling the fluffy texture of it. As they enter the house, Sword reaches the kitchen, filled with lots.... and lots... of dirty dishes... someone's a procrastinator. Sword comes back with some leftovers, crashing in the living room couch with Rocket.
Sword hands Rocket some food, earning a grumble from Rocket about the leftovers. "We have to finish these as soon as possible!" Sword reasons. Sword is trying to save as many ingredients as he can for the Christmas meal tomorrow, wanting to impress Rocket with the cooking skills he's learned.
Sword snuggled against Rocket's side, nesting himself for warmth. Rocket wraps his arm around him, using his other arm to turn on the TV while they eat in peace. Sword closes his eyes, enjoying the moment of peace, temporarily ignoring the mix of nervousness and anticipation for tomorrow as they relax.
Sword looks up at Rocket, "... Rocket?" He fiddles with Rocket's shirt. The thought of the next day fills his stomach with a weight that he just can't get rid of. He nuzzles inside of Rocket's side, trying to bury these feelings.
Rocket rests the side of his head on Sword's, "Yes Sword? What's up.". Rocket finished his food and sets it on the cushion beside him, putting his full attention on Sword.
Sword fiddles nervously, "You don't hate me right? Sorry thats a stupid question im just... worried" . Sword's eyes soften with worry as he looks at Rocket, clearly a vulnerable moment has occurred.
Rocket pauses the TV and looks at Sword seriously, "Why would I ever hate you? Im still here aren't I?" They grabs Sword's face and strokes their cheek with a thumb. "Sword, you are the best partner an anyone could ever have. You're always nice and considerate and you always make my day better, why would I ever hate you? I love you, a lot".
Sword looks incredibly relieved at the reassurance, "o-okay, t-thank you...". Sword gets more comfortable against Rocket's side, the weight in his stomach dropping from a 50 pound to a 15 pound. They visibly relax, now able to enjoy the rest of the day with little worries.
Rocket leans back against the couch, laying down on it until he hits the plate he put on the cushion. He slides the plate off the couch onto the floor, "I'll clean it up later, you're more important right now.". Rocket brings Sword down with them, holding him against their chest while he rests his head, he uses one hand to strokes Sword's horns while closing his eyes, getting ready to sleep for the night.
Sword closes his eyes in bliss, enjoying the moment as much as he can while enjoying the horn touches. "You make me the happiest Inphernal ever, Rocket... I love you". His words slow down as he slowly closes his eyes, falling asleep.
Rocket smiles, grateful for the amazing partner he had the lucky chance to get with. He soon falls asleep after, holding Sword as tight as they can, pouring all their love into a squeeze.
The next morning... its Christmas! The happiest day all year! Sword wakes up first, finding himself in Rocket's arms... still asleep. Sword smiles at the opportunity he has and slips out of Rocket's arms... very... slowly.
Rocket grumbles slightly at the movement but doesn't wake up, turning over to face the back of the couch. Sword heads into the kitchen, opening the fridge and pantry to prepare the best, breakfast, EVER!
While Sword continues making food, he prepares the table and turns on some soft Christmas toons. Today is the day, Sword is ready to propose to Rocket. All his attention has built up to this day and he's determines to execute it perfectly.
After he finishes breakfast he sets it on the table and approaches Rocket on the couch, lightly shaking them. "Rocket, come up. Its time for breakfast!". As Rocket gets up Sword kisses them on the lips, "Merry Christmas, Rocket".
Rocket kisses him back softly, "Merry Christmas, Sword". Rocket follows Sword into the kitchen to eat the breakfast prepared.
On the table served for Rocket are eggs, bread toasted the way Rocket likes it, hot chocolate in a cup (odd choice of a breakfast drink but Rocket doesn't mind), and enough jam to feed a nation. "This is a lot of jelly Sword... I won't be using all of this".
Sword smiles bashfully, "I know... I just wanted to make sure my amazing Inphernal had enough for their satisfaction". He sits beside Rocket and digs in... messily.
Rocket swats Sword's hand, "Eat slower.. you're making a mess on the table". They wipe Sword's mouth with a napkin, removing the crumbs and jam off of their mouth.
Sword blushes, "Sorry, the food is just really good!". Rocket shakes their head but let's Sword finish eating, finishing their own food. After breakfast is finished, Sword takes Rocket's hand and leads them to the couch, "I have something to show you, wait here!". Sword dashes into the bedroom and comes back with a present, using both hands to carry it.
Rocket's mouth gapes, suprised. "How many... gifts are in that box?" Rocket questions Sword, wondering how much they are to be given.
Sword sets the present infront of Rocket, "Three! I have three gifts in here for you, I want to open them for you though because you always take too long.". Rocket chuckles but agrees, letting Sword give the first present. Sword sits on their knees infront of Rocket, handing them the first gift, "Open it!".
Rocket opens the first gift, revealing a homemade scarf... horn... thing?. "What is this?" Rocket is deeply confused by the gift, unsure as to why Sword would give them this.
"Its a scarf for your horns! I couldn't find any online so I made one myself.. I've seen you complain before about how the cold hurts your horns so I got something to help with it. I hope you enjoy it!". Realization dawns across Rocket's face as they tries it on. It fits perfectly on their head, and its cozy... Rocket definitely likes this.
Rocket kisses Sword once, "This is an amazing gift I am grateful for, thank you Sword.". Sword hands him the next gift, a smaller gift. Sword looks particularly excited about this one.
Rocket opens the gift, revealing a picture of him and Sword as kids. Rocket's eyes glimmer at the sight of the photo, "Where did you get this...?" He kept looking at it, confirming its real.
Sword chirps, "I asked Zuka if he had any photos of us because I wanted to give you something to look back on when I'm not here.". Rocket hugged Sword as tight as they could.
Rocket wipes a tear that fell, " You're stupid you know that?..." Sword hugs them back, then pulls back with a kiss on the cheek. He shifts his position to one knee for more comfortable as they reaches for the last present.
Sword pulls out the last present, an extremely small, box-shaped present, "I want to open this one for you if thats okay.". They unwrapping the present revealing a box.. that opens from the middle, a ring box?
Rocket gasps, "Sword... are you...?" Sword shifts, opening the box infront of Rocket, revealing the ring he had handpicked.
Sword looks up at Rocket, "Rocket? Will you take my hand in marriage and make me the happiest Inphernal of my life? My entire life you have been in it and I can't think of a single bad moment with you in that entire life. Please say yes and accept this ring and make this the luckiest day of my life. Rocket? Will you marry me?" Sword confesses, waiting in silence, that weight in his stomach dropping to 100 pounds as they wait for Rocket's decision.. this could make or break them.
Rocket covers their mouth with a hand, "Yes! Of course I will! Sword y-you..." they wrap their arms around Sword in a brutal hug, squeezing as hard as they can. Rocket holds out their hand for Sword to place the ring on, hugging him tighter.
Sword beams with happiness, that weight completely disappearing while they gaze at the ring on his future spouse. "Rocket... my husband.. I love that." They kiss Rocket, pouring all their love into it. Rocket happily responds with an intensity of their own.
Rocket pulls away, slightly breathless, "I-I have to tell everyone about this and-" they stop themselves... "I think I'll enjoy the rest of the day with you though..". They pull Sword onto the couch with them and snuggle with them, enjoying the warmth of eachother while the music hums on softly in the background.
Sword kisses Rocket again, "I'm so lucky to have you, Rocket". Sword admires the ring on Rocket's finger while they relax and enjoy the rest of their Christmas day...