Page 22 of Snowed in: With the Alien Tentacle Monster

"Tree?" Valen studied the box with curiosity. "You bring vegetation inside?"

"An artificial one, actually." Logan opened the box, revealing sections of green synthetic branches. "It's tradition to decorate an evergreen tree for Christmas. Real ones are nice, but..." He shrugged. "This is easier."

As they assembled the tree, Logan began explaining the tradition's origins and how it had changed throughout the years. Valen listened intently, fascinated by earth's history. "I don't have a gift for you," he interjected when Logan explained that part of the holiday.

"You've given me plenty already." Logan smiled softly.

When they were done assembling the tree, he opened a box with delicate ornaments. The decorated spheres Valen had noticed earlier. "We need to be careful with these," Logan said. "Some of them break easily."

"I'll be very careful," Valen promised, and as they worked their way through the box, Valen's tentacles proved perfect for reaching the higher branches, carefully placing each ornament where Logan directed.

At the bottom of the box, wrapped in yellowed newspaper, Logan found a star tree topper. He went very still as he unwrapped it.

"Logan?" Valen asked softly, feeling the sudden surge of emotion through their bond.

"We used to have one just like this," Logan said, his voice rough as he turned the silver star in his hands. "Jeff and I, in our apartment in the city. He used to say it wasn't really Christmas until we'd nearly knocked the tree over trying to get the star on straight."

Valen moved closer, letting one tentacle rest lightly against Logan's back. He could feel the way Logan was working to stay present, to not let the memories overwhelm him.

"Would you like to put it up?" Valen asked.

Logan nodded, looking around for something to stand on. "Let me just grab the—" His words cut off in a startled yelp as Valen wrapped one tentacle securely around his waist, lifting him clear off the ground. "Jesus! A little warning next time?"

"Is this not helpful?" Valen asked innocently.

"I was going to get a chair," Logan grumbled, but there was no real annoyance in his voice.

The star caught the morning light as Logan set it in place.

"Beautiful," Valen said, though he wasn't sure if he meant the decoration or the way Logan's energy had steadied, finding balance between memory and the present moment.

"Okay, you can put me down now," Logan said. And then his stomach growled. He laughed as Valen set him down. "Sorry. I got so caught up in all this, I forgot about breakfast." He glanced toward the kitchen, then back at Valen. "Have you ever had hot chocolate?"

"Hot... chocolate?" The words were unfamiliar on Valen's tongue.

"Oh, you're in for a treat." Logan's excitement filtered through their bond.

He disappeared into the kitchen, Valen heard him humming something under his breath. The tune was unfamiliar but pleasant, and he felt Logan's spirits continuing to lift.

But underneath that contentment, Valen sensed something else: the first subtle signs of rising body temperature. Soon, Logan would need more nectar. The thought sent anxiety coiling through him. How could he broach the subject without ruining this moment of peace?

While Valen worried, rich aromas filled the cabin. Logan returned with two steaming mugs, tiny white things floating on top of the dark liquid. "Careful, it's hot," he warned, passing one to Valen's tentacle. "And those are marshmallows. They melt into it."

Valen watched, fascinated, as Logan took a careful sip and sighed contentedly. Through their bond came a wave of pure pleasure, memories of winter mornings and shared warmth.

The drink was good. Very sweet, but good. Valen could see why Logan liked it. It wasn't very nourishing, though. "You should eat something," Valen advised. His mate would need his strength soon.

Logan paused mid-sip, studying Valen over the rim of his mug. "Something's bothering you, I can feel it."

Valen's tentacles curled inward. "Your temperature... it's beginning to rise again."

"Ah." Logan was quiet for a moment, his fingers tracing the rim of his mug. Through their bond, Valen felt him processing this information, weighing options. Finally, he looked up. "How long do we have before...?"

"Thirty minutes, perhaps." Valen licked his lips. "I don't want you to suffer like last time."

Logan took another slow sip of his hot chocolate, his emotions churning through their connection, anticipation,nervousness, but also... determination? Setting his mug down, he met Valen's gaze. "Don't let me suffer, then."

Did Valen dare to hope? "What do you mean?"

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