"A Torottun Christmas"
Jinsu eased out of bed and tiptoed down the hall to Tristan's art room, where Kelan already waited. He peered over his brother's shoulder at one of Tristan's drawings. "He's so homesick. What are we going to do?"
Kelan shrugged. "Give him a piece of home, obviously." He pulled one of the sketches down. "Although I'm not sure where we will find…what did he call this?"
"A Chris Mass Tree." Jinsu frowned. Tristan had said the things were grown at farms, but the one he had drawn seemed to look like any ordinary tree. "Perhaps we can cut one from the forest?
"We'll have to. I don't know what to do about lights, though." Kelan held the paper closer for a better look. "These are on some kind of rope."
"We'll have to. I don't know what to do about lights, though." Kelan held the paper closer for a better look. "These are on some kind of rope."
"Tristan called them strings. What about the orbs we hang for night festivals?"
"Those are awfully large." Kelan shook his head.
Jinsu took the paper from Kelan and studied it. His twin had a point; the orbs would never fit on a tree. They needed something just like them, only miniature. His eyes widened. "I have an idea! What about Pelldor? He can make tiny lights."
"The toy maker?" Kelan grinned. "That's perfect! He can probably even make the decorations. They're small like toys, after all."
"If you can keep Tristan occupied tomorrow, I can get everything set up." Jinsu's heart skipped a beat at the though they'd be able to pull this off for their mutual lover.
"What will you tell Pelldor, though? He can't know about Tristan's world," Kelan warned.
"Of course not." Jinsu frowned again. What would he tell the old toy maker? "I'll tell him…I'll tell him it's for a friend's daughter to decorate her room."
Kelan patted him on the shoulder. "Good thinking! We'd best get back to bed. If he wakes up without us, he'll be suspicious."
Jinsu carefully replaced the drawing in the exact same spot Tristan had put it, and followed his brother back to bed, though he knew he'd barely be able to sleep.
***
Keeping Tristan out of the house the next day proved nearly impossible, but Kelan somehow managed to pull it off. They returned that evening, Kelan leading the way inside.
Tristan gasped as Kelan stepped aside. "What…?"
Jinsu stood beside the tree, grinning from ear to ear. Pelldor had outdone himself. From the soft glow of the dozens of tiny orbs, to the intricately detailed ornaments, the tree certainly resembled the ones in Tristan's drawings.
Tristan crossed the room, mouth open, eyes wide and brimming with moisture. He circled the tree again and again, shaking his head. "I can't believe you two did this," he murmured.
"Why not?" Kelan spoke up. He moved to stand beside Jinsu and slid an arm around his twin. "You deserve a taste of home, after all you've given up for us."
"Is it a good Chris Mass present?" Jinsu asked.
Tristan faced them; tears flowing freely down his cheeks. "It's the best Christmas present ever."
Kelan took Jinsu's hand and led him over to the tree. They pulled Tristan into a hug, Kelan had to bite back his own tears at the strength of Tristan's grip, and how Tristan trembled. He stroked a hand through Tristan's hair and kissed Tristan's neck. "Happy Chris Mass, love."
Tristan raised his head and kissed Kelan, then Jinsu and back to Kelan, then Jinsu again. "I don't know what to say," he whispered.
Jinsu smiled and fitted his arms around Tristan's waist. "You don't have to say anything. Just enjoy it."
"It"—Kelan reached down and palmed Tristan's cock through his pants—"and perhaps us."
Tristan grinned and pulled them both close. "I think we have some packages to unwrap!"
***
Tristan and his alien lovers, twins Jinsu and Kelan, are from The Sky People Trilogy, which includes "Dream Come True", "The Door Under the Bridge", and "Follow His Heart."
"Dream Come True" blurb/buy link:
Driven by dreams of his soul mate, Tristan, Jinsu steps through the portal to Earth, leaving all he has ever known behind. Little does he know that Tristan has had dreams too, but unlike Jinsu, Tristan doesn't believe in them. When they meet, will they both discover that dreams really can come true?
"The Door Under the Bridge" blurb/buy link:
Tristan and Jinsu are back! It's now seven months into their fairy-tale romance, and Tristan and Jinsu couldn't be happier. But when Jinsu falls ill with a mysterious, lingering condition, everything changes. Jinsu's magic is dying and taking him with it. Suddenly the couple's desire to find a way back to Jinsu's home world is more than just a dream--it's a necessity. With Jinsu's time quickly running out, Tristan is forced to seek help from someone he'd hoped to never, ever lay eyes on again.
"Follow His Heart" blurb/buy link:
In the conclusion to The Sky People Trilogy, Tristan awakens on Torottu, but the portal wasn't meant for humans, and he's been near death since his arrival almost ten months ago. That's okay, though, because now that he's awake, he and Jinsu can start their life together. The problem? Jinsu has no idea who Tristan is--the return trip through the portal erased his memory of Earth, of their relationship, of Tristan himself. Winning Jinsu's heart again won't be easy, especially if Kelan, Jinsu's twin, has anything to say about it. Kelan loves Jinsu, too, and he won't be put aside for Tristan. Not again. Tristan knows his only chance for happiness--and the only chance for Jinsu and Kelan--is to follow his heart.
Caliph's Favorite Holiday Memory
We shifters don't celebrate Christmas as you humans know it—instead, we celebrate Alms. Alms has no religious connotation, it's simply a time of year when those who have share with those who don't. My most treasured memory of Alms is the first one I spent with my kitten, Mateo, and our son, Jonus. Mateo and I visited the local shops and vendors for gifts for Jonus and each other. I loved the simple pleasure of sharing such a mundane thing with Mateo.
We gave Jonus a new bow and arrow, and his very first wooden practice sword. Mateo and I exchanged rings. I remember how my hands shook as I slid Mateo's on, how he held his hand up to the window to see the light glinting off the band, and how he cried happy tears.
We roasted and carved a bruta pig Jonus had managed to catch the day before—his first one!—and afterward, I watched as Mateo taught Jonus how to fight with his sword in the middle of our sitting room. We ended the day around a crackling fire in the hearth; Mateo lounging in my arms while we listened to Jonus read us a story he'd written. I suppose it sounds very simple by usual standards, but being with my kitten and my son, finally, as a family, was the most incredible gift I could've received.
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