"It's all fun and games until you end up under the mistletoe."

⛓

"Wait," Skylar pauses as she moves the couch back, "so you've never celebrated Christmas?"

The man sighs, halfway through hanging up the garland, "No, I have not."

She looks at him in horror, deciding there and then that she's going to make this something to remember. But considering that her family is visiting on their way to Saskatoon to see her grandparents, it's going to be hard to forget regardless.

"Please don't give me that look," he mumbles, his back facing her.

"Sorry," she apologises, shoving the couch back a bit further before deciding to keep it where it is. "It's just that my family's always made such a big deal of it. Then again, Lizzy's Jewish."

"Your sister?" Rae hops down from his chair to judge his work.

She laughs, shaking her head, "Best friend. But she's always joined us for Christmas Day."

He hums, joining her in the living room to help with the tree. It's not real—much to Skylar's disappointment—but it serves its purpose.

"I still wish we got a real tree."

He rolls his eyes, grabbing the base from the box, "Then you would've been on your own bringing it up here. I won't be caught dead dragging a pine tree down the hall."

"Fair point," she shrugs, unpacking her very small selection of baubles. It's a bit pathetic, really.

As Rae deals with the tree, she pulls out a dusty piece of plastic. Upon identification of the decoration, she cringes, tossing it back in the box for her brother to find. No way is she touching the mistletoe.

The Menorah, however, she has nothing against, so that gets placed on the shelf above Mr. Noodles. After all, she doesn't want to disappoint her guest when she comes.

"Why are you putting that out?" Skylar faces the man with surprise.

"Lizzy's Jewish. I like to respect her beliefs," she explains briefly, eyeing the Charlie Brown Christmas tree with skepticism. "We always put one up, even if we don't understand or follow her beliefs."

Rae blinks in surprise, having not really expected such an answer.

"It's alright to ask," she shrugs, handing him the tinsel. "My family has a lot of traditions that others don't."

"Anything else I should know?"

"Um, we play Blind Man's Bluff, usually roast marshmallows on the log fire at home, and drink mulled wine," she frowns for a moment as she thinks. "And watch a Christmas movie each night during the week before. 'A Christmas Carol' is usually played on Christmas Eve."

He hums quietly, pulling his chair over to aid in his task of wrapping the tree in gold tinsel. His roommate stands back until the tinsel coils around the faux tree, then she moves forward with baubles in her hands. His interest peaks however, when she starts hanging actual candy canes on the branches.

"Why are you doing this?" He cocks his head, wearing his usual puzzled expression.

"What, decorating or celebrating?" Skylar wanders into the kitchen to make two mugs of hot chocolate.

"Both, I suppose," he shrugs, joining her in the shockingly clean kitchen. He leans against the counter with his arms crossed as he awaits her explanation.

"I'll do my best to explain, but I don't know everything," she adjusts her Santa hat, dumping chocolate powder into both mugs. "Christmas is originally a Christian celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. The rest of us have just tagged along with it. Today though, people pretty much celebrate it as a time of peace and joy. Most people swap gifts on Christmas day and stuff to 'spread the joy' and whatnot. Everyone has different traditions though, so don't quote me on that."

Rae nods slowly, frowning in thought. He scratches his jaw as he processes the new information, "I don't understand."

She sighs deeply, pouring milk into the mugs, "It's a time of peace, joy, and compassion. Some people go way overboard for it while others don't. That's all you really need to know."

He looks taken aback for a split second before stepping away to pick an album. To his relief, she does actually own CD's, and some decent sounding ones too—not that he'd ever say it aloud. Though, she's definitely hidden all the regular ones, only allowing him to choose between Christmas collections.

"Did you have to do that?"

"Put away the usual selection?" Skylar turns to him with a sparkle in her eyes and hands off the hot chocolate to him, "Yes, I did. But there are some jazz pieces if you want."

He stares at her with a bit of shock. He's been trying to hide the fact that he actually enjoys listening to the upbeat songs, but she's seen straight through him.

"However," she clears her throat, "I would get a move on. Lizzy should be here within the hour, and the rest of my family won't be far behind."

Rae barely withholds a groan at her statement; it's bad enough having to interact with fellow classmates, but this is her family. She's already warned him multiple times that they're nuts.

Catching his train of thought, Skylar whacks him lightly on the shoulder, pouting at his lack of enthusiasm. Then, before he can even retaliate, she places her hat on his head and scampers back.

His constant puzzlement was adorable as it was, but she certainly can't restrain her growing blush as he attempts to figure out what's on his head. The longer he tries to look at it, the harder it is for her to not burst into giggles as the long tail of it flops behind him.

"It—," she swallows down her childish grin, "—it looks good on you."

He frowns at her, "What is it?"

"My Santa hat," she hides a giggle with a hand, watching with amusement as he grows even more confused. "It's another Christmas thing."

He rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his hot chocolate. After a moment, he decides he quite likes it. Maybe this won't be too bad.

⛓

"No!" Rae shouts, glaring dangerously at the young woman approaching  from the opposite end of the room, "If you so much as try to get me in that, I will stick snow down your neck!"

"W-what," Skylar wheezes, failing to hide her mischievous grin, "are you talking about?"

"You know full well what!" He seethes, backing up against one of the hinged windows, "I will tolerate the hat, the decorations, your traditions, but I draw the line at dressing like an idiot!"

She huffs in disappointment, dropping her hands to her sides. In her hands, she holds an ugly Christmas sweater, complete with actual lights. She had been hoping to convince him into it just for the evening, but that plan seems to have gone rather sideways.

"When did you turn into Mr. Scrooge?" She whines, tossing the article on the back of the couch before collapsing on it.

"Bah, humbug," he mocks, shaking his head before joining her.

She looks at him in surprise, and rightfully so, considering that he knew nothing about the holiday not even an hour ago.

Rap, tap, tap, tap. Rap, rap.

Skylar full on leaps off of the sofa, barreling over to the door before Rae even blinks at her burst of speed. Through the peephole, she can see her brunette friend—correction: her very cold brunette friend—and a small crowd of people standing behind her.

She swings the door open with full force, surprising them all into jumping back. A grin forms on her lips, and before she knows it, she's being crushed by multiple strong-gripped hugs.

"Merry Christmas!" She laughs at them, shutting the door behind them.

"Merry Christmas, you guys," she starts directing them to the coat rack. Lizzy doesn't let go of her throughout the process, opting to waddle behind with her arms around her waist.

"I missed you," Lizzy huffs in her ear, making her snort at the tickling sensation.

"I missed you too, Lisa," the use of her actual name earns a smack round the head. "Um, I kinda need to introduce you to my roommate."

Emily raises a brow at her, making her daughter shuffle awkwardly on her feet, "The unexpected roommate?"

Skylar nods carefully, cautious of the woman.

"The grumpy one?" Damien pops his head over his father's shoulder.

"The good-looking one?"

A dark blush spreads across her cheeks at Lizzy's near silent mention, prompting her to, not-so-subtly, stomp on her foot.

Instead of grumbling, she bursts out laughing, throwing her head back at her best friend's embarrassment. She releases her, but leans against the kitchen counter for support, earning far more confused looks than typical.

"Lizzy!" Skylar hisses, hiding her face in her hands.

"It's true!" She cackles manically, "I'm so right!"

"Shut up!"

Rae pokes his head over the top of the couch, frowning at their outburst, but decides that it'll be better to get it over with. With a little hesitation, he pulls himself upright, crossing his arms as he leans against the sofa.

"I presume this is your family then, Sky?" All heads whip round to face him, most gaping at the fact that he freely used her nickname.

She nods meekly, unable to look him in the eyes.

"Rae Chett," he sticks his hands in his pockets, glancing between them all. "Pleasure to meet you."

"I'm Emily," her mother makes the first move, holding her hand out to shake which he takes firmly in his own.

"Steven," her dad joins his wife, studying the young man carefully.

"I'm Lizzy."

"Damien."

"Rylie," Skylar's sister introduces herself, slowly stalking over to him as though she is a predator and he is the prey.

Her movements don't go unnoticed, and Rae cocks his head at her as she sizes him up. She nearly laughs, but remains solely focused on questioning his intentions.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?"

"What?" He looks extremely puzzled, frowning at her. In the kitchen, Skylar goes rigid in the middle of showing her father the spices, horrified at what her sister is doing.

"What are your intentions towards my sister?" She puts her hands on her hips, locking eyes with the young man.

"I don't—" he finds himself cut off mid-sentence as his roommate cries out in panic.

"Sissy! What are you doing?!"

She grins cheekily at her sibling, ignoring their parents as they roll their eyes, "I'm your big Sissy, sis! It's my job to make sure the boys are worthy!"

Skylar whines like a toddler, slumping on the kitchen counter in embarrassment, the tips of her ears turning red. Lizzy pats her back in sympathy.

"Rylie, stop tormenting your sister," Emily scolds halfheartedly, eyeing the jazz disc playing music.

The woman raises her hands in surrender, finding a seat on the couch before her brother speeds over. A smirk never leaves her lips.

Without a word, Rae settles on the other sofa, watching the dark haired woman across from him with uncertainty. She grins back at him.

"Would you like some mulled wine, Rae?" Steven asks kindly from the kitchen, shoving the two girls out of the space.

"Uh, yes, please," he calls back, unsure how to deal with the guests.

As the elder man gets to work, the group migrate to the living room, leaving Rae feeling completely overwhelmed until Skylar hops over the back of the sofa to sit with him. He gives her an almost unnoticeable smile of appreciation, though her cheeks are still bright red.

"So," she starts, staring at her distracted brother, "Bear."

"Yeah?" He pulls his legs up as he looks up from his place on the rug.

"Have you found yourself a cute guy yet?" She tugs her hood over her head in boredom.

"No," he sighs, glancing nervously at Rae.

Said man groans in irritation, shifting higher up in his seat, "I have nothing against you if you're gay. Or bisexual. Or pansexual. I do not care."

Damien perks up immediately, feeling much more at ease now that he knows the man's opinion.

Lizzy raises her hand like a student in class, feigning an innocent expression, "I'm gay too."

Skylar leans back into the couch cushions, taking a mug from her dad as he passes around the drinks, "Hmm. And I'm bisexual."

"I don't know what I am," Rylie comments carelessly, silently thanking her dad for the drink. "But those two were dating for a bit."

Both Lizzy and Skylar shrug, taking small sips of their mulled wine, "It's not like it went anywhere, Sissy."

She hums quietly, staring blankly at the record player as she curls up on the sofa.

The chitchat continues for a little while, the hour growing later and later as they get to know the stranger more. In the time, Rae finds himself more comfortable with the family, occasionally chuckling at their bizarre stories. Though, he stops himself when he feels Skylar start leaning on him.

When he looks down at her, it's clear that she's exhausted. Her eyelids have fluttered shut, and her hair keeps falling out of her hat and into her mildly pink face. The grip on her mug is nonexistent and it's a miracle that she hasn't dropped it yet.

He carefully removes the ceramic mug from her hands and places it on the coffee table, laying her gently across the couch cushions, "I think it's about time we clear this up."

They hum in agreement, all standing from their seats to say goodbye. As quietly as possible, they burden themselves with their snow gear and shake hands as way of parting with Rae. Before he can bid them farewell, however, Lizzy treads over to the sleeping woman on the couch and kisses her forehead. As she passes him, he hands her a bag of chocolate coins meant to be presented earlier.

"Thank you," she mutters, nodding her head in appreciation. "Take care of her."

He nods slowly, glancing back into the apartment before officially saying goodbye.

⛓

"Good morning, sunshine," Skylar yawns, stretching her back as she comes out of her room, an action that pulls her penguin top up enough to show her belly. "Merry Christmas."

He sips his coffee, staring at the white-coated street outside, "Merry Christmas. And don't call me 'sunshine'."

She grins, picking up the mug left out for her, "Nah. 'Sunshine' suits you. You are a 'Ray of Sunshine'."

Rae shakes his head, sticking his hand in his plaid pajama pants as he turns to face her, "Are we getting started then?"

Confusion masks her expression as she sluggishly pieces things together, "Start what?"

He chuckles, gently grasping her wrist to guide her to the Christmas tree. Her eyes sparkle in childish glee at the sight of four presents under the branches.

"I thought you knew about presents," he teases, sitting in front of the pile.

"Yeah, well, I'm half asleep," the woman shakes her head to clear her foggy thoughts.

Rae watches her adoringly as she excitedly separates the belongings, adding three of them to her own pile before handing him a firm, but small, wrapped parcel. It's only when he realises that she's staring at him that he snaps out of it.

"What?"

She gestures to the present in his hand with a grin, "You first."

"Huh?" He glances between her and the present several times before it hits him, "Oh!"

Skylar giggles, watching as he places his mug on the table and delicately unwraps the red paper. It had been pretty hard for her to figure out what to get him, so her fingers are currently crossed.

He smiles at the item, shaking his head before looking up at his roommate. A copy of 'A Short History Of Nearly Everything' sits in his hand, un-creased and pristine.

"Thank you."

Her smile broadens as she takes in his thanks. She succeeded.

"Here," Rae picks up her smallest present and hands it to her, "open this first. From me to you."

Skylar bounces a bit in excitement, placing her coffee down before ripping apart the paper. Shocking how brutal she is.

When she sees what it is, she squeals, launching herself at the man. She tackles him to the floor in a tight hug, knocking the wind from his lungs.

"Thank you! Thank you!" She chants, rolling off of him to better examine the box.

It's a bit battered and worn, but it's what's inside that sparks her joy. The box contains a Sony walkman, complete with a hand-selected cassette filled with rock classics. She's been searching for one in good condition for ages now.

"You mentioned having several cassettes a while back, but you didn't have anything to play them on," Rae rubs the back of his neck with a tiny smile, his cheeks tinted pink.

Maybe this was something to remember. After all, today is the first of many.

⛓

Another one?! In three days?
Huh. I'm doing well.

Hope you guys enjoyed, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter.

P.S. Silver-Ashley, yes, I know I disappointed you with the quote and then didn't have a mistletoe scene. I was going to have one, but the chapter got too long and I decided it would be best without.