Story: Unnamed

Prompt: Caught under the mistletoe with the last person you want to see, featuring Matteo trying eggnog for the first time

Couple: Verena x Matteo, with a guest appearance by Marci

Story: Fated Desires

Prompt: Someone spiked the eggnog and now we're making out in the closet.

Couple: Arwyn x Raydir

***

Unnamed

Holiday parties in Faireview were extraordinary to say the least. Add in Matteo as the ultimate party planner and there wasn't a single inch of the grand ballroom that wasn't bedazzled.

"Oh, wow! Ver, would you just look at this place?" Matteo's eyes widened like a kid high on the euphoria of Christmas, which I supposed in a way he was. I had to prevent him from going too overboard—the citizens of Faireview could thank me for the lack of glitter on their toilet paper.

No one wanted a sparkly ass.

"Yes, very sparkly," I muttered. "This is the last time I let you near one of those confetti poppers."

"I swear I didn't mean for it to explode! The lever got stuck."

"Uh huh." My eyes scanned the room for the refreshment table. There in the center of the room, with already a nice sized crowd. I scratched at my head, trying to get out the remaining bits of confetti that Matteo had launched at me only hours earlier while we were in the preparations stage. "Can I get you anything while I'm gone?" I asked.

Matteo nodded. "Sure, that white chocolate in the bowl looks good. Although, why did we go for liquid white chocolate? Was that Aphrodite's choice? Seems like an odd sort of drink."

I frowned, following where he was pointing. Sure enough there was a bowl on the refreshment table with a ladle and a creamy white liquid. People seemed to be really enjoying it, which was odd considering white chocolate wasn't coveted in Faireview. "I'll take a look." I left Matteo to his own devices, mingling with a few people who recognized us from the flyers.

Approaching the refreshment table, I peered over the bowl in the center, immediately hit with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg. That was definitely not white chocolate. Even more, if it was where were the strawberries? A travesty!

I ladled out some of the liquid into a cup and tasted it. The strong tang of rum hit me as the eggnog coated my tongue. It was good, but definitely something to go easy on. I grabbed a second cup for Matteo and headed back to him.

"Matti, I have to warn you, this isn't white chocolate," I said, handing him the cup.

He flared his nostrils and sniffed. "Smells good whatever it is." Matteo brought the cup to his lips.

"Just don't drink it too fast!" I hurried to say as he gulped down the contents.

Matteo's eyes widened, and I knew I had created a monster. "What is that heaven that I've just consumed?"

"It's, um, it's eggnog." I scratched my head. "Have you never had eggnog before?"

"Nope." He grinned with the same level of mischief that suckered me into our relationship in the first place. "I'm from Dainesfield, remember? We don't have such luxuries there in our drink supply, unfortunately. Seems like we're missing out." Matteo licked his lips then scattered to get a refill. I hurried behind him, wanting to make sure he didn't go too overboard with it. I still remembered the first time that my best friend Marci tried eggnog. I spent the entire evening prying her off the ceiling; and she had wings.

So there was only one way this was going to end if I did not help Matteo go slowly with his eggnog consumption.

"Matteo, take it easy!" I smacked a hand to my forehead. This was going to be a long, painful night.

Fated Desires

"Eggnog, mi'lady?" Raydir twirled around from the drink table with a cup in his hands, flashing Arwyn a mischievous grin. He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.

Arwyn giggled. "Why thank you." She took a sip and sighed at the heavenly taste. Arwyn had tasted eggnog a few times before, but something about this time was different. It tasted...stronger. More pleasant. And very addicting.

"Quite an interesting gathering," Raydir mused. "I've never seen so many gathered like this before. Not even for our parties at the manor."

"Well, as you know since the unification of the quadrants, the kingdoms are opening their doors to many of those who've lived elsewhere for such a long time." Arwyn sipped more of her eggnog, pacing herself as her sister had taught her when she was younger. She only wished Arabella were here now, but her sister was off leading a kingdom with her husband.

"Yes, seems that way." He offered his hand. "Shall we move to the dance floor?"

The young duchess accepted it with a smile and a blush that crept into her cheeks. Or was the warmth she felt from the eggnog? Arwyn couldn't be sure.

The pair made their way to the dance floor as the tempo of the music sped up. Spinning and laughing, clapping and stomping, they twirled around and around until they could barely breathe then made their way back for more refreshments.

"Gods, this eggnog is..." Arwyn frowned down at her cup, her eyes wide. "Y'know I dunno whatsi was sayings."

Raydir laughed. "Yummmwheeee! You know, I think maybe we should go explore. Get s'me air y'know?"

Arwyn nodded, taking her friend's hand. Raydir tugged her along until they found themselves in a passageway lit only by the faint glow of torches.

"Ray, where are we?" Arwyn smacked her tongue against the roof of her mouth, her daze lifting a little. But everything around her was still murky.

"Not sure." Raydir shrugged. He leaned against the wall and let out a long breath. "Sure is nice to be out of the noise, though."

"Mm." Arwyn stood in front of him and leaned her head on his chest. All the excitement in the short time of their evening began to catch up to her, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of warmth that enveloped her body whenever Raydir was near. It had been that way more than just today. Before, she might've thought it was the eggnog.

Now she wasn't so sure.

Unnamed

I was going to kill Aphrodite for letting the party supply eggnog to attendees—nay, party planners—who couldn't hold their liquor very well.

After figuring that adding more cinnamon made the eggnog taste even more delectable, Matteo made his way to the dance floor, spinning around as many eligible women who entered his space, with their too-loud giggles and overly long lashes.

I stayed off to the side, where I liked it better anyway. It didn't matter to me that he was enjoying himself. That wasn't what I cared about.

"Oh I think that's very much what you care about," Marci said as she fluttered her wings beside me. I had to cut her off from inhaling more eggnog as well, but tonight it didn't have the same effect as usual. "I can taste your jealousy from here."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not jealous, Marci."

"Right. And I'm totally sober right now." She hiccuped, letting off a cloud of pixie dust. "Look, Rena, just go ask him to dance, okay? The two of you planned this party together; it's a shame only one of you is enjoying it."

"I'm enjoying it," I protested.

Marci raised her eyebrows. "Yeah, right." She flicked her wrist behind her back then pushed me forward. I wasn't sure what it was, but the force sent me tumbling right into Mattteo's arms, knocking his latest dance partner to the side.

The girl scoffed and sneered at me. I clutched at Matteo to keep from falling over. We tended to get in trouble when we toppled onto each other.

"Hi there," he murmured, warm eyes looking into mine. "Steady now."

"S-sorry," I said, loosening my grip.

Matteo didn't move, though. Not his stance, at least. He looked up, and I followed. "Looks like you caught me at a good time," he said.

I swallowed at the sight of the red and white flowers against the evergreen leaves that hung above us and just happened to appear the minute I landed in Matteo's arms. I sent a glare at Marci on the sidelines of the dance floor who just shrugged and bit back a squeal.

"No, no, no," I muttered, shaking my head. This wasn't how this was supposed to happen, if it even happened at all. Because I couldn't think of him like that. I couldn't—wouldn't—

"Come on, dude, kiss her!" someone called from the side of the ballroom.

My companion raised his eyebrows. "I promise I brushed today."

"That's not what I'm worried about," I whispered.

Matteo cupped my face in his hands, stroking his thumb against my cheek. "We don't have to," he said.

My heartbeat quickened its pace. "No, do it."

His lips dipped down to touch mine, soft at first as if asking permission, then he pulled me closer as warmth spread from my cheeks down to my toes. My eyes fluttered closed at his touch, and I tugged at his tunic. Matteo grinned, deepening the kiss and panting as our breaths mingled with the air around us. The room around me blurred, spun. We were the only two people in the world who mattered right now.

Now that I could taste him, I never wanted to stop.

Matteo pulled away, licking his lips. His blue eyes locked on mine with an emotion I couldn't yet decipher.

Oh crap.

"Matti, I-I should go." I dropped my hands from around him and

"Ver—" He started after me, but I couldn't hear the rest of what he was saying. Blood pounded in my ears.

I needed to escape. I needed—

"Verena, please."

My feet froze, planting me firmly in the middle of the hall outside the main ballroom. Matteo's voice echoed around me. "You felt it, didn't you?" I asked. "You felt...something. Between us."

Matteo ran a hand through his hair. "I-I did. But is that not a good thing?"

I brought my hand up to my lips. "I'm not sure. That's what's strange about this, I wasn't—I'm not supposed to feel anything and I did."

"Then that's a good thing, yeah?" He stepped forward, head cocked as he circled me.

I sucked in a breath. With his blue eyes and tousled hair, this man was more than what I'd dreamed of. We'd been in such close proximity before but never had I expected to feel for him what I did in this moment.

"Maybe I need to try again. You know, research."

Matteo grinned. He closed the space between us, bringing his mouth down to meet mine again. "You just tell me when I should stop."

"Never," I murmured, tugging at the hair at the nape of his neck." My mouth yearned for his, my body craved his touch. "But also not here where everyone can see. You scoped out this place before we set it as the establishment for the party. Do you know where we can go to be alone?"

"Sure do!" Matteo sauntered over to a door on the other side of the room. "After you, m'lady." He tugged at the door but it didn't budge.

Then he tried again.

And again. And again, with still no luck.

Matteo let out a long strangled grunt. "Why-won't-this-door-OPENNNN—"

"Maybe you're pulling a push door?" I suggested, frowning at just how strange it was that the door seemed to try opening before being pushed back in place. Almost as if another presence was keeping it shut.

He huffed. "While I will admit that has been a problem in the past, I guarantee it's not the issue today." Matteo turned back to the door. "This-is-a-pull-DOOR!"

Fated Desires

Arwyn clutched at her lover's arm. She felt it was appropriate to call him that as they had just spent the last twenty minutes making out in the confines of the secluded passageway without interruption.

Until now, that is.

"Ray, you can't let them get in!" she said, clutching at him.

Raydir grunted as he pulled back with all his might to keep the door from opening. He couldn't let whoever was on the other side find out he was here. Ray didn't have a reputation for making out with girls in secret passageways and he wasn't about to start now. No, that was more Baz's reputation, and he refused to be anything like that blue-eyed bastard.

"I'm doing the best I can here," Ray said in between grunts. "Whatever is pulling on the other side is really strong."

"Thank you!" came the reply.

Arwyn and Raydir froze. They weren't expecting the source of the voice to actually answer them.

"Hello?" Arwyn called meekly.

"Hiya!"

She jumped back and glanced at Raydir who was still pulling really hard to keep the door shut.

"Arwyn, I'm gonna have to let go."

"And let the other guy win? Nuh uh. Not today." She got up close to the door. "Hey! Whoever you are over there. Do you think you could do us a favor and um, find somewhere else? We're kinda in the middle of something here."

A new voice muttered something before the first voice spoke again. "Yeah, I guess so."

Arwyn waited, watching as Raydir finally loosened his grip on the door. "Well, that was a close—hey!"

The door swung open to a cackling brunette man. By his side was a young woman. They were both dressed as attendees for the party, and by the flush on the woman's cheeks it was clear they were looking for a place to do exactly what Arwyn and Ray had busied themselves with.

Arwyn glanced at Raydir then to the intruders. Raydir glanced back. The intruders didn't even seem phased.

"Phew," the man across from them said with a chuckle. "You know, for a second there I thought I was going crazy for not being able to open the door."

"Yeah, that's one of those things, isn't it?" Raydir grinned at him and began introductions.

Arwyn studied the young blonde across from her who refused to meet anyone's gaze. "I'm Arwyn," she said.

"Verena," the woman replied. She gave Arwyn a small smile. "Sorry we interrupted."

"That's ok." Arwyn waved her arm. "I honestly think it was the eggnog getting to us."

Verena chuckled. "That's what I was saying to Matteo over there too. This was his first time trying it."

Arwyn's eyes widened in understanding. Then they began to glimmer with mischief. "It's better with booze, though, huh?"

"In moderation," Verena agreed. She jumped as her male companion linked their fingers together. "Um, well it was really nice meeting you, Arwyn. And you too, Raydir. Matteo and I are going to find another unoccupied passageway. You two have a great night."

"Thanks." Arwyn beamed. She pointed down the hall. "Press on the third panel to the left of the kitchen door. It'll lead you to a more secluded area." She winked.

"Th-thank you." Verena tugged at Matteo's arm and they hurried down the hall, away from the other two lovers.

Arwyn let out a long, dramatic sigh and leaned against the wall. "I completely and totally ship those two."