✨for my sun and ma'am and papaya and didi and all lgbtqia+ people out there✨

love is love.

• • •

I dumped the disposable plates into the trash bag in my hand, glad that the huge dinner was finally over.

Christmas Eve was always huge at my house. We'd invite everyone.

My aunts, uncles, neighbours, cousins, the freaks across the door. Anyone available on Christmas Eve.

I know, I know. Usually, most people would be busy on this festive day, preparing I have absolutely no idea what.

But, in my town, everyone was so used to my parents grand and huge annual parties, they'd clear their schedule up on Christmas Eve just for our party.

Talk about Christmas spirit.

I hated it. I hated these parties. Where thousands of bodies entered my house, getting drunk, eating whatever the hell they want, and well... partying.

God, I just wanted a peaceful Christmas Eve for once.

But, no.

These Eve parties had long since become a Christmas tradition.

At least, this time, I had something to look forward to. I glanced over at Valencia, a small smile on my lips.

Valencia didn't celebrate Christmas, so her parents had allowed her to spend the night at my house. It took a lot to convince my parents, but they soon allowed. Thank the heavens my parents aren't such traditional Christians.

Valencia walked over, grinning, "Done with the trash, Esme?"

I groaned, "Done? There is trash at every inch and corner of this house. I swear to Go-"

Val cupped my mouth, giggling, "Just calm down!"

I rolled my eyes, getting back to work after giving her a small smile. At least the guests knew not to litter too much. It'd be hell to have a trash-filled house on Christmas, of all days.

We finished up cleaning and got to bed, realising just how late it was.

"I can't sleep," Val muttered, staring up at the ceiling.

I mumbled back the same, pulling her into a hug. We'd been trying to fall asleep for the past hour or so but my weariness from the party had just disappeared.

I groaned, sitting up, "Let's get some hot chocolate, then."

Val grinned widely, her eyes sparkling. She loved hot chocolate. And, after all, it was over that small drink that we'd met.

We stumbled out of bed, and down the stairs, trying to keep as quiet as possible.

"Shhhh!"

"Well, tiptoeing just isn't easy for me, okay?"

"How in the world did you sneak out that time? You can't even tiptoe in your own house."

"Shut up."

Val laughed, walking to the kitchen, but her laugh soon died down as she stopped in her tracks, "Esme..."

Standing in my living room was a woman.

Oh God, what?

She was wearing a huge coat that was used and worn out. Her boots were caked with mud and her hair was stringy and didn't look brushed. Dang, what a mess.

Her figure was crouching down in front of the Christmas tree, busying herself with whatever she was doing.

I laced my fingers with Val's as we stared at the intruder, petrified.

With a huff, the woman turned around, mumbling words under her breath, "Stupid Christmas, just get yourselves your own presents. Why the hell a-"

She jumped, noticing the two of us standing there just staring at her. The woman sighed, letting out a groan, "Why in the bloody hell..."

My eyes travelled down to the carpet underneath the Christmas tree. Presents. There were new presents and gifts and toys laid there.

And then it clicked.

Holy sh*t.

Huge red coat? Presents?

I tugged at Val's hand, "That's... Holy crap, it's Santa, Val!"

"No sh*t sherlock," Val forced out a laugh, her eyes still on the bizarre woman in my living room.

"Santa is a woman. Oh. My. God. Val-" Only then did I notice the increasing tension in the room. It was swirling around, wrapping its unwanted hands around Val's neck, bringing her to verge of a breakdown.

Please no.

I glanced at Santa. She had noticed our entwined hands, and her features were twisting with... disgust.

She was disgusted. At us.

I pulled Val closer. Her eyes had glazed over, closed off from the world. No.

We'd been through this before. The disgusted looks. The mean remarks. The bullying.

But Val had always had it worse.

She'd suffered from depression and anxiety, and it had affected her a lot, but we'd gotten through it. Together.

I wasn't going to let her suffer anymore.

"You kids and your stupid misconceptions about love. This is not how it works. This is wrong. Remember that. Think about what you're doing. What a shame. Disgu-"

"Get out."

The words were out of mouth before I could think them through, but I didn't regret them because that was exactly what I wanted.

I tugged at Val, a small smile on my face, reassuring her. My girlfriend's eyes were teary, and I could see she was trying hard not to break down.

"What?" Santa snapped.

I glared at her, my voice harsh, "Get out, you homophobic as*hole."

She lunged at me. Santa freaking attacked me.

God, save me.

Val let out a cry, tears streaming down her face.

She's breaking down.

I could feel my facade crumbling, but I had to stay strong. For her.

I pushed Santa off me, "Leave. Before I call the police and file a report."

She laughed, "And you think the police is going to scare me? The famous, magical, Santa Claus? Yeah, right."

The nerve.

I was seething. I felt like smacking the hell out of that woman. I felt like crying, screaming, and punching all at once.

"GET OUT, WOMAN!" I hollered, my anger immeasurable.

Muttering profanities at us, Santa grabbed her bag and stumbled out the window, not before making a huge show of taking away some gifts from below the tree.

Our gifts.

Was she even allowed to do that?

Val sank to the ground, hugging my legs. She mumbled words under her breath, hiccuping now and then, "They h-hate us... hic Me... T-they hic all... hate me...E-sme hic..."

"No, no, Val, we love you. They accept us now. Our parents. Our friends. Our families. Who cares about a stupid Santa Claus?"

I sat down next to her, pulling her into a tight hug, mumbling again and again, "I love you. I love you so much."

And together, we sat on the cold marble floor, crying. Just crying, and hugging, and loving.

Love is love, no matter your gender, race, sexuality, religion, etc.

I love you, Valencia.

• • •

I hope this work was alright. I don't really know much on how to write from a lesbian/bi's pov so like I'm hoping I did an okay job? I'm sooooo sorry if I happened to represent the LGBTQ+ community incorrectly. I tried. I really did haha.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed it!! I surely did, it was nice writing something new that I've never done before❤️

(: my entry for StarDazzleProfile's Christmas mini-contest, Naughty List :)