dobbie6539

"What's all this with Christmas?"

Erythos spun around on his heel, almost knocking the tree off its stand. "You don't know what Christmas is?" He asked incredously, blinking at her. "Have you not heard all the drama with Rio recently?"

Otora sighed, nudging the tree back up from where it toppled into her waiting palm. "I didn't say that. I asked what's with all of it."

The blonde man plopped onto the couch, and patted the spot next to him. Uncertain, Otora eased herself next to him before looking up at him.

"Are you going to tell me, or what?"

Erythos only hummed in response, flashing her a grin as he nodded towards the holly leave that dangled just above the TV in their author's living room.

"I will," he said. "Just wait."

He sprung off the couch as Otora tugged at the blanket folded in the corner, coal-black eyes roaming the room before fastening on the device. "It's cold in here," she grumbled.

"I know."

"Well, what are you-"

There was an alarming beep, and Erythos yelped, followed by a hissed curse. Otora smiled good-naturedly as he nearly dropped the steaming cups of hot chocolate.

"Perhaps I should've done that," she ventured, looking at his back as he fumbled for spoons.

"Nah- do you know where the whipped cream is?"

"Fridge."

As Erythos hustled around, Otora turned her gaze to the twinkling Christmas tree, the lights glimmering in the reflection of her eyes.

"Here."

She turned, glancing between his exuberant face, illuminated by the gentle flickers of the tree, and the hot chocolate. Grudging accepting it with ginger hands, she rested the hot mug in her lap, her fingers wrapped around it.

Erythos slid lazily onto the couch beside her, a smile on his features as he tugged the blanket towards him. "Lady Otora, share," he whined, fingers curling deeper and tighter on the fabric.

In response, the black-haired woman swatted at his wrist while keeping hold on her drink so it didn't tip over. "There's another one across the room," she reprimanded him, but he refused to let go.

"Too far..."

Otora exhaled carefully, despite the smile she wore on her face at his antics. "Fine," she replied, and the babyish blonde's expression brightened, his grin growing a bit wider. 

It was like this everyday- Otora would visit Erythos (or vice versa) and he'll pull multiple acts that she merely relinquished to, and every time, his smile would grow bigger. 

He didn't say anything to that, tugging the blanket up to the chin, then his expression was replaced by the smallest of frowns. "Why did Rio set it to be so cold?"

"I believe that was her brother's work. He likes the cold, and is usually unaffected until it's somewhere below freezing."

Erythos sighed, nuzzling his nose deeper into the blanket after setting his mug on the table, tugging his palms into his long-sleeves below the layer of the soft comforter. "I'm still cold," he hummed, watching Otora as she followed his suit, placing her hot chocolate on the wooden table.

"Congratulations," she responded,  and fondly looked over at him. Admittedly, to her, Erythos was a very handsome man- many ladies loved him, and men sometimes detested him over the fact he had stolen their love's heart.

At her words, he childishly pouted. "You're not supposed to reply like that!" 

"Lord Erythos, stop acting like a five-year old kid," she said wryly, but she was smiling, her heart softening at his actions. 

"I am one on the inside!"

"Clearly," Otora retorted, crossing her arms over her chest and stubbornly looked away from him. "And I don't like it."

The blonde snorted, knowing the real truth laced within her words. "Sure," he teased, his heart soaring in delight at the way her lips twisted with amusement. 

Flicking a hand at him, Otora still faced away from him, staring at the tree. 

"Fine, be that way..." Erythos scratched his cheek, debating his options before leaning back, allowing Otora's gentle humming along with the somewhat-quite Christmas music to lure him to sleep.

OoO

Otora wrapped her hand around Erythos' below the blanket, still refusing to look at the sleeping blonde. His lax frame was resting against her, his head nestled on her shoulder as he slept. 

Her fingers met ripped skin, and she absently traced the scar upon his palm, a mark that almost resembled a jagged cross. She shivered as the movement caused Erythos to involuntarily puff in her ear. 

His eyes flickered open at she once again drew her finger over the scar, and he gave her that drowsy smile. 

"Mornin'," he slurred. 

"It's evening."

"And it's your turn to sleep," he replied, flinging his arms over her and pulling her closer. The woman turned red, her cheeks darkening in color. 

When I first saw you, I fell in love. And you smiled because you knew. 

A/N:

Sucky, I'm tired and yeah. Picture is Erythos, or what he looks like.