Kinda based on that one song in Rent, you know? (Hey it's beginning to snow) But also slightly based on my friend freaking when I said I would write angst for the next one shot (hint: I was lying to her face) (oops) (have some fluff!!!) MERRY CHRISTMAS OR WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE OR JUST HAVE A HAPPY DAY! -C

Peggy sprawls on the back of her bed, trying to hide the phone screen with her body. Then again, Eliza is fast asleep it seems like. She has no need to be too cautious. She will be, though, as she's a nice person like that.

It's Christmas Eve after all. She allowed her a little PDA. Now, she hangs off the foot of the bed as Eliza and Maria cuddle under the sheets. Maybe she should go downstairs and text him.

Peggy gathers a blanket around her, and she gently sneaks out of the bedroom. Her smile rivals the phone screen for brightness.

One day, she'll tell Eliza and Angelica about her almost boyfriend, more like kissing pal. Until then, Stephen can be her absolutely favorite secret.

Her phone bings five minutes after the last text she received.

Stephen 😘: you still up babe???

Peggy 🙃🤓: you know it!!!!

Stephen 😘: wish you were here on Christmas Eve with moi. Stupid family

Peggy 🙃🤓: Stephen? Who are you with right now?

Stephen 😘: ...

Stephen 😘: with my family...

Peggy 🙃🤓: lol genius over here!!! Get rekt

Stephen 😘: don't try to be cool...it doesn't suit you

Peggy 🙃🤓: I'm cooler than snow. Speaking of which...Do you see it outside? 'And it's beginning to'

Stephen 😘: and its beginning to

Peggy 🙃🤓: and its beginning to

Stephen 😘: Joanne which way to the stage?

Peggy 🙃🤓: S N O W ❄️❄️

Stephen 😘: awww love you

Peggy 🙃🤓: Love you more!!!

Peggy beams down on her phone. Then, her eyes wander farther up on the screen.

Peggy 🙃🤓: HOLY CRAP SEE THE TIME?!?! ONE MINUTE UNTIL CHRISTMAS

Stephen 😘: If you were here, we'd be making out under the mistletoe.

Together, connected through their phones and hearts as their bodies were apart, they both watch the minute flash. Just like that, December 24th becomes December 25th.

Stephen 😘: 😢 I miss you...For Christmas, send me a picture of you

Peggy 🙃🤓: Same!!!

Giggling to herself, Peggy sends a picture of herself, excited about her first Christmas with a kissing pal.

~~~

"Peggy is so not subtle," whispers Maria in the darkened room. Her hands are still locked around Eliza's waist. Their foreheads are touching, and their breaths are coming fast from the rigorous 'sleeping' they have been doing.

Eliza giggles, the light peal seemingly to light up the room. "My little sister got herself a mister."

"You are so not cool." Maria laughs the moment her girlfriend's cheeks light up bright red. Maria kisses them. "But at least I get my own, personal geek."

"That's mean," moans Eliza.

Then, the brunette turns her head towards the door. "Peggy would be a pretty amazing aunt."

Maria stills in the bed, gaping at Eliza. "W-what?"

"N-not that I'm pregnant!" Eliza immediately exclaims, shrinking down a little in embarrassment. "Just, when we get out of college, and we're still together, I-"

"Want to have children? You'd be an amazing mom." Maria reaches forward to twirl Eliza's hair around her pinky. "First kid needs to be named after the people we love."

"Margarita Angelica?"

"Nah, Harry Potter."

That cracks Eliza up, and she nudges her girlfriend sharply. "We are not forcing our child to be the chosen one."

"We could spell it differently...Hairy Potter-"

"If you spelled it the way I think you did, you're going to condemn that child to horribleness." Eliza waggles her finger at Maria.

Eliza's phone buzzes, and lazily, Maria looks over. Ignoring the call from her parents, she gasps. "Hey, Liza?"

"Yeah, Mar?"

"It's midnight."

Eliza immediately leans forward and captures Maria's lips with hers. The two of them kiss and rejoice over Christmastime.

~~~

Hercules tries to hide his yawn as he cheerfully moves his top hat another square. "I think you're drunk, Ang. Only you would make us finish the game of Monopoly on Christmas Eve."

"Oui," declares Lafayette, collecting the money that Hercules owes him now.

Angelica narrows her eyes playfully. She wears a Christmas sweater as Lafayette declared mandatory for their late night Monopoly game. "You're just upset that you're losing horribly."

"You kinda have half the properties, and I kinda have the two most pathetic." Hercules grins down at the hotels on the most pathetic squares.

Lafayette wraps his arms around Hercules affectionately. "It's fine! We can become successful business owners together! Let's merge."

"You can't merge businesses in Monopoly!" Angelica protests.

Hercules holds a finger. "You also can't take all of Eliza's properties when she quit because you're 'family' but you did that."

Sticking out her tongue, Angelica allows the couple to become one player at Monopoly. It's fine. She's winning anyway. It turns out that she is one of the most brilliant players at board games. It comes with having to constantly play your siblings.

Lafayette looks over at that clock. "Two minutes."

"Now, Ang, as we are not a poly couple, you are not allowed in our Christmas kiss," Hercules dramatically says, pushing the dog of Lafayette to Go.

Angelica snorts. "You can't kiss two people at once-"

"Oh, it's been done." Lafayette waffles his eyebrows, and Hercules winks seductively. Angelica rolls her eyes and proceeds to put hotels on all her properties.

Both of the boys groan. "You're too good at this."

"Thank you." The eldest Schuyler looks over at that clock before clearing her throat. "It's Christmas now."

Pointedly, she looks away as Lafayette pounces upon Hercules. Both of them proceed to devour each other in the name of love.

With nothing else to do, Angelica steals their Monopoly money to add to her growing stack of stolen cash. Affection makes them crappy Monopoly players...Cute in general but really bad at catching her cheating.

Then, Hercules winks at her and proves he's noticed, just hasn't cared.

~~~

John smiles at Alex, who still has his face against the glass of the window. He keeps squeaking at the sight of the snow, showing no signs of exhaustion. Alex has always been like that...Almost too much.

   After drinking various sodas and energy drinks, he's practically jumping all over the place.

   "It's almost Christmas time, Alex."

   Neither of them are...Too excited for Christmas. Neither have the best of memories on it. Alex never had anyone to share it with, and John hated who he had to share it with.

   That was...Until now.

   As if sensing his thoughts, Alex whirls around with a big smile across his face. His ponytail bobbles a little. "Hey, hey, hey. Everyone might have traditions already, but we can make our own!"

   "Like what?" John jokes, leaning forward on his elbows. He's relieved that James took off and traded rooms with him tonight. Hercules is downstairs with Monopoly and others.

   Alex bites his lip, thinking. Then, his eyes brighten. "I have a gift...Wanna open one in Christmas Eve?"

   "Sure," John laughs. He knows that both of them are too impatient to actually wait.

   He reaches under the bed and tosses Alex a wrapped present. A blush immediately spreads across his boyfriend's cheeks. "Well, it isn't...Like...I didn't buy...I...I don't..."

   "It's perfect, whatever it is."

   Alex seems a little embarrassed when he hands John a pamphlet of writing.

   When he barely finishes before midnight, John leaps across the bed. "I love that...I feel all...I can't describe stuff quite like you."

   "I still love you." Alex nuzzles his head into John's shoulder.

   The two of them sit there until the clock chimes, alerting the knowledge of Christmas approaching on them.

   Alex hugs John more tightly. "See? I finally had someone who stayed for Christmas."

   "You're all I needed."

~~~

   "Jesus Christ how many gifts did you get for everyone?" James laughs as Thomas commands from the bed. A ton of brightly wrapped presents are in his third suitcase, the one people were convinced he didn't need.

   Thomas shrugs, sniffling into his sleeve. Much to his annoyance, the Virginian stayed sick. "As much as everyone needed."

   "No way, you got Alex this thick of a present?" snickers James at the display.

   To prove his point, Thomas has wrapped it in sparkly, in-your-face purple wrap. A giant bow is wrapped over it with the caption of 'look the bow is taller than you' attached to you. It reeks of passive-aggression.

   Thomas sniggers a little. "He's going to 'love' it."

   "I don't want to know...Hey. Here's the one with my name on it. And another one? And...Another? For God's sake, I don't need four presents when I got you one." James turns on his heel and glares at his friend.

   Shrugging slightly, he offers a crooked grin. "Gotta wait until Christmas to open it."

   "You're still shivering," comments James idly, staring at the lean man. Thomas wraps his arms around himself protectively, ensuring no medicine would come.

   Then, Thomas winks. "You know...Body warmth is some of the best warmth."

   "Are you flirting with me?"

   "Who else, darlin'?" drawls Thomas cheerfully before scooting over in the bed and throwing the blankets down.

   Hesitantly, the quieter man inches into the bed. Thomas snorts at his obvious reluctance. James punches his leg playfully before flopping backwards.

   His oldest friend laughs again. "It's a Christmas miracle."

   "I've done this before."

   "When we were little and convinced getting sick was the one out of school and homework."

   "Ah, memories. You trying to catch my germs since I was always sick." He softens his sarcasm when he hears Thomas' loud, light laugh. It's been awhile since James had heard him so happy.

   Rubbing his back affectionately, Thomas lays back. "Merry Christmas, Jemmy."

   "Merry Christmas."

   When Thomas 'falls' asleep, James finds his eyes wandering back over to his friend with a soft smile on his face.

   When Thomas grabs his hand while in his 'slumber', James feels no shame in squeezing back. After all...

   It's a Christmas miracle.

~~~

   Jenna bounces around the room like an excitable puppy, eyes oh so bright. She has all kinds of decorations draped around her. Aaron has his own share of decorations.

   It's an interesting contest Jenna came up with. They ask a question about themselves, and if the other gets it right, they are free. If they don't, they get an ornament hung on them.

   Jenna does look more like a Christmas tree than him though.

   Aaron chuckles before thinking of one. "Which grade did I skip?"

   "Ninth," Jenna cheerfully responds. She reaches into the box of decorations and yanks out a wreath. "If you get this one wrong..."

   "Oh, I won't." Aaron's eyes gleam excitedly as he leans back. "I know you better than most of the others."

   Pretending to think, his girlfriend shows no response. "Oh, I don't know. Angelica might fight you over that right."

   "I would win," he calmly responds.

   Jenna rolls her eyes, suppressing a giggle. "What subject did I hate in tenth grade?"

   "Chemistry." Aaron winks at her when she groans heavily.

   He doesn't even bother to think. "Which bone did I break?"

   "What? You broke a bone? I've already lost." Jenna reaches down and settles the green wreath in her hair.

   Both of them laugh.

   She bites her lip to think of the last one. "What time is it?"

   "If you say show time, I will go over and possibly punch John in the face," warns Aaron. He subtly checks his watch before getting up and holding his hand above their heads.

   Both of them had decided to hang mistletoe off his wrist for the first question he got wrong. "Christmas."

   "Mm...Correct answer is 12:01. I think the ornament you get is a kiss on your cheek."

   "I'm a rebel...I'm getting a kiss on the mouth."

   "Oh, yeah?"
 
   "Yeah."

   The two of them grin at each other before going for it under their mistletoe.

~~~

   Philip rips up the umpteenth poem that has failed miserably. All of them seem vaguely bitter about George Eacker, the supposed poem writer. One even is an acrostic that spells: I AM NOT GEORGE LOL. That's going too far.

   Philip: Theo are you still up? I'm borrrred

   Theodosia: Too bored for Christmas Eve? You know you gotta wait to unwrap mine.

   Philip: I could climb out my window and meet you in your backyard in five minutes.

   There are several dots for a long time. At night, Theodosia usually gives up at texting long.

   Finally, it comes through.

   Theodosia: DO IT

   Grinning, Philip rips open the window before clambering in. He slides down the snow on the roof and barely catches the rope dangling downwards. No broken legs on Christmas. He slings himself over the fence, happily enjoying his height. Then, he runs all the way to Theodosia's, jumps over her fence, and settles below her tree.

   Theodosia: No way are you actually here?

   Theodosia: I see you since we put Christmas lights on the tree...

   Philip: I'm your gift under the tree

   Theodosia: Where's your coat, 'gift'?

   Philip sadly does not have a clever answer to that. Sitting in the snow in his thin pajamas was a bad idea. He shivers visibly, and his fingers already threaten to numb. It's that weird cold-hot-wet combo going on as he sits there.

   Theo's back door slides open, and she stands there in all her glory. She has a jacket wrapped tightly around her shoulders. A blanket tangles from her forearms. "Philip, come here before you get hypothermia."

   "Not how that works!" He beams at her, teeth chattering together. This was a bad plan. The cold moves in fast. He walks up to her, and she immediately wraps it around his shoulders.

   The two of them grin at each other. Theodosia glances over at her clock on the basement wall. "It's Christmas...Want some eggnog?"

   "Sure."

   Christmas already seems pretty bright.