SPREADING THE FESTIVE SPIRIT

Deep underground a bone deep chill was set in the air. Fires were roaring ferociously, kettles whistling constantly in the background, and chattering teeth could be witnessed everywhere. Even though the members of Libertas couldn't see the thick blanket of snow that was covering the ground, they certainly felt it. It kept them up late at night, their only source of warmth being hot water bottles fruitlessly filled before they went to bed and cups of steaming hot chocolate. 

It was fair to say that the members of Libertas were not feeling festive. 

As the days neared the twenty fifth of December, they found themselves hoping not for the most anticipated day of the year but for the onset of a time where they wouldn't need to wear three layers to retain their body heat. Besides, Christmas wasn't a holiday easily celebrated when a life of secrecy and espionage was lived. 

Strange noticed this in them all. He conjured holly wreaths and a six foot tree, placing it in the middle of the HQ, receiving a reaction he didn't expect: nonchalance. A generation was being raised without the traditions he was so eager about. 

Half of the population was dead. He wasn't going to let the traditions of it's people die along with them. 

He just hoped that he could see them smile again.

*

Octavian was the first to notice. He frowned up at the ceiling, his hand drifting into his hair. He pulled away, staring at his hand, brows pulled together. His hair felt damp. He couldn't think why this would happen - he hadn't showered that morning and they were underground. This time, a cold caress landed on his nose. He scrunched his nose up, scrubbing at the tip. 

Behind him, a loud yawn diverted his attention. Messalina was stretching casually, her shirt riding up slightly, exposing her olive skin. Octavian shook his head at his sister, a small smile creeping onto his face. "The beauty sleep didn't work - go back to bed." 

Without missing a beat, she responded. "Don't need the beauty sleep when I'm already this damn hot." 

Octavian snorted. His sisters confidence, easily mistaken for narcissism, was one of the things he loved about her. The way she carried herself as if she knew the whole world was watching and she wasn't ashamed - she was proud. He wanted to be able to replicate the ability; he preferred to keep to the shadows. 

"Do you ever just think that maybe you could be wrong?" Octavian remarked, folding his arms. He stared at her as she ran a hand through her thick, black hair, a matching smile on her face. 

"Can't be wrong when I'm always right." 

Octavian huffed a laugh. Messalina started speaking again, her mouth uttering unintelligible nonsense when something over her shoulder caught his eye. A pure, white flake was drifting downwards, landing softly on her top. Octavian's attention became fixated on it, catching sight of the other flakes drifting down along with it. 

Messalina snapped her fingers. "Octavian? Did you eat a brownie again?" 

He forced his gaze away from the air behind her, something she'd never seen glittering in his eyes. "Messalina, I think it's snowing." 

"For fucks sake Octavian I told you to not eat the brownies Tony offers you. They may look like brownies but trust me, they are not brownies." Messalina sighed, moving towards Octavian. "Come on, lets get you to bed." 

"No!" Octavian shuffled away from her, turning his head up towards the ceiling. Before, he'd seen nothing but the florescent lights that attempted to mimic the sun. Now, he saw a flurry of white descending on them. 

Messalina followed his gaze, jaw dropping. Her eyes widened, her voice stolen from her. She wanted to say something, say anything that might recognise the true magnificence of the miracle but she found nothing that could give it justice. 

For once in her life, Messalina was speechless. 

It was Octavian who managed to string a sentence together. "I'll get Curio and Locusta." 

"I'll grab Tony."

The pair nodded, parting in different directions. They each had a skip in their step, their fast pace and bright smiles catching the attention of other Libertas members as they passed. It didn't take long to collect them all, dragging them back to the centre of HQ where the snow had now begun to blanket the decorations Strange had placed. 

It was beginning to look like the holidays. 

As they re entered the room, they found it full of other Libertas members all sharing the same gleam in their eyes. Some had their hands reached towards the ceiling, clutching their fists around the flakes. Others simply tilted their head to the ceiling, eyes closed and a gentle grin overtaking their face. In the middle of the room, many people were twirling and spinning, fits of laughter hitting their ears. Tendrils of music cascaded into the room, getting louder with each second. They all spun towards the noise, breathing halted as they waited for the source of the noise. 

Stephen Strange walked into the room with a radio in his hands, a wide smile written on his lips. 

It was like everyone had been placed on pause. They all stared at the magician as if he had sprouted a second head; yet he didn't wither under their gaze. He was immune to it, tucking the radio into the a shelf on the wall. "Happy holidays everyone!"

His voice was the thing that triggered the play button. Everyone cheered, a roar of appreciation rocketing towards Stephen. Tony was the first to join in, clapping his hands enthusiastically and whooping. Messalina, inspired by her best friends actions, placed her two fingers in her mouth, letting a loud whistle crack through the air. Locusta merely showed her happiness silently, shoulders slightly tucked inwards, her head nodding. Curio and Octavian began chanting, a tune in which everyone was soon to follow. 

Over the noise, Tony shouted loudly. "Who wants hot chocolate?" 

A mass cry of eagerness was his response, and with a small crew of Libertas members, Tony peeled away to prepare the hot drinks for everyone. Messalina joined her friend, hugging her brother tightly for a moment. His body heat was a familiar feeling, one she loved with all of her heart. It was a warmth that calmed her worrying mind. 

"Happy holidays," Messalina whispered in Octavian's ear, giving him one last squeeze before rushing off to help Tony. Octavian barely had time to return the sentiment, eyes following his sister with a tenderness few had. 

A new tune boomed out of the radio. It was scarcely heard over the chatter and bustle of the rebels, yet Octavian heard it louder than he ever had. It was a song that he used to adore as a child, something that marked the beginning of the festive period as soon as he heard it. 

An idea sparked in Octavian's mind.

"Hey," Octavian turned to Curio and Locusta, the pair halting their conversation to focus on him. "You guys want to dance?" 

Locusta's eyes instantly danced to the many bodies surrounding them. They fell to the floor quickly. She shuffled on her feet. "You guys do it. It's too cramped here - I don't want to touch someone." 

Octavian opened his mouth to say something when Curio cut in. "No. We're not dancing without you. It wouldn't be as fun." He assessed the area, searching for what he needed. "Look, if we found somewhere less cramped, would you dance?" 

Her attention remained focused on the ground. "Probably not."

"We don't want you feeling uncomfortable, if being this close to people is difficult we'll move." Curio smiled gently, his hand lifting as if to be placed on her shoulder. It dropped when he saw her flinch. "We'll move, so it gives you the option to dance. If you don't want to, that's perfectly okay - you can get a front row seat to us making fools of ourselves - and if you do, it gives you the chance to relax without fear. Is that alright with you?" 

She finally looked up. Her eyes had a glassy sheen to them, contradicting the beaming smile on her lips. In a wobbly voice, she uttered two words. "Thank you." 

"No need to thank me." Curio mirrored her smile, pointing her towards the stairs behind the tree. He showed her the route with the least amount of people, even offering to push people out of the way if she needed. She chuckled, wiping at her eyes with the palms of her gloved hands, declining the offer. 

Locusta walked to the stairs, making her way for the empty hallway by it. Curio made a move to follow her - only to be stopped in his tracks by a firm hand on his forearm. He didn't need to turn around to know it was Octavian holding him back. 

"Curio, what you did then, that was really nice." Octavian complimented. Curio twisted his head towards him, his jaw slack when he saw the light dusting of pink in Octavian's cheeks. He chalked it up to the chill in the air, believing it to be nothing to do with the hand on his arm. 

"She told me a few days ago about how on Christmas Eve her and her family would play Christmas music at it's highest volume and dance until their feet were sore and they couldn't breathe. I know how much I miss spinning the dreidel, so I figured I could at least let her enjoy her traditions." Curio cast his eyes away, seeing Locusta waiting at the top of the stairs. She was looking down at the pair, and from this distance Curio couldn't fully make out the expression on her face. "Come on, lets go dance."

Octavian opened his mouth, cutting himself off. He dropped his hand from Curio's arm. He ignored how he missed the heat as soon as his hand left him. 

The pair weaved their way through the crowd, meeting Locusta and solidifying their place. Around them, people were steadily getting steaming mugs clasped in their hands, the sweet smell lingering in the air. Their mouths watered. As if summoned, Messalina and Tony caught up them, placing the mugs in their hands. They all melted under the luxurious heat, breathing deeply to inhale the smell. 

"You guys picked a good spot." Messalina approved, taking a loud sip of her hot chocolate. She hissed, tongue flying out of her mouth. A chorus of laughter met her actions. "The things we love most are the things that cause us pain." 

"Okay Miss Dramatic," Tony plucked the mug out of her hands, ignorant to her cries of protest. "Let it cool first. Don't want your tongue burnt off." He paused. "Actually no, drink up. We could all do with a break." 

Messalina smacked Tony lightly with the back of her hand, watchful of the cups. He shook his head jovially, putting the cups down. He reached towards Messalina, offering a hand out. "Would you like this dance?" 

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a dweeb." 

She took his hand, the pair moving to a bigger space of the hall where they could dramatically over exaggerate their dance moves. The others knew it was best to give the two a wide berth - the pair were deadly. 

The three took their time, sipping their drinks and talking amongst themselves. When the right song came on, Curio and Octavian took the opportunity to let their feet guide them in something that vaguely resembled dancing, much to the embarrassment of everyone who knew them. But no one cared - everyone was having a good time. Even Locusta began bopping her head along to the music, eventually climbing out of her shell when she realised that everyone was in a world of their own. She swayed and twirled and carelessly let the music speak through her body, uncaring of the consequences. 

They were all living for the moment. 

At that time, there were no thoughts spared for the long fight ahead of them. That fight would be there tomorrow. For the now, they were going to be alive.