ari.

The night before your big presentation, the room feels like it’s closing in around you. Notes are scattered everywhere—on the bed, on the table, some even in your hands—but no matter how much you read them, the words just won’t stick. The reality of speaking in front of over 50 people looms over you, making your stomach twist with dread. Each time you try to rehearse a line, your heart races, and it’s as if the very air in the room is too thick to breathe.

Jake’s been watching you silently for a while, his gaze soft and worried. Finally, he stands up, crossing the room and gently places a hand on your shoulder, his touch instantly grounding you. “Hey, babe,” he says softly, his voice like a balm against the tension in the air. “You’re doing that thing again.”

You blink, glancing at him with wide, slightly panicked eyes. “What thing?”

“The thing where you get so in your head that you forget to breathe,” he says, smiling a little as he rubs small, soothing circles on your shoulder. “Come on. Sit down with me for a sec.”

He leads you over to the edge of the bed, where he sits down beside you, keeping his arm around your shoulder, his other hand moving to rest gently on your knee. You feel the warmth of his touch, the steady rhythm of his breaths, and some of the tightness in your chest begins to ease.

“Jake… I don’t think I can do this,” you mumble, barely above a whisper, your eyes fixed on your notes. “Every time I think about all those people watching me, I freeze. What if I completely mess up? What if I stand there and just… go blank?”

Jake’s hand moves from your shoulder to your back, his palm pressing softly against you in a comforting rhythm. “You’re not going to mess up. You’ve been practicing for this for weeks. You know this material inside and out.” His voice is steady, gentle, but filled with conviction. “And even if you do stumble, it won’t matter, because everyone in that room is there to listen, not to judge.”

You bite your lip, still feeling the knot of worry that refuses to leave. “But what if I forget everything? What if I just… blank out?”

He takes your hand in his, bringing it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to your knuckles. “Then you take a deep breath, and you remember that you have a whole room of people waiting to hear something incredible from you. If you need a moment, take it. You don’t have to be perfect.” His eyes meet yours, filled with a warmth that makes your heart stutter. “You’re going to do amazing, because you’re you. And that’s enough.”

You close your eyes, his words sinking in, but the anxiety is stubborn. “It doesn’t feel like it’s enough, Jake… I’m so scared of disappointing everyone. Disappointing… myself.”

He moves closer, wrapping both arms around you and pulling you fully into his embrace. “Hey,” he murmurs, his voice a comforting whisper in your ear. “You won’t disappoint anyone. Least of all yourself. You care so much about this, and that’s what’s going to make you shine up there. People can tell when someone’s passionate about something.”

You can feel your heart begin to calm just a little, lulled by his closeness, his steady breathing. “I just… I’ve never felt this kind of pressure before. It feels like all these expectations are suffocating me.”

Jake tightens his hold on you, one of his hands moving to gently rub your back. “Then let me take some of that pressure off you. How about this? Tomorrow, when you’re up there, I’ll be right in the front row, smiling at you the entire time. Every time you look at me, you’ll know you’re not alone.” His voice is so sure, so steady, that for a moment, you let yourself believe it too.

You pull back slightly, looking into his eyes, and find a soft smile spreading across your face. “You really believe in me that much?”

He grins, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “More than you know. You’re one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met, and I don’t just say that to make you feel better.” He tucks the strand behind your ear, his fingers lingering just a little longer against your skin. “I know you’re scared. And that’s okay. Being nervous just means this matters to you.”

You sigh, feeling a mix of relief and lingering nerves. “What if I lose my place? What if I stammer and forget where I am?”

Jake’s hand moves to cradle your cheek, his thumb gently brushing over your skin. “Then you’ll pause, take a deep breath, and just keep going. Nobody will judge you for needing a moment.” He tilts his head, his gaze tender. “You’re human, babe. You’re allowed to not be perfect.”

You close your eyes, leaning into his touch, feeling some of the weight finally lifting. “It’s just… it’s hard to believe that everyone else will be as understanding as you.”

“Well,” he says with a playful glint in his eye, “if anyone isn’t, I’ll just have to take a stern talk with them afterward.” He winks, and you can’t help but laugh, a sound that feels freeing, even if just for a moment.

“Thanks, Jake. I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He smiles, leaning in and pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your forehead. “Luckily, you don’t have to find out,” he murmurs, his lips warm against your skin. He wraps his arms around you again, pulling you into his chest as he rests his chin on top of your head. “Now, here’s the plan. You’re going to get a good night’s sleep, and tomorrow, when you walk out there, you’re going to remember that you’re not alone. I’ll be right there. And when you finish, I’ll be the first one standing up, clapping my hands like a madman.”

You laugh softly, imagining Jake cheering for you in the audience, his face lit up with pride. “You’re really going to clap like a madman?”

He chuckles, nodding with a mischievous grin. “Absolutely. I might even embarrass you a little by yelling out how amazing you were.”

You shake your head, feeling the last bits of tension slip away, replaced by warmth and gratitude. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it.” He kisses you again, this time on the tip of your nose, and you feel your cheeks flush. “Now, promise me you’ll at least try to sleep? You need your rest, or you’ll end up overthinking everything again.”

You nod, feeling genuinely relaxed for the first time that evening. “I’ll try. But… will you stay with me?”

He smiles, pulling the covers back and guiding you to lie down beside him. “Of course. I’m not going anywhere.” He wraps his arm around you, pulling you close as you nestle against his chest, his warmth surrounding you like a cocoon. “Just close your eyes, okay? And remember… you’ve got this.”

With his hand gently stroking your hair, his steady heartbeat in your ear, and his quiet, comforting presence beside you, you start to feel the last remnants of fear melt away. As you drift off, his words echo softly in your mind: You’ve got this. And somehow, with him beside you, it starts to feel like the truth.

A soft hum escapes you as you scroll through your phone, lounging on the couch in your cozy living room. Jake sits beside you, his arm lazily draped around your shoulders. You can feel the weight of his gaze, and when you glance up, he's staring at you with that familiar smirk playing on his lips.

"What?" you ask, playfully nudging him with your elbow.

He laughs, shaking his head. "Nothing, just thinking about something."

You raise an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"

Instead of answering, he leans in and presses a soft kiss to your temple, letting his lips linger a little longer than usual. His warmth seeps into your skin, and you close your eyes, enjoying the way his touch makes you feel safe and loved.

"Come on," he suddenly says, standing up and tugging on your hand. "We’re going out."

You blink, a little caught off guard. "Going where?"

He doesn’t give you an answer, just grins and pulls you to your feet. "You’ll see. It’s a surprise."

“Jake, I hate surprises,” you say, narrowing your eyes but smiling despite yourself.

"You’ll like this one, I promise." He gives you that boyish grin that you can never resist and pulls you closer, his hands sliding down to your waist before giving your hips a soft squeeze. "Now, hurry up and change into something comfortable."

Curiosity piqued, you don’t argue. You grab a simple outfit—something casual but nice enough for whatever Jake has in mind. As you get ready, your mind races with possibilities, but knowing Jake, it could be anything.

Once you’re dressed, Jake grabs his keys and leads you out to the car. He keeps the destination a secret the entire drive, and every time you try to pry it out of him, he just laughs and shakes his head.

“Jake, seriously, where are we going?” you ask again, a hint of impatience in your voice. “You’re killing me.”

He glances over at you with a soft smile. “Trust me, you’ll love it. Just a bit more patience.”

You sit back in your seat, crossing your arms but giving him a playful pout. “Fine. But if I don’t, I’m holding this against you for life.”

He chuckles and reaches over, grabbing your hand and intertwining your fingers. “Deal.”

The car pulls up in front of a small studio, and as you step out, your eyes widen. “Pottery?” you breathe, looking up at the sign. “You remembered.”

Jake’s grin widens, and he pulls you into his chest, wrapping his arms around you. “Of course I did. You used to talk about how much you loved doing it when you were little.”

Warmth blooms in your chest as you bury your face in his shirt, the familiar scent of him grounding you. “You’re the best,” you mumble against his chest.

“Yeah, I know,” he teases, pressing a kiss to the top of your head before guiding you inside.

The studio is warm and inviting, the smell of clay filling the air as you’re led to your own little space. Jake helps you put on the apron, his fingers brushing against your sides as he ties it behind you.

“You ready to get your hands dirty?” he asks, his voice soft and low in your ear.

You nod, excitement bubbling inside you. As you sit next to Jake, spinning the clay between your fingers, your eyes drift toward his hands. The veins on the back of them stand out as he expertly works the wheel, guiding the clay with precision. There’s something captivating about the way his hands move, each motion fluid, strong, and confident. You can’t help but stare, mesmerized by the way the veins flex with each subtle adjustment.

Jake glances at you from the corner of his eye, a small smirk pulling at his lips. “You keep looking at my hands, babe. Something on your mind?” His voice carries a teasing edge, but the warmth in his eyes shows he knows exactly why you’re watching.

Your cheeks flush, caught in the act. “Maybe I just like watching you work,” you tease back, trying to play it cool.

He chuckles softly, his eyes flicking between you and the clay. “Or maybe it’s because you have a thing for my hands,” he says, his tone playful but with a hint of something deeper behind it. He flexes his fingers slightly as if showing off for you, and you bite your lip, pretending to focus on the clay in front of you again.

Jake leans in a little closer, whispering, “I’ll remember that for later.” The heat in his voice sends a shiver through you, but before you can respond, he presses a soft kiss to your temple, making your heart race.

“I missed this,” you whisper, looking over at Jake. “Thank you.”

His eyes soften as he leans in, pressing a kiss to your cheek. “Anything for you.”

After a while, your creations start to take shape. Jake’s, though a little lopsided, has its own charm. You can’t stop laughing as he tries to fix it, muttering curses under his breath in that Australian accent you adore.

“You’re not bad,” you tease, nudging him with your shoulder. “A little more practice and you’ll be a pro.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbles, though the smile on his face says he’s enjoying himself. “I’m still blaming you if it collapses.”

When your hands are both covered in clay, Jake takes the opportunity to smear a little on your nose, laughing when you gasp in mock horror.

“Jake!” you exclaim, trying to wipe it off but only succeeding in smudging it further. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

“Oh, yeah?” He grins mischievously, leaning in closer. “And how exactly are you gonna make me pay?”

Without thinking, you reach out and smear some clay across his cheek. He freezes for a moment, his mouth hanging open in disbelief, before he bursts into laughter.

“Alright, now it’s on,” he says, grabbing more clay and chasing you around the small space.

By the end of it, you’re both covered, laughing so hard your stomach hurts. Jake finally catches you, pulling you into his arms and holding you close. His lips find yours in a soft, lingering kiss, the world around you fading away as he cradles your face in his hands.

“I love you,” he whispers against your lips, his forehead resting against yours.

“I love you, too,” you breathe, smiling as he wipes a bit of clay from your cheek.

“Best date ever?” he asks with a wink.

You nod, heart full. “Best date ever.”

When you both get home, still covered in clay, Jake takes charge. “Let’s get you cleaned up,” he murmurs, guiding you towards the bathroom.

He grabs a wet towel and some wipes, carefully running the cloth over your arms, gently wiping away the dried clay. His touch is delicate, but every now and then, his fingers linger, brushing over your skin with tenderness. You watch as his hands work, your eyes tracing the veins that stand out against his tanned skin. He notices again and smirks to himself but doesn’t say a word this time.

Once you’re mostly clean, Jake hands you one of his oversized shirts to change into. “You’ll be more comfortable in this,” he says, kissing your cheek as you slip into the soft fabric. His hands linger on your waist as he helps adjust the shirt on you, the faintest hint of possessiveness in his touch that makes your heart skip.

After he changes into something comfortable as well, he pulls you toward the living room. “Come here,” he says softly, leading you to the couch and draping a blanket over you both.

Snuggling up close, you feel the weight of the day melt away. The warmth of Jake’s body next to yours, his soft kisses on your lips, and the way his hand rests protectively on your hip—it all makes you feel so loved and cared for.

“Feeling better now?” he asks, his voice low as he presses his lips to the top of your head.

You nod, smiling. “Yeah, much better. Thank you, Jake.”

He chuckles softly, kissing you again, this time letting the kiss linger a little longer. “Anytime, baby. You know I’d do anything for you.”

You both make your way to the living room, where you kick off your shoes and snuggle up on the couch. Jake grabs a couple of soft blankets, draping them over you both, and then reaches for the TV remote.

“Movie night?” he suggests, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.

“Sounds perfect,” you reply, settling into his side.

The movie starts, but your attention is mostly on Jake. His arm is around you, and every now and then, he leans in to steal a kiss. Each touch of his lips is tender, full of warmth and affection. You respond eagerly, letting the kisses deepen, your fingers playing with the hem of his shirt.

Every kiss feels like a little reminder of how much he cares, and you find yourself savoring each one. Jake’s hands gently caress your back, pulling you closer, as if he’s trying to make the moment last forever.

“You know,” you whisper between kisses, “tonight was amazing. Thank you.”

Jake’s lips find yours again, this time with a more lingering, passionate kiss. “I’m glad you think so. I had a great time too.”

As the movie continues in the background, you both become more relaxed, the clay on your clothes and skin forgotten as you focus on each other. The kisses become slower and more meaningful, each one expressing the love and connection you share.

When the movie ends, you stay wrapped in each other’s arms, feeling the softness of his touch and the warmth of his body against yours. Jake’s fingers gently play with your hair as you both drift into a comfortable silence.

Eventually, you both fall asleep on the couch, Jake’s last kiss of the night soft and full of promise. The peacefulness of the moment, combined with his presence, makes for a perfect end to a perfect evening.

You’ve been feeling mentally off all day—a strange, heavy weight you can’t quite shake. It’s not physical pain, but the emotional exhaustion has made even the simplest tasks seem impossible. You’ve been trying to distract yourself, pushing through the day as best as you can, but nothing seems to help.

Heeseung texts you earlier, asking how you’re doing, but you didn’t want to worry him. So, you kept it short, saying you were just tired. It’s easier that way, or at least that’s what you tell yourself.

By the time late afternoon rolls around, you can’t ignore it anymore. The ache in your chest is too much, and you find yourself curled up on the couch, barely able to focus on anything. The phone buzzes in your hand, and this time, it’s not just a message. Heeseung is calling.

“Hello?” Your voice is barely above a whisper, thick with emotion you’ve been holding back.

“Y/N? Are you okay?” Heeseung’s voice is instantly laced with concern, no playful banter like usual.

You try to brush it off, not wanting to worry him. “Yeah… I’m fine. Just feeling a little down.”

There’s a pause, and you can almost hear him thinking, weighing whether or not to believe you. “I’m coming over,” he finally says, his tone firm but gentle. “I’ll be there soon.”

You try to protest, but you know it’s no use. When Heeseung makes up his mind, there’s no changing it. And deep down, you’re relieved. The idea of him being there, even if you’re not sure how to explain what you’re feeling, brings a small sense of comfort.

It’s not long before you hear a soft knock on the door, followed by the familiar sound of Heeseung letting himself in. He steps inside, his eyes immediately finding you on the couch.

“Hey,” he says softly, making his way over. “You didn’t have to pretend everything was okay.”

You sit up, your heart sinking as he kneels in front of you. “I didn’t want to bother you, Hee. You’re always so busy, and I didn’t want to drag you into this.”

“Y/N, don’t say that.” He reaches out, cupping your face with one hand, his thumb brushing over your cheek gently. “You could never bother me. I want to know when you’re feeling like this. You’re my girl—I’m supposed to take care of you.”

At his words, a lump forms in your throat, and you blink rapidly, trying to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill. But Heeseung sees the shift in your expression, and before you can hide it, he leans in, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead.

“It’s okay to feel down,” he whispers, his voice so soothing it makes your heart ache even more. “I’m here now, okay? You don’t have to go through this alone.”

He pulls you closer, wrapping his arms around you and holding you tightly against his chest. The warmth of his embrace, the steady rhythm of his breathing, it all starts to ease the weight you’ve been carrying. Your fingers clutch the fabric of his shirt, and the tears finally spill over.

“I’m sorry,” you murmur, your voice trembling.

“For what?” Heeseung asks, his lips brushing against the top of your head.

“For being like this… for making you come all the way here.”

“Hey,” he pulls back just enough to look at you, his hands gently wiping away your tears. “You don’t ever have to apologize for feeling this way. I’m your boyfriend—I want to be here for you.”

His words hit you hard, and for a moment, you can’t speak. Heeseung’s thumb continues to brush lightly against your cheek, and his eyes never leave yours. “You don’t always have to be strong, Y/N. It’s okay to lean on me sometimes.”

You swallow, trying to get your emotions under control, but it’s impossible. The way he’s looking at you, the tenderness in his voice—it’s too much. You’re overwhelmed by how much he cares, and it brings fresh tears to your eyes.

“I don’t deserve you,” you whisper, your voice breaking.

Heeseung’s expression softens even more, and he shakes his head, leaning in to press a soft kiss to your lips. It’s gentle, comforting, and full of the love he’s been showing you all night. When he pulls back, he looks at you with such intensity that it makes your heart skip a beat.

“You deserve everything, Y/N,” he says quietly. “And I’m going to keep reminding you of that, every day.”

He kisses you again, deeper this time, his lips lingering on yours as if to reassure you that he’s not going anywhere. When he finally pulls away, he rests his forehead against yours, his hand cradling your face.

“I love you, okay? You mean everything to me.”

Your breath hitches at his words, and you nod, feeling the overwhelming emotion settle in your chest again. “I love you too, Hee.”

Heeseung gives you a small, tender smile before guiding you to lie back down on the couch. He adjusts the pillow behind your head and tucks the blanket around you with such care that it nearly brings you to tears again. Then, he kneels beside the couch, brushing your hair back as he looks at you.

“Try to rest, baby,” he murmurs softly. “I’ll be right here.”

You want to protest, to tell him that he doesn’t need to sit on the floor, but the exhaustion is finally catching up to you. The warmth of his hand stroking your hair is lulling you to sleep, and before you know it, your eyes flutter shut.

Hours later, when you stir awake, the room is dim, the only light coming from a lamp in the corner. You shift slightly, trying to stretch, but then you notice Heeseung.

He’s still there, sitting on the floor beside the couch, his head resting on his folded arms, his legs stretched out in front of him. His breathing is soft and even, completely asleep in the most uncomfortable position imaginable. The sight makes your heart ache.

Without thinking, you carefully sit up, moving as quietly as you can. You reach out, gently placing a hand on his arm, hoping to help him onto the couch so he can rest more comfortably. But as you start to move him, Heeseung stirs, his eyes slowly blinking open.

“Y/N?” His voice is groggy, his eyes bleary with sleep. “What are you doing?”

You give him a sheepish smile, whispering, “I was trying to help you up so you could sleep here. You fell asleep on the floor, and I didn’t want you to stay like that.”

Heeseung looks at you, still half-asleep, but a soft smile tugs at the corners of his lips. “You’re sweet,” he murmurs, sitting up with your help. He stretches, letting out a small groan as he rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep like that.”

“I know,” you whisper back, “but you were watching over me. I couldn’t just let you stay like that.”

Heeseung chuckles softly and sits down beside you on the couch, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “You should’ve woken me up sooner,” he says, pressing a kiss to your temple. “You’re the one who needs the rest.”

You shake your head, leaning into his warmth. “You need it too, Hee. We both do.”

Heeseung hums in agreement, pulling the blanket over both of you as he settles in beside you. “Okay, but we’ll rest together then.”

His arm tightens around you, and you snuggle closer to him, resting your head on his chest. The steady beat of his heart is soothing, and with his warmth surrounding you, the heaviness from earlier in the day begins to fade.

“Thank you,” you murmur, your voice soft as sleep starts to take over again.

Heeseung presses another kiss to your forehead. “You don’t need to thank me, my princess. I’m always here for you. Always.”

With that, you both drift off to sleep, your bodies curled together on the couch, the weight of the world a little lighter with Heeseung by your side.

the scent of cinnamon and pine filled the air, mingling with the soft crackle of the fireplace as you and jake sat amidst a sea of holiday decorations. the twinkling lights from the christmas tree, still bare, reflected in his eyes as he pulled out the first ornament from the box. this was your first christmas together in your new home, and you both wanted to make it perfect. the anticipation of creating something special, something that would become a cherished tradition, filled the room with a quiet excitement.

jake tilted his head, examining the delicate ornament—a small, glass snowflake that caught the light and sparkled in his hand. this one’s from our first trip to the mountains, remember? he said, his voice soft with nostalgia.

you leaned closer, your shoulder brushing against his as you looked at the snowflake. the memory of that trip—getting snowed in at the cabin, the long walks through the woods, the way he’d held you close to keep you warm—brought a smile to your face. i remember. you insisted we needed to buy a souvenir from that tiny shop in town.

and you thought it was cheesy, he added with a grin, carefully hanging the snowflake on one of the lower branches. but now look at it—first one on our tree.

cheesy or not, it’s perfect, you agreed, reaching into the box for the next ornament.

as you both continued unpacking the ornaments, each one brought with it a flood of memories. there was the tiny reindeer you’d had since you were a kid, its antlers a little bent from years of being carefully wrapped and unwrapped. jake gently straightened the antlers before finding a prominent spot for it on the tree.

this one’s seen a lot of christmases, he said, stepping back to admire it. i’m glad it’s with us for this one.

you nodded, feeling a wave of warmth wash over you. you been with me through everything. but this is the first time it feels like it’s truly at home.

jake glanced at you, his eyes softening. he didn’t say anything, but the way he reached out to take your hand said everything. you squeezed his hand, feeling the connection between you grow even stronger.

together, you hung each ornament with care, sharing stories and laughter as you decorated the tree. every so often, jake would pull you close for a quick kiss, his lips brushing against yours in a way that made your heart flutter. the warmth of his touch, the way he looked at you with so much love and affection, made the room feel even cozier.

when you reached for the lights, jake paused, holding up a tangled mess of wires and tiny bulbs. why do these things always end up like this? he asked with a mock sigh, though there was a playful glint in his eyes.

you laughed, taking the other end of the lights. it’s a holiday mystery. no matter how carefully we pack them away, they somehow manage to tangle themselves up.

maybe they get bored in the box and decide to have a party, jake suggested, his tone light and teasing as he began to work on the knots.

you shook your head, smiling at his silly explanation. and here I thought it was just bad luck.

as you both worked to untangle the lights, your fingers brushed against his, sending a small thrill through you each time. the task, though tedious, felt less like a chore and more like an opportunity to be close to him, to share in the simple joy of doing something together. when you finally got the lights untangled, jake draped them over his shoulders like a glowing scarf.

how do I look? he asked with a grin, striking a dramatic pose.

you giggled, reaching up to adjust the lights around his neck. like the most festive person I’ve ever seen.

he leaned down, his face inches from yours, the lights casting a warm glow on his features. that’s all I wanted to hear, he murmured before closing the distance and kissing you softly, the lights between you twinkling like stars.

when the kiss ended, he pulled back just enough to look into your eyes, his expression tender. i love kissing your soft lips.

me too, you whispered, feeling your heart swell with emotion.

with the lights finally ready, you both began winding them around the tree, carefully spacing them out so that every branch was covered. the tree slowly came to life, its dark green needles illuminated by the soft glow of the lights. you both stepped back to admire your work, jake’s arm slipping around your waist as he pulled you close.

it’s starting to look like christmas in here, you said softly, resting your head against his shoulder.

yeah, it is, he agreed, his voice just as soft. but I think it’s missing something…

you looked up at him, one eyebrow raised. oh? and what might that be?

jake’s grin widened as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small sprig of mistletoe. this.

you couldn’t help but laugh, shaking your head. you’re so predictable.

maybe, he admitted, holding the mistletoe above your head, but you love it.

before you could respond, he leaned in and captured your lips in a kiss that was soft and sweet, yet filled with the promise of more to come. his free hand found its way to your waist, pulling you closer as you melted into the kiss. the warmth of the moment wrapped around you both, making the world outside feel like a distant memory.

when he finally pulled back, his forehead resting against yours, you couldn’t help but smile. you really did plan this, didn’t you?

maybe just a little, jake admitted, his voice low and affectionate. i couldn’t resist. you look too cute standing there, waiting for me to kiss you.

you playfully swatted his arm, though you were still smiling. alright, let’s finish this tree before we get too distracted.

together, you continued decorating, hanging the ornaments with care and occasionally pausing to share a memory or a quick kiss. each ornament seemed to tell a story, from the tiny silver bell you’d found at a flea market to the handmade wooden star that jake’s grandfather had carved. every piece had its own place on the tree, and by the time you were finished, it felt like you had built something that was not just beautiful, but meaningful as well.

finally, it was time to place the star on top of the tree. you picked it up, turning it over in your hands to admire the delicate craftsmanship. this was one of the first things you and jake had bought together for the house, and it felt fitting that it would be the finishing touch on your first christmas tree.

want to do the honors? jake asked, his voice warm and inviting as he looked at you.

you smiled, but instead of answering, you handed the star to him. actually, i think you should do it.

jake took the star, but he shook his head, his eyes twinkling with that familiar mischievous glint. i think this is a two-person job.

before you could protest, jake had already scooped you up into his arms, lifting you effortlessly as if you weighed nothing at all. you yelped in surprise, your arms instinctively wrapping around his neck for balance. jake! you could’ve warned me!

he grinned, holding you steady as he brought you closer to the top of the tree. where’s the fun in that?

you laughed, but the sound was breathless, a mix of surprise and the fluttering in your chest from being so close to him. with a smile, you reached out and carefully placed the star on the highest branch, adjusting it until it was perfectly aligned. once it was secure, jake slowly lowered you back down, his hands lingering on your waist as your feet touched the ground.

perfect, he said softly, his voice full of warmth as he looked at the tree, then back at you. just like you.

you felt your cheeks flush at his words, and before you could say anything, jake leaned in and kissed you again. this kiss was different from the others, deeper and more intense, as if he was pouring all the love and happiness he felt in that moment into you. his hands tightened around your waist, pulling you impossibly closer, and you responded by threading your fingers through his hair, losing yourself in the feel of him.

when he finally pulled back, you were both breathless, your heart racing in the best way possible. you looked up at him, your fingers still tangled in his hair, and couldn’t help but smile. merry almost christmas, you whispered, your voice filled with affection.

jake grinned, his eyes sparkling as he leaned in to kiss you again, this time on the tip of your nose. merry almost christmas babe, he echoed, his voice just as soft. i couldn’t have asked for a better way to start the holidays.

you leaned into him, resting your head on his chest as you both stood there, basking in the warmth of the moment. the room was quiet except for the soft hum of the christmas lights and the gentle crackling of the fire in the fireplace. it was one of those moments that felt like it could last forever, where everything was just right, and you were exactly where you were meant to be.

after a while, jake pulled back slightly, his hands sliding up to cup your face. i love you, you know that?

you looked up at him, your heart swelling with emotion. i love you too, jake. more than anything.

he smiled, his thumb brushing gently over your cheek. i’m really glad we’re doing this together. I know it’s just a tree, but it feels like so much more.

it is more, you agreed, your voice soft but full of meaning. it’s our first christmas in our first home. it’s the beginning of everything we’re going to build together.

jake’s smile widened, and he leaned in to press another kiss to your lips, this one slow and lingering, full of all the love and promises for the future. when he finally pulled back, his eyes were filled with so much warmth and affection that it made your heart skip a beat.

come on, he said, his voice low and intimate as he took your hand. let’s go enjoy our work.

he led you over to the couch, where a pile of soft blankets and pillows waited. the firelight cast a warm glow over everything, and the room felt cozy and inviting. jake pulled you down onto his lap, wrapping a blanket around you both as you settled into the cushions. the soft glow of the christmas tree lights bathed the room in a warm, golden light, making everything feel even more magical.

you snuggled into jake’s chest, feeling his arms tighten around you as you both got comfortable. his warmth surrounded you, and you could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against your cheek, a soothing reminder of how connected you were. every so often, he would press a soft kiss to your hair, and you would smile, feeling completely at ease in his arms.

as you sat there together, watching the tree twinkle and the fire burn low, you couldn’t help but feel grateful for everything you had. it was more than just the decorations or the gifts you’d eventually exchange. it was the love, the connection, the sense of home that you had built together. this was more than just a moment; it was the beginning of a lifetime of memories, and you couldn’t wait to see what the future held.

jake’s voice broke the comfortable silence, his tone soft and full of affection. this is the best christmas I’ve ever had, and it hasn’t even officially started yet.

you smiled, tilting your head up to look at him. me too. and I can’t wait to spend many more just like this with you.

he leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to your lips, one that spoke of promises for the future and the love you would continue to share. when he pulled back, his eyes were filled with so much warmth and affection it made your heart skip a beat.