candy perfume girl.

Hunter rolled his eyes, “Oh, fuck off, Nott,” he said. “I should have known it was too good to be true.”

Mila cackled and moved to poke his shoulder. “Hey, don’t have to resort to swearing because you actually fell for that.” She grinned then shrugged, “I guess the world where I give you a chance has to stay in your dreams.”

Stefan sighed as he watched her go through the clothes, there was no way she was actually looking at them with how quickly she was moving. “I have no clue what you mean but I’ll just agree because I’ve learned that it makes my life easier.” He shrugged, his face matching her scrunch as he watched her judge his shirt. It wasn’t anything exciting but he didn’t think it was ugly, just a little plain maybe. “So I’ve to style myself based upon what you’re wearing? Although I do hate to admit it, I do really like the jumper. Do I want to know how much it is?”

“And because I’m right, like, ninety percent of the time?” She said as she folded the sweater over her arm. Mila looked up at him and tucked her hair behind her ear then motioned to herself with her free hand. “I mean, do you see how I look right now?” She asked before shaking her head. “You don’t, so, let’s just consider it your Christmas present.”

“I prefer Halloween myself,” He mused. “But I can see where you’re coming from.” 

“Halloween’s obviously way better than Christmas as well, I think for obvious reasons.” Mila twirled her hair around her fingers before shrugging her shoulders. “I feel like adults who go nuts for Christmas are just ...weird, you know?”

“Those kids are the worst, you should hear how much noise they make. Anyone who choses to do that to themselves is definitely lacking in brain activity you’re right. Wait a minute Nott, don’t go dragging me like that. My soul is flourishing.” He just shrugged. “A little bit of arson every now and again is fun, keeps the spirits high right.”

Mila visibly shuttered then shook her head. “I don’t even want to imagine it, all noises that children make are absolutely awful. Hey, I’ll stop dragging you when I see the proof that it exists.” Mila finished her coffee and grinned. “It’s also a great time to make s’mores.”

Stefan was almost accustomed to Mila’s need to change his entire wardrobe, at first it had been cute but sometimes it was starting to verge on insulting. He didn’t think he dressed badly, sure he didn’t put anywhere near as much thought into it as she did but he looked good. “I’m sorry, just a lot going on. And there’s only so many times I can listen to you insult me Mila, they’re really adding up after all these year and yet you keep coming back for more. What’s wrong with what I’m wearing today?”

Mila kept looking through the tops at an almost rapid pace, she stopped her search as she turned to him with a frown. “I’m not insulting you, I just think what you’re wearing should match the man. Do you know what I mean?” She said then scrunched her nose as she moved to pinch the arm of his shirt, “This is ugly.” Mila pulled out a sweater and grinned. “This however is gorgeous, do you know how good we’ll look next to each other with you in this?”

“You can already expect a gift and a huge party from me,” Callie said with a laugh. “I need to start planning something for the holidays. My house is getting boring all alone.”

“Ugh I can’t wait! You’re one of the people I obviously don’t mind buying something for, just so you know.” Mila smiled at her. “Listen, if you need me to come by and stay there for a couple days so you won’t be bored all you have to do is say so.”

Nikolai pouted, “But you love the gifts I’ve given you,” he said.  “At least…wait–have you just been saying that every year?”

“No, not every year...like every other year.” Mila moved to scratch at his scalp, “I always love your presents I even kept that one plant alive which surprises me to this day.”

Hunter blinked at the other. “You…are you serious?” he asked. “Please tell me now if you’re joking.”

Mila smirked at him, “Maybe I was joking maybe I was serious. That’s for me to know.” She moved to poke his chest. “It’s really easy to make you sweat, did you know that?”

“At least Reese seemed to get some brains, that can’t be said for the rest of them but the fact he continues to use them in the worst way is upsetting to my soul… If I have one.” Layth sighed as he watched her look at the paper. “I swear if he gets a pay rise and I’m still only his intern I’ll burn the office to the ground with him inside it. Be prepared to be my alibi alright.”

“Well, he has kids so who knows how true that statement is. And I don’t think you have a soul but I do see your point.” Mila raised her eyebrows an amused look on her face. “I didn’t know arson was your thing but I’d be glad to be your alibi.”

The festive period was never Stefan’s favourite but this year he particularly wasn’t looking forward to the obligatory family time that came with it. More often than not he found himself dwelling on what was to come, his mind running away with him and  taking him out of reality. Found in one such state Stefan completely missed what was happening around him, only coming to as the person attempted again to get his attention. “Sorry, what’s going on?”

Mila playfully rolled her eyes, “I can’t believe I’m not occupying your every thought while I’m standing right in front of you.” She pulled out another sweater then quickly put it back in place. “What’s going on is that you need me to sort out whatever this is.” Mila vaguely gestured towards him before shaking her head, “I should be charging.”

Layth folded the daily prophet, placing it on the table as he moved to pick up his coffee. “You know you’d think Weasley would give me some credit for the work I’ve done over the last year, talking like he’s done it all himself. I knew he had daddy issues but glory hog is a new one. And besides, not enough evidence does not an innocent man make don’t you think?”

Mila grabbed the prophet once he set it down on the table and gave it a quick glance over, “I feel like all of the Weasley seeds would have some sort of parental issue. There’s too many of them.” She said in a bored tone then took a sip of her coffee. “Maybe he suspects a pay raise...or whatever.”

“If you’re that cold, I could always warm you up,” he said with a smile. “What do you say?”

“Oh, wow, really?” Mila looked up at him and batted her eyelashes. “I would say absolutely, obviously. How else am I going to get warm?”

“Oh god, make it stop,” he said, pressing his hands to ears to block out the screaming. “I told you to watch them for me for five minutes. Did your face scare them that much?” he mused, casting a silencing charm on their guest. “Eh, I guess it would be the whole holding against the will thing, wouldn’t it?”

Mila scoffed, “You really think my face would be making them scream? Please tell me you’re joking.” She raised her eyebrows at him before running her fingers through her hair. “I mean, yeah, probably ...I also burned them with a few cigarettes before I’m sure that wasn’t pleasant.”

“You should as your brother’s really hot healer boyfriend for help,” Julien mused and looked at Mila with a sweet smile. “I can go with you too, if you want,” he added, grinning from ear to ear.

“Maybe not him in particular but he has to have hot single co-workers.” Mila grinned at him before nudging him with her elbow. “Only if we’re going to emerge with some wealthy healers.”

“But…” he started to protest but sighed when he saw the look on her face. He dropped them back in the no-pile. Nikolai chuckled at her words, “You’re not getting rid of my sweaters,” he said. He reached for one of his favorites, “Look–it has little nifflers on it.”

Mila smiled when she saw him put the pants back in the pile but it was instantly wiped away. “Nikolai, please...” She pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a deep sigh. “Why would you want those little things on your clothes? Don’t you see them enough when you’re working?”