❝fuck,❞ you mentally cursed. your fingers were tangled in the massive bag of gifts you were bringing, nails playing at the previously frayed twisted-rope that were used as the strings on the bag.

soon, you reached the door step of your best friend’s home. as many times as you’ve already been over to his place, you’d never really gotten over him.

now, “who’s him?”

oh, you know… teucer’s older brother, ajax.

ajax was a pretty kind guy from what you knew, and whenever you went over, he made sure you and teucer were comfortable.

let’s just say you find his older brother very attractive. a few times you’ve been over, ajax had just finished training outside. sweat would drip down his body, his white tank top all soaked. you’d see the outline of his meticulously-carved abs, as well as his pectoral muscles.

that man…

was a walking

god.

finally, you knocked on the door. you were a lot less nervous know that you’ve done the deed, and relief washed over your face knowing that teucer was the one who answered the door.

“y/n!” teucer yelled, giving you a warm hug as you then handed him the wine you brought. of course, you had recently joined the 21-and-up club which meant you could finally drink legally.

“teucer! hey!” you yelled back at the younger ginger. ajax peered around the corner, but you found he had busied himself by preparing some food still.

thank god; you were not ready to face him yet.

tonia and anthon sat in the corner, drinking their cans of beer as well as a couple of other close friends of yours. teucer grabbed the gift bag from your hand and placed it under the tree, saving it for later.

the room was decorated thoroughly with tinsel and random santa decor. a tall spruce fir sat in the center of the room, touching the high ceilings with its star, sprinkled in all sorts of ornaments as well as its bottom display of towering gifts. a fireplace sat right in front of the tree, you deciding to sit down and cozy up right in front of it.

suddenly, you felt hands on your shoulder; cold ones. they then traveled up to your cheeks, cupping them humorously.

turning around, and brought to your surprise, it was ajax. ajax waved at you with an oven-mittened hand, smiling as he did so.

“y/n, it’s been a while hasn’t it? miss me?” he teased, a soft punch of yours landing on his arm.

“whatever man. how’ve you been?” you asked, trying to strike up a conversation with him. he replied with the typical, just a simple “alright”. you guys never really seemed to talk for too long anyways.

teucer was busying himself in the corner with another shot of whiskey, already faded as hell. a few of your friends rolled joints in the corner, smoking out of their bongs as well.

it wasn’t really your thing, social events I mean.

too many people doing too many things you didn’t really enjoy too much of.

just… too much.

you grabbed yourself some spiked cider, sitting in front of the fire again, watching the rest of your friends have fun and open their gifts eagerly.

the tips of your fingers were bit cold, the heat of the cider not fixing it up much.

on the other side of the house, ajax was holding a gift in his arms, just for you. he wore a cocky smirk on his face, accessorizing the idea of you in his head.

“where did he go?” he asked himself, searching for you.

you walked to the kitchen entryway though, looking for ajax yourself. eventually, the two of you met eye to eye under the kitchen doorway.

“ah, I was just looking for you,” you explained to the tall, ginger-locked man, who’s gazing blue eyes seemed to glimmer every time you guys met gazes. his eyes never really showed any glisten, not unless he looked at you.

you liked that about him.

“same… well, merry christmas, y/n,” he spoke softly, handing you the small box from his hands. you took it gently, the long sleeves of your velvet red sweater helping grip the paper on it.

opening it, it revealed a small metal bracelet with yours and his name engraved in it. laughing nervously, you wondered why he put such a sentimental meaning in such a bracelet.

“what’s this for?” you ask him, his eyes looking at yours once again, slowly gazing down at your lips.

“consider this my ‘asking you out’ gift,” he laughed a little, but it was a laugh of nervousness. you slid the metal beads onto your wrist, looking at it with great thought. then, you looked up.

the mistletoe.

you and ajax.

under…

the mistletoe.

your breath stopped.

he looked up too, then looked at you.

“ah…”

“it’s tradition to kiss under the mistletoe, right?”

“y-yes but-” but what? I know what. but before you could finish your sentence, his lips were already on yours. the taste of cinnamon and strawberry chapstick met your tongue.

of course, your lips locked with his, and your arms laced it’s way around his neck. he placed a hand on your back firmly, holding your waist with his other arm.

the kiss was sweet, soft, and particular in a way.

finally breaking away, you looked at him in the eyes. you finally looked him back in the eyes.

his eyes were blue, so blue, yet you never seemed to notice that. when they shined, they looked almost like sapphires. that sapphire gaze, that look you’ll never forget.

“merry christmas,” he spoke before letting you go.

you couldn’t ask for a better gift.

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