#emmysoc

“The Sugar Cookie Martini sounds good!” Myya says.

“You got it.”

“Do you want anything?” Myya asks, turning to Kai-Aris whose mouth is full of sugar cookies.

“Take a breath, Rudolph.” Uma comments, nodding to the antler headman he’s wearing.

“Apologies,” Kai-Aris says, wiping his hands.

“Kai’s addicted to Hein’s cookies,” Myya tells her.

“They are perfect!” The man exclaims. “Soft, warm, and sweet. It is like a holiday party for my taste buds!”

“That good huh?” Uma asks, handing Myya her drink and setting another one next to it.

“Oh, I did not order something,” Kai- Aris says.

“It’s not for you, it’s for me,” Uma tells him.

“Ah, well here, you should try one!” Kai encourages, handing her a tree shaped cookie.

“Mm,” Uma hums, biting into it. “not bad.”

Myya and Kai smile at one another.

“What do you think of the decor?” Myya asks, taking a sip of her drink. “Astraea really outdid herself, huh?”

“It’s a bit overkill if you ask me.” Uma disagrees.

“Aw come on, it’s pretty!”

“It’s like Christmas threw up in here.”

“Well, tis the season.”

Uma snorts and takes a swig of her drink.

“Does this mean she is a Scrooge or a Grinch?” Kai-Aris asks.

“Neither,” Myya tells him.

“Of the two I’d rather be Scrooge,” Uma tells them. “But like the beginning of the movie Scrooge. Not the nice charity driven old man at the end. What a sell out.”

“Uma!” Myya gasps.

“Honey listen, ain’t nobody coming between me and my bag. I don’t care how many ghosts come knocking.”

Myya shakes her head, looking back out at the guests enjoying themselves. She watches Astraea flit from server to server making sure they are taking breaks and their trays are full of food. Takashi’s standing near the doorway, saying goodbye to a few guests who are turning in early. Across from him, in the corner, Ryuji stands, watching Ishida dance with a few of the children that came with their parents. Over by the dessert tables, Hein, wearing a Santa hat, places a fresh plate of cookies on the tray.

“Hein!” Myya calls out to him.

Hein smiles and makes his way over to the bar. “Are you guys having a good time?” He asks.

“Oh yes!” Myya says with Kai-Aris nodding along with her.

“You and Astraea really made this party perfect!” She praises.

Uma clears her throat loudly.

“And of course we’d be lost without your incredible bartending skills, Uma,” Myya adds.

“That’s what I thought. Now,” Uma smiles, leaning onto the bar, her red sequined shirt reflecting off the lights. “What can I get you Sugar cube?” She asks pointing to Hein, “Christmosa? Peppermintini?”

“Oh no,” Hein shakes his head, “I’m good. Thank you though. And thank you for agreeing to help Mr. Takashi tonight.”

“Softies,” Uma mutters. “All of you.”

“Hein, by the way,” Kai-Aris interjects, “your cookies, they are magnificent!”

“Yeah even Uma liked them!” Myya adds.

“Oh well, actually, I didn’t make the cookies, Mr. Takashi did.”

“Huh?!” The three others exclaim.

“You’re kidding,” Myya gasps.

“Mr. Takashi is actually very good in the kitchen,” Hein tells them.

“Well, it helps when you have a good teacher,” Takashi adds, coming up behind Hein.

His red suit jacket hangs open showcasing his festive Gingerbread man tie and velvet corset. He presses a kiss to Hein’s temple and puts an arm around him.

“Color me impressed,” Myya toasts, taking another sip of her drink.

“Thanks, and I didn’t even set fire to anything,” Takashi says proudly.

“One time!” Myya shouts. “It was one time!”

Takashi throws his head back laughing, “no, but in all seriousness Hein’s a great teacher, hopefully I can teach him something one day.”

“Oh I’m sure there’s plenty you can teach him outside the kitchen,” Uma smirks.

“What do you mean?” Hein asks, clueless. “Mr. Takashi is always teaching me things.”

“I’ll bet he is,” Uma snickers. “He’s got a lot of experience, don’t you Romeo?”

Takashi blushes, while Myya and Uma giggle.

“What’s so funny?” Hein asks, sharing a confused look with Kai-Aris.

“I’ll tell you when you’re older, Moon pie,” Uma winks.

“Mr. Takashi?”

“Uh, we’ll…I’ll tell you later,” Takashi stutters, “so Uma, which one of your festive drinks haven’t I tried yet?”

“No, no,” she waves, pulling out a stack of tiny glasses, “round up the rest of the crew. We’re doing mistletoe shots!”

* * *

The night air is cold, as thick white flakes slowly fall from the dark sky above. There’s a quietness that snow brings that’s comforting watching as the city below seems to slow. It’s peaceful, even if it’s short-lived. A short gust of wind makes Ishida shiver, and he wraps his arms around himself to try and block out the chill. He feels something warm draped over his shoulders and looks up at the large shadow blocking the balcony doors.

“Hi,” he whispers.

“Hi,” Ryuji answers, moving towards the railing, rolling up the sleeves of his black button down shirt since he’s given Ishida his jacket. “I figured you’d be out here.”

"Oh?"

"You always like to watch the snow.”

Ishida smiles at being known so well, and looks back out at the snow covered city.

“Myya’s looking for you,” Ryuji tells him.

“She is?”

“Apparently Uma wants everyone to do Mistletoe shots.”

"That sounds dangerous," Ishida chuckles.

Ryuji grunts in agreement, leaning against the railing.

Ishida turns to glance in at the party, “so where’s Myya?”

"I told her to look for you out in the hallway,”

"Trying to keep me all to yourself, eh?" Ishida teases.

"Maybe," Ryuji shrugs.

"You could have joined us, you know earlier, instead of standing in the corner."

"I like watching you have a good time."

Ishida nods and walks over to him. "You deserve to have a good time too, you know," he says, putting his arms around the taller man's waist to hold him.

"I always have a good time when I'm with you," Ryuji says, pulling Ishida closer. He brushes some of the freshly fallen snow from Ishida's head and leans down to press a quick kiss to his forehead.

Ishida leans into it, snuggling closer to Ryuji, enjoying the heat they share. He slips his hands underneath his boyfriend's shirt and chuckles when he feels his muscles tense.

"Jesus," Ryuji shivers.

"Sorry," Ishida laughs, "I can't help it, I'm cold, and you're like a furnace."

"Well no one told you to stand out here without a jacket," the taller man scolds, tucking Ishida into his arms.

"We should probably go in," Ishida suggests, but Ryuji doesn't move. "You don't want to?"

"In a minute."

"So possessive," Ishida chuckles, "they're going to find us eventually." He steps away, readjusting Ryuji's jacket.

"I know, but there's something I want to do first."

"Oh?" he asks, watching curiously as Ryuji pulls a small plant from his pocket.

He loops his fingers through the red ribbon that ties the branches together and stretches his arm up so that the bouquet dangles above their heads.

Ishida can't hold back the smile spreading across his face. "Mistletoe?" he asks.

Ryuji nods.

"I had no idea you'd take interest in such traditions.'

"I'm a simple man," Ryuji says, the tips of his ears turning a light pink. "Takashi was going on and on about free kisses, and how romantic it is, I just thought," he shrugs, "you know."

"Ah yes, but Mistletoe isn't just about free kisses," Ishida tells him, a playful tone to his voice. "They say that if you refuse, it means you're doomed to be single forever."

Ryuji chews the inside of his cheek.

"Do you know what happens if the kiss is accepted?" Ishida asks, placing his hands on Ryuji's chest.

"Hm?"

"It's a promise that we'll be together next Christmas."

"Well that," Ryuji starts, leaning down, "is a guarantee."

They smile into the kiss, melting like the snowflakes on their shoulders.