The concept of mistletoe was one lost to Night Watcher. The assassin could only tilt her head as Wind Sneaker presented one to her, practically beaming.

“In some cultures, mistletoe is symbol of love and friendship, which is where the practice of “kissing under the mistletoe” came from!

“Isn’t mistletoe actually a parasite spread by bird feces…?”

“That makes it less romantic, Night Watcher!”

“U-Uhm… I find… the concept of mistletoe to be… quite romantic…? Love is… quite poisonous, much like mistletoe…”

“Night Watcher!” The assassin flinched at Wind Sneaker’s tone, her counterpart looking upset. She held Wind Sneaker’s gaze, eyes apologetic, before the fighter finally sighed. She rested the mistletoe away, her smile not quite reaching her eyes anymore. “I suppose it is rather silly, isn’t it…”

Night Watcher didn’t reply. Instead, she reached her hand out, brushing her fingers against Wind Sneaker’s cheek. They followed her jawline, grasping her chin and turning the fighter to her. Night Watcher’s smile was small – she meant no offense. Searching her eyes, Wind Sneaker’s smile slowly grew to a tiny grin. It was then Night Watcher knew she was forgiven.

“As… charming as the concept is,” Night Watcher chose her words carefully, her free hand resting on Wind Sneaker’s waist as she stepped closer to her lover, “you do not need it to practice kissing.”

With Jack Frost constantly nipping at his nose every time he went outside, Dreadlord enjoyed staying near the fireplace. He would throw classical Christmas music on to drown out the silence before stretching out on the plush carpet beside the warm fire – just like now. With a very content sigh, the lord of terror crossed his arms behind his head and finally, fully, relaxed. The warmth of the fireplace eased away the troubles of the day and soon his stiff limbs were back to a normal, unfreezing temperature.

Dreadlord would stay in that very same spot for hours, completely content with listening to Christmas music on repeat and letting his mind unwind. Only when the heat of the fireplace became unbearably hot did he ever decide to move, which wouldn’t be until some odd time later on in the night. Although Dreadlord enjoyed these relaxing moments, he wished for a different sort of warmth –

The sound of footsteps shuffling closer made Dreadlord open his eyes, glancing over to see who it was: Royal Guard. Usually the butler had his head held high, eyes holding a look of superiority, always so pressed, posh, and even snobby, but not right then. As he approached Dreadlord, his eyes were gazing off to the side, looking almost troubled.

Dreadlord knew that look anywhere, and instantly, he sat up. Royal Guard stopped just short of him, eyes unable to meet his. The lord of terror did his best to stop his grin from growing, managing a small, what he hoped was welcoming, smile, beckoning the butler closer. Royal Guard dropped to his knees beside the Dreadlord, but the lord had other plans. He pulled the butler on top of him, Royal Guard straddling his hips.

Dreadlord’s grin finally broke through and his hands rested on Royal Guard’s hips, fingers skimming under his shirt and dancing along the skin that greeted him. A shiver ran down the butler’s spine, and Dreadlord’s grin grew, his searching fingers climbing more and more, seeking the warmth only Royal Guard could provide him. The butler scowled, his hands locking around Dreadlord’s wrists and pull them away, pinning them beside the lord’s head. Still, Dreadlord’s grin was still ever so present, along with the excitement now dancing in his eyes.

“… Are you a masochist?” The butler murmured, staring down at the man with a pointed stare.

“If it means you’ll touch me, then yes?” Royal Guard’s scowl grew to a look of aggravation and he was quick to try and leave. Try, because as soon as his weight shifted away, the lord rolled over, turning the tables and pinning the butler down. “Where are you going?”

“I am not a means for you to satisfy your libido, Dreadlord,” Royal Guard growled, eyes dark with scorn. The look almost took Dreadlord by surprise, what with how fierce the hatred in the butler’s eyes burned, and he hesitated. Sighing deeply, the lord leaned down, placing gentle kisses along Royal Guard’s jaw and jawline, trailing them to the corner of his lips, his cheek, his temple, and lastly, his forehead.

“… Be a means to satisfy my craving for you, then,” the lord mumbled against his skin, leaning back to meet the butler’s eyes, “My every fiber yearns for you….”

Even the Prince of Hamel needed a break every once in awhile.

“Not so fast, Chaser!”

“Hurry, before the guards stop us!”

They spoke is harsh whispers, Iron Paladin confused as to where Deadly Chaser was taking him. Together, they snuck out of Hamel’s castle, Deadly Chaser with one hand pulling Iron Paladin along, the other better fitting the satchel against his shoulder. Once they were covered some distance between them and the castle, their placed slow, yet Deadly Chaser didn’t let Iron Paladin’s hand go. Not that the prince seemed to mind, walking a step faster to stand beside the other.

Together, they wondered the outskirts of Hamel together, though the assassin seemed to know where he was going, and soon, it was clear to Iron Paladin as well. The ground gave way to an opening, a frozen over lake at the center of the clearing.

“Uh, Chaser –“ Iron Paladin turned to the other, seeing the assassin resting near a stump. He shrugged the satchel over his shoulder, opening it to finally reveal what was inside: two pairs of ice skates. Once his were on, the assassin beckoned the prince over. Warily, Iron Paladin made his way to the stump before sitting down before the assassin. With great care, Deadly Chaser eased the prince’s first shoe off, Iron Paladin shivering at the difference in temperature.

The assassin pressed a kiss to his knee, as if apologizing, before helping the prince into the ice skates, then again with the other. Iron Paladin sighed softly, a small smile on his face as Deadly Chaser stood, reaching his hands out for him to take. Hand in hand, the two slowly made their way to the lake, and though Iron Paladin stared it with uncertainty, Deadly Chaser managed to convince him it was safe.

Nature was a beautiful thing, and with it, snow. Silently, like thoughts come and go, the snowflakes fall, and just as quietly, she watched them. Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night always seemed to calm her thoughts and fill her with sweet clarity, melting away the stress of the day. From the bed, her partner stirred, grasping uneasily at the empty sheets, still warm of the one who usually occupied it.

“Nigh--” She started, the rest of her name falling silent to a yawn.

“I’m right here.” Almost instantly, she was at her side, reaching to clasp her hand over Wind Sneaker’s. The fighter’s hand closed tighter against Night Watchers, tugging her into bed. Wordlessly, the assassin followed the motion, pulling Wind Sneaker close.

“You promised…” She mumbled, burying her face against chest her lover’s chest, nose brushing against her neck.

“I know.” More murmurs and sweet words had Wind Sneaker soundlessly falling back asleep, her breathing soft against her neck, and with a tiny smile, Night Watcher followed.

The next morning, Night Watcher woke first at dawn. Her eyes scanned the room, a habit she hasn’t quite been able to break, shoulders squared and body tense. Once it was deemed safe, she sighed softly and relaxed. Her eyes fell on her partner still soundly asleep against her, and a smile once again crossed her features.

Honestly, you let your guard down too easily… Night Watcher mused to herself, pressing a chaste kiss to Wind Sneaker’s forehead. Groaning softly, the fighter stirred. What with how close they were, the assassin could feel more then see Wind Sneaker’s eyes fluttering open, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the light slowly filling the room.

As soon as Wind Sneaker realized it was morning, she bolted up, eyes with wide with excitement as her usually tied up hair fell over her shoulders. The fighter sat back on her knees, pulling on Night Watcher’s sleeves lightly, too ecstatic for words. Night Watcher nodded her head continuously as Wind Sneaker pulled her out of bed.

The pair was outside soon after, the sun barely rising from the horizon. The snow-covered ground was practically glowing and Wind Sneaker wasted no time. “You promised!” Her cheeks slightly huffed as she stared at Night Watcher expectantly.

“I know.” Together, Night Watcher and Wind Sneaker got to work, pilling snow tightly together before rolling them into spheres: the first one as wide as they deemed necessary, the second nearly half its size, with the third smaller. They made a small family of snowmen, leaning back on their knees and laughing together. Wind Sneaker’s hand found its way in Night Watcher, and the assassin turned to the fighter with a small, soft smile on her face.

Wind Sneaker returned it with one of her own, leaning closer to press her lips against her lover’s.