#nice list

For almost a month now, the same guy in your office had tried asking you. It was like he thought persistence was the key. He wasn't an awful person, you just didn't look at him that way. You were happy to just remain friends.

But at least twice a week, he would be at your desk with another offer. You would, of course, politely decline and he would leave a little more dejected than the last time but he would soon be back.

The office Christmas party was approaching and you just knew, deep down, he would be back with a suggestion of going together. You had to come up with something to deter him for good. The obvious choice was to say you had a boyfriend, who would be attending the party with you…

…except you didn't have one.

That thought stayed on your mind as you slumped down on your sofa. Phone held in your hand as you decided whether or not to send a text to someone you knew would be willing to help.

Sihtric.

He had been your friend for so long you could barely remember not being friends with him. He'd always just kind of…been there. So you knew if you asked, he'd be there. It was just a case of asking.

The message was typed out, all you had to do was press send. So why couldn't you? You weren't asking him to help you hide a body or rob the nearest bank. You were asking him to pretend to be your boyfriend at one party to keep a guy from asking you out anymore. What was the big deal?

"Just send it…" you muttered to yourself, before closing your eyes and pressing the button.

The worst that could happen was that he would call you ridiculous and not do it. All you had to do was wait.

Sihtric blindly reached for his phone as it buzzed. He could hear it against the surface of his work table, the have finished vase in his hand kept his gaze as he patted around for the insistent device.

He glanced at it quickly, seeing the text from you flashing on the screen. You knew he tended to work later into the evenings, so for you to text him at this time, it had to be important.

'Hey, sorry to bother you if you're working but I need to ask you something. Feel free to say no.'

He looked down at the vase, it was finished enough and he could always come back to it later. He set it safely aside and grabbed his phone again before texting you back.

'Well, that sounds ominous! What's going on?'

He made sure to pepper in at least one emoji, whatever was up with you seemed to have you acting serious. It took a few seconds before he saw the bubble pop up that indicated you were typing. Then it stopped. Then it started again. It was like that for at least a minute or two. But Sihtric was patient, until finally your message appeared.

'I have a work Christmas party next weekend and I may have told a guy at work that I have a boyfriend so he would stop asking me out…'

You clearly weren't done, but when the bubble didn't pop up again, Sihtric sent a reply.

'And what does this have to do with me?'

It wasn't until he hit send that he realised why you were telling him. You were going to ask if he would, he could only assume, pretend to be your boyfriend. He stared at his phone, realising how dense he probably seemed in that very moment. But your reply came quickly this time.

'Would you be up for pretending to be that boyfriend?'

It was like time had stopped. Why was his heart thudding in his chest? Had he even blinked? Sihtric read the message three more times before he could even process what you were asking. And when he wrote out his reply, he hoped it came off far more nonchalant than he currently was.

'Sure. Hopefully that guy backs off afterwards. When's the party?'

You were friends. Just friends. You had asked Sihtric for help and he had agreed because he was your friend. That's what you kept telling yourself anyway.

When you had gone back into work, you had laid a more detailed foundation for your 'relationship'. Especially in front of your admirer. Most of which you had planned out with Sihtric in advance.

Changing the wallpaper on your phone to more pictures of you and him - you had a bunch over the years but they had been on a slideshow with others. He would call you on your lunch, if he was free, and you'd make sure your admirer and coworkers could hear the conversation.

But when you came into your office the day before the party, there was something you were almost certain hadn't been planned.

A small bouquet of flowers, but it was the vase you recognised. You'd know Sihtric's handiwork anywhere, you had a couple of his pieces in your apartment. Your desk neighbour was all smiles when she told you they had been dropped off that morning, by your boyfriend.

Your surprise was genuine, even if everyone around you believed it was more at the gift than anything else. Then you saw the note.

Looking forward to tomorrow, I know these flowers will only be half as beautiful as you. S x

You held the note in your hands as you stared down at the flowers. All of your favourites, even the vase was a mix of your favourite colours. You felt your cheeks heat up and your heart beat just that little bit faster.

Just friends. All you could do was stare at the flowers as those words span around your head.

Just friends.

Somehow, you were far more nervous for the party now that you were take a 'date'. Sihtric was your friend, it would just be like taking him as your plus one. Nothing more. Sure, you might have to hold his hand, act a little more loved up than friends did. But that was the act. An act.

Yet you had spent hours this morning checking over your outfit. Double, triple checking with Sihtric that he was definitely cool with doing this. And then checking your outfit again. You'd gone to each of your appointments, wanting to look the part for the party…and Sihtric.

Across town, Sihtric wasn't faring much better. Wondering if his outfit choice was enough to accurately play your boyfriend - he couldn't remember the last time he'd dressed up like this. Making sure the tag was on the present he'd got you, an extra on top of the gift he had already got you for actual Christmas.

Now it was only an hour until he was picking you up, something he had offered to do. 'Keep up pretences' and all that.

You were checking the clock like it was lying to you, watching the seconds tick by. When half an hour had passed, with your hair and makeup already done, you got dressed. Sihtric would now likely already be on his way, he wasn't one for being late.

It was almost like you blinked and that half hour had passed, the knock on the door making you jump. You hurried over, taking off the latch to let Sihtric in. But your eyes fell immediately to the little box in his hand as you pulled the door open.

"Umm, you can open it now if you want?" Sihtric smiled, holding out the box.

You took it, stepping aside to let him in. You both had a little time before you needed to leave. Ignoring the way your hands were apparently shaking, you lifted off the lid as carefully as you could. Not even able to hide the soft gasp as you saw what was inside.

A small necklace, with an intricate pattern in between the two chains. Almost like a swirled knot.

"Sihtric…you didn't have to…" But your words were cut short as he walked towards you, taking the necklace from your hands and moving to clasp it around your neck.

He lingered there just long enough to whisper into your ear.

"If I'm going to play boyfriend, I'm going to do it properly."

Your fingers fiddled with the necklace as you sat in Sihtric's car, the party venue wasn't that far away but the drive still felt like it was far too quick. You couldn't help stealing glances at him, as if finally seeing him for the first time since you'd met years ago.

The black shirt and suit pants that somehow managed to make him more handsome than you admittedly already knew he was. Was his hair longer since the last time you'd seen him? You'd both been so busy with work it had been a good while since you'd hung out.

Once or twice, he met your gaze, when the car had stopped for the small amount of traffic.

'Have his eyes always been that pretty?' you thought, before shaking your head a little and looking out the window.

Play it cool. He's your friend. This is just pretend. But something else whispered in the back of your head.

Don't fall in love with him.

You tried to push that thought out of your mind as he pulled into the parking space, but it was stubborn. You tried to push it away when he rounded the car and opened the door for you, tried to ignore how gently he held your hand as he helped you out. Or how a pleasant shiver went down your spine at his touch.

And apparently, Sihtric noticed your hesitation.

"You okay?" he asked, letting you be the one to untangle your hands.

But you didn't. Something about it relaxed you, just as you heard familiar voices calling your name. Two of your colleagues, of the ones you actually liked, were hurrying towards you both.

"You're here!" one called, leaning in for a hug which you happily reciprocated.

"And this must be the boyfriend…" the other smiled, thankfully making Sihtric chuckle.

He held out a hand, which each of your friends took in turn.

"Sihtric, pleasure to meet you both."

You were half sure both girls were ready to swoon, like something from an old romance movie. And based on the looks they were giving you, they absolutely believed you had brought your boyfriend as your date. A good start at least.

"Everyone is already inside, pretty sure the DJ is about to get going," one of the girls exclaimed, clapping her hands together and practically dragging the other inside.

Sihtric stole a glance down at your joined hands, squeezing a little tighter before beginning to lead you inside. You gave his hand a squeeze back, like a silent sign that you were all good. Nothing more was said as you approached the venue, the low thump of the music and the flashing lights making you both mentally prepare for what was to come.

Showtime.

Eyes were on you the moment you walked in. Half probably because you arrived as the DJ was calling out for people to dance, but one set in particular followed from the door down to your friends' table. It was almost like he had thought you were lying. But seeing the slightly wide eyed look of surprise on his face made you just a little more confident that this would work.

"Is that him?" Sihtric asked, leaning down to speak. His breath was so warm that you had to fight off another shiver.

You nodded, as Sihtric's hand untangled from yours, only to wind an arm around your waist instead. Tugging you tighter to him, biting back a smirk at the little gasp of breath that left you. His eyes, however, remained trained on your admirer. Long enough for the other guy to be the first to look away.

"I'll get us some drinks, go chat with your friends," he smiled, kissing your cheek and walking away before you could say a thing.

Do not fall in love with him.

That little voice was back in your head again, more insistent this time. But…would that be so bad? You shook yourself back to reality before joining your friends at the table.

Across the room, Sihtric leaned back against the bar having managed to get there just before it got busy. The drinks were en route as a now familiar face appeared beside him. But he said nothing, instead he watched you. The bright smile on your face as more of your friends appeared. How animated you were when you were talking to them. How gorgeous the red of your dress was on you. How it hugged your body perfectly…

"Sihtric, right?"

A voice broke his reverie, just as two glasses were set down behind him. He paid, giving the barman a nod before turning to the unwelcome guest.

"Yeah," he said,probably a little shorter than was necessary. You wouldn't want him to start anything already.

But the look on his face, especially at the hand held out in front of him whilst he held the two drinks, was enough to make the man in front of him more uncomfortable than before.

"Uh…nice to meet you."

And then, he was gone.

Sihtric shrugged, crossing the room without another thought about him. He set your drink down in front of you, free hand squeezing your shoulder before he took his seat beside you. The table continued on with their conversation but your focus was back on him.

The arm slung around the back of your chair like it was supposed to be there. It still amazed you how easily he had just fallen into the role of your boyfriend. Like it was something he was built to be.

But you could play a good girlfriend too.

You, as quietly as you could, scooted your chair closer. Enough to rest a hand on his thigh. Not too high, but enough for him to notice. You had to play your part too. His eyes flicked towards you, the ghost of a smirk on his lips. You gave his leg a squeeze, your own smirk on your lips.

"Well played," Sihtric chuckled, hiding a smile behind his drink.

You opened your mouth to answer when the DJ announced that the dance floor was open. A few from your table jumped up to head out to dance, leaving you and Sihtric alone for a moment.

"I met your…friend," he whispered, pulling your chair even closer.

You glanced up at him, already hearing the mild disgust. Good. It meant you didn't have to put the effort into introducing them.

"Now do you see why I need some help?"

Sihtric simply nodded. He had met the guy for barely a minute and he could tell what kind of person he was. Not the kind of guy you needed. And that made him think…what if he could be the guy you needed?

He had never considered it before. But looking at you now, the low lights only highlighting more things for him to find beautiful. How had he never noticed how beautiful you were before?

As the song changed, he stood. Holding out a hand to you as he moved towards the dance floor.

"Come on, lets give him something to really stare at?" Sihtric smirked, wiggling his fingers at you when you didn't immediately take your hand.

Before you knew it, your hand was in his and he was hurrying you both towards the dance floor, just as a slower song began to play.

Everything seemed to melt away as you and Sihtric danced. The songs picked up in pace just a little, but not enough to make your dancing change too much.

Sihtric's arm wrapped around your waist, palm flat against your back. The cut of your dress making his skin meet yours. The slightly roughened palm warm against you. His other hand was wrapped around yours, dancing with you like some sort of fairytale prince.

Maybe that's what he was. Because you had never met a man like Sihtric. And maybe…

Your thoughts were interrupted as the song switched tempo. Sihtric's fingers tapping at your back. You realised he had asked you something.

"Do you want to keep dancing?"

Only then did you look up at him. A mildly amused look on his face as he realised you'd been daydreaming.

Gods, you were beautiful, he thought.

"Uh, actually, can we take a breather?"

He knew you well enough to know parties weren't much your thing. And a chance to be alone with you? His heart sure sped up at that thought.

Just like before, he led you away. But this time he led you out of the hall and down into a courtyard. The sound of the music a distant memory as the door closed behind you both.

In that moment, watching you lean against the railing and relishing the cooler air on your face, something inside Sihtric clicked.

You weren't just his friend. He hadn't agreed to this just because you needed his help. He wanted this. He wanted you. He could only hope you felt the same.

A hand on his arm snapped him back to reality. The small laugh that left you as you looked up made him follow your gaze. His own laugh leaving him.

"Mistletoe," he chuckled, eyes moving back down toward you.

And then your lips met his. A soft kiss, yet it made his heart feel like it might leap from his chest. But it wasn't just a kiss. Both of you poured everything you felt that night into it. Those unspoken feelings that had finally reached the surface.

This Christmas was about to be a lot more special for both of you.

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