christmas is bittersweet. he had once loved it, mostly because of all the presents he'd get, but also because of fond memories of boruta maher and caden maher sitting around the fireplace. they'd decorate the tree, drink hot chocolate, and exchange gifts.

it's been years since they've last done that, and honestly, he had hoped it would be different this year.

but it still might be!

"hot chocolate."

his head turns, meeting her gaze as the same warmth radiates from him. he takes her hand in his, then tugs her to the first stall he sees.

"hello, sir! two hot chocolates for us, please."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]hot chocolate... god, she can't remember the last time she's had one.

warmth radiates from smiles, increasing as fingers intertwine. she gives a light squeeze of affection before he's dragging her forward. a light giggle escapes and her legs shift to keep up. it'd be a bit of a damper if she faceplanted into snow, right?

the man nods, clearly in a cheerful mood. his sweater is ugly as all hell but... isn't that the trend for the holiday season lately? his smile is as warm as the cups he extends forward.

she releases cian's hand to reach for hers, happy to use the heat to defrost her fingers.

"thank you," comes happy and grateful. aw, there's even little christmas sprinkles over the whipped cream. so cute!

CIAN MAHER
mission

cian is in an equally ugly sweater with patterns of little castforms all over it. the patterns are cute, the color is horrendously bright and jarring. still, it fits the festive spirit, and he wears it confidently.

"man, i haven't had hot chocolate in...years."

has it really been that long?

he raises the cup to his lips, blowing gently before taking a sip.

"fuuuuuck. definitely worth the wait."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]his sweater might be hideous but he's a cutie. the castforms stitched into fabric are kinda cute too...

her smile is as warm as the drink in her hands when it returns to him.

"me either," she murmurs. her memory is foggy of the last occasion but if she had to bet money on it? when she was still a little tyke in kanto, terrorizing the streets with Sénon Game. yeah, that had to be the last time. man, how times have changed.

a happy hum escapes when she, too, sips her hot chocolate. it's warm, soothing, and hella chocolatey. mmm, good choice sir. of course, it leaves a little dollop of whip cream on her nose but she doesn't notice.

no, she takes another sip instead.

"so good," she can't help the little half moan. even if it burns her tongue, it's worth it.

CIAN MAHER
mission

a familiar sound pulls his attention towards her, even if it's little and half. he chuckles, reaching a hand up to wipe off a dollap of whip cream from her nose only to bring it to his mouth.

"you're cute."

and briefly, he leans in to kiss the same spot on her nose.

"i've missed you, gia."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]his thumb swipes across her nose and it crinkles slightly beneath the tickling sensation. a giggle follows, cheeks already flushed from the cold. they shift a mild shade darker.

"you're cuter," she retorts, flashing a surprisingly sugary smile. christmas spirit has her deviating from her usual antics, it seems.

warmth radiates from the kiss he peppers to her nose. and really, she's gonna melt if he keeps this up. unfair!

"i missed you too," comes softly, genuinely. he's come to become someone special, even after time has passed. one of her hands abandons the warm cup to reach for his. "thank you for taking me out." is this technically her first actual date? yeah... romantic encounters aren't actually a thing for her, not by a longshot.

and without any hesitation and a cheeky expression sinking into her face, she's rising up on tippy toes to return the favor. a butterfly kiss looks to land on his cheek.

CIAN MAHER
mission

romantic encounters aren't usually a thing for him either. they were for a time, and then they're suddenly not again. this, however? definitely romantic, even if he might tell himself otherwise.

"of course."

the warmth of her hand in his pales to the kiss on his cheek. he beams a smile, squeezing her hand in return.

"where to next? we've got the whole day to do whatever we want."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]somehow, she almost prefers romantic to carnal. maybe it's just him, though. anyone else and she'd be picking the latter.

hot chocolate in one hand and cian in the other? already the best day to spend a day. she's as bright as a christmas tree topper now.

"do you wanna shop or play in the snow?" the smile she wears exists in an odd dimension, halfway between affectionate and devious. and when her fingers return the warm squeeze, her lips curl further into up-to-no-good territory.

"maybe even a snowball fight?" fair warning: she plays dirty.

CIAN MAHER
mission

"i don't have much winter clothes..."

because winters in hoenn aren't particularly cold. still, he loves hoodies and jumpers, so it's a bit surprising why he doesn't have more.

but his lips curl into a grin, unable to resist the offer.

"you sure you want a snowball fight?"

he turns to look at her.

"you'd lose."

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]something about shopping makes her giddy. maybe it's the prospect of new stilettos just waiting to come home...

ah, but buying clothes will have to wait.

her grin is devious now.

"i'm sure," she snorts as if the thought of her backing down is amusing. she'd try to play innocent or coy but neither have a place on her face. no, all that remains is pure confidence.

her chin rises a little in challenge.

"we can buy you winter clothes after i kick your ass," and she doesn't leave much room to argue. her hand tugs his gently to start moving toward the park, hot chocolate happily sipped along the way.

CIAN MAHER
mission

pure confidence. it's a look he can respect even if she's wrong. guess they'll soon find out.

"you can buy me winter clothes when i win, you mean."

they make their way to the park, arriving without much of a delay. he takes another sip, then reaches down to scoop up some snow into his hand. he balls it with ease.

"ready?"

giada morgan

☉

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]her, paying for anything for a man? she scoffs at the thought.

although… maybe she would for him. only if he kicks her ass in a snowball fight, though.

”not happening,” she tries to keep a serious face but it cracks. she’s too excited to play to hide it.

her hot chocolate is finished by the time they get to the park. she releases his hand to toss the empty cup in a trash can. and then, it’s down to business.

she’s bending at the waist to gather snow between her hands, quickly molding and morphing it with agile fingers.

”born ready,” she chirps. there isn’t a pause, however. no, she just lets the first one fly with a cheeky smile and a bubbly laugh.

he’s going down, even if she has to drag him down herself.

CIAN MAHER
mission

he's going down in more ways than one. she'll find out later, perhaps, when they're not out in public.

born ready.

he ducks.

"sucker."

and tosses his right back at her, returning her cheeky smile with one of his own. regardless of whether it hits or not, he's already scooping down for more.

giada morgan

☉