Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Squidmas. The greatest holiday of the year, other than Halloween. Marie wasn’t the most ridiculously festive Inkling out there—that had always been a characteristic of Callie—but she did enjoy seeing all the decorations. She herself loved decorating—it was her favorite part of the holiday! When December hit, she was infinitely eager to go Squidmas shopping with her cousin and make sure Callie didn’t buy too much.

The mall was as beautifully decorated as Marie remembered when they’d arrived. Callie was practically on her toes, bouncing with excitement.

“Day One: The Basics. The tree and lights. Tomorrow we’ll go crazy on ornaments and garlands.” Callie was holding up a long list of what to buy everyday for the next week. “Wait, should we also decorate the cabin? Where are we having the Squidmas party?”

“I thought our apartment, since it’s in much better shape than the cabin.” Marie blinked at all the lights surrounding them. The brightness was kind of giving her a headache, actually. “Pretty.”

“Sounds good to me. What kind of tree do we want this year?” Callie had her nose buried in the paper, already looking ahead at the next couple of days.

“Anything that’s not alive. I’ll start sneezing again.” We don't talk about last year…

“Any particular color?”

“You know I’m going to say the classic green,” Marie snorted. “You chose, Cal. It’s been… not a pleasant year for you the most out of the two of us, so buy what you want.”

Callie looked up from her list and gave her cousin a hug. “Thanks, Mar. I—Oh no.”

“What?” Marie stared at her blankly. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re warmer than normal.” Callie placed a hand on her cousin’s forehead. “Are you ill?”

“Yeah, but I wanted to shop with you—”

“—and that can wait until you feel better. Doctor time. Rest under my beanie.”

Marie sighed, then did as told. There was no use arguing, and she felt awful anyways. She wearily changed forms and curled up under Callie’s pink hat. 

~~~

Influenza. The coddamn flu. During the month of Squidmas. Marie was confined to bed for the next week which meant no Squidmas shopping with Callie no decorating with Callie no making it the best possible Squidmas ever for Callie after all she’d been through a few months ago—

“Marie, please eat.” And Agent 4 as a full-time Marie nurse. Okay, maybe that wasn't so bad—but that didn't mean Marie wasn't going to be as grumpy as possible during all this.

“Marie, I don’t want to have to shove this spoon into your mouth. Please swallow.” Sunny was sitting on a chair next to the bed, leaning forward with a bowl in one hand. Marie moved her chin away when the spoon was too close.

“Just give me the medicine already. It hurts to swallow.”

“I would, but you have to eat first. Please, it’s your favorite soup.”

“I need to help Callie decorate—”

“Callie can do it all on her own, I promise. She knows how you like to set things up.” Sunny squeezed Marie’s hand affectionately. “Now please eat this. The sooner you do so, the sooner you’ll feel better.”

Annoyed, Marie obliged, and let her girlfriend spoon feed her. When she was done and the medicine taken Sunny cleaned the sick squid’s face with a soft towel and kissed her forehead goodnight. It was four in the afternoon. 

“Wait, tell Cal I—cough—that she can decorate however she wants, doesn’t have to be the way we usually do it.” Marie reached out weakly as Sunny walked towards the door. “And that I’m sorry I couldn't make Squidmas extra special for her.”

“Marie, I think just spending time with her is enough of a gift. I’ll let her know though.” Sunny smiled at her fondly before shutting the door and leaving Marie to sleep in peace. 

Chapter Text

Lights. Lights were next. The tree had been set up in the corner, a few feet away from the couch and television. It was a dark green—green, like Marie. And like most Squidmas trees. Well, it was the thought that counted! Callie was going to make Marie immediately full of Squidmas cheer when she finally started feeling better and came out of her room. 

“I need you to hold the end of this wire while I wrap it around the tree,” Callie explained, handing Sunny the end of the strand of light green, red and white bulbs before stepping onto the ladder. This would hopefully not be a disaster, considering how easily distracted the other Inkling could be at just the thought of Marie in the room down the hall. “And whatever you do, don’t let go.”

“Gotcha. I won’t mess this up. Although, Marie said earlier that she wants you to decorate however you want. So like, it doesn't have to be the exact way you two like to usually decorate. She wants you to have fun and enjoy yourself.”

Callie paused, the lights jingling. She had several strands hanging off of her arms, like she was some kind of bird and the wires were her feathers. “Marie shouldn’t say that! I go wild if I’m let loose to decorate on my own! Which I am! The electricity bill would go through the roof for us and that’s saying something considering how much money we both have!” 

“Well, she did, so… Uh. Yeah.”

Callie huffed and began wrapping the lights around the tree, making sure every strand was even. Sunny stood at the bottom of the tree, humming a sappy Squidmas song that was commonly played around the city. 

“You should sing that to Marie,” Callie teased as she leapt off the ladder, her long tentacles flying. Sunny blushed in embarrassment. “You should! It’ll definitely make her feel better.”

“Ah… I think my normal speaking voice is good enough.” Sunny was visibly wincing, covering her eyes with her hands. “My singing? Terrible.”

“I know, but at the very least she’ll get a good laugh out of it!” Callie received a light punch on the shoulder before breaking down into giggles. “It’s true!” 

Sunny began laughing too. She was a real treasure. “Okay, we need to actually get this done!”

“Alright. I’m gonna check on Marie again.” The yellow Inkling scurried off to one of the doors in the hallway and disappeared. Callie’s own laughter took a little while longer to stop.

Okay, I really need to get this done, especially if all Sunny really wants to do is cuddle with Marie. Ornaments can come later; right now the goal is lights. Lots of lights. All over the apartment. Don’t overdo it, Callie! 

Humming an even more cheesy Squidmas tune than that of her friend’s, Callie skipped around her home, wrapping garlands and tinsel and lights and more lights and did Callie mention lights around the ceiling and doorways and walls and wherever else she felt like putting those cutely colored bulbs. She put a wreath on every door and was about to call it a day when she remembered that her cousin might want some decorations in her room.

I will chill out on the lights in one room… but only for Marie’s sake. 

Callie gently knocked on the door, heard a tired “Come in” and entered to find Marie asleep on her bed. Sunny was sitting in a chair next to her with a book between her squid form’s tentacles.

“Someone here was supposed to be helping me decorate for the past few hours,” teased Callie. Sunny looked up from her novel, adjusted her glasses, and gave her a frown. 

“Someone cannot leave this room because someone else needs constant attention.” 

“Well, then you can help me decorate this room at least. Stop me from blinding Mar’s eyes when she wakes up.” Callie was already unraveling one of the light strands on her arms. “Here’s the dullest green I’ve got, so her eyes don’t hurt when she looks at them. How’s her headache?”

“She was complaining about it earlier, but not nearly as much as her throat and soreness and chills.” Sunny rolled off of the chair, changed back into an Inkling and helped Callie untangle the wire. “I can’t imagine Marie out of all Inklings running around the apartment all day like you have when healthy. I’m genuinely a bit frightened to see what you did with the living room.”

Callie gave her a mischievous grin. “Oh, trust me, you both will love it.”

~~~

“I love how you put the lights on my dresser,” Marie muttered the next morning. She most certainly did not feel like getting up today; it was nice she now had something to stare at that wasn’t the wall when she could keep her eyes open. “Thanks, Cal.”

“You’re welcome, Mar. Thanks for letting me go all out with the decorations.” Callie was sitting on the chair, bright as ever. Marie was glad she was happy. “I still have more to do. I need to put up the candles and the little Squidmas figurines and all. Is there anything you want me to get in particular?”

Marie’s voice was raspy. “Anything you want. It hurts to talk.”

“Got it. No more talking then.” Callie rested her hand on her cousin’s shoulder. “Are you feeling a little better, at least?”

A tiny nod. Marie felt like she was about to pass out again.

“Good. Keep resting, okay? I’ll bring you fresh hot chocolate later.”

Another nod. I am so thankful for you, Cal. You’re my best friend.

~~~

Marie's so sick. I hate the flu as much as she does, Callie thought as she rolled the dough of the cookies she was going to bake. I hope Sunny doesn't catch it. 

Speaking of Sunny, where was she? Agent 4 had pretty much been living with the Squid Sisters for a while now. The taller yellow squid was cool. Setting the dough off to the side and washing her hands, Callie exited the kitchen and froze when she saw a certain Inkling stuck in a bunch of wires on the living room floor.

“You may be wondering how I got myself into this situation,” Sunny began. She lifted her head up, a sheepish smile on her face. “Honestly, I’m not entirely sure either. I was going to the kitchen to get something for Marie and, uh…”

“I got you. Stay still.” Callie sat down and began untangling her friend. “Maybe I went overboard. Just a little bit.”

“I would say more than a little bit.” Sunny closed her eyes and sighed. Callie took her chance and quickly got a picture. “I definitely had the initial impression that you’re one of those squids who really go all out during this holiday. I was right, and hey, there’s nothing wrong with that! I’m just a klutz, really.”

Callie continued trying to untangle the yellow Inkling. Cod, how hard did she fall for half the lights to fall on her?! “You are very chill for being stuck in a bunch of Squidmas lights.”

“If you were Marie right now, we’d be in a very different situation. Should I just turn to squid?”

“No, you might accidentally hurt yourself. Which strand did you trip on?”

“I don’t know. I think it was a cable, and next thing I knew, I’m on the floor with half the decorations on me. I’ll help you redecorate, I promise.”

Callie freed Sunny from some of the wires and shook her head, her long tentacles flying. “No. I am going to do this right this time and chill out. You are going to continue taking care of my cousin full-time until I’m done.”

“Marie said—”

“Every year Marie holds me back from putting lights on every inch of the apartment. I now see why.” Callie was frowning as she untied a particularly tough knot in the lights. “I know she wants me to do it all my way this year, but it’s our apartment, not just mine! She may not be able to decorate with me right now but that doesn’t mean everything has to be red and pink.”

“Fair enough. Now please continue freeing me.”

Chapter Text

Finally. Finally, Marie was feeling well again. Well enough, at least, to walk around the apartment without feeling sore. Her nose was still stuffy and her throat hurt a bit but she was eager to finally get out of her room. 

Opening the door to the living room, Marie was surprised to find that she wasn’t briefly blinded by the sheer brightness of lights. Miraculously, there weren't nearly as many bright red and pink lights as expected. Instead there was a nice balance of both red and green and some pink. There was still an abundance of everything else though—good. Her cousin had listened to her and yet still possessed common-decorating-sense.

“Hey! You’re up!” Callie appeared from the kitchen, wearing an apron and twirling a whisk in one hand. “I hope you like how I did the decorations! Not too bright?”

“They’re amazing, Cal. And the brightness is perfect.” Marie smiled as she passed under the garland that was hung above her door. “I love it. Sorry I couldn’t decorate with you this year.”

Callie came up to her cousin and gave her a tight hug, apron and whisk left on the kitchen countertop. “Don’t worry about it, Mar. We can still go shopping for gifts and enjoy the snow. There’s plenty of time left before Squidmas is here.” The pink Inkling was bouncing with as much excitement as she had at the mall days before. “And Sunny helped when she wasn’t snuggling with you. I gotta show you something funny!”

“Oh no!” Marie laughed when she was shown the picture of poor Sunny tangled up in the lights. “Oh cod, it hurts to laugh so hard! You should’ve woken me up to see it!”

“She said it would be ‘a very different situation’ if you were there instead of me,” Callie said, smiling brightly as ever. Marie could imagine. “Probably a whole lot less chill. Anyways, she went somewhere, and I’m baking. So enjoy the decorations.”

“I will,” Marie promised. “Thanks for all of this, Cal. I’m glad we get to spend the holidays together.” 

Callie purred and gave her cousin another hug. “Me too, Mar. I’m so thankful you’re feeling better.”

~~~

Tap. Text read. Sunny would be back soon from the store. Callie wondered what she bought.

Setting her phone aside, Callie put on her mitts and opened the oven door. The smell of cinnamon filled the air. Humming, she retrieved the tray of muffins and set them on the counter.

Her ears twitched as she heard the sound of the front door opening. A brief exchange was heard and then Sunny was in the kitchen, carrying a few bags of groceries.

“I feared we would run out of sugars, eggs, etc. I do not want your Squidmas baking spree to be forced to end early,” she declared, setting her bags on the counter. “Your sweets are keeping Marie from being sick again. And also those smell amazing. I love muffins.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to, Sunny! But thank you.” Callie reached out and gave her friend a hug. “Marie’s always loved muffins too. My goal this month is to make something new every day until Squidmas. Which has been tiring, yes, but I want something to do since I’m still not allowed to do agent work or practice performing. New hobby, you know?”

“Yeah. It’s a very rewarding hobby,” Sunny replied, leaning over and sniffing the muffins. Callie closed the oven door with her foot and took one of the bags with her hands. “No, no, I got it.”

“You sure?”

“Yes. Go relax. I’ll bring the muffins when they’ve cooled.”

“Thanks, Four. I appreciate it.” Callie gave her another hug and left the kitchen. Marie was still on the couch. She looked up at Callie, paused the television, and gave her cousin a mischievous grin.

“Oh no. Please don’t tell me you’re watching what I think you’re watching,” Callie groaned, sitting next to her cousin and facepalming. Marie’s smirk did not leave her face. “Why?!”

“Because that one Hallmark movie you’re in is just so dumb and sappy, it’s great! I’m cheering for you during the next one if you start acting again.” 

Marie was definitely well again, that was for sure. Callie nudged her shoulder affectionately. “I’m relieved you’re feeling good enough to watch my movie, but do we really have to watch it out of all the Squidmas movies out there?”

“Yes. I’m going to restart it when Sunny sits down so she can see it for the first time. Come on Cal, is it really that embarrassing to rewatch?” Marie teased.

“Yes, because you’re here to make fun of it,” Callie answered, crossing her arms and pointing her chin in the air dramatically. “You’re awful. Love you, sis.”

”Love you too. Now let’s watch your awesome movie,” Marie purred, knowing full well that Callie would not win in the epic sibling battle for the television remote. “Now I feel better!”

~~~

“I love your muffins, Cal. Thanks.” Marie was purring as Sunny set down the tray in her lap before curling up next to her on the couch as a squid. “Sunny, you already ate four of them. Why.”

“Hungry.” The Inkling flopped onto Marie’s lap and looked up at her girlfriend cutely. 

“I recently discovered that a certain someone has a sweet tooth even stronger than yours.” Callie took one of her muffins and smiled. She loved baking. “Sunny, I’m glad you like them, but please save some for us!”

“Don’t worry, Callie. Next time I’ll eat the whole dozen!” Sunny’s playful grin did not waver at Marie’s displeased expression. “Hey, there’s no star on the tree!”

The Squid Sisters both looked up, and sure enough, there was nothing at the tree’s top. Callie frowned. “Oops! Can’t believe I forgo—Wait! Marie, you should put something there.”

“That’s usually your job, Callie,” her cousin remarked, mouth full of muffin. One hand was covered in crumbs and the other was massaging one of Sunny’s short tentacles. Marie definitely did not look like she was going to get up anytime soon.

“I know, but you haven’t gotten to decorate anything. This isn’t just my apartment, you know! I saved the best for last for you!” I want you to decorate something, for Squidmas’ sake! It’s your favorite part of the holiday!

“Fine. We can go shopping for a golden squid later. But you’re paying for it.” Marie patted Sunny’s head. “Wake up. It’s time to watch Callie’s silly Hallmark movie from the beginning.”