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It was nearing the holiday everyone looked forward to, Christmas! Shopkeepers have already started putting up their decorations. Even the plaza looked like a big winter wonderland. Some inkfish would pose up under the giant christmas tree in its center to take pictures or just revel in the festive atmosphere.
———
The TV showed the Christmas parade happening in the plaza as three squids sat in front of it occupied with their own tasks. Mask, in their own world cutting up snowflakes of various sizes, occasionally looking up when the TV caught his attention. Aloha, who was initially doing the same thing, had decided to take a short break. His head resting on Skulls lap behind him as the purple inkling gently stroked his hair. It was glowing with a familiar deep blue.
Aloha sighed as he messed with his own hair in reach, eyes darting between Mask at work and the TV.
The cyan inkling promptly turned to his two partners behind him before looking at Aloha’s side of the table. There were way less snowflakes than Mask’s side.
“What are you doing?” he sighed.
“What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Lounging around, you know we have to have a decent amount of these done right?”
Aloha gasped dramatically at Mask’s accusation. Putting his hand over his head to emphasize his emotion. “I’m saving my energy, we have a lot to do today, you know” he responded in a mocking tone. Not that Mask cared. Rolling his eyes before turning back round to continue his task.
The pink inkling smiled before turning his head to look up at Skull. Surprisingly she had fallen asleep. With this to Aloha's attention he carefully reached over the table for one of the snowflakes he made, a particularly small one. With the same caution he placed it gently on the top of Skulls head, enough for it to stick.
“Mask look,” he whispered, the other promptly turning again.
They huffed before rolling their eyes, in a different manner. They couldn’t help the smile that worked its way onto their face. “Let her sleep,” he muttered.
“I am!” he spoke back in the same soft tone.
Mask shook his head before grabbing one of his own snowflakes to join Aloha.
———
The kitchen was filled with the savory aroma of curry and other spices. Army stood over the pot carefully while Rider resided next to them, focusing his attention on cutting up vegetables. It’s almost like chopping was his specialty. Army had pointed it out multiple times but Rider dismissed it, saying it was just natural.
“Natural or not, it's talent,” was always the others response. That made him feel some kind of way. It wasn’t bad but it was definitely something.
“You're almost done over there Rai?” He looked up towards Army, taking a second to register what they actually said before he responded.
Setting the knife down as he untied his apron, folding it over his arm. “Oh— Yeah I'm done.”
Army smiled at him. It gave him that same feeling from before. He didn’t know why but it made him smile too.“Can you go see what the others are up to?”
Rider nodded. He started to walk off before stopping, turning around to Army to place a small kiss on their forehead. He could feel one of Army’s tentacles trying to wrap around his chin. He found it cute. Not that he’d say that yet—but the thought was there.
———
“How’s she still not awake from any of this?” Aloha asked, mostly to himself. Mask just shrugged before standing up to stretch. They had been there for a while. Glancing around the room he met Rider’s gaze, who was now standing a couple ways behind the couch where they resided.
“What’s happening here?”
“Well, Skull’s sleep. Me n ‘Lo were decorating.”
“Decorating what exactly?” Rider asked, prompting Mask to point towards Skull. Getting a closer look he could see that there were paper snowflakes of various sizes all along Skulls hair.
“It snowed.” Aloha giggled from his spot on the floor. Rider shook his head and sighed, turning towards Aloha, “Do you plan on taking those off?”
“Nah I think it looks cute.”
“If you say so.” Rider said in a totally non agreeing way. “Anyway dinner’s almost ready so wake her up soon. Army says they have a surprise for us.”
———
After a very surprising sight for Skull and Army, they were all situated at the kitchen table. Eating, talking. Just enjoying one another's company. Everything was perfect just as Army hoped. It was time for the final event of the night.
“If everyone’s done I have dessert waiting. Just something I thought to try.” With everyone’s confirmation, Army took their plates and headed to the kitchen. Seconds later they emerged with a new set of plates. This time a present on each one. They placed them on the table in front of their respective recipients.
“I figured this would be the best way to gift these.”
“Aw you shouldn’t have!” Aloha exclaimed in a slightly exaggerated way. Army rolled their eyes and smiled.
Aloha was the first to open his of course, followed shortly by everyone else. What was inside?
A sweater for each of them. Red with a small dynamo patch stitched on, white with a hibiscus flower patch, grey with a carbon roller patch, and finally gold with a nice dessert patch.
“It took me a while but I managed. It was actually quite fun to work on. And.. I got to spend time thinking of all of you.”
“Aww we love it!” Aloha exclaimed again, jumping from his seat to embrace Army in a very secure hug. All love of course. The orange inkling reciprocated. Letting go only when they remembered they had something else to give.
“Oh— Here Skull,” Army handed him a box decorated with white and pink ribbon. Inside, a perfect strawberry shortcake. Skull’s ears flicked at the sight. Taking the sweet from Army she set it on her lap. Taking hold of the others hand and pressing a small kiss to it. She smiled.
“Thank you,”
“Of course,” The orange blush now noticeable on Army’s face, their tentacles curled slightly. “I think it’s time for us to wind down now.”
Arranging themselves in a somewhat orderly fashion. As much as they could to fit five whole inkfish on a couch and it worked somehow. Another successful Christmas and many more to come. They always looked forward to it.