Work Text:
It was a cold December night, and the city was wrapped in a glow that only Christmas could bring. Colorful lights illuminated the streets, Christmas trees adorned shop windows and homes, and holiday songs echoed at every corner. But inside your small apartment, the atmosphere was completely different.
You were sitting on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, staring into space. The TV played one of those cliché Christmas movies, but you barely paid attention; they were just distant voices. There was something melancholic about the night; Christmas always seemed like a reminder of your solitude, especially now.
Since moving to this city, you had spent the holidays alone. Your family was far away, and the friends you had made over the years had drifted apart. You had gotten used to it—or at least that’s what you told yourself. Maybe the only way to forget the loneliness was to treat it as just another day. You didn’t have pets because of work and lacked the time for friends, which made the topic of companionship difficult. You missed celebrating Christmas surrounded by people and couldn’t help but long for that tonight.
“It’s just another day,” you murmured, picking up your mug of hot chocolate.
However, just as you resigned yourself to another quiet evening, your phone buzzed on the coffee table. The sound broke the silence, and you lazily reached for it. As you unlocked the screen, you saw a message that made you blink a few times to ensure you weren’t imagining things.
It was from Anya.
Anya had been your childhood friend, practically a sister. The two of you had grown up together, sharing secrets, dreams, and moments you cherished deeply. But as time passed, life pulled you apart. Anya had moved to another city, and while you tried to keep in touch at first, you eventually lost contact—your work didn’t help either.
“Hey, S/N! I know it’s been a while, but are you free tonight? I’m home for Christmas and really want to see you. How about spending the evening with me? Just like old times!”
Your heart raced. It was an unexpected but welcome surprise. You had missed Anya and all the moments you shared. A familiar warmth bloomed inside you—nostalgia. After a few seconds of hesitation, you replied:
“Of course! Where are you?”
The messages came quickly after that, with Anya explaining where she was and giving you directions to her place: downtown, the building next to the café, apartment 16 on the fourth floor. Got it.
With a mix of nerves and excitement, you got up and started getting ready. You chose a red sweater that matched the Christmas vibe and a pair of comfy jeans. As you looked in the mirror, you tried to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in your mind. You were curious, anxious, and happy not to be spending Christmas alone. The clock read “9:49 PM.”
“What could she want? Why reach out after so long?” you thought while fixing your hair.
Without any answers, you grabbed your coat, wrapped a scarf around your neck, and stepped outside. The snow fell gently, covering the streets in a shimmering white layer. The walk to Anya’s house was short, but every step was heavy with anticipation. The hum of the car engine during the drive distracted you slightly, but it was hard to ignore your racing thoughts.
When you arrived, you barely had time to knock before the door swung open, revealing Anya with a radiant smile.
“S/N!” she exclaimed, pulling you into a warm hug.
You felt instantly comforted. It was as if no time had passed, and that hug bridged the years you had spent apart. You swallowed hard as you noticed Anya’s appearance—she looked different from the last time you saw her.
“Anya! You look amazing!” you said calmly, trying not to let too much emotion show, but it was futile. “Sorry I didn’t bring a gift. This was so last minute,” you added, embarrassed.
“You look amazing too! Come in, it’s freezing out there.” Anya stepped aside to let you in. “And don’t worry about a gift. I just wanted your company!” she said with a warm smile.
Her home was beautifully decorated. A large Christmas tree adorned with ornaments and twinkling lights stood in one corner of the living room. The air smelled sweet, like freshly baked cookies, and soft Christmas music played in the background.
“My family went to a neighborhood celebration, but I wanted to stay home. I thought it’d be a great chance to see you,” Anya explained, guiding you to the couch. For some reason, your heart skipped a beat when you felt her hand on yours as she led you.
You both sat down, and the conversation flowed naturally. You reminisced about the past, laughing at funny moments and catching up on the years apart. Anya shared that she had finally been accepted into medical school, which made you incredibly proud.
“I always wondered how you were doing,” Anya confessed, her eyes shining as they met yours.
“I thought about you a lot too. But, you know how life is… it just happens, and we drift apart.”
“I shouldn’t have let that happen,” Anya admitted with a tone of regret. “I could’ve done more, you know?”
You smiled, trying to lighten the mood. “We’re here now, and that’s what matters, right?”
As the evening went on, your connection deepened. Anya brought out two cups of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies, and the two of you continued to talk.
“Do you remember that Christmas promise we made?” Anya asked suddenly.
You laughed. “You mean the one where we swore we’d never lie to each other?” you asked, sipping your chocolate.
“Exactly. I think we kind of failed at that, didn’t we?”
“Maybe. But we can fix it now.”
Anya smiled, and for a moment, silence settled between you—not awkward, but charged with something unspoken.
“I need to tell you something,” Anya finally said, her voice soft yet steady. She looked at you with a vulnerability that made your heart race.
“What is it?” you asked, turning to face her fully.
Your eyes caught the clock on the wall: “11:59 PM.” Midnight was seconds away, and soon, the sounds of fireworks and people celebrating would fill the air.
“I think back then, I was too young to understand some things,” she began, taking a deep breath. “But… I think I’ve always had feelings for you, S/N. And even with the distance, that’s never changed.”
Her words caught you completely off guard. Your heart raced, and you struggled to find something to say.
“Anya, I…”
Before you could finish, Anya leaned in and kissed you. It was hesitant but full of emotion. Warmth spread through your body, dissolving any doubts or hesitation you had.
Fireworks exploded outside, their colors lighting up the room. Your heart wrestled between pulling away and staying, but in the end, you gave in. The kiss was too good to let go.
When it ended, the two of you stayed silent, looking into each other’s eyes.
“Well, that was… unexpected,” you said with a shy smile.
“I thought it was worth the risk,” Anya replied, her cheeks flushing slightly.
She turned to the window, watching the snow fall as fireworks continued to light up the sky. Hesitantly, she reached for your hand.
“S/N… I want to talk to you about this… I don’t want you to think badly of me or—”
“Anya, it’s okay,” you interrupted. “I’ve always felt the same… You don’t know how happy I am right now,” you said, your voice filled with emotion. Anya’s smile widened.
She stood up and pulled you toward the window, where you both gazed at the snowy city illuminated by fireworks. After a few seconds of comfortable silence, Anya broke it.
“Merry Christmas, S/N,” she said, holding your hand tightly.
“Merry Christmas, Anya.”
In that moment, you knew this Christmas would not only be unforgettable but also the start of something beautiful—together with Anya.