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Pitaya snorted quietly as they walked through the streets of the Hollyberry Kingdom, staring at the numerous decorations that the Cookies had strung up. They looked down at Snapdragon, the young one having been so insistent on coming to the Kingdom.
Snapdragon cooed happily, practically hypnotized by the lights and decor. Pitaya noticed quickly that there was a theme going on, but it didn’t make them any less confused.
Pitaya slowed their pace, tail swaying behind them as they took in the garlands draped across lampposts and the wreaths hung proudly on every door. Red, green, gold—colors chosen with intent, though the meaning slipped right past them. Whatever this was seemed.. excessive. Bright. Almost aggressively cheerful.
"Why isss everything sssparkling," Pitaya muttered, more to themselves than anyone else.
Snapdragon let out another delighted chirp and pointed with both tiny hands at a towering evergreen set up in the town square. It was covered in ornaments and lights, a glowing star perched at its peak. Pitaya followed their gaze and paused.
".. That tree isss wearing jewelry."
Before Snapdragon could answer—because they absolutely would have tried—an all-too-familiar armored Cookie approached, boots crunching softly against the frosted cobblestone.
Pitaya turned just in time to see Wildberry Cookie, his silver armor catching the warm glow of the lights. He stopped in front of them, eyes immediately softening when he noticed Snapdragon.
"There you are," Wildberry said, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "I was wondering if you’d show up."
Pitaya clicked their tongue. "The hatchling demanded it. Apparently thisss place isss 'pretty.'" They glanced back at the decorations with a huff. "The Kingdom appearsss to be shedding."
Wildberry let out a quiet laugh. "It’s Christmas."
Pitaya stared at him.
".. Isss that a person," they asked flatly.
Snapdragon giggled, wings fluttering as they bounced in place. Wildberry chuckled again.
"It’s a holiday," he explained gently. "A time for warmth, family, gifts.. being together."
Pitaya’s gaze flicked to Snapdragon, who was now absolutely transfixed by a nearby shop window full of toys and sweets. Something in their chest tightened, subtle and unfamiliar.
"And loved ones," Wildberry added.
Pitaya was quiet for a long moment. Then, with a soft scoff, they crossed their arms. "Dragonsss do not celebrate thisss.. Chrisss-masss."
Wildberry nodded. "I know."
Another pause.
".. But," Pitaya continued, glancing away, "the little one ssseemsss pleasssed."
Snapdragon chirped in agreement, tail wagging.
Wildberry’s smile widened—not teasing, just warm. "Then maybe celebrate it for them."
Pitaya exhaled through their nose, the faintest hint of amusement in the sound. "Very well," they conceded. "But if that jeweled tree triesss to attack, I will incinerate it."
Snapdragon cheered. Wildberry laughed.
And beneath the glow of a thousand lights, Pitaya found that—strangely enough—they didn’t mind the cold at all.
Wildberry led the way toward the palace, one hand lifted in a casual greeting to passing Cookies while the other remained close, ready as always. The palace loomed ahead, its grand doors thrown open, warm light and music spilling out into the cold night like an invitation.
Pitaya paused at the entrance. The noise alone was.. impressive as laughter rang out, mingled with the music and the clinking of glasses. The scent of baked sweets, spiced drinks, and something unmistakably berry-strong drifted through the air. Pitaya’s tail flicked once, wary.
".. Isss thisss a feassst," they asked, peering inside, "or a sssiege?"
"A party."
Snapdragon gasped happily and flapped their wings, already tugging forward. Pitaya sighed, resigned, and stepped inside.
The palace was alive. Garlands wrapped around pillars, ribbons hung from balconies, and more of those glittering lights were strung everywhere Pitaya looked. Cookies filled the hall—dancing, chatting, eating, laughing. And in the center of it all—
"HAAAPPY CHRIIIIISTMAAAAS!" boomed Hollyberry Cookie.
She stood atop a table, goblet raised high, cheeks flushed a deep red, and Berry Juice sloshed dangerously close to the rim of her cup. Pitaya froze. Wildberry winced.
"She’s.. been celebrating since noon."
Hollyberry spotted them immediately. Her eyes lit up. "WILDBERRYYY!" She pointed dramatically. "AND—IS THAT THE DRAGON?!"
"Yes, Queen Mother," Wildberry said quickly. "Please don’t—"
Too late.
Hollyberry hopped down from the table and marched over, wrapping Pitaya in a crushing, one-armed hug before they could react. Berry Juice splashed onto Pitaya’s shoulder.
"You’re GORGEOUS!" Hollyberry declared. "I LOVE Christmas!"
Pitaya stood stiff as stone, eyes wide. "I appear to have been captured."
Snapdragon giggled uncontrollably. Wildberry, gently but firmly, peeled Hollyberry off Pitaya.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should, uh.. hydrate."
"Nonsense!" Hollyberry laughed, already wandering off. "DRINKS FOR EVERYONE!"
Pitaya stared after her. Wildberry chuckled awkwardly. "She’s festive."
They moved deeper into the hall, and Wildberry began gesturing as they went. "So—Christmas traditions," he said. "First, decorations. The lights are meant to symbolize warmth during winter. Hope, too."
Pitaya glanced around again, this time more slowly. ".. Dragonsss mark winter with fire and ressst," they murmured. "Thisss isss.. sssofter."
They moved again, this time toward the massive tree inside the hall-somehow even more decorated than the one in the square. Pitaya tilted their head, studying it.
"Thisss isss the sssame jeweled tree," they muttered. "It followed usss."
Wildberry laughed. "That's the Christmas tree. We decorate it together."
"Why?"
"Because it makes us happy, and it brings us closer together."
They stopped near a table piled high with wrapped boxes. Snapdragon immediately toddled over, eyes sparkling.
"And these," Wildberry continued, "are gifts. We give them to show appreciation and love."
Pitaya blinked. "You offer tribute without demand?"
"Yes," Wildberry said simply.
Snapdragon poked at one of the boxes, then looked up at Pitaya with a hopeful chirp. Pitaya hesitated, then knelt beside them.
".. You may open one,"
Snapdragon squealed.
As the young one tore into paper with unrestrained glee, Pitaya felt that strange tightness in their chest again—watching the joy, the safety, the care surrounding them.
Wildberry watched Pitaya quietly. "There’s also music," he added, nodding toward a group of Cookies dancing. "And food. Lots of food."
Pitaya huffed. "That part I underssstand."
Later, with Snapdragon perched in Pitaya’s arms—clutching a new plush dragon almost as big as themselves—Wildberry handed Pitaya a warm mug.
"Hot cocoa," he said. "Another tradition."
Pitaya took a cautious sip. ".. Acceptable,"
Wildberry smiled, softer this time. "You’re doing really well."
Pitaya glanced down at Snapdragon, then back at the glowing hall, the laughter, the warmth. "Thisss 'Chrissstmasss' appearsss to be.. tolerable."
Snapdragon chirped in agreement, nuzzling closer. Wildberry’s smile widened. He was just about to respond when Pitaya’s eyes narrowed slightly.
They had stopped beneath a doorway draped in greenery—dark leaves, pale berries clustered together and tied with a red ribbon. Pitaya tilted their head, gaze flicking up.
".. Thisss plant," they said slowly. "It hasss caught my eye for sssome time."
Wildberry followed their line of sight and froze for half a second.
"Oh," he said. ".. That."
Wildberry cleared his throat. "That’s mistletoe."
".. And?"
He rubbed the back of his neck. "It’s another tradition. If two people stand under it, they’re.. supposed to kiss."
"The plant demandsss affection," they summarized flatly.
Wildberry laughed despite himself. "Not exactly. It’s symbolic. Meant to spread good cheer, love, affection—"
A soft chirrup sounded above them.
Both looked up.
Snapdragon had somehow wriggled free from Pitaya’s arms without either of them noticing and now perched atop a decorative beam overhead. Balanced neatly between their tiny jaws was a sprig of mistletoe, berries wobbling dangerously as they beamed down at the two of them.
Snapdragon’s wings fluttered proudly. Pitaya stared. Wildberry stared. There was a very long silence.
".. Little one," Pitaya said carefully, eyes never leaving the scene above them, "where did you obtain that?"
Snapdragon chirped innocently and adjusted their grip, making sure the mistletoe dangled directly over Pitaya and Wildberry’s heads.
Wildberry swallowed. "I.. uh.. Snapdragon—"
Snapdragon scooted a little closer to the edge and leaned forward. The mistletoe swayed. Pitaya let out the softest of chuckles, making him look back into their narrowed eyes.
"Ssso.. you sssaid sssomething about kisssing under that plant?"
Their voice was like silk, wrapping around Wildberry in the familiar enchanting way that made his heart beat faster.
"Well, only if you want to.."
Pitaya responded by leaning in, and Wildberry helped close the gap between the pair. Snapdragon’s eyes widened before letting out a happy coo, squeezing their dragon plushie tighter.