Chapter Text
The current time of year signaled a time of recovery, resetting in hope of a better year. The cruel winter never spared a single soul as it made its pale presence known across Hometown. No one dared to challenge the cold winter evening, evident by the absence of monsters outside and the partially salted roads lit by warm HPS streetlights.
Winters always held a special place in the Dreemurr household. With never endless nights filled with warmth and laughter, sprinkled with extra cinnamon and nutmeg. Any previous fights were amended because at the end of the day, they were all going to be there, back home.
While previous winters held missing school for snow days and sledding across Hometown, things were different at this time of year.
There was the Winter Ball everyone had spent the better part of the year preparing for. No one at the School could even tell why we even started the thing, but I wouldn’t have been surprised if was Carol’s doing. Kris thought while getting ready the entire evening.
“It’s important to maintain formal relations with potential partners for Hometown” — Or whatever fancy crap Carol manages to convince Mom and Dad with. First, it started small with Mom cutting snowflakes after dinner.
Now it was Kris’s turn to do their part. Yes, their part.
Naturally it left them with no choice but to do what they know best, sneaking out, of course. At least before finding refuge on the bubblegum pink couch against the wall. A small, tanned human around the age of twelve years old decorated the childlike yet frigid room. Making them seem smaller in the world that has currently forgotten about them. Kris managed to find comfort curled on the couch, safe from their responsibilities... for the moment.
In their attempts to escape it all, they found peace in the ocean of a velvet couch, losing themselves to sleep. They looked so peaceful despite the formality that’s been endowed upon them; black slacks that complement a forest green sweater vest and white button up, held together by a black tie. They always managed to make everything look comfortable. A bit too comfortable, as their chocolate hair swallowed their face, leaving it up to interpretation. The rest of their outfit wasn’t any better; certain fabrics were twisted, as if mocking their limbs folded in different directions.
And yet the doe couldn’t help but take in the site of a resting Kris, wanting to keep every moment to herself.
She was beginning to forget the reason for entering her own bedroom as the rest of her slipped in, only brought back with light snoring.
Noelle hesitated before slowly inching toward the human, sticking out a hand to awaken Kris. Once she managed to land on their shoulder facing away from her, she couldn’t help but stop again. Everything remained motionless in the room as a shared warmth clashed with the muffled commotion downstairs.
Not before, Noelle would use her free left hand to clean Kris’s face of their wavy hair. Finally allowing her to get a good look at their stern yet round face, before bending over to hover over them. Leaving a sea of golden curls to swallow up Kris as she began to exhale into Kris’s ear, interrupting their slumber.
“Mmm....mmhm...” Before being met by another gentle exhale from Noelle.
“....”
There was a bit of loud silence that followed before Kris turned toward the source of the warm breath. It left them having direct eye contact with the deer, as a stream of curls curtained their face with nowhere for their eyes to escape. Neither broke the silence, both flustered in wondering how a joke between friends could lead to this.
“Oh! Sorry, Krismas! It’s just we have to leave for practice soon!” The doe exclaimed before escaping toward her dresser as swiftly as she arrived. While fixing her hair as a distraction for their previously shared incident. She looked graceful in a maroon, maxi dress decorated with a not-so functionally small purse. Especially in comparison to the bedhead and now wrinkled Kris.
“Here, let’s get you fixed before joining the rest,” Noelle stated before closing in again.
Noelle started small, smoothing out the corners of fabric hanging over Kris. Before being met with chivalry at their feet as she kneeled to fix their dress shoes before fixing her own. This was always a habit of hers, helping others before she could stand on her own, but it never stopped her anyways.
“We’re almost done... Just one more thing...”, as Noelle managed to get even closer.
This time wielding a comb, she cupped Kris’s face by the chin before gently working into their thick hair. She gently teased out each knot from their hair and began styling, while instinctively stroking their face with her thumb.
Kris’s skin began to flush from the gesture, yet they only responded with eye contact. And yet Noelle never said anything, not any banter like Rudy or pity like Hometown. Part of Kris was always grateful for these sorts of things, sometimes they didn’t speak not because they had nothing to say. But rather it hurts sometimes; it hurts so much to speak and not know what might come next.
“There. Well don’t you look fancy, fahaha!” Noelle chirped perfectly in time to drown out everything difficult for Kris to talk about. Before she handed Kris a small mirror to check for themselves. Kris stared into the mirror blankly not because they hated it, but because they would rather not look at themselves. But Noelle made things easier; it was always a charm she had on people. They nodded in agreement with Noelle before returning the mirror.
“You look nice, the dance doesn't deserve you.” Kris said before realizing the weight behind their words, turning pink once more.
“You’re too much sometimes, Kris.” Noelle teased, as if reading their heavy mind before returning to silence.
“But we should get going now. Before they start asking questions.” Hinting at the incident that just occurred without needing to converse about it. Things always end up being too unspoken between them after all.
Once the duo bottled their incident into something more... digestible, they entered the bright hallway of the Holiday residence. They were first met with a paleness that clashed with the holiday cheer and decorations that made themselves home. Streams of red and green tinsel and glass ornaments complemented the golden decorations around the natural evergreen. At the bottom of the tree sat a sea of gifts; covered in this fancy, embroidered wrapping paper the Holidays used for gifts. Snowflakes varying in size were preserved in bronze shining alongside framed photos against the walls.
“There you two are! Worried you got lost up there!” It was Rudy, a now older reindeer chuckling from his seat before returning to his festive mug. His appearance matched the room's festivity, wearing a maroon knit sweater and smile with everything in its right place.
“Come sit down, we’ll be leaving soon.” This time it was Toriel, gesturing on the opposite couch for them to join her.
“It’s good to see you two getting along.” Toriel continued; she just had to say this every time she caught Noelle and Kris together.
Only for the gesture to be topped by the only way a mother can; by offering butterscotch candies from the abyss of her well prepared, yet oversized purse.
“I know we won’t be there for the rest of the night, but we want you two to look after each other.” Tori finished her tirade shorter than usual with the dance leaving her in a good mood.
Sweet.
She began the usher out of the Holiday household; warm bodies began to abandon their half empty mugs for winter coats.
Outside held a gentle shower of snow as both households drove toward the school. Normally most after school events would have ended by now, yet practicing for the dance was the exception.
Carol might as well host the dance since she can’t help but write herself all over it, Kris monologued at the fogged car window.
“Welcome all Parents. Dance Practice @ 6 in Gymnasium.” The school’s first and only message for anyone curious.
“Here we are. Try to make the best of it, okay?” Toriel cheered as if already expecting Kris to end up anywhere but practice.
Kris only nodded before stepping out of the car into the fresh snow. They mustered a couple steps before relaxing into their jacket as they waited for Noelle before proceeding. It gave them time to reflect on their father’s guidance on dancing.
“Remember Kris, it’s all in the legs! But don't worry, it’s all about being strong enough to lead but gentle enough to listen. I’m sure you’ll do well, you’re good for each other.”
Oh my rune, they just love to be vague with help. Kris thought back to years of parental advice before being interrupted by an approaching, familiar cadence in heels.
“I didn’t keep you waiting for long, did I? I promise I’ll make it up to you later!” Noelle uttered under the winter chill. It’s not like she had anything to apologize for, but that didn't stop Kris from enjoying her apologies via treats.
Kris nodded in response before offering their arm for Noelle to grab onto.
Can’t have her slipping this close to the dance. Kris convinced themselves as the reason for wanting to stay so close to the reindeer.
Noelle gladly accepted the gesture and linked her arm into Kris’ before making their way up the stairs. Before stopping upon meeting the main entrance to the school; Kris took a deep breath while Noelle latched onto them tighter, as if accepting their sentences.
Here’s to strengthening formal relations and stepping on shoes, of course.