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“Couch! Couch! Couch! Couch!”
All three Huntr/x members sighed the moment they hit the cozy softness of their beloved sofa. After a hopping Christmas concert, it was just what the trio needed.
“So,” said Rumi, stretching and shifting around, “Christmas Eve plans?”
“Melt into a puddle,” mumbled Mira, eyes half shut.
“And eat a bunch of Christmas goodies!” Zoey raised a fist, almost hopping right back off the couch, but she couldn’t quite bring herself to.
“Uh, aren’t those for tomorrow?” Mira side eyed Zoey. “You know, Christmas.”
“Not all of them, silly.” She flapped a hand. “Just a few! Be right back!” Hopping up, she scurried for their kitchen, nearly colliding with Jinu, who was on his way over with a tray of hot chocolate. Rumi and Mira both sat up straighter.
“No way, he knows how to make hot cocoa?” said Mira as a mug was set in her hands. “Isn’t he, like, 500 years old?”
“400,” he corrected, placing the tray on their small table. The next mug he held out to Rumi, and she accepted it.
“You watched a YouTube video, didn’t you?” she said.
He gave a laugh, settling at her side with a mug of his own. “Your lack of faith in me is hurtful.” After a sip, he said a touch softer, “But…yes.”
“Knew it.” Mira grabbed a bundle of marshmallows from the top, then promptly shoved them in her mouth. Jinu’s brows creased, only growing more so when Rumi did the same.
“What?” she said, blinking up at him.
Snorting, he tapped her nose, making her go cross-eyed. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
She sat up straighter with an insulted noise, but had no time to reply, for the thundering steps of Zoey returned. “Here, here!” Without warning, she dumped a whole load of candies and other sweets on Rumi, Mira, and Jinu’s laps. “I grabbed everything that doesn’t look, you know, too ‘we’re-saving-this-for-Christmas’, and I thought maybe we could become one with Couch while watching a whole marathon of Christmas movies!”
“I’m down.” Mira picked through the treats. “You guys?”
“Sounds fun,” said Rumi, pushing aside some candy, focusing instead on her warm beverage.
“Yes! First movie marathon for Jinu!” Zoey flung herself backwards onto the couch. Everyone else made various exclamations of surprise or alarm, for it sent Christmas treats flying.
After somewhat cleaning the chaos, the four settled into a Christmas marathon that would last likely till midnight, if not past it. Tomorrow was the time for proper festivities, but tonight? Pure relaxation. No judgement, no responsibilities; just comfort, fun, and the familiar, cozy company of each other. Rumi smiled softly to herself with every film they watched, surrounded by candy wrappers and the people dearest to her. She’d take this over busy Christmas shopping, insane decorating, and bustling holiday concerts any day.
Halfway into the third movie, most treats had been consumed, everyone a noodly mess draped on the couch or even Jinu’s tiger, who lay between Zoey and Rumi. The latter stroked his head, eyes occasionally drifting from the large TV to the person on her other side—Jinu, who watched the film with an intense focus that made her lips curve.
So cute, she thought, and after a quick glance at the others, she scooted closer. When he didn’t notice, she eased herself nearer again. The two had already acknowledged the fact they were an item, but inexperienced and awkward, she still didn’t know how to initiate proper content. Best to just go for it, right?
Another inch closer, and it was enough to slowly slouch against him. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched his mouth curl into a smile as well. Though his eyes did not stray from the TV, an arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she bit her lip against a happy grin, snuggling in more.
Mission accomplished.
“Aaaawwww,” a teasing chorus came from the right, and she flung a couch pillow straight into Zoey and Mira’s faces (the former grinning and latter smirking.)
Mission somewhat accomplished.
All sense of time vanished that warm Christmas Eve night. Their last movie ended perfectly a few minutes before midnight, which Zoey took immediate notice of.
“Guys, guys!” She hopped up, waving her phone around. “Two minutes till Christmas! C’mon, we gotta count down.”
“Count down from 120?” mumbled Jinu, sounding groggy. He had an arm draped over his eyes, while the other still lazily kept Rumi cuddled to him.
“Zoey, I think we’re too lazy for that,” she also mumbled, eyes half shut. Mira grunted in agreement.
“Not the full two minutes.” Zoey waved it off. “But we should watch the clock for the ten second mark!” Rumi lifted her head from Jinu, exchanging a glance with him then Mira.
“Sure, why not?” She sat up and stretched.
Rumi side, nuzzling her face into Jinu. “I’m comfy, but fine.”
Zoey cheered, wiggling around as she watched each of her friends rise and crowd around her. Even Derpy and Sussie rounded them and watched, sensing everyone’s excitement. All gazes locked on Zoey’s phone, where she’d pulled up the exact time. They watched the seconds tick. Rumi found herself smiling wider and wider after they passed the minute mark, fueled by Zoey’s excited squirming and squeals, and the others looking eager as well. Rumi bit her lip, exchanging a look with Jinu, who gently bumped his forehead to hers, before they returned their focus to the time.
“Almost time! Okay, okay…” Zoey took a breath. “Ready?”
“Ready.” Mira smirked.
In a chorus of enthusiastic voices, all four began, “Ten…nine…eight…”
Derpy rumbled and shoved his head to Rumi’s side, causing her to laugh as she said, “Seven…”
“…six…five…four…”
Huntr/x’s arms linked, and they hopped with each final number.
“…three…two…one! Merry Christmas!”
The three girls pulled each other into an instant group hug, laughing and jumping faster.
“Get in here, Jinu!” Zoey flapped a hand at him, and with a chuckle, he awkwardly did, Sussie landing on his shoulder with a caw. Rumi felt her heart burst, grinning and shutting her eyes tightly as she became surrounded by some of the people she cared for most. On the exact beginning to such a warm, happy holiday, no less.
“Man, now I’m wired,” Mira complained, once they had all parted.
“More movies then?” said Rumi.
“Perfect.” Zoey clapped, phone still in hand. “I was just feeling hungry enough to stuff my face again.”
“Same.” Mira went for the couch, with the other two scurrying after her. Jinu lingered, one hand fidgeting with Derpy’s fur.
“One more thing,” he said, finger lifting. They turned back, and Rumi tilted her head. He glanced down, then back up, throat clearing. “Just wanted to say…thank you, is all.” He shrugged. “Especially to you both, Mira and Zoey.” He motioned toward them. “Know it was rough getting along at first, but really, I appreciate you involving me. This is the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
Rumi beamed, glancing at her best friends, who both softened.
“Hey, don’t worry about.” Mira shrugged back with a smile. “Rumi cares about you a lot, so…that makes you family too.”
“That’s right,” said Zoey, giving a bright smile of her own. “Now, come on! More movies and treats!” She hopped onto the couch alongside Mira, while Rumi stepped closer to Jinu and offered him her hand. Jinu took it, giving it a squeeze while they shared a gentle look, then joined their family for continued fun and relaxation. Time passed again, far more than perhaps they should have let pass, but they didn’t dare let the festive fun end.
However, it wasn’t the last early Christmas celebration that would happen that night…
Eventually, the tiredness of the late hour kicked in. Zoey flat-out fell asleep, draped across Derpy, while the others kept yawning or nearly dropping off themselves. They took that as a sign to turn in.
“See you later, Jinu,” said Mira, carrying a snoring Zoey on her back toward their bedrooms.
“See you.” Jinu sent her a wave, then turned to Rumi, who brightened into a small smile.
“I’ll, um, walk you out.” She gestured to the side. He made a soft, amused huff through his nose, then nodded. Walking close, fingers brushing as they treaded toward the elevator, Rumi let her thoughts wander. She stole glances at him, thinking on tomorrow and the continued celebration that would happen. As well as the gifts that would be exchanged…
Her hand wandered to her phone, tucked safely in her pajama pants pocket. Maybe tonight wasn’t over just yet…
“Well, here we are,” Jinu said, stopping and facing her at the lift.
Snapping out of it, she inhaled shakily. “Yeah, thanks for coming. You’re free to stop by tomorrow too, okay? Don’t want you alone on Christmas.”
He laughed softly. “I’ll keep that in mind.” With that, he leaned in for a quick goodbye kiss.
However, she stopped him, lifting a finger to his lips. “Wait.”
Jinu’s brows furrowed, while he watched her fumble for her phone. “I, um, want to give you something,” she said. “One of your Christmas presents since, you know, it is technically Christmas right now. And, well…” She shrugged as she scrolled through it. “I thought it’d be more special if no one else is here, when I give it to you. Here.” She eased the device into his hands, and he blinked down at it, processing.
Biting her lip, Rumi picked at her hoodie strings. “So?” she said. “Thoughts?”
“Free,” he murmured, eyes lifting, meeting hers once more. “Is that…”
“Our song.” She wrapped her hands around his and the phone, the screen of which showed a song cover she had had an artist whip up for this very occasion. The beautiful art depicted the two of them midair, surrounded by swirling colors, intentionally similar to the new Honmoon. Their foreheads pressed together, both holding ands and pressing ever close, with that one word glimmering over their heads.
Free.
“I, um, did a test recording of my lyrics, and wrote down what I remember of the entire song.” She shrugged. “And that’s my gift to you. So, if you want to make your first song as a collaborator with Huntr/x, or simply have this just for us…here it is.” She looked down then back up. “Good present?”
After a breathless laugh, he spoke in a near whisper, “Perfect.” Lowering the phone, he used his free hand to grasp both of hers. “I can’t wait to record it with you.” She made a fond sound, eyes half shutting as their faces gravitated towards each other. They lingered for a moment, letting their gazes catch a final time, before their lips meet tenderly. While her hand tightened in his, her other arm wrapped around his shoulders, and she pressed deeper into the kiss. It was something they hadn’t done much, only in passing. There was something different about this kiss—a promise; a reminder of how far they’d come, since the first time they sang that song together.
When they parted, their lips were still inches from each other. “You really did set me free,” whispered Jinu against hers.
She hummed, shifting to rest her head against his chest, while they sank into a hug. “You set me free too.” Her eyes slipped shut, while she smiled and sighed happily. “Merry Christmas, Jinu.”