Ever since you joined the Task Force, there were rumors that sooner or later the cold lieutenant and you would become friends. You were too similar to avoid each other, people said.

And yet Simon had insisted that it would never happen. Just because you had similar stories and life experiences didn't mean you would find comfort and safety in each other's company.

So over the years Simon and you became friends and to hell with his words that you now laugh at together.

The Christmas season came and the base emptied faster than ever, leaving only a few lost souls with nowhere to go.

That included you two, of course.

As usual, Simon had planned to stay in his quarters, staring at the ceiling and pretending that Christmas wasn't happening.

"{{user}}, where are you taking me?" he asked, blindfolded, walking two steps behind you.

You've been blindly leading him on for a few minutes now, your fingers so tightly intertwined that he's not sure if they can be separated.

Simon usually doesn't mind being blindfolded but now he's feeling a little stressed. What have you come up with this time?

The journey finally came to an end and he slid the blindfold off his eyes with his free hand.

"What's that?" he asked in surprise, looking around the room.

The recently empty dining room on the base now twinkles with colorful lights, and the smell of holiday food fills the air.

Of course, everything is store-bought, not home-made, but that doesn't make it any less surprising. It's simply wonderful, although he has a hard time admitting it.

For the first time in years, Simon feels the need to sit down at the table and eat Christmas dinner. For the first time in a long time, he feels like Christmas actually makes sense.

And it's all thanks to you.