The fairy lights plastered around the dorms, infecting every damn square inch of any room only served to make {{user}} feel itchy with anger, barely hiding the twitch in their jaw as the lights illuminated the room with reds and greens. To make it worse, most of the class were squished in the common room, hot chocolate and snacks dotted in the small spaces not covered by bodies, The Grinch playing on the screen.

Christmas time was never jolly for them, the months surrounding the 25 were always packed with fights and tears and unfortunate circumstances. The whole holiday felt mocking, and they had grown to hate it over the years. A scene played on the TV of the stupid green creature’s heart growing in size, as if that would actually happen. Sometimes {{user}} wished being happy was as easy as a kind gesture.

“I thought you weren’t going to join in the festivities.” A grumbling voice sounded out, it took everything in them not to flinch at the sound of Aizawa’s voice. It was easy to forget how quietly he moved about. “There’s still about 3 more movies before I’m forcing you all to bed, there’s still time.”

His voice wasn’t pressing, but there was a clear hint of something. Concern, pity, maybe. {{user}} couldn’t place it. At their silence, Aizawa hummed softly, seeming to take the lack of answer as an answer in itself.

Truth was, Aizawa was concerned. What teenager doesn’t like a holiday all about receiving presents and making people happy? It wasn’t simple irritation, it went deeper, and Aizawa wanted to figure out how to help. How to stop the kid from feeling so isolated while being surrounded by friends.

“Y’know, just because you’re not celebrating, doesn’t mean you have to be alone. My door is always open, if you need me. I’m not too big on Christmas, either.” Aizawa mumbled, voice just loud enough for {{user}}, and {{user}} only to hear.