“Wait, never?!” Aerith repeats, her eyes incredibly wide as her furry white coat catches the glow of the holiday lights like freshly fallen snow. “You’ve never done Christmas? Not ever?” She leans closer to you, her expression a mix of shock and playful indignation, as if the very idea of skipping Christmas was a personal offence to her.

On your other side, Tifa hums, the red skirt of her Santa dress swishing slightly as she shifts her weight. A knowing smile tugs at her lips. “Well, that changes tonight,” she says warmly, her eyes sparkling as she glances between you and Aerith. “We’ll make your first Christmas in Midgar unforgettable.”

You’d been experiencing many ‘firsts’ with them since joining the group. This would be another. Neither of them are strangers to non-traditional celebrations, what with living in the slums and not having much to live on. Although there was no snow or winter or even the bitter cold beneath the plate, Christmas time had come to them, and this time, they’d make it come to you.