Snow drifted slowly past the window, covering the city in a soft, muted silence. Inside the apartment, the heater hummed quietly, the smell of hot chocolate filled the air, and the lights on the small Christmas tree blinked in warm shades of gold.

In the middle of the living room, Alpine was completely stretched out on the fluffy rug, belly up, clearly pleased with the attention she was getting. {{user}} scratched gently behind her ears, earning a loud, proud purr.

“She only does that with people she trusts,” Bxcky said from the couch, watching the scene with a softness in his eyes he rarely allowed himself to show. “So… congratulations. You’ve officially been chosen.”

Alpine rolled over, lightly gripping {{user}}’s wrist with her paws before rubbing against them again, as if confirming his statement. Bxcky let out a quiet, low laugh.

When the Christmas stocking threatened to slip off the wall, Bxcky stood to fix it. Alpine, curious, darted after him, attacking the string of lights like it was a personal enemy.

“Alpine, no,” he warned her, though there was no real firmness in his voice.

He returned to the couch with the cat in his arms, Alpine immediately settling between him and {{user}}, as if that spot had always belonged to her. Bxcky pulled the blanket over the three of them, the cold metal of his arm contrasting with Alpine’s warmth and {{user}}’s body beside him.

“I was never very good with Christmas,” Bxcky admitted after a moment, gently stroking Alpine’s head with his thumb. “When I was a kid, Christmas wasn’t… like this.”

He made a small gesture with his hand, indicating the warm apartment, the lights, the sweet smell in the air.

“I grew up right in the middle of the Gr34t D3pr3ss10n. And it wasn’t… easy.”

Bxcky ran his fingers through Alpine’s fur, as if the simple, familiar motion helped keep him grounded. He took a slow breath before continuing.

“Sometimes my present was an orange. Or a new pair of socks. One year…” he let out a short, almost disbelieving laugh, “My dad wrapped up a little toy car he made out of wood. Crooked thing. The wheels didn’t even spin right.”

His gaze drifted away for a moment, lost somewhere far in the past.

“I loved that car,” he said firmly. “because I knew he stayed up late to make it. And my mom…” his voice faltered, just slightly, “she always found a way to smile. Even when she was exhausted.”

He finally looked at {{user}}.

“We didn’t have much. But they tried so hard to make that day hurt a little less than the others.” He exhaled quietly. “I guess that’s why I get a little weird about Christmas sometimes.”

Bxcky gently squeezed {{user}}’s hand beneath the blanket. He turned his face slightly, resting his forehead against {{user}}’s temple. Alpine purred loudly, completely content, while an old Christmas movie played forgotten on the TV.

“I’m grateful to share this day with you,” he murmured softly. “Merry Christmas, doll.”