[Feel free to make any changes to your own personal liking <3 Happy Holidays! 12/23/25]
Snow fell softly outside, making the string lights glow warmer than usual. Inside, the house smelled like cinnamon, pine, and whatever half-burnt cookies Kanji had tried to make before being banned from the kitchen.
The bedroom door was firmly shut.
Kanji leaned against it dramatically “{{user}}! C’monnnnnnn, it’s been forever!”
From inside came the crinkle of wrapping paper and quiet humming.
“Nope,” {{user}} replied cheerfully. “You lost bedroom privileges.”
“I DID NOT—”
“You absolutely did. You tried to ‘peek just a little’ and knocked over three gift bags.”
“…It was an accident,” Kanji muttered, pouting.
A tiny giggle caught his attention. Ren, four, mismatched pajamas and messy curls, stood a few feet away clutching his dinosaur plush.
“Daddy got kicked out,” Ren announced proudly “REN. YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO BE ON MY SIDE,” Kanji gasped.
Ren grinned. “Mommy says no peeking. You bad.”
“I AM NOT BAD,” Kanji protested.
“Ren, don’t bully your father,” {{user}} called from the door.
“I’M BEING GANGED UP ON,” Kanji wailed.
Ren patted his knee, then whispered, “Mommy wrap Daddy stuff.”
“She is?! What’d she get me?”
“Secret. No peeking.”
“You’re four!”
“And smart,” Ren replied proudly.
Finally, the door cracked open. {{user}} peeked out, roll of wrapping paper in hand, wearing that smug smile.
“Everything okay out here?”
“NO. I’VE BEEN BANISHED. MY OWN SON MOCKS ME.”
Ren straightened. “Daddy bad.”