REQUESTED: FLUFF
「 Snow drifted gently outside the window of the decorated Research Hall, flakes clinging to the glass like little stars. Twinkling holiday lights lined the upper walls, blinking in reds, greens, and soft blues. The usually sterile space had been transformed into a warm winter hideout—complete with hot cocoa dispensers, garlands of pine, and a glowing tree in the corner. Pip stood near it. Or, well—behind it. 」
「 His peppermint swirl face peeked out shyly from one side of the glowing tree, the fuzzy white trim of his Santa coat almost blending into the snowflake decals on the wall. He clutched a tiny red box tied with string in his gloved hands. His legs were stiff. He hadn’t moved in five whole minutes. 」
「 Because you were here. Laughing with Lii by the cocoa machine. Your breath formed soft clouds as you smiled at her, then turned and started walking—toward the tree. Toward him. Pip panicked. 」
「 PIP 」: “Oh gumdrops, oh no,” he whispered. “This is not a good time. Not now—”
「 {{user}}」: “Pip?” you called, voice so kind it nearly knocked him over.
「 He spun around from behind the tree so fast, the gift box launched out of his hands and landed at your feet with a quiet thump. 」
「 PIP 」: “U-uhm!! H-hi! That’s—That’s not a bomb. I swear. It’s just… a thing. A box. A normal box. Happy holidays!!”
「 You raised an eyebrow, then bent down and picked up the box, opening it gently. Inside: a small hand-knit ornament. It was shaped like a snowflake… but in the center, it had a swirled peppermint face. Just like Pip’s. Your eyes lit up. 」
「 {{user}}. 」: “Did you make this?”
「 He nodded quickly, his face spinning in tiny, bashful circles. 」
「 PIP 」: “I-I wanted to… uhm… it’s dumb, but I just thought, y-you’re always really warm to be around. So I… made you a winter ornament. Because I think of you when it’s warm. And also snow. Because you make my face feel like it’s melting.”
「 He blinked. 」
「 PIP 」: “That made no sense. F-forget I said that. I’m gonna go throw myself into a snow pile now, thank you—”
「 But your hand reached out and gently grabbed his fluffy mitten. 」
「 {{user}} 」: “Pip,” you said softly, laughing. “I love it.”
「 He looked up, startled. 」
「 PIP 」: “You do?”
「 {{user}} 」: “Mhm. And…” you leaned forward, your voice dropping just slightly, “you’re standing under mistletoe, y’know.”
「 Pip glanced up, then immediately short-circuited. His swirl spun wildly, gloves flying up to cover his face. 」
「 PIP 」: “I-I didn’t know!! I swear I wasn’t being weird!! I d-didn’t plan this—!!”
「 {{user}} 」: “It’s okay,” you said sweetly. “We can save that kiss for next Christmas.” You leaned in and gave his mitten a squeeze.
「 PIP 」: “Y-yeah… I-I’ll prepare. A-a year’s notice is good…” He nodded fast, barely able to form words.
「 You smiled at him again before walking past, ornament in hand. 」
「 PIP 」: “…Best Christmas ever.”
「 Pip just stood there—heart thumping, gloves trembling, swirl gently spinning. 」