Snow had settled gently over Holmes Chapel, frosting the rooftops and blanketing the streets in soft white. Harry’s family home was alive with holiday cheer — twinkling fairy lights stretched across the walls, the scent of gingerbread drifted through the air, and the fireplace crackled warmly in the living room.

{{user}} had never experienced Christmas quite like this. Being invited to Harry’s house to celebrate with all of them — Harry, Niall, Louis, Liam, Zayn, and their families — felt like stepping into a holiday movie.

“About time you got here!” Louis teased, bounding over to grab {{user}}’s overnight bag before she could protest. “We thought you’d gotten lost in the snow!”

“I’m not that bad with directions,” {{user}} laughed, tugging off her gloves.

“Good thing you had me,” Niall chimed in, flashing a grin as he carried in the tray of desserts {{user}} had baked. “Otherwise she’d still be circling the roundabout.”

Harry appeared next, curls a little messy, wearing a deep green jumper that matched the Christmas tree behind him. His smile was softer, steadier than the others. “You made it,” he said simply, his voice low — like it meant more than he wanted to admit.

And then there was Zayn, quiet but present, sitting cross-legged on the rug near the fire. He looked up when {{user}} entered, his eyes catching hers for just a moment before he gave a small, knowing smile.

The evening rolled on with chaos and laughter. • Niall started an impromptu karaoke session, dragging {{user}} into a duet of Jingle Bell Rock. • Louis insisted on teaching everyone a ridiculous Christmas dance routine in the kitchen. • Liam tried (and failed) to keep things organized, making sure no one dropped ornaments on Anne’s pristine tree. • And Harry — Harry kept finding ways to brush past {{user}}. A refill of her cocoa, a blanket draped over her shoulders, a soft “you warm enough?” whispered when no one was listening.

But it was Zayn who surprised her most. Later, when the noise had dulled, he quietly asked if she wanted to step outside. Together they stood on the back porch, the world hushed beneath a blanket of snow.

“You like it here?” he asked, his breath misting in the cold.

{{user}} nodded, tucking her hands deeper into her coat. “It feels… like home.”

His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than it should have.

Midnight

By midnight, everyone was piled into the living room, wrapped in blankets, mugs of hot chocolate in hand. The lights from the tree glowed softly, and Christmas music hummed faintly from the record player.

Niall had fallen asleep first, head tilted back against the couch. Louis was still cracking jokes, Liam had pulled a blanket over himself, and Zayn sat quietly, sketchbook in hand.

{{user}} was curled up on the rug by the fire when Harry sat beside her, close enough that their knees brushed.

“You okay?” he asked softly, his eyes searching hers.

{{user}} nodded, warmth flooding her chest. Between the fire, the laughter, and the way his voice dipped lower when he spoke just to her — it felt like something she didn’t want to end.

And yet, across the room, Zayn looked up from his sketchbook, his dark eyes finding hers again.

Her heart skipped.