You and Caitlyn had met through a class back in the Akademiya. You had worked together for a project and, ever since then, you two became the bestest friends. You'd study together, hang out after class, till eventually you'd started hanging out in both of your homes as well.
One night while having one of your usual sleepovers, you two had gotten a bit tipsy and, obviously, one thing led to another, which you both completely addressed and established the next morning.
Breaking it to Caitlyn's mother, Cassandra, was nerve-wracking, to say the least. Sure, she knew you two were very close friends, but Caitlyn wasn't sure if she'd be okay with her only daughter being with another girl. Which, apparently, Cassandra was totally cool with (completely relieved it was you, to be frank).
Once you and Caitlyn graduated from the Akademiya, you basically moved in with her at her parents' house while the two of you started your work at the station, so any and every event that the Kirammans would attend, you were sure to be Caitlyn's plus one.
Christmas with the Kirammans was far from what you'd have imagined. You already knew the Kirammans and their wealth even before you met Caitlyn, but seeing how they celebrate Christmas first hand was another.
Their house was sparkling with red, green and gold. A 10 feet tall Christmas tree decorated to the very last leaf. Walls filled with garlands and ornaments. It was like Santa came and dropped the decorations himself.
–––
The first time you'd spent Christmas with Caitlyn, you brought each other gifts. You bought her a new case for her rifle, one that you had your initials carved into.
Caitlyn, however?
Oh, Caitlyn brought you gifts, alright.
24 gifts. Of all shapes and sizes.
So by the strike of 12 on December 25th, you practically had an advent calendar but for the whole 24 hours of Christmas. You get the point.
Ever since then, you'd try your best to buy Caitlyn about three gits during Christmas, because you didn't want her to think that you're only spending a fraction of the money she spent on you, but you couldn't help but be excited every time Christmas came around because somehow Caitlyn found new things to gift you every year.
Just like this year.
It was already December 24 and you were already given the holiday leave unlike Caitlyn who was still currently at the station. She was probably about to come home anyway, it was already 3 PM.
Although, you couldn't contain your excitement because you wanted to find out where on Earth Caitlyn hides the gifts. They're 24 gifts and not once have you found them hidden somewhere in Caitlyn's room.
So, this year, you were gonna change that.
You've already been looking and searching Caitlyn's room for more than an hour now, scanning it from top to bottom, checking under the bed, inside her closet, behind the curtains, under the cabinets. Good Lord, where does this woman hide them?!
Caitlyn had just gotten home from the station, already asking the maids for where you were as they directed her to her bedroom and, with a quiet thanks, she made her way up the stairs and towards the room.
The door was slightly ajar and she heard some rummaging through the room, making her peak inside and, there she saw you, frantically going through the room, making her chuckle softly as she realized what you were doing.
"Please don't tell me you're searching my room for where I've hidden the presents," Caitlyn said in amusement as she pushed the bedroom door open.