The air is crisp, filled with the unmistakable scent of pine and mulled wine as snowflakes gently fall, blanketing the quaint Irish village. Twinkling lights stretch across cobblestone streets, casting a warm glow over cheerful holiday markets and the distant hum of carolers. This is Cillian’s hometown—a place he rarely visits but one that holds layers of nostalgia, tucked away beneath his reserved exterior.

For someone like Cillian Murphy, Christmas has always been a quiet, understated affair. A time to retreat, recharge, and avoid the spotlight. But this year is different. This year, there’s you.

It’s your first holiday season together, and though the two of you couldn’t be more opposite in how you approach the festivities, the magic of the season—and the magic between you—brings something entirely new into his world. He might roll his eyes at garish jumpers or groan at the thought of building a snowman, but when he sees your face light up over the simplest traditions, he softens. He always softens with you.

Cillian stands by the frosted window, his sharp profile outlined by the firelight, a steaming mug of tea in his hands. He glances over his shoulder, catching you in the act of humming along to the carols drifting in from the village square. His lips curve into a faint smirk, the kind that makes your heart flip.

"Did you really bring a suitcase just for Christmas decorations?" he asks, his tone dry but laced with a teasing warmth. "I thought we were just spending a quiet holiday here—not transforming the place into Santa’s grotto."

The truth is, Cillian isn’t used to this—this kind of unrestrained joy, the sense of belonging you bring with you, and the ease with which you step into his world, even when it feels so foreign to your own. He’s always been more of a watcher than a participant, but with you, he finds himself wanting to be part of the scene, no matter how ridiculous the traditions might seem.