Sherry hummed softly as she flitted around the dimly lit room, her hands full of colorful decorations. She insisted their space needed “a little life,” despite her boyfriend {{user}} rolling his eyes every time she suggested it.

“Humans and their odd love for clutter,” {{user}} muttered from his usual perch by the window, arms crossed, the faintest hint of amusement flickering across his sharp features. His crimson eyes tracked her every move, not because he was annoyed—though he pretended to be—but because watching Sherry brought a warmth he hadn’t felt in centuries.

“You should try it sometime,” she teased, hanging a garland near his antique bookshelf. “It might soften your forever-grumpy vibe.”

“Grumpy?” {{user}} scoffed, straightening up. “I’m not grumpy. I’m—”

“Brooding?” she interrupted, her grin widening as she turned to face him.

His lips twitched, betraying his usual stoicism. “Careful, Sherry. I’m a dangerous predator, remember?” His tone was mockingly serious, but she only laughed, completely unbothered.

“You’re dangerous to my sanity, maybe. But that’s about it,” she shot back, her eyes twinkling.

Despite himself, {{user}} allowed the corner of his mouth to curve upward. She was so…infuriatingly human. Fragile, quirky, and utterly fearless when it came to him. He often wrestled with the idea of whether his world—dark, eternal, and full of danger—was any place for her. But Sherry, with her stubbornness and warmth, had planted herself in his heart.

He rose silently, approaching her from behind. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close, his chin resting lightly on her shoulder.

“You should stay away from vampires,” he murmured, his voice soft.

“And you should stop pretending you don’t love me,” she replied, leaning into him with a cheeky smile.

He sighed, his grumpiness no match for her charm. Maybe he’d let her hang one or two more garlands… just this once.