It was Christmas Eve, in Academia, year 413 AF.

Serah and Noel had decided to take a break from time traveling and crazy adventures, instead visiting family and friends to celebrate Christmas with them.

Hope Estheim, leader of the Academy and close friend of both Serah and Noel, usually spent Holidays such as Christmas or his birthday with his friends, having no family left since his father, the only parent he had who was still alive, passed away many years ago.

Noel was the same, the only family he had was now gone, leaving the silverette and brunette oddly similar to each other at that.

Hope decided that he would have the party at his place this year, since everyone took turns in having the responsibility.

Around half an hour before the time for everyone to turn up, Hope heard a knock on the door.

It was Noel, the young director's boyfriend, early as expected.

"Oh, hello Noel." Hope greeted the hunter and allowed him to enter the apartment, smiling softly.

The younger man nodded at Hope, casually sitting down on the couch.

"Merry Christmas."

Moments later, the silverette noticed something hanging above Noel's head, smirking before sitting beside him, giving the younger man a gentle kiss on the cheek. His skin was soft, yet slightly cold from the icy snow of winter.

"Heh...underneath the mistletoe..."