A/N: So I told myself I wouldn't do more than one fanfic at a time, but I just had to do this one :)

It's a little Christmas AU for Auslly, probably going to be around 7-10 chapters long, possibly (probably) more.

Disclaimer: Jingle bells, this just smells, just cuz I don't own anything!

Heads up: it's late, so sorry for spelling errors =v=

Chapter 1- When You Meet Me

(R5- Wishlist)

I clasped my hands tightly around the warm mug in my hands. The winter chill definitely got me this time. The blackness before me was so beautiful, sprinkled with the tinsel of the streets and the glitter of the little multi-colored dots in the surrounding buildings, the ghostly white sidewalks almost sparkling under the glow of the city that never sleeps. My breath fogged up the glass before me, and I decided it was time to step away from it. Turning my attention away from the window, I snuggled deeper into my soft, fuzzy sweater, gripping the mug of hot chocolate tighter in my hands. Beside me, the fluorescent glow of my cell phone notified me that the time was nearing ten o'clock, and my upstairs neighbours would soon be heading out for their nightly rendezvous out in the city. I much preferred warm blankets and hot, sweet beverages where I could melt marshmallows in rather than the optional mini dresses (in winter may I add) and cool drinks that required licking salt off my own skin and biting into sour fruit wedges.

What would they call it, party-pooper, modest, too conservative? I didn't care. I wasn't much for the big nights out, maybe just the local book n' coffee shop or the Cozi restaurant nearby, sitting by the inviting crackling fire, simply enjoying as the snowflakes drifted from the sky. Maybe any day, but not tonight.

Sighing, I clicked off my phone. Tomorrow would be a big day, and I needed my rest. I glanced around my small apartment as I sipped the last bit of hot cocoa, watching the collection of the thick, dark stuff at the bottom pooled together, leaving behind momentary trails wherever it touched. I turned on my heel and headed across the small living room to the kitchen, where the empty mug was deposited.

With a puff of a lonely breath, I flicked off the lights and headed to my bedroom, my eyes more than once flickering toward the window showcasing the beautiful New York City below. It was tempting to stay and watch the hustle and bustle out on the streets that had a hypnotic illusion about it that seemed so serene, but I forced myself to resist. I had a collaborative piano final tomorrow. I needed my rest.

Shifting my gaze away from the window, I slowly pulled the door shut behind me. It was going to be a long night.

I'm late. I'm Late. I'm Late!

As I raced down the streets, I hugged my overstuffed, black binder to my chest, shouting a vague apology over my shoulder to the people I shoved past. My other hand held my hat to my head, my long chestnut hair flying behind me. My suede bag swung wildly behind me as I wove my way through the oncoming crowd, repeatedly crashing into my back. The loud clicks of my leather boots beat like a drum in my head, reminding me of the past-due collaborative piano final I was currently late for.

I couldn't believe it. Would I have points deducted from my score? Was my cello companion irked? Could I still even take the final today?

The thoughts raced through my head faster than my feet would race, but it was a close call.

At one point, my bag snagged on a by-passer, and in a desperate attempt to free it, I turned and yanked the strap harshly, still running onward.

Once I turned back, a split-second didn't seem to be enough time for me to notice that no one was pushing past my shoulders anymore, and my first thought was that I'd run into a building. Of course it would be a building, hard, and unmoving, and wait-. Buildings didn't fall when you ran into them (I'd had previous experience in that field). Buildings didn't wrap around you, and skyscrapers definitely didn't cushion your fall when you went down. They didn't smell incredibly good either.

Buildings in New York City didn't have warm bodies, or strong arms, or obvious abs under your hands, and they certainly didn't have bright, brown, golden-speckled irises that made your breath hitch. And I'm pretty sure buildings aren't something you wouldn't mind cushioning your fall when you're about to break your nose from slippery ice on the sidewalk.

Quickly, I scrambled to get off of him before my cheeks could surpass the dark crimson they already were. I turned away from him to pick up the papers from my ginormous binder that had scattered in every which way, a few ripped and wet from landing in snow. I bit my lip as I bunched them up in a messy pile, trying to hastily scrape them back up into the binder. Many of the sheets had been soaked, the ink on them running and seeping from page to page as they were stacked.

I sniffed.

Great. Just great. I was late for my exam, had knocked over a complete stranger and embarrassed myself, and had ruined my handwritten sheet music and notes in the process. My hand quickly flew up to wipe at my stinging eyes, and was met by a handful of papers stacked somewhat neatly in a hand, which was offering them back to me. I flickered my gaze between the boy i'd knocked over and the papers in his hand before gently taking them back.

"Th-thanks."

"No problem."

My cheeks must've been redder than my Rudolph nose when he smiled, helping me place the last few papers into he binder. We both stood, and he handed me something else. My hat. It probably flew off my head when we came crashing down. I grabbed it, stuffing it in my bag, realizing that I was going to be in so much trouble when I showed up at least ten minutes late.

Stepping away from the handsome- and tall- brown-eyed boy, I began to walk backwards to send him a simple, "Um, thanks again!" before spinning around and dashing off towards the Amadeus Hall near the main campus.

Buildings definitely don't have an incredibly charming smile.

"You... did... what?"

I rolled my eyes. Of course Trish would be the one to laugh when I told her what happened. She was one of the three girls who lived above me and attended NYU, also located right by New York City. Her shared apartment with my two other friends, Kira and Chelsea had always been a hangout for all four of us.

"It's not that funny," I mumbled under my breath.

Trish pursed her lips, trying to suppress the smile that I'd have to be blind not to see. "I know. Okay. You're right, you're right."

A head of dark hair popped into the room. "What's not funny?"

I groaned throwing my head back into the couch cushion as Kira came to sit with Trish and me. The Latina simply grinned and explained the story of what happened earlier, and suddenly, both girls were laughing at me. At least my professor let us take the exam after everyone else since my cello compliment was a few minutes late as well.

"Well thanks, guys. Nice to know I have such supportive friends."

Kira patted my shoulder with mock-sympathy. "It's okay, Ally. It least he wasn't cute, right?"

I blushed.

Trish gasped. "No way, he was!"

I blushed harder.

Kira prodded my side. "Well, what'd he look like?"

I bit my lip. "He, um, he was tall."

"And?" Kira prodded me again.

"He had this jean jacket thing going on, and this gray beanie on his head, but I'm pretty sure I saw some blonde roots under there. He had abs too, I know that."

Kira and Trish shared a look.

"But the jeans, they were all snug and just-right and..."

Kira giggled.

"And he had these eyes. They were this swirly brown color with golden flecks in them,"

"Did you get his name?" Trish inquired.

My shoulders sagged a little. "No. I kind of ran off and-"

"Ally!"

"I'm sorry! I was in a rush for the final, and I had to go, and he just. What if he's a jerk? I don't even know who he is. What if he was just being nice, but really, he's a huge jerk? We didn't exchange more than five words!"

Trish sat back, defeated.

"But he did look familiar."

Kira perked up. "How?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, like someone you haven't seen in a long time, or a person you see for a quick second skimming through a magazine."

Both girls deflated. I was hopeless, they claimed.

My fingers skimmed over the spines of the books on the dark wooden shelf. Read it, read it, read it, read it, wait! I pulled the book off the shelf, using my free hand to open it. Jackpot.

Tucking the book under my arm, I balanced the paper cup in my other hand, catching a brief glimpse of the shop's logo, a book with steam rising from it, the word Climax strategically incorporated into the design. Of all the odd names the book n' coffee shop had gone through, including A Latte of Words and A Twist in Taste, the owner had landed on the simple word, deeming it perfect with the play on definition as "the boiling point, or turning point in a story", since the place was mostly known for comforting hot beverages and old, gently used books.

I made my way to the fireplace, my usual spot where the view of both the softly falling snow outside, and the whole shop with the shadows of the fireplace's flames dancing merrily around my feet. Although, someone seemed to have left something in the chair. Most likely it was Cassidy, the one barista who knew exactly how I like my hot cocoa. She had always been one to read magazines in her break time, which explained why I found the latest Cheetah Beat edition in my spot.

I picked it up, ready to give it to her when I saw the front cover. On it had one very familiar-looking boy, with a blue beanie on his head, a blonde fringe hanging over his forehead, and a leather jacket over a black hoodie with those familiar matching jeans, a guitar case slung over his shoulder, and the headline:

Uprising Star; Austin Moon Set to Play Christmas and New Year's in the Big Apple!

A/N: Hey hey hey!

So, this is the first chapter of Sweet as A Candy Cane, my new little Christmas AU!

What do you think so far? I'd love to get any feedback, like it? Don't like it? Have anything to point out? Tell me!

Keep Kool!

Bie!

-K8ie