"I'm sorry my brother was so angry," Lili sighed, shyly folding her little hands in her lap. "I-it had nothing to do with you being a girl! He's just really protective of me..."
"I know," Natalya replied calmly, sitting behind the smaller girl and playing with her short hair. "I'm sorry my family is so dysfunctional. Usually I spend Christmas with them."
Lili looked down. "I'm sorry I pulled you away from them."
"Don't get upset," Natalya scolded flatly. "I decorated my own house this year for a reason."
Lili looked back up, quietly admiring the lovely Christmas tree that Natalya had no doubt spent a day or more decorating.
"For me?" she tried to clarify, her voice small and uncertain.
"Of course for you," Natalya confirmed, tying a bit of Lili's hair into a little sprout. "I wanted you to spend Christmas with me no matter what."
Lili's face heated up quite a bit. "Natasha?" she started, using the other's informal nickname.
"What?" she replied, leaning back against the wall and pulling Lili with her.
"Would you say that...just for this holiday...we're sort of...family?" the smaller asked, fidgeting nervously.
Natalya stayed quiet a moment, pondering.
"Yes. I agree," she said finally. "We are all the family required for Christmas."
Lili turned her head and looked up at the other.
"I love you, Natasha," she told her, voice hopeful.
"...I love you, too," Natalya responded hesitantly, brushing her lips against those of the smaller girl.