A/N: Another old one I'm moving here. A Christmas one. Reposted in September. Not even the Christmas-themed furniture adverts are out yet, for X'hal's sake.

P.S. three guesses as to who Red X is going to be in this collection (the first two don't count).

mistletoe

Some joker — probably the old woman from the floor above; she'd always been sentimental, and had a formidable army of grandchildren who'd willingly jump if she told them how high — had had the smart idea of hanging tiny sprigs of mistletoe above each door in the complex (with a small package of gingerbread cookies at each doorstep, definitely Mrs. Adamson's trademark). Reaching Jason's apartment, their jackets damp as the snow from outside began to melt, Kom only noticed it as Jason began to root around in his pockets for his key. She snorted, cocking a circular eyebrow.

"Cute."

"Hm?" Jason glanced up. "Oh."

"Strategically placing winter plants to pressure people into making out with you. Human traditions are strange — have I ever told you that?"

"On a regular basis." Jason smirked, producing his key and slipping it into the lock. "Let me guess. On Tamaran, you have to win a battle to the death and go through an arranged marriage before you get to play tonsil hockey."

"You forgot the unarmed Flarnop hunt," Blackfire replied flippantly, without missing a beat; Jason paused, trying to decipher whether or not she was joking. He looked at the mistletoe again, then straightened his back and looked at his girlfriend out of the corner of his eye.

Blackfire's eyes flashed violet. The mistletoe disintegrated. Jason's smile slipped slightly, and Blackfire chuckled.

"What, were you expecting a kiss?"

"Can you blame me?"

"Hmm. Who says we need an excuse?"

Depositing her twin shopping bags on the floor, Kom grabbed the lapels of Jason's jacket and pulled him forward. Jason's surprise was only momentary before he responded with enthusiasm — he cupped the back of her slender neck and titled his head slightly, opening his mouth. Every kiss with her was electrifying, sparks warming his lips and fingers and toes; he tasted like a delicious blend of spices, and she tasted like blackberry lipgloss and her last cup of coffee. Jason traced her lip with the tip of his tongue, smiling into the kiss.

Kom broke away quite suddenly, smiling back. "Easy, tiger. You've got my bags to carry in first."

Jason's laugh was throaty. "Now that's unfair."

"Hey, I'm going easy on you. Next time you might have to bring back a Portkin's head first."

~TT~