"Do you want the opened bottle or the other?"

"Grab both," you called back towards the kitchen. You listened as Finn took out the wine to accompany the Chinese food that was spread out on your coffee table.

It was December 3rd, and you found yourself on the floor of your living room, surrounded by boxes of Christmas decorations. Anything themed for the fall had already been packed and put away; it was time to winterize your apartment. A bare tree stood in the back corner, a box of ornaments beside it. You'd already strung up Christmas lights as a trim around your living room, and put up a couple wall decorations. Many things were left to do, however.

Finn came in to the room, carrying two glasses and two bottles. He set them down on the table before sitting down beside you on the floor between the couch and table.

"It's looking good," he commented, as he poured wine in to both glasses.

"It is," you concurred, picking up your glass to take a healthy drink from. Having him next to you made every nerve burn in your body. "Thank you…for, um, the help, and all."

"Of course," he brushed away your statement, picking up his own glass to take a sip. You set your drink down, to open some of the containers, pushing the items on to your plate. Finn followed suit, loading his own plate with various items from the selection of food.

You couldn't ignore that somehow Saturday nights were now your time with Finn, given this was the fourth time it was happening. After Halloween Eve, he'd come over that weekend to help you undo the decorations, and put up generic fall things. An appearance for wrestling in the UK and a vacation to Finland had followed for him, while you'd been welcomed back on to NXT tapings. He'd managed to come over one night prior to flying out the next morning.

In between it all, you'd seen each other at the Performance Center, and exchanged random texts too. But this was the first of "your nights" together in a couple weeks.

And things felt…changed.

When Finn had arrived at your place, he'd pulled you in to a hug. That was normal. But the way he'd held you tightly, followed by a brush of his lips against your head…that was new.

It had been one of many fleeting moments you'd recognized that night so far. While standing around and picking out food, Finn had stood directly next to you, shoulders pressed together. When you'd been attempting to lift a decoration box out of your spare room, he'd come behind you and used his arms to help guide you so you didn't strain in the action.

He was never this touchy with you. Sami was, as he had no boundaries, in an endearing way. But Finn was always respectfully distant; as affectionate as any friend, but nothing consistent or unneeded.

You kept telling yourself you were reading in to things far too much. Your little crush on Finn was just making you misinterpret moments.

"Are you going to Texas for Christmas?"

"Actually, Diana and Kate are coming here," you explained, referencing your stepmom and little sister.

"Well, then we have to make this place look amazing." You snickered at his statement, which he apparently caught from the corner of his eye, as a smile graced his face. "I'm serious!"

"I know you are," you assured. "Even though I also know, they will not care how it looks. But yea, I want it to look good."

There was a pause in the conversation as you both ate a bit, the Christmas music Finn had put on for 'inspiration' playing around you.

"You going home to Ireland?"

"I am," he confirmed. "In a way, this injury has been a bit of a blessin'. I haven't seen my family this much in years."

"Silver lining," you concurred.

The two of you continued to eat and drink, engaging in mindless chit chat throughout. After finishing your meal, you returned to decorating your apartment. It took about an hour before the tree was done, various decorations placed out on surfaces, and items were hung on the walls.

You had just finished with trimming garland around the island in your small kitchen, and headed back out towards the living room where Finn had been entirely focused on making sure a wreath was straight on your wall.

"Is that everything, then?" Finn questioned, surveying the scene before him, hands on his hips. You smiled to yourself as you observed him from behind, finding his behavior adorable. He was so invested in helping you, making things look right. And this wasn't even his home.

"I guess it is," you finally said, coming in from the kitchen doorway, kneeling down to begin putting the empty boxes and such into the bins. "Thank you again for your help."

"Stop. Thanking. Me," he demanded, emphasizing his sentiment with strong pauses. He knelt beside you, helping put away packaging and sealing up the bins again.

After putting everything back in the storage room, you returned to the living room, and agreed to watch a movie. While you turned off the music, Finn scrolled through Netflix. He selected something, and you barely spared it a glance. You didn't care what you watched so much as you got more time with Finn.

When you went to sit down in the corner of the couch, your hand was grabbed. Your stomach dropped out as you realized Finn had tangled his fingers into yours, stopping you from moving away from him.

"Sit with me."

You could no longer tell yourself you were reading too much into anything.

Going with his movement, you found yourself positioned on the couch beside him, pulled to curl in to his side. Finn put his arm around you, securing you against the crook of his shoulder. You prayed he couldn't feel your heart racing in your chest.

There was silence between the two of you as the movie played. You tried your hardest to concentrate on the TV, but every molecule of your body was so cognizant of his. For all of his muscles and hardness, there was a soft, warmth to him as well. Finn had always had a calming presence about him, but being on the direct receiving end of his gentleness was making your brain feel fuzzy.

"Hey," his voice, though quiet, came clear over the sounds coming from the TV.

"Hmmm?" You tried to act like you'd been invested in the movie, when really you were only invested in thinking about him.

"I want to kiss you."

There was no way he didn't hear the way you gasped sharply at this declaration. Your cheeks instantly burned, embarrassed over your reaction, but also flustered over his words. Where was this coming from? Why did he want to kiss you? What was going on?

"Will ya slap me if I do?"

Always the gentleman.

"No," you murmured, feeling him shift ever so slightly at your answer. He moved some more which caused you to sit up a bit, before gently turning your face towards him. His hand felt heavy on your skin, his thumb light as he moved it just enough over your cheekbone to make a shiver roll down your spine. He smiled at your reaction, appearing pleased.

And when Finn's lips finally met yours, you were pretty sure it was the best kiss of your life.