A/N: Apologies for the delay on this one, it's been a long day and then I fell asleep before I could properly finish it.

It's always been something of a surprise, how well all members of The Kingdom, old and new, get along. Well, with the exception of Adam Cole, but he was never as loyal to them as they tried to be to him. Matt Taven is sitting on the couch, mulling over this while listening to Maria and Michael Bennett whisper back and forth, voices little more than hisses against his senses, and he rolls his eyes as he diligently cleans off his title belt- the special, purple strapped creation that confirmed that he, and he alone, was ROH champion. Not Dalton Castle, not Cody, definitely not Jay Lethal. Finally curious, he puts the belt down across his lap and clears his throat. "What are you two whispering about?"

Almost looking guilty, Maria and Michael look over at him, before exchanging glances. "We're discussing hosting a holiday party for anyone on the 205 Live roster who's interested," she says bluntly. "Someone's against the idea though." She lightly pokes Michael and he grimaces, looking over at Taven for help.

Matt absorbs the relief on his significant other's face as he slowly gets to his feet and ambles over to them, draping his arms over both of their shoulders and smirking. "I think it sounds like a great idea." He watches as Michael's face falls into a bitter sort of resignation, leaning in to lightly kiss the side of his mouth. "Sorry, babe. Just think you should get to know the roster, hm?"

"Thank you," Maria says, and Taven smirks lazily over at her as he moves his arm off of her and loosely drapes it around Michael's waist. "I'll handle everything. All you have to do, Mike, is show up, maybe mingle a little. I swear, that's all."

"See?" Taven teases him. "Easy."

Mike rolls his eyes, staring glumly at Taven. "You were supposed to have my back on this," he pouts and Taven rubs his arm with a vague chuckle.

"I always do, Mike. That's why I said this should happen. You need to get to know the others better, observe, start to figure out how everything works in that world, so you can succeed better. We all know wrestlers are looser, more prone to screw up and reveal weaknesses outside of a professional setting. Remember all of those stupid parties I would host when we were tag champs?" He grins at the dawning realization on Michael's face. "Now you know why," he teases him, kissing him again.

So they host the party, and it's obnoxious, and loud. Maria had informed everyone they could bring a plus one, so their house is crowded, people wandering around with plates of food, wine glasses filled as high as possible, ahhing and oohing over the Christmas decorations that Maria had worked hard on once they were sure they were absolutely doing this and all around generally ignoring Michael, Taven and Maria, clearly just here for the free food and to mingle with the co-workers they can stand.

Drake Maverick is nearby, casting a watchful eye over his group of Cruiserweights, almost as if he's here to chaperone more than actually enjoy himself, and Taven rolls his eyes, well aware of the problems he's been giving Maria and Mike. He's tempted to go give the guy a piece of his mind when some tall guy he thinks he might recognize from NXT comes up behind him and hands him a mug with a quick grin as Drake steps back into his warmth, sipping from the cider contentedly. Matt's resolve immediately falters. "Eh, maybe later," he mumbles, turning away to look around at the others scattered around.

TJP isn't far away, ignoring all of them with a bored look on his face until his +1, Neville, returns to his side, plate piled high with snacks over which he doesn't complain about too much as TJ grabs a couple of finger sandwiches and starts to chew on them, leaning into Neville as the two of them exchange what's probably ugly, judgmental comments about most of the people milling around.

Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa are on one side of the room while Jack Gallagher and Drew Gulak are on the other, Drew and Ariya Daivari talking about who knows what, Hideo Itami standing not far away, dark eyes sweeping over the crowd as he takes it all in. Taven rolls his eyes, observing how Gallagher and Brian keep glancing at each other, just missing locking eyes with the other as they repeatedly look away at the wrong time in what has to be the stupidest dance Taven's seen in a long time.

Lucha House Party have even decorated their ridiculous pinatas for Christmas, lights fliashing from around their necks, and Michael glowers at them as they sweep past, whooping and celebrating even harder than they usually do. "Ugh."

Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali are hovering by the drinks, chatting even as they keep their eye on Buddy Murphy and Tony Nese, who seem to be unabashedly examining the entire group, Cruiserweight title reflecting all of the lights mockingly across his shoulder. There are a few other people scattered around the room that Taven doesn't recognize off hand and he shrugs, glancing over at Mike, who looks as disinterested with all of this as Taven feels.

This being Maria's idea, he assumes she'll be the one putting together whatever she was hoping to get from this little party, since that was always his role for these sorts of things whenever he would hold one of these, so he has no guilt about reaching out and easing his hand into Mike's, drawing him closer with a tug. "Come with me," he says softly, watching the curiosity cross Mike's face. He draws him through the house, away from the group of wrestlers, past the decorations, and outside, where it's just a little cool- for Florida- but quiet, peaceful.

They lean against the side of the house and look out at neighboring houses, some with lights gleaming here and there down the street, inflatable Santas and snowmen dotting a couple lawns. Mike rests his head on Matt's shoulder, exhaling softly. "Thanks for getting me out of there," he mumbles. "I know it's a smart plan by Maria, but ugh, not at all how I was planning on spending my evening off, y'know?"

Matt chuckles and toys with Mike's hair, brushing the strands this way and that before resting his head against Mike's. "How were you planning on spending it then?"

"Probably taking my favorite ROH champion out on a date," he says, lifting his head to smile at Matt, who looks pleased with his response. "Maybe next time, huh? I am glad you were able to come to this, make it a little more bearable at least."

Matt's lips quirk up in a smile and he leans in, kissing Mike slowly, softly. "Like I'd miss this, Mike." He chuckles. "I know parties aren't really your thing, especially when it's full of people you can't really stand."

"Yeah," he mumbles, wrapping his arms around Matt and drawing him in close. "Thanks."

Matt's fingers trail up his neck, brushing against the back of his head, and Mike shivers as he kisses him again, thoroughly, lingering, slow, teasing swipes of his tongue leaving Mike breathing heavily when Matt pulls away, pecking his lips a couple of more times. "Merry Christmas, Mike," he murmurs, pressing his forehead against Mike's and grinning at him.

"Hm," he groans, trying to regain control of his faculties through the dazed, tingling feeling spreading through his veins after that kiss. "Damn. Merry Christmas to you too, Matt."