*emerges from the void to drop this off before submerging once again*

surprise!

I had never had such a nerve-wracking wait in my life. Knowing that I would be meeting my admirer, and soon, was both elating and terrifying. Sai confessed to not being it… which meant… well.

We'll resume there – me, standing in the snowy courtyard under the tree as the clock hit midnight.

The twelfth day of Christmas.

The glamour of the party felt muted from the outside, the music and lights contained inside the hall. It was quieter here, only distant sounds from the street filtering from afar.

My heart was pounding.

It wasn't Sai. It wasn't and I had never felt so relieved in my life. My mind raced over everything that had happened, all the adventures, all the gifts. This break had been jam packed with so many ups and downs that I felt dizzy just thinking of it all. There was really only one clear possibility of my secret admirer now… but, could I afford to get my hopes up?

The chimes of the clock rung out, and I tensed. I stared harder at the tree, the lights softly glowing in the night. The sounds of the party came alive as the door behind me opened and shut. Footsteps softly padded across the concrete and into the grass as a figure halted next to me. I stared at the tree until the lights began to blur and then slowly, reached my hand out.

I twisted my fingers into his.

"Hinata," he said, and I smiled, turning to look at him.

Sasuke stared back. The light flush was back on his cheeks and my mind flashed back through all the days leading to this moment. Of course.

I started to laugh. Sasuke's smile disappeared and confusion flooded his eyes. He tried to pull his hand away but I held on fast, shaking my head.

"No! No, I'm just… I'm so h-happy," I said, giggles still slipping out.

He relaxed again and let out a rare laugh. It felt warm and open as he tugged me closer. Slowly he lifted my wrist and touched the bracelet softly before reaching into his pocket. My breath hitched as he pulled out a small and shiny charm, hooking it onto the chain and smoothing his hand over it.

It was a little Christmas tree.

I smiled softly and looked up into his eyes.

"Merry Christmas," he said, lifting his other hand to my cheek. My heart stopped entirely.

Leaning up on my toes, I pressed closer, our puffs of breath mingling in the cold air. Just as I was about to lean in, a cold flake fell down to my cheek and I looked up suddenly, gasping.

Sasuke followed suit, and we both stared up in amazement and snow began to fall down around us softly.

"Looks like you got your snow after all," he said, smiling as he leaned back in.

Our lips brushed together and my breath was stolen away from my reply. I pressed back up into it, unable to wipe the smile from my lips. His were soft and plush and they moved lazily against mine, a gentle push and pull.

As we broke away I huffed out a small laugh and shook my head incredulously.

"Thank you," I murmured, "for the presents."

"Of course," he replied, wrapping his arms around my waist as we softly swayed back and forth. "About those art show tickets… if you want to take someone else, I'd understand."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Silly, why would I want to go with anyone else?"

He relaxes at that and we shuffle some more, spinning in slow circles. Humming lowly, he presses his forehead to mine.

"I'm glad it was you," I confess.

His responding small smile was brighter than all the Christmas lights combined.

"Me too, Hinata," he says, and he pulls me into another kiss.

And the snow continues to fall.

The end.