"You sure you're all set?" Nami asked.
"Mmhmm. At least, I hope so." Lux nodded back. She put on her navy-colored coat and shuddered.
"You have your phone, keys, wallet and everything?"
"Yep!" Lux replied after feeling around her pockets. "Thanks for helping me dress and everything."
"Aww, it's no problem. I mean, it's not like I had anything to do anyway." Nami chuckled. "You are letting me stay in your apartment anyway."
"Still, thanks a lot."
"Mmm. Just have fun, alright?" Nami smiled brightly.
"I will! Bye!" Lux waved and closed the door, hearing Nami lock it behind her. They shared a small apartment, which had only a single bedroom and a bathroom. The rent was cheap enough, and Nami was also helping with the rent, since she was crashing at Lux's place after being evicted from her own apartment. It wasn't as if Lux was scraping by, but she didn't have too many luxuries she could afford, either. She walked down four flights of stone stairs and out of her apartment building. Her pale face was met with harsh winds that nipped at her cheeks. Buildings and trees around her had Christmas lights strewn around them, glowing in the ever-darkening sky. Wrapping her scarf around her neck, Lux shivered and began to walk down the street. Katarina had texted her a few days ago, asking to meet at a set destination. Lux's girlfriend had returned from a business trip, just in time for Christmas. Though it might have something to do with Katarina being the eldest child of the company's founder and CEO, Marcus duCoteau, Lux still appreciated being able to spend Christmas together with her girlfriend. Snow fluttered to the ground and disappeared into the sidewalk as Lux hummed "All I want for Christmas is you". Lights flickered from leafless trees and tired people trudged by the smiling blonde as she continued to skip down the street. Within five more minutes of skipping and humming, Lux had arrived. It was the park fountain, where they had first met. Lux had blurted out that spot as a first date place after she'd asked Katarina out. The redhead had laughed loudly at that proposition, but agreed nonetheless. That very same park had become their special place; they made sure to go on a date at that park at least once a year, especially during the winter season.
Lux found a bench and sat down, making sure that none of her auburn hair touched the seat. It was covered in a tiny layer of wet snow, making Lux "Eep!" and shiver as she sat. Breathing out exaggeratedly, Lux watched as her warm breath dissipated into the cold air. "Man, it's really cold." Lux looked at her phone to check the time, seeing that it was 3:08. "I hope Kat gets here soon."
She continued to sit there for a few more minutes, looking around at the sights all around her. Couples passed by her, laughing and talking; families passed by, their warm chattering putting a smile on Lux's face; Single people sped by swiftly, and others held gifts such as roses or wrapped boxes. The sun was setting quickly, its warmth and light quickly disappearing from the area. Lux checked her phone, noticing the time, 3:41. It had been 26 minutes past her and Katarina's arranged meeting time at 3:15. She wiped up and opened her messages, navigating over to Katarina's name and quickly sending a short text.
"Hey, are you coming?"
Lux bounced her leg, tapping it on the ground as she waited for her girlfriend to arrive. Twelve minutes later, Katarina still hadn't responded. Lux swiped over to Inst*gr*m, choosing to message the redhead there. No 'seen' indicator popped up, even after five more minutes. Lux began to scroll through the app, looking at posts and other stories. Cold air whistled through the evening sky, piercing Lux's eyes and ears. She shivered and got up from the bench, walking over to a nearby coffee shop. Passing by various people, she dodged left and right to avoid knocking into people whilst keeping her upper body warm. "The Daily Grind" was only one block away, making it perfect for Lux. She entered the store, feeling the warmth rush through her body. Her ears glowed red, as warm blood flowed back through it.
"Welcome to the Daily Grind! How can I help you today?" The cashier, a sleek woman with navy-blue hair, asked with a smile. Her nameplate on her black apron read 'Irelia', just above the store's logo. The store was mostly empty, save for a couple tables being occupied. Two tables had couples sitting and flirting, and on the other, a beautiful woman with shiny white hair and blazing purple eyes worked on her laptop with a drink by her side.
"Sorry, let me just look at the menu first." Lux smiled warmly, stepping aside and looking at the menu.
"Sure, take your time!"
Lux argued internally on what to order, before finally settling on something. She walked up to the register and flashed another smile. "Hi, can I just get a medium hot chocolate and a gingerbread cookie?"
"Of course! Will that be all?"
"Mmhmm."
"Can I get a name for your order?"
"It's Lux. L-U-X."
"Alrighty. Your total will be $7.28. Please insert or tap your card here" Irelia tapped a screen with her finger. Lux tapped her phone to the screen, confirming the payment with a signature and leaving a $25 tip.
"Th-Thank you so much!" The barista smiled widely and bowed after noticing the tip.
"It's hard working on Christmas. I'm lucky to have it off, but why not spread the Christmas spirit, right?" Lux grinned back.
"W-Well, I'll have your order out soon." Irelia bowed and left the counter to prepare Lux's order. Five minutes later, Irelia handed Lux her drink and a wax paper bag,
"Thank you very much." The bartender bowed again and Lux walked away, taking a seat at a table behind the woman with the white hair. Her demeanor and appearance seemed vaguely familiar to someone Lux had seen before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. The auburn-haired woman took her phone out and opened her messages.
"I went to the Daily Grind, down the street. Let me know when you're coming."
Lux tapped out quickly. After sending it, she put her phone down and began to eat her cookie and sip her drink, enjoying the warmth of the store. Browsing Inst*gr*m for a bit more, she ate her cookie and finished her drink. The time now read 4:24, making Lux worry more.
"Dang it, I shouldn't have drank that much. I hope they'll open the bathroom for me."
Crumbling up the wax paper, she took her cup in one hand and her purse in the other. She tossed her garbage into the can and walked up to the counter.
"Hi! How can I help you?"
"HI, sorry, but I was just wondering if you could open the restroom for me?" Lux asked with a smile.
"Sure! Please, go ahead and I'll buzz it open." Irelia smiled.
"Thank you very much." Lux smiled tightly and quickly made her way over to the bathroom. She relieved herself quickly and exited the restroom, thanked Irelia and left the store. Hit with a fresh gust of cold air, Lux shivered and wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck. She walked back over to the park, finding her seat at the same spot, and taking her place on the empty bench. The park lights were now turned on, seeing as the sun had completely disappeared from the sky. Lights glowed from the fountain, illuminating the water and the nearby area. Christmas lights now truly began to shine, their rainbow-colored lights glaring in the dark sky. Lux turned around and faced the center of the park, where a large Christmas tree had been lit. Couples and families alike flocked gaily down to the attraction, taking pictures and making merry.
"Hahh…." Lux sighed sadly. She'd already updated her girlfriend on her location change, and was now awaiting a response of any kind. She covered her ears with her scarf and pulled out her phone, scrolling through her photos now. She reminisced through last year's Christmas photos, where Katarina kissed Lux in front of the tree just as Talon snapped the picture. Katarina had printed and framed the picture, alongside two other pictures she'd taken with Lux on Christmas. The ever-growing collection of Christmas pictures made Lux feel embarrassed each time she visited Katarina's place. A warm blush sent shivers through Lux's chilly body, keeping her warm despite the cold weather.
"Mmmm. I might freeze to death at this rate, but I have no choice." Lux mumbled to herself. Katarina still hadn't even seen Lux's messages, making the auburn-haired woman worry.
"I'll wait just half an hour more, until 5:30, and then I'll text Kat and head back." She said to herself with a shiver. "Hopefully I can make it that far."
And so, the auburn-haired woman decided to wait for 30 more minutes. The temperature steadily dropped, making Lux feel the cold even more as time passed. Lux's reflective cerulean eyes glowed from the Christmas lights and park lamps, even through the sunless night sky. She shivered and breathed out, her steamy wisps of air floating and dissipating into the air. Looking at her phone yet again, the glow burned her eyes, but Lux tolerated it and checked the time. 5:18 is what it read, making Lux change her mind. She'd been waiting for eighteen minutes, taking her time by watching the people at the tree and at the people passing by.
"Man, it's only been eighteen minutes, but I'm absolutely freezing now." Lux shivered. She opened her messaging app and sent Katarina one last message,
Sorry, but I'm freezing
I'm going back to my apartment
Please let me know if you're going to come soon
Or text anything
See you soon 3
Lux shivered and whispered the messages that she typed out. Standing up, she put her phone in her purse and grabbed her purse with her right hand. She began to exit her section of the park, which was at the South entrance of the park. Wrapping her scarf as tight as possible, Lux began to make her way home.
"W-Wait! Lux!"
The auburn-haired woman stopped short after hearing that voice. She turned her head quickly and gazed into the distance. Lux already knew who it was, even though she didn't recognize the figure.
"K-Kat?" Lux shivered. Her face was warming up again at the sound of her girlfriend's voice.
"I'm sorry! I'm so, so sorry!" Katarina shouted, running at top speed to Lux. She reached her girlfriend, who was standing still as snowflakes fell and melted on her blushing face. "Oh my God, you're cold! Take this! I'm sorry!" The redhead thrust a hand warmer into Lux's numb fingers, which curled around it tightly.
"I-It's fine, I-I guess. But w-what happened?" Lux shivered, holding the hand warmer to her face.
"I—" Katarina breathed out. "I wanted to surprise you and everything, so I got you a gift, I went shopping, made plans, reservations, and before I knew it, it was way past our meeting time. I'm so sorry! How could I be so forgetful, especially since it's your favorite holiday and our anniversary soon, too!"
"I-I see." Lux replied.
"I'm sorry, Lux. Will you forgive me?" Katarina begged.
"Y-Yeah, I will. But let's go somewhere warm first." Lux suggested.
"W-Wait, Lux!" Katarina stopped Lux once more.
"Hmm?" Lux tilted her head. An uncontrollable smile broke out on her face as she saw what Katarina was doing. The redhead took a knee, and reached into her left pocket. Pulling out a black box, Katarina looked at Lux before opening the box. A silver ring, with a large blue diamond, the same color as Lux's eyes, shone in the glow of the park lamp.
"Luxanna Crownguard, the most beautiful woman in the entire world, my girlfriend of three years, and the love of my life, will you marry me?" Katarina proposed with a smile.
"Y-Yes! Of course I will!" Lux gasped excitedly, holding out her left hand for Katarina to put the ring on. "I love you, Kat!"
"I love you too, Lux." Katarina grinned from ear to ear, sliding the ring on Lux's finger before standing up straight. She leaned forward and kissed Lux, sliding her hands onto Lux's back.
"I love you, Lux. And Merry Christmas, too." Katarina gazed lovingly into her new fiancee's eyes. Her sentiment was returned with equal happiness, as Lux smiled back and whispered,
"I love you too, Kat. Merry Christmas."
Author's Notes:
(10 Days til Christmas!)
This chapter is significantly shorter than all the others, because I didn't want to slot in backstories that didn't really fit, and I just wanted to keep the flow. Still, I'd appreciate criticism or comments because it helps me grow as a writer. Anyways, on the topic of the story, this idea has been running around in my head for way too long, and I finally wrote something about it. Woohoo! Anyways, a super long Nami x MF story is coming up, hopefully by Christmas, so look forward to that! I hope that you all enjoyed reading this story, and thanks for sticking with it this far! ❤️❤️