"We're getting close, we really need you Sir. Oh good, you found her!" The two were startled by the elf's youthful voice. "Forgive me if I sound insensitive, but there's already so much gone wrong today. I don't think Santa could take it if we started losing his most cherished family"

Snow crawled out from underneath the tree, scarf slipping out of his companion's grip, and offered his hand. "Well shivering snowballs, we can't leave Santa out in the cold! M'lady"

"Oh…is he okay?" Shocky blinked, trying match the their words with the appropriate inflection. Everything felt so hazy and her so sluggish Could they hear it? Did the tone translate properly? When did his hand entwine with hers? She didn't remember moving. The tingling in her spine drowned everything out.

"He's okay, but I think it would be best if this was our little secret" The elf took Shocky's free hand, tiny fingers curling around a gloved palm.

"Come on love, you'll catch your death out here." Snow's hand let go and her heart dropped.

"Okay" She mumbled, allowing her body to be led back to the factory in uncomfortable silence. The walk to the workshop was short, but felt like a mile as their feet met the resistance of the new fallen snow. A strong full voice greeted them as they reentered the factory

"We're doing really well guys!" Aqua cheered.

Shocky chimed in, struggling to match the bubbly way she used to sound "We're…gonna…make it! I'll go get the carts-"

"-Allow me" Aqua interrupted. "I can do the grunt work. You stay here and make sure all the inventory is accounted for." She jogged towards the door. I'll be back soon guys!"

By the time she had returned, the floor was empty, people congregating in the break hall. The boys smiled at each other and toasted their drinks, each prepared in their preferred way. Heat's smile faltered slightly when he caught sight of Aqua.

"Hey you're back. We can load things up now" It was more of a statement than a greeting.

"Okay folks, show time, lets get everything moved into the sleigh, then we can rest until tonight!" Snow added cheerily.

"Are you two all fitted up with your suits?"

"That we are Bob, they're hanging in our room right now, we won't worry about them until later."

Heat glanced at Aqua and motioned to the cocoa. "Enjoy yourselves ladies, you've worked very hard and deserve a rest"

"That we do!" She grinned, but he was gone before the words left her lips. She ignored the heavy feeling in her gut as the boys set to work, grabbing armfuls of presents and loading up the cart with them, their minions at the wheel to drive them to the sleigh. Reluctantly, Heat spared a second glance in their direction. "If you don't drink it up soon...oof...it'll get cold"

Snow laughed. "Nothin' wrong with cold cocoa, haha!"

They lifted the last present into the next load. Heat hesitated and took a deep breath before making his way over to Aqua.

Here went nothing.

"So uh...I got you something FOR christmas Aqua, I'm not sure if you'd like it or not but I finished it earlier, during the destructive part of the day heh…" He held out a box with a bow on it, wrapping paper bright orange. "I'm…I'm sorry things got heated earlier. It was inappropriate of me to put you in that position"

Aqua blinked. "What are you talking about?"

"Earlier when we were making toys and you… I couldn't help it. I didn't mean to get you all hot and bothered. I'm sorry I messed things up"

The smaller woman grabbed his chin tenderly, light green eyes staring deep into his own, glowing with something warm and foreign. "Now you look here" Her voice was quiet, almost a purr, but stern. His heart raced when he felt her clammy thumb made contact with his cheek, just about stopping when she drew closer- filling his nostrils with the scent of salt and seaweed. Her breath tickled his ear as she spoke, setting his nerves on fire.

"You don't have to make assumptions on my behalf" Her voice dropped to a near sultry whisper. "If I have a problem with you, you'll know" She let go of his chin, eyes tracing his features. "You're fine"

And just as soon as it began, it ended abruptly with her taking the box- exclaiming loud enough for the bystanders to see

"Oh that's thoughtful! ...and really unexpected" She laughed. "Aw ha if I'd have known, I would have made you something sooner! …So is this for Christmas or is it one of those "I want you to open it now" gifts?"

Heat blinked the fog away and casted a sideways glance down at the smaller fae. He hadn't thought of that.

"Hmm...I'll let you decide, either way I think you'll like it...I'm not a huge christmas guy as you can tell, so I'm kinda lax about everything heh"

"In that case, I'll save it for your return. It will give me some time to procure a gift for you" .

Her lids lowered, thick lashes sweeping over sparkling eyes, full rosy lips curling into a dreamy smile that took his breath away. "That way, we'll both have something to cherish"

Red patches crept up his jaw at those words, skin beginning to change to an angry red color. He kicked the ground, hands behind his back. "Awh now, it's nothin' super special heh…"

"B-Brother dear! I grabbed one too many gifts here, help me!"

Snow's high Tenor voice called into the room, cutting through the inexplicable tension like a knife.

Without another word, the pair rushed over, taking more then half of them off Snow's weakened arms and putting them into the cart.

Shocky perked up when she heard the sound, brows furrowed in concern.

"Whoa are you okay?"

Snow nodded.

"Y-yep yep, just not as strong as the big guy right here, so I couldn't carry that many, now I know better…"

"Not much left eh?" Heat motioned to the small pile of boxes behind them.

"Not at all! soon that sleigh will be all loaded up and we can relax for a few hours"

"Speaking of which, sounds like we'll be needing all hands on deck" Aqua said, locking eyes with her sister

Reluctantly, Shocky sauntered over and tripped over her own foot, sending her staggering into Snow with a frightened yelp. "HEY what's th- oh! oh I'm so sorry." She backed up, looking bashfully up at Snow through her lashes, jaw decorated in red patches.

Snow reflexively stepped back, maintaining his balance when she collided with him. oh! "Heh i-it's okay! it's okay"

"Welcome to Earth, We missed you!"

"Yes welcome back stranger haha"

Shocky backed up further from the group. "W-well! It...is Christmas. Eve. We gotta. Stuff lot of to do"

"Oh right! I forgot that staring at the inventory clipboard is an integral part of Christmas Eve preparation." Aqua shook her head in mock solemnity. "We're sorely lacking boys"

Heat rolled his eyes with a smile as Snow made a clipboard and pencil out of ice and stared at it.

"Not me! haha! I'm working super hard!"

He looked down from his clipboard with a queasy grin. Did she believe him? Did she accept his apology or better yet, forgive him? The elf had interrupted before he had a chance to know. He traced her features, caressing them with his eyes as she stared back at him, transfixed by his smile. Slowly, he reached over and ran his fingers through her bangs as he swept them out of her face.

"There we go, you don't wanna look messy now heh"

Heat turned his attention back to Aqua. "Well...Since we just had cocoa, how about instead you join me for dinner? if that's alright?"

Aqua shot him a toothy grin "That's even better!"

Shocky, who had been leaning into Snow's touch, looks to her with a start. "Oh. Oh! D-don't let her cook though! Her food is worse than an electrical burn" Aqua looked to Heat with an air of resignation.

"She's not wrong"

"Oh trust me, I wasn't going to...b-but not because I don't think she should, but because I wanna cook FOR her"

Heat leaned in, excitedly "You haven't lived until you've had my spicy curry!"

"And my snow cones are to die for!" Snow peered down at Shocky.

"…I uh...I got all caught up in this stuff and was unable to give you your gift earlier, but even though the sun is setting, I can still give it to you if you'd like...we'll have to go outside though. "

"You…have a gift for me?" Shocky's eyes widened. "Of course!"

"Cool! Come on!" Snow looked to Aqua with a wink, frowning slightly when she ignored it completely. Aqua took Heat's hand and led him out of the room. "This place is a labyrinth anyway. Took me years to learn my way around."

Heat followed her, grinning widely as he stared at the hand grasping his. "Y-yeah labyrinth is for certain heh"

Snow took Shocky's own hand, a slight chill reaching her through the fabric as he led her out the door, this time not letting go.