CHRISTMAS! Yes, this chapter and the next will be Christmas themed. I will the next one posted on Christmas Day. I really like Christmas, haha.
Also, it has been fun, but I will be concluding this fanfiction shortly! I will take a short break after the next chapter is posted, and post then post the final chapters all at once when I return. You guys have been the best readers ever!
Anyways!
When their date had come to an end, Eridan drove her home and they said their goodbyes. Nepeta slipped off her shoes and grabbed the flowers he had brought her. She buried her face in them and took in large whiffs of their scent. She loved the way they smelled, but still dared to wish they smelled the way he did tonight.
She set down the vase and slipped out of her flats and the dress. She took a shower, and tried her best to take her hair out of the updo Rose had put it in without tearing out her hair in the process. After her shower she put on some pajamas and found Pounce sleeping soundly on her couch.
She sat down next to him and heaved the overweight cat into her lap. He was too tired to object, so he instead let out an irritated meow and curled up into her over sized t-shirt. Nepeta petted him and listened to his purs as her mind wandered through the events of their date. She was happy to have Eridan back, and even more so that she finally felt joy for the first time in a little while. She had been too busy being upset over the fight between her and Equius to feel any sort of happiness.
She spotted her phone lying on the kitchen counter and thought that she should probably text Kanaya, Rose, and Eridan to thank them for everything they've done. The more she sat and considered it, the heavier Pounce became on her, the deeper she sunk into her couch, and the lower her eyelids sunk. Finally she gave into temptation and fell asleep, love on her mind and happiness in her heart.
Nepeta awoke the next day to find Pounce absent from her lap, but his cat hair leaving evidence of his presence. She went to check her phone for the time, and found that she was supposed to be at work in half an hour.
With a surprised yelp she ran off to get ready as fast as she could, and practically ran out her front door. She drove quickly but carefully, as the wreck a few months earlier had made her more cautious on the roads.
She got to work just a few minutes late. She checked in and threw on her apron and hat. Kanaya was anxiously making a latte when Nepeta stepped in the kitchen, and nearly spilled it when she spotted her.
"Nepeta! Oh my goodness!" She walked over to her and pulled her into a hug, and then resumed the order. "I thought you were hungover or something, I was so worried," Kanaya said.
Nepeta gave her a disapproving look. "Kanaya you know I don't drink."
"Well, this was your first date with Eridan and your first social interaction with anyone really since...the incident...and Rose and I were just worried for your health," Kanaya said quickly. She called out the name of the cup and set it on the end of the counter.
"My health?" Nepeta repeated dubiously.
Kanaya sighed and buried her face in her hands. For a moment Nepeta thought she was going to cry.
"Kanaya, I'm sorry...I didn't mean to be mean," Nepeta said, reaching for her.
Kanaya shook her head and lowered her hands. "Nonono, it isn't you. I mean..." She let out yet another sigh. "Everyone's been pretty worried about you, Nepeta. No one knew how you were going to handle it...Rose and I have been doing our best to prevent Equius from hurting you even more; I even got him to change his work hours. Eridan's been contacting me nonstop trying to make sure he does his best to make sure you're happy. It's just so upsetting to see you down."
Nepeta didn't quite know how to react or what to say. "Well, Kanaya, no offense, but Eridan is the only one that seems actually concerned. He's the only one who's actually talked to me this past week, and if everyone was as concerned as you said they were, why hasn't anyone tried talking to me? I mean, I appreciate your words of comfort, and I am super thankful for the great lengths you and Rose went to yesterday to make sure I had a great date by looking super bomb. I've been so lonely...and honestly I wouldn't mind it if Equius and I made up...I've just...felt so alone..."
Kanaya pulled her into a hug. "Nepeta dear, I'm so sorry...I'll try to talk to Equius and see if everyone else could-"
Nepeta pulled out of the hug. "Kanaya. Why don't you let me handle my own problem? One of the things that I think made Equius do what he did was that he didn't think I was 'mature' enough. Maybe you should let me handle this, and maybe when Equius and I make up, we'll be closer than we were before."
Kanaya blinked.
"Don't get me wrong! I love that you care, and I'm so happy you're always there for me...but, maybe, you should let me take this one? Okay?"
Kanaya smiled softly. "Yes, of course. That sounds like the right thing to do. You and Equius should be allowed to solve your own problems, of course. And I should allow you that freedom." Kanaya spoke carefully, saying each word as if she were testing how they sounded.
Nepeta smiled widely at her. "Thank you Kanaya."
About an hour into her shift, business had died down quite a bit and Nepeta sat at one of the tables and got on her phone. The door opened and she didn't bother to look up, assuming Kanaya could handle the customer. Behind her phone, she thought she saw someone approach her, and she flinched as she looked up.
"On break?" Eridan asked her with a playful smile.
"Eridan?" Nepeta said, startled.
"I had a break between classes so I thought I'd come see you," He said.
Nepeta smiled. "That was...really thoughtful of you, erm, thanks."
Eridan chuckled. "But really, are you on break? We could get something to eat really quick."
Nepeta shook her head. "It's been pretty slow today...so I'm just waiting for it to pick up, I guess." She then remembered she had wanted to tell him the night before. "Hey! I never really got to thank you, for the date. It was fun, I had a really nice time."
"Good. I was afraid you didn't like it. I realized after I got home that it wasn't really your style...I mean, that's just what I'm used to doing. Next time we can do what you want to, promise," Eridan said.
"Hmm. I'll keep you up on that promise. What time are you done with your classes today?" Nepeta asked him.
"Uh, well, I should be done studying and such around four or five."
"Great! The mall closes at seven, pick me up at my place when you're done studying?" Nepeta asked excitedly.
"Uh...another date already? Why do you want to go to the mall?"
Nepeta frowned a little. "Is...that a problem?"
"Well, no-no, not at all. I mean, I'd love to go on another date with you." Eridan smiled.
"Plus, the mall will purractically be a Christmas wonderland!" Nepeta added enthusiastically.
Eridan grimaced.
"Oh come on Ampora, everyone loves Christmas."
He shook his head while staring thoughtfully out the window. "I mean, I guess I don't hate it. I've just got no reason to like it."
"Well, what are you doing this year for Christmas?" Nepeta asked him.
"Apparently going on a date with my dream girl."
Nepeta giggled. "No, what else."
"Really, that's it. I highly doubt my father will try to pull something together, especially after that..." Suddenly Eridan stopped talking, and his face paled. "Oh my God...Nepeta, what if my father tries to pull something together?"
Nepeta gulped. "If he does, I'll go with you. He wouldn't hit you or anything with a girl around, right?"
"Are you crazy? No way! I am not putting you in harm's way like that, there's probably a more likely chance he'll hit us both!" Eridan growled.
Nepeta's heart sunk. "I'm sorry, Eridan...maybe, if I can't go to your Christmas...you could come to mine!" Nepeta's face brightened and her lips stretched into a smile. "Oh, that'll be so much fun!"
"Nep, I couldn't just impose on your family holidays," Eridan said guiltily.
"Why not? My sister's been bringing her husband since they started dating! Equius has come over a few years, too! And my family loves guests!"
Eridan offered a polite smile. "Nep, I can't just...it wouldn't be right."
Suddenly, Nepeta got an idea. "But don't you want to meet my parents?"
Eridan's face quickly paled. "Um...what."
"I know we just started seeing each other...but you would if really cared for me, right?" Nepeta smiled innocently and batted her eyelashes a few times for added effect.
"I...well, of course I do, I bet they're, erm...great."
Eridan was saved by a call from Kanaya, saying that there were customers in the drive thru.
Nepeta giggled. "Hey, I gotta go. See you later. Think about that, though. I would really love to have you over this year for Christmas, okay?"
Nepeta got up, and Eridan followed. He quickly pecked her on the lips. "Alright, I'll think about it. I'll pick you up later."
She waved to him as he walked out of the store, and he waved back. She returned back to work with a few winks from her coworkers and she giggled.
Four o'clock couldn't come by fast enough. She had on her favorite holiday sweater, despite the weather being much to warm for it, and she had a bunch of coupons she nabbed from random newspapers and magazines. She was ready to get her Christmas on, and even more ready for Eridan to call her and tell her he was here.
She ended up waiting another fifteen minutes after four for the call. She practically skipped out of her apartment, and found Eridan smoking outside the building.
"Um...nice sweater?" He said.
"Nice hello," she returned sarcastically, plucking the cigarette from his mouth and stomping it out on the sidewalk.
"Was that necessary? C'mon."
"You're late," Nepeta said with a small frown.
"I said between four and five, didn't I. I would never miss a single minute to see you."
Nepeta giggled. "Okay, okay. You're forgiven. Let's go Christmas shopping!"
Eridan groaned and they got in the car. As soon as the radio turned on to whatever Eridan had been listening to before, Nepeta quickly changed it to the Christmas station.
"Really? Driver gets music pick."
"Not when the passenger is about twenty-five times cuter than the driver," Nepeta commented with a smirk.
"Hey now," Eridan warned jokingly.
They continued their childlike teasing all the way to the mall, and Nepeta couldn't help but release her inner child as they stepped into the mall.
"Look at theses Christmas decorations! Doesn't it just make you want to groove into th Christmas spirit?" Nepeta said, throwing her hands into the air.
"Is yes the word you're looking for here?" Eridan grumbled.
"C'mon Mr. Grinch!" Nepeta kissed his cheek. "Smile! Christmas is one of the few times of the year you can be happy for no reason at all and no one will look twice!"
"Mhm, right. So where do you want to go first?" Eridan asked, un-amused.
"Let's just walk around a bit, I have a few places in mind, but I like to look at the other people and the Christmas decorations," Nepeta offered.
"The other people?" Eridan repeated.
"Yeah! This time of year, people are visibly happier. When my sister and I were kids, it used to be one of our favorite things to do around Christmas time. We never had any money, but we'd go to the mall and watch the other people do their Christmas stuff. It was really fun!"
"So you'd watch people like you and me walk around? Sounds...a little creepy," Eridan said."
"No! It was cute! Especially the couples. Seeing other people happy and donate to all the charities and stuff, it's really neat! Around Christmas time, something changes in people they sort of forget that the world revolves around them for a few moments and put other people before themselves. They go out of their way, just to brighten up someone else's day!"
"That rhymed."
"Focus, dummy! I am determined to get you into the Christmas spirit, one way or another!"
Eridan chuckled. "Okay Nepeta, have fun with that."
Nepeta rolled her eyes and lead him to a bench. "Here, I'll prove it to you, just watch as people go by, you'll see."
"Nep, I don't-"
Just then, an elderly couple waved at them and wished them a merry Christmas, which Nepeta joyously returned.
Eridan stuck out his bottom lip in a pout. "Okay, that doesn't prove anything."
"Alright, then we'll keep waiting here until it does!" Nepeta grabbed his hand and cuddled up next to him.
With a sigh, Eridan pulled her closer to him. If he couldn't be happy like she wanted, he could at least play along with her.
At least half an hour passed by. Nepeta pointed out all the small gestures exchanged between complete strangers, and the way boyfriends looked at their girlfriends. She pointed out a mother of a disabled child, who had clearly gone out of her way to buy him everything on the list he held in his hands. There were even quite a few passersby's that knew Nepeta, and said hello to her and wished her happy holidays.
Eridan couldn't help but feel a little bit of this "Christmas spirit" rubbish himself. He dismissed the majority of Nepeta's findings in the shopping crowd, but couldn't help and be slightly touched by her enthusiasm and joy. She had just been in a spell of depression this past week, it was moving to see her change so drastically just by the holidays.
"Alright, let's go shopping. I have a pretty big list this year." She pulled out a folded up, worn piece of paper with names written on them and showed it to Eridan.
He found his name on the bottom of the list. "I'm on here?" He asked, surprised.
Nepeta giggled. "Um yeah, I didn't necessarily want you to know, because then you'd think you'd have to get me something, and, well...I can't compete with whatever you'd get me." She laughed nervously.
"C'mon. I'd love whatever you got me. You don't have to compete with nothing."
"Whatever Eridan," Nepeta said with a playful giggle.
Nepeta led him to a Bath and Body Works and then to a Hallmark store. "See, this bath set is fifteen dollars but that candle from Hallmark was thirty dollars and I don't know what to get my mom. The candle is her favorite scent but this set is on sale, what am I supposed to get her?" She looked over a set of products in a Bath and Body works and showed it to Eridan
"Jesus Nep, I already graduated my third grade math class, don't do this to me," Eridan said sassily.
She eventually bought the bath set, the ultimate factor coming down to she didn't want to spend too much money. As she led him around the mall, Eridan discovered her indecisiveness to become a pattern, trying to figure out what deal was best or which version of which product one person would like more. He tried his best to not fall asleep or complain excessively.
Finally, the mall started clearing out as the business hours came to an end.
"So what do you think you're going to do, concerning Christmas?" Nepeta asked him as they headed out.
"I don't know, I haven't really decided yet."
"Well, I won't be around if you decide not to come with. I'll be in West Virginia, with my family. I might not have access to my phone either."
"How long will you be away?"
"A few days. If something were to happen to me...or to you, it would be hard to..." Nepeta sighed. "I don't want you to be alone this Christmas. Please come with me?"
Eridan looked down at her. Her eyes were wide and she was biting her lip, the way she does when she anxious for a good outcome.
Eridan sighed. "I...fine. I'll go with you."
Nepeta smiled and hugged him. "Thank you so much Eridan. You'll love my family, they're good people, and they'll love you, I promise."
"Wait." Eridan stopped walking and stared at Nepeta with a straight expression.
"What?" Nepeta asked worriedly.
"I can't just show you to your parents house without us being official, can I?" Eridan said.
Nepeta tilted her head to one side in curiosity.
"Nepeta Leijon, I would be charmed if you would be my girlfriend," Eridan said, as he produced a charm bracelet from his pocket and fastened it around her wrist.
Nepeta giggled. "Eridan! You're so sweet! Of course I will, you big nerd!" Nepeta said. She kissed him and he kissed her back, and when they pulled away, he was beaming and Nepeta was giggling. They interlocked hands and Nepeta eyed the bracelet.
"Who gave you the idea for this?"
Eridan laughed. "Rose, actually. I could never come up with something fun like that on my own."
Nepeta giggled. "I know; that's why I asked. It's very purretty. Thank you." She nuzzled him and they continued walking.
As Eridan held his girlfriend close to him and eyed all the Christmas decorations surrounding them, he thought that Christmas this year might not be so bad.