Christmas, a time of giving, a time for peace on Earth, and to celebrate the birth of Christ. Zachary had stockpiled a few lawn ornaments, lights, even some small décor where he could find it. By the time his home was finished, it was as if Christmas itself had thrown up all over the place. No order, no rhyme, no reason to the decorations; they just were. The National Guard drill he participated in was a singular day with Christmas festivities. He didn't care much for the "mandatory" fun, but it beat filling out paperwork.

Monika and Sayori tried to curry his favor, each one vying for a spot to be his plus 1 for the gathering. In the end, their insufferable competition left him solitary. Except, of course, for the shenanigans he and his peers got into. It was a 3 drink maximum, but no one said anything about spiking the egg nog. So he and his buddies got a bit more on the tipsy side. Luckily no one caught on and they were able to shoe the children away if they got too curious.

Natsuki, Yuri, and Monika all had plans with their own families. Be it travel or watching cheesy Christmas Specials, he would be alone and that was just fine with him. After all, Zachary had everything he'd ever want or need right at home.

He pours the whiskey heavy egg nog into his glass as classic Christmas songs echo throughout his house. "Peace, peace at at last." Getting right with God was a bigger challenge than initially thought. This vile vice of mine. He the sugary booze-soaked beverage forces its way down his gullet in a satisfying manner. The doo bell rings, with a hefty grunt he shuffles over to the door.

In the doorway stands Sayori all by her lonesome, her blue eyes bashfully looking up at him. "M-merry Christmas!" She holds up a small box with a green bow. He chuckles at her mannerisms, gratefully accepts the gift, and welcomes her inside. "Come on in!" She saunters inside, kicking the snow clumps from her boots and shaking the flakes from her pine tree patterned hoodie. "Can I offer you a drink?" She smiles as she graciously snatches the glass from his hands. "Thank you."

"That's more whiskey than nog."

"Oh wells." She sips, her face tears up as she fights the burning sensation of alcohol. A hearty laugh can be heard as she pats her chest. "I told ya. You don't drink much and I'm…practically an alcoholic." He motions past her to the couch.

"Shuddap." She retorts and forces another swig. "This is payback for not inviting me to your Power Ranger Party." She then marches her petite frame to the kitchen, pulls back the tap on the massive pitcher precariously close to the edge of the counter, and pours another glass. "I was never a 'Power Ranger', and I'm in the National Guard now you dork!" She ignores him, nursing the drink and then refilling it. "It's Christmas, and I wanna spend it with the people I love." Was she already drunk? Sayori shuffles over to the living room, glass in both hands, the rim kissing her lips as she takes periodic sips during her trek.

"That was my drink."

"Shhh."

"Whatever." She downs half the glass before setting it on the coffee table. Her face was now flushed, her intoxication obvious for anyone who saw. Luckily, it was just her and her best friend. "O-op-pen your gift!" She pouts in her drunken stupor. Zachary laughs and begins to unfasten the bow and wrapping paper. Inside was a dog tag, same embossed design as his GI ones though the engraving was different. A heart, with the initials Z and S separated by a plus sign.

"Sayori." He gazes as the gift. "You know we aren't a-" He looks up from the dog tag to find her face mere inches away from his. Though intoxicated, her eyes held firm on him, her expression carrying a serious tone despite the smell of booze on her breath. "Stop. You're drunk." She leans in more, now completely on top of him; her lips graze his. He hesitates; a twinge of moral clarity perhaps?

Fuck it. Their lips meet and he pulls her in. She practically melted in his arms as the passion grew between them. Sayori's body falls limp as his hands work their way under her hoodie. He stops, "Sayori?" Her body had sunk onto his, her head rolling on his chest. Really? Just when things are getting good? The faint sound of snoring emanated from her. Zachary laughs and looks down lovingly at his friend, or girlfriend? He wasn't sure. All he knew was she was right here with him and he couldn't be happier. The man reaches over for his controller, remotely triggers his video game, and softly strokes her head.

"Merry Christmas Sayori." He plants an affectionate kiss on her head. A small, bashful smile rears itself on her face.

About an hour would be invested into his game before his friend lifted her head up; her droopy eyes adjusting to visual that was her friend and it was his body she was resting on. "Uhh…" She freezes, wondering what she did and why. "Well, hello there you 'party animal'." He chuckles.

"How much did I drink?"

"More than you could handle it seems."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You looked comfy so I didn't move you."

"Good because I ain't moving." She nestles herself back down, nuzzling her face into his chest. "Did you…like my gift?" She asks not looking at him.

"Well, I wasn't sure how to react. Then you came onto me." Zachary says as he runs a hand through her short amber hair. He could feel her face heat up from the embarrassment. "Don't worry. Nothing happened. You passed out." She's now looking up at him, still blushing. Without saying a word she scoots up till she is at his eye level.

"Zachary?"

"Yes?"

She smiles and kisses him, fully in control of her faculties now. He returns hers with one of his. It continues for a short while before she pulls back. "Welcome home. I mean it, really, welcome home."

((Not how I imagined this chapter to go. Quite a few time skips going on. Would be kind of dry if I just droned on over every little thing.))