forgive me, I know this was supposed to be the last chaper but for the sake of my spoons I had to split it. hope you've had a peacefull season and all the best for 2023.

"Look, see?" the witch teased, with that little smirk. And Lifted the lid with both elegant hands.

But then Constance's little smile fell.

"Oh.."

And then she didn't move. There was a beat. Imogen winced. Constance hadn't exploded into a furious rant at least. But no reaction wasn't the reaction she had been hoping for. Constance sat there, Eyes wide, face a blank and her mouth a little o. Imogen liked to think she knew Constance a lot better than most at this stage, and could read her moods very well most of the time. But right now she didn't have a clue. What was this, Shock? Confusion? Joy? Disgust?

Imogen hadn't wanted to overdo the Christmas or Yule aspect, so had only wrapped the box itself, not the things inside. maybe she'd over done it with the sheer volume. Perhaps Constance supposed, like her childhood birthday presents, the box to only have the one useful present in. not several. And it had simply caused her brain to malfunction, like the idea of Mildred being made head girl or Ethel getting an F in anything but PE.

"you erm- you know it's okay if you don't like them?" Imogen said, trying to ease the sudden silence. sifting up, so her weight wasn't so much against the witch, giving her some space. And her own self some space to run if Constance decided to throw the unwelcome gift box at her head. "It's not compulsory to pretend on my behalf. Or keep them even. I know it's the polite thing but- ! "

"no." Constance interrupted. Not harshly, or loudly. An slightly unsteady hand reached out and HB started Carefully pouring over each little thing; as if to see if they were real.

It was so quiet , even above the crackle of the fire Imogen heard the little shaky breath and the nervous swallow.

"hey? constance? Is something the matter? Do You need minute?" Imogen frowned . tentatively place a hand on Constance's shoulder. The witch was so stiff to the touch it was like touching glass.

Constance gave A fraction of a nod. "A moment."

There was a beat. Then Suddenly the witch was on the move. Constance shut the lid again with a snap. She waved her hand and vanishing the box-! no, Imogen realised. Not vanishing. transferring it like she had imogen's chocolate bar. Vanishing was normally accompanied by a puff of smoke, not a haze of light that announced a HB appearance. Constance transferred her box away. When that was done, she bolted up straight, stood up and turned away, standing in front of the fire.

Imogen unsure what to do, hand hanging in the air gave her witch a few moments to collect herself before asking,

"Is everything okay? Are you alright?"

Constance nodded, then Stiffened her eyes a little glassy blinking rapidly.

One hand pressed over her mouth gave a muffled, "I'm fine."

Her other hand was trembling and gripping the mantle.

Another beat then Constance with magical help, Put her hair back up. And her guard too. Shoulders and spine ram rod like steel. All Control and no nonsense. and Imogen worried she was about to get disciplined. in a shouting sort of way; rather than anything they'd promised one another tonight.

But…

There. that Small Smile bubbled away, just through a chink on Constance's Miss Hardbroom mask.

"Is there anything I can do?" Imogen pressed as Constance came back to her.

"imogen. Poppet." Constance started, gave her little smile in response and reassurance, threading their fingers together and reaching out To cup Imogen's cheek with her free hand. Her voice was more steady when she asked, "could you Kiss me again? Please?"

That surprised imogen.

"any time." Imogen promised. she twisted her hand so as to kiss the back of Constance's once more first. Then Stood up slowly and met the witch half way, gentle and holding back so as not to overwhelm her again. Let the witch back off if she wanted too. But Constance relaxed into it. Well as relaxed as one can be with her arms around her Imogen's back pulling her close.

"It's real isn't it? this?" Constance said in a hush. She Hooked her finger into imogen's tunic and buried her face in imogen's neck, despite their height difference.

"you and me?" Imogen frowned. "Yes. Yes of course-?"

Constance Nodded, stiffly.

"Thank you." Constance said. and into her Imogen's "I love you."

Imogen brought her arms up again squeezing Constance in A tight cuddle. Until all Tension melted off her. And Constance without abandon became very affectionate with her words.

"my dear- my darling- my pretty." She insisted Between little kisses, and nuzzling at her cheek.

Imogen Distractluy returned the affection. Over her witches shoulder, Imogen frowned to herself. a little baffled frown to be honest; glancing back over to the where the box had been and mentally running through what was in there.

A new bag. body lotion. The jar of rose hip seeds and seed for planting. Makeup and candles. Books, pens. Broom Wax. a star chart. A toy mouse for morgana.

Nice. but Practical. And a bit dull to be honest.. Nothing spectrally special. Nothing like a holiday, or nostalgic childhood favourite books. No jewellery. Certainly not an engagement ring. Nothing as thought out or heart felt as what Constance had gifted her, a lovely shirt and her favourite chocolate. at least not in Imogen's opinion.

Imogen felt against her own chest Constance's breath switching from automatic to manual, trying to take a calming breath. And was brought out of her own thoughts. She moved to kiss Constance's head, taking in The smell in her hair and avoiding the holly ribbon.

Constance too moved, to face imogen. Their noses rubbed in not quite but still nice kisses.

"alright?" Imogen asked again.

Constance Nodded again, her Eyes suspiciously wet.

"Alright … Goodness. I will not spend the dinner looking a panda bear." She vowed, turning away again and wiping at her eyeliner. Fixing her makeup for the third or fourth time that night, not the lipstick for a change she let out a Wet laugh, "And imogen? Thank you. for the presents."

"Honey, You're welcome." Imogen insisted.

Constance looked as if she wanted to say something else. Then shook her head and began to Pace about. Fussing, really, magically restoring candles that had burnt down too much. And straightening forks that hadn't been touched.

Imogen watched Bemused. Then Something in the discarded paper wrappings caught her eye. she picked it up and grinned, Coming up behind her "hey. I know witches don't do Christmas but don't suppose you could indulge another tradition? With a certain potions ingredient."

"Hm?"

Constance Blinked.

And then chuckled as Imogen To hold it above their heads as high as she could with her height disadvantage.

"ah. You know, Mistletoe is actually useless in most potions. I don't keep it in the store other than powdered." Constance said, with a sniffle and a laugh. "It's actually a Norse tradition. much like most of what people attribute to father Christmas and-."

"Constance?" Imogen interrupted.

"hmm?" switching her attention to Imogen's face.

"Kiss me again first? then tell me the rest over dinner." Imogen said firmly.

Constance did as she was told.