It was the night of Squidmas Eve, also known as Christmas Eve, and Inkopolis was at peace as the citizens enjoyed the festiveness in their own way. Snow rained down and jingle bells rang while people took to the streets, dressed as Santa Claus, and gave out special presents to their friends.

A brown-haired Inkling boy in a star shirt sat in the park, thinking about what he would do this Squidmas season, and there didn't seem to be much to do tonight other than chat with his friends on the phone or try one's hand at an evening Turf War.

He looked down, deep in his thoughts, wondering what surprise had in store for him on such a night like this.

"Jim."

The smooth-faced squid recognized the Octarian in the voice, and he looked up, his eyes were alit. Standing there, in that revealing black zipper vest, black skirt, teal leggings, and dark zipper boots, was the gorgeous Octarian Army Engineer-turned Off The Hook popstar, Marina Ida.

Marina smiled as she stared at him with her sweet seafoam pink eyes, and she gave him a wave while placing a hand to her shapely hip. Jim's heart pounded, he loved her so much, and the sight of her on such a night was so breathtaking.

"M-Marina." Jim said, "How are you-?"

She stepped towards the Inkling, placed her hands upon his shoulders, and leaned forward, kissing him tenderly upon the lips. Jim's eyes widened for a second, then they drooped, and he returned the favor while his hands reached up to settle on Marina's sides and he held her close.

"Happy Squidmas, Jim." Marina said in her happiest voice ever.

"Its so good to see you, 'Rina." Jim replied, standing on his feet, "So, how did you know where to find me, and... how have you been today?"

"A little jellyfish told me you were at the park." Marina giggled, "And, to be fair, I've been fine. Pearl and I did our usual broadcast, then we had a jam at the studio, and tonight's the start of my night off. I was out walking when I saw you alone at the park, then a festive-looking guy suggested we spend the night together, and here we are."

"Nobody seems to mind us..." Jim breathed, "I would love to spend Squidmas Eve night and all of Squidmas Day being with you, Marina. What do you want to do? Get a coffee? Do a Turf War? Grab an eggnog? Make out at your place?"

"Whatever you have in mind, babe." Marina whispered in his ear.

Jim thought of it, then he swiftly and gently swept the slender Octoling off her feet, and into her hands. There was so much he could do with Marina, so much they could do on the night of Squidmas Eve, the night was still young and they had so much time before Santa Claus came by in his reindeer-driven sleigh.

And with his special popstar girlfriend in his arms, Jim departed the park and walked through the streets of Inkopolis, holding Marina close, as they took in the beauty of Squidmas from the decorative lights to the trees that stood on the street corners.

They bumped into a friendly Octarian dressed up as Santa Claus, who waved a tentacle to Jim and Marina, and Jim snapped a selfie with Marina and the Octarian Santa, then they were off while the Octarian went on with giving out presents to people in the vicinity. Squidmas, a time of kindness, a time to be nice to one another.

Jim and Marina walked hand-in-hand down 2017th Calamari Drive, and they looked up at the night sky, holding out their hands as the snow rained down around the couple. They took their time to watch a couple Inkling kids playing on the sidewalk, throwing snowballs at each other, and sharing the laugh of their lives.

Marina put her hand around Jim's arm, leaning on his shoulder, and Jim smiled while gently clasping the Octoling's hand. Both squid and octopus were thinking nearly the same thing; They wished they could have kids of their own.

The two of them watched the scene for a while, then, it was time to head off before someone saw Marina with the brown-haired Inkling boy. While Marina was famous, the only thing she wanted for Squidmas was one night where she could spend time with her true love without being hounded by fans or reporters.

Despite the frostiness of the night, both Jim and his girlfriend could feel a sense of warmth, on the outside, and on the inside. Their hearts pounded gently, even with every passing second they held hands. And whenever they looked at one another, it was Marina's smile that made Jim's face feel warm in the chilly evening breeze.

"Is that mistletoe?"

Her voice nearly surprised Jim, who'd gotten lost in his mind after making eye contact with the Octoling for so long. The young squid nearly tripped over part of the sidewalk, but Marina caught him just in time. Jim stood straight and Marina gestured to a STOP sign they were passing, then Jim looked up, seeing a piece of weed hanging down from the side.

She was right. It was mistletoe. Jim studied the odd plant, seeing the glow it was letting off, and he plucked it off the stop sign. An idea clicked and he turned to Marina, then he placed the piece of mistletoe on the side of the Octoling's head unto one of her tentacles.

"You like the gift I just gave you...?" Jim asked.

"Its pretty as an Octoling Commander's seaweed decoration." Marina said breathlessly.

"Yeah, who'd have thought a piece of mistletoe would make for a nice present?"

Marina leaned in to kiss Jim, then he swept her into his arms once more, and the sweet-hearted Inkling boy carried her through the streets of Inkopolis while Marina looped her arms around Jim's smooth neck. Jim smiled and twirled around, while still holding his attractive girlfriend, eliciting a sweet laugh from her.

He sat down on a bench, holding Marina close to his body, and dipped in to kiss her while she cupped his face. They kissed tenderly, then they pulled back and their eyes drooped dreamily as Jim and Marina gazed at one another happily.

"Maybe we could take it to your place..." Jim suggested.

And they did just that. Jim had visited Marina's apartment before, visiting it during the Squidmas season now was a treat. Jim carried Marina through her penthouse door, then he set her down on the couch right by the tall Christmas tree that the Octoling had set up days prior.

Jim looked at Marina's tree, brought out his phone, and took a little photo of it. And then, he felt a tap on the shoulder. Marina sat back on the sofa, eying Jim as she crossed her legs Catherine Tramell-style with her right over her left. Then, she unfolded, placing her left leg over her right leg before moving it back and forth.

Watching this, Jim's face flushed, and his heart pounded. He pinched his nose to keep it from bleeding. Marina raised her hand and flexed her finger, slowly, and seductively. Jim caved in and sat down on the sofa with his girlfriend, who looped her arms around him before pinning him down.

"You like this Squidmas gift, Jim?" Marina asked.

"I LOVE this already." Jim replied.

Marina leaned over his shoulder. "Santa's come to town..." She whispered.

And then, the Octoling dipped in and kissed Jim hard. Jim's hands reached up, grasping Marina's slender hips, and Jim held her close as Inkling and Octoling embraced in the deepest of Squidmas kisses. They went deeper, kissing all the way to the moon, and jingle bells began to jingle before midnight on Squidmas Day...

The End