Frostheim's main hall was full of chatter, wrapping the room in the unmistakable warmth of Christmas. Boxes of decorations were scattered across the floor, their colorful contents being handled by various students of the snowy house.
Lucas knelt beside an open box, inspecting a strand of twinkling lights. His purple eyes gleamed with focus, catching the glow of the bulbs as he untangled the wires with patient care. "Looks like these are good to go," he said, flashing you a bright smile.
You nodded, pulling out a bundle of ornaments. "Perfect, I'll help you too. Can you finish detangling the lights while I sort some ornaments out?"
"Deal," he replied, rising to his feet with a fluidity that seemed effortless.
As you worked side by side, the conversation flowed easily. Lucas's friendly demeanor made every moment feel lighthearted and fun. He recounted tales of Christmas mishaps from his childhood—like the time he tried to make cookies but accidentally used salt instead of sugar.
"You're kidding," you laughed, holding a sparkling snowflake ornament in your hand. "You actually thought salt was the same as sugar?"
Lucas shrugged, his grin sheepish. "In my defense, I was eight and overly confident. Let's just say my mom never let me near the kitchen again during the holidays."
The two of you continued decorating the wall, and the room came alive with the constant chatter of the students.
With the wall fully decorated, you turned to admire your handiwork. "It looks amazing," you said, clapping your hands together.
Lucas stood beside you, arms crossed and a pleased smile tugging at his lips. "It really does. You've got a great eye for balance. But," he said, his tone playful, "we're not done yet."
You raised an eyebrow, watching as he turned toward the grand staircase. "The staircase," he explained, gesturing dramatically, "I'll need your help."
He stepped forward, offering his hand with a slight bow, his usual chivalry shining through. "No one else is available, and honestly, I can't trust just anyone with this."
You laughed, sliding your hand into his. His grip was warm and steady, sending a flutter through your chest. "Alright, what's the plan, Mr. Christmas Expert?"
"Follow me, and I'll show you."
He guided you to the base of the staircase, where another box of decorations awaited. The twinkle lights were already coiled neatly inside, alongside lush green garlands and crimson ribbons.
"Here's the vision," Lucas began, crouching beside the box. "We're going for classic elegance—garlands wrapped perfectly around the banister, tied off with bows."
You grinned, took a seat on the steps beside him.
"Let's start with the lights. You hold, I'll string." He said.
As he worked, Lucas stayed close, occasionally leaning in to adjust the garland you were holding or to point out the perfect placement for a bow. His proximity was both comforting and exhilarating, the warmth of his presence a stark contrast to the chilly air outside.
"What's your favorite part of Christmas?" Lucas asked, reaching for the red ribbon in your hands.
You thought for a moment, your fingers brushing against his as he reached for the ribbon. "Honestly? Moments like this. Spending time with people who make everything feel... brighter."
Lucas paused, his gaze meeting yours. For a moment, the world outside seemed to fall away. "That's a good answer," he said softly, his voice sincere as he began to blush.
.
.
.
The two of you stood back, admiring the staircase now wrapped in glowing lights, lush greenery, and perfectly tied crimson bows. The other students seemed to have finished the rest of the decoration, and the entire room shimmered with holiday magic, but your eyes kept drifting to Lucas.
"I think we outdid ourselves," he said, his tone light but his expression soft as he glanced at you.
You smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. "It's perfect. I think it's safe to say we've officially transformed this place into a Christmas wonderland."
Lucas laughed, a sound that always managed to warm you to your core. He turned to you, his purple eyes filled with that familiar, reassuring kindness. "Thanks for helping. I couldn't have done it without you."
A comfortable silence settled between you as the glow of the decorations illuminated the room. But then, your stomach growled softly, breaking the moment. You froze, feeling heat rush to your face.
Lucas blinked, then broke into a grin. "Was that...?"
"I'm hungry, okay?" you said quickly, covering your face with your hands. "We've been working for hours!"
Instead of teasing, Lucas simply chuckled, his voice gentle. "Alright, fair enough. Decorating is hard work." He reached out, tugging your hands away from your face. "Come on, let's go grab something to eat. My treat."
Before you could respond, he took your hand in his; his touch was firm yet careful. You noticed the faint blush coloring his tan cheeks, and you felt your own face heat up in response.
"Outside?" you asked, glancing toward the snow-covered campus visible through the frosted window.
"Yeah," he said, his smile softening. "We can go to Shohei's food truck. I heard that he has a new menu of hot chocolate and pastries."
You giggled. "Alright, alright. Let's go!" you said cheerfully. He doesn't need to know, but you'll count this as your first date.