Author's Note: Man, the amount of chapters (aka new ships) I have this year is truly astounding. Like, in 2017 and 2018 put together I only added two new chapters and now this year I have plans for like ten.

I think I just must have watched a lot of new shows... or the right shows? Or something XD

For the sake of this story, we're just going to pretend that the true love's kiss curse-breaking thing isn't a thing, because I really don't need anyone breaking a curse in a Mishaps with Mistletoe story.

"This is nice," Henry decided as he sat down next to Lucy. She was looking especially grumpy, even though she'd been allowed to sit on one of the stools at the bar at Roni's, which her mother didn't usually allow when the place was open. Tonight was Christmas Eve, though, and the loose age restrictions had been taken off the bar so that entire family groups could come to Roni's Christmas party.

Lucy mumbled something and Henry frowned slightly. "You don't think this is nice?"

"Yes, I think it's nice," Lucy sighed. "But it would be nicer if Roni had let me put up mistletoe over my mom's favorite table like I asked."

Henry's eyebrows shot up. He knew that Lucy had a certain… desire for Jacinda to kiss him, but it wasn't like her to get down in the dumps about those desires not being fulfilled. Considering how many times her plans had been thwarted in the past, she should have been used to it by now.

"Lucy…" he began slowly.

"No, I know, I know, she has to get with you on her own terms for it to even mean anything; she's given me the whole spiel," Lucy told him, waving her hand to cut him off. "But I just thought that, well… a mistletoe would be such a great way to nudge her terms, you know? People get caught under mistletoes all the time! And once she realizes what great chemistry you two have -which will definitely happen when you two kiss- it will be smooth sailing from there!"

She shook her head, resting her chin forlornly on the hands she had crossed on the bar top. "But Roni said that she thought mistletoe was over-romanticized and that it led to so many awkward kisses with people you didn't want to kiss that she refused to have it anywhere in the building."

Henry bit back a smile. That did sound like Roni's blunt realism, and he had to wonder if Lucy had just quoted the bartender verbatim.

"Well, cheer up, kiddo," he told Lucy, patting her on the shoulder. "There might not be any mistletoe, but this is your first Christmas party with more than just your mom, and this is my first Christmas party since my family passed. We've got a lot to celebrate right now, so no more moping over some green plant, okay?"

"Okay," Lucy relented, lifting her head. "So… if this is my first Christmas party, can I have some champagne?"

"No," Henry said, firmly but with a laugh. He ruffled her hair and stood up. "I'm going to go get some snacks, okay?"

Lucy nodded and Henry walked off to the snack table. He glanced over his shoulder on the way there and let out a sigh at the sight of Lucy's despondence returning within seconds. She had put on a good face for him (probably because he made the comment about his family), but she really was disappointed tonight.

"Henry Mills, what has my Lucy's face so unhappy during her first official Christmas party?"

Henry turned away from the cheese plate he'd just approached to see Jacinda watching him with a raised eyebrow. Immediately feeling a little under fire, he raised his hands in defense. "Hey, that's got nothing to do with me!" he cried.

Jacinda narrowed her eyes.

"It doesn't!" Henry protested. "Lucy's just a little upset because Roni wouldn't let her put up mistletoe."

Jacinda let out a long-suffering sigh. "That girl's penchant for kissing is going to be the death of her."

"Hey, you can't blame her for being a romantic," Henry said, grinning sheepishly. "I'll admit that I'm a bit of one myself."

"You don't say," Jacinda replied dryly. She reached around him and grabbed a piece of cheese before popping it in her mouth and speaking around it. "I think anyone who is as actively into fairytales as the two of you are has to be at least a little into romance."

Henry shrugged is ascent and let his gaze drift back over to Lucy. She had her chin planted on the heel of her hand and was swaying slightly back and forth, eyes distant.

"What if we did it?" he blurted before he had time to think.

Jacinda flicked a glance at him. "Hm?"

"What if we, well, put up a mistletoe and kissed?" Henry felt his cheeks starting to warm. "If that's all it takes for Lucy to have a happy Christmas Eve, then I'd be willing to do it."

"No need to make it sound like a sacrifice."

"No- I-" Henry let out a groan. "Jacinda, come on. If the idea of kissing you was really so repulsive to me, do you think I would have suggested it? Even for Lucy?"

Her cheeks darkened and she quickly stuffed another piece of cheese in her mouth. Then: "Fine."

"Seriously?" Henry asked, eyes widening. "You're down?"

"Yes, I'm down," Jacinda huffed, giving him a playful shove in the ribs. "But where, exactly, are you planning on finding mistletoe in the middle of a bar?"

Henry deliberated and glanced around, eyes landing on a potted evergreen resting in the corner of the room as some Christmas decor. He took another quick look around to make sure no one was watching, then hurried over and ripped off one the branches facing the back of the room.

"Henry!" Jacinda hissed, looking shocked even as she started laughing. "You can't just break people's trees like that!"

"Roni won't even notice," Henry said, fanning away her concerns with the needle-covered sprig. He gave it a calculating once-over. "Well, it's not exactly mistletoe, but it's green and it grew from the dirt, so close enough, right?"

"I doubt she'll be worried about the technicalities," Jacinda agreed. She shook her head. "Okay, Mr. I-Have-A-Plan-"

"That is a terrible nickname."

Another shove to the ribs. "What's next? How are you planning on hanging this without anyone noticing?"

Henry considered. "You got any tape?" he asked hopefully.

"No," Jacinda replied, then paused. "But you know what I do have?"

Henry did not know, and raised his eyebrow in question as she began to root though her purse. After a second she pulled a bandaid out of one of the inner pockets and smiled triumphantly. "A mother is always prepared for mishaps."

"Even mishaps with mistletoe, it would seem," Henry rejoined with a grin.

Jacinda smiled back at him and passed him the bandaid. Henry made his way across the room to one of the windows, freed the bandaid from its paper, and used it to haphazardly stick the piece of tree branch to the upper sill. Then he stood back and admired his work.

"Not bad, Henry Mills," Jacinda said, nodding slowly. Her tone was light but she was actually fairly impressed. "Not bad at all. Now all we need is someone other than us to notice that we're sitting under mistletoe. I think I have the perfect person."

Once she and Henry were, in fact, sitting under the "mistletoe", Jacinda pulled out her phone and texted Sabine. Soon, the young cook was making her way over from the other side of the bar to survey the situation.

"All you need to say is, 'is that some mistletoe I see?' loudly enough for Lucy to hear," Jacinda told her.

Sabine raised her eyebrows. "If you say so, you crazy kids," she said with a shake of her head, before raising her voice. "Is that some-" She stopped abruptly and squinted at the mistletoe. "Wait, is that a tree branch held up with a bandaid?"

Jacinda planted her face in her hand and Henry let out a sigh. "We were working with what we had, okay?"

"Okay, okay." Sabine cleared her throat and tried again. "Is that some mistletoe I see?"

Henry was unable to resist a grin as he saw Lucy's head swivel almost instantaneously. Her eyes blew wide and she nearly fell she hopped off her stool so quickly.

"But- but- but-" she spluttered once she'd reached Henry and Jacinda's table. "But- but Roni said I couldn't put any up!" She let out a gasp. "It must have been Santa!"

Jacinda shrugged theatrically. "Well, there it is either way," she said. "I guess we have to kiss, don't we, Henry?"

"I guess so," he replied, and his heart rate ratcheted up a few notches.

Sabine stepped back and crossed her arms, raising an expectant eyebrow. Lucy's eyes almost popped out of her head she was staring at them so hard.

Henry turned to Jacinda and put his hand on her knee. He was leaning in, lined up to kiss her on the cheek, when suddenly she turned her head and their lips connected instead. Henry felt a rush of heat that went all the way down to his toes and instinctively lifted his hand to cup the back of Jacinda's head.

A voice made them both jump and pull away. "Wait a second…" Lucy said slowly, peering above their heads.

"What?" Jacinda asked, a little breathless.

Lucy glared accusatorially at the two of them. "Is that a tree branch and a band aid?"

Author's Note: OK I know I said the Hellstar one was my favorite but this miiiiight just beat it. I GOT THE PHRASE 'MISHAPS WITH MISTLETOE' IN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVERRRR I'M SO IRRATIONALLY HAPPY :D :D