Chris and Co. Oneshots

Home for Christmas - Ari Levinson x Reader

Warnings: Light Angst! Fluff!

The air was filled with the smell of gingerbread cooking as you hummed along to your favourite Christmas song and wiped down the side. Christmas was easily one of your favourite times of the year, you just loved all the cosiness of it all.

This year was probably going to be your favourite though as this year you got to celebrate it with Ari. And you couldn't think of anything cosier than snuggling up with Ari on Christmas day.

"Something smells nice" Ari called out as he let himself into your apartment.

You turn to see Ari leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen, his hands behind his back as he smiled over at you.

"I made gingerbread men, I thought we could decorate them together tonight, I can also put aside some for Maya if she wants to have a go" you explain, smiling warmly back at him.

"Sounds lovely sweetheart, now c'mere" he grins nodding his head to get closer to him.

Once you were close enough he removed one hand from behind his back, holding up a sprig of mistletoe between you.

You laugh wrapping your arms around his shoulders "very smooth Levinson" you smirk reaching up to kiss him.

"I also got you this" he smiles producing a beautiful bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

"Oh, Ari" you sigh with a smile, taking the flowers and breathing in their beautiful scent, a smirk plays at your lips as you look back up at him and say "You're being very charming, you haven't done anything wrong have you?"

"No" Ari answers very quickly, far too quickly.

Your eyes narrow as you look up at him, noticing the hint of nerves and hesitancy in his eyes. As if he was worried about how you were going to react to something he was about to do.

"what will you do be doing wrong," you ask quietly.

Ari's shoulders slump as he sighs "Jake's been pulled out of a mission, and I'm the only one who's available to take his place, it's only a few days until Max is able to get there" he explains.

You glance at the calendar on the wall, you already knew what that meant but you still checked. Just in case you were wrong.

"But you'll still miss Christmas" you sigh looking down sadly.

"Yeah" Ari mutters "I'm really sorry sweetheart, I know how much it means to you," he says cupping your cheek, tilting your head up so you were looking at him.

"It's okay" you whisper unconvincingly.

"Sweetheart-" Ari sighs sadly as your eyes turned shiny with tears.

"No, no it's okay," you say taking a quick step back and placing the flowers down on the side "I got to celebrate Hanukkah with you," you say with a small but truthful smile, you loved celebrating Hanukkah with Ari, learning about his traditions, you were so excited to show him yours but now you couldn't "and um- I can um- go to my sister's, it'll be a tight squeeze and I'll probably still have to stay here overnight but at least I won't be alone during the day," you say beginning to ramble.

"Sweetheart" Ari repeats grabbing your hand and pulling you into his embrace wrapping his arms around you tightly "I'm so sorry I really am, you know there's nothing I want more than to celebrate Christmas with you"

"I'm fine" you sniffle, head buried in his chest.

Ari lets out a small huff of a laugh, kissing the top of your head "No you're not, and that's okay" he reassures you.

You let out a long sigh "You're right" you admit looking up at him "I love that you're out there helping Jewish refugees and I don't want you to stop, but would you at least consider an office role?" You ask with a pout.

Ari chuckles "we both know I'd go mad sitting at a desk all day," he says pecking your still pouting lips.

"When do you leave?" You ask him.

"Tomorrow midday, so we have all of tonight and the morning to do Christmas stuff," Ari tells you softly.

"But I haven't got your present, I'm supposed to pick it up tomorrow afternoon," you say sadly.

"That's okay, we'll exchange presents when I get home" Ari reassures you "but let's not waste any time and start decorating those gingerbread men"

You smile gently nodding your head in agreement, you were still disappointed but Ari was right. You didn't want to waste a second.

*****

In the last couple of days leading up to Christmas with Ari gone, you tried to stay positive. It wasn't like you hadn't spent a Christmas alone before, you had spent most Christmas' alone. But you weren't supposed to be alone this year, Ari was supposed to be here.

You had spent the day on Christmas eve at your sister's house, trying to remain festive as the kids screamed at each other, and the in-laws made snide comments. In the end, you made an excuse to leave early, planning to take your time the next day to head back over.

You were exhausted and done when you got home. For the first time in years, you just wanted to pretend Christmas just didn't exist. To top it all off that night you dreamt of Ari. You dreamt you were curled up on the couch with him, his fingers brushing hair off your face. You let out a sigh of contentment as he kissed the top of your head.

It was when you heard a low rumbling chuckle that you frowned in confusion. Your eyes blinked open as you felt familiar lips gently capture yours.

"Hey, sweetheart" Ari murmured brushing some hair out of your face.

"Ari?" You mutter still not sure if you were awake or dreaming.

"Merry Christmas sweetheart" Ari smiles pressing a much firmer kiss to your lips.

"Ari" you gasp instantly sitting up and wrapping your arms around him "what-how- what?" You stutter in disbelief.

Ari chuckles gently kissing your shoulder "Max was able to arrive on base earlier than expected so I jumped on the first flight I could to get back home to you" he explains.

"So you're not leaving again?" You ask hopefully.

"No I'm here with you for the rest of the year, I promise" Ari smiles kissing your forehead.

You grin up at him "best Christmas present ever"

"Hold up you haven't seen my actual present yet" Ari chuckles pulling an envelope out from his back pocket.

You bite your lip in excitement as you open up the envelope and unfold the piece of paper inside, a gasp falling from your lips as you read what it was.

"Is this real?" You ask in disbelief "I thought it-it sold months ago"

"It did because I brought it" Ari explains with a grin.

"Oh Ari this is amazing I can't believe it" you mutter tears welling up in your eyes.

Months ago you and Ari had walked past your dream house. It had everything you ever wanted but you didn't think you could ever afford it. The next time you walked past it, it had sold and you were devastated, even if deep down you knew you couldn't afford it on your own.

"So what do you say? Wanna move into your dream house with me?" Ari grins.

"Yes, thousand times yes!" You squeal grabbing his cheeks and kissing him deeply "best Christmas ever"