Kai stared at the wrapped package in his lap, the corners slightly crooked, the tag scribbled in Mia's loopy, unmistakable handwriting:
"To Kai (ya flamehead), from the Best Sister-in-Law Ever."
He blinked. "Okay, rude. Accurate. But rude."
Jay chuckled, sitting cross-legged by the fire, cocoa in hand. "She finished wrapping that one just before she left. Told me if you didn't open it on Christmas morning, she'd find out and 'gift you a tornado to the face.' Her words."
Kai snorted. "Classic Mia."
Cole, half-asleep in a blanket burrito, mumbled from the couch, "Isn't she still fighting rogue wind spirits or something? That's not a one-hour job."
Nya frowned from the kitchen. "She said she'd be back for lunch. It's past eleven."
Zane's voice carried gently from across the room. "She has not signaled distress. But I will check the surrounding cities' surveillance for updates."
Kai slowly peeled the wrapping from the gift, a crease of worry forming on his brow. "She said she'd make it in time. And Mia's stubborn. If she said it, she meant it."
Inside the box was a dark red scarf, handmade—clearly imperfect, but warm-looking and soft. Kai picked it up, eyebrows lifting in surprise. Tucked inside was a folded note:
"Saw this color and thought 'hothead.' Hope it doesn't catch fire when you wear it. Stay warm, dumb-dumb."
—Mia
Kai swallowed hard. "...She made this?"
Jay nodded. "Yup. Spent all night cursing at yarn. I think she actually threatened it with a kunai at one point."
Just then, the door flew open with a loud whump—snow blasting into the room. Everyone jumped.
There she was.
Wind-swept, exhausted, face red from the cold—but grinning.
"Mia!" Nya said, rushing over. "Are you okay?"
"I'm freezing," Mia groaned, nearly face-planting into the floor. "And hungry. And I kicked a snow demon into a tree. Merry Christmas."
Kai stood up, still holding the scarf.
Mia blinked at him. "...You wore it?"
He paused. "Was I not supposed to?"
She smiled softly. "No, I just... didn't think it would survive your lava temper."
"I like it," he said, clearing his throat. "It's... warm. And red. Very me."
"Yeah, yeah," Mia flopped onto the couch beside Cole. "I'll insult you later. Food first."
As the room filled with laughter, chatter, and warmth, Jay handed her a mug of cocoa.
"I told you he'd wear it."
She smirked. "I told the scarf I'd win."
"...Wait, what?" Jay blinked.
"Don't worry about it."
