Christmas and Chill

James isn't entirely sure how to describe how he feels when he shares little moments like this with her. It's like his heart is so full and content yet he still can't get enough of her.

It happens like this: there are traces of soft Christmas melodies playing in the background and their wine glasses are sitting half empty on the coffee table. The lights are dim and she's lit candles around his living room.

'It's festive,' Nadine replies when he warns her about the fire alarms going off. She's sporting a pout and he finds himself surrendering. Again.

Nadine is sitting on the floor surrounded by wrapping paper, some supplies and unwrapped gifts. Meanwhile James is situated on the couch with a small pile of finished presents.

He's leaning in and studying the way her brows knit in concentration while her slender fingers move to tie the bows on the presents. There's a little piece of tape stuck on her chest, right below her left collar bone. He fights the urge to go up to her and remove it. With his teeth. Hah.

Four times. That's the number of times she moves to flip her long locks behind her shoulders only to expose the soft skin on her neck. And twice she shifts to adjust the over sized shirt she's wearing. Or should he say his shirt that James insisted she borrow.

"James." He doesn't snap out of his reverie until he feels a soft bow hit him on the forehead.

"Huh?"

"Kanina ka pa," says Nadine touching his knee. "Ang dami ko ng na tapos and you're still on your first gift."

He sits up and pulls out the finished gifts beside him. "Hey, I was writing messages on these!" James shows her the little inscriptions he wrote on the boxes.

Merry Christmas! From James and Nadine.

"Wow ha ang hard working naman ng love ko," she says sarcastically.

James rolls his eyes. "Admit it, it makes the gifts look better."

"Oo na," she agrees while moving closer to rest her chin on James' knee. He pats the top of her head while trying to stifle a yawn.

"Gusto mo ng matulog?" suggests Nadine, getting up from her position to move the presents off of his lap. "You still have to wake up early tomorrow to pack for Australia diba?"

He nods and lets her take his hands in hers. Nadine attempts to pull him off the couch but instead finds herself on top of James.

He places little kisses all over her face before snuggling her to his chest. "Let's just stay here," he mumbles to her ear.

"Ano ba," Nadine says playfully, swatting his chest. James shifts their bodies so that they're both lying down comfortably on the couch. "Sige na, sleep ka na sa room mo and then I'll finish the gifts."

"Bukas na yan," he says softly. James rubs little circles on the small of her back. "I have to stock up on your cuddles kasi walang ganito sa Sydney."

"Dapat lang," said Nadine giggling into his neck.

James twirls pieces of her hair in between his fingers and wonders what it is that has him addicted her proximity. Her soft touches, the way her eyelashes flutter on his cheek, the way she breathes on his chest. Everything about her makes him think he's never known real love till now.

What was she doing to him?

"I'm gonna miss you." He catches her lips in a gentle kiss.

"I'll miss you most."

--
Author's note: I was listening to Ariana Grande's Christmas album while writing this (check out true love!) anyways this is kinda late for a Christmas fic but it's still Christmas Eve where I am so better late than never right?