Unexpected Would Be An Understatement (Modern Four Swords x Reader)

Christmas

Thursday, 12/24/15

"Please please please pleeeeaase can we stay up?" asked Red, bouncing up and down in his red and white onsie pajamas.

"Not if you want to miss Santa Claus," I replied, smiling at him. "But I'll let you all stay up until 11 tonight, just because it's Christmas."

"Yaaay! Thank you!"

"Come on, Red," Blue began, " you can't POSSIBLY still believe in Santa C­­--"

Green cut him off in the middle of his sentence, shooting him the glare of all glares before smiling back at Red. "Don't listen to Blue, he's just a Scrooge."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Humbug."

Vio chuckled from his spot on the couch next to Shadow, and Blue stomped to the other couch and took a seat, his face tinted crimson.

"Can we have hot chocolate?" asked Red.

"Of course," I replied. "It's Christmas!"

Vio stood up and smiled down at Red. "Come on, Red, I'll make it for you." He walked silently to the kitchen, Red skipping behind him. I walked over to Blue and sat down next to him.

"Look, I know we all know Santa Claus isn't real, but can't we just let Red have a good time? As long as he still believes, as far as he knows, we all do too. Got it?"

Blue rolled his eyes. "Eh sure. I still think it's pretty stupid though. Kid's gotta grow up sometime."

"I know that, but let's just let him have his fun while he still can. Childhood doesn't last forever."

With that, Blue seemed to understand, and was quiet. Green had no problem pretending for Red, it was in his nature. Shadow nodded that he understood, and a few moments later Vio and Red returned with six mugs of hot chocolate.

He handed each of us a mug, giving the one with extra marshmallows to Blue, and we all sat down. Vio and Shadow sat on one couch, and I sat between Blue and Red on the other, while Green occupied the nearest armchair. Red snuggled up to me on one side, as he usually did, and I brushed the hair out of his face. Even though he's my age I frequently find myself acting very motherly towards Red. With anyone else it would feel weird, but he's just so innocent that it feels natural to me.

Blue was seeming rather unhappy, so I leaned on him to brighten the mood. He may act irritated, but I can tell it makes him feel better to feel loved and included like this. Though for some reason the others still look at me as if I'm reaching out to touch an alligator whenever I make contact with Blue. Though this time, to my surprise, he smiled a little. Definitely not a vulnerable smile, but a strong smile. One that you would associate with some sort of protector, and that is one of the things that I like most about Blue. He's strong, and can be truly kind when you give him a chance.

"I can't wait to open presents tomorrow!" piped Green. "That's one of the best things about Christmas. And giving of course; I always love seeing people's faces when they open their gifts."

Shadow looked over at Green with a smirk. "Eh. I'm fine with just getting."

Red giggled. "And that's why you're going on the Naughty List, Shadow!"

"Fine by me."

I set my hot chocolate on the table and pulled a box out from under the coffee table. "Oh, that reminds me. Here! I got you these. Just for fun." I opened the box and pulled out a Santa hat for each of them -- red for Red, green for Green, blue for Blue, purple for Vio, and black for Shadow. They laughed and put theirs on, all except for Blue. Shadow gave him a nudge, and Blue begrudgingly put on his hat. "D'you like them? I saw them at the store earlier today and just thought they were a funny little addition."