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The next day was Christmas Eve, and Chardirakii seemed in a far better mood than yesterday. Which was good, since it meant I didn't have to get beaten up trying to calm her down again. The Wreckers insisted on mistletoe hanging above every doorway, except the berth-rooms. This being Jasper, Nevada, there was no snow to create a 'white Christmas' as the children had called it, because it was too warm all year. Ratchet had been dubbed 'the Grinch' by Miko, and after watching the animated film I couldn't help but agree. Hexia had brought out some high grade for the evening, none of which I had any interest in despite her offering me a sip. I knew the consequences of drinking, and would never succumb to the addiction again. The base looked very festive. Red and gold tinsel hung everywhere, green wreathes with red bows decorated every berth-room door inside and out, the Christmas tree was shining brightly, the bottom stuffed (possibly overstuffed) with gifts wrapped in colorful and festive paper. Evening was drawing near, and I could not find Chardirakii. I assumed she'd gone into the woods again and headed there. It was better than listening to Hexia and Smokescreen argue. Sure enough I found my Sparkmate, leaning against a tree staring up at the sky, which was gradually growing darker as the sun went down. "May I join you?" I asked with a small smile, touching her arm. Chardirakii noticed me and smiled lazily back,"Yeah, sure." I leaned against the tree with her, but I mostly looked at her, than at the sky. Finally Chardirakii spoke up,"You do know Hexia will try and get you under the mistletoe right? Either that or get you drunk." I smiled,"Neither of which I shall allow to happen, dear Chardirakii." I wrapped an arm around her waist and lightly rested my digits on her hip,"I'd much rather spend my Christmas with you." Chardirakii blushed slightly and my smile widened. She looked so cute, so beautiful, when her cheeks flushed a light blue. I reached out with my other servo and stroked one of those lovely cheeks, darkening the color. "Optimus, about yesterday..." Chardirakii began, looking down at her fidgeting claws. "Yes?" I asked patiently. "You know how we almost...y'know...did it?" I nodded, of course I did. "Well...I was thinking...maybe once things have...smoothed over between Hexia, Smokescreen, and I...I think maybe then...I'd be ready," she whispered, averting her optics and turning her face-plates a bright blue. "If that is what you wish," I replied,"You are the carrier after all." Chardirakii smiled and looked up at me,"I'm so glad you understand me." I put my other servo on her waist and pulled her close, resting my fore-helm against hers. "Chardirakii! Chardirakii!" Hexia called just before I could touch my dermas to my Sparkmate's. With a reluctant sigh and dropped my servos from Chardirakii's sides and stepped away. She was disappointed too, I could tell. "Ah! There you two are!" Hexia exclaimed, skipping over to us, her magenta optics bright,"The fun's about to start, we can't have a party without you." Hexia grabbed my arm and tried to drag me away,"C'mon!" Her slight strength did little to move me, but I only sighed softly and followed, with Chardirakii close beside me. "Sooo, Optimus," Hexia said, using her 'seductive voice',"Who're ya gonna catch under the mistletoe tonight, huh? Is it me?" "I have no interest in such foolish actions," I replied blandly. I knew she was trying to stall me, keep me walking slowly towards the base so we would reach it after the appointed time the 'mistletoe games' would start. Primus, I hoped nobody caught Chardirakii. I quickened my pace, despite Hexia's protests, and we all made it inside safely. "Prime!" Wheeljack exclaimed, already seeming a little tipsy,"Come join the fun, huh?" He offered me a drink, which I politely declined, as did Chardirakii. Hexia on the other servo, drank the whole thing in one gulp and called for another. "Are you sure it's a good idea to let the Wreckers loose around high grade?" Chardirakii asked me, raising a doubtful optic ridge. "With these two around, nothing's a good idea," Ultra Magnus replied, overhearing her. Bulkhead turned on some very loud Christmas songs, and if someone wanted to be heard, they had to shout at the top of their voice-box. This was difficult for Bumblebee, so he resorted to using sign language instead. I could see Arcee and Chardirakii in the far corner of the room, talking to each other through sign language as well, then giggling. A lively song came on and a very drunk Wheeljack lifted a half-empty cup of high grade. "Hey, Hexia! Let's dance!" he shouted, some high grade sloshing out of his cup onto the floor. Hexia skipped over, also fairly drunk, and the two began to stumble over the floor, tripping and staggering, not even keeping in time to the music, but both laughing outrageously. They looked like they were having the time of their lives. Someone tapped my shoulder-plate and I looked to see Chardirakii mouthing something. Or maybe she was actually saying something. It was difficult to hear over the music. "What!?" I shouted, cupping one servo over my audio receptor. "I asked if you wanted to dance!!!" Chardirakii shouted back, her voice barely audible over the blaring sound of 'Jingle Bells',"Once this song is over!!!" I shook my helm,"No thank you!!!" Chardirakii nodded, then marched over to the music box and turned down the music. "We do not need it that loud," she announced to everyone, using a normal voice. "You're such a party pooper," Hexia said, her speech still legible. Chardirakii shook her helm and went back to talk with Arcee some more. Suddenly Wheeljack stood up,"Wa 'out, fe...emmes! I's misly...oe time!" Completely drunk. I stood back against the wall, not under any of those white clusters of berries, and watched. Arcee was carrying a plate of energon, when she accidentally happened to step under one cluster. At once Smokescreen was there, swooping her off her peds and catching the falling plate with one servo as he kissed her directly on the intake. Hexia was rather easy. She allowed pretty much any mech who approached her to kiss her. Chardirakii just stayed in the corner and refused to move for anybody. She looked like she would attack the first mech that came near her with a single berry. Hexia grabbed my arm again and tried to pull me away to a nearby cluster. I frowned and shook my helm 'no', then announced I was going to sleep. "I'll come with," Hexia giggled drunkenly, the smell of high grade strong all around her. I pushed the clingy femme away,"No." Hexia pouted, then brightened at once when Wheeljack approached her with two cups of high grade. I retired to my room, and not too long Chardirakii joined me. "Are all Christmases like this?" she asked, slumping on her berth after locking the door. I shook my helm,"This is the first one where high grade has been involved. I don't think there'll be any more like this one." "Then I look forward to next Christmas greatly," Chardirakii sighed, removing her helm armor and shaking out her long black hair.
