seconds in sunshine

The thing with a peaceful christmas

The moment his dad swung the door open with a box in his hand, Tristan knew what would happen next. Lowering the box on the ground Tris already went outside to look where his father had plaved the spruce tree. As he carried it back inside he saw his father smiling, knowing too well that his son knew what was coming but in reality he didn't.
They put the tree in its holding and went ahead to start decoratinf the room but not the christmas tree just yet. They hung up socks, rolled out a rug before the chimney und got big chairs for sitting near it. They cranked up a small fire for the feeling and started to make hot chocolate.

His dad fumbled something on his phone as it started to ring at the door. They approched the door together wanting to be the first one to open it. Outside the new wooden door stood a in two coats wrapped Haku with an slightly taller person who looked similar to him but with much a much more masculine face. It was his older cousin Mike, or how Haku would call him 'Mikky'.
The two were let in and all together they went to check on the hot chocolate. Each of them had gotten a cup full of it, still a whole lot was left. They exchanged news from the last few weeks as another doorbell ring distrubed their words being heard for a moment.
As Haku and Tris literally raced to be first at the door the others stood back to let them do their race. Opening the door once again Tristan got a glimpse of two him well-known people. Infront of him stood two people in their early 40s. With slightly black hair and a full-blown beard and glasses stood his uncle Jake there. He wore high boots with plain jeans and a button down striped in red, blue and black.
With flaming red hair his aunt Kathrine. Her face was dexorated with some freckles and her green nearly piercing eyes. She also wore high boots with plain jeans but decided a simple pullover and a coat would do for a top. She also wore mittens and a beanie that should keep her warm.
Both of them had red cheeks and noses from the cold that was in the air. Their breath steamed as they entered the cozy home of Jakes brother and his son.

When they saw Haku and Mike for the first time they were a bit shaken. >>Hey, I thought you never wanted something like that again Alex.<< Confused everyone looked around. Demanding for an anwser Tristans father finally said >>Pardon, but what exactly do you mean?<< Kathrine took Alex aside >>You know the dating thing.<<
>>but I'm not dating anyone. I've told you that I am asexual.<<
>>But who's that woman that anwsered the door together with Tristan and who's the blonde dude?<<
>>The so called "woman" is Haku, the best friend of Tristan and a boy and the blonde dude is one of Hakus cousins.<<
>>Oh, well I got to ask, you sadly don't know how old Hakus cousin is. You know our daughter is always on the lookout.<<
>>No I don't know but why don't you, ask him? By the way where even is Alice?<<
>>She "needed" to grab a coffee on our way here. She told us she met some friends over there and that we should go already as to not let you wait so long.<<
Alex nodded slightly >>come on, why don't we get ourselfs cozy inside. We got some hot chocolate and maybe some store bought cookies if the others haven't munched all of them already.<<

After a brief exchange they all went to grab something to stuff their tummy with. Afterwards they went to decorate the rest of the house. It looked a bit silly having every house in the neighborhood in such a christmas daze and then there was this one rich place without any chrismas decoration whatsoever. As they brought up the lights on the outside they could see Alice coming down the alleyway. She looked a bit rushed at the sight of her parents but nobody knew why. She told her friend goodbye and made her way to the others. She was seen making a first impression by talking to Haku and Mike.
She had a white cozy winter hat with a matching scarf and boots, some jeanspiercing through the white and black from the coat and boots. Her blue eyes were nearly sparkling and some ginger locks glimpsed out from underneath her hat. She also had her mothers freckled face.
She was quick to help the others decorate. The house looked more christmas like every second that passed and their spirits went up bit by bit. When they reached the living room they only had one job left to do. Hang shiny balls, lights, maybe some candles, a glittered band and for the grand finale a star upon the highest bow. So they went ahead and unloaded all the boxes that remained in search for their decorative needs. Haku put on the last piece, the star, with some help from a ladder. It had been already late at night as Alice went upstairs to catch some rest. Tristan showed Mike and Haku the room wich they stayed in and went to bed himself.
When they were sure that nobody else had been awake anymore they went downstairs to sneak out. They didn't know that Tristan would have his aunt, uncle and cousin over and they needed a present for them. Haku already had a painting prepared but it wasn't good in his opinion. So they did the only other thing, go out to buy something last minute cause noone else would have this idea. Good thing they knew what they wanted.

Haku set out for some painting utensils while Mike was sent to get some chocolate for the present. As they went along to get their presents for the unexpected guests. Haku went into his store of choice where he always buys his supplies. It's called Colura. Good tbing he only needed some minor things like three small canvasses and some new pencils to sketch.
While Haku was buying his supplies Mike went to a small store that he knew would have the things he needed. As he entered it he rushed to the chocolate section but he didn't anticipate just the sheer amount of diferent flavors. He probably srood there more than a few minutes before he had felt a tip on his shoulder. As he turned around there was Alice standing behind him. She was also in the shop and had a friend at her side. The same friend she had at her side as they had first seen her in the alleyway.
The girl had brown hair, down to her waist with big round glasses. A very small looking nose and an enlightening smile. She wore a big black pullover and some cozy pants together with some black long boots. She had dark nail polish on her fingernails and a black ring on her left hand.
>>Oh...erm what brings you here at such a late time?<<
>>The same as you I suppose. I didn't know uncle Alex would have more guests and we need some presents.<<
Thry both knew their situation so they decided what chocolate best to buy for each one of them.
>>Okay, I got the one for you uncle and your aunt but what do you want or don't you want sweets?<<
>>In fact I do like sweets, it's just nothings sweeter or cuter than her<< she pointed at the girl besides her.
>>Ah, I see... Well then what type of chocolate do you want?<<
>>Whatever you want to gift me. I am not picky when it comes to that.<<
As they left the store behind and got back to Haku, who struggled holding all the supplies up. Haku freaked a bit at the sight of Alice and dropped his supplies, she wasn't supposed to see. But Mike assured him that it's all good.
A passer by helped Haku retrieve his items from the ground. As they approached the cozy home of Tristan they said goodvye to the girl who was strolling along. To say goodbye Alice kissed her long on the moth.
>>Is this why u seemed rushed when we first met?<<
She nodded but was happy to have recieved a kiss. She knew they wouldn't tell on her.
They snuck themself back in and finished up the presents before retrieving into their beds.

As the next morning began everyone was quick to their feet. The living room had the smell of freshly made cookis in the air, made by Tris. They sang songs together even if it might have sounded bad to some people. They had some poems ready to be read or performed. Right afterwards their perfectly peaceful christmas would come to the highlight, the presents.
Even without labeling some it was obvious who made wich. Tristan recieved a book full of memories as a friend aswell as a portrait. He also got much clothes and sweets aswell as a cooking book given by Mike.
As for his dad, he had also recieved a portrait and clothes. For him sweets weren't labeled number one priority but much more alcoholic beverages.
Haku had recieved clothing like everyone else, as well as some nut-chocolate. He specificly got a small book full of things he and Tris had done. Something to take a look at if he felt down again.
Mike had recieved some chocolate aswell as a beanie with a selfmade badge on top of it saying 'cousin #1' he wore it with pride but also shared it with Alice, Tristan and Haku.
Alice had recieved a small painting of a landscape aswell as some strawberry flavoured chocolate.
Her parents got the same treatment but with noughat filled chocolate and white chocolate.
They were heard throughout the day having fun making activities such as snowball fights and in the night they sat around the fire telling stories while slurping some hot chocolate. This is were they remained till everyone was asleep. Kathrine, Jake and Alice left the next day leaving only Alex, Mike, Haku and Tristan left. They spent the rest of the day telling stories while playing tabletop games.