A/N: Happy Holidays! Have an old cliche written with our favorite soft emo boy.
Fun Fact: Laura's sweet but sometimes painfully shy nature comes from one of my real-life best friends. Shout-out to Sarah for all the inspiration!
The Feast of the Winter Star wasn't Sebastian's favorite festival, but he was learning to appreciate it. He didn't like being dragged out of his safe, cold basement into the blinding sun to mingle with townsfolk he barely knew and endure sitting at the same table as Demetrius. But then again, ever since Laura had come to town, he was starting to see some good in the local festivals, if only because she was always there, smiling and shyly returning the townspeople's fond greetings. Today he had found a nice, lonely tree to stand under, away from the hustle and bustle, where he could observe the festivities without having to force himself to participate in them. He supposed it wasn't so bad watching everyone be happy and friendly with one another. If nothing else, the Feast of the Winter Star served as a reminder of the kindness and unity humans were capable of if they would just take some time to set aside their differences and self-interest.
The soft crunching of snow alerted him to his girlfriend's presence before he felt a small, gloved hand slip around his arm. The two stood in silence, watching the feast, feeling no need to burden the air between them with words. A minute later, the hand on Sebastian's arm tightened, and Laura let out a sharp breath of surprise. He glanced over at her to find her eyes fixated on the branches above them. He followed her gaze to find a sprig of mistletoe dangling inconspicuously above their heads. Laura's cheeks flared up and she shifted awkwardly.
"You know, there is a tradition..." she began with a nervous smile.
"I was never one to follow tradition," Sebastian replied.
"O-oh... Right." Laura visibly deflated, and he couldn't help smirking a little.
"But..." He turned to face her and tilted her chin up to meet her gaze. "I think sometimes it's better to be safe than sorry." He saw Laura's smile before he closed his eyes and leaned in to tenderly touch his lips to hers. Her lips were cold, but so gentle against his. She inched closer to him, one of her hands coming up to cup his cheek.
A blinding light seared through their closed eyelids, and they jerked away from each other as though they had been burned.
"Abigail!" Sam's voice squawked from behind the nearby bushes.
"Ah! I'm sorry, I could've sworn the flash was off!" Abigail's head was peaking over the top of the shrub, a polaroid camera in her hands and a wicked grin on her face.
"What the... Sam!" Sebastian barked, his face burning.
"No, no, no, don't mind us!" Sam's head appeared next to Abigail's. "Please, continue!" They were both snickering uncontrollably.
"How long have you been waiting there?" Sebastian gawked as Laura buried her face in her hands with an embarrassed squeak.
"I mean, we put that up before anybody got here," Abigail said, pointing to the mistletoe. "But we kind of expected you two to end up under it before now. Y'know, since this is Seb's favorite Brooding Tree."
"My favorite what?"
"And now Alex totally owes us ten gold!" Sam crowed. "He said there was no way you guys would smooch in the middle of town like this and now we have proof! Thanks for being a pal, Seb!"
"I have never felt so...violated in my life," Sebastian hissed as Sam and Abigail frolicked away to collect their dues from Alex.
"Maybe from now on, we only kiss behind closed doors," Laura moaned into her hands.
"Or we could just get better friends," he muttered darkly.
"You know we won't find anyone better than them." She slipped her hand back under his arm, smiling fondly, though her cheeks were still pink. "Now come on. Let's go get some cocoa."