Disclaimer: It's probably quite clear that I have no ownership claims to the characters, world, etc. I'm simply playing in the world Ms. Pierce created.

Author's Notes: A little late for the appropriate season, but the idea wouldn't leave me alone. Complete and total fluff.

"Midwinter Luck"

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"Miri, don't move." He said it seriously, but I didn't trust the glint in his eyes.

"What? Why?" Everyone was staring at me, grinning. "What?"

Evin pointed upward. I looked above me, seeing the doorway and something green stuck to it. Squinting, I made out a sprig of…was that…? Oh, no.

"You can't be ser—"

I was cut off by a pair of lips firmly placed on mine. It lasted a few short seconds, and when it was over I found myself glaring at Evin Larse. I should've expected it from a Player, what with this ready-made audience.

"I kissed you, now you have to kiss me." He was grinning like the cat who got the cream.

My fists went to my hips. "Excuse me?"

"I said, I kissed—"

"I heard that. I only thought mistletoe was good for one kiss."

"Nope. Tradition says both people have to kiss under it at Midwinter. That was definitely a one-person kiss right there. You don't want to go breaking tradition now, do you?"

I couldn't believe this was happening. I couldn't believe this was happening so very publicly.

"Kiss him!" someone yelled. "Kiss him, kiss him!" It sounded like Farant. I'd have to remember to leave him a nasty surprise somewhere.

Others picked up the chant. "Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!"

Evin spread his arms wide with a smile that was even wider. Damn the man, he was enjoying this!

"Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!"

From here on out I am checking every doorway before I walk under it, and I will never ever under any circumstances be so stupid as to stop under one, either.

"Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him!"

There was no way out. This was tonight's spectacle, and I was unwittingly front and center. How we Riders love our entertainment. I finally popped up on my toes and pecked Evin on the mouth. The chanting stopped with a dissatisfied sigh. I backtracked awkwardly.

He gave me the kind of look Commander Tourakom gives me when she knows I didn't put my best effort into something. Slightly disappointed, yet amused. I couldn't think of anything to say.

"That wasn't a real kiss," he said, grabbing my arm as I turned to slink away in embarrassment, and hauled me back around. The rest happened quickly.

The hand on my arm slid to wrap around my waist and the other my neck, and just as I realized what was going on, he dipped me backwards and kissed me again—this time in a fashion worthy of a Player's stage performance. And this particular Player was good at kissing on or off the stage. My eyes dropped closed and my fingers dug spasmodically into his shoulders when a chill ran the length of my spine. I could feel the warmth of him, his hands, his mouth. Slowly, sensuously, gently…

Oh dear gods!

Laughing, whooping, wolf whistles, cat calls. You name it, I heard it.

We pulled apart, I blushing furiously and he grinning in that insufferably satisfied way of his. I'm sure my eyes had widened to the size of my pony's as I stared into his like the stunned fool that I was, still in his grasp.

Amid the racket, Evin leaned in and whispered in my ear, "You still owe me a kiss." Then he set me upright and released me. I think I even staggered a little.

I clutched the doorway that got me into this mess for support, and in the passing crowd I heard said, "Someone's going to have a very lucky Midwinter."

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