5SOS Preferences

Preference 23: Decorating the Christmas Tree

Michael: "Michael," you sigh, turning around and glaring at your boyfriend. You place one hand on your hip, rolling your eyes as he laughs. "What?" he asks, rocking back and forth innocently. "You know what," you say as you attempt to suppress a grin. "Tell me," Michael invites. "You said you'd help this year," you remind him, tapping his chest with an accusing finger. "I am helping!" Michael protests, laughing. "All you've done is watch me put up ornaments," you point out. "Because you're cute!" Michael defends, giggling. You roll your eyes but blush at Michael's words. "You're cute when you concentrate and when you step back and look at the tree all seriously," he adds. He steps back, looking at the tree and tapping his chin. "I don't do that!" you protest, laughing. "Yes you do!" Michael laughs, "And then you go like this." He grabs an ornament and turns it over in his hands, sighing. You shake your head, knowing that he's right. "Oh! And I almost forgot my favorite part," he tells you with a grin. He reaches up toward the top branches and tips his foot up, standing on tiptoe to hang the ornament, although he can easily reach. "Okay, okay," you chuckle, "Well this is you." You sit on the couch and watch Michael before standing up, leaning against the wall and watching Michael again. "Fine, I'll help," Michael gives in, grinning at your impression. You smile, knowing you've won, and he shakes his head at your pride. "I love you," Michael says as he hangs an ornament. "I love you, too," you respond, wrapping your arms around Michael's torso and pecking his lips.

Calum: "Are you ready?" Calum asks with an eager grin as he stands, swinging the plug to the Christmas lights in his hand. "Light it!" you confirm, taking a seat on the couch. Calum first flicks the lights off, plunging the two of you into darkness. A second later the tree lights up. Calum seats himself next to you, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you into his chest. "We did great," you state proudly. "You did great," Calum chuckles, "I didn't really do anything." "You were my muse," you giggle, smiling up at him. "I'll take it," he says with a satisfied smile. You snuggle up against him to admire the tree when he suddenly sits up. "I almost forgot!" he whispers excitedly to himself before rushing off to the bedroom. He returns moments later with a wrapped box. "What's this?" you ask when he places it in your hands. "My contribution to the tree," Calum says with a modest shrug. You nod, impressed before tearing open the paper covering the mysterious box. Opening the box, you discover a single ornament. "Come on," Calum instructs, "take it out." You gently pull it out, gasping at its simple beauty. Carved into the top was 'Our First Christmas' and below was a picture you had never seen. "Where did you find this?" you ask in amazement. "A fan took it," Calum explains sheepishly. The picture was of you and Calum only last week. You were out slow dancing in the snow in your pajamas when the fan had snapped the picture. Looking at the picture, there was no doubt the two of you were in love. "It's beautiful," you tell him. "Put it on the tree," he laughs, helping you to your feet. Together the two of you pick the most prominent branch of the tree, replacing the simple, meaningless bulb with the gift the two of you would be able to treasure for many Christmases to come.

Luke: "Catch!" you call, tossing Luke an ornament. "Careful," Luke laughs, catching it off to the side. "Don't worry," you inform him, "I have great aim." "Okay," Luke laughs, hooking the ornament onto a branch and turning back to you. He squats down and holds his arms in front of him like a catcher. Following his lead, you pull back like a pitcher and let the bulb fly. He catches it, nodding in approval as he places it on the tree. Squatting again, he grabs a Santa hat and places it over his hand as a makeshift baseball glove. "Y/L/N is pitching tonight," Luke says in his best announcer voice, making you laugh, "She's looking mighty fine on the pitcher's mound in her Christmas pajamas." You roll your eyes but get ready to throw. "Here comes the wind up," he adds, "and the pitch!" You cheer, clapping and whistling like a sports crowd. Luke places the ornament on the tree as he continues to announce for your fake baseball game. "This is shaping up to be quite a game tonight, folks," he says seriously, "Y/L/N on the mound and Hemmings catching - a match made in heaven, I'd say." "You're a dork," you laugh, throwing the next bulb to Luke. He reaches for it, but misses just barely, leaving the ornament to shatter on the floor. "Oops," Luke mutters sheepishly, "A curve ball!" He looks to you slowly, hoping you won't be too mad. "Strike one!" you call. imitating an umpire. Luke rushes to grab a broom, quickly sweeping the shattered glass out of the way so the Baseball game can continue.

Ashton: You listen to Ashton hum along to the Christmas music playing through your house as the two of you decorate the tree and you smile. "I wish I knew how to break this spell," you sing quietly, smiling at Ashton. He smiles back. loving it when you sing. "I'll take your hat your hair looks swell," Ashton sings back. You set your box of ornaments down and Ashton does the same, watching you with amusement as you walk towards him, shaking your hips. "I ought to say no, no, no," you continue seductively. "I love you," Ashton informs you with a grin. "Those aren't the words," you joke. "I don't care," Ashton answers, shaking his head, "It's still really true." "In that case, I love you, too," you smile, moving your hands through Ashton's hair and connecting your lips to his. He moves his lips against yours eagerly and backs you up until you feel the couch behind you. "What about the tree?" you ask, pulling away from Ashton and glancing distractedly at the half-decorated tree. "The tree can wait," Ashton mumbles, taking your chin in his hand and turning your face toward him. You give in, reconnecting your lips to Ashton's and falling back on the couch.