You applied another different coat of lip balm, smiling at Sal as he sat besides you upon the floor of Larry's room, "Okay, now try this one.", you told him. Chuckling and blushing like crazy, he nodded, leaning in and sharing a small kiss with you.
"Hmmm...", he paused a moment to think, "I think I like the other flavor better, the strawberry one.", he stated with a smile. The two of you began to laugh, Larry watching you both from afar with an amused grin on his face as he observed you trying out the 12-pack of lip balm Ashley had gifted to you.
"If you two love birds keep it up, I'm gonna end up with a dozen cavities and shitting rainbows by the end of the night.", he joked, taking a swig of his hot chocolate. Ashley gave him a playful jab as she laid behind him on the bed, "Leave them be, I'm glad Y/N likes my secret Santa gift. I went all the way to the mall to get it for her.", she remarked, "Oh, and thanks again for my badass leather jacket, Larry. Perfect for when I get the hang of the motorcycle.".
He shrugged and gave Ash a smile, "No problem, I got it from the thrift store but it was in perfect condition, and a size small. Thought of you as soon as I saw it.", Larry explained. Glancing over at him, you couldn't help but admire just how thoughtful Larry always was, sure his cool exterior and tough appearance made him seem too cool to care, but he was always thinking of his best pals no matter what.
And as for Ashley, she always went out of her way to help in any way she could to assure each of her friends were happy, your friend group was truly such a treasure to you. Especially since your closest friend, Sallyface, was now your beloved boyfriend. "It's a bummer Todd had to leave a early to visit relatives for the holidays, good thing I gave him his present ahead of time. Extra strong scented candles.", Sally said with a laugh, "Y'know, since he always complains about his parents making the apartment reek of weed.", the group laughing as he said that.
Larry chimed in, "And it's a good thing he gave me my gift before he left too, brand new Sanity's Fall shirt! Just what I needed. Since you know, my old one got throw up all over it.", he said, cringing to himself as the group continued to laugh. Slowly taking a sip of your mug of hot chocolate, you gazed upon your boyfriend who was currently wearing the new item you had gotten for him, luckily for you Sal was the recipient of your secret Santa gift; a silver necklace with a pendant in the shape of an electric guitar.
It glimmered in the light as it hung from Sal's neck, making him look even cuter than he usually did. Jewelry seemed to suit him perfectly. He wasn't currently wearing his mask, seeing as he was in the company of close trusted friends as you all celebrated the winter holidays by chilling in Larry's room after having exchanged secret Santa gifts, Black Christmas playing in the background on the TV.
Catching you staring at him, Sal reached over and placed his arm around your shoulder, bringing you closer to him, "Thanks again for my gift, Y/N. I really can't thank you enough for it, I promise to always treasure it. Just like I plan on always treasuring you.", he softly explained to you, causing your heart to melt as your face became flushed, "Aw, Sal!.".
You embraced him, the two of you now sharing a loving, cozy hug, Larry and Ash watching the sweet exchange before sharing a fist bump. Seeing their best friends in such a healthy and passionate relationship was absolutely heartwarming, they had watched both you and Sal come out of your shells and grow so much as people since moving to Nockfell, of course they were happy!
Setting his mug down, Larry walked over towards the two of you and sat in between you and Sal, placing his arms on both your shoulders as he pulled you guys into a group hug, "Man, since it's the holidays I'll let myself get a little cheesy. Sal, Y/N, I love you guys. You two better not let anything get in the way of your relationship, got it? Y/N, keep making Sallyface here happy, and same goes for you Sal! If I even see her frown I'll beat your little blue butt up.", he joked, making you giggle as Sal rolled his eyes, joining in on the laughter as well.
Ashley soon walked over, plopping herself down as she hugged Larry from behind, "Hey! Let me get in on this group hug too, Larbear!", she said, placing her hands on Larry's cheeks as she pinched them playfully. "Even if it's the holidays I still don't like when you guys call me that.", Larry stated with a bit of faint blush on his cheeks, but that only made the group begin loudly chanting, "Larbear, Larbear, Learbear!", at the top of their lungs, much to his annoyance.
• • •
"Thanks again for the lip balm, Ash. It was the perfect gift, I'm going to get a lot of use out of it.", you said with a smile as you gave your brunette friend a hug, the two of you giggling to yourselves. "Heh, I figured you would.", she said with a playful grin and a friendly wink before hopping into the passenger seat of Larry's car, Sal shutting the door for her.
"See ya Ash, drive safe Larry!", Sal said, the two of you waving as the car began to pull out of the parking lot, but as Larry drove off, he rolled down his window and gave the both of you a huge smirk, before shouting, "Good luck, Sallyface! Better not mess up, otherwise that practice would've been all for nothing! See ya later, Y/N!", and with that he sped off, going to drop off Ashley at her place for the night.
Confused, you watched as the car drove into the night before turning to Sal, "Huh? What was that all about? Practice?", you asked, tilting your head. A bit nervous, Sal shrugged his shoulders before quickly changing the subject, "Beats me, guess that's just Larry being Larry. Anyways, let's head back in, Y/N. It's cold out here, and I'd much rather be inside with you drinking some more hot coco.", he said while taking a hold of your hand. You couldn't agree more, "Definitely, let's head back in.", your feet crunched against the thick winter snow as the two of you headed back towards the apartment building.
Once inside you entered the elevator and arrived at your floor, going into Sal's apartment. "Did your dad end up going on that holiday vacation he said he'd take?", you asked, noticing that the coffee pot on the kitchen counter was empty instead of being completely full and piping hot as it usually was.
"Oh, yeah, he left yesterday evening. I must've forgotten to tell you. He offered to take me with him but ehhh, the beach isn't my thing. Staying here with you sounded like the way better option.", hearing him say that made you blush, leaning towards him to plant a kiss on the left cheek of his prosthetic, "You're too cute, especially with that necklace on! I'm so glad I saved up enough to be able to get it for you. Do you like it?", you asked.
He opened up the door to his room, turning to look at you, "Of course I do, Y/N! You put thought into it. You know I love my guitar, and the gift is from you, so the necklace has lots of meaning to it. I love it, Y/N.", he said, placing a hand on your face, gently caressing your soft skin. You felt like you'd melt then and there, the feeling of his warm hand was absolutely heavenly, "I'm so glad you like it, Sal.", you smiled up at him, "So, you want to cuddle up together and watch a movie or something? Maybe go grab some Addison Tea and swing by Rosenburg's to say hi?", you suggested as you sat upon his bed, giving Gizmo some pets.
"Actually...", he rubbed the back of his neck, before going over towards the light switch, flipping it off, leaving the two of you in a completely dark room, "I've got something else planned.". Caught off guard, you couldn't help but giggle, wondering what exactly your boyfriend was up to, "Hey! What gives? Are you gonna scare me by summoning a Christmas spirit or something?", you joked, making Sal laugh, "Not exactly.", he replied.
"Well, what're you-", suddenly, the room was lit up. Blue fairy lights gently shone from where they were carefully placed upon the ceiling of his room, casting an ethereal glow upon the two of you within the room. Completely taken aback, you simply started at the beautiful display before shifting your gaze back towards Sal, who was now holding his electric guitar in hand, his mask off as well. "S-sal...?", you softly whispered.
He cleared his throat, blush across his face and ears was clearly visible even under the blue glow, "Y-Y/N, I know I wasn't your secret Santa but I still wanted to be able to give you a gift, a gift that nobody else can give you, a gift that is unique to you, because a girl like you deserves something, r-really special...", he gulped nervously, before reaching towards his head and undoing both of his pigtails.
Running a hand through his hair, he looked at you before smiling nervously, yet there was determination present within his eyes, "...so this is for you.", he firmly stated, before beginning to strum his guitar.
In complete disbelief and surprise, you silently sat atop of his bed, watching Sal as he continued to play his guitar like you've never seen before, it was clear to you that he had been practicing, but wait, what song was he playing...? It had taken a moment for the initial shock to wear off, but once it did you realized, this wasn't no ordinary song, it was your favorite song.
You intently watched him play his guitar so effortlessly, your heartbeat began to rapidly increase, mind filling with lovesick thoughts, "S-sal, you took the time and effort to learn how to play my favorite song...,j-just for me...?", the familiar feeling of your eyes welling up began. Not only were there sentimental tears present within your eyes, but there was also a look of complete and utter joy present within your twinkling eyes; this was the face of a teenage girl who was devastatingly in love with her boyfriend, who shared those exact same feelings as he continued to serenade her.
A little while after he began, he gave the final strum to his guitar as he reached the end of the song, his face flushed and breath shaky, he himself couldn't believe how perfectly he managed to play it. Simply staring at one another for a brief moment, Sal broke the silence, "W-what did you think? D-did you like it, Y/N?", he asked in between breaths, not realizing how much he had held his breath while he played.
Those tears at the corner of your eyes finally trickled down, but a huge, radiant smile was spread across your face, cheeks a light shade of red, "S-sal...y-you're...you're so...", you got up and ran towards him, wrapping your arms around him as you buried your face against his chest, thankfully he had set his guitar down before you abruptly embraced him.
"You're...the best boyfriend I could've ever asked for...you're such an amazing person. I'm...", you felt his arms wrap around your waist as you continued to speak your feelings, making you look up at him with your twinkling eyes, "...I'm so lucky to have you, Sal.".
His hand wiped away at your tears, looking down at you with a loving smile and loving eyes, he couldn't help but adore how beautiful you looked even with tears in your eyes, "I'm the lucky one, Y/N. I'm so glad you liked it, I hope no one else ever gives you a gift like this, because...", he cupped your face in his hands, leaning down to meet your face, "...well, as selfish as it sounds, I want to be the only one who's able to serenade you like that.", he whispered, before pressing his lips against yours.
Kissing underneath that soft blue lighting while a snow storm was beginning to form outside was a feeling unlike any other, your first holiday with Sallyface was a holiday you'd never, ever forget.
• • •
"Mmm, Sal..what time is it?", you groggily asked, not bothering to open your eyes as you clutched onto him. He simply mumbled in response, still not even half awake, the grip on your waist tightening slightly as he laid beside you. Gently smiling, you sat up from where you lay, outstretching your arms as you yawned loudly, rubbing your eyes before reading the clock on his dresser; 10:06AM.
"Oh, we slept in for a good while, thank god it's still winter break.", you stated while pushing the blanket off of yourself and onto Sal, hopping over him and out of bed. Your movement caused him to shift in his sleep, beginning to wake up. Eyes slowly opening, his vision was blurred slightly as he looked upon your figure standing in the middle of his room, but once it became clear he saw you wearing one of his hoodies, reaching just above your knees; it looked as if the hoodie was the only thing you were wearing.
Now fully awake, he shot up out of bed, looking at you in disbelief with blush across his cheeks, "U-uh, Y/N? D-did you...did we...?", he fumbled over his words, trying to recall the events of the previous night after he had played your song to you, "W-where are the rest of your clothes...?", he embarrassedly asked. You raised an eyebrow, "Huh? They're folded up on the dresser, see?", you pointed towards the neat little stack of your clothing, "I put them there after I changed into your hoodie in the bathroom. I asked if you were okay with me spending the night, and you said yeah, and offered me the hoodie to sleep in so I was more comfortable. You don't remember?", you asked.
"O-oh, right! I completely forgot...I thought we...", he caught himself mid-sentence, "N-never mind, want to make breakfast?", he asked with an awkward smile. Thinking for a second, you realized what Sal thought had happened once he saw you wearing his hoodie, making a smug grin spread across your face as you walked over to him, leaning down to meet his eye level, "Oh, you totally thought we did it, didn't you?", you playfully joked, ruffling his hair.
Embarrassed, he quickly shook his head, "N-no! That's not-", your laugh interrupted him, "I'm just teasing Sally! Heh, you're so cute, don't forget to take your meds, okay?", you gave his cheek a kiss before walking towards the door, "Oh, and by the way," you lifted the hoodie up slightly, revealing the pair of shorts you wore underneath, "I'm not naked underneath this, silly!", you teased one final time before scurrying off into the kitchen, laughing the entire way.
He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of his recently awoken girlfriend, you looked so beautiful even with a head of messy hair and slightly puffy eyes, "This is the first time I've woken up next to Y/N, but man, I hope it isn't the last. I hope this is just the first of forever...", he smiled to himself before hopping out of bed, reaching for his medication and glass eye before calling out, "I'll make the French toast, you make the scrambled eggs!". That breakfast together tasted better than any other breakfast either of you had ever had before.