"I think Santa came in my room."
"Well that's disgusting."
Marley scowled, smacking Aiden's bare bicep with narrowed eyes. Even in the near darkness she could see his lips upturned in the tiniest of smiles. His eyes were still closed, though.
"I'm serious!" She hissed quietly, not wanting to wake Ian sleeping across the room, "There's a little tree, and ornaments, and presents with his name on them!"
Aiden peeked one eye open, scanning over her body bouncing up and down on his bed as she sat cross-legged, "You didn't call me to walk you. Again."
Marley waved a hand dismissively, "Scold me later. Right now we have bigger issues! Santa can't be real, alright? Extrapolating for population growth, there are 500 million households for him to visit within the span of 48 hours according to time zones, the international date line, and the variations in sunset/sunrise times between locations and latitudes. With a mean distance of 0.205 miles between houses, number of houses, and the 48 hour time clock — he'd have 300 microseconds to sneak in and out of a house, drop off the presents, eat the cookies and make it back to his sleigh!"
Aiden's silent laughter shook the bed, "What about the reindeer food?"
Marley's frown deepened considerably while he took her hand, kissing her palm, "What time is it?"
"Three," she replied absentmindedly.
Aiden coughed, "Yeah. We're not doing this."
She yelped when he yanked her downwards by her hand, somehow managing to throw the covers over the two of them at the same time. His leg swung over her waist, arm around her torso. Aiden snuggled into the back of her neck, always the best big spoon but now was so not the time.
Santa came!
"Aiden," she whined miserably, failing in removing his heavy arm from around her torso, "There's a tree in my room and presents and I can't sleep."
"Count sheep," he grumbled out a suggestion tiredly, "It's three in the morning. Christmas doesn't start until at least six."
Marley huffed, melting when he kissed the back of her neck gently. Still, her eyes remained wide open even as Aiden's breathing began to deepen.
The fact that she woke up to the soft glow of a tree in her room with her name on a tag clearly calling it hers — was a magical feeling she's never had in her childhood. She was experiencing the true joy of Christmas for the first time and sleepy, grumpy Aiden was killing her vibe.
Marley began to shove again but his hold was iron. She whined as she wiggled, "I can't sleep, Aiden. I'm too excited!"
His lips pressed against her ear, breath hot and arm tightening around her waist to still her, "Keep grinding your ass on me and something else will be too excited — but not for Christmas."
Marley's cheeks flamed, her body going rigid, "If you weren't on the naughty list before Aiden Matthews you are officially done for."
"Santa had to make an even naughtier list just to put my name on it, spitfire." When he nipped at her neck with his teeth she jolted before whacking his forearm.
He quietly chuckled, relaxing against her back again and nuzzling his nose into her neck, "Let me hold you for a few hours. That's the only Christmas gift I want."
Marley squinted her eyes in serious consideration. She did buy him an awesome gift, but something free that would be easy for her to give...well she wasn't about to pass up on the opportunity to even their score a little. "Really?" She whispered.
"Really." Aiden hummed, inhaling deeply, "You smell nice."
"I'd sure hope so."
He used his leg and arm around her to turn her torso. Once they were face to face, he gripped her chin and pecked her lips, "Relax. Sleep."
She sighed, feeling his arm around her torso again, pulling their fronts together. Her left leg was caged between both of his, his arm beneath her head. Marley wrapped her arms around his neck while his nose was nestled in the crook between her head and the pillow. Heaven.
"Aiden?"
"Hm?"
"Merry Christmas."
His lips pressed against the side of her neck briefly.
"Merry Christmas spitfire," he whispered.
-
Marley woke up sputtering, gasping and choking for air while the sound of whooshing air and the feeling of foam spray invaded her senses. Aiden's body loosened around her, feeling it too. Marley sat up when Aiden did, blinking down at the red and green goo she was covered in.
"Merry cuffing season assholes."
She tried to wipe her eyes but her hands were covered, too. Leo had whipped the covers off of them, which meant Marley's bare legs were covered, the sheets were ruined and from her waist above was a disaster of red and green.
Marley blinked repeatedly to adjust to the light in the room, focusing on Leo standing by the bed with giant cans of whipped cream. He was smirking cheekily, shirtless with only a Santa hat, red pants and combat boots on.
What the...
"KAHN!!!!"
Marley nearly jumped out of her skin at the familiar shout, taking a moment to glance over at Aiden. He was blinking in surprise at the whipped cream he was covered in, having just woken up, too.
Leo was laughing loudly, shoving one of the cans under his arm to grab his phone and aim it at the two of them, snapping a photo that Marley would make sure Aiden threatened him into deleting later, "Oh man I'm good."
"You're such a fucking asshole!" Ryan barrelled into the room covered in whipped cream, his face about as red as the dye and his grey eyes blazing.
He stormed for Leo who leapt into Aiden's bed, crashing across the two of them and quickly scrambling behind Marley. There were groans and grunts as Ryan shot foreword with murderous rage.
Through eyes blurred with whipped cream, Marley watched Aiden sit up in front of her, shoving Ryan back by his shoulders, "As soon as Marley's not in the crossfire, have at him. As for you Kahn, you have about two seconds to get the fuck out of a bed with my girlfriend in it."
Leo's laughter was shaking the bed as he sat up, now covered in whipped cream himself. His legs were across her lap and she grunted with the weight.
"At least you two weren't having a morning quickie."
Marley's wide eyes shot to Ryan, who had his fists balled with fierce anger, "Whipped cream? Seriously? Are you a fucking toddler?!"
"I-" Leo cursed as Aiden used both feet to kick him violently off the bed and onto the floor, groaning as he hit the ground sideways.
More figures entered the room drenched in whipped cream — Jason and Brendan, who looked equally, if not more infuriated.
Marley was momentarily distracted by Aiden cupping her cheeks, "You okay?" He questioned seriously, scanning her over, "Not that I'm not planning on killing him anyway, but if he hurt you I'll make him suffer." he winked teasingly.
Marley rolled her eyes with a small giggle at how ridiculous he looked all covered in whipped cream. She kissed his cheek, popping her lips and realizing she really liked the flavour of the whipped cream, "It was a harmless prank, and look, it's kind of fun, too."
Her hand lifted to brush her fingers through his whipped cream hair while they watched the guys corner Leo. He attempted to shoot whipped cream back at them through bursts of laughter, but they managed to snatch the canisters and drag him out across the floor by the legs of his pants.
Leo was still laughing as he kicked their door shut with his shoe, "Happy blue-ballidays!"
Ian's side of the room was empty but neat which meant that he was awake before Leo could ambush him, too. Lucky kid. Aiden hooked his hands beneath her thighs, lifting her to straddle his lap. She made a mow-hawk with the whipped cream and his hair while he slid a finger along the outside of her bare thigh, picking up enough whipped cream to put it in his mouth with his index finger.
"That's your best friend?"
"Unfortunately, yes," Aiden sighed, "But enough about him. I have a sudden, insatiable craving for red and green dyed whipped cream."
Marley's hands slipped from his hair in shock when he laid back down, tugging her so she was hovered over him. Her cheeks were now as red as the cream watching Aiden scan her over hungrily, "Where to first?"
Marley shoved a hand over his face when he leaned in, sitting back up in her straddle. She couldn't lie to herself — her mouth definitely watered when her eyes drifted across his naked chest coated with whipped cream.
Dammit Marley! It's Jesus' birthday!
"No way, mister. It's Christmas and we're celebrating and I'm excited so get in the holiday spirit or get away from me."
She dropped her hand, watching him pout cutely, "Did you read that on a shirt somewhere?"
Marley narrowed her eyes at him in seriousness, watching Aiden sit up on his elbows and raise his palms towards her in surrender, "Fine. Christmas spirit mode activated. Let's do this."
She smiled, but before she scrambled off his lap — realized something needed to be said first. Marley gave him her best, most persuasive smile.
"When I tell you this, don't be angry."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, "Do tell."
Marley rested her hands on his shoulders, leaning in to kiss him quickly, pulling away before the pervert could deepen it and they'd be missing even more of Christmas Day then they planned on.
"I got Noah for Secret Santa."
She studied Aiden's expression carefully. It was smooth and clear of any resentment, which had her shoulders sagging in relief.
"A stink bomb?"
"No."
"Rotten meat?"
"No."
"Cottage cheese?"
"No."
"A bucket of worms?"
Marley smacked his arm with a shake of her head, "I bought him candy. You're despicable Mr. Grinch."
"You're a sex God, Mr. Grinch," he sang, which earned him another gentle smack while he laughed.
"Admit that was a good one."
"Never. Aiden it is Jesus' birthday." Marley scrambled from the bed, standing to face him with her hands on her hips.
Aiden's eyes darkened while he tugged his lower lip in his mouth, scanning her over, "Jesus wouldn't want to know what I want to do to you right now."
Marley narrowed her eyes, momentarily distracted from the whipped cream she was covered in and Aiden's obvious inability to move on.
"The tree was you, wasn't it?" She tapped her foot impatiently, now knowing that there is no one else who goes overboard quite like Aiden Matthews.
He groaned, eyes lingering on her legs, "You do realize you're scolding me in tiny shorts, my t-shirt, and covered in whipped cream, right?"
"Get over it," Marley said back, not even flustered right now, "Aiden there were at least ten presents under that damn tree. I bought you one thing and I can't..." she shoved her fingers through her whipped cream hair with a frustrated growl.
In the background, Aiden turned his torso and shoved his face into his pillow, speaking though it was muffled, "I think Santa wanted to give you your first real Christmas before you're officially not a child anymore. We'll be eighteen next year. Also, there's nothing I want. You're more than enough."
Marley's heart fluttered but she put her swooning on the back burner, "That's not going to work this time. Gods Aiden you know I hate this. You knew this would bother me. Having you is enough for me, too."
"Fine, then," Aiden said into the pillow, "Don't open the well-thought out gifts I put a lot of time, energy and our memories into. The ones Ian helped me with, and helped me set up last night at midnight while simultaneously trying not to wake up you or your three roommates."
Marley's heart turned to mush. Aiden knows exactly what to say to make her let go of her fight on this. How could she continue to dig her heels in and argue when he put his love into it? When he knew about her past and worked to give her a better future? Dammit, Aiden.
She sighed, "It's not that it doesn't make me happy. It's not that I'm ungrateful. But promise me this won't happen every year. One gift rule."
Aiden shot her a dry look. His eyes drifted down her body before his expression changed and he hid it again, "I'll never make a promise to you I can't keep, Marley."
She opened her mouth to argue again, but she quickly figured out that the closest holiday after Christmas is her birthday in March. That's plenty of time to make a better deal about gifts when it's already too late to change anything now.
Complaining and whining further will seriously ruin the holiday spirit. Marley already agreed to put everything else out of her mind — her father, the journal, and her finances. This is a no stress, no responsibilities day.
Let it all go.
Marley shook out her limbs, "Okay," she exhaled loudly, "From here on out I'm cheery, grateful, fun Christmas Marley. Which means you and I need to get cleaned up and celebrate."
Aiden didn't move from where he was laid flat on his stomach, face buried in his pillow, "Grab us two towels. Or don't. Get back over here and I'll take care of the whipped cream."
She stormed up to him and smacked his bare arm, "Aiden Matthews!" She shrieked, her classic blush once again proving itself as her worst enemy.
He lifted his head to peer up into her eyes with a lazy grin playing on his lips, "Kidding. Bottom drawer of my dresser."
She grabbed one for herself, wrapping it around her up to beneath her elbows, before tossing one to Aiden.
He stood, swiping at some of the whipped cream chunks and dropping them into the garbage by his nightstand. Marley froze in place, watching his back muscles ripple and flex beneath the whipped cream. When he turned, he was wiping the whipped cream off the front of his chest with his towel, moving it lower, and lower, and lower...
She cleared her throat, forcing her eyes away, tightening her towel around herself. Aiden disappeared into the bathroom, walking out with his shower necessities and clothing to wear.
He was smiling, "There is a reason Leo woke us up beyond that he's an asshole. I'll walk you to the girls and Gabby can take you to the shower, because we've got other plans to work out."
Marley's eyebrows shot to the ceiling while Aiden put his jacket on over his bare chest. He managed to get the whipped cream off for the most part, but it's too cold to walk without a coat regardless.
He handed her one of his hoodies. With narrowed eyes, Marley gestured for him to turn his back to her while she switched it for the damp t-shirt. With a small pout he did.
Marley was embarrassed when her head poked out, her eyes finding the ghost town that is his armoire, "All I wear is your clothes. It's inconvenient. I'm sorry."
Aiden put a finger to her lips, bending to her level to speak with his eyes boring into hers. Heavily amused. "I'm sorry if you're confused," he murmured, before taking a step back. He crossed his arms over his chest, scanning her body again, "Because if you think it bothers me in any way, shape or form that you wear my clothes then there is serious miscommunication going on."
Marley exhaled shakily. The way Aiden's always looked at her — as if seeing her for the first time, as if she's the only girl in his world — makes her happier than anything else he's ever said or done for her.
Words mean nothing when actions don't prove them. Aiden loves her and it's all in his eyes and in a look that's problematic for her heart.
The sleeves slid over her hands. She balled them in her fists while smiling up at him through her lashes, "They're comfortable. I can't help it."
Aiden closed their distance again. Inches away he cupped her cheeks while she wrapped her arms loosely around his torso. His blue eyes scanned over her face, studying every feature while her hazel ones returned the favour.
"You're so beautiful," he said simply.
Her heart fluttered, "Just woken up, covered in whipped cream and drowning in your hoodie?"
He bent to nuzzle his nose into her neck, holding her close by the small of her back, "Silly spitfire. You're always beautiful."
Marley wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him as tightly as he was holding her, "I really do love you. And you're almost as handsome as James Dean."
Aiden's body locked around hers.
Marley giggled, "I'm kidding! You're the handsomest."
Aiden nipped at her neck before pulling away, his eyes narrowed, "I better be. The other guy won't be as handsome with a black eye."
Marley pat his shoulder with a teasing smile, "You can't give a dead man a black eye."
"I can give him a metaphorical black eye."
"Ah, so even metaphorical Aiden is a possessive caveman. Good to know."
Aiden separated them to take her hand and lead them to his bedroom door, "Ah, so even metaphorical Marley is still trying to convince herself she doesn't love it. Good to know."
***