Henry hates Christmas. It's tacky, the event lasts far too long considering it's only supposed to be one day, and it reminds him of everything he's lost. So, no, he doesn't help decorate the tree in the office, and no, he doesn’t want to do Secret Santa with his colleagues. All he wants is to avoid his family and get through the season in one piece. It's been the same every year for thirteen years, and it will be the same until he dies behind his desk.
There's no Christmas miracle for him this year.
Until he walks into a bar, sees a girl, and slips…
Maddie hums along to Christmas songs the moment the leaves turn a shade of orange. She's ready with fairy lights and baubles the second the summer smell fades. This year, she thinks she got her Christmas wish months early. She's moved into an apartment back home, has finally finished her education, and is hopefully about to start the job of her dreams.
She doesn't need anything else this year. Maddie's not even sure what else she’d ask for.
But then he trips into her life, and he’s sopretty. Maybe Maddie has been extra good this year…
Art by @yenthejolieart
As she slides out of the booth, Maddie watches Henry walk through the door. It’s not the first time she’s watched him walk into a bar, but it’s the second time her stomach has swooped over his jawline and the way his eyes darken as he finds her in the crowd.
He walks over, his ridiculous suit borderline sparkling. She can’t tell if it’s the Christmas lights or if his suit is glittery, but she doesn’t care. There’s a smile plastered over her face that she couldn’t hide if she wanted to, so she doesn’t bother trying.
”What are you doing here?! she asks. He slides into the booth opposite her.
”You can’t be the only loser in sequins if there are two people in sequins.”
“Yours is glitter,” she replies, but she knows her smile is as bright as the shiny thread on his suit.
”It counts!” he says with a laugh. He looks out onto the dance floor and the scattering of employees looking at him with narrowed eyes. ”Wanna dance?”
”Nah,” she replies. Maddie gets closer to him, but not enough for people to talk about it in the breakroom any more than they already would because Henry-freaking-Bloomfield just turned up to a Christmas party in a shimmering suit.
”Let’s go,! Maddie says. ”You can buy me some fries.!
