I try to look at him again, but Orion grabs my chin and forces me to keep watching.
Is this some kind of hazing thing?
I gasp as the station is suddenly illuminated, colorful lights covering the roof and chimneys, windows and doorframes, everything really. Even the greenhouses and nearby trees are wrapped in holiday lights. It reminds me of those grand pack houses you stop to admire when driving around looking at Yule lights. I never thought I’d live in a place like that.
It’s magical.
“Charm and Henri put the lights up earlier. We thought it would be a fun surprise to see it lit for the first time,” Orion says, letting go.
It was a surprise. Such a big surprise that I almost forgot about Cato’s hard co?—
“Do you like it?” Magnus asks.
“Yes, it’s beautiful! I love it,” I say.
“Good. I hope you’ll excuse the heavy-handedness. I didn’t want you to miss the moment,” Orion says, sounding relieved.
Henri and Charm trudge out into the snow now that they’ve plugged the lights in. When I spot them, I rush to meet them and thank them for the surprise.
I feel bad they were climbing around out here all morning. If I’d known, I would have brought them snacks and hot chocolate.
My thanks seem to be enough though, and they’re pleased I enjoyed the surprise.
Charm helps me get settled near the fire, facing the station so I can enjoy the view. He tucks a blanket around me, and Henri hands out the desserts.
I tense as Cato worms his way under the blanket, but he doesn’t do anything more than press his side against mine.
When Henri circles around for the third time to see ifanyone needs a refill, I grab his sleeve and tug him down next to me.
I give him one of my snowman cookies and tell him to relax and eat. He’s flustered but accepts it and takes a bite.
I tuck the blanket around him, trying to ensure he stays put instead of playing host.
When I pull back, Henri is frozen, and my eyes snag on his plump lips. Some of the sparkling sugar from the cookie clings to them, and I lick my own lips, wanting to taste it.
I catch myself before I do anything more and look away.
I can’t avoid his scent though. Henri’s sugar cookie scent is more mouthwatering than the actual cookies.
Henri clears his throat and resumes eating.
I keep my eyes trained on the lights, since those don’t spark lustful thoughts.
They really do brighten things up. I don’t even notice how overcast it is now that our home is so colorful, the lights reflecting off the snow.
No wonder they became a tradition. It’s harder for the gray, dark winter days to get to you when you have cheery lights to lift your spirits. There’s something special about seeing them at home and around town, like the whole world is cheerful with you.
We relax in silence for a while until Charm suggests we build snowmen. I enthusiastically agree, and Orion goes inside to get supplies while the rest of us start making snowballs.
I stop to rest after rolling one until it’s waist-high, and see we all had the same idea to make giant snowmen.
Charm stacks my snowballs on top of each other once they’re ready, and my snowman ends up being taller than me.
Henri lifts me, and Orion hands me the button eyes,carrot nose, and button mouth to put on it. I finish my snowman off with a hat and plaid scarf.
Cato offers me a bundle of sticks, and I choose a pair for the arms.
Once the guys are done adding their snowmen’s accessories, I walk around admiring their work.
