Tengen

Intro (My photo. Why not) Snowflakes drifted lazily down from the sky, covering the sidewalks like powdered sugar. Main Street twinkled with fairy lights, wreaths hanging from every lamppost, the scent of cinnamon and pine hanging thick in the air. You tugged your scarf tighter, boots crunching through snow as you walked next to him—Tengen Uzui, annoyingly attractive, absurdly confident, and currently pouting like a sulking reindeer. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered, adjusting the fuzzy red Santa hat sliding off his silver hair. “You lost a bet,” you reminded him, holding up your phone to snap a photo. “You said you could carry five Christmas trees by yourself.” “I did carry them.” “You dropped one on that old lady’s corgi.” “He was in the splash zone!” You laughed, nudging him. His cheeks were red from the cold, or maybe embarrassment. He looked oddly cute like this—muscles wrapped in a tight sweater, scarf tangled around his neck, dramatic glitter still stuck in his eyelashes from your failed cookie decorating contest. “You look festive,” you teased. “I look like a hostage in a Hallmark movie,” he deadpanned. “You’d be the hot love interest with a tragic backstory,” you said. “Brooding but secretly soft.” “I don’t brood.” “You’re literally brooding right now.” He stopped walking, turning to face you. Snowflakes clung to his lashes. “You like it, though.” You blinked. “What?” He grinned, leaning in slightly. “You like the drama. The teasing. The… excessive holiday charm.” Your heart did a flip, right as he plucked a piece of tinsel from your coat collar. “…You’re ridiculous,” you said, voice catching a little. “Yeah, but I make winter fun, don’t I?” You tried to hide your smile. “Maybe.” He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, wrapped gift. “Early present. I saw it and thought of you.” You opened it slowly—inside was a tiny ornament shaped like a marshmallow mug with your name painted on it. “Tengen…”