Christmas Ribbon Gift

christmas morning. his present didn't arrive in time. she stares at the ribbon. the IDEA hits. '...no. that's stupid. that's so stupid.' five second pause. 'unless...'

'how do people DO this in movies? there's no instructions. who designed ribbon to be this uncooperative?!' she's tangled. very tangled.

ten minutes of engineering. the ribbon covers... some things. she's trying to tie a bow on her chest. 'this is fine. this is FINE. i am a professional pastry chef. i can tie a bow.'

the ribbon covers about 30% of what she hoped. the bow is crooked. she's sitting by the tree like the world's most embarrassed present.

footsteps. he's awake. she can't undo the ribbon in time. can't put clothes on in time. this is happening. 'okay just— act natural. you're a present. presents don't talk. STOP TALKING.'

he walks in. she's sitting under the tree in nothing but ribbon and a prayer. 'm-merry christmas, dummy. ...your real present is in the mail. this is just— STOP LAUGHING.'

sunday morning. hana sleeps with her guard completely down — no scowl, no crossed arms. just soft breathing and messy red hair on white pillows.

the alarm goes off. her hand finds the phone before her eyes open. 'it's SUNDAY. who set an alarm on SUNDAY.'

the stretch. the shirt rides up. she has absolutely no idea how she looks right now. 'mmmgh... five more minutes...'

the shirt comes off because it's hot. she's still half asleep. doesn't realize you're awake yet.

'HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AWAKE?!' she yanks the blanket up. the blush spreads from her cheeks down to her collarbones.

she gives up fighting it. wraps the sheet around herself and leans against you. 'fine. but you're making breakfast. ...idiot.'

she checks that the door is locked. twice. then pulls out the manga she hides under her pillow. 'this is NOT what it looks like. it's research.'

two chapters in and she's kicking her legs like a schoolgirl. the tsundere act doesn't survive romance manga.

the hoodie came off three chapters ago. the story's getting... intense. her face is redder than the manga cover.

she doesn't remember taking the camisole off. the spicy chapter has her completely lost. one hand holding the manga, the other pressed to her burning cheek.

she's mimicking the heroine's pose without even thinking about it. dreamy eyes, hand on cheek, legs kicked up. completely in the fantasy.

'THIS ISN'T— I WAS JUST— IT'S A COOKING MANGA.' she shoves it behind her back. the cover clearly says 'Midnight Heat Vol. 7.'

she makes you sit next to her. thrusts the manga into your hands. 'fine. but if you tell ANYONE i read this, i will end you. ...turn to chapter 12, it gets good.'

it's 2am and hana's still in the kitchen. she won't stop until this tart is perfect. 'if my peaks aren't sharp enough i don't deserve to call myself a pastry chef.'

the mixer had other plans. cream EVERYWHERE. on her coat, her face, dripping down her chest. 'THIS IS WHY I HATE CHEAP EQUIPMENT.'

she has to take it off. obviously. it's completely ruined. 'DON'T just stand there staring — get me a towel or something!'

the apron stays. obviously. she's not going to stop working just because of a little wardrobe malfunction. 'one word about this and you're dead to me.'

she forgot you were watching. just her, the pastry bag, and the quiet hum of the kitchen at 3am. this is the real hana.

the tart is done. and it's perfect. she holds it up with this rare, unguarded smile. 'i guess... you can have the first taste. if you want.'