Stocking Stuffer

Christmas morning at the Grey house was delightfully normal. Lucas and Simone were huddled together on the couch, whispering over the board game Simone had wrapped for him. Blue sat cross-legged on the floor, eating an orange he’d pulled from his stocking, his expression vaguely amused as he watched Simone try to explain the rules to Lucas. 

Mika, predictably, was making a very large mess.

“I swear, you’re worse than a toddler,” Lucas said, brushing stray wrapping paper off his lap as Mika tore through her third gift with wild abandon.

“Hey, I’m just efficient,” Mika shot back, holding up a pair of novelty socks. “Look! They have little sharks on them!”

“Adorable,” Blue deadpanned, popping another orange slice into his mouth. “Very mature.”

Jules, curled up on the armchair with a mug of coffee, smirked at the sight. Her girlfriend was wearing the giant stocking she’d made like a cape, the mismatched fabric draped over her shoulders like she was some kind of festive superhero. Jules couldn’t help but smile. Mika was ridiculous, chaotic, and hers.

Simone caught her eye and grinned. “How are you not exhausted by her?”

“Who says I’m not?” Jules replied, her tone affectionate.

Mika spun around, pointing the socks at her. “You love me, you just said so.”

“She’s got you there,” Lucas chimed in, earning a playful glare from Jules.

“None of you have even finished opening all of your gifts,” Mika muttered, half to herself as she yanked the paper off a fourth gift, which turned out to be a set of hand-painted mugs. She held them up, showing them off like trophies. “These are cute! Wait, are these for me?”

“Yep,” Blue replied, rolling his eyes. “I got them because you always complain about using mismatched mugs.”

Mika’s grin softened for a moment as she examined the mugs. “These are perfect. Thanks, Blue,” she said, her voice unusually sincere.

Jules could’ve sworn she saw Blue duck his head at that. 

As the morning wound down and the gift pile dwindled, Jules noticed Mika sneaking glances at her, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in her eyes. Jules gave her a small smile and tilted her head toward the stairs. Mika nodded, immediately catching the hint.

“Be right back,” Mika announced, hopping to her feet.

“No sneaking snacks before lunch!” Simone called after her, but Mika was already halfway up the stairs, Jules trailing behind.

- -

They found a quiet moment in Mika’s room upstairs, the noise of the group fading into the background. Jules sat on the edge of the bed, her hands resting casually on her lap, while Mika perched on the floor in front of her, cross-legged and eager.

“Okay, what’s this secret gift?” Mika asked, bouncing slightly.

Jules reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, wrapped in red and gold paper. She handed it to Mika, who eyed it suspiciously.

“This better not be a key to your place,” Mika teased, tugging at the ribbon.

Jules smirked. “Oh, it’s better than a key.”

Mika raised an eyebrow but pulled the paper away. She opened the box, peered inside, and immediately choked.

“Jules,” she said, her voice caught between a laugh and a gasp. She held up the red lace underwear, almost completely see-through, the delicate fabric shimmering with every shift. The lace was intricate, teasingly transparent, and a tiny satin bow sat perfectly at the center, accentuating the sensuality of the piece. “What the hell?”

Jules leaned forward, her voice low and teasing. “It’s lingerie.”

Mika sputtered, holding the lace up like it was contraband. “You expect me to wear this?”

Jules grinned, brushing her fingers against Mika’s wrist. “Oh, I more than expect it. I plan to personally help you out of it. Slowly.”

Mika’s face turned a deeper shade of red, and she quickly stuffed the underwear back into the box, as if hiding it would somehow erase the implication.

“You’re unbelievable,” Mika muttered.

Jules caught her hand and grinned. “You love it.”

Mika gave her a look- half exasperated, half amused. “You’re not playing fair.”

Jules shrugged. “It’s Christmas. I get to spoil my girlfriend however I want.”

Mika huffed, but the corner of her mouth twitched upward. “Fine. But only because it’s Christmas.”

Jules leaned in, her lips brushing against Mika’s ear. “Oh, trust me, it’s a gift for me too.”

Mika shivered and shot her a glare that didn’t quite hide her smile. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“And you’re gorgeous,” Jules countered, kneeling on the bed in front of her. She leaned in, her voice dropping to a husky whisper. “So, are you putting it on, or do I have to help you?

Jules felt Mika shudder before she saw her smile wickedly. “Fine. But if I’m wearing this, you’re wearing the shark socks.”

Jules chuckled, her fingers brushing through Mika’s hair, pulling her onto the bed. “Deal.”

- -

Downstairs, Blue raised an eyebrow as Simone and Lucas finished cleaning up the last bits of wrapping paper. “Think they’re coming back, or are we on our own for lunch?”

Simone smirked. “They’ll come down eventually. Probably looking a lot smugger than they did going up.”

Lucas groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Gross.”

Blue just shrugged, peeling another orange. “They’re definitely gonna need food after, right?”

Simone snorted, and Lucas turned bright red.

It would be hours before Mika and Jules ate lunch anyway.