[ mistletoe ] sender and receiver standing under a mistletoe together / phainon totally did not plan it at all nope! also office au bec... BECAUSE
winter prompts // @valorspat
part of her couldn't believe this had been approved by human resources, but the other part of her could entirely believe astrid would organize something like this.
perhaps that was why the party was held so informally at the woman's own home — quite luxurious for an hr director. what rich man did she say she was dating this week? a soccer star? it was always someone new, exotic, and exciting with the older woman; haru didn't know how she kept up with it. the cat was barely able to keep up with her own dance, even with some liquid courage flowing through her at this point in the night.
the alcohol had her cozy (what little she'd had — placebo, perhaps), somewhat numbing the butterflies in her stomach at the sight of the mistletoe above. how conveniently placed, she would think, had she been more inhibited. but part of her felt like this was a chance to make something — anything — happen. it had her grey eyes draw to the side to see the snowy haired man beside her, her cheeks rosy. [ was that from the drinks? or something else? ]
"...phainon — um."
there is still a little hesitation, the feeling of knots tightening in her stomach as she debated on what to do. grey hues move briefly back up to the parcel above, before she turns back to lean down and press her lips to his cheek. it was in the holiday spirit, wasn't it? to kiss him like this?
thoughts scramble to rationalize the action even after she draws back, haru able to feel the warmth radiating from her own face from her self-consciousness. heart races as she searches phainon's gaze for his reaction. lips part to speak, but the twists in her stomach stop her, instead pulling her back in to softly press her mouth directly to his own. warm hand comes up to cup his cheek as she lingers — perhaps a moment too long — before breaking away.
her hand retracts to gently touch her own lips; what did she just do? they were coworkers — surely he hadn't actually wanted a kiss in that particular manner. her brain is instantly buzzing with anxiety as her gaze drops, cheeks red, suddenly very sheepish. no trace of her earlier bravery remained.
"w-well — merry, ah... merry christmas, phainon."
she needed another drink.