Baby, It’s Cold Outside! (Ben Hardy x fem! Reader Oneshot)
Summary: You are excited to be with your new boyfriend, Ben, for Christmas in a cabin. But a sudden snowstorm means it’s just you two alone without your families. You use the time to get to know each other a little bit better...
Warnings: brief smut-ish scene (nothing super graphic but right on the line), language, mentions of sex, swearing, mentions of families, reader being insecure, Christmas, but otherwise full of fluff
Word Count: 3K
Hello there @asphalt-cocktail. It’s I! Your puppy Secret Santa!!! I hope you enjoy it! This is for @thosequeenboys and @warriorteam1924‘s Get Down, Give Joy Event. Thank you guys for organizing something so fun that brought creativity and light in this especially dark year!
“Y/N! Your bag’s ready?! Blimey-snow’s pouring down!”
Looking down at the Dungeon’s Master Guide peeking out of your bag, you stuffed it before he walked out of the cabin and could see. You hoped he wouldn’t notice. No, not Ben. Not your new boyfriend. Your new, perfect boyfriend. You thought you could sneak a peek when he was gone to plan a campaign with some friends. But he couldn’t no. No.
Looking out, the snow falling lightly down onto your hat, you shrugged, pretending to admire it while still holding your bags.
“It’s just so pretty…and…uh, I was thinking, we could make some hot chocolate! It’s in the big blue carrier…” you improvised, pointing to the blue bag still in the car.
He gave you a biting smile and went to retrieve it. Taking in a deep breath, you stepped inside, your hands getting used to the warmth again.
Besides, you were supposed to be focused on just Ben and your family. That was what the cabin was for. A cabin that had everything: a location in the snow-inclined woods, two floors, a fireplace, and a few basics.
But as Ben opened the blue bag and excitedly got the canister, you realized at least one basic had already gone dry.
“What do you mean we’re out of hot chocolate?” Ben questioned.
You let out a little laugh at the slight pout as he tapped the container and saw two measly tablespoons of chocolate powder. You went to him and wrapped your arms around.
“We’ll get more at the store,” you promised.
He sighed in deep, accepting the feeling of your arms. Limbs stiff from travel, the stretch felt divine.
“Besides, we need to go to that grocery. I don’t know what people will bring but we need all of the basics for the family…when they get here…”
You saw lots of your decorations from home were pre-moved there into big, blue bins. Everything was set. What was missing was the people. The one element that could make or break a holiday.
“Hmm…we should get started. It’s a sad sight to come into a place that’s not decorated…” Ben suggested.
The twinkly ornaments jingled as you unwrapped them from their plastic Looking at the great green fir in the main room in the corner from the fireplace, you wrapped the tin on a bauble around a branch.
The box seemed to have every ornament in the world. It was full of tinsel that was even longer than Ben was tall. You wrapped it around together like a woman dressing in a crinoline skirt. In an hour, golden and red baubles blossomed like fruit on the greenery. Placing them on, they felt so fragile that it moved you with the tenderness Ben’s hands had when he held them. It made you chew on the inside of your lip a bit to watch him fondle them and wrap them on gently. Reminding you of every time he used them otherwise…
Which was why you could not mess up your first Christmas as a couple.
“Do you know where on Earth the topper is?” he asked.
Looking around, you noticed a little star that seemed to be the topper. It had a bottom that looked like it could latch securely to the top bit of a tree. But there was a big black button right near it.
“Huh.”
Creeping down to a plug, you put it in and pressed the button in curiosity.
At once, the star began to radiate disco lights and twirled around in a circle in a mechanical ‘whhhrrrrr” as it blasted a funky “We wish you a merry Christmas.”
Ben jumped in surprise and cursed.
“Oh my gosh…all these fancy decorations and…and this…it’s just so corny, oh my gosh!” you guffawed, wiping away a tear from laughing.
Ben found himself laughing a little too, taking it in his own hands to watch it.
“Phew okay…but let’s get it on…” he said, orderly as ever.
“Can I put it on top of the tree this time! Please!” you begged, along with fake puppy eyes.
“Alright, give it a go…” he offered.
As you stepped on a chair to reach it, you waved your arm up to get it, but you couldn’t quite reach it. Even with your arms stretched high as it could go. It was still a good deal taller than you.
“Argh!”
“You’re the one who wanted to put it on the tree!” he teased, his cheeks turning pink from the sight of you.
“Could you help me!” you asked with a slight pout.
“Of course!”
He wrapped his large arms around your waist and hoisted you up. He grunted a little bit and you felt him walk back and forth to try to keep his footing. When he was secure you kept trying to reach the topper up, but somehow you kept missing it and giggling when you did.
“Just! Put! It! On!” Ben huffed.
Finally, you reached the top and got it on. Using an extension, it was plugged in and the gaudy little top could do its magical swirl again.
Ben placed an arm around your shoulder as you watched the tree in completion.
“It’s…it’s beautiful…” he admitted.
At once your phone rang in your pocket. You ran over to pick it up and recognized the voices of your family.
They explained it plainly, but it was still sad.
“Wha…what is it? “ Ben asked, his eyes softening at the worry on your face.
“Ben…there’s going to be a huge blizzard…they already got it and…they’re stuck home. They can’t join us out of safety.”
You both sighed and he gave you a hug.
“There…it’s alright, we can make it work. The two of us…” Ben assured, patting your back. Your chest hurt with disappointment, but his hugs were always so nice and soft.
“We’ll have to wait until new years to see them…and I was so excited…”
“We can make it work. I mean-it’s a cabin in the snow, Y/N. Could be worse…”
Both of you rushed to the store. People were already there trying to get what they could before the storm could get there. Ben insisted going to the liquor store to get what drinks were available. Though among some favorite ales and beers of his, he got two bottles of champagne.
“Huh…why the bubbly?” you asked, leaning forward in your cart to see the silver wrapper around the green bottles.
Ben was very much a lad’s lad. Into rugby, soccer, sports, and pubs. Enjoying nights with the boys. It never struck you he liked drinking something a bit…feminine.
“It’s a tradition. My family drinks champagne on Christmas morning. And I’d…I’d like to drink with you on Christmas morning with you, Y/N,” he offered. You noticed his green eyes darted to the floor in a fit of bashfulness.
“I’d love that!” you assured.
“I mean…since it’s Christmas on our own…might as well make the most of it…” he reasoned with a shrug.
Once you both got home, you promptly began stuffing the groceries into the fridge. Nothing fancy. Just what you could grab and what ingredients you could see to make any special dishes. It was a holiday after all.
Let him know I can cook, I’m a good girlfriend. I’m a cool girlfriend. And a cool girlfriend cooks for her man…
Ben then grabbed you and began to kiss you passionately. Your hands ran up to his hair. His own went down to your butt.
“Jonesy!”
“We’re alone without the folks…” he teased. “We can do whatever you want…and I couldn’t leave you in that sweater all day…”
“Wait a minute….” You suggested, glancing over.
He stopped. His breathing desperate as his nostrils huffed.
“We have the entire place to ourselves…let’s use every inch of it…”
Walking over to the fireplace, you flipped open the switch. There was the sound of a fwoooom and a crackling noise. Looking over the fireplace was lit up in an orange blossom over the “wood.”
Ben grabbed a few blankets for the cold and tossed them to the ground. Soon, you both were making out passionately. Feeling the deep heat on one side, he stared at you to ask. You gave a clear nod and voiced out a breathy, “yes.”
His hands got inside your sweater and pulled it off of you in a heartbeat. You had changed into your prettiest, fanciest bra and underwear in case this would happen. And Ben approved. But they didn’t stay on you for long. He then laid you down, before removing his own clothes. You watched the orange glow of his skin. How beautiful and intimate to see his body reflected in this way and how the firelight reflected off of your own as well before desperately peeling off the last of what you wore and throwing in over the couch.
You let your anxieties soothe as you focused on the pure bliss of union and togetherness with only the fire to witness it
Little did you know that Christmas on your own meant spending time together. You were used to having Ben sleep by you. You were used to him hugging on your from behind as you stirred up some soup for lunch. Yet you both had plenty of time alone. Here in a cabin as snow blanketed to your thighs, there was precious few alone times you could get.
But what you were slow to realize that this was a bit more complicated when it came to presents. And his wasn’t ready yet.
“Ey-Y/N, where is…“
You let out half a scream and half a yelp of “no!” Ben’s golden head ducked back to behind the door as he let out a curse. You charged for the door.
“Hey, no peeking!” you insisted, before shutting the door.
“Oh! Sorry! My-my phone. Y/N! I just need it for a sec!” he begged.
“You honestly forgot it!” you replied in disbelief. You grabbed a blanket from the bed and draped it over the bed.
“Yeah it’s…it’s the band…gotta check the band! Joe’s been chatting all morning!” he insisted.
Looking over you saw that his phone was on the desk next to your messy bed with pajamas and shower towels strewn all over it. Walking over a few shoes on the carpet, you reached over and got it and handed it back.
“Just knock next time, okay sweetheart?” you ask.
“If it means you call me sweetheart again, I just might!” Ben added with another wink that made your face heat up.
Turning around with a sigh, you removed the clumsily tossed blanket. There was a long line of yarn you had been working on for a while. Knitting and knitting, albeit with joy, every change you got. Even when your fingers became sore and a little calloused. You prayed you could get it done in time. Turning the television on, you flipped to the opening of White Christmas and clicked away on your needles in a fury. It was good to have noise and maybe minor visuals. As the Haynes sisters twirled their mammoth fans in their blue dresses, you peeked at the red pile on your lap. You hoped it was a good enough present for your Adonis of a boyfriend.
Would he like it? Maybe he would like a bottle of an alcoholic drink. A watch. Something sophisticated and masculine.
But now it was too late. With a little huff you clicked away. Taking out your pink measuring tape you saw it was now the right length. Now it was time to darn off and add another prayer on top of that.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Christmas morning you wake up because of the thin white line of daylight creeping across your room in a thin line. Everything else is darkness. Ben and you had cuddled all night and you woke up tangled up in his arms. Clothes were half strewn from the more intimate activities you had the other night. Smiling at the memory, you watch him slowly until he shows signs of waking. Rather than spend morning in an excited, sleep deprived haze, both of you grin and wake up with the feeling of being well-rested, yet still slow and relaxed.
You brush his hair out of his eyes.
“Merry Christmas, lovie….” He yawns.
“Merry Christmas to you too Ben…” you coo back, enjoying how warm he always feels.
Both of you stay in bed under blankets for a bit. When you shift to look out the window, you see fluffy snow gently falling down.
“I can’t wait….to…”
“To what….” You ask. Open gifts?
“I…I think we could both drink some champagne…”
“Oh my gosh- you found it! On Vinyl?” you ask, holding wide LP in your arms.
In the background, your music shuffle changed to a tinkling rendition of The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
“I know I…I searched everywhere, but I found it!” Ben boasted. He swirled his champagne in his tiny glass, taking careful sips.
“But Y/N, you’ve opened my present…and there’s only one left …” he said, eyeing the red box with a plump, shiny ribbon on top.
“Ben, here it’s for you…” Nervously gulping down your champagne in one go, you force your eyes to watch.
He looks at the package with a lightness in the corner of his smile. He is still in his light blue robe. With his tousled hair and puffy lips, he could never seem so soft and perfect to you. It might be the last image before he leaves you for some Victoria’s Secret model, you muse.
You feel yourself wince as he starts to rip open the paper. He then opens the box, eyes amazed at the red pile of yarn before him.
“Oh-Y/N! This is…this is amazing!”
The pulse inside you raced and you breathed a little deeper.
“Oh- It’s warm! Where’d you get it, Y/N…I may have to shop there…” he said, as he tried it around his own neck. The smile on his face was genuine.
“I…I made it, Ben…” you voiced out.
“What? How? You make things?!”
“I knit, Ben…” you confessed.
“Oh! You knit!”
“Yes…yes I do…”
There was a pause. He wove his large fingers across the stitches.
“Y/N, that’s amazing!” he said happily.
“Wha-really!” you replied, blinking.
“Yeah!”
He took your hands in his and hugged you tight.
“You don’t think…you don’t think I’m too…too nerdy…old-school, you mean?” you ask, still blinking in your surprise.
“No! Not at all my darling!” he said, giving you a big smooch.
When you video called your parents and his to wish a Merry Christmas, he forgot to take off the scarf. He wore that scarf on your wintry, Christmas walk. Even when you settled down to eat dinner it still lingered around his neck, draping down. It grazed candy wrappers as you both had your fill of sweets, and even when you watched every special on television together.
The credits of Elf rolled by as the clock struck ten at night. Ben looked down at you as you laid your head on his chest.
“So, Y/N…is there anything you’d like to do…it’s Christmas night…and then we got that whole week before new years and the family coming over…that’s a whole week. And they’ll be ‘ere in what, four days?!”
Biting a part of your lip, you stared at the fireplace and began mumbling.
“Yes…I’d really like to…oh gah, I don’t know…”
“What?”
“Ben, can I be honest with you. Really honest? You already know about the knitting…”
“What is it?” he asked, stroking the top of your head.
“Let me show you…”
Reluctantly getting up, you ran upstairs and then returned with your Dungeon Guide.
“Have you ever played Dungeons and Dragons…it’s my…my other hobby…” you confessed.
“I haven’t!?” Ben replied.
“What do you think? Of me now?
“Nothin’ different.” He said with a shrug. He reached over to get a snowman sugar cookie on the platter before you and bit off the head.
“You don’t think I’m…I’m too…” you babbled, head whipping around as you tried to search for the word
“I’m not too much of a nerd for you?”
“Y/N, I play video games. Passionately. That’s perfectly nerdy! And why should that bother me!”
“Well we…we’ve been dating for three months and…I really wanted to impress you. Badly,” you shrugged.
“Well…I have to tell you… yu impressed me the minute I saw you.”
Grinning, you opened the book to try to explain as much as you could. To your surprise he knew a few basic things. It made making his character easier.
“We will need a few other people, but we can try it with just ourselves…” you offered. Maybe one of your own campaign friends would volunteer.
He leaned toward you with a playful smile.
“Internet isn’t bad here. I know of some nerdy blokes in need of something to do tomorrow night…”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, without shame you brought out your projects and knitted on them as Ben enjoyed his games. But every hour you wrote notes for tonight and developed Ben’s characters and helped them build their own. Anticipation fluttering in your chest for the next few hours to arrive as you listed names, races, and abilities.
It was a lovely night. You saw the snow as it drifted down by the light. It still looked puffy and like it fell out of the great dark expanse on the sky to be illuminated and then pile on the ground.
Grinning, you cupped the two cups of fresh hot chocolate and watched it for a minute. Just to savor the moment. Listening right outside the door, you bit your togue to hold back your laughter before you joined the boys again and begin the session.
Now you were truly yourself with Ben. And that was the greatest gift of all.
Taking in a deep breath, you read from the guide over the faces on the laptop screen. Seeing them light up as well as they awoke in their area and began their fantasy journey decided by markers and dice.
Now you didn’t have to hide yourself from them either. And the cute blonde next to you seemed especially happy.
“You come across a monster resembling a dog….” you narrated.
“Can I roll to pet it?” a voice on the laptop screen asked.
“Joe, No!”
Taglist: @queenlover05 @ewannmcgregor @rhapsodyrecs @gwiilymslee @cherry--coke @queenismyprimejive @itsametaphorgwil @yourlocalmusicalprostitute @isitstraightvodka @asphalt-cocktail @coincidence-ithinknots-blog @rogermeddow @chriisxvans
