You didn’t waste the year. Every small moment of happiness, every tiny achievement, every act of bravery, it all matters. You survived a hard year, and that’s something to be proud of. You showed up even when it was tough, and that counts.
Even in the moments you felt lost or unsure, you kept going. You kept choosing to try, to care, to hope, even just a little. That’s strength. That’s growth. That’s you rising from everything that tried to dim you, and becoming more aware of what you deserve. 💕
You didn’t fail this year.
You carried more than anyone knows, and you’re still here.
(timeskip era, fluff, slice of life, parents!au, christmas eve)
│ the world sleeps, but the two of you stay awake to make magic.
Day 24 of the 31 Days of Haikyuu Winter
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the house is finally quiet.
not silent — christmas never really gets silent — but quiet in that warm way that comes only when small kids have completely knocked themselves out after a day filled with sugar cookies, carols, and excited shrieking.
the hallway glows with soft garlands. the tree sparkles faintly in the corner of the living room, lights blinking like little sleepy stars. a blanket of near-midnight stillness settles over the house… and then breaks the moment hinata tiptoes out of the kids’ room, slowly easing the door shut with both hands.
he turns to you in the dim hallway — eyes wide, cheeks flushed from the warmth, hair a chaotic halo around his head.
“okay,” he whispers dramatically, “operation santa time.”
you snort. “you named it?”
“it’s a very official name,” he insists, already bouncing lightly on his toes. “and we have approximately—” he checks the clock, squinting, “—two hours before someone wakes up and asks if reindeer are on the roof.”
you grab his hand. “let’s move.”
first mission: the gifts.
you both creep into the living room, though hinata’s version of creeping is… energetic creeping. exaggerated steps, cartoonish tiptoeing, mouthing the words shhh even though you haven’t made a sound.
he gestures at the tree like a game-show host.
“i’ll do the heavy stuff, you do the arrangement.”
“you mean make it look like not all gifts were shoved in one pile?”
“i have strengths,” he whispers proudly. “aesthetic isn’t one.”
you start placing presents carefully under the tree — big ones in the back, tiny ones arranged so they look like santa himself had taste. hinata keeps handing you boxes, humming a mangled version of a christmas song, swaying side to side while he works.
when the last gift settles under a branch, he steps back and clasps his hands.
“it looks so magical,” he whispers.
you look at him.
actually—
the look in his eyes is the magical part.
second mission: santa evidence.
hinata grabs the cookie plate like it's a secret artifact.
“the kids left him six cookies this year,” he whispers, crouching dramatically. “babe… we have to commit.”
you bite back a laugh. “shouyou, you do not need to eat six cookies.”
he gasps quietly. “I can’t eat them all! that’s how we get caught!”
“then eat two.”
“two?? santa would NEVER.”
“okay, then three.”
“three feels honest,” he decides solemnly.
you watch him take the first bite — crumbs sticking to his face, eyes lighting up.
“wow these are really good,” he whispers with full mouth betrayal.
“our children made those,” you remind him.
“they’re genius baking prodigies.”
he finishes cookie number three and dramatically arranges the plate so it looks “believably snacked on.” he even leaves crumbs on the edge of the table.
then he steps back, face tilted thoughtfully.
“…i should drink the milk.”
“shouyou, it’s warm now.”
“santa wouldn’t waste food.”
you pinch the bridge of your nose.
he drinks the milk.
mission three: boot prints.
you grab the small tray of flour, sliding it onto the carpet beside the fireplace. hinata’s eyes gleam.
“this part is my FAVORITE.”
“you get way too excited about this.”
he wiggles happily. “i get to stomp in flour.”
you shake your head affectionately.
“okay, go for it.”
hinata steps into the flour tray with so much enthusiasm it puffs up like a mini blizzard. then he walks carefully across the floor, leaving big, white, unmistakable footprints leading from the fireplace to the tree.
halfway through, he turns and beams at you, whispering, “i’m such a good santa.”
“you’re ridiculous,” you whisper back.
“ridiculously good at this.”
the two of you end up covered in flour. you try to dust him off, but that only leads to him dusting you back, which leads to both of you stifling laughter so hard you nearly choke.
last mission: admire the magic.
when the flour settles and the gifts glow beneath the tree, you both stand there in the soft, blinking lights — the quiet of the house wrapping around you like a blanket.
hinata slips an arm around your waist.
you lean into him.
“they’re gonna freak out tomorrow,” he whispers, voice full of warm awe. “it’s gonna be the best christmas ever.”
you look up at him — cheeks pink, flour on his nose, eyes shining with the same excitement your kids have.
“they’re lucky,” you murmur.
he tilts his head. “why?”
“because they have you.”
his breath catches — soft, happy — and he nudges his forehead against yours.
“they have us,” he whispers.
snow is falling softly outside the window.
the house is warm and full of quiet wonder.
and in the middle of it all, hinata kisses you — gentle, warm, christmas-soft — before whispering against your lips:
Yule Idea #11: Petition Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, offering milk & cookies in exchange.
Who said Santa is just for kids? Work with the egregore of Santa, or any Winter Holiday figure to help obtain your desires. Sick the Grinch or Krampus on your enemies. Ask Jack Frost for a mild Winter. Give thanks to St. Nikolaus for caring for the children in your community. The list goes on and on ❤️
