🎄 Cal is standing there, completely oblivious to his particular location, just sipping punch, like a total scrub.
The Paladins had called it a “Christmas Party” - though Pidge and Hunk had expounded on the various religious winter holidays at length, which Cairis had mostly tuned out on.
What she’d cared about was that there was food and fun to be had; a break in the constant fear and warfare that permeated their lives on a daily basis.
One of the things she recalled them speaking about, though, was the ‘mister toe’ that Lance had strung up in various locations. Apparently, any two people caught under a cluster of the green leaves and white berries was meant to kiss. If they didn’t, it invited bad luck.
Cairis rather thought enough bad luck existed already.
She’d been watching Cal move cautiously about the Grand Foyer of the Castle of Lions during the Christmas party. Several dozen people filled the area - Rebels and allies and friends; creating a merry atmosphere.
And now, Cal stood under one of those clumps of white berries while he sipped his punch.
She looked at him and her heart ached for the distance between them. She knew it was mostly her own fault; that she’d put it there with every sneering comment she’d made in response to his overtures of friendship and love. She’d have kept it going indefinitely if not for that terrifying moment when she’d thought he’d been killed on a mission; was well and truly gone.
Since the frantic hug she’d given him once he’d returned, they’d again gone distant while she’d tried to sort herself out.
She’d thought about their situation and him.
All she knew for sure was that she missed him and that it was her own damned fault.
Making a fast decision, Cairis set aside her own punch glass and made her way around the Grand Foyer. She was aware of Kolivan’s gaze on her; of several others’ gazes, but she ignored them. She knew them all well enough by now to know they wouldn’t attack unless she tried to harm Cal.
That was the last thing she wanted to do.
“Cal,” she said when she got close enough, and he stiffened. “Hey.”