"You know what? You should come celebrate Thanksgiving with me and my family."

The invitation drops like a bomb in the festive atmosphere, its impact first striking his blank face before reaching my heart and then, everything around, as even the hubbub of the excited crowd and incessant firecrackers quietens, the universe probably sensing the disaster coming with a low rumble through Balthazar's chest and...

"Damn, candy, you always know how to cheer me up!" He bursts out laughing. A full-on, deep, and resounding laughter that shakes through him, overpowering any hint of tension on his features and sweeping away the clouds in his gaze.

At least, until it lands on the straight line of my lips, which I'm nibbling nervously.

"You're not serious, are you?"

To think the same question has crossed my mind, not even an hour ago, as I've been ready to laugh—or cry—at my brother's idea, and now, I'm standing in front of Balthazar's blinking eyes, watching the amusement leaving his features with each fast flutter of lashes to turn into a look of pure horror when I reply,

"It's the perfect time for an official introduction."

"At your family's Thanksgiving dinner?" He almost chokes on the words, as if breathing on emanations of melting snow and clashing elements.

Always the same image of disaster coming back. It's there, behind his widening eyes and in the back of my mind. Yet there is also another picture that suffocates my heart even more: a young Balthazar alone for the Holidays.

"It could be the occasion for you to experience a full Thanksgiving celebration."

"With your whole family? Your mom, your dad, and your fifteen overprotective brothers?!"

"Thirteen overprotective brothers," I correct, although the difference doesn't even reduce by one millimeter the width of his bulging eyes. "And they'll find out about us one day or another... eventually... won't they?"

"Why do I have a feeling you're not telling me everything?" Finally, his eyebrows lower down his forehead, and I instantly regret it as his piercing gaze burns through me.

"What? No, no, I... I just—"

"You know you're a really bad liar, candy? Blushing and stammering..." he tutts with a disapproving shake of his head as he stares down like a displeased professor, a professor in wicked matters, and the image isn't helping with the heat climbing up my cheeks. "I don't even know how you can fool your family."

"I did very well. I mean, I do. I still do."

Okay, this is a bad example of my lying skills, and even I have to admit it.

"Fine..." I heave out a sigh, my plans for a carefree date flying out the window with it, and the worst is that I'm the one who has opened it. "Nicholas caught me red-handed before I left tonight. That's why I was a little late.

"What the hell?! Why didn't you tell me? What if—what if he followed you?"

Look who is struggling to speak now... Although he is far from blushing, his tanned face paler than I've ever witnessed as he takes a step back, glancing frantically at every silhouette in the crowd nearby.

"Don't worry. His wife was waiting for him, and he would never make her wait when she's hungry."

It is one of the rare things I haven't doubted since I've left the North Pole, and if my large eyes are darting around, it's only to make sure his gasps aren't getting too much attention from the humans when I add,

"Besides, he's already guessed it apparently, so he has no interest in following me."

"Is that supposed to reassure me?" His penetrating gaze comes back to me, traveling between my hand grabbing his and my reassuring smile, both too shaky to convince anyone.

"I don't know. It's all I've found to reassure myself. That, and the fact it could have been worse. I mean, it's Nicholas, and he promised he wouldn't tell on me. He even sounded like he would support me if we..."

How to put this smoothly when nothing is? Nor the uneven rhythm of my heart, nor my nonexistent breath, and even less the bob of his Adam's apple as I continue,

"You know... maybe we should take it as a sign of the universe..."

Bullshit, his sharp gaze is already calling. So I avert my attention down to our intertwined hands, as if the mindless shapes his rough fingers are tracing on my skin could give me a perfect solution to all of this, or at least, regulate the thumps of my heart.

"We've been dating for more than six months now, so it's a normal step to meet our families."

His fingers stop on my skin, and I pinch my eyes closed in anticipation of the curse words coming...

"Not when you're a Claus, and I'm a Krampus. It's worse than being Capulet and Montaigu."

This is not what I've expected, and blinking at the tall and tenebrous man in front of me, I'm not sure how to take the comparison.

Should I focus on the romantic aspect or the tragic one?

The quiet voice of my conscience is whispering me to choose the latter, like the shiver of bad feeling bringing back the same image of melting snow and clashing elements when his voice drops to a haunting whisper.

"Do I need to remind you our families fucking have magical powers of the elements?"

However, both quickly melt away in the warmth of his body as I wrap my arms around his waist, peering up at him from under my lashes.

"You've read Shakespeare?"

"No, watched the movie with DiCaprio. You know poetry isn't my type, neither all that romantic shit." His lips curl with the words, a mix of disdain and the confusion of someone trying to speak a foreign language for the first time. "Even if they didn't already hate me, I wouldn't know what to do to make a good impression."

"It's not the important. All that matters is that you treat me right and make me happy." It's what Nicholas has said, isn't it? "I'm afraid of their reaction too, but we can't hide for—"

"I'm not afraid," he scoffs because, of course, no fear can get to the great Balthazar Krampus; he's as hard and strong as a thick layer of dark chocolate. Yet I'm close enough to feel it crack as he sighs. "It's about the stakes. Like I'm not afraid of heights, but I won't throw myself off the top of a building."

"You know they wouldn't kill you, right?" I chuckle, trying to lighten the atmosphere, which his metaphors are crashing more and more. Does he really have to choose the most tragic ones?

"It's not what's at stake here," he replies, answering my unspoken question and creating a hundred more that swirl with his eyes across my features. "I don't know if you remember last year, but not being able to see you was torture, and I can't even imagine what it would be now that I..."

His gaze stops on mine, his lips pressing together as if to taste what he wants to say, and I'm holding my breath, my stomach fluttering at the possible flavor on the tip of his tongue while he slides it slowly across his upper lip...

Something soft... intense... irresistible... like molten gianduja... which I'm ready to lean in and taste when he swallows harshly.

"I'm happy. We're both happy right now. I like our dates and every little moment we spend together, having you in my arms, kissing you." He illustrates the two by pulling me closer in his hold while his lips feather-likely brush mine, although not enough for me to get a taste, leaving my stomach too empty, and I'm not sure why as he definitely fills my insides with delicious tingles. "And the sex, of course. I'm addicted now. I can't do without my Spicy Candy."

"I can't do without my Filled Chocolate either." Which is probably the reason for the current restlessness in my insides. "And I wish I could see you more without needing to hide and sneak out... If we tell the truth, it could be our solution to go out more often."

"Or never."

Those two words hit even harder as they're breathed on my lips, barely a millimeter, a thin layer of clothes between our bodies, and yet, all my nerves are stretching painfully to get impossibly closer.

So what would it be for something as infinite as thousands of miles and never?

"What if they lock you up in your room forever?"

It is a possibility indeed, no matter if I'm an adult; Santa has authority over everyone. I've got a good glimpse of it last year.

Nevertheless, the cold and lonely memories appear so far away as I'm gazing into Balthazar's fiery eyes.

Every time they're near, I'm like a moth, flying light and free, forgetting all the dangers. All I see, all I crave are those flames, powerful, vibrant, and consuming, and even if I should take it as a sign to turn back, my hands are already sliding dangerously up his chest.

"Aren't you the one and only Balthazar Krampus?" I reach for his horns, like to check it's really him, though the heat under my fingertips could burn any doubt, powerful, vibrant, and consuming, as I stroke the sensitive protrusions. "It hasn't stopped you before, has it?"

"Candy... You're not playing fair," he warns through clenching teeths, clearly seeing through my little game, yet he doesn't make any move to pull my hands away, on the contrary, as his fingers dig into my hips.

He isn't one to back up from a wicked game, and neither am I as I lift on my tiptoes to purr in his ear,

"Imagine if the Thanksgiving dinner went well." No clashing elements. No melting snow. No heated arguments. "They accept that we're dating, and then, I can show you how thankful I am... in the night... the days after... anytime you want..."

I'm not sure whom I'm enticing more, however, and I swear I could come at the mere fantasy, rushing straight to my core like soft ecstasy—that, and the warmth of his hands groping my behind tighter and tighter.

"How about right here, right now? Because if you don't stop right here, right now, it's not your lantern you'll release." His dangerous whisper quickly brings me back to the time and place, and I release my grip on his horns at the sight of the busy booths and people just a few feet away.

I might be slightly exhibitionist, but not to this point.

Besides, witnessing this lantern festival has been on my list of dreams for years, so I don't want to miss this chance. The Thanksgiving matter can wait, especially when Balthazar yields with an 'I'll think about it'.

It's all I need to drop the subject and jump at his lips.

"I didn't say yes." He pulls away from the kiss with a smirk, which my lips follow literally.

"But you didn't say no either."

That is already a victory. Indeed, Nicholas has asked me to 'think about it' too, and after a few minutes of his logical arguments replaying nonstop in my head, the heartbreaking image of a young Balthazar alone for the Holidays, and a spark of courage—or recklessness—my mind is changed magically.

Thus, I am quite confident that once he's let it simmer a little, I can turn his too, and the bulge my gaze is flickering to is only fueling this assurance as I offer him a cocky grin before leaving him to arrange his dark jeans, his frustrated mutter following me.

"Brat."

I know I'll be in trouble later, but this detail, like everything else is pushed back as I step towards the crowded alley of booths, and he quickly joins me.

There is so much to see around and in the sky... so much to taste from French crepes to pad Thai... so many delicious smells... so much to hear with the firecrackers giving rhythm to the fanfare and dancers... but also so much to feel as Balthazar's hands and lips always stay close. Too close.

The more minutes pass by, the more intent his touches become, and what starts as a sparkle with his finger tracing the shoulder strap of my red sundress and his lips kissing my knuckles ends up with my nerves more alight than the lanterns around when we reach the riverside for the release. And it is saying a lot, seeing the hundreds of bright beacons surrounding us and the thousands and thousands of ones already floating above in a breathtaking spectacle.

"We have to take a picture for my album!" I exclaim, my eyes probably as big as the anime princess in Tangled.

I must admit I've watched the Disney movie too many times to count, though witnessing all these lights taking off is even more magical, maybe because by my side, I have better than a Flynn Rider, lighting one of our lanterns up with a snap of his fingers while pulling out his phone for our traditional selfie.

Yes, it's a tradition we've established. Well, at first, it's me who has bugged him to take pictures together for each place we would visit, but he's quickly collected them too, and for my birthday, last month, he's even offered me an album, half-filled, half-empty for us to continue adding more photos.

And then, he says 'romantic shit' isn't his thing...

Sure, not all the pictures are SFW; however, he undoubtedly knows how to make me melt in every possible way.

Like I've said before, he's everything I could have ever wished for. I couldn't ask for anything more at this instant, as he pulls me closer to take the picture, his fingers dancing along my hips. Apart from more moments like this, of course, and the freedom to be with him without hiding, and for my family to accept him...

One can dream, and it's the perfect place to do so, after all.

Everyone here is making prayers and wishes before letting go of their lanterns, like a shooting star, a beacon of hope sent into the universe by the starry-eyed lovers getting down on one knee, the grandparents gazing tenderly at their grandchildren's awestruck expressions, the excited vloggers with their selfie-sticks, the locals in traditional outfits, and... My gaze stops on a small silhouette.

Seated alone on the ground, in front of an unlit lantern, the young child is barely noticeable, yet in the middle of all these lights and hope, the gloominess she is emanating strikes me instantly, and when I glimpse two dark eyes glimmering with tears instead of childish wonder, I don't even think, rushing there like a flash—The flash of the picture Balthazar is snapping.

"Candy! What are you..."

I don't even hear the rest of his grumble, all my focus being on the girl, no older than eight years old, as I kneel beside her.

"Hey, are you okay? Where are your parents?"

"They're working at the booth," she sniffles in her language, and thankfully, one of our powers as Holidays beings is to be able to translate any language, even when it's sobbing hiccups. "I just came here to launch my lantern, but... it fell in the water, and the lady said she can't light it up now."

"Oh, it's okay, sweetie. How about I give you mine? I can buy another one." I offer her a gentle smile, hoping to prevent another wave of tears, but it turns into a small hurricane instead as she quickly shakes her head.

"No, mine was sp-special. I made it with my grandpa. I promised to launch it for him, and now, it's r-ruined."

Sentimental value, the most priceless and irreplaceable. My simple white lantern can't compete, even with her ruined one, which actually doesn't look that ruined as she lifts it in her small hands.

The rice paper and all its colorful painting are unscathed, apart from a few drops of tears and the bottom that has dipped into the water, along with the wax part that is still dripping wet, and this is where the problem is.

No fire can spark up in such dampness. It is a simple physics law no one can defy. Well, no one except...

"I have an idea! Can you hand me your lantern and close your eyes? Just two minutes. I promise I'll arrange this." I tentatively extend my hand while the young girl studies me with a doubtful squint because of course, she doesn't know who I am.

For her, I'm just a random stranger, whom her parents probably have warned her to not talk to, and I'm claiming I can fix a damp lantern.

She has no reason to trust me, and yet, after some long seconds of squinting consideration, something in my blue eyes convinces her, surely my puppy expression. No one can resist it.

Well no one except...

"Don't even think about it."

Before I can stand, a familiar warmth licks at my back, and I turn my head to find Balthzar's fire, in the lantern he is holding and in his unwavering gaze, both so close as his tall and dark figure is hovering over me in a position we've been in many times...

No, not the moment for those flashbacks to invade my brain and my core. There's a kid right beside us, and even if she has her eyes closed, I quickly get up, pulling Balthazar a few feet away.

"Did you hear what she said? She made this lantern with her grandpa, and she promised to light it up, but now it's soaked."

From the unbothered blink he gives me, I would conclude that yes, he's already overheard, and I heave out a defeated sigh as his only reaction is the slow lift of his eyebrow, highlighting that one question under.

'And?'

"And you're the only one who can light it up now. I would do it if I could but..."

But my element is ice. Much less impressive and useful, except when you're at the beach and need to keep your cocktails fresh.

"I don't help kids. I punish them, remember?"

"Come on, it's not Christmas today, and she hasn't done anything wrong. It was an accident. She's heartbroken."

And my own heart is cracking under the pressure of my tightening ribcage as I glance back at the young girl with her round cheeks still glistening wet and her eyes still pinched closed in hope.

"Yes, and that's why she could pass on my list any time. If she lies about it, or just becomes bitter..." He tilts his head like a meteorologist thinking about the weather forecast, or a trader trying to predict the markets.

Well, for him, it's his job: managing and punishing bad behaviors. He's a Krampus, and as the sole heir of his father, it's a mission he has to fulfill every day for the rest of his life.

It's so easy to forget when we are together. He's just Balthazar, and I'm Marie-Noël. I'm his spicy candy, and he's my filled chocolate.

Though at this instant, I'm met with his thick and bitter shell as I stammer,

"B-but that's unfair."

"Nothing is fair in this world, candy." He leans closer, his low words turning into an unsettling shiver down my spine as for a second, I wonder if we're only talking about the little girl. Yet it melts away almost as soon as it forms as he lifts the lit lantern in his hands. "You know people on my list aren't only the ones acting badly for the sake of it. The most fun are the ones pushed to it."

And with this, he gives a faint push to his lantern that takes off into the air, joining the thousands of other ones already illuminating the night sky in a stellar spectacle. Nevertheless, my gaze is focusing on other dancing flames.

"You're evil."

"And yet, you can't get enough of me." He smirks at my glare, proud of himself, and the worst is that he's right through his devilish smug smile.

I like his evil side, as much as his soft one, which my puppy eyes are desperately looking for.

"Please, just this once. Let's say you do it for me, and I'll find a way to repay you."

Something lights up with those last words. Not the lantern in my hands sadly, but a spark of interest under his cocked eyebrow, and a devilish idea in my brain as I quickly give up my puppy expression for a more feline one.

"Or even better... You make me pay and get to punish me instead. However you want it."

"However I want?" he drawls, watching my hand trailing down his chest lower and lower... while his fingers reach for my other one, bringing it up until the wet lantern is right in front of my face, so I can catch clearly the spark he's making dance along the wax part. "That's a dangerous thing to say, candy."

I can even sense the heat, ready to engulf everything as I lean a micro-inch closer, holding his fiery gaze and whispering like a trickle of gasoline,

"Show me how evil you can be."

That is all it takes to set alight the devious sparkle in his eyes, the anticipation in my nerves, and...

"You lighted it up?!"

The lantern. If I've almost overlooked the bright light for an instant, when the young girl runs to us, I can't miss its reflection in her glimmering eyes. "Thank you so much!"

"It's not me. It's my... friend right here." I smile, pointing at the dangerous, evil man beside me, who doesn't get to process what's happening before she jumps to hug him, making his smirk, along with his whole tough cover, crumble down into pure, priceless shock.

For a long second, he looks frozen, which is saying a lot for the blazing man he is, and then, something even more priceless happens.

Something warm slowly climbs up his face as the little girl thanks him... A blush? A smile?

It's so furtive that it's hard to tell. Still, I catch a glimpse of the soft gianduja he's hiding inside as he tentatively returns the hug, giving her an awkward pat on the head.

Clearly, he isn't used to this kind of affectionate gesture, and even if we have our arms wrapped around each other all the time, this is different; this is innocent. A word I've never thought I would use for this man, and yet, here I am, trying to capture every detail of this moment, to keep its preciousness somewhere delicate and safe: in my heart, but also in my photo album as I quickly pull out my cane phone.

I just have time to snap a pic before the spell is broken.

"Are you a fairy?"

The little girl's question might still be innocent, like the giggles tickling up my throat as Balthazar stiffens and replies with a 'not exactly', yet nothing in his gaze is as it settles on me and the lips I'm rolling together.

"Come on. Let's release your lantern before it burns out." I rush because even though Balthazar's magical fire isn't likely to, I can't say the same about me with his searing gaze following each of my movements as I help the young girl hold her paper lantern, as I tell her to make a wish, and even as I take a photo of her glowing smile—because she might find it under her tree this Christmas if she is nice... and if I survive my punishment...

"You too better make a wish..." the horned devil whispers in my ear, lighting all my nerve endings as easily as our second lantern, and I'm as ready to take off when I turn to the dangerous grin the flames are illuminating. "For mercy."

Take off to our hotel room. This is where I want to go right now, and while anyone sane would surely wish and pray for mercy at this instant, my sanity has burned down long ago for this man, every part of this man: the hard, the soft, the evil, and the innocent I can still glimpse on the picture I've taken barely a minute ago.

Glancing down at the photo one last time, this is actually what sparks my wish. Thus, like the lantern swelling with the flames and rising into the air, I let it grow with every strong thud of my heart before releasing it into the universe.

I wish for my family to see the innocent side of Balthazar Krampus and accept him.

Let's hope her wish will be fulfilled, and she doesn't regret not wishing for mercy in the next chapter! 😏😈🤭

Yes, yes, the sexiness is coming in next chapter, don't worry 😉.

I hope you liked the cuteness of this one, though! And the soft, innocent side of Balthazar. 🥰🤫

As always, don't forget to vote ⭐ and comment all your thoughts!

Also, you can add the story to your library/reading lists and follow me to know when I update the next chapter!

And stay naughty! You heard Balthazar, it's all year that you can earn your spot on his list lol. 😈😘