ALY POV:

After everyone settled into the lobby, we enjoyed catching up. Francis and Cherri cozied up on the couch, Azrael and Val were snuggled close, and Vox was arguing with Alastor while Angie and Cloud were trying to get the both of them to calm the heck down.

Christine and Velvette snapped cute photos by the trees. Angel was busy flirting with Husk at the bar, while Vaggie and Charlie continued their cookie-making endeavors. Niffty buzzed around, efficiently cleaning up every single crumb and speck of dust left behind.

Then I had an idea. I grabbed some mistletoe and approached Angel and Husk.

"Hey Angel, guess what?" I announced. He looked up, intrigued. "What's up, Toots?" he asked, flashing that signature grin.

Climbing onto the bar table (Fack you, universe, for making me short...), I hung the mistletoe right between him and Husk. Almost on cue, Husk choked on his drink, while Angel's eyes widened in surprise.

"Traditions are traditions~" I stated smugly, reveling in the moment. To my delight, Angel leaned in and planted a quick kiss on Husk's lips. Husk froze, but pink blossomed on his cheeks.

Charlie and Vaggie were frozen in shock, their mouths agape, just like everyone else in the room.

The door flung open again, this time revealing Stolas and the IMP crew.

"Sorry we're late. What did we m- OH-!" Blitzø exclaimed, eyeing the scene with an unmistakable smirk at the sight of Angel and Husk.

"YA'LL DIDN'T SEE SHIT!" Angel shouted, turning away in flustered embarrassment. Husk was just there, face hidden, utterly red.

"Uncle Stolas! So glad you could make it!" Charlie greeted, stretching her arms open for a warm hug.

"It's lovely to see you too, little Starfire! You've grown so much since I last saw you...!I hope we're not too late..." Stolas replied with a sheepish smile.

"I don't mind at all! At least you're here!" Charlie answered enthusiastically.

Everyone settled in, and soon, Blitzø ambled over to me, playful mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Aren't you that human we tried to unalive last week?" he quipped, a grin plastered on his face.

"Ha-ha—very funny, Blitz," I retorted, chuckling along with him.

"How's work been treating you?" I asked.

"Oh, it's going alright. Not many clients lately, but M&M are doing well on their missions," he shrugged casually.

"So, you've sorted things out with Stolas, right?" I pressed, playful curiosity bubbling to the surface.

Blitzø blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, a grin creeping across his face. "Yeah, you could say that..."

I squealed excitedly,

With a quick hand over my mouth, he shushed me. "Shhh! Keep it down, idiot!" he replied, looking flustered. I grinned and we talked about other things for a while.