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Aside from a holiday to spend with loved ones, Christmas is an opportunity for Yves. An opportunity to put his brilliant mind and his refined sense of beauty to use. Now that he has a Belle to impress, he must be exceptional. The halls have to be decked and they have to be decked well. The tree must stand tall and glamorous; adorned with ribbons and glass ornaments and to be impossible not to be admired by whoever happens to walk by. No, no, Belle's eyes on the tree is all that matters! The additional praise wouldn't be unwanted, especially if it's from his dear Licht, but then Yves' mind trails off in the list of brothers until he remembers a certain hellcat. Everybody knows how cats and Christmas trees are - they should not be allowed in the same room. Which just adds to the list of rooms Clavis is unwelcomed in.
And tall and glamorous the tree stands.
Tall.
Now, it's not like Yves has to do everything with his own two elegant hands - there are people for that. That's why he was content enough with giving directions as he oversaw the process of decorating many walls and surfaces around the castle, but this here is different. He specifically ordered for noone to enter here as he takes care of beautifying the tree, sending a note for Belle to come in half an hour to be the first seeing the result.
He's soaring on the wings of love, driven to enfold his talents in order to impress her…alas, the wings don't bring him high enough.
The tips of his deft fingers, clad in snow-white glove, are barely holding onto the star ornament meant to be placed at the highest point of the tree. A little more and he risks it falling to the tiled floor with a horrifying sound of broken glass. He doesn't want that to happen, no, so he summons more concentration. The bottom of the star barely grazes the branch it's meant to stand on, yet, the realization is knocking on the door. He simply cannot reach with that height of his.
Knock knock.
No, this is not his realization knocking at a metaphorical door this time, it's all quite real, so it must be-
"Belle!"
Blue eyes widening, Yves takes a step back, lowering himself from the tips of his toes but not fast enough to hide what he's been up to. This is a nightmare; he managed to get distracted enough so the time has passed without his knowledge, Belle is here, he's not ready, and she most likely saw his futile attempt to reach higher…
"Wow…woooow! Yves! It looks amazing! You did this all by yourself?"
Ah. Maybe he's saved by his own creation, albeit unfinished.
"Why, yes. Are you doubting it?"
Belle laughs and her laugher is the sound of dozen delicate little golden bells that unfortunately Yves cannot adorn the tree with. Though, that's fine, she always wears those best.
She comes in closer, sweeping her hand over each of his shoulders as their little inside joke with which she teases him for his occasionally proud nature. Then, she would normally go for a kiss over his cupid's bow, puckered by a frown she summoned with her teasing - yet, this time his lips are the ones welcoming hers. To the disadvantage of his height, Yves loves to grasp the back of her neck and pull her down, gently. It's a simple greeting kiss, a little more than a pressing of lips against lips, but with the perfect amount of decency that only aims to say I missed you.
But his beloved has sharp eyes.
"What about the star?"
Yves' eyes trail down to where hers are curiously staring, the object in his hands, wits are hurriedly coming up on his mind.
"Ah, uh, I actually… I wanted you to place it." He thrusts the ornament into her hands, with a suddenly highlighted reaction to their briefly touching hands. The rise of intensity of the moment doesn't translate to Belle, who only appears more smug about the whole exchange.
"Hooh? Are you sure it's that, and not that you couldn't reach…?"
Yves is at the brink of producing a choking sound in his throat that is anything but suiting his elegant persona. He's so held aback by being found out, he can just grit his teeth and face away from his beloved.
"Okay, maybe I DO need help putting the star on top of the tree."
"Huh?" Blinking with invisible question marks floating above her, Belle makes Yves turn towards her but keeps her hands on his shoulders even after he does. "I was just teasing you… why didn't you ask anyone? Or take a stepladder?"
Yves wants to go outside, find a nice pile of snow and bury himself there. It would even help cool his burning cheeks aside from releasing him from living in embarrassment.
"I told you, I wanted you to-"
"Wait, I've got you!"
And suddenly Yves feels weightless, breather dying in his throat. The scent of Belle overwhelms him as the tight hug from behind sends him soaring in the air, this time it's real unlike before, but Yves can't allow himself to bask in the feeling. He wants to be unhanded immediately, and he remembers the star he's still holding, and he knows he has to place it in order to touch the ground again. And place it he does.
"Yaaay!" Belle exclaims, clapping her hands quietly as much as she can while still hugging Yves from behind.
"Why did you do that?? What if you strained your arms? I can't be that light, you could have-"
"But Yveees, you were so cute…"
Belle pouts, glad that at least her boyfriend is not facing her because she wouldn't be able to handle his scolding while face to face. Thankfully he's not struggling to get out of her grasp just yet.
Up this close, she can see the tips of his ears burning red. A goofy smile spreads on her lips.
Smooch smooch smooch
"B-Belle, that's enough! Let me go! I have other decorations to show you…!"