Work Text:
You sit alone watching everything unfold. This Christmas exchange might not have been the best idea. Coco stormed outside after his old lady, their voices echoing faintly through the thin walls of the clubhouse. She’d thrown something, a recently unwrapped present, you think, just before she slammed the door behind her, leaving Coco swearing under his breath before chasing after her.
Bishop’s much younger girl sat near the edge of the couch earlier, arms crossed and lips in a deep pout. She was as bratty as she was gorgeous. She’d been whispering harshly to Bishop all night, clearly upset by something. Eventually, Bishop sighed, pulled on his jacket, and led her out the door, murmuring an apology to the group as they left.
Angel had snuck off with your friend somewhere more private to exchange some “special” gifts, leaving their laughter trailing behind them like the faint jingle of distant bells. You’d caught your friend’s grin as they slipped away, Angel’s arm slung casually but possessively over her shoulder.
On the other hand, Ez and his new friend looked like they were in their own little world. The two were slow dancing in the corner, oblivious to everything else, swaying to a song that wasn’t even playing anymore. The way they gazed at each other made you smile despite the awkwardness of the evening.
Gilly and his family, though, were the picture of holiday cheer. His son had been sad the entire day thinking his dad was going to miss this Christmas. The club had been on a run and had encountered some snags that resulted in an unfortunate delay. But they made in at the last minute and now he was clinging tightly to his dad, arms looped around his neck as Gilly spun him around the room with a cheery laugh. His wife snapped photos with her phone, her eyes shining with happiness as she watched them. Gilly’s loud joy made the room feel a little brighter, even as the tension from the others lingered in the air.
And then you saw him. The man you’d had your eye on for a while. Riz was leaning against the bar, his long hair catching the glow of the Christmas lights strung haphazardly across the ceiling. He reminded you of those ancient warriors from the cheesy historical romance novels you couldn’t help but devour, stoic, strong, and just a little mysterious.
Riz caught your gaze, then sauntered over, a cold beer in hand. He sat next to you with his usual unhurried ease.
“It’s been quite the eventful night, huh?” he said, handing you the bottle.
“Yeah, for real. I question if this was all even a good idea.”
He chuckled, the sound warm and low. “Nah, it’s fine. Bishop will lay the law down at home, and Coco will be alright. It’ll all work out. Everyone else will have a good time.”
“Will we? I mean, everyone else. I didn’t mean to imply you and me,” you added quickly, feeling your cheeks warm.
“We will.” He looked at you for a moment, his dark eyes steady. “I have a gift for you, but I left it in the car. I’m not sure I wanna go out there right now, it sounds like a battlefield.”
“You got me a gift?”
“Yeah.” His voice dipped slightly, quieter, like he was revealing something he wasn’t used to sharing. “Wasn’t sure if it’d be your thing, but it reminded me of you.”
You tilted your head, caught off guard. “Of me?”
“Yeah.” His lips curved into a small, almost shy smile. “I was gonna leave it anonymous, but... figured that’d be stupid, huh. So one of the other guys take the credit, nah?”
The thought of Riz—Riz, of all people, thinking about you enough to pick out a gift left you momentarily speechless. Your heart skipped a beat as he leaned back, his gaze flicking toward the front door where Coco and his old lady’s argument still raged faintly in the distance.
“Do I get a hint, or is this one of those ‘wait and see’ kind of deals?” you teased, trying to keep your voice steady.
He smirked. “A hint, huh?” He scratched the back of his neck, something you’d rarely seen him do, and it made him look younger, less untouchable. “Alright. It’s... something for those ‘cheesy historical romance novels’ you’re always reading.”
Your eyes widened. “You know about that?”
“Don’t look so surprised,” he said, nudging your shoulder lightly with his. “You’re not as secretive as you think. I’ve seen the covers peeking out of your bag, half-naked dudes with long hair fighting dragons or whatever. Didn’t think I noticed?”
You groaned, covering your face with your hands, but you were laughing. “Oh my god, Riz.”
“Relax, I’m not judging,” he said, his grin widening. “Like I said, it reminded me of you.”
“Now I have to know what it is,” you said, your curiosity fully piqued.
He glanced at the door again, hesitating. “Alright, alright. You win. I’ll brave the battlefield,” he said, standing up and stretching lazily before grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair.
“Wait! You don’t have to go out there now,” you said, half-laughing, half-serious.
“Yeah, I do. I wanna see your reaction.” Riz turned back to you, his face softening as he added, “It’s important to me that you like it.”
His words made your heart skip a beat. Without waiting for a reply, he pulled the door open, letting in the sharp bite of the December air. You followed him out, the noise of the heated argument between Coco and his girlfriend immediately cutting through the night.
Coco was pacing near the edge of the parking area, his voice carrying as he threw his hands up in exasperation. “You know what? Fine! Go ahead and run off like you always do! You’re a fucking succubus, you know that? A goddamn succubus!”
His girlfriend shot him a glare over her shoulder as she stormed in the opposite direction. “Maybe if you weren’t such an immature jackass, I wouldn’t have to!” she snapped before getting into her car and slamming the door.
Coco stopped pacing, running his hands through his hair as he muttered a string of curses under his breath as she sped off. Finally, he let out a frustrated growl, shaking his head as he turned and walked toward his bike. He didn’t spare either of you a glance as he mounted it, revving the engine loudly before peeling out of the lot in the opposite direction of his girlfriend.
You and Riz exchanged a glance, both caught between amusement and secondhand embarrassment.
“Well, that was... something,” you said, breaking the silence.
“Typical Coco,” Riz muttered, shaking his head with a chuckle. “He’ll cool off. Probably be back to groveling by morning.”
“Do you think she’ll forgive him?”
Riz shrugged, pulling you gently toward his car parked near the far end of the lot. “Probably. She always does. Those two thrive on drama.”
He unlocked the car and rummaged around in the backseat for a moment before turning back to you, a garment bag draped over one arm and a small, wrapped box in the other hand.
“Here,” he said, handing you the garment bag first. “Open this first.”
You unzipped the bag and pulled out a stunning historical gown. The deep burgundy fabric shimmered in the faint glow of the parking lot lights, and the intricate lace and embroidery gave it the unmistakable flair of something out of your beloved romance novels.
Your brow furrowed as you stared at it, confused. “Riz... what is this? Why would you get me something like this?”
He grinned, clearly amused at your reaction. “Yeah, I thought you might need it for this,” he said, holding out the small box.
You opened it, revealing two tickets to a Renaissance fair tucked inside. Your eyes widened as realization hit you.
“A Renaissance fair?” you asked, looking up at him.
“Yeah,” he said, a little sheepishly. “Figured it’d be your thing. Thought we could go together. You know, knights, castles, dragons or whatever those books of yours are always about.”
Warmth bloomed in your chest as you stared at the tickets, then back at him. “You really thought about all this?”
“Of course I did,” he said, his voice soft. “Wanted it to be special. You deserve that.”
For a moment, the cold night air and the lingering chaos of the evening faded away, leaving only the warmth of his gesture and the quiet sincerity in his eyes.
“Merry Christmas,” he added, his grin widening.
You couldn’t stop the smile spreading across your face. “Merry Christmas, Riz.”