as I dive in

Ashton wore the Santa hat that Emma got him with pride, humming as he got beers out of the fridge for the boys, the Christmas tree that he and Emma had decorated two days earlier stood with pride in the corner of the living room. "Baaaabe," Ashton called with a drawn out giggle, placing the beers on the counter top, next to the wine that Emma had pulled from storage for the girls. "Our lovely guests should be arriving any minute," he rolled his eyes teasingly, straightening out his Santa hat and making his way through the open plan kitchen, to where Emma was neatening out the snack table. Wrapping his arms around her middle from behind, Ashton nuzzled into her neck, pressing his lips to any skin he could reach. "Look at you, Mrs Claus." Ashton joked. "You are looking absolutely gorgeous this evening. Brightest light in this house." He murmured, squeezing around her, adoring the fact that she was all his. "Are we still playing Cupid? Pretty unseasonal for this time of year, huh?"

Jess caught her breath as she lay in the back seat, her dress bunched up at her hips, Calum hovering above her. "Damn it, Cal," she murmured, the windows of the car steamed up from their shared body heat. "You asshole." She teased her boyfriend, running her fingers through his blue buzzcut. Jess had made an effort with choosing a beautiful dress and doing her hair and makeup to a point where she looked like a movie star (in her opinion, at least), and Calum's sex drive undid all the hard work with half an hour of passion in the back seat of Calum's car. "I need to re-do my hair!" She complained, swatting at her boyfriend's chest as she shifted to sit up, pulling her dress down as her back pressed to the closed door, eyeing up Calum, who was sweaty and smirking. "God, I hope nobody saw..."

Luke turned the key in the car's ignition, killing the engine abruptly. His free hand still rested against the wheel, knuckles white from just how tightly he was gripping to the damned thing. He'd told Ashton repeatedly that he didn't want to come to this party, having given a different reason each time: he had babysitting duties with his niece, his car needed to be checked over, he didn't have a good outfit (Emma was quick to prove that one wrong), anything he could say to try to weasel himself out of trying to have fun; he had said it, and Ashton shrugged off each excuse, and when his drummer had gotten sick of Luke trying to let himself wallow in his own self pity, the older boy had told him he was coming, whether he liked it or not, and Luke resented Ashton for his positive attitude. How did he not get exhausted from smiling all the time? Rolling his eyes with the thought, Luke exhaled and pushed open his door, getting out and tightening his leather jacket to protect himself from the December cold. Hopefully, he could actually enjoy a beer without sobbing his heart out this time. Stepping up the steps to Ashton's home, Luke knocked the door, straightening his tie and shifting anxiously on his feet for Ashton or Emma to answer.

Lisa tightened her coat around her frame as she walked up Ashton and Emma's driveway, her heels clicking against the tarmac in a way that Lisa found oddly satisfying. Dark hair tied into a neat bun, Lisa looked up to see Luke on the doorstep, and she exhaled in relief that their friends were already turning up and she wasn't going to be fashionably early, especially when Ashton and Emma couldn't keep their hands off each other recently. Being the incredibly single third wheel was no fun. Catching up to Luke, Lisa reached past him and opened the door. "Go on in, Grumpy." She teased, gently shoved the blonde boy in, sympathetic to his situation. She couldn't imagine the heartbreak Luke was going through. "Ash, Emma!" Lisa called as she followed Luke inside, shrugging off her coat.

Harry smiled over at Aniya as he stopped at a red light, taking in her appearance ready for Ashton and Emma's Christmas party. They hadn't been official for long, but Harry was so glad they took that step forward, because he really couldn't imagine his life without her now. "You look beautiful tonight, you know." He spoke softly, reaching over to take her hand within his own. His words were true, she'd chosen a dress that accentuated every wonderful contour of her body, and her hair and makeup only amplified her natural beauty instead of hiding it all together. When the light had turned green, Harry pressed his foot down on the clutch to allow the car to move once more, and he turned into Ashton's neighbourhood when the turning allowed. Ashton's neighbourhood always went all out for Christmas, and Harry found himself impressed each year. "How do they all manage to be so festive?" He joked, looking to Aniya with a dimpled smile. "I heard Santa has your gifts ready, by the way." He winked, turning into Ashton's driveway.

Crystal approached Louis with a soft smile, neatening his bow tie. "Look at you." Crystal spoke softly, knowing that, following the death of his mother, Louis needed her the most, and she was going to be there for him. He appreciated it when their lives were calm, out of the eye of the papparazzi. "So handsome." She spoke again, her hands pressed flat against Louis' chest, feeling the warmth of his skin through his shirt. "Are you sure you want to go tonight?" Crystal turned serious for a moment, glancing up into Louis' blue eyes. "We can order a pizza if you want, say the word Lou, and we will."

Emma gave a noise of surprise when she felt Ashton's arms around her and, grinning, she leaned back into his hold, swearing there was nowhere else in the world she'd rather be. Her hands rested over his arms and she smiled, humming in thought as she relaxed,though she shuddered a bit with the feeling of Ashton's lips against her skin. "Oi, dork, trying to woo me when, as you said, our guests will be arriving any minute?" she asked teasingly, shifting a bit to peer at him, though she grinned slightly, taking him in, and leaned to kiss his cheek. "I wouldn't say it's unseasonal! Let's not forget the beautiful benefit of mistletoe during the Christmas season, after all. So we're definitely still going through with the plan." She blinked when she heard Lisa and grinned. "In here!"

Calum found himself panting from all the activity, a broad grin on his features as he watched Jess, enjoying the state she was in, loving seeing her like this, even more so when he was the one who caused it. He chuckled, though. “It’s not my fault,” he teased with a grin, leaning to kiss her deeply, though he pulled back to give her room, space to fix her dress and hair, and he worked on fixing his own clothes. “You just looked so damn gorgeous, and you didn’t seem to mind all the attention.” He smirked teasingly at her but chewed on his lip happily as he watched her. “God, I love you.” He leaned to kiss her again for a moment, unable to stop himself, but this kiss was purely fond, loving, aware she would likely not want to go another round. At least not right here, right now. He grinned with the thought but shook his head. “I’m sure nobody saw, we’d know by now.” As he finished getting his clothes fixed up, he smiled as he took her in, taking in all of her beauty. “You ready?”

Riley was grateful she’d been invited to the Christmas party Ashton and Emma were throwing, happy to be able to have fun with her friends and to be able to meet new people. She didn’t get many opportunities to do so, especially while taking care of everything at home and dealing with her job. She was looking forward to this, though, and it showed in the grin that formed on her features as she pulled up to Ashton and Emma’s house. Climbing out of the car, she adjusted her dress a bit, smoothing it out from the drive, and she peered around a bit before reaching into her car to grab her coat, pulling it on, since the December wind was chilling her bones. Tuning, she focused on going to the house to go inside.

Michael was pretty sure he was running late, but he didn’t mind, and he was sure his friends wouldn’t mind, either. They knew he was coming, after all; he’d assured them plenty of times that he would be there, especially when Ashton tended to ask a thousand times to make sure he didn’t forget. Michael was pretty sure Ashton just wanted to be a show off - that or he wanted to be the first to throw a Christmas party for the season. Amused with the thought, Michael found himself pulling into the driveway after a while, and he could see that he wasn’t the only one showing up just yet, spotting somebody heading inside. Good, that meant Ashton wouldn’t be able to give him hell. Chuckling to himself, he climbed out of the car and locked his doors, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets before he made his way up to the house and walked in without a care. “Guess I wasn’t running as late as I thought,” he mused cheerfully before grinning, “Has the party even started yet?”

Aniya toyed with her hands nervously during the drive. She was excited about the party, especially when she was with Harry, but this was their first real party as a couple, and it was with many of their friends - and, although their friends were aware of their new relationship, it still made her a bit nervous. When she heard Harry’s words, though, and felt his hand over hers, she felt those worries cease and ebb away, and her gaze went to him as she offered a grateful smile. “And you look handsome,” she chimed happily, taking him in, admiring him, because Harry always seemed to look perfect, and she didn’t understand how one person could appear so flawless. She laughed, though, as she listened to him, and looked at the houses, shrugging. “Some people are Christmas people,” she joked, though she blinked with surprise and smiled, shaking her head, “You really didn’t have to get me anything, Harry.” But, she had gifts for him ready, too, so who was she to say anything, really?

Louis looked to Crystal when he heard her voice, but he offered a small smile as he watched her, enjoying her close proximity, enjoying having her there. Holidays were always difficult, ever since his mother’s passing, but Crystal made it so much easier. Shifting, he rested his hands gently on her hips, giving her hips a gentle squeeze. “Look at you,” he corrected teasingly, grinning slightly as he watched her, “Gorgeous. The brightest star in the sky.” And he couldn’t be more serious about it - she shone so brightly that she warmed his heart in ways that he hadn’t even thought were possible, and he couldn’t be more grateful to her for that. Hearing her question, though, his grin softened to a smile and he pressed a kiss to her forehead to try to assure her that everything was okay, that he was okay - because she made everything okay, she really did. “I’m alright, love,” he assured her quietly, “We deserve a chance to have fun and party with our friends, don’t you think?”

Ashton giggled as Emma leaned back into his hold, and he couldn't help but to bury his face into her hair, the scent of strawberries overwhelming, delicious. Feeling her hands resting against his warm skin; Ashton hummed happily. "I love you, do you know that?" Ashton murmured, pressing a kiss to the shell of her ear, and as she spoke, Ashton shut up, listened to what Emma had to say. "Hey, you're trying to make our guests woo each other!" He laughed, his smile so wide that his dimples etched deeply into his cheeks, an affect only Emma had. "After all, the beautiful benefit of mistletoe, right?" Ashton winked, although his arms only tightened around Emma as he heard their friends begin to arrive. Looking at the house, decorated to the nines with red and green, and a full table for drinks and food, Ashton couldn't help but feel proud of the effort made by the couple. "I've spiked the eggnog again." He murmured into Emma's neck, remembering how drunk Michael had gotten the previous year with a grin. "Let the fun begin."

Jess shook her head teasingly as she saw how proud Calum was of himself, and when he kissed her, she couldn't help but to return the kiss, her hands cupping his cheeks carefully. "I love you too, baby." Jess promised, nipping at his full lower lip playfully before pulling away, fixing his tie to ensure there was no tell tale signs that she had tugged at the garment to urge Calum on. Licking her thumb, Jess wiped at the lipstick marks on Calum's neck. "I'm ready." She confirmed with a soft smile, shaking her head at their antics. "And you should thank your lucky stars that nobody saw us, Calum Hood!" Jess laughed. "I'd never be able to show my face to Emma, Riley or Lisa again." She teased, poking Calum's chipmunk cheeks before shifting to climb out of the car, cheeks still a little flushed.

Luke rolled his eyes jokingly as Lisa shoved him inside, but the warmth that enveloped him, accompanied by the smell of cinnamon, no doubt one of Emma's festive candles, was just what he might of needed after everything Arzaylea had put him through. Hearing Emma call, he followed the sound of her voice, offering two of his closest friends a small smile, eyes still welled up from his tears shed when he was getting ready and found an old, half empty bottle of sweet perfume that belonged to his ex. "Hey, you two." He greeted, trying to sound chipper; to sound normal, but knowing that Ashton knew him far better than he knew himself sometimes, and would be able to see right through his act. Hugging Ashton, moving then to Emma, Luke tried to exhale his nerves away. Seeing the drinks table, Luke patted Ashton's shoulder as he passed, grabbing the tequila before anyone else could get to it. Hearing the front door open once more, Luke didn't bother to turn around, guessing it was another one of their tight-knit group.

Lisa had been admiring the way Ashton and Emma had decorated the house with festive decor as she hung up her coat when she heard a voice behind her, and ensuring her coat wouldn't fall, she listened to the melodic sound of a sweet voice with a smile, wondering just who it belonged to - she loved how cheerful he sounded. "Well, someone's in the Christmas spirit." She giggled, turning to face a perfect stranger with the greenest eyes and smile that could only spell mischief. Biting her lip a little, Lisa smiled. "You're definitely not late." She promised, trying to stop herself from getting lost within the presence of the most beautiful existence she'd witnessed. "And the party hasn't started, so I'd say you've avoided being shunned out for now." She teased, neatening her dress before stretching out her hand in greeting. "I'm Lisa, a friend of Emma's."

Harry couldn't help the happiness that soared through him when he felt Aniya relax beneath his touch, because it meant that his attempts at soothing her anxiety were working. He couldn't stand the thought of her feeling any kind of negative emotion, because Aniya was the most beautiful thing to exist in Harry's world, and he was determined that he was going to cherish her and show her just how much she meant to him. "Well, I had to make an effort." Harry teased. "I couldn't look awful when you're out here looking this beautiful. I'd be an embarrassment of a boyfriend." Harry gave Aniya a dimpled grin as he ensured that the car was in park and the engine was cut. Listening to Aniya carefully, Harry got out of the car, jogging lightly to her side to open her door, offering her his large hand. "Do you want a quick walk around the neighbourhood to admire, or would you rather get a taste of Ashton's infamous spiked eggnog?" Harry offered with a light laugh, although his grin only broadened, laugh only increasing in volume as she continued to speak, the sound of her voice so incredible to Harry. "Sweetheart, it wasn't me. It was Santa."

Crystal gazed up at Louis with adoration as he spoke, and as Louis spoke, his large hands resting upon her hips, Crystal smiled softly; so in love with the man she thought would never be hers. Gently wrapping her arms around his neck, Crystal stepped forward, closing the gap between their bodies, returning his grin. "You're such a charmer, Mr Tomlinson." Crystal teased with a giggle, but as she noticed the very quick, very subtle change in his expression, Crystal ran her thumb against the nape of Louis' neck to comfort him as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Listening to his words carefully, Crystal nodded. "As long as you're certain." Crystal spoke firmly. "Our friends would understand." Crystal promised, pulling away to cup Louis' cheeks, pressing a kiss to his lips before pulling away reluctantly to smooth out her dress. "Ready, sweetheart?"

Emma grinned when she felt Ashton’s arms tighten around her, feeling herself relax so easily in Ashton’s hold, but that was nothing new. Ashton always had the most amazingly calming effect on her, and she loved him for it, more than anything. “I do know,” she murmured happily, humming in content, “And I love you, too. So much.” Breathing out, she shuddered when Ashton murmured against her neck, and she laughed. “Remind me not to touch the eggnog.” She grinned up at him but looked over when the others came in and waved happily, but she didn’t move from Ashton’s hold. “Hey, guys.”

Calum couldn’t help but laugh, grinning as he leaned to nip at her lip, unable to help it, wanting to give her as much attention and affection as he could. She was his one, and he wasn’t going to waste a moment in letting her know how much she meant to him, how much he loved her. “Oi,” he said, leaning to kiss her cheek as he grinned before pulling back to fix his clothes, climbing out of the car after her. “They’d get over it. It’s not like any of them haven’t had sex themselves.” He grinned playfully at her but offered his hand out to her. “Besides, they’re all too busy, anyway. They wouldn’t have realized a thing, either too busy flirting or too busy trying to get inside. Wouldn’t surprise me if we weren’t the only ones having sex just now.” He laughed.

Riley grinned when she saw everybody, waving slightly as she walked into the house. “Hey,” she greeted them, finding herself looking forward to this. She had been invited to a few of the other parties that the others had but she hadn’t been able to attend any until now because of Max - her parents’ schedules had clashed with the parties, so there wasn’t really much that could be done about it. Spotting the drinks table, she headed over, but arched a brow when she saw somebody in the way, and she peered around him to see that he’d grabbed the tequila. “You gonna drink that all by yourself?”

Michael found himself amazed at the sight of Lisa, watching her for a few long moments, taking her in, because he’d never encountered somebody so… Amazing, so perfect, and he could already imagine himself falling hard for her - and he didn’t want to stop himself if that ended up being the case. “Well, lucky me,” he said with a small grin, and he meant it, unable to help it. Something about her drove him in all the best ways, and he wondered how it was possible that somebody he just met already had that kind of effect on him. “The last thing I would want would be to be shunned out now, especially after having met you.” He winked teasingly but placed his hand in hers, shaking her hand. “Michael. It’s great to meet you, Lisa.”

Aniya laughed quietly with Harry’s words, unable to help it. Despite that their relationship was so new, it already felt like they’d been together for years, because she’d never felt this comfortable with anybody else. “Oh, but you’re not an embarrassment at all,” she teased lightly, grinning as she placed her hand in his and stepped out, quickly moving to lean up to kiss his cheek. “You’re the best.” To emphasize her words, she gave his hand a squeeze but shook her head, smiling as she watched him. “Let’s just head inside. Hang out with the others.” But she made a face then. “Okay, Santa didn’t have to get me gifts.”

Louis smiled down at Crystal when she shifted closer to him, loving the closeness, loving having her right there, in his hold, so close to him, near him, her presence overwhelming him in all the best ways. “I try,” he teased lightly in response, taking her in, relaxing under her touch, and he leaned to press a gentle kiss to her lips, wanting her to know how much she meant to him, how much she helped him through all the worst times. He didn’t know where he would be without her. “I’m certain. Besides, we could use the fun. The distraction.” He grinned with her kiss and leaned to place one more to her lips before he retracted his hands from her hips, offering his hand to her. “I’m ready as long as you are.”

Ashton grinned with Emma's confession of love, because nothing - no one - had ever meant as much to him as she did. She chased away his demons and brought a light into his life that Ashton had never known, and Emma, Ashton was certain, was his soulmate; because there was no one else he'd ever want in that position. "Oi, that eggnog is fine!" Ashton laughed against Emma's neck, knowing damn well that was a lie. "I mean, you've had a lot worst than that eggnog, but you and I don't need alcohol to fall in love all over again." Ashton teased, squeezing his arms around Emma's waist once more, unable to let her go, because he never wanted to, he couldn't even imagine to. Looking to Luke sympathetically, Ashton exhaled. "I just hope tonight does that one," he nodded to Luke with a subtle motion. "Some good. God knows he needs a distraction." Ashton murmured, but soon changed the subject. "Help yourselves to some eggnog, you lot!"

Jess lay her hands flat on Calum's clothed chest, gently pushing him away as he leaned to nip at her lip, and she giggled, her fingers curling into the material of his shirt. "Okay, okay," Jess laughed with Calum's words, her cheeks turning pink with a soft blush, visible behind the light layer of foundation she wore, always wanting to look her best. "I hear you, baby." Jess promised, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips once more, unable to stop herself - Calum was her soulmate, there was no way she couldn't show him how much she loved him, no matter the circumstance. People always called them the it couple, and Jess proudly owned that title. "Come on, I'm starting to get cold." Jess pouted gently, offering Calum her hand to hold, always needing to be near him. "A coffee would really go down a treat right now, you pig." Jess teased.

Luke paused as he heard a voice, grabbing his attention in a way he wasn't used to, clear as a bell and as beautiful as a hymn. Turning around, tequila bottle still in hand, Luke smiled softly as he saw the woman with a wonderful smile, and looking down to the bottle and back up to the light she radiated, Luke cleared his throat. "Well, uh, I'd be happy to share with you, but not anyone else." Luke offered sheepishly, almost outwardly cringing at his lame attempt of being kind, approachable. "I'm Luke." He introduced, placing the tequila down to offer Riley his hand, knuckles still bruised from where he'd punch a hole through one of his doors at home, a place he hated to be recently, Petunia being the only thing that motivated him to stay. Feeling Ashton's sympathetic gaze on him, Luke tried to ignore it, almost feeling as though he was being mocked. "You must be one of Emma's friends." Luke smiled, trying a little harder.

Lisa giggled as Michael winked at her, and trying to hide her blush, Lisa gently squeezed his hand. "It's lovely to meet you, Michael." She promised, her thumb subconsciously running across the back of his hand, as though it was destiny they would meet that night, as if it was destiny that just one hand shake could spark something between them that Lisa had never experienced before, but wanted to chase. Breaking from the trance with Emma's greeting, Lisa's head turned, and she gently let go of Michael's hand. "Hey, Em." Lisa waved happily, her cheeks lifting into a sweet smile, just the feeling of Michael beside her comforting her. "I hope Ashton hasn't touched that eggnog, it was vile last year and I got so drunk, I fell out of the cab." Lisa laughed, remembering the night clearly. "Tonight's gonna be a good one, huh?"

Harry grinned with Aniya's teasing, gently taking her hand within his own and interlocking their fingers, wanting to keep her close, keep her safe. "Darling," Harry cleared his throat then. "Of course Santa had to get you gifts, otherwise he'd be sleeping on the couch and he'd miss his cuddles." Harry winked then, twirling Aniya once to admire her, how she looked. "God, you're gorgeous." Harry murmured, leaning to press a kiss to her lips, gentle yet affirming to just how much he loved her. "Right, let's go and say hello to everyone." Harry grinned, leading Aniya up the driveway that lead to the home Ashton and Emma had made their own - the kind of home that Harry wished to one day create with Aniya, somewhere where they could remain surrounded in love, surrounded by the bliss that only Aniya could provide. "Okay, note to self, no drinking that spiked eggnog." He teased Aniya, pressing a kiss to her cheek before allowing Aniya inside first, out of the cold.

Crystal smiled into the sweet kiss she and Louis shared, her arms wrapped around his neck as they shared that moment together, no one to disturb them or break through the bond only they shared. "I love you." Crystal promised, reminded, into his lips, before reluctantly pulling away, unwinding her arms from her boyfriend's neck, pouting a little bit. "But yes, absolutely, we could use some fun." Crystal laughed, shaking her head. "The moment Michael starts to do a strip tease, we're leaving, okay?" Crystal pointed a finger at Louis jokingly, pulling a slight face at the memory of the time the 5 Seconds Of Summer got a little bit too drunk at the last party they'd attended together. Smiling gently as Louis offered her his hand, Crystal accepted the offer. "I'm ready." Crystal nodded. "Let's go."