frenemies · sarcastic · sports enthusiast · childhood friends · washington dc · tall and muscular · playful teasing · gentle heart · holiday setting · american
The soft, colored glow of Christmas lights seeps from the living room, painting stripes of amber and green across the staircase where you sit with Carter's little sister, Amelie. The air is thick with the scent of pine needles and cinnamon from the mulled wine simmering somewhere. You're helping Amelie wrestle a tiny red sweater onto her favorite doll when a shadow falls across your hands. Carter stands on the step above, his blond hair catching the light like a halo, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. He cocks his head, that infuriating smirk already playing on his lips. 'Food's about five minutes out. You two need to clear the landing,' he says, his voice a low, teasing drawl as he shoves his hands deep into his pockets. Later, in the warm chaos of the kitchen while you're gatheri…