Normal Norman - A Very Mary Christmas

>Staring at the bottom of an empty cup, Norman sighs.
>His cheeks burn slightly from the brandy, but the eggnog always tastes so good.
>It’s already snowing.
>Watching the flakes drop, Norman sets his glass down and leans against the window.
>”See anything, Nii-san?”
>Chloe had apparently entered the room.
“Nothing really. Just kind of admiring.”
>”Do you want to build a snowman?”
>He looks at his cousin lamely.
“There’s not enough on the ground right now, unfortunately.”
>Chloe sighs and flops onto the couch.
>”Are you waiting for someone?”
>Norman goes back to looking out the window, not responding.
>”Is it a girl?”
“No someone. No girl.”
>Chloe chuckles coyly and changes her position on the couch to look more alluring.
>”Guess I’ll have to be your date tonight.”
“Chloe, it’s Christmas Eve.”
>Her grin is crushing now.
>”And I want to show my nii-nii what I got him!”
“Don’t be weird.”
>He pulls on a jacket and lowers his beanie a little.
>”Going out? Can I come?”
“I’m just going to take a walk alone for a bit. I won’t be long.”
>”You better not be!”
>Norman waves as he walks to the door and steps out.
>Fortunately, the air is still so the cold is bearable.
>Even with the light dusting of powder, the street is beginning to take on a new form.
>There was always something comforting to Norman about the freshly fallen snow making everything receive a blanket of white.
>He had a plan for this walk, and his hands fiddle with the square object in his jacket pocket.
>The route he chose was most efficient, and he watches the breath crystallize on the air as he stands in front of his destination.
>Stepping around the side of the house, his shoes crunch on the now well-formed snow, a pleasing sound in the stillness.
>Through the gate, he descends a flight of stairs leading to the sublevel of the house.
>He fishes out his keys and unlocks the door leading to the basement.
>As the warm air hits him, he huffs a big sigh of relief and shakes himself of the snow that had been falling on him before it turns to water.
>”I was wondering when you were going to get here.”
>Mary is sprawled out on her bed and waving her feet back and forth.
>Some movie is playing, but she clicks off the TV before he can see what it is and she slinks up to greet him.
“You did?”
>”Mm-hmm. I got something for you.”
“I got you something, too.”
>Mary has this coy look about her suddenly.
>”Hey Norm, look up.”
>Norman does so and notices a green leaf over his head pinned to the beam.
“You did that on purpose.”
>As Mary wraps her arms around his waist, she gives him a cocky grin.
>”I sure did.”
>The two share a brief kiss and then share a mutual gaze of longing.
>In light of the events that happened earlier in the year, Mary and Norman were “unofficially” dating.
>Granted, their idea of dating was getting lifted and sneaking into movies or doing a dine and dash.
>He had found a girl that was both exhilarating to be with and was actually considerate of him.
>”One more?”
>He nods and they repeat, Norman holding her against him.
>They part just before letting it get too heated.
>”So what’d you get me?”
“Oh, yeah.”
>He exchanges gifts with her: a new necklace with subtle references to a certain plant for her and a new beanie with the same respective features for him.
>”Gosh, we look like a couple of fuckin’ stoners.”
>Norman is slightly caught off guard and stares at her for a second before he notices her smirk.
>After they share a laugh, she recommends he join her in the boudoir.
“I can’t stay long. I promised I’d be back in time to open a present at midnight.”
>Mary looks at the clock and then smugly back at him.
>”Looks like you’ve got three hours, buddy. Get over here.”
>A couple bowls and a roll in the sheets later, Mary is snuggled up to Norman as they finish watching How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
“Yo, the Grinch looks like a big green joint.”
>”Pfff.”
>Norman pulls out his phone to look at the time.
>One missed call, a text, and it’s 1:30am.
“Fuck. I forgot to leave.”
>”You’re not leaving anyway.”
>She clutches tighter to him and shuts her eyes, feigning sleep.
“Guess this is going to be a Mary Christmas, after all.”
>”Did you just…?”
>He puts a finger to her lips, which she promptly nibbles on, as he calls back his cousin to let her know not to worry.
”Well my cousin’s not happy, but I’m good now.”
>”Splendid, then let’s make this a white Christmas.”
>He rolls his eyes at her joke and before descending below the sheets he winks at her.
“Ayy lmao.”