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Hermione shivered as she walked along the street. Despite being wrapped up in many layers, the gentle snowfall sent a chill through her.
Bruce leant in next to her, pressing himself against her. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her slightly closer to his body. “Cold?” he asked.
Hermione looked around as they walked up Fifth Avenue. “Just a little, but I’m excited to check out the holiday market.”
“There’s a lot of people,” he murmured, looking around. “It never ceases to amaze me just how many people are in this city.”
Hermione nodded in agreement. There was a ton of people dressed as Santa Claus, and a ton of ugly Christmas sweaters as far as her eye could see. Everyone was festive and jolly – she could hear bells ringing and people caroling. The city was definitely alive with the holiday spirit.
Snow landed on her cheeks and she shivered.
“Let’s get some hot chocolate,” Bruce said, guiding her towards a stall. He held her close as he ordered them two warms drinks. “This should help,” he said, handing her one. He knocked his cup against hers before taking a sip. “Mmmm, scalding,” he murmured with a grin.
Hermione held the cup of hot chocolate in her hands. It smelled wonderful and she couldn’t wait for the warmth of it. She took a sip, enjoying the rich and heady taste on her tongue. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, smiling at Bruce before taking another small sip.
“Better?” he asked with a grin. He had a small milky mustache from the whipped cream on his upper lip and Hermione resisted the urge to reach up and lick it off him.
“Better,” she agreed. Between the hot chocolate and being pressed to his side, she was feeling a lot warmer.
Bruce cupped her cheek lightly before leaning in and pressing a soft, gentle kiss back on her lips. “Now, back into the fray? We’re on the edge of the market, so there’s plenty for us to explore. And if you see anything you want, just let me know.”
“You don’t need to buy me anything,” she told him, giving him a stern look. “Having you in my life is more than enough.”
Bruce didn’t look convinced. “I have more money than I know what to do with,” he said, squeezing her tightly. “I want to spoil you, Hermione, so please let me.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “I haven’t gotten you a gift yet.”
“And you don’t need to,” she pressed, shaking her head with a small smile. But still, she perused as the two of them walked around, enjoying all the different vendors. There was everything – lots of handmade items – such as soaps, hats, mittens, etc. Her gaze caught on a stall full of homemade tea blends.
“Come on,” Bruce said, tugging her over there. “Pick a few out.”
“Bruce,” she muttered, looking at him.
“I’ll keep them at my house for when you visit,” he teased. “So really, it’s a gift for me… To give you when you stay over.”
Hermione let out a laugh at his reasoning. “Okay, okay,” she agreed, knowing he wouldn’t give up. She picked out a few different blends, some that both of them would like, and she even nabbed one for Alfred.
“Okay, you got me a gift,” she said once they stepped back out onto the sidewalk.
Bruce shook his head. “Nope, I’m getting you something else. Don’t you worry, love.”
“Fine, then you need to let me find you a gift here, too.”
He opened his mouth to argue but then quickly shut it, knowing that if he protested, it would only give Hermione more fuel in her argument against him. “Fine,” he muttered after a moment.
“Oooo, look, let’s get some treats,” Hermione said, pulling him towards a vendor with baked goods. She helped herself to some gingerbread cookies, paying the woman before excitedly handing Bruce one. They were iced and it tasted like pure holiday magic.
“Oh, this is good,” Bruce muttered in agreement before going back and buying a dozen of the gingerbread cookies. When Hermione gave him a look, he grinned and muttered, “For Alfred,” but they both knew that Bruce was likely going to devour the cookies before they even got home.
Bruce guided her towards a big Christmas tree in the middle of the market. There was a stage setup, and a woman was there, singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. She moved around the stage, putting on a dramatic show for all those watching.
Hermione and Bruce stayed huddled close to together as they listened, along with the crowd, to the woman sing various Christmas carols. The snow was just falling, although not as heavy now, but the nip in the air was still there. Peering at Bruce, Hermione’s stomach fluttered with excitement.
Turning, Hermione grabbed at Bruce’s coat. “Kiss me, Bruce,” she told him, peering up at him with love in her expression.
Leaning down, Bruce does as she asks. Hermione felt snowflakes fall on her nose and she shivered as the cold nipped at them. He kissed her out in the open, the warmth of their kiss fighting away the chill of the day. Bruce’s hand brushed her jaw, then cheek, as he drew her closer to him.
Eventually, the two of them broke apart. “I love you,” Bruce murmured against her lips.
“I love you,” she replied, her heart racing in her chest. “Now, why don’t we get a tree to set up at your place? I saw a spot at the corner of the market in that direction. We can get a small one.”
Bruce grinned. “Or a really big one – it is our first Christmas together.”
She rolled her eyes. “Bruce, bigger isn’t always better.”
“But sometimes it is,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at her suggestively.
Hermione laughed, taking his hand and holding it tightly as they went to find their perfect Christmas tree.