The air was warm with the mingled scents of spices, roasted meats, and evergreen boughs. Ekko balanced precariously on a chair, the Christmas tree leaning dangerously to one side as he muttered about needing "just one more ornament to balance it out." Across the room, Vi was stealing bits of food off the platter Caitlyn was trying to assemble, the latter’s exasperated pleas to "wait until dinner" falling on deaf ears. In the corner, Mel leaned against the wall, elegant as ever, champagne glass in hand, watching the chaos unfold with a bemused smile.

And then there was Sevika.

She stepped in late, as always, her broad shoulders shrugging off the cold night air. Jinx and Isha flanked her like two mischievous shadows, but they darted off the moment they crossed the threshold—Jinx to wreak havoc, Isha to chase her down and attempt some semblance of control.

You greeted Sevika at the door, and she paused, the weariness etched into her face softening for a moment at the sight of you. Her lips quirked into something resembling a smile—a tired one, but genuine.

"Sorry I’m late," she muttered, her voice gravelly and low, as she stepped past you into the warmth of the room.

It didn’t take long for the evening to descend into its usual mix of laughter and chaos. Caitlyn’s carefully prepared rice dish met its untimely demise when Jinx discovered a hidden cache of raisins and decided they belonged everywhere. Vi laughed so hard she nearly choked on a piece of bread, Caitlyn swearing under her breath as she tried to salvage what she could.

Sevika, meanwhile, found solace in her favorite bottle of whiskey. She wasn’t much for celebrations, but she was all about finding the quickest route to buzzed bliss. Somewhere between her third and fourth drink, she got it into her head to challenge Silco to a bet over her salary. It ended, predictably, with her losing and groaning loudly before collapsing onto the couch.

The room buzzed on without her, voices and music filling the air, but you kept an eye on her from the corner of your eye. It wasn’t until later, when the noise had dimmed and the others were preoccupied, that you wandered over to check on her.

What you found nearly stopped you in your tracks.

There she was, Sevika, the no-nonsense enforcer who could crush a grown man with one hand, lying sprawled on the couch in an unceremonious heap. Her cybernetic arm dangled off the side, while her organic one was covered in colorful, messy scribbles. Jinx and Isha hovered over her, markers in hand, giggling uncontrollably as they added finishing touches to the masterpiece on her face.

A mustache. A pair of exaggerated eyebrows. Little stars and hearts dotted her cheeks.

You couldn’t help it. You laughed—a soft, warm sound that drew their attention but didn’t wake Sevika. Isha’s eyes widened, guilt flashing across her face, but Jinx only grinned wider.

"She’ll kill us when she wakes up," Jinx said cheerfully, twirling a marker between her fingers.

"Not if we blame you," Isha quipped, shoving Jinx lightly with her elbow.

Sevika stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent before settling again. You shook your head, torn between stepping in to save her and letting the kids have their fun. After all, it was Christmas Eve, and even Sevika deserved a little chaos in her life.