The common room was warm, buzzing with faint chatter and the crackle of the fireplace. Someone had decorated the corners with garlands and fairy lights that glowed against the shadows. A soft scent of cinnamon lingered in the air, and my eyes landed on something hanging in the doorway green leaves with tiny white berries.
A mistletoe.
I froze.
"Caught you staring, doll."
I flinched at the familiar voice. Kuroo leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets, a lazy smirk tugging at his lips.
"I wasn't staring," I muttered, stepping back.
"You were." His smirk deepened. "What's wrong? Afraid of a little holiday tradition?"
Before I could retort, Oikawa's sing-song voice interrupted.
"Y/n-chan~ standing under the mistletoe all alone? That's dangerous, you know. Anyone could swoop in and steal a kiss."
I quickly moved away from the doorway, but Bokuto was faster, blocking me with a grin that lit up his face.
"Don't move! It doesn't count if you're not standing under it."
"Bokuto-" I started, only to be cut off by Atsumu, who slid in with a mischievous smirk.
"Rules are rules, sweetheart. Tradition says ya gotta kiss someone."
My cheeks burned. "I don't have to do anything."
Tsukishima adjusted his glasses, expression flat but eyes sharp. "Technically, you're right. But…" His gaze flicked toward the others, a shadow of a smirk forming. "…you won't get away that easily."
The air shifted, heavy with amusement and something darker.
"You guys are ridiculous," I muttered, trying to duck away. But then Osamu and Suna stepped in, effectively cornering me back beneath the mistletoe.
Suna tilted his head lazily. "Don't look so tense, pretty thing. It's just a kiss."
"Just?" I snapped, my heart hammering.
"Or more," Semi added softly from behind, his tone low and teasing.
My breath hitched. Nine pairs of eyes locked onto me, each filled with their own brand of obsession hungry, amused, possessive.
"Tell us," Oikawa coaxed gently, almost mockingly, "who do you want it to be?"
"I-..I don't," I stammered.
Kuroo's hand brushed against mine, sending shivers up my arm. "You can't avoid us forever, kitten. Mistletoe or not… sooner or later, one of us will claim you."
"Or all of us," Bokuto added cheerfully, though there was something sharp in his eyes.
Their voices tangled around me, overlapping, pushing me against the invisible edge of surrender.
"Y/n, pick," Atsumu pressed, his tone playful but with a dangerous undertone. "Or should we decide for ya?"
I swallowed hard, my back against the wall, trapped beneath the soft glow of the mistletoe and their burning stares.
My voice trembled. "This is insane…"
Suna leaned closer, lips curving into a smirk. "Maybe. But you're ours. And tonight… the mistletoe agrees."