𝐇𝐚𝐲𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

Winx Club Marathon

༻❖༺
5.5k words

"Sorry," Hayden mutters when you open the door. He's dirty and soaked, a chill clinging to him. Classic. The grand plan to woo you? Bundle up, stroll through winter markets, and share candied apples. Then, he'd buy you a pretty ornament or necklace, topping it off with a mistletoe kiss. Where he'd find the mistletoe? Still uncertain.

He was already running late by the time he left his place. A series of unfortunate events followed. An obnoxious carolling group bumped into him, leading to a close call with the road. Drenched by a passing truck, he hit his knee on a pole... and fell into a puddle. That's why he's currently dragging mud all over your flooring. Hayden can already feel your romantic evening slipping away through his muddy fingers.

Last time, he cut your date short when he had to leave due to a distress call from work. The one before? He hadn't shown up, thanks to the awful timing of the boss-of-the-week. He wanted to make up for the last time and do something romantic. He tries, really; he's just a bit of a mess. Now, he needs a shower, and the chance to see any of those fairs seems slim, if at all existent. "Got any spare clothes for me?" He grumbles, peeling off his wet coat with a stormy expression.

"Yeah, I think you left behind an outfit the last time you visited." You told him, while drying off your wet hair with a towel.

"Oh," Hayden said with a hint of surprise crossing his features. He'd completely forgotten. His clothes still here from his last visit, huh?

He unceremoniously kicks off his muddy boots, leaving them in a messy heap by the door. "I hope they're still clean," he sighs tiredly. Wet hair in his face, an annoyed huff leaves him as he peels off his soaked shirt, leaving him half-naked.

"They are, I cleaned them for you the day after you left." You replied, walking around your apartment truing to find your hairbrush.

Hayden's expression changes from grumpy to touched. His annoyance softened by your thoughtfulness. He runs a hand through his damp hair, leaving it messier than before.

"You didn't have to do that," he says sheepishly, his eyes following you as you look for your hairbrush.

With a tired huff, he peels off his wet pants; they were starting to irritate his skin, sticking to it from the mixture of water and mud. He's now left standing there in nothing but his underwear.

"It was no proplem, reall- oh.." your eyes widened slightly as you turned around, facing Hayden in just his underwear.

Hayden chuckled at your reaction, amused by the way your eyes widened. He smirked, crossing his arms over his chest casually, "Enjoying the view?"

"Well, I'm tired, not blind." You chuckled slightly, returning a small smirk before entering your room to find your hairbrush.

Hayden grins at your witty response, shaking his head in amused frustration. His gaze drifts to your bedroom door as you disappear inside to look for your hairbrush.

"I've had better responses you know," he calls out to you jokingly, leaning against the wall and trying to ignore the way his underwear stick to his damp skin.

"Your clothes should be in the bathroom, hanging on the rack to dry by the way." You told him, sighing in relief once you finally found your brush.

"Thanks," Hayden replied, his mind lingering on the memory of the last time he left his clothes here after your date. He pushed away the thought with a shake of his head and headed for the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, he located the clothes hanging on the rack, recognizing the t-shirt and sweatpants as his. They were still slightly damp, but they'd have to do until his clothes dried out.