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Fic: Loving You Is A Gift Tonight

Fandom: Nikita

Pairing: Ari Tasarov x Nikita Mears (Nikari)

Rating: R

Spoilers: Takes place in a canon-divergent AU where Ari and Nikita have been together for two years, so time-line wise this would be during season three.

Summary: A snowball fight, a proposal, and two lovers being together during the holiday season.

Author's Note: Merry Christmas to my readers! In spite of how busy I've been this month, I found time to compose a winter/holiday-themed fic for my precious babies. It's full of fluff and cute moments, but as per usual for Nikari -- there are some sensual parts as well 😘. (It simply cannot be helped by this point). I can't believe that I've been writing this ship for nearly two years!! I began shortly into my initial watch of Nikita back in 2023. It's not exaggeration that they've helped me regain my stride after a significant break from fanfiction work, and I'm so incredibly grateful to those who read my romantic forays. I cannot begin to explain how much this ship means to me at this point, and expect more work from me in the upcoming year. I have no plans to stop anytime soon 💙🖤

On AO3

Loving You Is A Gift Tonight

“Ari Tasarov…”Nikita Mears’ tone was sharp with warning. “Don’t you dare throw that at me.”

Her boyfriend’s bright, clear blue gaze sparkled with devious intent, snow crunching between his gloved palms as he formed a perfect sphere. “You mean this entirely harmless little snowball? Now, why would I do something like that?”

Before she could respond, he lobbed the object in her direction, forcing her to dodge to the side a hairsbreadth of a second too late.

It hit her squarely on the shoulder, bursting into a shower of ice crystals that lingered on the thick fabric of her winter coat.

The Division operative narrowed her eyes. “Ari…”

He was already scooping up more snow, grinning widely in a manner that made him seem outright boyish – a vast difference from the refined gentleman she had fallen madly in love with in the first place.

Sighing in defeat, she knelt down and began forming her own arsenal. “We were supposed to be making a snow man…or a snow bear. Hey, why can’t we make a snow bear instead –

He moved past her and pressed another snowball to the crown of her head, laughing richly when she shrieked in astonishment. “We have plenty of time to make all kinds of snow creatures, but right now: it’s two to zero.”

“Of all the things he could get competitive about,” she grumbled, shaking bits of white free from her hair.

The challenge, it turned out, was being able to catch him. As he hailed from an area known for more frigid temperatures, Ari was clearly in his element while Nikita was at a disadvantage.

He moved swiftly, utilizing the natural cover of the forest to shield him from her attacks, and every time that she thought she could attempt to even the score, it resulted in failure.

“Why’d I agree to travelling out to the cabin anyway?” she griped, peering around a frost-laden tree trunk in hopes of catching a glimpse of her adversary.

“You were the one who suggested we spend the season here instead of in the city, my love,” his voice – already a low, resonant timbre – purred in her ear, startling her enough to back up against his taller, solid frame.

Elegant fingers curled around her arm to keep her balance from faltering too much, while his other hand gripped at her waist to draw her snugly to him.

“I said that when we were in bed,” she mumbled, tipping her head back and basking in the heat emanating off his body. “You should never take what I say there that seriously.”

“I’ll have you know that I take all our pillow talk very seriously,” he spun her around, that stunning gaze of his glimmering playfully, right before bridging the tiny space left between them to claim her mouth in a slow, ardent kiss.

Like clockwork, the magnetic hold Ari had over her heart prompted Nikita to relax in his embrace.

She wound her arms around his neck, drawing him closer as he subtly shifted his angle and deepened the kiss.

Her gloved fingers laced into the soft, dark strands of his hair, which was much longer due to their time on the run allowing her lover the chance to grow it out. She preferred it to the simple, shorter style he had worn previously, although admittedly the professional look paired with intricately tailored suits had its own appeal.

Deliberately, she carded her hands through the swept back locks, tousling them before scraping her nails against the base of his nape.

The desired effect was achieved: a deep, undeniably sensual growl emerging from her partner when he nibbled tantalizingly over her lower lip, his tongue memorizing the shape of her mouth before meeting hers.

She dragged him forward, moaning quietly and responding eagerly to his fervent attentions. The cooler temperature no longer mattered because she felt so safe and wanted in his arms, her hands moving to rest over his heart as they reluctantly parted for air.

She peered up at him, her pulse racing when she noticed the tell-tale flicker of desire within the brilliant cobalt depths she adored. “Perhaps we should head inside and cuddle under the covers, since you’re so fond of our conversations there.”

He chuckled. “Later, I promise. There’s something more important that we need to accomplish first.”

“What’s that?”

He swept one hand out in a wide gesture. “Choosing a tree, of course.”

The suggestion made her raise a skeptical brow. “We don’t have an axe.”

“It’s in the truck,” he twined their fingers together and led her deeper into the woods. “And before you start with the endless questions that I know are already whirling around: I made sure to measure the space we have in the cabin. I also brought up ornaments and lights to decorate with.”

“You really do think of everything,” she curled into his side as they wandered.

“I try,” he ducked a quick kiss to her brow before they managed to focus on their task.

Nikita made a mental note to thank Owen Elliot for letting them borrow his four-wheeler in order to drive up to the mountains. Not only had it proven handy for travel, but it had enough space to haul a large pine back to the cabin.

She could easily detect Ari’s enthusiasm over such a simple, if traditional element of the season. After all – it was their first to be properly shared together now that they were in a more stable point in their lives. Previous Christmases had still been lovely, but very brief by comparison.

The most difficult part was getting the tree to fit in the metal stand, but after some work, it was placed securely so that it took up a designated corner in their living room.

Understandably exhausted and very disheveled now that his clothes were covered in debris, Ari flopped onto the couch with a grimace. “I think I understand why so many people go with artificial.”

Chuckling, Nikita slid in next to him and rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re a mess.”

“Correction. I’m your mess, and we still have to decorate this thing,” he dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

“We could always save that for tomorrow,” she nuzzled at his throat.

He groaned and tilted his head back before shaking it. “We’ve made it this far, so we might as well try to finish. That being said: I think hot showers and some food is long overdue. Why don’t you go first while I prepare a quick meal?”

“Or you could join me.”

“Tempting, but then we’d never get anything else done,” he embraced her sweetly before rising. “How does lasagna sound?”

“Like perfection. Not that I’d expect anything less with your cooking,” her eyes lit up at the prospect of enjoying the home-made dish, which meant it would be equal parts delicious and comforting.

With a plan in motion, she headed towards the bath while he went to the kitchen.

Refreshed and starting to feel quite hungry, Nikita emerged from the master bathroom while running a towel through her damp locks, dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a soft tee shirt. She grabbed one of Ari’s cardigan sweaters – a staple for whenever he was relaxing at home rather than at the office – and threw it over her outfit for warmth.

After pulling on a pair of slippers, she moved up through the hallway, dropping the wet towel in the hamper located in the laundry room, and then took a shortcut into the kitchen.

She was about to announce her presence to Ari when the mere sight of him made her stop in her tracks.

The love of her life was busy working on their dinner. He also happened to be shirtless. Her gaze tracked slowly over the tone of his biceps as he layered ingredients into a pan, her heart rate jumping when he moved a specific way, and she caught the subtle flex of muscle across his shoulders.

This was already ridiculously unfair, but then he started to hum a lyrical melody, and she was struck with unfathomable longing.

Transfixed, she crept forward until she was right behind him and then reached out and slid her hands over the expanse of his back. She stood on tip toe to duck a kiss to the tiny scar on the base on his neck, a souvenir from having a tracing chip removed, which always proved a more sensitive spot. “My love, you appear to have forgotten something.”

“I measured everything out perfectly,” she felt the hitch in his breath at the contact, but he didn’t hesitate to lean back when her arms circled his midsection.

“I meant your shirt.”

He chuckled yet continued in his task. “I just hope that you left some hot water.”

“I needed to pamper myself after your attacks in the snow earlier,” she darted more kisses along his shoulder blades. “But it should reheat in a few minutes.”

He twisted around abruptly, startling a gasp out of her that was cut off by a sound embrace, lifting her effortlessly so he could set her on the marble counter.

It was so easy to become lost in him, her legs locking around his waist to anchor them together while they indulged themselves.

“Didn’t you tell me…” she bit teasingly at his lip and took a gulp of air before diving back in. “That is was dangerous to cook while so exposed?” Deliberately, she skimmed her nails through the soft hair that dusted his chest.

“I see you were actually listening for once,” amused, he tugged away. “Dearest: I am a professional. Besides, I was referring to being completely nude, not partially.”

“We could fix that,” she toyed with his belt.

He smirked but gently pushed her fingers to the side. “Fun as that could be, I need to set the timer.” He wandered off to do so and then carefully carried the lasagna over to the oven. Once it was placed inside, he closed the door. “Now, if you’ll keep an eye on this while I get cleaned up,” he made his way back over to where she was sitting. “I’ll be as quick as I can.”

She nodded before stealing one more kiss, and then he left her to her own devices for a while.

The former assassin took advantage of having to wait for both the meal to be ready and her love to return by setting the table. As it was just the two of them, there was no need for fancy plates or cutlery, but she also couldn’t resist lighting a single candle to add some romantic atmosphere.

She poured them both glasses of white wine and then went back into the kitchen to see how the lasagna was faring.

A quick check confirmed that the cheese was starting to bubble, so she busied herself with a crossword puzzle as the dish finished baking.

Ari finally returned, his still damp hair falling rakishly across his forehead as he walked over to stand beside her. He was fully dressed again in a dark green, button-down shirt that was left open at the collar, paired with black pants.

Nikita looked up, her heartrate thrumming happily upon seeing the content look on his handsome face. “Feel better?”

“Much.” He stretched, the edge of his untucked top lifting enough to reveal a hint of his abdomen before he draped an arm around her, glancing down at the puzzle she was attempting to complete. “Hmm. Six across. Ravenous.”

She blinked, stunned at how quickly he had solved it. “Wait, really?”

He just smiled, warm and open, and nudged at her side. “Trust me.”

“Always,” her features softened, and she gave him a brief kiss in thanks before penciling in the term.

The game was completed swiftly thanks to how easily he figured out the remaining clues, and then the buzzer to the oven went off, signaling that the food was ready.

They took their time savoring the lasagna and each other’s company, and once they both had their fill, Ari volunteered to wash the dishes while Nikita got started on decorating the tree.

“I definitely can see why people go for the fake, pre-lit ones,” she grimaced, finally managing to wrap multiple strings of lights around the branches.

Her boyfriend joined her shortly after, while she was carefully hanging colorful ornaments. “Ah, it’s beautiful so far.”

“I’m just trying to make sure not to accidentally break any of these,” she confessed, locking eyes with him. “I actually haven’t done this kind of thing in a long, long time.”

“Really?” he grabbed a hook and picked an ornament out to place before moving around to a different side of the tree. “It’s always been a huge event for my family, even in recent years.”

“Well, you grew up with brothers and sisters, so I’m sure there was a ton of activity. When you’re in the foster system, without the stability of a permanent family…” she sighed, melancholy surfacing in spite of the festive atmosphere. “It’s very different.”

Immediately, he was at her side and wrapping his arms around her in a hug as his lips brushed along her forehead tenderly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything painful.”

“Don’t be. We’re making new memories now. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my family, Ari. Along with the rest of our friends,” she twisted to face the tree again, curling one hand around his bicep and squeezing gently. “What matters the most going forward is our future, don’t you think?”

“You’re absolutely right,” he agreed, kissing the top of her head briefly before extricating himself in order to rummage around in one of the boxes by their feet. “And that reminds me, I have something I’ve been wanting to show you.”

“Oh?” she tilted her neck, curious.

“Go rest for a minute,” he continued to search, muttering quietly to himself until he finally discovered the item.

There was a decided shift in his demeanor; a softness emerging on his striking, noble features, which meant that whatever it was that he’d been looking for: it had a personal significance.

He sat down next to her, balancing the object on his palm in order to present it to her.

Carefully, Nikita plucked the small, intricately carved, wooden ornament from Ari’s hand, turning it over in her own while scanning it over. “It’s beautiful. Hand-made?”

“I made it, in fact, back when I was still in college. It was a gift for my mother. After she passed away, my sister made sure to get it back to me.”

“I can tell it means a lot,” she cuddled into his side. “Is there anything you’re bad at, by the way? Because so far we have cooking, dancing, and wood carving, not to mention the fact that you’re musical.”

Her companion laughed richly. “Sport, actually. I was always picked last for every team back in grade school.”

“You keep up with me fine when we run or spar.”

“Those are individual athletic pursuits, my love,” he reclined a bit into the cushions, pulling her with him as they snuggled together. “Not that it matters in the long run. I doubt I’ll ever need to save the world by playing a basketball game.”

“Nah, if that were the case we’d send in Michael and Owen.”

He laughed again, stroking his fingers through her hair. “Good.”

She continued to turn the ornament over in her hands absentmindedly while she reveled in the quiet intimacy between them. She cherished these specific kind of moments: where their roles in the new version of Division faded into the background and they could just exist with each other.

Nikita wasn’t expecting it when she pressed down on a section of carving and heard a clack. “Um. I didn’t break it, right?”

Ari shook his head and took back the box. “It’s meant to be a puzzle, see?” his fingers danced out a pattern and there were several more clicks before it opened.

Together, they looked inside, her eyes widening significantly when a sparkling, antique sapphire and diamond ring was revealed.

For his part, he looked as stunned as she did. “Wait, this has been in here all this time?” Gingerly, he pulled the jewelry out.

“You didn’t know?”

“No, my sister never said anything, and I haven’t played around with it at all. Hold on, there’s a note underneath.” He reached back in to grab the paper.

She only had a basic grasp of deciphering Russian when it was written down, but the impact was unmistakable when tears sprung to her lover’s eyes.

“Ari…”

“I thought I recognized it,” he chuckled wryly before turning to show her the ring properly. “It was my mother’s engagement ring. Apparently, she wanted me to have it.”

“It’s gorgeous,” she admitted.

“She hoped that one day: I would find the right person to give it to…which is why Andrea hid it inside.”

“She’s the one I met briefly, right?”

“Yes. Darling…” the tone of his voice altered, prompting her to look into his eyes and notice the passion suddenly directed her way. “Stumbling across this ring might have been a coincidence, but the truth is that I’ve been thinking very seriously about our future together. Earlier: you said that I’m your family, and you’ve been mine for the past two years. This isn’t how I expected to do this, however, if I could have your attention for a moment…”

Without warning, he gallantly sank down on one knee in front of her.

She sat, frozen in disbelief and awe over what was transpiring. “Ari Tasarov, are you serious right now?”

He took her left hand within his, his gaze piercing into hers and informing her that he meant everything he was about to say. “Very much. Nikita, you’ve had my heart from the instant we met. Our life together has never been simple, or easy, but I wouldn’t trade a single second, and I want to share in every one hereafter. Will you make me the happiest man in existence and become my wife?”

She inhaled shakily, unexpected butterflies swirling in her stomach. She wanted to respond with as much ardor as he had proposed with but could only find enough coherence to whisper a single word. “Yes.”

Evidently it was the right thing to say, because his handsome face immediately lit up in delight.

The next few seconds seemed to blur by as the ring was secured on her finger, and then they were embracing fervently and toppling onto the floor.

Her hands fisted into the fabric of his top, their limbs entangling naturally as he adjusted the angle of the kiss, deepening it further.

With a deft movement, he pinned her between his lean frame and the plush rug that decorated the area in front of the cabin’s fireplace. Logs were already crackling within the hearth, and between the warmth that was emanating and the natural heat building between the pair, it wasn’t long before fingers set to task.

“You realize that, while I’m counting this as an early gift, there are still presents to be given, right?” Nikita grinned, tugging away to focus on unbuttoning his shirt.

“Oh, I think I have exactly what I want right here but trust me: there are plenty of surprises on the way.” Ari’s smile was infectious as the garment fell open over his chest, revealing the sculpted planes of his torso.

With a smirk, she shoved it insistently down his shoulders, and he tugged his arms free before yanking her back into another kiss.

Layer by layer of clothing was cast aside until it was skin against skin and then hands well-versed in one another started to explore.

She welcomed his body with hers, sliding one leg up against his own and then hitching it over his waist to link them together, tilting her head back in order to grant him better access to the slim column of her throat when his mouth eventually strayed.

A low moan escaped while he darted firefly kisses across her clavicle, traveling right to bestow attention to her shoulder, then venturing lower.

Her breath caught as he worshipped every possible inch of her form, arcing into every touch, every kiss – losing herself entirely to his devotion.

Ari had long ago proved attentive when they made love, but it was clear that there was something different about this occasion. He seemed more determined than ever to draw the experience out and took his time lingering along the most sensitive areas.

Nikita arched her hips in invitation, her nails catching in his chest hair as they met in another passionate embrace when he joined them together.

In little time at all, they eased into a familiar rhythm.

She clutched at his shoulder blades as their movements lost grace, leaving half-moon indents and crying out sharply while the pleasure became blinding.

He slowed, cradling her close and steadying their motions before she could be overwhelmed.

It helped to concentrate on him, focusing on the sea of blue that was his eyes, which had turned darker in arousal. Loose tendrils of hair framed his face attractively, and his gaze was completely fixed upon hers in silent encouragement.

The love there was evident, her heart thundering and a tell-tale shiver coursing up her spine, signifying that completion was near.

In perfect unison: they reached their peak, cresting together on sensation until nothing existed save for sheer bliss.

A few hours later, Nikita ran her fingers lazily through Ari’s mussed hair as her fiancé nuzzled her shoulder tiredly.

After engaging in multiple rounds, the couple had relocated to the couch and were currently recuperating – tangled up in each other and several fleece blankets.

“We never did finish decorating that tree,” she mentioned.

He groaned and lifted his head just long enough to take a look before replying. “It can wait. You’ve exhausted me.”

The corners of her mouth twitched as she held back a laugh and put as much innocence as she could into her voice. “Maybe that was the point.”

He paused, shifting in order to stare down at her. “…it was revenge for the snowball fight earlier, wasn’t it?”

Her answer was a giggle and to draw him into a romantic kiss. “I’ll never tell.”

“Just remember that misbehavior during this time of year is usually frowned upon,” he nibbled tantalizingly at her mouth, evidently not meaning a word.

“Well from now on I’ll be a saint, I promise,” her shoulders shook with mirth as she tugged away.

With a fond expression, he reached out and caressed over the side of her face, tucking a stray lock of hair over her ear. “Just be Nikita.”

As far as she was concerned, it was the easiest thing to agree to.

The End