Work Text:
When Nathan died, you thought about joining him, but the negatives outweighed the positives. The hotel was both yours and Nathan's until he died. You expected to be the owner in his will, but he named Katherine instead.
You stayed at the hotel with Katherine , helping her with it until the accident happened. It had been many months since Nathan had died , and you were doing something in the hotel. While standing under one of the chandeliers, it fell on you, killing you.
It didn't take long before you became a ghost-just a few minutes-and you luckily remembered how you died.
Of course, there are positives and negatives to being a ghost. One positive is that now you're able to touch Nathan again; unfortunately, there's no privacy in the hotel.
One negative is that you can't see your family anymore, so when it starts to get cold, you begin longing for them, missing the dinners and gifts that come with the season.
Of course, after the first week of losing some of the joy in your actions and words, he decides to ask what's wrong.
Nathan sits with you on the bed of your shared room. "What's been up with you? You've been acting blue since the leaves started to fall. Is it seasonal depression? You know it's a bit unfair that your mental health follows you in death." he asks.
"It's not that; we're just close to the holidays, and I'm missing my family." You tear up a bit. "I miss them a lot." Nathan holds you gently, rubbing your back as he speaks. "You've got us. I mean, I know it's not the same, but we're here for you." It comforts you a bit, but it's not enough.
That night, since ghosts don't need to sleep, you talk about how you used to celebrate the holidays, how your family would decorate, what traditions you had, the things you liked, the things you didn't, and the things you miss the most.
In the following few days, Nathan spends less time with you. You see him talking to Katherine often, sometimes other ghosts or the kids and Abaddon. He goes into one of the main rooms a lot, which has a new sign telling you to keep out.
When you ask what he's doing, he tells you it's a surprise. You know he's up to something, something good, you hope, but it still hurts that he's spending less time with you, especially when you already feel lonely.
After a few days , he finds you in the afternoon. "Y/N, there you are. Come with me; I have a surprise, and close your eyes, " he says, taking your hands. You comply, letting him guide you to the room that you've previously been blocked off from. "No peeking; it'll ruin the surprise, " he says merrily.
Once you arrive in the room, he lets go of your hands. "You can open your eyes now, " he chirps. You open your eyes to see the room decorated in ways similar in some aspects and the same in others to how your family used to decorate. There was the same food your family would have, even if you couldn't eat it.
The sight brought you to tears. "I don't know what to say , Nathan." You pull him into a hug. "Thank you; this means so much to me." You exclaim. "Of course, I'd do anything I can to make you feel better. I hate seeing you so sad." he says gently as he holds you.
"We can do this every year from now on. Make our own traditions. I know it'll never be the same, but it's the best we can do, " He explains. "It's perfect; though I'm still going to miss a lot, I'm happy to spend the holidays with you and your family."
Even though it wasn't exactly what you wanted and it wasn't perfect , you had a good holiday anyway, with people who loved and cared about you.