"A Christmas Story" Chapter 1

Author: Moon Princess Serena
Rating: R
Warnings: AU, Angst, OOC, Sap
Pairings: 2+1, 3+4
Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the words rattling in my head.


The bay window seemed a perfect perch for one of his favorite activities. Sitting down he pulled his legs close to his chest before picking up a book and opening it to his worn out bookmark. The dim light in the corner provided enough light to read by as the clouds hung in the air outside. His eyes skimmed the pages catching every word in every sentence.

His mind began to wander with the story, conjuring up images that were being described to him on the pages. A sound startled him from the book's world as he looked up to spot the source, only his deep blue eyes fell on nothing. Shrugging slender shoulders he returned his eyes to the pages.

Only a short moment later the noise pierced his senses again. He glanced up from just over the top edge of the book yet he still saw nothing. He could have sworn he had heard something. Sifting slightly he pretend to read, one eyes trained on the room while the other looked at the page blankly. Nothing moved in the silence of the room, the noise not repeating for a third time.

Finally deciding it was nothing he returned his full attention to the book he held. It was a strange story but it fascinated him none the less. The characters were intelligent but weak, from his point of view. Similar to that boy, Duo, who worked at that diner downtown.

His mind began to wander even more, this time settling on that young man about his own age, maybe a bit older in fact. He always had a warm smile for him whenever he stepped inside. Not to mention a comment or two about his hair or clothes. Running his fingers through the wild brown strands he set the book aside unable to pay it anymore attention.

Looking out the window he watched the dead trees sway in the gentle breeze. The most startling feature about Duo had been that long braid he towed behind him. He wondered why a guy would want to grow his hair out that long. Wrapping an arm around his knees, he remembered the last time he had gone there.

Warm violet eyes greeted him as soon as he walked in, the eyes owner bounced over to his table in the corner. Looking at that smile almost melted the anger he was feeling.

"Hey bud, what's going on?" Duo had asked him, like every other time. Always so friendly, even though he never knew his name. Duo always called him 'bud' in place of the missing information. When he didn't answer Duo just grinned wider. "Usual huh?"

Giving a slight nod he watched the man turn, not even bothering to write it down. He was so mad and disappointed; he wanted to just die right there. Why did they have to act like that?

Even now the memory stings him; it had been his fault ultimately. He hadn't even noticed the tears escaping his eyes until the world outside that window blurred out of focus.

"Heero what are you doing over there? Why is the room so dark?" A female voice asked causing him to wipe the sour tears away.

"Nothing," he finally replied still looking out the window, the grey clouds seemed to be growing darker.

"Come on, let's get out of here," the voice said when a gentle hand touched his shoulder.

He pulled away from the contact with a grimace. "I'm fine here."

"Suit yourself," the female said moving away but stopped at the door her voice too low to hear. "It wasn't your fault little brother."

Heero settled his head against his knees, his whole body shaking for control. It had been a year since then and he hadn't gone back to the diner. He wondered if Duo even worked there anymore. If he would even remember a scrawny kid who stopped by for only a small hot chocolate, even in the summer? He hadn't had a single cup since that day, that last time he had seen Duo.

He wasn't sure what drove him to go but he slipped quietly into his jacket and out of the large empty home. Walking down the cold, lonely street he realized it must have been later then he had thought. Finally stopping in front of the pane of chilled windows he saw that familiar braid fly by. Placing his cool hand against the cold glass he wished somehow to have those moments so long ago back. Before... before everything just crumbled around him, before he had become angry, hateful, and untrusting.

Suddenly the man on the other side of the window stopped and turned his violet eyes toward him. That same smiled he remembered from before graced those full lips, almost like it was trying to beckon him inside.

Turning away he started back the way he had come, when a voice stopped him.

"What no hot chocolate and on such a cold winter night," Duo's voice had said through the chilly air.

Heero turned around to see the long haired man standing there, holding the door open letting the cold air in and the warm air out. Shaking his head slightly he turned to walk away. He had remembered me, even after a year.

A hand on his shoulders startled him, causing him to jerk forward and stumble to the cold concrete.

"Oh I'm sorry I didn't mean to surprise you," it was still Duo's voice. "How come you stopped coming by?"

Heero slowly pulled himself to his feet, noticing Duo was a bit taller then him. "I'm not important," he finally said his voice low. He walked away leaving Duo standing there watching him go.

Entering the large empty house he pulled his coat off, the warmth of the heater seeping into him. Hanging it up he heard footsteps on the wooden stairs.

"Heero where did you go?" that same voice asked as a young woman stepped out into the light of the hall. Her honey blonde hair was down, hanging over one shoulder, while blue eyes watched him sadly.

"No where," he replied moving past her to return to his room.

"Heero it wasn't your fault!" she cried for the thousandth time but he just ignored her words like always. Sighing she decided a nice walk would do her good. Slipping into her wool coat she left the house and Heero alone. Walking down the streets she came upon the small diner she remembered seeing him at once. Going inside she saw a young man about her own age waiting on a table of four. A long braid hung down over his back.

Sitting down at one of the empty tables she wondered if Heero ever came back here anymore. Her thoughts were interrupted by the man's cheerful voice. "What can I get for you miss?"

"Um, well..." she replied looking up to meet his violet eyes. "How about a large glass of self forgiveness?"

"Why would you order something like that?" the young man asked his eyes showing his intrigue.

"For my younger brother," she answered.

"He sure is lucky to have an older sister who really cares for him. How about some hot chocolate?"

"I love him but that just doesn't seem enough anymore to reach him inside that shell... no I think I'll just sit here with my thoughts. Thank you though."

"Don't give up, that won't help him," the young man replied before leaving to tend to other customers.

Looking up she realized an hour had passed and she needed to get back to make sure he actually went to sleep. Otherwise he would sit in that window sill all night. Getting up from the table she slid back into her coat and out the door, back into the cold night air.

Upon entering the house she went straight to his room, where he still sat in that bay window. His legs were pulled to his chest, his head resting against them. Approaching the slender frame, she realized he must have cried himself to sleep. Gently collecting the fragile youth in her arms she took him over to his bed.

Covering his body with the blanket, she bestowed a warm kiss to his forehead. While brushing the wild hair from his relaxed youthful face she spoke softly, "I won't give up Heero."

She turned off the single lamp before leaving the room to go to her own.