"Hey, Aigis-san."
The android turned slowly to meet the waiting blue eyes staring excitedly down at her.
"Hello," she began carefully, pushing aside the instinct to shoot, as she had grown accustomed to doing in his presence. "What are you doing here, Ryoji-san?"
A carefree chuckle danced free from his mouth. "Enjoying the lights, same as you, I would imagine," replied the boy.
Aigis peered around at the bulbs strewn up along the walls of the mall, bathing the interior of the building in a warm glow and turning the water in the central fountain to molten, flickering gold. Indeed, she had come here to investigate Paulownia Mall's claims to fame in regards to Christmas. It wasn't spectacular as she had imagined, nothing fantastically ornate or showy. But it was clear that great care had been taken to decorate the location, and the result was actually rather…homey.
"Come to think, isn't this your first Christmas proper, Aigis-san?" Ryoji went on in curiosity.
The blonde peeked up towards him. "Yes," she answered. "I am trying to learn more about it. I know that it is a holiday for gift-giving, especially amongst couples." As evidence, she indicated a nearby young couple on a bench with a glance. "However, I still don't know very much."
The brunet listened to her intently as she spoke, eyes owlishly wide with interest. She kept his gaze after concluding her thought. Silence reigned for a moment before Ryoji's fingers came together with a loud snap, his expression lighting up. "I know!" exclaimed the junior excitedly. "You should let me kiss you, Aigis-san!"
Aigis' eyes narrowed and her eyebrows knitted together in confusion. "Why?"
He wore a bright grin, clearly proud of the solution he had reached. "It's a Christmas tradition that you kiss someone when you meet them under the mistletoe!" elaborated Ryoji with enthusiasm.
The robot's bemusement did not fade as she first looked towards the ceiling, and then around the rest of the center, surveying. "…Ryoji-san," she started cautiously. "There is absolutely no mistletoe in visible proximity of us."
His smile was knowing as he replied, "Well, I didn't say that there was!"
A/N: obviously AU. like, idk, if there had been an ultimate happy end. ): happy holidays, everyone!