The darkness of the dorm seems to suit my eyes perfectly tonight.

My eyes are so sensitive today.

It felt like my eyes had joined the flickering Menorah flames when I tried to turn on the light.

The fairy lights and Menorah will have to be our light tonight.

Hopefully, this will look like the human Christmas.

I gently rub the mistletoe between my fingers nervous.

The round berries seem completely filled with juice and I am careful hanging it on the door to avoid wrecking the leaves.

The room is almost finishes except for this.

I eye my recent addition in the corner.

The book at the Sunnydale Library said you need a tree to celebrate Christmas from which you leave the presents.

The tree in my corner is small seemingly sick but still young with a delicate thin trunk and fragile leaves.

I gently kiss a dying brown leaf and watch it gradually turn green as the trunk grows stronger.

Now it touches my waist and I pet my dear plant.

"I will keep you," I reassure her eyeing the oval leaves.

I take a step back eying my undecorated tree.

I wrinkle my nose watching the tree get a rain of sparkles.

They shimmer and glow in the room only slightly affecting my eyes with its light.

"There's still nothing at the top," I muse wondering what I should use.

I grab an unused blue ribbon and gently tie it at the very top of the tree.

"Perfect."

I stand back to eye my hardest piece of decoration.

The tree looks beautiful shining in the fair lights like a precious jewel with a silk crown.

There are three gifts under the tree wrapped in blue gift wrap.

It's messy with tape sticking in odd directions and some pieces of paper escaping its hold.

It's fine through because all I want for Christmas is to see Willow open these gifts.

"Is there something you need to tell me? Did you invite someone in you shouldn't have?"

I can see the slim outline of Willow approaching with what looks like a pencil in hand.

As she steps closer, I see more than shadows approaching but her features gradually come into focus.

I can see Willow's wide eyes.

I can see her lithe frame.

I can even see every cautious step in my direction.

Light eyes look all over the room with the pencil aimed ready to attack.

"Briar? Briar?"

Her voice has sped up, becoming panicked.

I can't keep watching this.

"Willow, I'm right here. Don't move. I'm coming to you," I instruct.

I slowly walk closer toward her not wanting to startle the wiccan.

The darkness of the dorm made Willow's pale frame nearly invisible to a human eye.

I am almost happy now that I am only half.

I could scarcely make out her thin lips and small nose.

I stop in front of her face and see her eyebrows furrow in what I think is recognition.

"I'm right here," I sooth gently and take her hand in mine.

It's still warm and soft and I hold it tight to reassure Willow.

"Briar? Why's it so dark?"

Her voice heightens in curiosity and apparent relief.

"I'm right here," I repeat. "My eyes are a little sensitive today."

I answer truthfully but still don't want to talk about changes.

Not right now when I have a Willow with me.

"Why didn't you tell me? I could've helped."

Willow's voice deepens in supposed hurt and I sigh.

Is it bad I still like her shivers even right now?

"I don't really think right now is the best time to talk about it though," I sigh gently and revel in the the way her body softly shakes at my proximity.

"When then?" Willow's voice is even softer now and I answer just the same as she

"When my surprise is done."

I gently tug Willow's hands in my direction and lead her towards the tree.

It shines subtly in the minimal light of my room: demure yet beautiful all the same.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seems as bright to Willow's human eyes.

Her footsteps are too unsure: every footstep takes twice as long.

I sigh at my stupidity.

"Don't worry," I reassure Willow. "Just follow me. I couldn't hurt you even if I tried."

The nonchalance of my statement must stun Willow because she pauses.

"I thought I knew someone like that."

The words are obviously not meant for me.

They seem to be to herself and for a moment I wonder when she will tell me what happened with the werewolf.

It doesn't matter now though.

Right now, the only person pivotal to me is Willow and I refuse to let my first Christmas with Willow be soiled with any hurt.

I deliberate my words in response carefully trying to sooth old wounds.

"I'm not him," I begin looking straight into her fawn colored depths. "I care about you too much to leave. I think when you love someone, you care about them enough to stay so they won't hurt if you leave even if it's for them."

"I wish it was always like that."

She sighs and I say one last thing to try to make this redhead understand.

"It is with us."

My voice is strong at this statement showing my own seriousness about us.

We stare for a moment waiting to see what the other will do next.

Her light brown eyes are the first to glance away and I squeeze her hand in comfort.

How can someone so strong and gentle seem so small?

I watch her concerned that I've gone too far, too fast and ruined everything.

Willow's breathing stops for a second before I realize she must be trying to calm down.

Have I done something wrong?

I see her small shoulders rise with a deep breath and lower in release.

I clearly see the corners of her lips slowly rise into a small grin and my own grin resurfaces.

I didn't ruin it.

We're fine.

My grin is equal parts relief and just being near the wiccan beside me.

"You said you have something to show me?"

The left eyebrow lifts at her words and that small grin is still there.

I offer her no response but my smile widens as I finish leading her to the tree.

"Willow, close your eyes or this will be a shock."

Two perfect auburn eyebrows lower in confusion but she listens hiding her eyes from my sight.

"Lux."

For one word, it works so well.

I see the lights grow in intensity and flinch at its power.

After a moment, the light dims revealing the final product.

I study it wary for shortcomings.

There seem to be none.

The Christmas tree shines brighter but not blinding bathing Willow's face in a golden shroud.

"Open your eyes," I whisper and I fear this smile will never leave when I am with her.

She lets go of my palm and wanders to the tree.

I will never stop enjoying the delighted expression on Willow's face.

It's her eyes widening in delight and wrinkling ever so slightly in the corners.

It's her teeth bright as the moon contrasting drastically with her slim rosy lips.

Best of all, it's that look when she sees me.

Willow gazes at me as if I am a wonder...a goddess...a magnificent person that deserves her.

It almost makes me believe I am because I have her.

Like now, my breath quickens being in the wiccan's line of sight.

"How did you do this?"

I feel my ego grow at the awe in her voice.

"Practice," I answer quickly and am slower and hesitant with my next. "Do you like it?"

"It's perfect," she reassures. "Perfectly Briar. One of a kind with no ornaments and very sparkly which is pretty, right? You got the whole Christmas tree thing down really well!"

I nod and bite my bottom lip thinking of possible meanings to what Willow's trying to say.

Almost hazel eyes drift there for an instant before returning to my face.

"I didn't get it," I surmise. "It's different...off."

Her eyes widen in what I think is surprise at my assumption.

"No," she tries again to refute but I shake my head.

This tree is obviously not what she expected of a tree.

"Yes it is."

I step closer to Willow and raise an eyebrow at the kind wiccan.

"Be honest," I say with a small grin to show my sincerity.

"To some," she wedges taking one step closer. Stars...bows," Willow shrugs her delicate shoulders.

One more step.

"You did this for us so it's perfect."

Her words are perfectly in sync to that last step needed for us to be in front of each other.

"Perfect?"

I question and feeling bold tug her by my hips toward me.

Willow leans her head toward mine and I follow.

Her forehead touches mine and I feel my cheeks warm at the contact.

It seems like very part of Willow is soft like having clouds for skin.

The contact is grounding, instilling a feeling of intimacy and safety that I've never felt so fully before.

Crinkle.

What was that?

I tilt my head a little at the sound.

The three presents are supposed to lie still but I hear the paper fight under the tape and from a glance seeing more corners escaping their jailers.

"You should open those before they open themselves," I recommend reluctantly pulling myself away.

Slim pink lips slip down at the corners and I can't help kissing her cheek almost enjoying the butterflies this time.

"Come on," I take her hand again and hurry to the tree.

We both settle on my carpet crossing our legs.

I grab the biggest present and hand it to her excited again to see Willow's reaction.

She tears open the wrapping paper slowly almost savoring it before seeing the leather.

Quickly, Willow opens the thick book eagerly searching through.

I see her brow furrow in confusion and disappointment at every clean white pages.

"It's a spell casting book," my voice breaks the silence. "I charmed it for you. It opens for only two people: you and I. To open it, say amo te."

She looks up from the book and grins.

"Amo te? I love you?" she translates and her smile widens at my confirmation.

"Try it," I urge nodding toward the book.

"Amo te."

She says it as a command: hard and strong and I smile at the look of wonder on her face as ink appears on every face.

"That's not the only gift," I say passing the thinnest box to her.

I enjoy seeing Willow's reactions especially when it's automatic.

I enjoy seeing twin auburn brows move in sync drawing closer to her eyes that first caught my attention.

I enjoy seeing the complete attention she pays everything as if it's a wonder of the world.

I eagerly watch her remove the wrapping and open the small container.

Fawn colored eyes open impossibly wider at what's inside.

The necklace inside is sterling silver and shines bright even in this minimal light.

The Vila's gemstone aquamarine pendant hangs simply from the chain in the shape of a teardrop beautiful and understated just like Willow.

The wiccan stands still on the ground with her eyes never wavering from the necklace.

"Do you like it?" I ask after a minute a little anxious of her silence.

She answers the question with her own looking into my face for the truth.

"Is this what I think it is?"

I answer trying to allude the true question knowing her hesitation.

"That depends on what you're thinking."

Willow raises her left eyebrow and her mouth straightens itself.

I sigh before answering.

"It was my mother's and now it's yours."

I raise my hand to stop her protests before they begin and explain.

"Understand," I plead. "This necklace was forged to protect its owner as long at it hangs from your neck, you are safe. Aquamarine increases healing and instills calmness to help you with your fight. It's more than about ownership but about me knowing you're safe. Please just accept this."

I see her bite her bottom lip until it turns a vibrant red and release the pressure.

Wordlessly, Willow passes me the priceless heirloom and I am too eager when she turns her back toward me.

I smile as I maneuver each rose-tinted hair away and clip the necklace in place.

I pass her the last box and grin at her playful glare.

"It's the last one," I say weakly smiling sheepishly.

She opens the last box and draws back surprised at the contents.

Inside, it's filled with pieces of paper folded into its smallest proportions.

"There's over a thirty reasons why I care for you in that box. "

I watch her carefully as sets the box down as if it's made of glass and hurries to my side.

Suddenly, her lips are upon mine and I can't breathe let alone think.

I turned my head to meet her kiss without thinking and feel my palm again the smooth warm skin of her neck.

Both hands grip me closer by face holding my cheekbones.

I feel like I'm burning as her skin touches mine burning me to the core.

I feel her tongue dance and invite me in and I answer its call breathless.

Shivers begin at the nape of my neck and I feel parts of me stiffen in a most perculiar way.

I am breathing but feel breathless.

I am too hold and cold and I don't know what to do.

I stiffen in fear of the unknown.

Willow eases the pressure at my tension, each kiss soft and slow and comforting.

Each kiss calms down until it is languid relaxed in a practiced dance that makes me simmer at every touch but not burn.

As soon as I am comfortable again, I feel Willow's lips depart.

My lips down turn at Willow's separation.

"I didn't get you a present."

I furrow my brow confused as to why this mattered right now.

"You already gave what I wanted."

I say truthfully and confused but still holding her close.

"What was that?"

Is she deliberately being obtuse?

I search her eyes for a moment before answering finding that care I've wanted for such a long time.

"To be with the one I love."

Author's Note: Sorry! Only one more chapter left! I know you probably don't care but I'm getting bombarded by schoolwork so sorry this story is so late! I did manage to write over two thousand words though!

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