Chapter 6: Give You Anything
"Mm…"
Kaede opened her eyes and sat straight up, stunned. Lying in the bed of her house, she felt her eyes sting…was that a dream? Had she…not found him?
The more she thought about it, the more she knew it had to be. Life wasn't that easy, was it? With a heavy sigh, she wandered from bed and down the stairs to start another miserable day…
"My God, Sleeping Beauty rises."
She jumped and squealed, putting her arms up defensively. Wait…opening her eyes, she felt her heart flutter.
Steiner.
Sitting at their table, he was drinking a cup of coffee and reading the paper, raising an eyebrow at her.
"It's just me, Bruce Lee, I'm not going to jump you, I swear" he smirked.
She scowled and dropped her eyes, exhaling, absolutely relieved, "So I did find you…"
He laughed softly, standing, and walking over to her, "Of course you did. I wanted to be in bed when you woke up…but…"
She frowned, looking up at him, "But…?"
"When I walked into this house, I nearly had a heart attack. You wouldn't make a good housewife, angel, cleaning is essential" he teased.
She gasped and hit him playfully, "I wasn't even here that much after you left! It's not that bad."
He snickered but tilted his head softly, "You didn't stay here…?"
She bowed her head, blushing, "I…was lonely without you."
He smiled and knelt down, kissing her passionately. She blushed even more and found herself turning her head to giggle…wow, when'd she become such a girl? He smirked.
"My kissing makes you laugh?"
"No" she smiled.
She stared at him for a moment and was startled to find a series of hickeys lining down his neck to his chest. She gawked.
"You whore! We were separated for, what? Three weeks?!"
"Wha?"
"All those-those hickeys!" she snapped, feeling irritated.
He stared at her before laughing, walking into the kitchen, "Angel, you were delirious, weren't you?"
"What…?"
"Well, you were the one making out with me on the street like we only had seconds to live" he chuckled, bringing her coffee and a bagel.
She flustered as he sat her at the table, "I-I did that…?"
He grinned seductively, "Believe me, I didn't mind at all…"
"I bet you didn't" she smirked at him.
Chuckling, he finished his coffee and sighed, "Your brother came over while you were asleep…he's gotten even more friendly!"
"He thought it was over" she sighed, "I'm sorry…I'll try to talk to him."
He stared at her and smiled warmly, "I like it more when you're not…disliking me."
She laughed, "I would hope so…I'll make it up to you, I promise."
He reached across the table, rubbing her hand. She stared down at his and noticed that his complexion was lighter. She didn't spend as much time in the sun but she had at least a remnant of a tan. Him, not so much. Kaede knew he was a foreigner, however, she was yet to find out where he was from, what he did…what was his last name…
…
"Steiner" she sighed, looking him in the eye.
"Hmm?"
"I…I want to be with you. But…promise that you'll let me in on…some of your past and things about yourself…"
"Anything" he nodded.
"What do you do besides the whole…robbery thing?"
His eyes shifted upward and he blushed, "…I…don't really want to tell you yet."
She grumbled and he blushed even more, "It's not that it's bad, Kaede, it's just that it's really, really embarrassing…along with my last name. I'll tell you but I'm not ready for you to laugh in my face just yet."
She gasped, "Steiner! I wouldn't laugh in your face!"
"Yea, you would, believe me" he sighed almost miserably.
"Fine…where are you from? You're not Japanese, right?" she relented, hoping he could answer that without embarrassment.
"I'm half and half. My father's German and my mother is Japanese."
She blinked, surprised, "German? That actually makes sense…"
"I guess…" he said absently, rubbing the back of her hand, "It's…it's not weird to you, is it?"
"Of course not!" she gasped, "My grandfather, my daddy's daddy, is half-American and half-Japanese. I just wanted to know more about you…"
He smiled, "Ah…"
He seemed to be thinking for a moment before leaning across the table, nuzzling her nose, "I will tell you anything you want but…it might take some getting used to for me. You understand, right?"
She stared at him before nodding, "But c'mon, what's your last name?"
He just groaned.
Tonight was 'Christmas Eve' and Kaede felt her heart bang painfully against her chest as she prepared everything. Christmas was considered a romantic girlfriend-boyfriend holiday in Japan. However, her parents celebrated as it was in America as that's how her dad was raised…so tomorrow, she'd be spending said holiday at her parent's.
But this was the first time that she had a boyfriend and she wanted to spend it with him…so she was going to use the 'Christmas Eve'. Tonight… she was willing.
She came to her feet quickly as the door opened and Steiner walked in, yawning for a moment before staring at her, wide-eyed. She blushed and smiled, "Welcome home…"
"Thanks…uh…what's…going on?" he said very slowly, staring around as if he wasn't sure he was supposed to be there.
"I, uh, told you I was going to my parent's house for Christmas…but…you're my boyfriend so I have to spend a little alone time with you, right?" she laughed nervously.
"Oh…" he said, closing the door, "I didn't take you for…being so romantic."
She'd shut off the lights and put candles on the table, the fire blazing in the hearth. A bowl of strawberries and melted chocolate sat on the coffee table…she felt proud though. She wasn't romantic at all but he seemed to think so…but she had one more thing in store for him.
She pulled the ties of her red robe with bunnies on it undone before pushing the material off her shoulders. Steiner's eyes widened as she flushed and mumbled, "Y-you picked it out so you better like it…"
The time they'd went shopping and he'd picked out what she was supposed to wear around on his birthday felt like such a long time ago…but she found it and thought it seemed appropriate. It was pink and white, something she despised, really. It was a silk and lacy very short nightgown that had a split coming up to the diamond jewel holding the bra closed. The thong was really small and uncomfortable and she almost couldn't wait for…
She turned completely red as he groaned, closing his eyes, "Damn, Kaede…"
She pouted, "You don't like it?"
"I love it…" he purred, walking toward her after kicking off his shoes, coming to his knees and dropping hot kisses on her revealed stomach, "I didn't know it was my birthday…"
"Maybe I'll walk around naked for your birthday then" she pursed her lips, pinking, "I might as well…this is almost like being naked."
He grinned, "Even better."
She smirked and grasped his hands, pulling him to sit down near the fire. Dipping a strawberry into the chocolate, she looked at him coyly, "You like strawberries, right…?"
He looked at her seductively, "I can think of other things I'd rather have at the moment but I love strawberries…"
She sat face forward in his lap and he chuckled, "Kaede, this is turning into the best Christmas ever."
She snickered and fed him the strawberry which he ate slow, eyeing her lustfully. Chocolate dribbled down the side of his lip and she leaned forward, licking the trail slowly and he moaned. She could feel him against her leg. Smiling, she dipped another for him and frowned as the sticky sugar got on her hand. Steiner chuckled huskily and ate the strawberry before slowly sucking the chocolate off her fingertips. She flushed and leaned forward, kissing him, tasting him, the sweet fruit, and chocolate all in one intoxicating kiss as she unbuttoned his shirt.
Author's Note: In compliance with FF's rules, this section has been removed. You can find the full chapter on Archive of Our Own.
"Oh…" Kaede groaned, hugging what felt like Steiner's arm, nestling it between her breasts, unbeknownst.
Opening her eyes, she felt rather sore…but a weirdly good kind of sore. She blushed a little when she looked over her shoulder at the naked Steiner, his skin glowing in the milky winter sunlight. Kissing the hand she was holding, she watched his fingers flex slowly before he moaned, snuggling closer to her and burying his face into her neck.
"Mm, Kae-chan, I had the best fantasy…"
She scowled. After everything she did last night, he still had a fantasy? Whore…
"You were almost naked at the door…and there was chocolate…and we had amazing sex…"
Kaede cocked a brow and smirked at him, "Oh…did it look something like…this?"
He opened his eyes and blinked, "Oh, what do you know!"
She snickered and turned over, hugging his slender hips as he chuckled, snuggling against her, "Well then, I am one very happy man. I wondered why I wasn't feeling so…frisky."
Kaede shook her head as she dropped a kiss over his shoulder, "I don't think 'frisky' describes it, dear."
"Maybe not" he rumbled, stroking her hair and closing his eyes, "Thank you…it was…wonderful."
"Just 'wonderful'?" she pouted.
He grinned and nuzzled her cheek, "So wonderful I couldn't begin to properly put it into words."
She smiled softly and closed her eyes before gasping, bolting up, "It's Christmas!"
He blinked, "So it is…"
Excited, she darted out of bed and pulled on her striped pajama bottoms before darting down the steps, barely sparing a moment to pull on the matching tank top. Steiner followed, pulling on a pair of jogging shorts, confused.
"I thought the Japanese didn't celebrate Christmas…" he frowned.
"Daddy's family did and it's like my favorite holiday!" she said happily, humming as she went to the kitchen, "Keiji and I would always wake up extra early to get my parents up so we could get our presents."
He stared at her strangely, "Oh…"
"Sometimes it would be so I could show them the silly little thing I made them as presents" she bit her lip, "I was so proud of some dumb picture frame I glued beads to and put some horrible picture I drew in…but mama and daddy loved it, or at least pretended to."
The smile reappeared on Steiner's face and he chuckled, probably having seen these 'masterpieces' of hers around her parent's house.
"I think they like them" he commented, sitting down at the table.
"Oh, of course they did" she sighed, walking in with two cups of steaming cocoa from the Keurig and premade cinnamon buns, "They're my parents and they wouldn't want to hurt my feelings."
He watched her and scowled, "No Kaede, some parents wouldn't feel it necessary…your parents love you and all the little things you did and do."
She frowned and stared at him, puzzled, "Steiner…?"
He blinked for a moment, seeming startled, before laughing, "Sorry…"
She shook her head and he visibly swallowed, standing, "Here, I'll, uh, make a healthier breakfast."
Kaede pouted, "This is Christmas breakfast. Cinnamon buns and hot chocolate. This is my family tradition."
He stared at her for a moment before smirking and sighing, "Fine, sugar attack it is…"
She stuck out her tongue and tore a piece of the pastry, extending her hand and pressing it to his lips. He gave her a tiny smile before opening his mouth, taking the piece…and her fingers. Giving him a look as he suggestively sucked the appendages, he grinned when she pulled away.
"I think I like this tradition."
"Well, that was never a part of it, I believe."
"Good heavens, I hope not."
She giggled and tore off another piece, feeding it to herself before feeding him again. He watched her before clearing his throat, "Kae…you…you didn't get me anything, did you?"
"Of course I did" she frowned, confused, before she looked thoughtful, "You didn't get me anything, did you?"
He stiffened and sputtered indignantly, "Of cou-course I did!"
She smiled at him, "It's all right, Steiner, you got me the house and other things."
He scowled and looked at his feet, mumbling, "I…I didn't think you'd make such a big deal of it…"
"I'm not!" she scowled in return.
He grunted and stood, mumbling, "I'm…I'm going to go take a shower."
She looked at him sadly, standing as well, "Did I upset you? If you don't want to do the Christmas thing with me then all you have to do is say so."
He grimaced and reached out, pulling her into his arms, "I'm not upset, Kaede, just…I don't know, Christmas…they…we didn't make a big deal of it growing up. And it always seemed so…"
"Materialistic?" she nodded.
He stared at her surprised, "Well, yea, actually-"
"Grandma says that's what the holiday's been reduced too" she sighed, resting her cheek against his chest, "But you know, I liked the presents my family spent all that time getting for me…but I always liked more that I was with them too."
He went silent for a moment before smiling almost wistfully, "They…raised you well, Kaede. I envy you."
"What…?"
"Never mind. Here…why don't you join me in the shower?" he questioned, his broody tone shifting back to his normal seductiveness.
She stared up at him with a furrowed brow before nodding and allowing him to take her toward their room…what?
"Merry Christmas!" Kaede proclaimed when the door opened, diving into her father's arms.
"Merry Christmas to you too, princess" he chuckled, hugging her tightly and kissing her cheek.
She released him cheerfully and took the bag of presents from Steiner. He stood back awkwardly, staring at the home strangely. He'd been over a dozen times but now it just seemed so…cheery. Koji took his daughter's hand, smiling at her.
"C'mon, let me show you the tree."
"Okay!"
Steiner frowned after her…great, he'd been abandoned. Standing awkwardly by the doorway, he wondered if anyone would notice if he just left…
"Ah, Steiner-kun!"
He looked toward the voice and smiled lightly at Kaede's mother, "Hello, haha-ue…"
"Oh dear, did Kaede leave you?" she frowned.
"Huh? Oh, uh, her dad dragged her off to see the tree…"
She chuckled, "Usually Koji, Keiji, and Kaede go out early Christmas Eve to find a tree to cut down. They'd drag it back here and we'd all decorate it. He was a little upset when she said she couldn't do it this year."
He bit his lip. That was because of him…
"But never mind all that! Here, since I don't want you to be mauled by the boys, why don't you come help us ice cookies?"
He had to laugh, "Wow, haha-ue, that almost sounds rather emasculating."
"Oh, hardly. Only the manliest of men can ice cookies" she nodded, grabbing his arm.
He chuckled, "Then I'm honored."
Leading him to the kitchen, he did a double take at all the food. Staring around, wide-eyed, he finally questioned incredulously. "You cooked all this? For Christmas?"
Yes, they cooked a lot for the seemingly popular 'dinner night' but this was going over the top! The pink-haired woman giggled, "It was a labor of love."
"A huge labor of love! Is there more people than normal?" he questioned, shaking his head as he sat in front of the cookies he was supposed to ice.
"Well, of course there's Nelly, Elli, Kyo, Jyun, Hoshiko, Shin, Lyla, Hotaru, Nara, Koushiro-"
"Who?" questioned Steiner, bewildered, not recognizing the last three names.
"Oh, those are Shin's children! They're always too busy with something or the other to come for random events!"
"Oh…uh, who else?"
"Jill and Cliff, of course, with Takeru, Carrie, Jilliana. Tony and his wife, Karen and their children, Sheri and Vaughn. Oh dear, then you have Shaun and his wife, Ann, with their daughter Lena and their son, Ralph, with his other daughter, Vanessa. My mother and father and Koji's mother and father…Cliff's father decided to join us this year too and Cliff invited his sisters Nyoko and Kelis and Nyoko and Kelis brought their husbands, Kenji and Tojo respectively. Cliff's mother is here but I doubt she'll make it past gifts since her and Jill don't get along. Oh, two of Koji's friends came too, from college. Keiba and Domon with their wives, Faye and Sarah, their children Kenji, Rue, Alice, and Ally…and I think that's it" she frowned, pondering.
Steiner gawked, now realizing why the talking happened to be so deafening in the other room.
"Haha-ue, that's…42 people?"
"Not including me, Koji, Kaede, you, Keiji, Miru, and Rosa" she sighed, though happily.
He swallowed and winced, "Maybe I should leave to make that number smaller."
"Dear, one person hardly affects anything with those numbers" she waved her hand, "And Kaede would have a fit if you left."
"She probably won't even see me with fifty people in the house" he groaned.
"Not your thing?" she smiled warmly.
He grimaced and shook his head, "Not that, I just…I didn't have such a huge…family. Kaede's all over this because it's a family thing but I…don't understand, as pathetic as that sounds."
"Oh, it's not pathetic at all" she shook her head, "I guess it may be difficult to understand this. Koji has five siblings alone."
"God, that's right…"
"Yes, and when you marry them each off, that doubles, then each have two or three kids…it just kind of becomes that way, I suppose, but if your parent was an only child…"
"We…just never did this sort of thing" he mumbled lowly.
"Then you should go mingle with everyone, get adjusted" she suggested, mixing something in a bowl.
"Well, now I'm rather nervous I'll get mauled out there" he sighed.
"Oh, hardly. Kaede will protect you if it comes to that."
He grimaced and stood, nodding slowly as he shuffled toward the living room.
Oh dear God, they could populate a small city.
Almost shirking back into the empty kitchen, Elli rushed by with Jill following, "We found all the plates we have at our houses, Popuri! We're ready to cook now!"
With this many people, he would have required everyone to bring their own plate, sheesh…
"Steiner!"
He pasted on a smile quickly as Kaede walked over to him, grasping his arm and pulling him down to kiss her. He was stunned but didn't pull away until she did. Laughing nervously, he didn't turn to see everyone's reaction. "Uh, trying to get me killed?"
"No, silly, you're under the mistletoe!" she said happily.
He raised his head and looked up. Sure enough…Keiji grumbled.
"I knew that was a bad idea…"
Kaede stuck her tongue out at him and Yagami Yamada cleared his throat, "I haven't met this gentlemen yet, Kae-chan."
Steiner glanced at the man speaking and got a strange respectful air from him. He had blond hair which was kind of strange in the sea of mostly brunettes so he had to wonder who he was.
"Ah, yea, grandpa! This is Steiner. Steiner, this is my daddy's daddy, Yagami Yamada."
Woah, her grandfather. Not sure what this situation called for, he bowed lowly and smiled nervously, "Nice to meet you, sir…"
"A pleasure" the man replied, "Steiner, hmm? Not from around here, I suspect?"
"You could say that…"
"Hello! I'm Yagami Dana, Kaede's grandmother! I'm so happy she has a boyfriend. Now she acts like she's at least somewhat interested in clothes like a girl" sighed the woman, coming over to stand beside her husband.
"Grandma!" proclaimed Kaede, embarrassed.
Steiner had to chuckle a little, "She still has some…masculine qualities which are endearing all the same."
Kaede glowered at him and he simply grinned as a strangely blondish brunette guy came over. He had weirdly purple eyes…man, what a crowd.
"Helloooo. Kaede's BF, right? Well, I'm just here to let you know that if Koji or any of his brothers die, I'm supposed to be the one that glares and makes threats at you. It's in their will" Keiba said, a glaring look on his face.
Steiner's eyes widened, puzzled, and Kaede had to laugh, "Uncle Keiba, really now, don't scare him."
Steiner was surprised as the man's countenance instantly melted into a jovial grin, "My bad."
"He's kidding, naturally" Kaede giggled, rubbing Steiner's arm.
"Yea, I could never be as psychopathic as those clowns" Keiba sighed.
"Who's psychopathic?" questioned Koji, appearing rather suddenly and running his fist into his open palm threateningly.
"Oh, you know, ends with a Y, starts with a U…"
Koji opened his mouth but promptly shut it, staring at his old friend before shaking his head though laughing, "You are an idiot."
"Hey, I'm the idiot? Everyone knows that spells Ukraine…y."
Steiner had to laugh as Koji just stared at Keiba, "Keiba, you never change…I really don't know if it's a good or bad thing."
"Everyone needs a constant in their life" agreed Keiba happily.
Koji just chuckled when Popuri called him in the distance. Wandering off, Keiba glanced over his shoulder and sighed, "Cliff's mom's at it again…"
Steiner and Kaede looked back at where the black haired woman was slowly raising her voice about, apparently, her son for marrying 'such a bimbo' and Cliff was vehemently telling her off. Jill just looked sad since, apparently, her mother-in-law couldn't accept her still after probably…twenty years? Dana grumbled.
"Almost fifty years later and she still acts like that. I should go give that bitch a piece of my mind."
Steiner stifled any sound of amusement since he found a grandmother cursing rather funny, despite the reason. Her husband sighed and shook his head as the woman stomped out and Jill looked upset. Another blond man came to stand by them, sipping wine.
"Cliff thought there was some political reason I left his mother…I just don't know how to handle her" he murmured absently, apparently Cliff's father.
"Meh, I don't see how you stood her for a second, damn her!" snapped Cliff, marching over toward the refreshment table, picking up a glass of wine.
"Cliff…" said Nelly, who was sitting nearby, in a warning tone.
Cliff just brought the glass to his lips before he stopped and grimaced, slowly setting it down and taking a deep breath before walking back to console his wife. Steiner blinked. What was that deal?
"A new face…"
Steiner looked to yet another person he'd never met. The older man had red hair and light blue eyes, leaving the side of a woman who looked exactly like Popuri to chat with yet another younger pink haired woman…must be her parents.
"Grandpa, this is my boyfriend, Steiner" introduced Kaede.
The man's brows instantly furrowed, "…Boyfriend? Are you old enough to have a boyfriend?"
'Great, there goes another one', Steiner thought dryly, keeping himself from rolling his eyes. Kaede sighed, "I'm 19, grandpa…"
"I just don't want you to end up like your mother: pregnant with a clueless boyfriend" he grumbled.
"Grandpa!" pouted Kaede, rather angrily, "Don't talk about my daddy like that!"
"The man didn't even bother once to come and check up on his fiancée? You'll find some men have other affairs to attend to."
Kaede gawked and Steiner stared at him, eyes wide. What the what was happening? Dinner nights weren't like this! Dana wheeled on him, leering, "How dare you talk about my son that way?!"
"Your son's no saint and you know it! Bedding my little girl before properly marrying her, plaguing her with some illegitimate child! I can only imagine where he got it from though!"
Why did Steiner feel like he just entered fight club? Koji's father was clearly stunned but his mother? Oh, that's where that deathly aura came from…who were they even talking about though? He'd seen Kaede's parent's wedding pictures, she was conceived after that.
Kaede gasped though but not like she'd been personally attacked. Looking at her, he followed her gaze to a quickly retreating figure. Keiji?
Oh wait, he was the oldest, wasn't he? …Ouch.
"Keiji!" Kaede called, rushing after him.
Yamada finally growled, "You have a lot of nerve…"
"Why? Because the apple doesn't fall far from the tree?" the red-haired man continued coldly.
Yamada gaped and Dana looked like she was ready to kill. Alas, Koji, the main subject of this attack, wandered back in as the room had fallen rather silent.
"Well gee, talk louder, will you? I don't think our neighbors down the street can hear you" Koji said sarcastically.
The man grunted and Koji continued, "Say all you want about me but I'd prefer if you don't talk about my brothers or parents…and especially my son, your grandson. Think as badly of me as you want but that is your daughter's child."
"After all this time, you don't think you made this a done deal, impregnating my daughter? Disappearing for nine months? Not sure you wanted to take on the responsibility of using her as an 'easy lay'? I heard you were good at those."
Steiner had to grimace. Holy crap. Koji's gazed darkened considerably and that expression on his face was so forebodingly ambiguous, Steiner felt a shiver run down his spine. Koji finally opened his mouth though, retorting calmly.
"I'm not perfect. I'm guilty of a select few things you suggested and it was selfish of me to run off for nearly a year for my own personal gain…but then, at least my children won't ever call me a deadbeat, will they, Rod?"
The man's cheeks lit indignantly before he growled, stomping from the house. Koji glared after him before a rather indulgent smile crossed his face. "Well, we fished out the two unwanted ones quicker than usual, eh?"
"Little bit rougher dialogue than 'usual' though" coughed Nelly, "You should probably go check on Keiji."
"I'll go apologize to Keiji" sighed the older pink haired woman, apparently Popuri's mother who looked on weakly, "I really don't know what to do when that moron gets like that…"
Steiner watched the two walk off and almost laughed ruefully. And he thought his family had issues…
"Okay! Let's open gifts first!" said Popuri in an overly cheerful tone.
When the woman finally rushed out of the kitchen to find out what was going on, Keiba told her and she almost rushed out of the house… with a knife. While Steiner had trouble imagining Kaede's sweet mother stabbing anyone, luckily Koji came back, stopped her, and assured her that killing him wouldn't help anyone. Keiji also returned and sat silently on the couch but that was about all. There were too many people to stay sad, Steiner supposed.
After they ate though, the gifts came out. Ugh, he'd look like such a loser…
Kaede was nearly buried under brightly wrapped boxes that she ripped into. She got a lot of random stuff. She laughed happily upon opening her…twelfth, "Yay, Guitar Hero!"
Steiner chuckled and her grandmother shoved a semi-large box into her hands, "I hope they fit!"
Steiner blinked curiously as she ripped the paper. A shoe box…? A really big one, but…she pulled off the lid and 'oohed', taking out one of the…shoes.
Steiner's eyes widened at the thigh high black leather stiletto boots that wrinkled stylishly. He told himself not to gawk and not to let his mind go to all those places because at least one person here was psychic. Kaede blushed. "I've never worn stilettos before…Carrie does but I was always too nervous to."
"Oh, you'll pick it up easily enough" said Dana happily.
"What do you think, Steiner?" questioned Jyun, crossing his arms.
Damn, there was the psychic one. Or at least fellow perv. Steiner smiled carefully, "They're nice…designer…"
"Of course! Only the best for my grandbaby!" Dana said proudly.
Kaede gasped, "Oh daddy, really?!"
Steiner turned to her to see her holding two tickets. Koji smiled, "Of course. Italy is the capitol of art, you know? Just if one of your necklaces gets taken at an opening, don't chase after them…"
Steiner nearly choked on air and Kaede smiled quickly, "Of course, daddy, that won't happen again."
Miru wandered over to her and gave her a present, blushing happily, "Open my gift, sister!"
She smiled and pulled him to sit in her lap while she opened the present. She cooed, "Oh, Miru-chan, it's pretty! Did you make this?"
He nodded happily. Steiner smiled. It was a dream catcher made out of popsicle sticks, yarn, and plastic feathers…but it was cute. Rosa giggled and handed her a pressed flower that she'd made into a keychain. Kaede laughed, kissing the girl's forehead.
"That's our future florist."
Steiner smiled almost wistfully. He almost wished he'd had siblings growing up…but to think he'd want to put anyone else through that was just inhumane.
His eyes widened when Miru held something out to him. He stared at the little pink-haired boy before looking down at the box, confused, "For me…?"
"Uh huh!"
Oh great, the kids had made him something and he didn't even bring anything for his own girlfriend. Opening the box, he gingerly took out the white ribbon embroidered with silver to look like a snowflake. Miru nodded.
"It's a hair band. Grandma taught me how to embroider!"
"Don't teach my son weird, girly things, mother" scowled Koji.
"A good man knows how to sew, Koji! You do too!" she scolded.
Koji rolled his eyes, "Yea, yea…"
Steiner sheepishly pulled back his hair, tying it with the ribbon, "Thank you…I love it."
Miru giggled childishly before darting back over to sit between his parents. Rosa gave him a keychain flower similar to Kaede's except it was white and silvery. His stomach flopped with absolute guilt. Popuri, though, pulled out another box and handed it across the large group…to him.
Oh, mother of God, Kaede's parents got him something.
Steiner laughed, extremely nervous, "Y-you guys didn't have to get me anything…"
"Yea, Popuri, especially since there are two tickets to Italy" grumbled Koji under his breath.
Steiner gulped silently, stunned. Her father and mother got him…two separate gifts?
"Oh, psh posh!" Popuri waved her hand, "Christmas is about giving, you know?"
Steiner swallowed and carefully tore the paper, opening the box. It was a very nice creamy white cashmere sweater. It had to have cost a lot…
"T-thank you…"
"You're welcome" smiled Popuri.
Steiner felt sick as Kaede smiled and pulled out something from her bag, handing it to him, "Merry Christmas, Steiner."
He stared at her, almost pleading her not to give him anything, but took the gift and unwrapped the small box slowly. Keiji looked mortified.
"Oh my God, don't tell me you-"
"It's a promise ring, Keiji, not an engagement ring, I swear" she stuck out her tongue at her brother.
Steiner stared at the silver Celtic designed ring with a white crystal settled in the middle… he slid it on his finger and bit his lip. It fit perfectly…he forced a smile and turned to her.
"Thanks."
"You don't like it?" she asked softly.
"N-no, that's not it-"
"What did you get Kaede?" questioned Keiji suddenly, crossing his arms.
Steiner froze and Kaede scowled at him, "About giving, remember, Keiji? Besides, Steiner never celebrated Christmas like this and I didn't tell him that it would be this way either."
"I saw your house, Kaede, it's obvious how you feel about this holiday" grunted Keiji.
Steiner bowed his head lowly and felt utterly miserable. Kaede looked upset. He could only think that was his fault…however…
"Keiji, why do you always have to be so mean to Steiner? He's never done anything to you…"
Steiner nearly trembled. Maybe he just deserved it. Keiji scowled, "Because I still don't think you should be living with a guy that we just met!"
"I know him! Just because I was right about you guys having a panic attack over me having a boyfriend and hid him doesn't mean that I don't know him!"
Did she know him…? She knew what he told her, but…but what was that…? Steiner swallowed.
"I just think you could do better" muttered Keiji.
She could…
"You don't know Steiner at all so how would you know that?! I hate you, Keiji!"
"All right, all right" Koji quickly waved his hand, "Keiji…leave your sister alone."
All heads snapped toward him, surprised, and Nelly opened his mouth slowly, "Woah…bro, are you feeling all right?"
Koji scowled and shook his head, "It's insulting to question who my daughter wants to be with. I raised her so I know I can trust that she can make the right decisions for her life…that goes for all of you."
Kaede stared at him, bright-eyed, "Daddy…"
Keiji went conspicuously silent before sighing, "Whatever…"
Koji smiled, picking up Rosa and rubbing his nose against hers, "Except you…what did daddy tell you about boys?"
"Boys are icky!"
"That's my girl."
Miru pouted, "I'm not icky."
"Not at all, sweetie" laughed Popuri.
And the merriment continued. Kaede smiled, seeming content. Steiner stood up shakily…she looked to him and frowned.
"Steiner, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing…I'm-I'm going outside for some fresh air, okay? I-I'll be back in a bit."
She could probably tell by his voice that something was wrong. Standing quickly to follow him, she reached for her coat. "Wait, I'll come with you!"
"No" he said quickly and bluntly, "Stay here with your family. I'll be back."
She swallowed, folding her hands in front of her and nodded, "All right…I'm-I'm sorry if Keiji upset you."
"No…that's…that's not it" he mumbled.
"Is it about the presents? It's all right. I'm glad just to be with you, you know…?"
"Kaede…" mumbled Steiner.
"I'm sorry…" she murmured, bowing her head, "Just…"
"I'll be back, promise…"
She lifted her chin and finally smiled, "Okay…uh, Steiner…"
He sighed, "Yea?"
"I, uh, love you…"
His hand faltered on the door knob and he just let it linger in mid-air for a moment, stunned, before turning to look at her, to see if she was serious. She was blushing, looking at him sincerely. He swallowed deeply and whispered.
"I…I love you too…"
She blushed even more before rushing over to him, kissing his cheek before backing away and waving at him. "Don't be outside too long. I don't want you to catch a cold."
"…All right" he murmured.
Walking out into the night he stared at the snow that fell in light wisps. They…they weren't selfish at all. His…father told him that anyone that celebrated Christmas was but…but they still gave him things happily when he gave them nothing in return. They dealt with insane relatives but still came together anyway. Her father? Her father, the guy that seemed to hate his guts, accepted him as Kaede's choice…?
…Kaede…loved him?
He looked at his hand, at the ring, the promise ring, before biting his lip. And he couldn't bring himself to buy his girlfriend a gift…? Because of all his father's…bull? All…all of it…every last money…mongering bit…
He whimpered and leapt off into the night. It made him sad to say it but Keiji was right…
Kaede could do so much better.
Kaede hugged her knees, sitting in the center of her bed, watching the snow fall outside in the dawn. Stifling a sob, she lied down on her side and stared at the empty spot.
He never came back so she thought he'd just gone home…but when she got there, he was nowhere to be found. Had everything upset him so much? That wasn't her intentions. Had she scared him? She thought…she thought it would have been nice to tell him that she cared about him but…
Jumping up when she heard the door slam downstairs, she quickly rushed out of the bedroom and down the steps. Steiner stood at the door, pulling off his shoes. He was almost pure white, his lips pale. He looked like…snow. Kaede grimaced. Had he been walking around all night?
"Hey…" he said, his voice scratchy, "Did I wake you?"
"I never went to sleep! Where have you been?" she demanded.
"Out…" he murmured vaguely, "I was just thinking…"
"You look like you're going to freeze to death!" she said fiercely, grabbing his hands and nearly flinching away. They were like ice cubes.
"Kae…"
"Sit down" she commanded, pushing him on the floor.
"Kae-"
She started a fire quickly and knelt in front of him, peeling his wet sweater off of his body and grimacing at the thin undershirt he wore. Taking that off too, she stripped him down to his boxers and pulled a quilt around him before rushing off to get him a cup of hot tea. Giving it to him, she stared as he silently sipped it. He looked up to her and whispered.
"I'm sorry…"
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I…I didn't think Christmas would bother you so much" she bowed her head.
He shook his head, "It wasn't the Christmas…it was that I…I didn't know. I didn't know that people could…be like that, could be so giving when so much negativity is around them. Just to unite for the purpose of being together and-and I…I've never had that."
She blinked and he bowed his head, "Your mother and siblings gave me stuff and I didn't even have anything to give you. It almost seemed more selfish than expecting anything…"
"It's no problem, Steiner" she insisted, "You really didn't know-"
"I did know, Kaede" he said firmly, "I just…I hate stuff like that, you know? I hate it when people make such a big deal out of receiving ungratefully…but I watched all of your relatives hand out gifts to each other, the excitement in the faces of those that were giving… and there I was, completely empty handed. I was…embarrassed…and ashamed."
She shook her head, "That you're here now is gift enough, Steiner."
"Is it?" he questioned bitterly, "Your dad seems to think that you made the right decision, being with me, which obviously makes me out to be a good guy. But no, how'd I get you to be with me? I stole something symbolically important to you, pretty much forced you to have sex with me, and pushed my way into your life…and look, I'm even still going out and stealing. I'm not a good person. Your brother's right: I'm not worthy of you and I never will be."
Kaede sniffed before hugging against him, resting her cheek against his cool chest, "You are a good man. You…you make me feel good about myself, you make me laugh, you make me happy. Just because you made some mistakes-"
"Some mistakes? My whole life is a mistake, Kaede."
"It is not!" she snapped, "It is insulting to say you're not worthy of me becauseI chose you! I even went after you to get you back, didn't I? If I didn't think you were good I wouldn't feel the way I do…don't you know that?"
He stared at her before smiling sadly, "I…I want to be the right man for you…"
She kissed him and shook her head, "Enough of that. I need to get you warmed up."
"Kae…I got you something."
She grimaced, "Steiner-"
He took her hand and reached into the pocket of his discarded pants, pulling out a box, and pushing the ring inside over her finger. She gasped softly…it was a silver ring, the band reminding her of feathers coming together and connecting by a diamond. She teared up and his eyes widened.
"Wh-what? Did I do something wrong…again?"
She swiftly shook her head and pressed her lips against his firmly and hugged him, sniffling. He rubbed her back awkwardly before laughing softly, "I…I know it's not the best thing I could get you but when I saw it, I thought of you…my angel."
"It's beautiful…"
He smiled, closing his eyes, and Kaede murmured, "Steiner…I like the simple things too. The 'gaining' isn't important to me though I am appreciative. Just everything you do for me is enough, like snuggling on the couch or a warm bath when I get home. You don't need to give me fancy things. You know I'm not that sort of person."
Nodding softly, he kissed her cheek, "I know…but then, I'd give anything for you."
She smiled, falling asleep against him. Steiner bit his lip, feeling his smile became sad…
Just…was he willing to give that up…?
