Our first Christmas

Leon opened the door, trying very hard not to make a noise. He knew well enough that Yume would be sound asleep by now, and he didn't want to bother his hosts by waking her up. However, when he entered, he found out that the Naegino family was setting the table for dinner, Sora giving him one of her customary bright smiles, and her aunt and uncle nodding politely at him.

"You needn't have held dinner for me." He said, slightly embarrassed as he set down the paper bag containing the remaining pieces of today's desert. Julian, the man in whose restaurant Leon now worked as a cook, strongly believed that fresh pastry was the key to success and when there were some pieces left of the blueberry pie, he gave them to his employees.

"Nonsense." Sora said brightly, as if she wasn't supposed to get up early in the morning to go to work herself.

Leon sighed inwardly. It didn't matter how much he asked his kind hosts not to worry about him, they would always smile and fan his request off. Especially Sora. Didn't that woman understand that if she worked herself sick, things would only get worse? He could, of course, be more persuasive, but he didn't feel like yelling at her.

After all, in those days between her departure and his own leaving Kaleido stage, he had been worried enough. He kept asking himself if she was alright, if she was lying somewhere feeling sorry for herself, if she had gotten safely home, and not stayed crying on some bench in some foreign airport, lost and alone….Yes, it was safe to say Leon was too thankful that Sora was fine to feel angry with her for staying up until late.

"So, how is the work?" Sora's aunt asked him "Is everything alright?"

"Wonderful. Julian-san is very kind." Leon said "He gave me the Saturday off to go look at some apartments."

"You found something already?" Sora looked up at him, something resembling disappointment in her eyes.

"Yes." He nodded, but his gaze softened somehow "I made a few calls. There is an offer for a place nearby. It would allow me to keep my current job and come over to look after Yume."

"Surely this isn't necessary." Mr. Naegino said "You shouldn't waste your savings on an apartment if you're only going to sleep in it, Leon-san."

"That is so…" he nodded "However, I might stay longer in Japan and in order to do that I must find a place of my own. My working visa is valid for another four years here, so going back to France for now is not necessary. As for my guardians, they wouldn't care about what I do as long as I stay out of their way, so I believe that this is the best solution."

"But you can stay with us." Sora stated "There is no trouble, right?"

"At present. But I can't impose on your guardians' hospitality." Leon contradicted calmly "And you should go back to school in the spring. It would be most inconvenient for you to have a…man living at your house. Rumors may start."

Sora gaped at him-amazing! Even when she tried to talk about him, he went off and turned the subject towards her. He was so ridiculously impossible!

She couldn't care less for what people thought. Having finished school early to begin her career as an acrobat, the whole thing seemed a million miles away. What did it matter? Leon's behavior since he arrived had been impeccable. He worked, he looked after Yume, he was polite to everyone (coldly polite, but still). If rumors started, she wouldn't be the first one to contradict them.

Besides, she liked to have him so close. At cape Mary, she couldn't see him the way she did now. He allowed his softer side to show. Sora loved to watch him play with Yume, help around the house…when she got up early in the morning to go to work, she always gave herself time to watch his sleeping form on the couch. He was beautiful, even when he was snoozing away. She barely resisted the urge to reach out and touch his face, just to make sure he was real, but managed somehow-such frivolities were reserved for the stage, and only for the stage. The stage, to which she was no longer allowed.

Sora sighed while helping him wash the dishes. Her aunt and uncle had already gone to bed and, come to think of it, she had to do the same. But lately, she didn't have many chances to interact with him (other than those few minutes when she came back from work and he went out, when he handed her Yume and told her that lunch was on the table). It was nice to be close, even if they didn't speak to each other.

"Sora…" Leon called, while putting away the dishes "Do you have plans for Saturday?"

"No." she answered automatically, before giving him a weary look "Why?"

"I'd like you to come with me when I look at the apartment." He said slowly "I'm not…very confident with my Japanese, and I would hate to do something wrong."

"Oh…" of course "Sure, no problem. Just…just tell me when and…I'll come."

Is this really happening? Sora wondered as the two of them met the owner of the building and followed him to the apartment. It was a nice morning-a warm wind had come from South and had softened the usual crisp of the winter weather. Leon, of course, looked impeccable, and she…well, she had done his best to be presentable.

He had introduced her immediately as a relative, probably to dispel some unsaid assumption that they were lovers, and put the owner at ease. The man, indeed, spoke more freely when he heard the assurance, although Sora was sure Leon's cold demeanor would destroy any assumptions whatsoever without vocalization.

The landowner opened the door and showed them around, then left them to look for themselves. The building was relatively new, and the apartment still had that smell of working materials that usually hits your nose when you pass a construction site; the blank walls, that held no markings of paintings and nails; and that sterile, strange feel to it, as if it begged for someone to come in and give it some life. The man told them he had bought it while it was still being made, but then his boss had transferred him to a firm in China, so he couldn't use it.

Sora like the high ceilings and big windows-they gave it the feeling of space and freedom. It was almost like the stage, when she grabbed onto the trapeze and swung into the open. She could definitely see Leon living in a place like this. She also noticed, not without embarrassment, that she was picturing herself…living there with him. Waking up every morning and…Sora stopped herself there, before she turned redder than her hair.

I shouldn't have gone there, she scolded herself, now I'm going to think of that all day!

"Sora…" Leon called for her "Could you please come here?"

With a sigh, she quickly stepped to his side and tried to distract herself with the conversation going on. They were discussing the height of the ceilings, as it was. The landowner said they weren't high enough. Leon made a sound resembling a low growl and, instead of arguing, grabbed Sora through the waist and lifted her high above his head. If it hadn't been for the long practices and the many occasions she had been treated that way, Sora might have actually been terrified. Now, on the other hand, the man was close to suspecting something between those two…relatives…but what the Hell! Last time she checked, marriage between cousins was still legal in Japan.

Having won the argument without even making so much as a remark in his defense, Leon turned to the owner and continued the conversation. Sora, on the other hand, had to take a few moments to summon her muscles and remain as still as she usually was during such lifts.

"The apartment will be at your disposal after 30 days…" the man was just saying "And I will contact you when we have to settle the paperwork."

Leon gave Sora a look, and she nodded, confirming that he had gotten it right.

"Very well then." He said calmly "I will be waiting for your call. Thank you for your time."

The man smiled and left them.

"Leon-san…" Sora looked at her former partner "Why did he say 30 days? I thought you could move in immediately?"

"If I was renting, yes. But since I'm buying it, I must wait for the paperwork to be settled."

"Buying? But…" she stammered "Le-Leon-san…what do you mean…buy…"

"What I said. It would be most inconvenient to deal with rents and things when I could just have the place all for myself."

"But…but…" a sharp pain in her stomach muscles reminded her of the position in which she stood. "Leon-san…could you please set me down now?!"

They walked through the nearby park, as a shortcut to Sora's home. Even though the weather was warm enough, the trees were covered in snow, and the ground was sealed with frost. Several times, the petite girl had to brace herself on her companion, although he felt more annoyed because she immediately let go of him and apologized, other than because she did it in the first place.

While they advanced in a sluggish pace through the uncomfortable path, Leon explained to her that it would be much more convenient for him to buy a home rather than rent one, since he was planning on staying, and it would be much easier to obtain a permanent visa if he had a residence listed on his name. But why in Japan, she asked, slightly baffled-after all, it was no France, the food wasn't the same, the customs were different, and he had no apparent reason to stay. Leon just shrugged and told her that it didn't matter where he was.

"I've gone over homesickness a long time ago." He stated as-a-matter-of-fact "When my parents died, the relatives that took Sophie and me in didn't like us very much. Some old grudge with our father, I don't know. They weren't very happy with the career perspective that opened before us when Alan first wanted to coach us. They thought that circus is for freaks and lowlifes. Not that they weren't happy to dispose of us, but they were afraid of some public scandal linked to their name. So, they signed some documents, giving me the right to deal with our money however I choose, and in return we took our mother's maiden name." Leon sighed "Needless to say I never really thought of any other place as home afterwards."

"I understand, Leon-san…" Sora nodded comprehendingly. "But…why here?"

"Because Annett's influence here isn't the same as in France." He looked at her "If I ever wanted to go back to acrobatics…if you ever wanted…she wouldn't be such a threat."

Sora sighed. "Leon-san, I…I'm not sure I can be the same. Even though Annett-san cheated…I still don't think I can do it. It's…not because of her…or you…or anybody. It's me. I just can't find my heart."

Leon shook his head-of course, this was going to be harder than he imagined. Not only had Annett destroyed Sora's self-confidence, she had made her dead for the stage. It was terrible.

But then again, he wasn't any better, was he. He wasn't trying hard enough. Leon looked down at his feet, started feeling guilty…and then suddenly a large snowball smashed into his head. A second later he heard Sora challenge him and…well, he decided that at least she had some spirit left in her.

The fight was brief, Sora winning with 15:3 hits, but with all the chasing, ducking and falling, she was considerably wetter than Leon when they decided to call it truce and head home. Nevertheless, she was in good spirits, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. She barely registered him taking off his long coat and draping it over her shoulders to keep her from freezing.

They went home, changed into dryer clothes, and each headed out for his duties for the day. It was Christmas Eve that night, after all. There was much to do. Sora went to help her aunt with the cooking, Leon looked after Yume while helping Mr. Naegino set up the Christmas tree, and later everyone gathered around it, putting on decorations and joking about snow and surfing. The mood was light and Sora almost forgot about everything that had happened today…only to start thinking about it again when her aunt put Yume in bed and Leon told his hosts about his trip.

It wasn't like he could stay with them forever, Sora reasoned as she ran about the apartment, finding different little tasks to occupy herself with. Even if it took a while, they would eventually have to go on their respective ways. Actually, come to think of it, they would have to retire, and since there had never really been something between them, other than their bond as partners, they would have separated, eventually. So wasn't it better that it was happening before her feelings rooted too deep?

There was still some hope, in the corners of her heart. The apartment he had purchased was very big, too large for a sole person, especially if Leon intended only to sleep in it. But…-her thoughts taking an unwanted turn again-…the presumption that he wanted to set up a life there didn't exclude the possibility that he wasn't setting it up with her.

This is preposterous, he's not much older than I am, she thought, fighting the idea.

But he's definitely hot, the idea counter-attacked. He's living on his own, and he's charming, in a grim sort of way. Girls would kill to get his attention.

Sora got out on the balcony and looked at the night city, letting the cold ease off the bright flush on her cheeks. She knew there had been many before her…–partners that is-, who had tried to be Leon's partner and failed, not being able to live up to his standards. After all, none of them were capable of being like Sophie, and even now, Sora doubted that she was a suitable replacement…but she had never imagined that he thought about something other than completing the Angel's Act. Sure, he was a devoted person and had turned out to be a very nice guy, but…what if, maybe, there had been something going on with his partners at that gap of three years between the World festival and his joining Kaleido Stage?

A tap on the shoulder brought her to reality and she whooped around to face Leon.

"Leon-san…" she blinked "What is it?"

"Nothing. I just thought you should come back now. It's cold out here." He said, oblivious to the flush to her cheeks.

"Yeah…I'll be there in a minute…" she mumbled, but Leon made no move to go back "Is there…something the matter?"

"Well…" he mumbled, going through his pockets "I wasn't sure if I should wait until tomorrow…I just got this and thought you might like to see it."

Sora took the small envelope from him and opened it curiously. As she explored the continence, her eyes unexpectedly started to water and she went in the living room, seeking more light to read it. It was a letter, from Sarah, but also signed by the whole crew at Kaleido Stage.

Dear Sora,

Leon called to tell us he found you and that you're alright. I hope that guy's telling the truth, because otherwise, I'd love to show him some karate moves when he comes around. We're doing fine here, relatively fine, and even though it's hard, we're trying to maintain the smiles on our faces. Because that is what you taught us, isn't it? We should always smile and make the audience feel engaged in the spectacle. Please, write soon.

Sarah

Sora-san,

Although Mia and myself are trying to fight on, it's hard. We both hope you'll be able to come back to see us, at least. Mia sends you the script of her latest play-it was disapproved, but we think you'll make a good use for it, wherever you're working now.

Anna and Mia

Sora,

I know this is all hard for you and all, but Rosetta couldn't take the pen just yet, so I decided to write for both of us. Where are you? Everyone here says we'll manage it, but Kaleido Stage isn't for managing! It's for MAGIC! You better come back here, or else I'm contemplating squashing the nose of that self-proclaimed "star" and get it over with. (there were a few more lines of that, before May's tone softened a bit)

We both wish you could be here, Sora. And, in advance, I wish you'd forgive me. The sales are as high as they always were, but the stage isn't the same without you anymore. Take care,

Rosetta and May

Sora-san,

Remember how you told us about your dream of a conflict-free stage? Well, we're giving our best to maintain it that way. A great many people have decided that they don't want to work under Annett, but most have opted to stay and continue…I hope, wherever you are, you're giving the same magic for the people there as you did for us. Whenever you feel ready, come back! The stage will be waiting for you.

Ken

She read…and read…and re-read it, until she knew it by heart. Leon watched from the side as a few perfect, pearly tears slid down her pale cheek, and then Sora turned her shining eyes towards him.

"Leon-san…they all want me back?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"I…I don't know what to say…but I feel so…so…" she hid her face in her hands and let out a few quiet sobs. "I don't know if I could make it…I know that things have changed and…Oh, but I can't do it…Whatever happened on the competition…the audience made its choice…I can't fight that."

Her breath hitched when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap themselves around her and Leon, not standing the sight of her crying for another second, drew her into his embrace and nuzzled the top of her head, without saying so much as a word. Without even bothering to look up at him, she snuggled in, and breathed in his scent, while he held her for dear life, without showing any sign that he would let her go. For a while, neither of them said a word.

He smells of orange flowers, she thought, a little surprised. They had embraced on stage, but never for long enough to savor the moment like this-She imagined that holding him would be a little like touching a statue made out of some sort of wood-smooth and perfect, yet now she realized how wrong she had been. Embracing Leon wasn't like embracing any other ordinary man-it was so much more! It wasn't melting, it was more like a very, very slow burn.

When they pulled away, he cupped her chin, and, his expression frozen stiff, said:

"Sora, no matter what you think, Annett doesn't below to the stage. And if you wish for the audience to accept you so much, then come back and let them. Let's go back to the stage you love so much…and let me be your partner again. You know…we both know…and feel that this is the place where we belong most."

"Yes, but…" he rose his hand to silence her.

"We can go back. Annett can't stop you, not if you really wish for it."

"She wouldn't allow another competition." Sora stated.

"It's not up to her. The World Festival is in one month. You can make your comeback there."

Sora gaped. "But…Leon-san…I didn't win last time. May-san did…" she drawled, remembering the atmosphere there, and felt it closing down on her. Then, he squeezed her shoulders again and her head whooped back to face him

"I won as well. And if you may recall, I have a Golden Ticket that would let us in the show automatically."

"But May-san won as well…" Sora frowned. May had given up challenging her once she got the Angel's Act right, but… "Do you think Annett-san will try and enter?"

"I know she will. She told May to give it to her if she wanted to keep performing on Kaleido Stage…or any stage for that matter." Leon sighed "Don't blame May-it was her dream to perform there…and Annett's pulling through a very strict policy about those allowed on the stage. She thought she could make me her partner, but she wanted to make sure you don't have an opportunity to face her again. The judges on the World Festival can't be bought."

Sora looked up at Leon. "But…what will we do? We have less than a month to prepare. What will we…"

Leon looked at her straight in the eye.

"Sora, do you trust me?"

She stared into those swirls of angry violet and nodded:

"Yes."

"Good." He said. "Because I never stopped trusting that you'd return."

A/N-I'm doing a school project. Can you help? Poll's on my profile page, please take a look at it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!