Disclaimer: Tales of Vesperia and Tales of Destiny don't belong to me.

I'm sorry for the laaaaate update. That's the first part of two (or three?) of the chapter 12! I hope you'll enjoy it ^^


Jingle all the way

Part 1

People around him were happy. They thought happily about the next few days, some still wondering which presents they would buy for the one close to them. Only he wasn't happy at all.

Sitting on his place, in front of the teacher, Lion tried his best not to think about the next few days. Generally, he was acting as someone who didn't like Christmas; it was always a lie as he enjoyed the day with Rutee and Stan; but this time, he wasn't acting at all. He already hated this Christmas, because he would be alone for the very first time. Rutee and Stan wouldn't come back and when he had asked Yuri to pass the day together – and the mere thought of this had made him happy – Yuri was forced to decline it as he had already something expected.

Sad wasn't a word strong enough. It wasn't because he already bought Yuri's present – he would have it later – but because Lion knew that he would be alone for this day, and that Yuri couldn't change his program. He found himself selfish. He wanted Yuri for him alone. I'm stupid! He thought. It was only a fucking night and he wouldn't die because of that! If his sister knew he would have been alone, she would probably tell him to pass the day with Asbel. Lion already thought about that, however, Asbel would be with Richard, and he didn't want to disturb them.

When the school's bell rang, Lion sighed of relief and left the class, then the school. He was in holidays, now, and it meant freedom for a while. Well… With all the homework he had, he wasn't sure it was freedom. He hurried up to his home, throwing his bag in his room and putting off his clothes before going to the bathroom. He needed a good shower. The hot water would calm him down.

He stayed half an hour under the water, and when he came back in his room, a towel around his hips, he took his phone from his bag to see if Yuri had sent him a text. Sometimes, he just thought he was acting as a girl, especially when he remembered how Rutee acted at the beginning of her relationship with Stan.

When he looked at his phone, he was surprised to see that an unknown number had called him three times. It must be important. I wonder what the matter is. Barely had he think this that his phone rang again. It was again the unknown number. Frowning, he picked up his phone.

" – for Yuri!"

Hearing the name of his boyfriend when putting the phone at his ear, Lion wondered what happened. Worriedly, he said:

"Hello?"

"Hiiii!"

He startled when the woman's voice shouted.

"I-I'm so sorry! I wasn't expected you picking up!"

"No, that's fine…"

That woman was strange, really.

"Are you Lion?"

"I am. Why? Who are you?"

"My name is Estelle. I'm Yuri's sister."

Yuri's sister? The one who was often sick? How did she get his number? No wait. Why was she calling? Was there any problem with Yuri? Or with him, for the few he knew. Maybe Yuri's family didn't know that he loved men and they learnt it in a way or another? And maybe they would threat Lion to leave Yuri? Cold sweat covered his back. What if they told him that? What would he do? He didn't want to leave Yuri.

"Lion?"

"H-Huh? Yes? I-Is there a problem?"

Why was he so scared? Was it the way that everybody felt when they talked with the family of their lover? Urgh… I'm pissing off. I'm just stupid.

The girl laughed and it made him feel better. Maybe it wasn't for a bad new? They wouldn't ask for him to leave Yuri alone, right?

"No, there's not a problem. Except if Yuri didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?" Lion asked suspiciously.

He heard the girl sighed before answering:

"His birthday. He didn't tell you when it was, right?"

Lion opened his mouth but closed it soon after. She was right. Yuri never talked about his birthday and Lion didn't bother to ask. Well, they didn't talk about their birthdays at all, now he thought about it.

"You're right." He finally answered.

"His birthday is December, the 24th."

"Huh, what?"

That was soon. Really soon. And he only had one present. Crap. Wait, he had time as he wouldn't see him before January.

"So, hm… Are you free starting the 23rd?"

"Yes, why?"

"Do you want to come at home for Yuri's birthday and Christmas, and even the New Year?"

The question had been sudden and Lion didn't know how to answer. Yes, he wanted, but could he really go? After all, if Yuri didn't talk about it or invited him for Christmas, maybe it was because he didn't want to.

"I… I would like." He finally answered. "But are you sure it's fine with your family and with Yuri?"

"If it wasn't fine with us, I wouldn't be calling." Estelle explained and Lion thought that his question was stupid. "And Yuri doesn't know. It's a surprise. "

A surprise? So Yuri wouldn't know that he would be here? Bad idea. What if he didn't want? Even if they were lovers, they saw each other a lot since Asbel's birthday party, and Yuri must be a little bit tired of it.

"Besides, if it can reassure you, Yuri is searching for a way to make you come here. He's afraid to annoy everyone and so, he doesn't ask mommy and daddy."

"Oh, I see."

Yuri, afraid to annoy people? It was the first time he heard about that! Well, if he went to his family's home, he would probably learn a lot about his boyfriend.

"Well, I'll let you, now. I'll send you texts with how we're going to proceed. Is that alright?"

"Yes."

"Thank you a lot, Lion. And don't worry, we don't bite. See you soon!"

"No, thank you. Yes, I'll try. See you."

When the call was finished, Lion looked at his phone, then sighed. He had already had problem to find Christmas' present, and now, he had to find a birthday's present. He had one week for that. He could do it!


The train station was full of people. Around him, people were eating or drinking while waiting their train. Earphones in his ears, a bag on his shoulders, Lion walked through the people till the station exit. Once outside, he went near the wall and put his back on it, waiting.

The young boy was nervous. He didn't remember it had been so difficult to meet Asbel's family. Yet again, Asbel was his friend, not his boyfriend. He was going to meet his boyfriend's family, and he didn't know if it was a good idea. How should he act? He knew that he shouldn't be so stressed but it was stronger than him. What if Yuri's family didn't like him? Would they force him to stop seeing him?

He was still deep in thought when a girl asked:

"Excuse me, are you Lion?"

Lion raised his head and his blue eyes met green ones. Their owner was a young girl, a little bit taller than him – and it pissed him off – and with short pink hair. A smile was on her lips and her eyes were shining.

"Yes, I am."

The girl joined her hands. Could she be…

"Hello! I'm Estelle, Yuri's sister. Nice to meet you, Lion!"

So she was Yuri's sister. For someone who's ill often, she looked in good health. Lion was a little bit relieved, to be honest. He had imagined her in a wheelchair. Maybe he exaggerated too much.

"Nice to meet you."

Estelle smiled and asked him following her, and so he did. He stayed quiet, not knowing what to say to his boyfriend's sister (he couldn't say sister-in-law right?). I feel stupid. I shouldn't have accepted. But I did want to be with Yuri for his birthday and Christmas… But only Yuri, not his family. That's too soon, right?

"Here."

Lion left his thoughts and looked in front of him: there was a black car with a woman inside. The door's window opened and the woman smiled before saying:

"Hello Lion, nice to meet you."

Lion blinked twice, wondering who she was. It was a beautiful woman, with long black curly hair, and beautiful black eyes. Seeing that he didn't answer, she added:

"Call me Hilda. I'm Yuri and Estelle's mother."

"Oh, huh, sorry. Nice to meet you."

Then, Estelle opened the door and invited him to sit behind her seat. He nodded, a little bit shy, and sat on the seat. Then, the girl closed the door and sat beside her mother who waited for them to put their seat belts. Then, she started driving to home.

It was strange for Lion to be in a car other than Yuri's one. Time to time, as the long black haired man didn't want him to walk, he used his car, and the young boy had always seen this as a private moment that he didn't want to stop. There, it was a little bit awkward. He was in the same car as Yuri's mother and sister, and they didn't even talk.

Hilda and Estelle probably felt it too, because they finally started talking a little bit between them, asking him questions about what he was doing, or how he had met Yuri. As Yuri and himself didn't want people to know how they had met in the crepes merchant – Yuri never explained why – and so, he talked about the party at Yuri's and Flynn's former place. And then, he had to explain how they got together. Of course, he didn't tell all the truth; some things shouldn't be said.

"When you finally got together," Estelle explained, "Yuri was in a good mood all the day."

"Oh yes. I remember. He even sang. And he sings only when he's truly happy."

When he heard that, Lion couldn't help but blush, and unfortunately for him, Estelle noticed it. She chuckled before Hilda stated:

"We're here."

Thy stopped in front of a house and the three passengers left the car. Then, they went to the entrance door.

"Oh yes. Yuri and my husband aren't here. There will be three more children started this afternoon, so they went take them."

"Yuri told me that they were all adopted." Lion explained, and he cursed seconds later. Maybe it wasn't a good idea telling that.

"Yes. But even though it is the case, they're all our children."

With that, Hilda patted Estelle's hair before entering the house. The place seemed warm. The walls had a lot of colors, and even if it looked strange, Lion couldn't help but feel that it was made in purpose. There were also a lot of pictures of the children, and of the family. Seeing Yuri when he was a child made Lion smiling.

They arrived in the living room, where two people were. The first one was a boy with short red hair, wearing a jacket (veste?) and shirt; the second one was a girl with short brown hair and wearing a pink dress.

"Hey! Let me introduce Yuri's boyfriend, Lion." Hilda exclaimed.

Lion blushed, still not accustomed, and especially because he wasn't expected her introducing him like that.

"Lion, here are Mao and Realla."

"Nice to meet you." He said, and the two other answered quickly.

If Asbel and Richard were here, they would probably make fun of me. Especially with the fact that Lion didn't really like talking with people, and that he would be forced for a week. He would try his best, and hoped that he wouldn't become crazy.

Suddenly, Realla came near him and asked softly:

"So, you're Yuri's hero. And Yuri is your hero."

"Huh?"

Lion felt stupid in front of her. What the hell was she saying? Yuri's hero? His hero? Did he miss something important in her talk?

"Yes, Rea!" Mao answered, winking to Lion.

"That's so fantastic!"

Yes, he definitely missed something. But he didn't have time to ask as Estelle took his hand and they went upstairs, while Hilda went somewhere else, talking with Mao about something he did in school. Without a word, Estelle opened a door and they arrived in a room.

"Welcome in Yuri's room. " She stated happily.

It was a little room whose walls blue, except one that was grey. Against the grey wall, there was a bed, that can be used by two people easily and, beside the bed, there was a little table with a lamp and a cooking book. Why am I not even surprised? Lion wondered when he saw the book.

"- sleep here."

"Huh? Sorry, I was dreaming. "

Estelle tilted her head and a grin appeared on her lips. Lion didn't understand and he didn't want to know.

"I said that you will sleep here."

Lion's mind became blank. Did he hear well? Sleeping in Yuri's room? In his bed!?

"B-But… Where will Yuri sleep, then?"

"Here too." The pink-haired woman stated as if it was a stupid question.

And Lion felt stupid too. In never thought about sleeping in the same bed as Yuri. Yet, he should have, especially in these circumstances. Would it be alright? Would Yuri want more? What if he did? He wasn't sure to be ready for that.

He had tried to ask Asbel about that, but every time he was on the verge to do it, he had panicked and stopped himself of doing so. He hadn't known how to ask it, and he had felt stupid. How could Asbel have helped him, anyway? "You have to do that, and this, and again that"? Or maybe he would have laughed so much – with Richard because he was always there – and Lion would have run away.

"Lion?"

"Huh? Sorry." Lion started.

"You dream a lot, huh?"

"I'm sorry."

Estelle chuckled.

"Don't worry for that. That's normal to 'dream' when you know you're sleeping in the same bed as your boyfriend."

Wait, what!? What was she thinking right now!?

"No, that's not—" He tried to reply.

"Shhhht, don't worry, I won't tell him."

"What?"

Lion blushed. She wouldn't tell him!? It wasn't a thing to say at the first place! In add, he wasn't thinking about that! Well, maybe a little bit, but not in the way she was thinking! He was going to tell her, but at the same time, a big "We're back" was heard from downstairs.

"Oh, they're back. Please, stay here. We'll send Yuri." Estelle stated and he nodded.

When the girl left the room, Lion put his back in front of Yuri's bed and sat down, waiting. Yuri would be surprised, for sure, but in a good or in a bad way? He didn't know. To be honest, he was scared that Yuri could be unhappy to see him. Even if Estelle had told him that Yuri wanting to see him but didn't dare asking their parents, he was scared that it was a lie. What if after all these days without seeing each other, Yuri understood that he didn't want him anymore?

He heard footsteps and his heart jumped in his chest. It could only be Yuri. He wished to be a mouse right now, and being able to run away quickly. He heard something in front of the room. Fuck. It was a bad idea. I should be hidden. I should leave at once. I should go back at home.

The door opened and Yuri appeared in front of him. He stopped when their eyes met and Lion held his breath. Suddenly, he didn't know what happened next. He heard the door being closed quickly and next thing he knew, he was laying on the bed, kissing Yuri. When the kiss was broken, Lion tried his best to take back his mind, still shocked by how quickly the events went. Huh, well… Maybe he's happier than I thought he would be…

"Why are you here? No, wait. How did you come here?"

Yuri looked really surprised, but in his eyes, Lion could see that his boyfriend was more than happy and he felt really relieved about that.

"Best stories being shorts, Estelle called, I took the train, and your mother took me here."

"You didn't tell me!"

"Do you want me to explain you the word 'surprise'?"

"I hate surprise."

"I can leave then."

"No!"

And before he could reply, Yuri kissed him. For sure, he wasn't unhappy at all. How could he have thought that Yuri would have been angry to see him? Yet, he was really relieved, and especially because Yuri was happy.