Thought I'd do something involving Christmas since it is the season. Think of this as a gift (even though it's not the absolute greatest thing I've ever written). Happy Holidays!

Chapter 24

Fang walks down the hall after Max. He's just upset her because he was continuously bringing up the incident with her hand.

As he passes a window, Fang sees Rollo and Buck putting up decorations. That's right. Christmas is in a few weeks, Fang thinks to himself.

He glances around to realize there're small decorations everywhere. Walking around the house, he takes in the environment. Suddenly, Fang has an idea for how to apologize to Max. He puts his hands in his pockets and smirks slightly to himself. The fact that Max called him Nick when they were with Anne is going to make this work even better.

That tingling sensation is increasing as Fang continues to think about his plan. This plan could not only help with Max, but it could be good for him as well. Maybe it could relieve him of the strong urges he's been feeling.

Kiska enters the kitchen to find her son still there with his family. Hunter doesn't look so well. She places a hand on his shoulder causing him to look up at her. She gives him a stern look making him stand and follow her to another room.

Once they're alone, Kiska finally starts talking to him. "What did you do?" she asks.

"…"

Hunter's silence is frustrating so Kiska checks his bandage. "Hunter, you've reopened the wound. To do this, you would've had to be doing something you haven't recovered enough for yet."

"I was training," he finally replies.

Kiska looks at him disapprovingly. "Your muscles are severely damaged, Hunter. You're putting an even greater strain on them by training. Wait a few days at least," she says.

Most would see Kiska's speech as a command, but Hunter knows there's a hint of begging in the order. Hunter gives her an apologetically look. "I'm sorry, Mother, but I can't do that. I'm working hard to get you the best Christmas gift ever."

Kiska closes her eyes and says "Hunter, Rex's death isn't the best gift. You not bringing harm to yourself is. If you push yourself too far, it might end up killing you. Don't do something that will wind up hurting us all in the end."

Hunter nods and pulls her in for a hug. "Don't worry. What I'm doing is right."

After a moment, he pulls away and sits on the couch. Kiska sighs and leaves him be. Nothing she says will change his mind so there's no any point in arguing with him now that his mind is set.

Hunter watches her go before turning on the TV. He's not sure how long he sits there until someone shoves a bottle in his face.

"Please don't tell me you're actually stupid enough to be offering me a drink," he murmurs.

Rollo jumps over the couch to sit beside his leader. "One drink isn't going to do you any harm. It'll make you feel better too," he complains.

"I beg to differ. Remember that time you fell asleep with your head in the toilet," Hunter counters swiftly.

"Yeah, but I also had food poisoning."

"You were hammered, Rollo," Hunter says as he rolls his eyes. "You finished with the decorations?"

"Everything but the tree. I thought everyone could put the ornaments on it together. Thanks for your help by the way."

Hunter looks at Rollo from the corner of his eye. "Are you serious? Did you honestly expect anyone to allow me to help?"

If Hunter didn't know any better, he would've thought his friend was pouting. He sighs and says "Fine. Next year, I'll do it all by myself and we'll call it even."

The smile he receives makes Hunter think about how childish his friends are. His thoughts are interrupted when Toby comes in.

"Hunter, there's a new bet. How long will it take for Max and Fang to have-"

A harsh glare from his older brother immediately makes Toby shut up. Hunter rises and Toby recoils. "That's not funny," Hunter says in a harsh tone.

Toby attempts to flee, but Hunter stops him. "Who started this bet?" he demands.

"I don't know. I heard Olivia and Buck talking about it. Maybe I misunderstood them or they were just joking around," he whimpers.

Hunter thinks this over momentarily before heading for Olivia's room. On his way, he passes Fang who looks like he's up to something. Hunter catches a whiff of the same smell on Fang that was on Max the day before. Maybe it has something to do with their phase. Hunter tries to ignore it since its Lucky's job to take care of them. As Hunter continues to Olivia's room, the thought of what Fang's doing keeps plaguing his mind.

Max POV

I'm lying on my bed when there's a soft knock on my door. It's probably Fang. I've been wondering what was taking him so long to follow me. I ignore him since I don't feel like talking to him. He'd probably just make fun of me for touching him this morning anyway.

Rolling on my side so my back faces the door, I wait for Fang to go away. There's silence and then a click before the door opens.

"Thanks, Iggy."

I inwardly curse Iggy for picking my lock and allowing Fang in. Is everyone against me today? The bed sinks behind me as Fang takes a seat. I close my eyes and try to feign sleep.

Fang's fingers brush against my wings which were sticking out of my shirt. This causes me to close my eyes tighter. Fang doesn't say anything as his fingers trail up to my shoulders. A moan accidentally escapes me when he starts massaging my shoulders. I could almost hear his smirk.

I sit up and throw my feet over the side of the bed. Pulling away from Fang, I turn to glare at him. My jaw drops the moment I see him. I back away slightly as he stands.

Fang's only wearing a pair of boxers. They're different from his normal black ones however. Theses look like they were made out of a Santa suit, red with a white trim.

"Come on, Max. I'm Saint Nicholas. Sit on my lap and tell me what you want for Christmas," he declares with a playful grin.

I shake my head and practically start running to my door as I try to keep what little dignity I have left. I have to get away from Fang. His actions are making my urges harder to resist.

Fang's hands grab my hips and drag me back to him. He sits back on the bed as he pulls me into his lap and against his chest. My face heats up when I feel his skin against my arm. Wearily, I look at him. There's a mischievous look in his eyes as he stares down at me. I tear my gaze away to look at my feet.

"Please stop, Fang." I'm ashamed when I hear the plea in my voice.

Fang's soft tongue licks the shell of my ear sending a shiver down my spine. He pulls me closer if possible.

"What do you want for Christmas?" he whispers in my ear as he strokes my arm.

I start feeling warm all over and I think heat is even emitting from Fang. I lean into him and bury my face in his neck. I might as well play his game and there's only one thing I can think of that I want.

"I want you," I say softly before nipping his neck.

Fang groans and says hoarsely "I think that can be arranged." I smirk against his skin. Being the only one who can make him sound like this pleases me.

A kiss is placed on the top of my head making me look up. The moment I do, Fang's lips brush against my forehead and down to my nose before hovering over my own lips. He's so close and it's driving me crazy.

I nip his bottom lip in hopes of enticing him. Fang remains still and the tingling sensation gets worse. That's it. I can't wait any longer, I think to myself before taking charge.

My mouth covers his and I hear him chuckle. Fang lies back and flips over so he's hovering above me. My hands roam his body which is tone from years of fighting erasers. I want him so badly.

"You're awfully eager, Max," Fang murmurs between kisses.

He has absolutely no idea how eager I am. Fang adjusts himself so now he's straddling me. After he does this, my hands are pinned above my head and Fang's mouth is no longer on mine. I whimper pathetically as he looks down at my face.

Fang's expression is almost calculating as he looks down at me. I fight against him trying to connect our lips again. I feel so incomplete. As Fang watches me, he appears to be fighting something himself.

After a moment, he seems to crack and Fang slams his mouth back onto mine. I pull him closer and Fang starts acting differently. He's more forceful as if he needs me. I'm responding back with just as much force. I momentarily wonder why our behaviors have changed before I realize that I really don't care and my brain short-circuits from Fang's kisses.

Hunter POV

I swear to God I will kick Lucky's ass for being so irresponsible. What the hell could he possible be doing?!

I'm running down the hall as fast as I can to try to get to Max's room. Actually, it's more like stumbling around awkwardly and painfully than running. I'm mumbling curses as I go. Jeb will kill me if I don't get there in time.

I knew Fang was up to something. Whatever he did has pushed both him and Max over the edge. Now, they can't stop on their own because they want to keep going.

Suddenly, I stop and my eyes narrow dangerously as Lucky rushes in front of me. We would've crashed into each other if I stopped even a moment later. He notices me and his expression is fearful.

"I'm sorry. I was with Valencia so I couldn't just abandon her. She would've gotten suspicious," he pleads.

"We'll discuss this later," I snap before sprinting with Lucky close behind.

Lucky POV

I understand why Hunter's upset, but normally he's so easy going. His sudden bursts of anger are extremely rare yet they're occurring more often like his other problem. Is this because of Rex controlling him or is he truly this pissed at me?

I inwardly sigh as Hunter comes to a screeching halt in front of a door. I almost collide into him and he growls at me in response. As he deals with Max and Fang, I stay in the hall.

As I wait, Mother joins me. She leans against the wall, crosses her arms, and closes her eyes. I eye her as she stands there. I use our mind connection to tell her my suspicions. Mom nods occasionally so I know she can hear me.

"He's stressed," she states. "All he needs is some relaxation time and a good night's sleep. Once he's got that, Hunter should be back to his normal self and not overreacting about every little thing."

This news cheers me up greatly. It feels as if a huge weight's been taken off my shoulders. Hunter returns and doesn't look pleased. He gives me a hard glare before leaving.

I look to Mom who shrugs and leaves in the same direction. I follow her and we're soon standing before the Christmas tree. I spot Hunter close by and am surprised to find him laughing with Rollo. My eye twitches slightly as I think Hunter's worse than girls when it's that time of the month.

Angel and Gazzy are looking up at the tree with sheer joy on their faces as Ella and Nudge go through the ornaments. Soon everyone is together and helping to decorate the tree.

I smile to myself at the blissful atmosphere. I love this time of year. The snow, the smell of fresh baked cookies, the warm fire, and everything else makes this my favorite holiday. You can spend time with those you care about and it's a day that people go out of their way not to ruin.

I look around at everyone's smiling faces and I feel that the world is right. Sure, Rex is still alive and breathing, but we can worry about that another day.

I catch Hunter's eye and my smile disappears. He notices and gives me a thumbs-up. The grin that crosses his face makes my own return. Hunter walks over and puts me in a head lock. He chuckles as he gives me a noogy.

Once he lets go, I rub my sore head and smile widely. This is reassuring that Hunter's fine. I breathe a sigh of relief and think that this day's just gotten better. Hopefully, Christmas Day will be even better.

I know this isn't my best work, but I'm building up for future chapters (and a possibly sequel –wink-). I wanted to get a chapter done for Christmas and I hope you enjoyed it anyway. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!