Cloud walked out of his room with several presents, heading to the living room where Demyx, Zexion, and Larxene were already seated. "Rox, Ax, c'mere for a minute. I wanna give out my presents now before things get crazy."
He took a seat, handing Demyx and Zexion each a wrapped box the same size and Larxene a smaller wrapped box.
Roxas and Axel walked in, sitting down. "Cookies will be done soon." Roxas said.
"Great. Here. Merry Christmas, then. Well, open them!" Cloud said, handing Axel and Roxas each a box before leaning back and waiting for their reactions.
Larxene grinned, tearing into hers and smirking very wickedly when her eyes fell on the silly string inside the box. "Aww, Cloudy, you shouldn't have, 'cause now you know I'm gonna kill Axel with this."
Cloud chuckled. "I figured you'd like it."
"Oh, hey, I don't have this edition yet!" Roxas said, grinning at his cookbook. "Thanks, Cloud."
Zexion blinked at the unwrapped box in his lap, looking up at Cloud curiously. "I've never been ice skating."
"Exactly. I thought you and Dem would want to go together." Cloud said.
"Oh." Zexion said, noticing Demyx also got ice skates.
Demyx grinned, "That sounds like fun, I've never been either." he said, "Thanks, Cloud!"
"You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it." Cloud grinned.
Axel laughed as he lifted his new finger paints out of his package, "Are you implying you want me to paint you something?" he asked, jokingly.
"Well, I figured the fridge is looking a little bare." Cloud teased, grinning at him. "I'm sure you can think of something."
Axel grinned, "Will do, but we have to save space up there for Demyx's school work."
"Didn't you get a report card before this winter break?" Zexion asked Demyx suddenly.
"Did you?" Larxene asked, grinning, "Come on, fridge it is!"
A little embarrassed, Demyx shook his head, "I'll get it later."
"But I'm sure you did well." Zexion said. "They just want to hang it up to show they care in their own way. They always were putting up my stuff, too. You may as well get used to it."
"He's right, you know. You're one of us, now." Cloud smiled.
Demyx smiled, "Thanks..." he said.
Zexion stood up. "All right, since we are exchanging presents now... I shall be right back." He disappeared into his room, returning a moment later with two bags.
Resuming his seat next to Demyx, he withdrew a slim box first, handing it to Axel. He gave a larger box to Roxas, a small box to Cloud, an envelope to Larxene, and lastly a small box to Demyx. "Merry Christmas." He said softly, smiling.
Axel opened his box, immediately breaking into a grin, "Zexion, these are awesome!" He said, pulling one of the paintbrushes out of the box, "Engraved, too?"
Zexion nodded. "I'm glad you like them."
Roxas ripped off the wrapping. "Oh, wow, sterling knives!"
"They are also engraved." Zexion said.
Roxas stared at him before quickly hugging him. "Thank you thank you thank you!"
Zexion blushed lightly, hugging him back. "You're welcome."
Larxene grinned as she read the ticket in her hand, "Really?" she asked, "Zexion, you're awesome." she hopped over, giving him a hug.
"I thought you'd like a day to relax." Zexion smiled, hugging her back.
Cloud frowned at the keys in the box. "Zex... what do these go to?"
"Oh, right. We need to go outside for your's and Demyx's presents." Zexion said, standing up and going to get his coat.
"All right..." Cloud said, as he and everyone else hurriedly grabbed their coats before following Zex outside.
"A snowmobile? Zexion!" Cloud grinned, rushing over to the machine, petting it lovingly. "This is amazing! Thank you!"
Zexion grinned. "You're welcome."
Demyx stared at his present, wide-eyed and completely sure he was dreaming. "Zex..."
Zexion fidgeted a bit. "You needed your own way to school and work without having to rely on us. And, well, everyone wants their own car, right?" He glanced at the blonde nervously.
"Zex, this is... you didn't have to get me a car!" Demyx said, still pretty much in shock.
"But I wanted to! Don't you... like it?" Zexion asked. "I can return it and you can pick out your own if it's the model or color you don't like - anything you want."
Demyx pounced on him, giving up, "Zexion, it's amazing." he said, kissing him without thinking.
Zexion blushed bright red, eyes wide, and Cloud coughed into his hand from his seat on his new snowmobile, caught between being slightly weirded out and amused. Zex pulled back, still blushing and now looking at his roommates slightly anxiously.
Larxene grinned at them, "Awwwww!" she teased.
Axel chuckled, trying to push back the memories of the talk.
"Ah, um..." Zexion stammered, face still red.
Roxas laughed, leaning in to Axel. "Relax, Zex. Everyone was kinda of expecting that to happen eventually, anyway. You two are cute together."
Axel wrapped his arms around Roxas and grinned in agreement.
"Oh." Zexion said, blush fading a bit. Shyly, he reached out for Demyx's hand, smiling at him.
Demyx squeezed his hand and smiled, "Wanna go back inside and finish presents?" he asked, still embarrassed but significantly less so now than before.
"The cookies!" Roxas yelled, darting inside.
Cloud laughed, following everyone else back inside. "Well?" He called into the kitchen.
Roxas appeared with a tray of cookies, grinning. "They're fine."
Axel smiled, giving Roxas a kiss, "Come on, put 'em down so I can give you your present." he whispered.
"Oh, wait, I wanted to go first!" Roxas smiled, putting the cookies down in the living room for the others before dragging his boyfriend off into his room, picking up the wrapped present on his dresser. "Merry Christmas, Axel."
Axel took it, ripping off the paper.
Roxas smirked. "Now you can paint me..." He said, referring to the edible body paint in Axel's hands.
Axel smirked, leaning in and giving Roxas a kiss. As he pulled back, he said, "Thanks, Roxas. Merry Christmas."
Roxas smiled. "Love you." He murmured.
"Love you too." Axel smiled back.
Roxas leaned up to kiss him again.
Axel leaned down, letting him do so, before pulling back and grabbing Roxas's hand, "Come on, your present's in the living room."
Roxas allowed Axel to pull him back into the living room.
"I thought you two had disappeared for the day." Cloud chuckled.
"Nah, not yet." Axel chuckled as well, grabbing a small box before pulling Roxas down onto his lap in a chair and handing it to him.
"The cookies are delicious, by the way." Cloud remarked.
"Yes, thank you Roxas." Zexion added.
Roxas smiled. "You're welcome." He took the box Axel offered him, returning his attention to his boyfriend, opening it quickly.
"Hey, isn't this...?" Roxas said, looking at the pendant in the box before glancing up at Axel's neck, confirming he wasn't wearing his usual chain.
Axel smiled, "Yeah. I wanted you to have it." he said.
"But you always wear it. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen you without it on. It's too special, I can't." Roxas said, trying to give it back.
Axel chuckled, pulling Roxas closer, "You're special too. I want you to have it."
Roxas looked up at him, gaze softening. "Axel..." He murmured, smiling softly before nodding. "Thank you." He took the pendant out of the box, slipping it on and feeling it settle against his breastbone.
"Aww, you would be the sap and give him Philip's pendant." Larxene rolled her eyes.
Axel gave her a look, and she laughed.
"Philip?" Roxas questioned, brow furrowing.
"Remember when I told you about Philip and Seifer?" Axel asked, arms tightening slightly.
Roxas rubbed his hand up and down Axel's arm soothingly. "Yeah. I take it it's the same Philip?"
"Yeah. He, er, gave me that the last time I saw him." Axel said.
"Oh," Roxas said, not quite sure how to react to that.
Axel squeezed him, "Take care of it for me."
Roxas smiled at him. "I will." He kissed him softly.
Axel smiled into the kiss.
XXXX
"Do you think they'll get here soon?" Riku asked, putting the last of the presents into bags to cart over to Aerith and Zack's.
"Nam sent me a message a minute ago saying she and Sora just left." Reno answered, lounging against the couch, not helping.
"Did you get the wine Aerith asked us to bring?" Riku asked.
"Yep." Reno nodded, "It's in the trunk already, since Tifa wrapped it up all nice and stuff." he shrugged.
"Okay. Then I guess that's everything." Riku said, sitting down next to his brother. "Honestly, how do you think Dad's going to take meeting Sora and Namine and seeing his pregnant daughter?"
"Well, the whole reason this is even happening at Ri's is because Dad's already freaking out over her being pregnant, but I really don't think that Namine and Sora are going to phase him." he shrugged.
Riku arched an eyebrow. "You've never introduced a girlfriend to Dad and I don't even know if he knows I'm gay and you're saying it won't phase him?"
"Well, if he managed to not throw Zack off a bridge when he met him as Ri's boyfriend... nah, I think he'll be fine with it." Reno shrugged.
"Okay. But I'm blaming you if things go poorly." Riku said, just as someone knocked on the door. He glanced at his brother. "Why don't you get that since I'm the one who packed up everything?"
Reno stuck his tongue out but got up anyway, walking over to the door and opening it.
Namine smiled, holding a large bag. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas." Reno smiled back, pulling her close to give her a kiss.
Sora slipped past Namine and Reno and grinned at Riku.
"Hey." Riku grinned, standing up and pulling the brunette close. "Merry Christmas." He gave him a quick kiss.
Namine laughed breathlessly, letting Reno pull her into the warm apartment, shivering suddenly from the temperature change and smiling up at him.
Reno grinned. "So, everyone ready to go?"
"Yes, we don't want to be late." Namine said.
Riku nodded, grabbing the bag off the floor and taking Sora's hand in the other. "Let's go."
XXXX
The doorbell rang and Aerith, who was cooking (a little like a maniac), squeaked before calling out, "Zack! Dad! Can one of you get that?"
Zack laughed. "Relax, baby, everything's gonna go perfectly fine." He stood and opened the door, grinning. "Hi guys! Merry Christmas! Did you see the snow? Come on in!"
"Hi, Zack." Namine smiled warmly at him, stepping inside with Reno, Riku and Sora right behind them.
"Hey." Reno waved, smiling, "Where's Ri? Dad here yet?" he asked.
"I'M IN THE KITCHEN!" Aerith shouted, "RENO, DO YOU HAVE THAT WINE?"
Reno raised an eyebrow, "She all right?"
"She's fine, just a little bit stressed." Zack said. "You should probably give her the wine, like now, though."
"Pregnancy hormones?" Riku guessed.
Zack nodded.
"Well, you know we're here for both of you, right?" Riku asked, squeezing Sora's hand.
"Yup. Thanks, though." Zack grinned. "Namine, why don't you go to the kitchen with Reno? Riku, Sora, and I will be in the living room with Dad."
Reno squeezed Namine's shoulders, and nodded, "Meet you in there once Ri has the wine." he said, steering her into the kitchen.
Riku smiled at Sora, following Zack into the living room. "Hey, Dad. Merry Christmas." He said, hugging the man.
Their dad grinned, "Merry Christmas. How've you been?" he asked, hugging Riku back and then smiling.
"I've been good, Dad. How about you?" Riku asked, pulling back and grinning.
Zack sat down, smiling at Sora and trying to get him to look a little less tense.
He shrugged, "Can't complain, though it's been weird not having you three kids running around my house lately." he laughed, "Then again, I've said that every year since Aerith moved out." Glancing at Sora, he spoke again, "So, who's this?"
"Right, ah..." Riku stepped back, grabbing Sora's hand and pulling him forward. "Dad, this is Sora. Sora, this is my Dad. Dad, Sora's my... boyfriend."
Riku's dad's gaze shifted from his son to the brunette, who shifted awkwardly, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
He nodded, "Nice to meet you too. About time, Riku." he rolled his eyes.
From the kitchen, Reno shouted, "I TOLD YOU HE WOULDN'T FREAK OUT!"
Zack laughed at Riku's expression. "Why don't you guys sit down?"
Staring at his dad, Riku pulled Sora onto the couch. "You're... okay with this?" He asked.
"Of course." His dad laughed, "You think I didn't figure it out before now?"
Sora smiled, "My mom kind of reacted the same way."
"Except I'm sure your mom actually figured it out, where as Reno told Dad that Riku was gay five years ago." Aerith responded from the kitchen doorway.
"What?" Riku yelled. "Reno, I told you not to tell anyone!"
Zack covered his mouth with his hand, trying very hard not to laugh at his flustered brother-in-law.
"It was an accident!" Reno responded, poking his head out from around his pregnant sister, "Aw, come on, it made this little talk easier, didn't it?"
Riku glared at him. "I trusted you! And you let me freak out all morning for nothing since you already knew Dad knew!"
"Hey, I told you it wouldn't phase him." Reno shrugged, "You just didn't believe me."
Their dad chuckled, "Riku, he didn't exactly tell me, so much as not remember where he was having phone conversations with you."
Riku sighed. "Really, Reno?"
Zack grinned. "Well, now that that's over with..." He turned to Reno. "Where're you hiding the blonde cutie?"
"Hmm?" Their dad glanced over at Reno again, "Blonde cutie? Are you gay too, Reno?"
"No." Reno glared at his father, "Hey, Nam, c'mere." he gestured his girlfriend over.
Namine smiled, walking over to Reno and taking his hand. "Aerith, I set the burner to low but you might want to check on it..."
"Right!" Aerith said, dashing back into the kitchen.
Reno chuckled, "Dad, this is Namine, my girlfriend, Namine, this is my dad."
"It's very nice to meet you! You have a wonderful family." Namine said.
Zack elbowed Riku. "She's a charmer, all right."
Riku chuckled, tension finally fading. "Yeah, she's great." He put his arm over Sora, muttering an apology into his ear.
"It's nice to meet you too, Namine." Their dad nodded, smiling at her.
Sora chuckled softly, leaning into Riku.
"I'd better help Aerith. Excuse me." Namine smiled at Reno before returning to the kitchen.
"Why don't you come sit down, Reno? We can watch Christmas specials until the food's ready." Zack said with a grin.
Reno shrugged, "Sure." he said, knowing the girls would call if they needed him for anything (not that he was good at cooking in any sense of the word).
"Oh, before Namine gets back, Merry Christmas Reno!" Zack said, pulling a wrapped box out from under the couch and handing it to the redhead.
Reno raised an eyebrow but opened the box, before laughing and shutting it so the rest of the assembled people in the room wouldn't see. "Really, Zack?" he asked.
"Really Zack what?" Aerith asked, leading Namine back into the room, "The food's just cooling off, it'll be ready to serve in five minutes." her eyes fell on the package in her brother's hands, and then she sighed, "Oh. Really, Zack that." Putting her hand on Namine's shoulder, she spoke again, "Want to come see, er... what I got Reno for Christmas?"
"Hey, what is it?" Riku asked, trying to see what the box was.
"What's what?" Namine asked, looking at Reno curiously.
"Er, I don't-" Aerith hesitated, before sending her husband a glare, even though she knew he had done exactly what she'd asked and it was her fault they were in this situation.
"My Christmas present to Reno. It's a gag." Zack explained, grinning.
"C'mon, now you haveto show us!" Riku demanded.
Aerith sent Riku a warning look, trying to get across to him that this was a bad idea.
Riku frowned, not understanding why his sister was glaring at him and attributing it to pregnancy hormones.
"Well, what is it, Reno?" Namine asked.
Reno sighed and passed the package to Riku as an explanation, and just smiled at Namine, standing up long enough to grab her and pull her down onto his lap (to hopefully distract her).
Riku lifted up the edge of the wrapping so he and Sora could see, blushing a little as he slammed it back down. "God Zack, I really didn't need thatmental image!"
"Sorry, sorry, but they'll need it eventually!" Zack snickered.
Namine shifted a little on Reno's lap, slightly worried that maybe she shouldn't be sitting on him in front of his dad, before asking, "Need what?"
Aerith sighed, giving up and plopping down onto the couch next to her father and husband.
"Trust me, Nami, you're better off not knowing." Riku said, still slightly pink.
Namine frowned, looking at Reno. "Will someone just tell me already?"
"I think you might want to trust Riku on this one." he hesitated.
Namine sighed. "Please just tell me. It can't possibly be that bad."
"Yes, it can." Riku muttered, leaning closer to Sora.
Zack laughed.
Reno sighed, grabbing the package back from Riku and handing it to Namine, "Go ahead, but don't get mad at me afterwards."
"Why would I get mad at you?" Namine asked, confused, before removing the loose wrapping paper. "Oh..." She blushed brightly, dropping the box onto the floor in her shock. "Zack, you bought Reno those for Christmas?"
"It's all in good fun, I promise." Zack said.
Namine blushed brighter, a hand rising to her mouth. "Oh my." She mumbled.
Reno, who couldn't reach the package on the floor with Namine on his lap, settled for wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close to him.
Namine hid her burning face in his chest, extremely embarrassed, especially because his father was sitting less than two feet away.
Riku kicked the box under the couch with a cough. "When's the food gonna be done, Aerith?" He asked a bit desperately, trying to get the attention away from his best friend.
Aerith glanced at the clock in the room, "Oh, any minute now." she said, hopping up, "Lemme go check it."
"Heya, Dad, why don't you and me go help her set the table and what not?" Zack said, standing and motioning to the kitchen.
"Sure." he nodded, standing up as well.
As soon as the two were gone, Riku stared worriedly at Namine's back. "Nami?" He said quietly.
"Are they gone?" Was the muffled response.
"Yeah." Riku answered.
The blonde pulled back from Reno's chest. "I'm so embarrassed." She said, placing her hands on her flaming cheeks.
Reno just rubbed her back comfortingly.
"Hey, it's just Zack being Zack." Riku shrugged. "And don't worry about Dad, he's not delusional - he knows Reno's had sex."
Namine glanced at Reno. "But... what a horrible first impression! I'm sorry, Reno."
Reno chuckled, "Don't worry about it, Namine." he assured her, "I don't think he even saw what was in there anyway."
Namine sighed, the color finally starting to fade from her cheeks. "I don't know if I can look at Zack now."
"You know Zack, he's an overgrown kid. He'll be on the next five topics already before they call us for food, trust me." Riku said with a smile.
Reno just chuckled again.
Namine sighed again. "All right. Don't you think I should maybe not be sitting on you like this, though? It feels rude, somehow."
"Eh, Dad doesn't care." Reno shrugged, "You can squeeze in next to me if you'd rather, though."
"Okay." Namine said, sliding off his lap and settling next to him.
"Food's ready!" Zack said from the doorway. They all made their way to the table, but Zack stopped Namine. "Sorry, Namine. Hope you're not mad at me."
Namine smiled at him softly. "No, I'm not mad, Zack."
"Good!" Zack grinned, spinning her in a quick circle before taking his seat along with everyone else.
XXXX
Xigbar grinned, plopping onto the couch and pulling Kairi down with him. "Thanks for cooking, Leon. It was good."
Leon shrugged, "No big deal," he said, sitting down in one of the chairs.
Kairi snuggled up to Xigbar, quite comfortable.
Picking up one of the boxes on the table next to him, Xigbar threw it at Leon. "Merry Christmas and all that. Go to town with it, I'm sure Seifer will just love it."
Seifer gave Xigbar a look, "What did you do?"
Leon opened the package, raising an eyebrow at the contents. "A joke kit?"
Xigbar snickered. "Yup. Have fun pranking Seifer!" Grabbing the other box, he threw it at Seifer. "Don't worry, I didn't forget about you." He teased, putting his arm around Kairi.
Seifer opened the package, before glancing at Xigbar, confused, "A magic kit. Did you shop at a store that only sold kits for things?"
Xigbar rolled his eyes. "You try finding something decent. Anyways, I figured you'd appreciate it since you must have some kind of magical tricks up your sleeves to have survived this long."
Seifer gave him a look, deciding not to throw the kit at him on Christmas.
"Saved the best for last, of course." Xigbar said, pulling an envelope out of his pocket and handing it to Kairi. "Merry Christmas, Red," he smiled at her.
Kairi smiled back, before opening the envelope.
Xigbar watched her open it, hoping she'd like what she found.
"Plane tickets?" she blinked, glancing at him.
"Good for a year, to anywhere the airline goes," Xigbar nodded.
"Xigbar, these are..." she paused, "Are you sure?"
"Sass, of course I'm sure. You and Namine could take a trip somewhere or we could go wherever - use them for whatever you want," Xigbar kissed her, pulling back and smiling. "Love ya, Red."
Kairi practically pounced on him, kissing him again. Leon coughed.
"All right, I'm escaping. I'll drop your presents by your doors later," he rolled his eyes, standing up.
Xigbar ignored Leon and Seifer, figuring he'd apologize later for making out on the couch in front of them. Right now, he just focused on pulling Kairi closer.
Seifer rolled his eyes and slipped out as well.
Kairi smiled, puling away from Xigbar, "Shouldn't we move to your room or something?" she chuckled.
Xigbar chuckled. "Little late for that." Nevertheless, he stood, offering his hand to Kairi.
Kairi smiled, taking his hand.
Xigbar pulled her to her feet, leading her into his bedroom and closing the door behind them. Quickly sitting on the edge of his bed, he reached for her. "Now, where were we?"
Kairi smirked, quickly leaning in and climbing on top of him, kissing him.
Xigbar winced a little, shifting her slightly. "Careful," he murmured, taking some pressure off his wounded shoulder.
"Sorry," Kairi frowned, shifting so she was sitting next to him, "Better?"
Xigbar merely nodded, reaching out with his good arm to pull her closer so he could kiss her again.
Kairi leaned in, kissing him, being more careful this time.
Xigbar sighed, letting his hand trail up into her hair as they kissed, not wanting the moment to end.
Kairi pulled back, "You okay?" she asked softly.
Xigbar rolled his eyes. "I was, until you pulled back again. Red, I'm fine. Outta the sling and everything. You just happened to press right on the very spot the knife went through. Rotten luck, that's all."
Kairi rolled her eyes, "You're only out of the sling because you were threatening to castrate Leon if he didn't take it off."
"Hey, the doctor said I could take it off when it stopped hurting. It stopped - I can't help it none of you believe me." Xigbar protested. "I'm fine, Red. Promise."
Kairi rolled her eyes, leaning in and kissing him again before pulling back, "All right, prove it." she smirked.
Xigbar laughed. "You're worrying over nothing, Sass. Fine, how do I prove to you I'm all right?"
"Well, you'll have to figure that one out yourself." Kairi smiled, leaning in and kissing him again.
Xigbar kissed her back before breaking off and standing up. "Stand up a minute."
Kairi blinked, but did so.
Xigbar grabbed her waist and winked at her before slowly lifting her up in the air. "Told you... I'm fine."
Kairi squeaked, "Xigbar!"
Laughing, he lowered her to her feet again. "I was helping Cid out a lot while Cloud was gone - trust me, my shoulder's fine. Did I prove it to ya, Red?"
Kairi rolled her eyes, "You're going to cripple yourself permanently."
Xigbar threw his hands up in frustration. "Have a little faith in me, would you? It's been weeks."
Kairi smiled at him, "Of course I have faith in you. But you do need to be careful, regardless."
Xigbar sighed. "I am being careful. I'm not stupid or masochistic, I know when my body's hurt and when it's not."
Kairi frowned, "I didn't mean to make you angry."
"Hey." Xigbar pulled her close, hugging her. "I'm not mad at you, Red. I'm just getting a little tired of people telling me to take it easy when I'm fine. I've gotten the okay of the doctor and everything, so relax, okay? I'm not mad at you, and I'm sorry I made you feel that way, Sass."
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Okay, okay." she giggled, before leaning up and kissing him again.
Xigbar pulled her to the bed, sitting down and helping her settle on his lap. "This is a much better way to spend our time, I agree." He grinned cheekily.
Kairi laughed.
"You're beautiful when you laugh." Xigbar said, cupping her face. "I mean, you're always beautiful, Sass, but you shine when you laugh."
Kairi blushed lightly.
Xigbar chuckled. "Then again, I kinda love seeing you blushing at me, too."
Kairi swatted his good shoulder lightly, "Xigbar."
"Yes, Kairi?" Xigbar grinned.
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Come here." she chuckled, kissing him.
Xigbar smirked into the kiss, pulling her closer. He slipped his good arm behind himself to hold them up, as they were in danger of toppling backwards onto his bed.
Kairi carefully readjusted herself, taking care not to hurt his shoulder.
Unfortunately, her movements overbalanced them and Xigbar's arm slipped, causing the pair to fall backwards onto the bed, Kairi sprawled on top of Xigbar.
Kairi giggled, not complaining.
"Oops. Sorry, Red." Xigbar grinned, attempting to sit them back up.
Kairi pushed him back down, "I'm not complaining," she chuckled, smiling at him.
Xigbar turned slightly, shifting Kairi onto her side next to him, slipping his arm around her and holding her to his side, smiling. He lightly ran his hand up and down her arm, "This okay?"
Kairi smiled and nodded.
"So what time you need to head back home, Red?" Xigbar asked.
"I have a chronically absent father." Kairi reminded him, "I don't."
"Chronically absent, huh? What about your mom?" Xigbar asked.
"Never met her." Kairi shrugged.
"Ah. Is she...?" Xigbar trailed off, not wanting to push the topic if it would upset Kairi.
Kairi nodded, "Complications with having twins." she explained.
"I'm sorry." Xigbar murmured, tightening his hold a bit.
Kairi shook her head, "Don't worry about it. I never knew her." Smiling at him, she spoke, "So, what about you? Got a tragic backstory?"
"Not really. Dad died when I was young, Mom moved away to be closer to her sister and I moved in here with Leon and Seifer." Xigbar said.
Kairi nodded. After a pause, she spoke, "What was your mom like?" she asked, smiling.
"She's all right, I guess. Losing Dad was hard on her but she was there when I needed her." Xigbar shrugged, slightly uncomfortable.
Kairi nodded, before changing the subject, "Oh, before I forget." she said, reaching into the back pocket of her jeans and pulling out a small package, handing it over.
Xigbar took it, ripping it open. "A... pocket knife?"
Kairi smiled at him, "Next time, stab him back."
"There won't be a next time." Xigbar said, grip tightening on the box for a second before he shifted to place it on his nearby dresser. "Thanks for the present, Red." He kissed her.
"It was mostly a joke, you know." she said, pulling back, "I wasn't trying to say that there would be a next time, but the only other thing I could think of getting you involved stripping, and with your shoulder still out of commission, I thought that might be a bad idea."
Xigbar chuckled, "While I love the idea of you stripping, I have two issues with that - one, it's too soon for that, way too soon, and two, you're not a present, Red. Also, you didn't have to get me anything, you know that. I love ya anyways, Sass."
"Well, I wasn't going to be your present, the lack of clothing was going to be your present-the fact that I was the one not wearing clothing was just a treat." she smirked, but nodded, snuggling up to him, "Love you too."
Xigbar held her closer. "I don't want you to feel pressured into doing something like that for special occasions - only when you're ready, Sass. And I think it's too soon for something like that, anyway, we haven't been together for very long."
Kairi just smiled.
"Have you ever been with someone besides him?" Xigbar suddenly asked.
Kairi blinked, but shook her head, "No..."
Xigbar nodded. "Just was wondering." He shifted closer and kissed her.
"You don't just wonder these things." Kairi frowned.
"You do if your girlfriend just said she was planning on stripping for you but decided against it." Xigbar chuckled.
Kairi rolled her eyes, "Then I'm scared about what questions you would've come up with if I hadn't decided against it."
"Where have you been all my life?" Xigbar asked semi-seriously. "Faced with perfection such as yourself, what else can I ask?"
Kairi just smiled, leaning in and kissing him, "Does that mean I don't have to go home tonight?"
"What about Namine?" Xigbar frowned.
"She spent Christmas with Reno's family. I can text her and let her know." Kairi shrugged.
"Well then if you want to stay, of course you can, Red. You can have the bed." Xigbar smiled.
"Nuh uh. I'm not stripping, so you're not moving." Kairi said, snuggling into him.
"All right, but no messing around. Just sleeping, okay? I'm serious, Red, I don't want to pressure you." Xigbar said in one of his rare serious moments.
"That's fine." Kairi chuckled, "You're just very comfy."
Xigbar chuckled. "Merry Christmas, Red." He grinned.
Kairi giggled, "Merry Christmas."
XXXX
17 chapters ago it was Halloween. I don't know how I feel about that.
Jasmine again. Cami's lazy. And also has nothing to say. Miraculous, I know. ;)
(Cami, I love you please don't kill me in my sleep!)
Anywayyy... This chapter's kinda cute, right? Christmas was fun to write, although figuring out gifts was a little challenging. By the way, if it's not in there what a certain character got another, we have it worked out (pretty much) but just didn't feel right including it. Message me if you want to know, although if it's one of Cami's characters, better ask her and be prepared for a blank stare (she had a hard time thinking of things).
It's kinda weird to think we started planning Christmas in this universe over the summer in Cami's vacation home.
And if you think that's a time jump to be planning, you'd be amazed to think of how far ahead we've gotten in our planning time-wise.
Yeah, this story is never ending. Ever. :D