Hello, dear readers!
Merry Christmas!
Here with something that isn't the next chapter...Sorry.
Along with another story of mine, I had ideas for a Christmassy chapter since last year. Only last year it was waaaaaaaaaay too soon and so couldn't be done.
This year...it's technically still a little bit soon, but close enough!
So what we have here, essentially, is actually kind of a teaser chapter in to the sequel. It all takes place about a month after the current story ends!
I tried to do it in a way that doesn't give too much away, and still leaves certain things to be answered when we come back to the actual story. But this is an actual chapter for the next part. Y'all just get it early. :)
I will admit, I probably let myself get carried away. I spent Christmas Eve and a lot of today (Christmas Day. On my own due to family being the other side of the world and my loved ones here working) writing this, so I think my Christmas starved heart put everything it had in this XD.
I won't ramble more. Of course, as always thank you to all of you lovely readers who are still with me. My gorgeous reviewers who keep me wanting to work on this.
And to all of you, Merry Christmas!
Lots of love, Roy.
Better Late Than Never.
"O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth"
Despite the warmth of his thick coat, a shiver went down Rei's spine as his head stayed tilted up slightly and focused on the small stage in the middle of the square.
With the Christmas Eve market going on around the edges, a crowd had gathered to watch the festive performances lined up to give the already ripe Christmas atmosphere that extra little pinch of something special.
Currently, he was proudly watching the St. Tristan's Boy's School Choir.
And as usual, focus on one member in particular.
Until a nudge came in Rei's side.
"Pffff! Sourpuss! In a choir!" the mocking and quiet laughter came from beside him.
Rei frowned and shot an unhappy look at his childish friend.
"Yes, Tyson!" he hissed back, "A choir! Now shut up and listen, will you? They worked really hard!"
Not to mention he wanted to ogle his boyfriend. Stood up there looking gorgeous in a winter coat singing beautifully like the buff, sulky looking angel he was.
"A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn"
Tyson pouted at the scolding. Turning to Max for backup, but who sadly wasn't joining in his mocking.
They were no fun...
Fine, he'd watch...
At that precise moment, the choir was ready to smash him in the face with the chorus.
With varying ranges of haunting male voices swirling together, the intensity soared.
"Fall on your knees; O hear the Angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born..."
Almost every hair of Rei's body stood on end.
Damn, they were good...
Meanwhile, Dan broke out in a smug smile as his hands swished to conduct his wonderful and divine sounding singing minions.
He knew he'd made the right hymn choice with this one...he was a genius.
He smirked hard as he glanced at his Fireball.
He was pissssssed that Tyson and Max had come to watch.
And Grandpa Granger...
And some other people he wasn't familiar with.
The whole gang!
Had to give it to him, he was very professional. While his face might have given away his disdain, it was clear he was trying to hold it in. And his voice was on point.
Even he had to admit, after only having a few weeks after the contest to put this together, they were all pulling it out the bag.
He had chills!
...Or maybe it was the sub-par heater the council had so graciously provided them on the stage.
Anyway...it was time to party!
His with a huge lift of his hands, his squad of choir boys dug deep.
"Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim."
He held his breath and raised his hands again getting ready to signal them to sing that one more time but with some OOMPH!
His boys didn't disappoint, sending an epic case of shivers down his spine.
As he closed his fist, the crowd behind them broke out in applause.
Beside a sniffing Rei, gloved hands clapped frantically and manically.
Rei turned his watery eyes and lifted a brow.
Taking a break from his speed clapping, the back of the brown glove came to wipe his face of the streaming tears.
"Are you crying?!" Rei asked.
Tyson sniffled and snapped his wet face to him with a glare.
"I'm not crying, you're crying!"
"I am! I admit it!" Rei laughed as he dried the corner of his eyes.
Tyson's lip wobbled again.
"That was wonderful!" his voice strained.
Max grinned and shook his head, dry eyed.
He agreed.
Goosebumps. Goosebumps everywhere.
But he was proud he had been the one not to cry.
Or...at least not have any of them actually fall.
The group of boys in matching coats took their bow, turning in almost military precision and walking off the stage single file.
"That was some groovy tune! K-Dog and his crew sure got some pipes!"
The others turned to find an equally damp faced Grandpa, followed by Kenny and Hilary behind them.
"Hey! Where were you guys?" Max asked, "Did you miss it?"
Hilary looked annoyed.
"Oh! Now you guys care! Didn't seem too bothered when you ran off and left us in line for hot chocolate!"
Tyson growled.
"Don't look at me! It was Rei's fault! He was the one that insisted on front row seats! And where is it anyway?!"
Hilary was still steaming from the ears as she and Kenny lifted up brown paper bags filled with to-go cups of equally steaming hot goodness.
"Thank god! I'm freezing! Gimme gimme!" Tyson demanded as he charged at the bag.
"So, did you guys catch it?!" Rei pried.
They better not have missed him singing like that for some stupid cocoa...
"Of course we did! We stood at the back with Grandpa. Helped him figure out how to record on his phone!" Hilary snapped as she shoved the cheap cup in Tyson's hand.
Rei lit up.
"You recorded it?! Really!? Send it to me!"
They all turned to him, brows lifting in unison.
"...Little bit eager there, aren't ya Rei?" Tyson said in a perplexed tone.
Rei's face heat up as he chuckled awkwardly.
"What? Can't a guy be proud of his friend?"
God, this not telling them thing was killing him...
Only a select few people knew. A very select few. And that was by accident.
Unfortunately, none of them included their teammates.
Tyson shrugged. He guessed there was nothing wrong with that.
They handed out the cups, blowing on it and all melting in to the warmth with the bitter chill that otherwise surrounded them.
Rei looked around every few seconds, waiting.
He bet Kai could use a hot drink after that. If not just for his throat.
A few minutes went by before he straightened up, waving as he caught a familiar mop of wild hair.
"Over here!"
Kai sauntered over, hands in his pocket and deadpan faced.
Why had they all come?
Rei was fine...but he wasn't thrilled about the others witnessing that.
The gang was on him in seconds.
"Dude! That was wicked! Who knew a grouch like you could sing that good!"
"Amazing! You all sounded fantastic!"
"Tyson cried!"
"I DID NOT!"
"Did too!"
Kai both reeled and smirked at the same time.
"Uh, thanks..."
Rei grabbed the bag off Grandpa.
"Here! There's one for you!" he beamed as he offered him a cup.
Kai's face grew a lot softer.
"Thank you..."
"...Was so good..." Rei praised yet again as a wobbly smile stretched across his almost doe-eyed face.
Kai huffed out a bashful laugh and hunched his shoulders as he brought the cup up, eyes on him as well.
"Stop. You'll make me blush." he replied dryly yet playfully.
Tyson and Max frowned while Kenny strained to keep his own smirk away, blowing on his cup again.
"Guys...is this what being in an all boys school has done to you?" Tyson joked bluntly with the same perplexed look.
He quickly got an elbow in the ribs from Max while Kenny choked on his drink.
"Tyson!" the blonde hissed.
Kai was in a good mood. Why the hell would he ruin that for them?!
The two of them tensed, the doey looks fallen turning too deers in the headlights.
They eyed each other, looking to each other for the right response.
Rei looked hopeful. He was desperate to just have it out in the open. But wanted to keep his promise to Kai to wait until he was ready.
Kai read it. An almost silent noise of uncertainty seeping out his throat as he tried to make up his mind.
Things were going good. Really well, in fact.
He knew they'd have to spill the beans eventually...just..argghhh...
Rei gave him a nod. It was okay. They didn't have to...
In return, Kai's brow furrowed.
He could tell how much Rei wanted to tell them.
Just...DO IT!
"Well, actually..." his timid voice let out, making Rei light up.
"I mean...not the all boys school part...but...uhhh..." Kai scrambled, looking to Rei for help.
Rei jumped in. He'd tried and that was enough.
"We're sort of...together now." Rei blurted out.
Wasn't the perfect choice of words for the grand reveal, but at this point he didn't really care.
The others stood and stared blankly for a moment. Needing a moment to process that.
Tyson's face just got more confused.
"Huh!?"
Hilary on the other hand, squealed.
"Oh my goooodddd, really?!" she jumped.
Grandpa belted a laugh.
"I knew my tingling senses were right! Good for you, dogs!"
"Waaaaitwaitwaitwait!" Tyson burst out holding up his hands.
"You. And Kai. As in like...dating?"
Kai tensed, feeling his stomach drop.
Shit...this was exactly what he was afraid of.
"Yes, Tyson." Rei nodded simply. Boy was slow...wasn't his fault.
Tyson's head snapped from Kai to Rei. Rei to Kai and back again, eyes narrowed at them before they grew the size of plates and shined.
"AWESOME! I mean, I always had a feeling Kai was...you know."
Kai choked.
"Huh?!"
"What? You have that vibe."
"I do not! ...Do I?!" he squawked as he looked to the others, who all shrugged diplomatically.
The love of tight shirts and face paint was a little bit of a give away...as was the flare for dramatics.
"Does it matter? You are?" Rei asked him.
"No, it doesn't matter...just..." he mumbled, trailing off in to inaudible mumbling.
"Well, I'm happy for you both!" Max beamed, "I think you're good for each other."
Kai seemed to warm to that. As did Rei.
They warmed more when the others nodded in agreement.
Hilary wanted to flap, gush and get all the details, but was sadly cut off.
"Kai!"
They turned, Scotty strolling over with Reuben beside him, skip in his step.
The two of them smiled shyly as they approached the group of celebrities.
"H-hi!" Scotty waved, "I don't suppose you guys remember us..."
Tyson eyed them. Face blank as he shook his head apologetically.
Kai rolled his eyes at him.
"Yeh, you do. These are my friends from school. Came to the tournament...Threw me up in the air..." he added with a hint of disdain at the memory of being tossed up and down like a sack.
Tyson clicked.
"OOOOH! You guys! Yeh, I remember! How's it going? You're in the choir too, right? Saw you up there! Amazing job!"
Scotty was too distracted for the moment looking at Reuben, who seemed to have malfunctioned and frozen with his mouth dropped open in happy stunned awe and slightly damper eyes.
He subtly pat his back, knowing him well enough to know.
Yeh...Christmas had come early for Reu. He called them his friends.
"Uh...yeh! Thanks!" he finally caught up, "And thanks for coming to watch!"
They stood around making small talk until Scotty tapped Kai's arm.
"Sorry to drag you away, but I think Mr. Harris needs to round us up a minute."
"M'kay. See you in a sec." he directed at Rei before the two of them walked off, leaving the Bladebreakers with a still not quite over it Reuben.
"...You all right there, Reu?" Rei asked.
He gave a radiating grin back.
"Yeh! This is fun! Mind if I hang with you guys til our friends come back?" he tested out.
Oooooooh that felt good!
"Sure you can..." Rei chuckled.
He knew Reu well enough to know Kai just made him a happy little bunny as well.
Tyson eyed him.
"Did you know about...you know?"
The joy on Reuben's face dropped.
"Beg your pardon?"
Rei sighed.
"Yes, he knows about me and Kai..."
Tyson puffed his cheeks.
"The hell! How come you told them before us!?"
Reuben belted out a laugh.
"Oh, they didn't tell us...Scotty just caught them at the wrong time!"
Tyson's face turned to almost an evil smile as he stepped up to the kid he barely knew and put an arm round him.
"Is that right? Step this way, tell us everything..."
Meanwhile, Kai, Scotty and the other choir boys were rounded up.
Dan had just wanted to pat them on the back for a job well done before they all went off to enjoy the market was all.
It was over almost as soon as they had all come together.
He kept Kai back a minute, waving Charlotte over, who had been waiting just to the side for them to finish.
"You gonna go walk around with the guys?" he asked.
Kai shrugged.
"Yeh, I guess so. Why, did you want to leave soon?"
"No! We were going to have a look around too. But we were thinking we should probably head off by 7:30ish before everyone and their mother tries to leave at once. Good with you and Rei?"
Kai nodded.
Was fine. And not like they would have a choice either way if it wasn't. They were their ride.
He and Rei were spending Christmas break with them at their new home.
Something which probably made a lot more sense to Tyson and the others now.
He wouldn't admit it, or show it, but for the first time in his life, he was really excited for Christmas.
What he wasn't excited for, was them opening the terrible gifts he'd brought them.
He'd also never really had to give gifts before...
What was the etiquette?
What was a good gift or your music/home room teacher that had turned in to someone of paramount importance?
What was a good gift for that teacher's girlfriend?
And oh god, what was a good gift for the guy he'd been pining after this whole time, tried to ignore it, but then couldn't and they were finally together now and he wanted to stay that way forever and ever until he was dead?!
It was all too late now. They were all carefully wrapped under the tree now.
Right now, it all looked beautiful.
If they didn't like them, maybe it would make them like him less?
If he had access to all his cash, he'd just throw diamonds and Rolex's galore at them.
But sadly, he had an allowance and that was it.
Was a lot more than your average person's allowance, granted. But not enough for such luxuries in bulk.
He guessed he'd find out tomorrow...
Which came a lot quicker than he'd anticipated.
The few hours with the other Bladebreakers, Scotty and Reu flew by. Maybe due to it being enjoyable.
The rest of the evening too, spent eating the 'small spread' Charlotte had put together for Christmas Eve knocking them all out early and sleeping their way in to Christmas morning.
As Kai and Rei emerged from their room, washed and dressed, they came down the stairs to meet an already festive Dan, Santa hat and...hideous green and red sweater ready.
He threw out his arms and belted out a jolly laugh as he greeted them at the doorway to the living room.
"Ho ho ho ho! Come in, and know me better man!"
He was met with blank stares.
His arms dropped down to his sides.
"Muppets? No?"
Still blank.
He looked to Kai.
"Charles Dickens? Christmas Carol."
That clicked.
"Oooohhhh...right."
Dan rolled his eyes.
Nerd.
"Ah, fine...come on in! Merry Christmas, boys!"
As they walked in to the decked out living room, Charlotte came in looking more like a mature adult.
Nice sweater, jeans and a big smile as she ferried out some cinnamon rolls.
"Morning boys! Merry Christmas! Sit yourselves down! We don't usually eat that much Christmas morning, don't want to spoil any appetites for lunch! But if you do want more, we have plenty!" her musical voice told them as she ushered them to the couch and coffee table.
"I'll bring out some coffee and tea in a minuttttteee!"
True to her word, she came back with piping hot cups of morning goodness to start the day right.
The two boys were almost glad for Dan and Charlotte's chirpiness. Neither of them really knew what the protocol was here.
Rei was only familiar with a Granger house Christmas. Which just consisted of Tyson and Max going nuts with the snacks and food and madness ensuing.
This felt a little different...
More grown up and sophisticated. Sort of. Minus Dan.
Kai on the other hand hadn't even partaken in the Granger gathering. Too much of an antisocial asshole.
With breakfast eaten and cleared away, Charlotte pottered in the kitchen, Rei assisting to get the turkey and trimmings going before they came to join the other two.
"We ready for gifts?!" Charlotte asked as she clapped a little.
Kai froze.
Oh god...
"Yeeehhh!" Dan answered for them, taking his place by the tree to dish out.
"What we got here? Rei! One for you. Charlotte, love, one for you! Kai, here you are! And oooooooh one for me!" he said as he took the little one.
"Everyone ready? Go!"
With the tearing of paper, a stream of happy sounds came out.
"Thanks, honey!" Charlotte thanked as she lifted out a new bottle of perfume from Dan. The good stuff!
"Welcome! And what's this...? Haaaa! Rei! Thank you!" he grinned as he held up a dark blue tie with some faint music notes printed on it.
"Sorry it's kind of a boring gift..." Rei apologised.
"Don't be stupid! Love it!"
Rei looked down and brightened in a split second, forgetting about the tie.
"THOR!"
Kai froze.
Uh oh...
He'd bought similar..
Rei lifted out a box set of movies.
"Thanks guys!"
Kai died a little inside, until he looked down and gasped.
"OOOOOHHHH!"
They all looked up to see what would evoke such a reaction from the Dark Lord.
"What you got there?"
Kai grinned and lifted it out.
'The Library of Violin Classics'
"It's full of the sheet music! Solos! Got all the masterpieces in it! Thank you, Charlotte! Oooooh! Paganini! Next year's challenge! Have not even bothered trying to touch his stuff yet..."
Charlotte glowed and held a laugh as she watched him shove his nose in it.
That thing was only twenty bucks. Just didn't know what else to get him.
Didn't expect him to be that happy, but she was glad the inexpensive gift made the rich kid happy.
"You're so welcome, sweety!"
Rei shifted happily.
If he was blowing his load over that, he would probably like what he got him...
Dan chewed his cheek too.
If he was that stoked over that, he would really like what he got him...
More gifts got dished out.
Charlotte squealed over a big set of Clinique the boys had gotten her.
She never splurged on herself that much to buy it herself...
They both mentally thanked Hilary for helping them find something for her.
Rei laughed as he opened yet another Marvel gift.
'The Marvel Encyclopedia'
"Thanks Kai! This is cool! Funny how there's a pattern!" he said happily as he flipped through it.
He would have to make Kai read this as well. Get a clue...
Kai breathed a little easier. He looked pleased...
He went back to the gift in his lap, unwrapping the long box and opening it.
"Oooooooooooooooooh!"
Rei frowned at the weird shaped...wood with some hooks on it.
The hell was that?
The wood was pretty though...almost had a similar sheen to the tiger eye on his bracelet.
Dan watched nervously.
"You like it? Looked like you might need a new one...from Charlotte and I."
"It's perfect!" he beamed, "Thank you!"
"What is it...?" Rei asked.
Kai's excited eyes turned to him as he held it up.
"Its a new shoulder rest for my violin!"
Rei laughed.
Was a pattern forming for him, too.
But now he was certain he'd like what he got him.
Oooo, one more from Kai.
His eyes lit up as he tore the paper to show a shiny new Blu-ray.
"ENDGAME!" he bounced, "Yeeeehhh! I didn't get to see it in the theatres!"
Charlotte lifted her head.
Ooooooh, neither had she! They'd have to watch it while they were here.
"Thank you!" Rei bounced as he leaned over and pecked his cheek, bringing back the familiar flush as Dan and Charlotte aww'd.
With a few more bits and pieces for Rei from them, Dan picked up the thin, square shaped ones for him and read the tag.
From Kai.
He ripped a corner and opened it up. Stopping as he peeled it off.
"What's that honey?" Charlotte asked.
"Aw, buddy!" he gushed.
A vinyl record.
Queen, Under Pressure.
Kai tapped the pads of his thumbs together.
"That okay?"
Dan bit his cheek again.
"Yes! I love it! Will have to get a record player!"
Kai pointed at the tree.
"I uh...didn't think you had one...so..."
Dan's face fell.
He didn't...
He looked over his shoulder. Lo and behold, was another big box wrapped up. On closer look, had his name on it.
He pulled it out and opened it up.
"Kaaaaaaai, you really shouldn't have done this!"
Kai shrugged. Wasn't hugely expensive. He didn't get him a top of the line one in case he didn't like it. But he wanted to get him something half decent.
"T-there's one more there, too!"
Dan looked back.
The hell?!
Opening up another thin square, he let out a happy 'haaaa!' as he felt the hot prickling in his eyes come no matter how hard he tried.
'Chopin: Nocturnes'
"Bu-dddddddy!" he exclaimed, "This is awesome! Thank you! But you shouldn't have got all this!"
"It's the least I could do..." he shrugged again, flushing a little more and averting his eyes.
Dan grinned, blinking away prickles to stop himself making a scene he was sure neither he or Kai would enjoy and hunted for something under the tree.
"Heh, here...great minds."
He passed Kai another small present, which he took and peeled open.
A book. He liked those.
He turned it over and his own grin cracked.
'Frederic Chopin: A Life and Times'
"Great minds...thank you."
Rei shifted.
"You still have one left from me!" he said almost impatiently, hinting for Dan to pass it.
He took the hint, passing him kind of a heavy one.
Kai unwrapped it, Rei's eyes waiting on him as he did.
He tensed as Kai's eyes seemed to bug out his head.
"Reeeeeeeeeei!" he gushed, picking out a wooden, almost pyramid shaped thing that Dan and Charlotte recognised immediately, letting out their own approving ooooh's.
Wonderful choice!
"Is it...is it okay?" Rei asked, "The man in the store said most people had digital ones now, but this seemed like something you might like more."
It was called a metronome, apparently. Had a pendulum that swung and clicked to keep musicians in time.
He was answered with a strong impact as Kai launched at him.
"It's so perfect! You're amazing at gifts, mine suck! It isn't enough!" he apologised as he smooshed him.
Rei laughed as he hugged him back.
"They don't. I'm stoked. I thought mine was boring. Glad you like it."
The older couple gushed a little more before Dan picked himself off the floor and ran out, coming in with three more chunky wrapped gifts.
"Last ones! Here you are!" he said gleefully as he passed them out.
"Ready? 3...2...1...Go!"
On Dan's command, Kai and Rei began to open their gifts, Charlotte too.
Rei quickly lifted out a bundle of woolly...something. Holding it up to get a good look.
"Oh...its a..."
"Its an ugly Christmas sweater!" Dan beamed.
Rei looked it over.
Blinding red with some of the funkiest snowmen he'd ever seen.
His lips curled in to a smile. He liked it...
"Almost as bad as yours..."
Dan tugged at the bottom of his green and red monstrosity.
"This is art, I'll have you know..."
Another snort came from beside him.
"Oh...Dan!" she scolded with her own smirk.
He wiggled his eyebrows.
"A Christmas fox for my vixen..."
Charlotte turned it for them to see. A weirdly proportioned knitted fox wearing a Santa hat sat on a blue sweater.
It actually was kind of cute, Rei thought at least.
"Should I guess you also got me one of those?" Kai's dry voice asked.
"...You really are a smart cookie, aren't ya?" Dan grinned back.
Kai sighed, finally peeling it open and lifting out something black.
Oh, like his soul. He got it. Har har.
Dan looked excited.
"Lift it up! Lift it up!"
Kai did, getting a look at the damage first.
Oh for...
"Bah Humbug? Really?" he said in a dull tone as he turned it around to show the hideous lime green lettering.
Dan slapped his knee, finding himself hilarious.
"You can get away with wearing that all year round! It suits you!" he mocked before he clapped at them all.
"Now put them on! These only get a day of wear per year! Make the most of it!"
They complied with little resistance. It was Christmas after all...
With that being the last of the gifts, the boys cleaned the paper up while Charlotte dashed to the kitchen to check on everything and fetch them more drinks.
As soon as her butt hit the couch, she eyed Dan looking fidgety and like he was deep in inner termoil.
The room was a little quiet...but it had only been a few minutes.
What had brought on the sudden change?
Was he nervous? Wondering if the boys were enjoying this?
"You want another mimosa, honey?" she asked, wondering if the dose of booze would loosen him up a bit, "I found another bottle of champagne!"
"NO!" Dan all but yelled, making the other three jump.
"I-I mean, let's pace ourselves sweety, got all day to get slowly plastered!"
She eyed him and nodded.
He did have a point.
But still. What else would chill him out?
"Oh, I know! Before we get too full, sleepy and plastered, why don't we show Rei our Trio now?"
Kai flinched.
So did Dan.
Urgh, such pansies...
"Trio...?" Rei asked as he looked around.
"Yes. As in three! It's what you call a group of three musicians playing together." she informed him.
Rei twisted his body back to Kai, eyes big and glittering.
"You three play together?!"
Kai shifted and sat straight.
"Well...we only practised a few times. But Dan said he and Charlotte do it every year for their family. Since we were over, they asked if I wanted to join and play something for you..." he explained as his face went red.
Rei went gooey.
"Really?! Well then what are you guys waiting for! Go get your stuff!"
He never grew tired of listening to Kai play.
Dan was an excellent pianist.
And Charlotte he'd never heard play before!
….Wait, what did she play again?
Ah, he'd figure it out in a second.
Kai suddenly forgot he was anxious about playing for Rei for a moment.
"I can try out my new shoulder rest!" he exclaimed excitedly as he ran out to get it, shortly followed by Charlotte.
Dan sat on the stool at his piano and waited while the other two left the room, blowing out breaths.
Rei frowned.
"Are you all right, Mr. Harris?" he asked.
Was a bit too early in the day for indigestion.
"Fine! Yup! Absolutely fine!" Dan grinned, though his face looked a little flushed.
Moments later, the other two came back in, one small and one large case.
He made himself comfortable on the couch while the three of them prepared.
Cello! That was it! She played cello!
...The big case should have been the giveaway really. But then what did he know about music?
He felt his own stupid grin stretch at his always ever so professional boyfriend, new shoulder thing in place and tuning up and making sure it was all perfect.
Charlotte sat herself with the...really big violin? Between her knees as she quickly tuned up too.
"We didn't practice all that much!" Kai spat out at Rei, covering himself in case it sucked.
This could ruin their first Christmas together!
Charlotte rolled her eyes.
"It's all right! It's just us, just a bit of fun is all!"
"Exactly!" Rei agreed as he bounced on the couch, eager for them to start.
Kai and Dan exchanged glances before Dan counted them in.
His fingers pressed gently on the keys, playing a very familiar sounding intro before Kai and Charlotte's bows touched the strings, bringing in rich and smooth tones.
Silent Night.
Rei relaxed in to the plush couch, listening and watching.
A simple and classic choice. But that didn't take away from its beauty.
He took in Charlotte and her cello. It was nothing like a violin. The sound nothing alike either.
The sound coming from it was deep and rich. She made it look so easy.
Of course, Dan's fingers were dancing along the black and white keys as if it came as naturally as breathing.
And then Kai...
He loved how he looked when he played. He didn't visibly change per se. The intense focus and perfectionism was very much present, but something about him changed. Seemed more accessible.
And there was something about the movements and shapes his hands and fingers made on the strings that did things to him...
Now he'd given them all a glance individually, he let himself take them in as a trio.
They sounded awesome together.
Playing in harmony as if they were meant to be.
Which made Rei's smile and chest get warmer.
He liked the idea that they were.
The three of them, a trio of music nerds in lame Christmas sweaters, one unit.
A family in their own rite.
With a final stroke of bows and press of keys, Charlotte and Dan stood and took a bow while Kai stood nervously awaiting critique.
Rei clapped, fang still sticking out and glowing.
"That was fantastic! You guys make a really great trio! And I don't believe for a second you didn't practice!" he aimed more at Kai.
Dan clapped him on the shoulder.
"Yeh, I call bullshit! Sounded way better than that one run-through we did! That vibrato was mwaaah!" he complimented, chef kissing his fingers.
Rei's face sunk.
His what now?
"Uh, yeh!" he played along, "And I really like it when you do the wobbly hand thing!"
Kai blinked and made a face, trying to translate before a smirk Rei had never seen before crept.
Not a smug or mocking one.
More adoring.
"You mean this?" he asked as his violin went to his shoulder again, moving his bow while his finger wobbled on the string, like Rei had said, and with it making a pretty wobbly sound.
"Yeh!" Rei beamed.
Kai's heart almost burst.
Ah, he was wonderful!
Dan gave him a grin back.
"That's what a vibrato is, Rei!" he told him, "But I think I like 'wobbly hand' better!"
Rei's smile vanished as he sank, flushing a little.
Of course he would say something dumb...
Made a mental note, at least he knew that now...
"Oh, we're not making fun!" Dan added quickly, seeing his face, "I know I don't have a clue when you two talk beyblades! If you're not in the business, you don't know!"
Rei perked a little.
That was true...
"Well...I like your vibrato. Yours too, Charlotte! And Dan..."
"Pianos can't do vibrato." he informed him quickly.
"Yeh. One reason why its so much easier than strings." Kai added, quickly getting a thwack round the head.
"Excuse me?!"
"Ow! The hell!? It is!"
"You really want to start a war on Christmas?" Dan asked with his hands on his hips.
Kai eyed him.
No.
But he wanted to be right.
"Okay, fine. I'll prove it. Rei, come here. You're going to play something festive too."
Rei blinked.
"I am?"
"Yep! Now come on!" he urged as he set his violin down and sat himself at the piano stool, patting the space next to him.
Rei obliged.
"Give me your hand."
Any time...
He moved his hand so one finger was pointed, holding on gently and guiding.
"Ready?" he asked as he pushed Rei's finger down on to the keys.
"E, E, E. E, E, E. E, G, C, D, E..." Kai's husky voice sang along.
Rei's mouth dropped open.
JINGLE BELLS!
He was playing Jingle Bells!
"Think you can remember?" Kai asked, smiling at Rei's awe-struck expression.
Rei grinned, Kai's hand coming off and stabbing at the keys again.
The same tune played, his finger coming off as he looked at it like it was magic.
He lifted his proud and stoked head to them.
"I did it!"
Charlotte clapped.
Bless...
Dan on the other hand, narrowed his eyes.
"You did!" Kai praised, "Of course, it isn't as simple as one finger stabbing. Eventually you amp it up to sound like this..." he said a little smugly as both his hands went on the keys and played the same little chunk...only much better and complex, "But you see, even for someone who has never touched a piano, you can play a tune in seconds."
Dan's eyes narrowed in to a Kai-ish glare. He saw exactly where he was going with this.
"Now let's have a try on the violin, shall we?" he smiled smugly at Dan.
He pulled Rei up, handing him his precious violin, complete with his shiny new shoulder thing.
Rei was honored...
He stood like a mannequin and let Kai guide him.
"Hold the neck. Back straight...Put it on your shoulder there...mhmm, chin down. No, don't let it droop down. Good! Okay now the bow..."
Rei made a face of discomfort, his fingers being spread in to an uncomfortable position to hold the stick thing.
"Ah, near enough. Okay, now we gotta put your fingers like...this..." he explained as he tried to move his fingertips on to the right string in the right place, "And then put the bow here and..." he said as he moved the bow and pushed his elbow for him, making a screechy sound.
"...I don't like this one. Its hard..." Rei pouted, arms and fingers not enjoying this at all.
Kai turned a few degrees on the balls of his feet shooting Dan a now very smug grin.
"I believe I win..."
"You may have won the battle, but not the war!" Dan glared harder.
Charlotte looked between them.
She thought about stopping them.
But looking at the reversal in facial expressions, oh, how the tables had turned.
She knew how much Dan enjoyed ruffling Kai's feathers. But when did Kai ever get a chance for sweet revenge?
And he'd gone and hit him right where it hurt a musician and a man the most.
The pride.
…She couldn't help herself.
"Pfft, like the piano and violin are hard compared to the cello..." she smirked.
Two sets of fired up eyes snapped to her.
They were so easy it wasn't even funny.
But Kai's twitching eye was.
"What?! As if! You've got so much more space between your fingers to play a note!"
"Mmhmm...which means I have to move my whole arm where you just put down a finger..." she smirked.
Rei cracked a smile as he listened to the 'argument' while mentally taking notes. This was all pretty informative...
Was also nerdier than that time Scotty and Reuben bickered over who the best Doctor was in Doctor Who.
But he noticed the twinkle in Charlotte's eye.
Just messing with them cause she could.
He liked her...
Finally, after listening to Kai make his arguments why she was wrong, Charlotte stood up.
"All right, put your money where your mouth is. Come here!"
Kai's frown vanished.
"Hn?"
"You heard me! Come here! You used Rei as your little guinea pig, now I'm gonna use you to prove you're wrong..." she goated before her face went a lot sweeter, "Plus I said before I wanted to show you!"
Kai huffed, putting away his darling instrument that was getting slandered.
It was fine, he assured it mentally, he would prove its superiority. And she would be placed on the list for suggesting otherwise...
As soon as Kai stepped to her, Dan grabbed Ray's arm and dragged him.
"You too! Don't listen to him, he's full of shit!"
"Language, Dan!" Charlotte scolded.
"Well, he is! Now, learn from the professional..." he said strongly as he shoved Rei down at the stool and plopped next to him.
Rei lifted his head, watching Kai looking nervous as Charlotte sat him down and moved him just like Kai had done to him moments ago.
Dan's voice drowned out the moment his knees spread and the big, beautiful piece of wood sat between his legs.
He scolded himself.
Behave yourself, Rei. Today was a holy day.
But ooooooohhh...
He looked fantastic with a cello.
Charlotte went to work, the 'argument' gone from her mind.
She'd told him the first time she met Kai that she would show him, and had kept it in her head since.
Rei was always chatty with her from the get go. They had little things in common they could hold a conversation over. Had gotten to know each other a little over the very short time they'd known each other.
Easy to talk to and be around.
But Kai she was really yet to make a bond with. He was Dan's little Fireball.
Aside from their first meeting, their other encounters had only really been when Kai was having a bad patch and needed some scolding. Or a few words exchanged here and there.
He didn't seem as comfortable with her as Rei did. It was always Dan.
And that wasn't a bad thing. But if he was going to be in Dan's life, then she needed to break the ice.
She raised her head and took in Dan at the piano with Rei.
Aw, her Dan was a wonderful teacher. Look at him go!
And Rei's little face...he looked like he was enjoying it so far.
She knew Dan adored Rei, and Rei seemed to like Dan as well. But she had no idea just how well they got along.
This was nice. Perfect, in fact.
A very special Christmas already.
She went back to her new student, clearly struggling.
He did his best to pay attention and follow. But a good few years of technique drilling and meticulous practice on a different string instrument made it a bit hard.
The strings felt wrong. The bow hold felt wrong.
All of it was wrong!
But Charlotte, it turned out, was a good teacher as well.
But she wasn't that good, nor was Kai prodigy enough to master it in the twenty or so minute lesson he had before she went running off to the kitchen again.
She took her own stringed baby, putting it away and swearing she'd get back to it with him later before she did, leaving Kai to watch Dan and Rei.
He shifted in his seat breaking in to a goofy smile a he watched Rei clumsily play what Dan was showing him, his eyes full of focus while at the same time smiling.
Ooooooh. Maybe Rei would get in to it. Start doing lessons. Or he could teach him! He wasn't a pro like Dan, but he was more than proficient. Enough to teach a beginner.
They could play together!
Was it too late to buy him lessons and stuff for Christmas?
Rei let out a chuckle.
He had no clue what Dan was talking about.
He was just pushing the keys he told him to.
He doubted he was cut out for music.
He lifted his head and caught Kai watching, looking happy.
Maybe he should give it a shot. He hadn't known how passionate Kai was about music until he came to the school. But now he wondered how it had gone unknown that long. He seemed to live for it as much as he did blading. Not to mention how overly excited he was about all his Christmas gifts. All violin related.
His biggest role model was a pianist and his music teacher, whose wif- girlfriend was also a music teacher and cellist.
If Kai was making an effort to come out of his shell a little like he had been, live for more than work and study, then maybe it was only fair to try and join in with this?
At least learn a few things.
He doubted the 'wobbly hand thing' was the first dumb comment he'd made. Nor would it be the last.
A little while later, Charlotte informed them lunch was almost ready, sending them to set the table ready.
She ferried out an incredible feast of turkey, potatoes and vegetables that was way more than four people could handle.
But it was so good they gave it a good shot...
After they lethargically cleaned up, Charlotte snuck off.
She came back in to the living room, all three men with their noses in the various books they had received for Christmas in a post turkey slump.
She let the mischievous smirk crack as she hoisted up the cardboard box onto her hip.
The one she'd found while they were unpacking and kept aside for this very moment.
"Oh booooyyyys!" she let out musically, "Who's up for a little walk down memory lane?"
They all lifted their eyes from their books.
"What's that hun?" Dan asked a little nervously, getting a hunch.
"Well, we have all these albums and photos and stuff we still haven't unpacked yet! Thought maybe the boys might be interested!" she said innocently.
But really, she wanted to show them college years Dan. When the hair was bright red and he was trying and failing to look like a rock star.
"Noooo, I don't think they dooo..." Dan's said pointedly as his eye twitched.
Kai's book was down before it closed.
"Ohhhh yes they doooo!" he bounced, looking like...well, a kid at Christmas.
Dan glared again.
Of course he did...
Rei set his aside and went to bounce beside him.
"Seconded!"
Charlotte let out her melodic chuckle and got on the floor, quickly joined by the boys as they waited.
"What do we have here?" she said innocently as she opened it, feigning ignorance as to what was inside.
"Ohhh loooook! It's our college days..." she smiled innocently as she flipped through a few aged pictures.
"This is me..." she said as she handed it to Rei.
She had nothing to fear. She never did anything too wild. Her hair was naturally auburn, and now she was older she could look back and say herself she used to be pretty darn cute.
"Whoooa! Charlotte! You were hot!" Rei blurted out.
"She still is!" Dan stabbed in quickly.
Charlotte turned to him and blushed, waving it off.
"Ohhh...honey!" she gushed, "You definitely aged well!"
"Aged?!" he snapped, "I'm still in my prime!"
"Uh huh...anyway! Ooooohhh! These are my old roommates! Oh, they were fantastic! Still stay in touch now, actually. Not as much as we'd like, but with the internet and what not now we can still see what everyone's up to!"
Kai nodded politely.
Yeh, yeh! Make with the goods, lady!
Charlotte smirked. She could see Kai bursting at the seams.
"And this...is one Daniel F. Harris..." she announced as she found the one she had searched out previously, handing it right into Fireball's hands.
He took it, grinning like a Cheshire cat, while Rei grinned too, also looking like a cat but...he always did.
They took in a much younger face, same huge grin as always.
A scruffy chequered shirt that was way too big for him with some band t-shirt underneath.
Jeans that were ripped at the knees.
But none of that mattered.
What mattered was the fire-engine red hair.
So very. Very. Red.
There was a moment of stunned silence before they both let out deep snorts, followed by an eruption of deep, belly laughter.
Dan glowered at Charlotte, who gave him a pretty smile back.
This was a wonderful Christmas...
Sound of laughter in the air...
Rei's died down, while Kai couldn't quite breathe yet, making the mistake of looking at it again and setting himself off more. Legs kicking a little as he hugged his stomach with his free hand.
"Ooowwwwww!" he whined in a wheeze, tears coming to his eyes.
"Careful you don't throw up." Rei smiled, looking at the picture again and letting another smaller giggle slip out.
Kai's highly amused eyes met Dan's, making it even funnier.
"You look so stupid!" he howled.
Dan rolled his eyes, but a viral smile cracked.
He'd never seen Kai laugh like that. Anything like that.
That was worth the humiliation.
"Ohhhh, laugh it up Smurf boy! Just you wait, years from now some little shits will be peeing their pants looking at pictures of the get up you're in now."
"Ahhhh if I don't care now, I doubt I'll care later..." Kai sighed, finally calming down and handing the picture back.
Hopefully there would be more...
Dan snorted and nodded.
Whatever he said...
He joined them on the floor, figuring now they jokes had been made, it might actually be nice to sit and look through.
And...
Would maybe provide the perfect opportunity he'd been waiting all day for...?
He'd already chickened out twice...
Oooooooh, and thanks to Kai, he had the perfect thing to add to it.
That little diamond!
He cleared his throat.
"You know what this little bit of nostalgia needs?! Some ambiance! Why don't I fire up the record player Kai got me?"
Kai's tail wagged a little, pleased he liked it.
Dan went over to the tree to get the box, sitting down on the floor to open it up.
Good! No assembling needed. Just plug this bad boy in!
He clambered around to get it plugged in and set up, shifting back under the tree to get his records and rolling it out the sleeve.
He checked the back to see the order...
Oh good, was the second one...
He fiddled a little more until a warm crackle graced the room followed by warm and glorious piano.
He shifted back, placing himself beside Charlotte and dipping his hand in to the box.
"Now, where were we?" he asked as he pulled out some pictures himself.
"Ooooh! Us at the college bar! Spent a lot of time in here..." Dan chuckled as showed it to the boys.
"We actually used to play there a lot. Being a music school and all, they always had little events and stuff for people to perform. Wasn't a concert hall with tuxes and stuff, but was actually helpful playing in front of drunks. They were way more honest. Got that thick skin quicker.." he laughed as he turned to Charlotte.
"Ohhhh, remember three-drinks Andy?"
"Urgh! Just awful!" Charlotte tutted.
"Who?" Kai and Rei asked in unison.
"Oh, come on! He was fine before the three drinks..." Dan reasoned, "He was a guy called Andy, funnily enough, a regular. After three drinks he always turned in to a real obnoxious asshole. Had something to say about anything and anyone...so yeh, he was fun to play in front of..."
Charlotte shifted smugly.
"He never said anything to me...he liked me."
Dan gave her a look.
"Yes...he did..."
"OOOOOO, was he your love rival?!" Kai blurted out, "And how come he won?!" he threw at Charlotte.
"Oh! No! He was not my type..."
"And...he was?" Kai asked with a cocked brow, nodding at Dan.
Dan frowned.
How come he was getting all the abuse and torment today!?
"Hey Rei? What do you see in him?"
"Oh, plenty!" Rei answered brightly, getting a happy and bashful look off Kai in return.
Dan would jab back, but...
Awww...
Charlotte chuckled again.
"Yeh, he was. He made me laugh the first time I ever saw him. Not cause of the hair..." she winked, "Was in a class full of real stiffs. If they smiled, their faces would crack types..."
"Like you!" Dan jabbed at Kai.
Kai rolled his eyes.
But he was pretty sure he heard this story when he met Charlotte the first time.
And was pretty sure Dan made the exact same jab then as well.
Eh. Old people repeated. Wasn't their fault.
"You know, I still can't remember for the life of me what he said to the professor, but it was so clever and witty! And he got zilch! Nothin! Which made me laugh harder."
"Was wasted..." Dan shook his head.
"It was...but I guess he heard me laugh and was glad there was someone with a sense of humour in that place. Asked me to go for coffee after class, we went and..." she trailed off as she blushed like a school girl.
"Annnnnnnnnd?" Dan pried with a coy grin.
He'd been wounded more than once today, he deserved an ego boost.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek, making Kai and Rei tense a little.
They'd never been that affectionate in front of them before.
"And from then, years together, a break up, years in other countries apart, a reconciliation and good number of years on top of that, you're still my type..." she said as she fluttered her lashes.
Maybe it was because it was Christmas...
Maybe it was the presence of a fresh new teenage couple...
Maybe it was the mimosas...
But she'd come over all gaga for him again.
Her ears perked up and her face went brighter and sappier.
"Ooooooohhhh Dan! It's our music!"
Kai strained his ears.
Oh yeh! Nocturne in C sharp minor.
The one he and Dan played together at school. He'd said he played if for Charlotte.
Dan sat up straighter and listened.
Shit! It was!
It had been going completely over his head.
Ohhhhhhhh God. Now or never...
Now or never, Harris!
Be a man!
Just...DO IT!
"...Dan? Are you all right?" she asked as she saw him looking off again.
With a bead of sweat forming on his brow, his hand came out and grabbed her hand.
"Yes! More than all right! Because I have the most amazing woman who puts up with my crap and loves me anyways!"
Kai and Rei blinked.
...Um. Okay?
He was lucky, to be fair...
Charlotte blinked too at the suddenness.
Was he drunk already?
"Dan..." she chuckled. He had a way with words...
"It's always been you!" he fired out, pre-pepared speech in his head gone and having to improvise. Not something achieved easily when nervous and under pressure. "Even if my actions might not have shown it at times...I've been selfish and went ahead with things that meant you went waiting for the things you wanted...but I lost you once years ago and I never ever want to lose you again! I-I'm an idiot! But I just don't work without you! So its late...it's soooo late and I'm sorry! But I don't want to keep you waiting any more..."
He shifted himself clumsily on to one knee in front of her, reaching in to his pocket for the box that had been digging in to his thigh all day, waiting for the right moment.
"Charlotte Banks, will you please marry my sorry ass?!" his voice cracked anxiously as he opened it up for her.
Kai and Rei let out gasps and clung on to each other, holding their breaths.
NOOOOO WAAAAYYYYYY!
Charlotte stared at the diamond glinting back at her.
She had been expecting this for years.
Pissed off it kept not happening.
But now the moment was here, and the proposal was so...Dan.
She may as well have been a fresh faced, blushing 20-something year old.
Her eyes welled up and her lipstick colored lips quivered.
"...About frickin' time!" her voice strained in a high pitch as she slapped his arm, "Yes! For the love of god, make me a Harris already!"
Rei felt himself about to blub as Dan slipped the ring on her finger. Teetering harder when Charlotte threw herself at him and they kissed.
Aw, the happiness was real!
He heard a sniff beside him.
He turned his watery eyes to Kai, who was staring very intently at the lightbulb in the ceiling as he brushed the corner of his eye with his finger.
"Are you crying?"
Kai shot him a glare.
"I'm not crying, you're crying!"
Rei chuckled.
"Yes! I am! I admit it!"
Dan jumped to his feet, fiancé in tow.
"Champagne! For all! Screw it, we aint gonna tell anyone you're underage!" he beamed as he took off, dragging Charlotte to the kitchen with him, probably for a moment alone.
Which was perfect, because it gave Rei and Kai a moment alone...
The moment Rei's ears picked up footsteps, he pushed away from him, giving them time to straighten back up.
Two big grins came back in, him with the bottle, her with four glasses.
As they settled down and Dan peeled off the wrapper around the cork, Rei whipped his phone out to take some pictures.
With a pearly white smile and an incredible pop, white fizz gushed out, quickly poured in to glasses and handed out, the pale, goldish color sparkling in the slim glasses.
"A toast! To future Mrs. Harris..."
"To future Mrs. Harris!" they echoed, clinking glasses and taking a sip of their first champagne.
….Ew. That was...dry.
They swallowed it down, setting their glasses on the side to congratulate them and make a fuss.
"Oh, I'm so glad you boys are here to share it with us!" Charlotte gushed tearily as she bear hugged them both, only pulling back to let them breathe and to show off her ring.
As the high came down, but not the awesome atmosphere in the house, they settled down, going through the rest of the photographs and listening to their stories.
Kai hung on every word. Not just because he was interested in their story, their travels and paths they'd taken, but because music college sounded...awesome.
Somehow, after the trip down memory lane, the Christmas trash on TV and a weird craving for snacks despite a few hours before swearing they would never eat again, the day was...done.
After the night crept in, Charlotte declared herself ready to call it a night, taking herself upstairs to get ready for another early night.
As she went, Dan took himself off to the kitchen to make them some tea to take up. She always did like that herb crap before bed.
He looked over his shoulder as he heard movement and threw a grin at Kai, shuffling in through the doorway.
"Hey! Wanting something? Help yourself!" he invited as he went back to to the hot water.
"Oh. No, thanks. Rei and I are going to head up to bed in a minute..."
Dan nodded at the cups of herbal tea.
"Alright, bud! Nighty night!"
"Night..."
He stirred the cup, and yet didn't hear or sense him moving.
He slowly turned to see him stood there like a lemon.
"...You all right?"
Kai shifted.
"Mmhmm."
And then continued to stand awkwardly.
So Dan waited.
Finally, he mustered up enough...whatever he needed.
"Congratulations, Mr. Harris. I, I mean we, we're really happy for you."
Dan took a moment before his small smile broke.
"Thank you. Incredibly overdue, but thank god she said yes."
"Better late than never?" Kai offered, not knowing what other pearl of wisdom to give.
"Exactly. And hey! Thanks to your awesome Christmas gift, got to add in the perfect background music! Absolutely perfect gift, thank you."
Kai's tail wagged again.
"Ohhh, it was just a little something...you know, it was actually kind of hard to think of something you might like. I wasn't even sure if you'd like it, I think vinyl is a little before your time, right?" he fired out.
Dan's brows came up a little, amused at the flapping.
"Well, yes and no. I had cassettes and CD's. But my dad always had vinyl. Had heaps of them! Wonder if he's still got them...could raid his collection...and besides, doesn't matter if it wasn't my generation, still something wonderful about records." he said before he clapped a hand on his shoulder.
"And I'm really, really touched by the thought that was put in to it. Absolutely love them. Thank you."
Kai nodded, still shifting.
"I really liked mine too, thank you."
Dan snorted.
"Oh, now those really were just a little somethings. I feel bad. Just you are also horrible to buy for. Had no idea!"
Seriously, what do you buy a kid who was sitting on more money than he would ever make in a lifetime?!
"No, no! I really do like them! Read the first little bit today and seems like a really well written book! The shoulder rest is awesome! Charlotte's sheet music has a bunch I've never tried to play before. And as for this..." he said as he stretched his Christmas sweater, "Well, this is dumb. But everyone wearing one was kind of fun. I've never really had a Christmas. Nothing like this at all. And it was...well, it was the best. Better than anything you could wrap up."
Dan's face got softer.
Aw...Fireball...
"I'm really glad."
Kai shifted a little more.
"So yeh...thank you..."
Dan felt a smirk crack again.
He could sense it. The reason for all the stalling. The awkward shifting and the averted eyes.
Or he hoped that was it at least.
His smirk grew when he saw Kai's hands flinch. Fists opening and closing at his sides.
Did he let him suffer and carry on this...whatever you called it? Or did he put him out his misery and just hope to God he didn't misread the situation?
Screw it, was Christmas.
He playfully rolled his eyes and stepped forward, grabbing him and bringing him in.
"We're both happy as hell you came to spend it with us. And you're more than welcome next year, the year after or any year after that." he said as a few wild slate tufts tickled his face.
He smiled more when he felt the arms go round him too.
"Merry Christmas, Kai."
"Merry Christmas, Dan..."
He kept him there a little more, daring to pat and rub his back a little while trying not to well up a little.
What a...fuckin' fantastic Christmas...
Kai finally cleared his throat and pulled away.
"Well I'd better..."
"Yeh! Yeh, you go on up...See you in the morning buddy."
Kai bid him goodnight again, actually leaving this time and going up the stairs to his room, finding Rei already washed and ready for bed.
"I think Charlotte just finished in the bathroom if you want it." he told him as he undid his hair, cross legged on the bed.
Kai nodded, finding his pyjamas and taking himself off to get ready as well.
He came back a little while later, Bah Humbug sweater sadly off and folded, not to be seen for another year.
Rei peeled the covers back, inviting him in to the spot he was keeping warm for him, shifting back to his side.
As he climbed in, the blanket enveloping them and eyes getting close up, hands instantly draped and lips instantly met.
With small, content and almost sleepy noises leaving their throats, a lengthy session ensued, making up for time lost during the day.
They only stopped when lips were near enough bruised and oxygen was running too low.
They stayed huddled in to each other, on their sides and pressed up against each other.
Warm, cosy and blissful.
They stared at each other quietly for a little while, enjoying the nice and peaceful feeling, when suddenly, Kai made a face that sort of resembled Dan's when he'd, as it was now clear, been pussy-footing around proposing.
Oh no...had indigestion struck?
"You all right?"
Kai's currant colored eyes stared back for a second, frozen and frantic.
Unlike Dan being long overdue, this was way, way too soon. Wasn't it?
And yet...
"Rei?"
Rei's face looked back warily at the tone of his voice.
"Yeh?"
"I love you."
Panic struck as he saw Rei's face drop.
Shit! Shit! He'd fucked it!
You complete...fucking...moron!
Could he take it back?!
'Just kidding' felt like a terrible idea.
And it would be a lie.
Rei finally smiled as it sunk in, putting a hand on his face to calm the instant panic that took him after he'd said it.
"I love you too."
The panic stopped and his face hung.
"...You do?"
Rei chuckled.
"Yeh. I have for...I don't even know how long." he shrugged as he smiled.
"Hn. Me too, I guess..."
Rei shook his head.
"Pair of idiots...took way too long."
Ooh! Kai had a response to that!
"Better late than never."
"True...Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas..."
Forgetting the almost bruised lips, they went for round two, which tasted even sweeter.
Best. Christmas. Ever.
Meanwhile, down the hall in the master bedroom, Dan rolled off Charlotte, having finally taken the chance to do a little (albeit quiet) celebrating of their own.
Their slightly dishevelled hair hit the pillow, taking a second to catch their breaths before she rolled in to him and cuddled up.
He took her newly ringed hand and kissed it.
"Love you, Vixen."
"Love you too..." she replied as she pushed herself up and leaned over him, planting another peck on him.
"Perfect way to round off a perfect day." she smirked coyly.
Dan let out a quiet and filthy chuckle.
"Can say that again..."
Her smirk turned to a softer smile, going in again and planting a softer kiss on him.
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Harris..."
"Hn." he chuckled again, "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Harris."
End of Chapter!
I really hope you enjoyed it, and I hope wherever you are you have a wonderful Christmas!