"Joy to the world! The Lord has come!" Quatre sang with the music.
It was soon Christmas and the Bartons' house had been decorated with Christmas lights, ribbons, and tons of tinsel. Quatre often spent time with Trowa and Mr. Barton for this time of the year since his own father didn't feel it necessary to decorate the house. He didn't even feel it was necessary to take a break on Christmas. So, Quatre helped Trowa decorate the house, inside and out. They picked out a tree and were currently decorating it while Mr. Barton was out, picking up Catherine and Iria from the airport.
"Merry Christmas Eve!!" Catherine shouted as she burst through the doors.
"Catherine!" Quatre squealed in delight. He rose from his spot on the floor and charged at the woman to give her a hug.
"Hello, Quatre!" she beamed as she returned the hug.
"Hey! Happy Holidays!" Iria called as she walked in.
"Iria!" Quatre embraced his sister.
Trowa got up from where he stood and walked to his sister and friends. "Hello Cathy."
"Trowa Barton, do you think you're too good to give me a hug?" Catherine said pulling her brother into a tight embrace.
"Well, well. Brothers and sisters reunited again!" Mr. Barton mused stepping into the house.
"Help me with the presents, Quatre." Iria said, leading the way to the car.
Quatre obeyed and followed his sister where a pile of presents awaited the pair to carry in. Quatre picked up half of the pile and Iria picked up the other half, but leaving one next to her luggage.
"What about that one?" Quatre asked.
"Oh. That's for dad. I don't think I need to bring it in there."
"Oh okay." Quatre followed his sister into the Bartons' home and place the gifts under the tree where Catherine and Trowa continued to decorate the tree. Mr. Barton had ventured into his office to finish up a bit of paperwork.
"C'mon Quatre. Walk me home." Iria said holding out a hand to her brother. Once again, Quatre obeyed taking his sister's hand.
"I guess she's gonna tell him." Catherine said to no one in particular as the two made their way out the door.
"Tell him what?" Trowa inquired.
"Oh. You'll find out later from Quatre." Catherine hopped up, grabbed her luggage and lugged it to her room.
Trowa cast his sister a look of utter confusion before adding more Christmas lights to the tree.
* * *
"Here, lemme get that for you." Quatre said, pulling the suitcase out of the car. Iria smiled and picked up the gift for her father. "Thanks."
Quatre glanced at his sister. She looked downright giddy. "Iria, did something happen? You're acting...odd..."
"Oh you're being silly." She giggled before turning in the direction of their house.
That's when Quatre noticed something on his sister's hand. He gasped.
"Iria! Is that a ring!?"
Iria turned, her smile getting bigger. She sighed in utter happiness and nodded at her brother.
"Well? Who's it from? What's his name? What's he like?"
"Calm down, Quatre. His name's Tom O' Neal. He's simply fabulous." She sighed again.
"Iria! I'm so happy for you!" Quatre dropped her luggage and gave her another hug. "What's the date?"
"Not for another two more months. He went home to tell his parents. I plan on telling dad sometime soon. Quatre, I can't wait for you to settle down with someone. I can't possibly describe the way it feels to be in love."
Quatre smiled. He still hadn't told Iria or his father about his sexuality. He was too afraid of what their response might be. He picked up the suitcase and continued walking home as Iria described her fiancé.
* * *
"She's gonna get married on the fourth of February. She's completely in love with this guy and I'm so happy for her." Quatre said standing in the doorway to the living room. He was leaning against the wall with a mug of hot cocoa in his hands.
"What does your dad think?" Trowa asked standing opposite of Quatre.
"He doesn't know. She's gonna tell him over vacation."
Catherine squealed as she looked at Iria's ring for the millionth time.
"He had this fortune cookie made where the fortune inside said, 'Iria, will you marry me? -Tom.'" Iria explained.
"Awww! That is sooo sweet!" Catherine smiled.
"I know! When I looked up at him and he was sitting there with a ring in it's little heart shaped boxed. He smiled at me and I couldn't help but say 'yes'. I've never been happier!"
"C'mon. Let's go to my room. I'll give you something for you to borrow." Catherine winked. Iria giggled. They ran up the stairs.
Quatre sighed and took a sip of his cocoa. "You know, I'm beginning to think I won't find anyone like Iria has."
"Why do you say that?"
"Well, I hardly go out on any dates and so far, no guy I've been out with has been remotely interesting." Quatre stared at the blazing fire in the fireplace. "And to top things off, I don't even know what it's like to be kissed."
"Quatre..."
"Hm?" He turned to look at Trowa.
Trowa closed the gap between him and his friend. He lifted Quatre's chin, bent down and kissed him softly on the lips. Quatre's eyes went wide with surprise. Trowa broke away after a few seconds and looked Quatre in the eye. He smirked at the blonde and then looked up. Quatre followed his friend's gaze and looked up.
'Mistletoe...' Quatre shook his head, a small smile on his lips. "Trowa, you are one the weirdest friends that I have."
"I know."
Quatre turned into the kitchen and washed his mug. Trowa watched his friend before turning to the living room to sit on the couch. He stared into the fire and was soon joined by Quatre.
"Now that you've had your first kiss, do you still think that you won't find anyone?" Trowa asked.
"Well, considering the fact that my first kiss came from my best friend and a straight guy, I'd have to say 'yes'." Quatre laid his head against the armrest.
Trowa chuckled softly. "You, Quatre Winner, are impossible."
* * *
"Merry Christmas, Quatre!!" Iria yelled as she burst in her brother's room.
"Whaddaya want...I'm sleeping...go way..." Quatre slurred, pulling his blanket over his head.
"Come on Quatre! It's Christmas!"
"It'll be Christmas in five hours when I'm awake..."
"Awww. Come on!" Iria tugged the blanket down to reveal Quatre's annoyed face.
"Lemme alone...I wanna sleep..."
"Quatre, wake up!"
"Bug dad..."
"Dad left for the office an hour ago."
"Follow him..."
"Lazy bum."
"Nag."
Iria grabbed Quatre's pillow from under his head and smacked him. Quatre gave her his best death-glare he could pull half awake.
"Wake up already!"
"Fine!" Quatre forced himself to get up and walk to the bathroom.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"You're a pain in the morning."
"That's only cause you won't let me sleep."
* * *
"This one's for Quatre. From my dad." Catherine said handing over a present to Quatre.
Quatre smiled. "Thanks, Mr. Barton."
Mr. Barton nodded in response.
"For me, from Iria. Thanks, love." Catherine winked at Iria placing a present in her own pile.
"To Trowa, from Quatre. To Iria, from Quatre. And to dad, from Trowa." Catherine finished handing out the gifts.
The five tore open wrapping paper, pulled off bows, and removed lids from boxes. 'Thanks' was said over and over in the living room and hugs were distributed amongst one another. Soon, the girls were giggling and chatting as they cleaned up the mess from the presents. Mr. Barton and Quatre were watching television, both drinking eggnog.
"Quatre, come here." Trowa called to him.
Quatre turned and saw Trowa standing at the base of the stairs. He got up and walked over to his friend. "Yeah, what's up?"
"C'mon." Trowa walked up the stairs and headed for his room with Quatre right behind him. "Sit."
Quatre sat down on the bed and looked at Trowa, confusion written all across his face. "Trowa, what-?"
"Merry Christmas." Trowa held out a present to Quatre.
Quatre just stared at the gift.
"Come on. Take it."
Quatre shook his head. "I can't."
"And why not?"
"I still haven't paid you back for the violin."
"Quatre," Trowa sat down next to the smaller boy. "It's been over four years. You've taken me to about a hundred movies and paid for about three hundred meals. I think you've paid me back by now."
"But that's not good enough."
"That's plenty good in my book."
"We have different books."
"Well how about that gift you got me this year. It was awesome." Trowa was referring to the art kit he received. It was a wooden box that was filled with all kinds of art supplies. One side held pastels, chalk-like drawing utensils, and color pencils. The other side held little tubes of paint surrounding small paintbrushes. Trowa absolutely adored the gift.
"It's not enough..."
"Quatre. I don't care what you say anymore. You're gonna accept this gift, even if I have to hide it in the back of your closet for you. And that's that."
Quatre looked up at Trowa and sighed in defeat. "Fine. It's enough..."
"Good. Now open it."
Quatre took the gift and pulled off the wrapping paper. Inside, there was a framed oil painting of himself, standing in their clearing, playing his violin. Quatre stared at it, his mouth agape.
"When did you do this?"
"Whenever I found the time."
"It must've taken you ages."
"Close, but not quite." Trowa winked.
Quatre placed the painting on the bed and hugged Trowa. "Thank you. I love it."
"You're welcome. Merry Christmas, Quatre."
"Merry Christmas."
* * *
"Today was fun." Iria said. She and Quatre were in their own home, sitting in front of the fireplace.
Quatre nodded and smiled. Iria placed an arm around her brother and leaned her head against him. Quatre held her hand and leaned against her.
"Quatre, I don't know how you stand being home by yourself so much. I'd go mad."
"I'm used to it. At least I get a chance to practice without anyone to nag me about it. And I usually go over to Trowa's house, too."
"Hmmm." Iria played with Quatre's hair.
"So, what's it like?"
"What's what like?"
"Love."
Iria sighed in contentment. "It's a wonderful feeling. You get butterflies in your stomach and you can't help but enjoy being near the person you're in love with. What's with you in the love department?"
"Absolutely nothing." Quatre chuckled.
"Nothing, huh? Don't worry. You'll find your dream girl eventually."
Quatre bit his lip and sat up. He looked at his sister, nervous about what he planned on telling her. "Well, actually...I don't dream about girls..."
Iria sat up and cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Quatre looked away. "Iria, I...I'm gay." He looked up at Iria.
Iria blinked. "Since when?"
"Iria, what kind of question is that?"
"Sorry."
The two sat in silence for five minutes.
Quatre bit his lip again. "You aren't disgusted with me are you?"
Iria looked at her brother. "Come here." She said, holding out her arms. The two resumed the position they were in earlier. "Of course I'm not disgusted. Just a little shocked, I guess. I would have never thunk it."
"You're not gonna tell dad are you?"
"No. That's up to you. But I think he should know."
"I know...I'm scared. I'm afraid of how he'll react." Quatre sighed. "I'll tell him when I'm comfortable, I guess."
"Hmmm." Iria continued to play with Quatre's hair. She smiled. "Quatre, you know I only want to see you happy, right? I don't care who you like, just as long as you are pleased with who you're with."
"Thanks, Iria. You have no idea how nice it is to hear that. How comforting."
"Hmmm. So...You think Justin is the cutest N*SYNC member, right?"
"Actually...I think Lance is."
"Ugh. I think you and Catherine are plotting against me."
"Yup." Quatre and Iria chuckled.
Author's Notes/Disclaimer: A little teaser with the whole mistletoe thing. Sorry. I just had to do it. The whole proposal fortune cookie came from Mickey Blue Eyes. I thought it was nice so I decided to use it. Don't sue! And thanks to the reviewers/readers.