A/N: Second chapter. It looks like this won't be finished until Christmas Day – sorry, you guys... but hey, it just means you get a longer-lasting Christmas present, right?
Amarant really didn't consider his personal feelings when he accepted – or surrendered to – Eiko's invitation. Now, as he stands in Lindblum castle with Eiko, he realizes why he had refused the first time.
He hates Christmas.
From his cabin in the woods, it didn't seem so bad, really. He knew there'd be snow – something he hates, since he's not exactly warm-blooded – and probably some Christmas trees, but nothing like this. Holly, garland, magic lights – everything that symbolizes the holidays is in the excess.
"Eiko, I'm going home," he mumbles, turning and starting back for the dock, but the girl grabs his arm and shoots him a glare he thought only women like Lani could pull off.
"No, you are not! You promised, oniichan! Come on, Zidane and the others are probably in the courtyard."
The little girl easily drags the bounty hunter through the castle, and he feels humiliated as some guards look at him in amusement.
The courtyard is covered in snow, just like he had dreaded, and the others are, indeed, out there.
In the middle of a snowball fight.
Amarant ducks a badly thrown snowball and glares at Steiner, who blinks in confusion.
"Amarant!" Garnet exclaims, laughing, "I didn't think she could actually convince you to come!"
He sulks, and mumbles, "You'd be surprised."
"Eiko, you're a wonder," Freya drawls, tossing a snowball up in the air and catching it.
"It wasn't hard!" the girl exclaims, shrugging and grinning in a self-possessed way, "I just had to tell him that me and Zidane and you all really wanted to see him, and he agreed!"
Amarant winces at the supposedly casual addition of Zidane's name, and glances at the boy – young man, man, whatever. He doesn't look too much different – his hair is longer and tied back with a ribbon, and he's wearing the same kind of hundred-gil-a-stitch clothing as Eiko is wearing. He's taller, too, but really, he looks just the same.
Garnet looks like she always has – even with the extra long hair. Freya and Steiner are probably never-changing, and he's slightly thankful, since he hasn't changed either.
He hopes.
"I guess you really are a big softie," Zidane laughs, and his voice is deeper now – just a little. Everything with him is really subtle. "Just like Eiko says, huh?"
"Why, you little..." Amarant easily reaches down and scoops up some snow.
Zidane's eyes widen and he jumps back, tail lashing behind him – just a little longer and just a little thicker. "Hey! I didn't mean it!"
"Too late for that," Eiko giggles, and then shrieks – Amarant drops the entire handful of snow on her head, smirking.
"You're assuming I'm going to always lash out at Zidane?" he asks, "Eiko, that'd just be unhealthy."
"I'll bet," the girl mumbles, wiping the snow off of her head. "Zidane!" she exclaims, "Why don't you show Ama-chan his room, and find a bath for him? He's all dirty."
Zidane blinks, and then shrugs, grinning. "Sure," he drawls, "Come on, 'rant."
The bounty hunter follows the monkey back into the castle and sighs. "Fucking cold," he mutters.
"Yeah, I know," the blonde laughs, "What did you expect? Maybe you should have brought a coat."
"Didn't exactly have time," the redhead shrugs, "Eiko kind of swept me up."
"Yeah, we developed an entire tactic based soley on getting her in and making sure you knew she wasn't going to leave."
"We, huh?"
Zidane shrugs, and – if his eyes aren't playing tricks – Amarant swears he blushes a little. "Yeah. She was just going to summon Mog to convince you to come; you're lucky I talked her out of that one."
"I'll bet."
They wind through the passageways and end up on the second floor. "We're all staying up here. Is Lani coming out, later?" the blonde asks, looking back at the bounty hunter, who frowns.
"Why do you all assume Lani is going to be attached to me all the time? She's spending her eve in Treno, at every bar available to her." He shrugs, "I think she's dating some fop. Who knows?"
"Wait – I thought you two were together!" Zidane exclaims, grinning, "That's a shame – I'm the only one tied down, am I?"
"Freya is too, I hear."
Zidane frowns, and shakes his head. "It's different for her."
"So I hear."
"Well, here's your room," Zidane says, twisting the door handle and letting the bounty hunter in. Amarant turns when the door closes, and Zidane looks at him helplessly. "What do I do!"
"About what?" he asks, confused.
Zidane leans against the door and runs a hand through his hair, sighing. "Garnet. What do I do? I can't take it anymore!"
"I don't know why you're crying to me. I don't give a shit." At Zidane's depressed look, Amarant shrugs, "I don't know – act like me. She'll leave you in a moment's notice."
"But... I don't want... I don't know."
"You better do something soon. If you want out, get out, but do it now, before you get any more comfortable in the lap of luxury." Amarant shrugs, "I can't help you."
"I don't want to be on her bad side. Garnet's wonderful, you know? But..."
"You grew out of her?"
"It's not like that!" Zidane exclaims, "I just..."
"Figure out a foolproof way to get out of her graces while staying in them, then. I need to take a bath – you go talk with Eiko or something. She seemed anxious to help you."
"She didn't say too much, did she?" he asked, flushing.
"Just enough to get the idea across. She had a few harebrained schemes herself. Go talk to her about it. I need a bath."
"...Okay. Sorry for dropping this on you, Amarant."
"Do I have a choice on what you do to me?" the bounty hunter asks, mildly annoyed.
"Everyone has a choice," the blonde responds, before leaving. "See you in a bit, 'rant."
"Hn."
Amarant finds the bathroom behind another thick oak door and takes a moment to look over the spacious, marbled room. The bath is large and there's two taps on either side – imagine, not having to heat the water by hand – and a few large bottles filled with hair stuff, soaps, and bath salts. He only stayed in a place this fancy once before, and that had been four years ago.
He turns on both faucets and balances out the hot and cold water, and strips, slipping into the water and sighing. Fuck. I hate Christmas, why am I here?
Eiko grins in his mind and he rolls his eyes.
He really just doesn't like Christmas. But he's surprised – there's been less Christmas-related stress these past few days than he's used to having. It sets him on edge; surely, less stress from one thing means more stress from something else, right?
He tilts his head back and soaks his dreads, grabbing the hair stuff and straight away washing his hair – they can be less hassle, but sometimes he wonders if he should just let his hair grow out straight. He used to know a kid with hair straighter than anyone else in his entire race, and it looked fine on him...
He rinses out the conditioners and leans against the tub, closing his eyes. Sometimes, he just has to wonder where his mind is...
There's a sound from just beside the tub – a sound Amarant can't define – and he opens his eyes.
Zidane slips into the tub, soundlessly, easily, sliding up to Amarant from the end of what seems to be a much longer tub than he had thought it was, originally.
"Zidane – what are you-"
"Shh."
The blonde – with hair shorter now, like he used to, with narrower eyes and that same thieving smile – leans forward, arms lacing around Amarant's shoulders, lips catching his – so warm –
"Fuck!"
Amarant jerks his head out from under the water and spits out some water, wincing. He must be fucking exhausted, falling asleep and dreaming like that –
"Oniichan!"
He wonders if his door has a lock. He wonders if the bathroom has a lock, and pales considerably.
"What?"
"We're going shopping, so hurry up! You're coming too!"
"No I'm not," he calls back, sinking down to his eyes in the water. Maybe if he doesn't say anything else, she'll just go away.
"Do you want to stay in the castle all by yourself?" she asks.
She has him there.
"...Fine," he sighs, "Give me a moment, would you?" He mumbles under his breath, "Pesky brats, can't get a fucking second of peace."
"I heard that!" the girl shouts, before – as far as he knows – going away. He gets out of the tub and bites his lip, looking for a razor. If he's going to go anywhere, he's going to make sure Eiko can't bitch at him for anything.
And he has to take a breather after that incredibly short and intense dream.
Fuck.
"Ne, Ama-chan, what took you so long?"
The bounty hunter sighs and looks down at the little girl, who is wearing a nice fur coat over her silk gown – a perfect little princess, he decides, smirking inwardly.
"You were the one complaining about my hair," he tells her, shaking his head and looking at the others, who are giving them both strange looks. "What?" he snaps, and they quickly look away.
He's not wearing anything different, other than the thick coat he found on his bed – a quick glance at Zidane showed him who was responsible for that. This puts the redhead on guard; he doesn't need anymore reasons to dream about Zidane.
Eiko crosses her arms and taps her foot. "Well, now we're off!" she exclaims, turning and marching smartly out of the hall, towards the trolley. The group glances at Amarant, who shrugs.
"What do you keep looking at me for?"
"No reason," Freya drawls, smirking and following Eiko. The group filters behind her and Zidane takes up the rear with Amarant. Garnet looks preoccupied, talking to Steiner lowly and looking around worriedly.
"What's her problem?" Amarant asks quietly, and Zidane holds up his hands.
"No idea. Some political business – nothing that I should be 'sticking my nose in,'" he says, sounding a little bitter, before smirking. "I'm surprised you really are coming with us. Christmas shopping and Amarant? They just don't sound right together!"
"They aren't meant to be together," the bounty hunter drawls, "But Eiko's... a force to be reckoned with."
"I'm surprised you haven't challenged her to a fight, with that kind of attitude," the blonde grins.
"I would lose a hundred times over. She can cry on cue. Plus, she's a kid." He looks down at his feet, "I hate kids."
"That's a shame, she loves you. Ne, Ama-chan?"
"You call me that again and you'll find yourself without a jugular."
"I hope she's not getting a crush on you like she had on me," Zidane laughs, "That'd be horrible for you."
"Trust me, I'm not her type."
They reach the trolley and all of them clamber in, just barely fitting – just like old times. Amarant feels a little nauseous at the idea of facing holiday shoppers.
They move swiftly down the tracks and then they are let off at the shopping district. Amarant sighs and lets the crowd jostle him.
"Alright! Garnet and I will go this way!" Eiko calls, and sends Zidane a look that makes both him and Amarant blink in confusion.
"I must escort you," Steiner says, following the two quickly, clanking all the way.
"I guess that leaves us, huh?" Zidane says, looking to Freya and Amarant. Freya smirks.
"Sorry, Zidane, but I have my own obligations at the moment. If you two would excuse me..." She starts to walk away, before turning, "And, Amarant?"
"What, rat?"
She laughs, "You and I will have to spar sometime soon. I hope your time with Eiko hasn't forced you soft."
"Do you want your lungs served to you on a skewer?" the bounty hunter asks, grinning.
"Perhaps." The Burmecian turns again and walks out into the fray.
"Well, I guess it's just us, then."
"Yeah," Amarant sighs, "So..."
"Hm. I've done most of my shopping, really..."
"...The bar, then?"
Zidane grins, "Even better – come on!"
Without waiting for Amarant's response, Zidane grabs his arm and drags him into the theatre-district-bound trolley. The bounty hunter allows this only because he's still recovering from the crowded shopping trolley, and this one is much less packed. He stretches his legs and sighs.
"Off to see your thieving friends, huh?" the redhead asks, and Zidane nods, still smiling.
"I haven't gotten a chance to go see them, and I wonder what they'd think of my refineries, you know? Besides, Blank always told me to grow my hair out, so maybe he'll be content now, knowing that it doesn't look any good on me."
"It's not so bad," Amarant drawls, and then catches himself and adds, "At least now you look less like a little kid."
"Ah hah!" Zidane exclaims, "I knew my dashing good looks were recognized by everyone!"
"You wish," Amarant mumbles and forgets his dream for the fifth time.
They reach the theatre district and Zidane climbs out; Amarant follows only because he has nothing better to do, and what good would it do to wander around for hours on end, alone?
No good, he decides, and trails after the bouncy blonde monkey, who's whistling one of those up-tune Christmas carols and is practically dancing. He wonders if all the holiday cheer is going to make Zidane explode.
It's starting to make Amarant's head explode, at least. His senses are quite a bit stronger than a normal person's, and there are a lot of things to sense during the holidays. Pine trees, cinnamon, holly, sweet cakes – the smells hurt his head because they're so clashing. The lights and colors and decorations hurt his eyes and his ears can't stand the caroling much longer. If this was five years ago, he probably would have been vicious and would have started a few fights.
But it's not. It's present day, and he's thirty years old and not really one for fights anymore. Not unless they're worth it.
He hates Zidane for that.
They reach the "secret hideout" and Zidane knocks sharply against the door, still humming some stupid tune.
After a moment, the girl actor – Ruby, Zidane mutters, smirking – calls, "Zidane!"
"Maybe," the blonde responds, and the door jerks open.
Ruby is still Ruby, from what Amarant remembers. Her hair is tied back and she has a few lines under her eyes but that's what happens over the years. She grins, "Zidane!" and hugs him warmly, grinning and pulling away. "Look at you, all decked out! C'mon in, darlin', we were wonderin' when you were comin' to see us!"
"I brought a friend," Zidane laughs, jabbing a finger at Amarant easily, "Hope that's okay."
"That's fine!" Ruby says, smiling at Amarant, "I think I remember you – you were at the play, right?"
"Yeah," he grumbles, nodding.
The blonde boy beside him waltzes in with all the ease that he used to have, and Amarant follows Ruby, who calls out, "Blank! Blank, where in the hell are you?" She crosses her arms, sighing, "I think he's sleeping."
"Oh, really?" the blonde grins, "Let me just..." With a few leaps that probably took years of practice, Zidane clambers up the ladder to the loft.
"So he hasn't changed," Ruby sighs, shaking her head like a mother would. Moments later, there's a shriek and Zidane skitters back, laughing loudly.
"Fuck!"
"Rise and shine, sweetie!" Zidane cooes, leaning out of the way as a boot flies past him, hitting the ground below.
"Goddamn it, Zidane, if you ever- wait, Zidane!"
The blonde laughs and is promptly tackled from, what Amarant can see, a redhead who had been in the play as well. "Look at you, asshole! All decked out nice, playing prince, huh?" Blank pokes the other as he says this, grinning.
Zidane grins as well, and shoves the other off of him, "Yeah, yeah, look at you, exactly the same, but looks like you gained a few pounds!"
"You'd think that with all the fucking clothes I'm wearing, goddamn!"
"Blank, get yer ass down here, would you?" Ruby calls.
"Hey, where is everyone, anyways?" Zidane asks, leaping off the loft and landing on his feet – like a cat, Amarant notes idly.
Blank hops down the ladder and crosses his arms, "I think they all went drinking, didn't they?"
"Mmhm," Ruby sighs, "We had to stay and man the fort while they went out. There've been a couple'a robberies around, so we don't want none of our stuff stolen, you know?"
"Couldn't you just steal it back?" Amarant asks, "After all..."
"We could, but that'd be such a hassle," Blank waves a hand, "Besides, it's too cold for that. So!" He turns to his blonde friend, "Where's your little Queen? Thought you two were still dancing about in royalty."
"Yeah," Zidane moans, sitting down at the table. Amarant leans against the wall, watching this one unfold. "It's just..."
"Zidane Tribal," Ruby scolds, "You better not be thinking about leaving the Queen!"
"I can't help it, Rube!" the blonde exclaims, "I'm not royalty, and I can't fake it, either. And she's getting so wrapped up in it..." Before Ruby can start up again, Zidane says, "I love her, you know? But it's not... I don't know, it's not how it was."
"Well, once you're practically married," Blank says, holding up his hands and not finishing his sentence.
"It's not like that – I want to be her friend, and all, but I don't think..." Zidane shakes his head, looking to Amarant for help. He doesn't give it, so the blonde decides, "I just don't think she wants anything more than friendship either."
"But," Blank interjects, nodding, "You've been together for four years, and you don't like change."
"Exactly," Zidane sighs.
"If I had known you were only coming for relationship help," Amarant drawls, "I would have gone drinking myself."
"Hey, now!" Blank exclaims, grinning, "That's a fine idea! The best ideas come after a few rounds, after all – come on, Z', you'll feel better once we have a drink or five!"
"Blank, that is just the solution he doesn't-"
"That's exactly what I need," Zidane cuts off Ruby, smiling, "Let's do it, huh?"
"And what do you expect to do about the burglaries?" Ruby asks.
The two thieves look at each other, planning. Amarant wonders if he can't escape now.
Decorations of red, you know?