april kisses
mistletoe
by: samthegreat
disclaimer: see previous chapters.
The holiday season was not a big event in the home of Watanuki Kimihiro. This time of year, he had reasoned with himself long ago, was meant to be enjoyed by someone who had others to enjoy it with. Watanuki had no one. Oh, he wasn't without school friends. He had Himawari-chan after all and, as annoying as he was, Doumeki counted for something. He also had the cute little minions, that black thing, and his alcoholic boss. But it wasn't the same. Not since he had lost his parents had he celebrated the winter holidays. He sighed as he packed Yuuko's luggage. Yes, Yuuko had people to spend the holidays with. She said some thing about an old friend who lived in a warm enough climate to keep the witch from freezing over the holiday.
Watanuki allowed his annoyance to seep through. Why did he have to prepare for Yuuko's trip? "Like always," he grumbled, "I do all the work and Yuuko-san has all the fun." "What is that, Watanuki-kun?" The silky voice seemed to come from no where. He turned his glare to the tall woman bundled in an electric blanket. "Ahhh, what's with the sour grapes?" "Sour boy! Watanuki is a sour boy!" the strange children chimed after their mistress. "I just hope your vacation from your carefree lifestyle is rewarding and relaxing enough for you," he said boldly. "You obviously don't realize what hard work it is to be me," she scuffed with insincere offense. Blue eyes rolled upwards behind black glasses and a grumble of "Yeah, right," was released. "Oh, don't be so melancholy, Watanuki. It's the holidays after all. It is a time for joy and happiness. And…" She smirked in an evil and overly triumphant way, "It's a time for rum balls!"
"Yay!" the minions and Mokona cheered as the witch struck a dramatic pose. "Be sure to make me tons, okay Watanuki. I'd love to take some on my trip." While mumbling incoherent bitter phrases, the indentured servant slipped on his frilly apron and strapped on his usual bandana. "Hey, Watanuki." The boy looked up at his boss while trying to gather the ingredients for his desired recipe. "Try to have fun while I'm gone, okay? The holidays can't be all that bad." He sighed as he looked down into the bowl of flour he was holding. No, for those who have someone to share it with, the holidays could be very favorable. It was easy for Yuuko to say such sentiments about the holidays. For the lonely boy, however, it was just a typical series of days.
"If that's all, Yuuko-san, I'll be heading home now." Watanuki wrapped a long blue and white stripped scarf around his slender neck and gathered the rest of his things. "That sounds fine. Bye!" with one last glance at the half drunk occupants of the home, Watanuki walked out of the shop with the intention of going home and sleeping until the holidays were over. "Watanuki-chan! Wait!" The thin boy turned to see a bouncing ball of fluff hurdling towards him. As if by instinct, he put his arms out and caught the tiny, black animal. "Mokona? What is it?" In the creature's tiny arms was a small black package with red and green ribbon wrapped around it. "Mokona was told by Yuuko to give this to you. I almost forgot." The small creature looked down sheepish as it relinquished the package to its new owner. "What is it?" "A Christmas present!" the thing chirped with delight. "A Christmas present?" Watanuki moved to untie the ribbon. "No, no, no! Yuuko said to be very careful with it. Use it only when you know it is right. Don't open it too soon or maybe things won't happen as they should." The creature chirped and bounced out of the boys hands. "Bye Watanuki. Mokona will see you when we get back from our vacation."
His walk home was nauseating. Holiday cheer lined every street and every person had the same utterance spring forth from their mouths' "Happy Holidays!" All the bespectacled boy wanted to do was slink home and go to bed. It was freezing out side and a warm bed and a cup of hot chocolate seemed all too wonderful to be true. "I wish I was home." He walked so quickly through the crowd that he didn't notice the woman with the arm full of presents. Gifts went flying as the two collided. 'Great!' the boy chided himself internally as he bowed deeply and offered the slightly stunned woman help with her packages. She smiled gratefully and wished Watanuki a happy holiday. Bed seemed even better now then it ever had been.
The apartment was empty and predictable. Just once, he would have liked to come home to a little chaos. Maybe a few dirty dishes in the sink or some clothes thrown on the bathroom floor. Everything was always as it should be and, as much as he liked order and organization, he crazed the unknown. Really, he just wanted someone to be there. He quickly whipped up a bowl of ramen. He leaned into the bowl and sniffed the contents. It was delicious, he knew it already, but he just couldn't bring himself to take a bite. The food went down the disposal and that cemented Watanuki's evening. "I might as well go to bed," he sighed as he removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He replaced the spectacles on the top of his nose and caught something out of the corner of his eye. It was red and green and black all over. "Yuuko-san's present."
He went to the table he had placed the small package on. He picked it up and weighed it silently. It was very light, as if it only contained air. He sighed. "What's the point? This time of year is so meaningless." He flopped down onto his comfy sofa and propped his chin up on one hand as he continued to stare at the present. "I guess it wouldn't hurt to open it," he said to himself. He felt lonely and, as pathetic as it seemed to him, it felt nice to have gotten a present this year.
As he gingerly touched the ribbon, he thought of Yuuko, her wild drinking, her secret smiles, her little helpers, and strange black creation. She had a reason to celebrate. He touched the bare lid of the box and thought of Himawari-chan's sweet smiles, her cheerful attitude, and her holiday happiness at home with her family. Himawari had a reason to celebrate. As he lifted the box lid, he thought of Doumeki's blank face, his piercing eyes, his smileless mouth, and his family shrine. He opened the box and looked inside. "Doumeki is a reason to celebrate," he found himself saying. With out much thought, he threw on his coat and scarf and, with the package in hand, ran out on to the cold street.
He ignored the thought in the back of his mind that he had surely gone crazy. He had something he needed to do. Again, in his rush, he didn't notice where he was going. Luckily, the person he ran into this time was much sturdier than the gift woman. Watanuki went stumbling back and caught himself quickly. He looked up and saw those eyes. "Oi, trying to kill me or just yourself?" Watanuki fought to catch his breath. In the lull, he noticed that Doumeki was carrying a full bag in one hand that seemed to be steaming in the cold weather. The bespectacled boy pointed at the bag, "What's that?" Doumeki looked down casually. "Dinner. Some of it made by my mother, some of it I bought." "What's it for?" The taller boy looked straight into the shorter boy's eyes, "No one should have to spend the holidays alone, Watanuki."
Watanuki knew then. It was the right time. He reached into the package and stretched his arm over the taller boy's head. Leaning up, he placed a sweet kiss on the other boy's lips. Much to the surprise of the shorter boy, Doumeki deepened the kiss by drawing Watanuki into his form. They pulled away and their hot breath culd easily be seen in the frigid air. "Mistletoe," Doumeki nodded as he took the other boy's hand, "Nice touch."
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