-1Show me the meaning
By EpitomeOfMisery
Chapter VI: Gradual Trust
Max laughed at the Christmas comedies showing on the television, grinning madly, unlike the Russian beside him.
Judy walked over, placing two plates on the coffee Table in front of the teens. One plate contained candy canes, while the other held Christmas cookies, shaped to represent Christmas trees and stars. "Here you are, help yourselves." She gave them a smile before walking back into the kitchen.
"Alright!" Max cheered, sticking the end of a green and white candy cane into his mouth. He sat back, glancing to the side at Kai. "You can have some too, Kai. My mum made them for both of us."
Kai blinked at him before looking at the food almost wearily. Silently, he picked up one of the Christmas tree biscuits, looking it over before taking a small bite.
Max smiled. "My mum makes the best Christmas cookies! Aren't they the best ones you've ever tasted?"
"They're the only ones I've ever tasted," He said without expression, sitting back like it was normal to have never eaten the items of shaped dough before.
Max's eyes widened. "No way! What do you eat at Christmas then?"
Kai was silent for a few moments, before he replied. "Nothing."
"Huh? But surely you have Christmas roast and stuff? You can't eat nothing!"
The Russian shrugged. "I'd sometimes get a bit of fruit of something," he mumbled.
The expression on Max's face was nothing short of shocked. "A bit of fruit? That was it? It's Christmas, you're supposed to enjoy yourself and eat lots of sugar and chocolate," the American said as if it was a fact of life.
"I don't."
"Well, you can now," Max said determinedly. He sucked on the candy cane before grinning. "I can't wait, tomorrow's Christmas eve!"
"Hn," was the only response Kai gave, taking another small bite of his Christmas cookie.
Max awoke earlier than usual, but found that Kai was nowhere in the room. Guessing he was once again on the roof, the American decided to leave him be. He respected Kai's need for personal space and also did not fancy nearly falling two stories down either.
Dressing quickly, he headed into the kitchen, pouring himself a bowl of cereal and sitting down at the table.
It was no more than five minutes before he raised his blonde head to the sound of the door opening. Which was rather unusual for the Tate household at quarter to seven in the morning.
He was even more surprised when Kai entered, a shopping bag in his hand.
"Hey Kai," Max called. "Where have you been so early this morning?"
The Russian raised his head, slightly surprised at seeing Max up this early. During his time with the Bladebreakers, he had seen that he was always first up, far before the others. In fact he had never known any one of them to be dressed before eight.
Quickly regaining his composure, Kai walked through to Max's bedroom, quickly sliding the bag under his own bed, before Max had an opportunity to question of it's contents.
Meanwhile in the living room, Max had stood to follow after the stoic youth, when the phone interrupted him.
The American was forced to divert himself, picking up the receiver and regarding the caller.
"Hey Max," Tyson's voice chirped out from the other end. It seemed the ex-All star was not the only one starting early today.
"Tyson? No way, what are you doing up at this time?"
"Blame Daichi. He wouldn't stop pestering me and it's kind of hard to sleep with the monkey boy jumping all over you, so I decided to get an early breakfast," the world champion explained.
Max laughed at his friends' antics, twisting the phone cord round his finger.
"So anyway, Maxie, I actually called to ask if you were doing anything today."
"Today? No, I don't think so," the Draciel master replied.
"Great! Because I thought we could get the whole team together for a, like, mini Christmas party. I asked Kenny and Ray yesterday and they both agreed, but you know it wouldn't be the same without you, buddy."
"Yeah, you know I'll be there."
"Wicked! Now the only thing left to do is track down the grouch," Tyson laughed.
"Actually, Tyson, he's-" Max cut himself off, realising what Kai would think if he told Tyson he was living with max's family. The pestering world champ would want an explanation of why, and he knew Kai would flip if Tyson found out and started feeling sorry for him.
Luckily, the Japanese boy was already carrying on, whining about Kai's anti-sociability.
Max listened, barely resisting correcting his friend.
"Hey listen Tyson, I'll ask Kai, you never know he might come," Max cut in.
"Yeah and Daichi will win an award for manners. But you can try if you really want to," Tyson laughed.
Max giggled too, "Don't worry, I can be very persuasive when I want to be."
"Anyway, I'll see you at my house at one. And Kai, if the wet blanket agrees."
"See you there then," Max concluded, hanging up. He then turned in the direction of the bedroom.
He opened the door to see Kai sitting inside, cross legged on the bed, with his eyes closed.
"Hey Kai, there's a party at Tyson's later," Max informed.
Crimson eyes opened slowly, acknowledging the blonde. "Hn. And that concerns me in what way?"
"Because you're invited."
"And what makes you think I'd go?" Kai asked, his voice calm but cold.
Max's smile faltered. "Because, we're your friends and we want you to come."
Kai gave no response, jumping of the bed and stalking across the room, scarf flowing behind him.
"Kai wait!" Max called, stopping the teen as he reached the door. "Please come. It'll be a lot of fun and we might have some beybattles. And I-"
"Look, Max," Kai growled, cutting off the blonde. "You may enjoy Tyson and that other brat acting like a fool. But I don't have time for little kids' games. So for what reason do you think I should waste my time with you brats."
Max frowned, slightly hurt. "Because I didn't tell Tyson that you've been living on the streets because I'm trying to help you have a good Christmas for once, Kai!"
Kai stopped, slightly shocked. He had opened his mouth to snap back at the American, but he closed it, shaking his head. He walked out into the living room, heading toward the door.
Max sighed, looking down sadly.
"What time?"
The blonde's head snapped up, surprised. He blinked, staring at Kai's back as the Russian stood in the middle of the living room. "Er…" he started dumbly. He shook his head, snapping himself out of the trance. "One o' clock at Tyson's place," he said brightly, smile lighting up his freckled face.
Kai nodded, heading out the door without looking back.
"Hey Max, glad you could make it, buddy!" Tyson beamed, opening the door to the blonde.
"Hiya, Tyson!" Max replied, removing his shoes before following his friend inside. He waved to Ray, Hillary, Kenny and Daichi who were already sat on the wooden floor. "Hey guys!"
"Max, good to see you," Ray smiled, motioning for the blonde to sit down.
The American took the seat, gazing around the bright room. "I love your decorations, Tyson. They look awesome!"
"Thanks!" Tyson beamed. "Grandpa and Hillary did a great job!"
"Well someone had to do it!" Hillary said, pouting slightly. "You and Daichi were too busy eating all the food that was supposed to be for the party! Grandpa and I had to go out and get a load more!"
"Hey, if you don't want food eaten, don't leave it lying around," Daichi argued.
"It was lying around!" Hillary protested, glaring at the small boy. "It was all wrapped up in the fridge!"
"Well how were we to know it was for the party?!" Daichi huffed. "You should have put a sign on it or something."
Hillary growled. "There was enough of it! I thought you would have the intelligence to guess!"
"Well you were wrong!" Daichi said, clearly not understanding.
As the two began to argue, Kenny tried to break them apart, while Tyson only got involved. Ray sat, watching with amusement. Only Max noticed the door open.
"Hey Kai!"
The others stopped, looking up to see the Russian standing in the doorway.
"Hi Kai," Hillary said cheerily, smiling at the slate haired young man.
The young man didn't respond, crossing the room and moving to sit against the far wall.
"Same old Kai," Tyson huffed. "As antisocial as ever." He turned back to the other with a cheery smile. "So guys, it's Christmas, what shall we do?"
"Let's start on the food!" Daichi suggested enthusiastically, as everyone else sweat dropped.
"How about we check out some of the Christmas movie on TV to start with?" Ray suggested.
"Yeah," Kenny agreed. "I hear there are some good ones on this year."
"Alright!" Tyson cheered, leading everyone through to the other room. "Let's have a look," he said, switching on the set.
As they found one everyone liked, they all sat down on the floor. Kai moved to the back of the room, sitting in the corner, but watching the screen with hidden interest.
Max blinked at the Russian, getting up quietly and moving to the back of the room. He sat down beside Kai, giving the other a friendly smile.
The crimson-eyed boy blinked, as Max looked back to the screen. Eventually he leant back against the wall, folding his arms, a small smile on his lips.