A/N: Oh my gosh.

Now this is serious fluff if I ever did see . . . fluff.

Riku is really OOC btw. Yes, I know. I'm sorry! I mean you can totally tell that I was in a rush while writing this. It's certainly not my best. For whatever reason this one-shot is lacking. XDD;;

Anyways, I figured, "what the heck?" and since it's almost Christmas and New Years is around the corner, that I ought to write something holiday-themed to commemorate the well, holidays. lol. Plus, an Aeriku was requested by both m o o g l e d a i m e and Chibi Taryn Demon. I hope you guys like it despite the total cliché!

so far, these couplings are on my list of 'to do's' in the near future (aka requests thus far): Seifer x Aerith, platonic!Moogle x Aerith, Marluxia x Aerith, Demyx x Aerith, Sora x Aerith, Axel x Aerith, Tifa x Aerith, Leon x Aerith, and Xemnas x Aerith. Wow. That's a lot already! If you guys have anymore, feel free to let me know in a pm or review.

To everyone: Have a safe and happy holiday!

Disclaimer: I own zip, zero, and nada. Except for Aerith's mint-green scarf, teehee.

Heartprism

» (Mistletoe : Kiss me)

Snow fluttered onto the earth like soft feathers, creating a silvery blanket on the ground. A cloak of it fell upon the once naked trees' sable boughs as all the world was set aglitter from the lace laden fall. The once brilliant sapphire hue of the sky had paled into a dull and roiling grayish color, only to be reflected by the silver frosted white scenery; lovely tangos of chilly breezes and wispy flakes grew bold and relentless, hinting winter's random temper. It was breath-taking, dazzling even in all its pure white and beauty, but the teenaged boy couldn't help but despise the arctic temperature that came with it. All in all, he had come to the unprecedented conclusion that no matter how many layers one wrapped themselves in, nothing made a difference once one was exposed to the drastically declining temperatures of the outdoors.

Riku despised the cold, and decided then and there that he abhorred the final season like no other.

Mouth set in a firm line of blatant annoyance, the silver-haired boy shivered as another icy gust of wind blew past and sent his platinum-hued strands whipping wildly about everywhere. He precariously balanced the stack of presents he was carrying in his arms. The varying shaped boxes in question, in their myriad of colorful wrappings and bows, listed dangerously to one side then the other with each step he took, as if taunting him.

Sighing in complete exasperation, Riku reminded himself why he was doing this as he snuck another glance at the older girl walking beside him out of the corner of his eye. His gaze lingered on her lithe form longer than was strictly necessary; her hazel locks were tied back in a comfortable braid, with only a few wispy strands hanging loose and curving smoothly around her attractive face. Her eyes, the most unique shade of green he had ever seen in all of his life, were a bright emerald with rings of lime green that blended harmoniously and ended up encircling her dilated pupils. They shone reliably and clear, and he noted a cheerful gleam that almost always seemed to be present in their radiance. Her outfit consisted of a simple brown jacket, a long, flowing skirt in a pale pink, and a mint-green scarf strung around her neck loosely.

Why was he carrying half a dozen presents and walking down an empty street in the middle of a freaking snow storm?

Oh, right.

He was doing it to help out a pretty girl. A very pretty girl, indeed. Not to mention the fact that if he did not hurry up, then he would be late for the Christmas party -- his whole reason for being there in the first place.

Riku had been reluctant to come to Radiant Garden at first, especially when Sora had randomly made dramatic motions with his hands and said "you" and "party" in the same sentence while they were all still back in their island paradise. Kairi had clapped a hand over mouth and giggled like mad as his face had drained of all color completely, absolutely horrified at the foreign notion. Yet much to his chagrin he had been dragged off to board the Gummi Ship forcefully and against his will anyway. But after having been ditched by his two best friends back at the Shoppe and having met the flower girl, he'd learned more about the western style tradition and confessed to being fascinated with the idea. Although he didn't particularly fancy the thought of a fat and jolly man breaking into kid's houses at night and giving them "presents" so to speak, otherwise it seemed like any other holiday –- a lame excuse for people to get together, throw a party, and get totally wasted.

"I really can't thank you enough for volunteering to help me like this," the brunette-haired girl admitted sincerely, a smile of genuine gratitude playing at her delicate pink mouth. "But thank you, really. It means a lot to me. So much more than you know."

Riku merely nodded in acknowledgment of her declaration of appreciation, eyes riveted straight ahead as he quickened his steps slightly in the hopes of reaching his destination sooner. "Whatever. Just don't get used to it," he added, "after all I barely know you."

"Oh. I see." The perplexed expression on her face brightened into a smile with a pause in her sentence, and then she continued. "So I was wondering . . . the party you are going to, did your friends say where it was taking place?"

"I'm not really sure," he admitted in all honesty, shrugging nonchalantly. He watched her close her gem-like eyes and dart her pink tongue out to catch a snowflake. She perplexed him yet fascinated him at the exact same time with her contradicting ways. "All they said was that once I got there I'd know. That and to avoid some crazy ninja girl who would probably throw herself at me the moment I walked in the door."

His aqua eyes lit up with a shimmer of humor, an amused smirk playing at his pale lips as he stole another sidelong glance at the girl encased in earth tones and pink whom nearly stumbled on her own two feet before catching her precious balance at the very last second.

"Did you say 'ninja girl'?" Aerith questioned softly, her eyes widening considerably as she turned to stare back at him seriously.

Riku nodded slowly. "Yeah. Why?"

She registered his words, thoroughly letting them sink into her system as she wrinkled her neat cinnamon brow thoughtfully before bursting into a fit of giggles. Her cheeks flushed a beautiful rose-colored shade as she clapped one delicately gloved hand over her rosy mouth, the gesture in itself serving as further testament of her girlishness. That tinkling laugh that reminded him so much of sea shell wind chimes back home would silently, just barely, haunt him, and lurk within the deepest cavities of his mind for a long while.

"What's so funny?" he snapped impatiently. Riku scowled darkly, silver eyebrows knitting together as he saw her shake her head at him then, strands of russet tinted hair flying about and a sunny-filled smile lighting up the entirety of her face.

"I had a sneaking suspicion, I mean . . . I should have known," she stated gently, a faint blush coloring her cheeks at the sudden realization. Aerith smiled brightly, beaming in all of her jubilant happiness. "What I mean is that all this time we've been walking together, we're actually heading for the same destination. We're going to the same Christmas party, Riku."

Riku took his time to mull over her words slowly; after a brief moment of undisturbed calm, he barely blinked before he settled for a quiet yet efficient, "Oh." He paused, and then -- "What?" he demanded in an agitated tone of voice, suddenly noticing the way she was staring at him.

"Nothing!" She replied with another airy giggle, but the way her jade painted eyes glittered and flitted to the pale skyline overhead suggested otherwise. "It's just . . . I guess the holidays really do have a way of bringing people together, you know?"

She smiled brightly again before beginning to walk once more, Riku falling into step beside her.

They arrived at the door a few minutes later, Aerith shifting her precious cargo to one arm so that she could ring the doorbell. Sounds of laughter and idle chatter could be heard, and there was the muffled exclamation of someone inside shouting and cursing heatedly for another person to answer the door after the third ring. Shuffling resumed and a distinctly male voice muttered something darkly in reply before responding in affirmative.

Moments later a stony-faced Leon appeared on the short stoop, a bright red Santa cap with faux fur trimming along the bottom sitting atop his disheveled brunet hair. "Nice of you two to finally join us," he muttered tonelessly, moving to the side and allowing them to come in. Riku duly noted the particularly frosty glare sent his way. Was that jealousy he saw shining in his eyes? "Now hurry up and get inside before you catch pneumonia."

The wind howled again, bringing with it a flurry of ice crystals and a whirlwind of numerous small, white flakes, which prompted them both into action; without having to be told twice, Riku and Aerith made their way into the warm shelter, pausing just inside of the doorway to set the presents on a table that was set up for just that reason. It was then that they both happened to notice that the laughter and chattering that had been going on before they'd entered had ceased quite suddenly, a sudden lull falling over the entire household.

Riku turned to direct a glare at the other guests only find that there was some snickering going on. He crossed his arms across his chest as an indignant look eclipsed his handsome visage. "Okay, what's going on?" His voice was still indifferent, but accusation laced his tone.

Yuffie, who was standing between Cid and Merlin, was desperately trying to hide the fact that she laughing behind a dainty hand pressed over her mouth. Tears sprung up in her sparkling brown irises and a cheeky grin graced her lips as she motioned silently, pointing above their heads. Riku looked up hesitantly, noticing a strange object that looked like some kind of a velvety, plastic plant with a sprig of pearly white berries and green leaves. To his surprise, when Aerith glanced up at it, noticing the glistening berries and lovely emerald foliage for the first time, her eyes widened considerably.

"Oh . . ." she said simply, dropping her gaze back to the roomful of people now watching avidly.

He arched a silvery brow in question as he observed her discomfort. "That's mistletoe, isn't it?" he mused out loud. He quirked his head at Aerith ever so slightly, just enough so that she wouldn't catch it and he smiled, barely. "There's a tradition where two people who stand underneath it are meant to kiss, am I right?"

An unforeseen tension surrounded the two then, accompanying the lack of speech, settling around them like the hushed cascade of sparkling snow just beyond frost swathed windows. Intense ultramarines clashed with viridian stones, and time seemed to freeze for a long, long moment. They poised there, balancing on the brink of something delicate and ethereal, her dark lashes brushing her tinted delicate cheekbones and her soft, full lips parted slightly, temptingly. Riku leaned in closer to her, his smirk widening as he watched her expression. Just as their lips came into contact he quickly moved his head to the side and gave her a chaste peck on the cheek instead. As he straightened back up, he heard several boos, and a few rude comments.

"You call that a kiss?" Cid remarked with a drawl as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Gawrsh," Goofy exclaimed, sounding aghast. "That was more like a lil birdie peck. Tradition's a kiss on the lips isn't it?" He tapped his own thoughtfully.

Cloud mumbled darkly from where he was leaning against the wall in the corner. He looked about ready to kill someone. "Don't encourage them."

After much complaining, Riku leaned back in, his right arm slipping around the flower girl's petite waist and drawing her body closer just as their lips met; he pressed his lips against her petal-like ones as her hands rose to tangle in his soft, pale hair. It started out short and sweet, then turned into something more confident and sensual. He pulled away, a satisfied look on his face as he duly noted her flushed cheeks and appearance.

"They'll never stop teasing about that," he drawled matter-of-fact.

"Probably not," she agreed with a slight giggle. As if on cue, a distinctly high-pitched feminine voice sounding suspiciously like the ninja's reached their ears as it called from another room:

"You know, you two are still standing under the mistletoe."

Both looked up simultaneously noticing at once that, yes, they were still under the innocent piece of foliage with round berries and olive-green leaves.

She tucked her hands cutely behind her back. "You know what?"

He turned to look back at her, a smirk tugging at his lips. Somehow, he just knew where this was going. Not that he had any objections. "What?"

"Even if we weren't standing under the mistletoe," she lowered her voice to a soft whisper as she leaned her head to his ear, "I wouldn't object if you were to kiss me."

The teen's ultramarine irises gleamed as he tilted his head ever so slightly. "Is that so?" Amusement once again underlined his tone. His grin broadened into an outright smirk as his lips descended on hers. "I'll try to remember that for future reference."

"See? I told you it was a good idea! Ooh, they're just so cute!" Kairi exclaimed in a squeal of girly happiness, squeezing Sora's hands a little harder than the hyperactive brunet deemed necessary.

"Don't look so triumphant yet," Sora's voice trailed off there as he noticed a certain aloof blonde glancing in a very irate manner over at them again for the seemingly billionth time that night.

"Kairi?"

"Yeah?"

"I think we'd better run."