Monster High: Christmas Spirits

Monster High is copyright of Mattel

Cleo and Deuce

"Well, we'll just see which boyfriend is more impressed when we meet up at school again." Cleo spoke smugly. "You two have a fun night. Ta ta!"

Cleo hung up her phone, carefully placing in on the table next to her. A set of servant statues were carefully preparing her 'outfit' for the evening, and she didn't want to ruin their work.

She looked around the bedroom, taking note of everything that was already set up. A table spread out with several luxurious nibbles and drinks, her bed was laid out with several plush pillows and anointed with fine oils. everything was set for a romantic evening.

Despite that, she still couldn't help but tremble slightly. Usually it was Deuce who surprised her with nights in and romantic gestures. She had never done it before, and she had certainly never done anything as grand as she was planning for anyone, not even her family.

She was afraid of how Deuce would take it. He was usually quite easy going about such, and always accept any gifts or complements from her with a smile. But this... this was bigger than anything she'd ever given to him. What if he rejected it, or thought she was being ridiculous?

She quietly sighed. Well, there was no turning back now. She'd chosen this night specifically because her father was visiting business partners in Egypt, and Nefera was busy boozing the night away at some celebrity shindig, so she had the place to herself. She had already asked Deuce to come at a certain time, she could hardly shoo him away now.

The servants finished, and one held up a mirror to show off her their handiwork. She gave them a nod of approval. They had made her up in exactly the way she had wanted. Deuce would hopefully be impressed.

"Thank you. Deuce should be here soon, so you go... do whatever the heck you do on your off time."
The statues bowed and walked away, leaving Cleo to glance out the window. She frowned at the falling snow, hoping it wouldn't prevent Deuce from arriving...

Deuce stepped into the massive foyer of the De Nile home, brushing snow off his shoulders. He was surprised to see Cleo wasn't waiting for him, considering she'd made a big deal of him coming here to exchange Christmas presents. A couple of the stone servants approached to take his coat, and then one indicated that he should head upstairs to her room.

Deuce thanked the living statue and walked upstairs, his wrapped gift for Cleo tucked under his arms. As he walked through the hieroglyph marked corridors, he couldn't help but feel how odd it felt to not see festive decorations up on the walls like every other home did. There wasn't even a Christmas tree to be seen. For a family who loved flaunting their wealth, the De Niles sure didn't seem bothered about Christmas. Maybe it was a religious thing. You never saw Santa Claws in Hieroglyphs after all.

Even Cleo didn't make a big show of giving gifts, at Christmas or other times. They usually exchanged them, said thanks, and then did whatever. So why had she made him travel through a snowstorm all the way here just to exchange gifts? It would have been easier in the morning.

He stood before the door to Cleo's room, knocking on it. Moments passed before Cleo called. "Enter."

He stepped inside, and was a bit surprised by what he saw. Cleo had moved all her furniture to the sides, leaving a clear path between him and the bed. Cleo sat on the side of the bed, her poise straight and elegant as if she sat on a throne. She wore a light green silk robe, her make-up had been done up, and she wore a gold band in her hair.

"Deuce, you made it." Cleo spoke in a calm tone. "I was worried you might not get here in this weather."

Deuce flashed a grin. "Hey, no weather can keep me apart from you babe. If you need me, I'm there."

Cleo smiled slightly, but kept her composure.

"So, what are we gonna do tonight?" Deuce asked. "I was thinking we could grab some snacks and watch a movie. I know Un-die Hard is on tonight, best Christmas movie ever..."

"Deuce..." Cleo raised a hand to stop him. "Could we exchange our gifts first?"

"Uh, sure." Deuce was a little surprised by her bluntness. He stepped closer and handed her his parcel. "Hope you like it."

Cleo tore open the wrapping, revealing a gold coloured sweater. "Oh my Ra... this is gorgeous."

"Not bad, huh?" Deuce smiled proudly. "According to the sales guy, it's made from 100% Transylvanian goat hair. It's supposed to keep you warmer than anything else out there. I thought you would need it with all the bad weather we've had lately. I know you hate the cold."

"It's wonderful..." Cleo stared at him, delight evident in her face. He could always surprise her by how thoughtful he could be. Underneath that 'skater bro' persona was a keen mind who knew her better than she did. It made her all the more certain that she had made the right choice.

"Here. Take this." She pulled out a small box from under the pillows and handed it to him. He opened it, and his jaw dropped at the sight within.

"Whoa! These are..." He carefully picked up one of the tinted glass contact lenses. "Gorgon-proof contacts! They block the stoning rays without me needing glasses! I was gonna get a pair, but they're crazy expensive..."

"Put them on." Cleo demanded.

Deuce turned away from her to take off his glasses and insert the contacts. He fumbled a couple of times, resulting in a slight coating of stone dust on the carpet. When he turned back, she could see his green eyes in their natural state, albeit slightly tinted from the contacts.

"Aw, these are sweet! Thanks babe." Deuce moved forward to hug her.

She raised a hand to stop him in his tracks. "They're not your gift."

"They're not?"

"No. I just got them so I could properly look you in the eyes... and tell you something important."

Deuce blinked, a worried expression crossing his face.. "O..kaay." He noticed that despite Cleo's firm voice, she was looking at him nervously.

Cleo stood up and stared into his eyes. "Deuce... I still remember, almost two years ago, when you first accepted to be my boyfriend."

"Yeah.. wow, has it really been that long..."

"Let me finish, please." She pleaded gently. "I'm ashamed to admit it, but at the time, I didn't really put much faith in us staying together. You were just a rebound after my break up with Clawd, a way for me to still be part of a power couple. But over time, you became someone more..."

She stepped closer, her gaze never leaving his. "You supported me though every fearleading trial and event. You helped me out when I was having difficulty coping with schoolwork, and taught me when I didn't understand something about this modern life. You've put up with my various... histronics, even when I did and said things that lesser men would have understandably run from. You've even put up with my ridiculous family, even when they insisted we break up. For Ra's sake, I actually did break up with you, and yet you were still willing to take me back."

She gently took his hand in hers. "You are the most wonderful, thoughtful, and insightful monster I have ever met. I have met princes and consorts who hadn't given me a fraction of the care and love you've given me. I don't care what my father says, you're better than any prince I could ask for. I love you, Deuce Gorgon"

"I.. I love you too." Deuce replied shakily. He was stunned by the heartfelt emotion she was had never spoken to him like this before, not even in their most intimate moments.

Cleo continued. "And thus, my gift to you Deuce, is a promise. I want to be by your side, to share my rest of my life, however long that is, with you. I want to give you my word that I will never leave you or betray you, that I will be as devoted to you as you are to me."

Deuce's eyes widened in fright. "Whoa, hold up! I mean... I love you Cleo, but it is way too early for us to get married! I mean, we haven't even graduated yet!"

Cleo let out a small laugh. "Calm down Deuce. I'm not proposing to you. We have a few years before either of us need to think about that."

She stepped back slightly, gripping the sides of her robe. "But I do want to give you something that will prove my commitment to us. Something I've never given anyone before, and something I think we've both wanted for some time."

With a dramatic flourish, she pulled off the robe and flung it aside. Deuce blinked several times as she tried to take in the sight of his ghoulfriend. As first it looked like she was wearing a very, VERY flimsy neglige made of black threads, which only just covered her bosom and wrapped around the length of her legs, with a small belt and a loincloth covering her modesty. But then he looked closer and realized the black threads were actually body paint. Other than her belt, she was utterly naked.

"Holy..." He breathed as Cleo outstretched her arms in a welcoming gesture.

"I am yours, Deuce Gorgon. Take me."

"Whoa... are you serious?"

She frowned. "Do you really think I'd put this stuff on me if I wasn't serious?"

She reached forward and cupped his face in her hands. "Don't worry darling, I trust you completely. Just let yourself go... I'll be with you all the way.."

She leaned in to kiss him deeply, and that was the last straw for Deuce's restraint. He pulled her close to his body, his hands smearing the body paint as they roamed around her curves.

"Oh yessss.." Cleo hissed as Deuce planted kisses on her throat. She pulled his shirt open and let her hands rub his abs. This felt even better than she imagined. It was totally worth all the effort.
Still kissing her, Deuce cupped her bottom in his hands and lifted her up, carrying her to the bed before gently lowering her onto it.
He knelt over her, making a trail of kisses down her body.

"Deuce.. more.." She moaned, moving her hands down his sides toward his waist. She found the button to his jeans, and began to unfasten them.

"Wait.." He spoke, his breathing heavy. "Do you have a condom?"

Cleo blinked. "What?"

"A condom. I don't think I have any on me." Deuce sat up, checking his pockets.

"I... don't have any. I forgot to get some." Cleo reached up to pull him back down. "But I'm sure we'll be all right. Now come on..."

To her dismay, Deuce got up and off the bed, fastening his pants. "Sorry babe, but I respect you way too much to do this without protection."

"No no, really!" Cleo spoke desperately. "I think we can risk it. I'm undead, remember?"

"Relax! I'll just go buy a pack and I'll be right back."

"Where in Duat are you going to buy a pack on Christmas Eve?"

"There's a gas station a few blocks from here. They should still be open."

"You're driving there in this weather? Are you crazy?!"

"Crazy for you babe." Deuce grinned. "And I want to make sure this is special for both of us."

He gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be right back. Love you."

Then he rushed out of the room, jangling his car keys.

"Come back!" Cleo wailed, reaching out for him.

But he was gone. Sighing in resignation, Cleo fell back onto the bed.

The various stone servants of Cleo were sat around a table in a small room behind the kitchen, currently playing a round of poker. It was a slow game, partly because it was impossible for any of the statues to read their opponent's stony faces and guess who had a better hand.

As one statue shuffled the deck, the door opened and Cleo entered, wrapped in her robe. Immediately the statues rose to their feet, awaiting orders from their mistress.

Cleo stared at them for a moment, then took a chair and sat at the table.
"Deal me in, boys." She spoke, sounding tired. "Deuce drove to a gas station and it'll be a while before he comes back."

The statues looked puzzled for a few moments, but then shrugged and sat back down, handing Cleo some cards.

"Merry Christmas..." She sighed.

END