Find a Way to My Heart
It was getting close to one in the morning on Christmas Day. The night had been too cold, and she had been too restless to really sleep. So, while she had the mansion to herself, Berserk wandered through the halls, wrapped in a big fuzzy blanket. A gift she'd received from the city's own private Santa just last year. She sighed, shuffling toward the meeting room of the mansion.
Every year, a certain hero took it upon himself to break into their home and turn their meeting hall into a bona fide living room. Complete with a sofa big enough for a family of four, a gaudy rug and portable fireplace. Best of all, at least in Berserk's opinion, was always the tree. Somehow, in the early hours of the morning, Akio always managed to sneak a plastic tree, he refused to harm a real tree, into the mansion. It got bigger every year, with more intricate ornaments and decorations. And, every Christmas morning, the punks would find presents addressed to them from Akio.
The first year, they just assumed it was a trick. She was ashamed to admit it with her sisters around, but Berserk had kept the Smarmy the Dinosaur doll Akio had given her that first Christmas. She made sure to hide it, only daring to take it out when she knew she was alone. The next year, despite the improved defenses, Akio managed it yet again. Even with the security cameras and automated defenses, he always made it inside. He always left a gift for each of them.
Brat was convinced he was a pedophile that was just trying to molest their "sweet, innocent little bodies" she'd say with a sarcastic giggle. If anyone else were calling Brat innocent, Berserk might have found it funny. Brute always ended up destroying whatever gift Akio left for her before the morning was over.
"You shouldn't be up so early! A growing young woman needs her rest, even on a day as exciting as today," Berserk smirked, lifting the edges of her blanket to hopefully keep him from seeing her smile. She must have failed, judging by the beaming grin on his face.
Berserk cleared her throat, "It looks...really cool, Ki...erm, for a lame, stupid idiot holiday," she quickly murmured her disapproval, still grinning. Her heart started to race as he approached her. He was wearing a goofy sweater, covered in snowflakes and reindeer. The over-sized santa hat on his head was barely holding on thanks to his horns, but he looked every bit the patron saint of holiday cheer.
She blushed when he held out a box.
Well," Akio began, "I've never been here to see you open your gift. I suppose Santa could forgive us both if you opened it early, just this once," he explained. He watched with an expectant grin on his face as she carefully tore off the wrapping paper. She didn't want him to get any idea that she was excited. She wasn't a baby that got excited about Christmas. She was fourteen years old now, not a stupid little kid.
Still, she bit her lip as she set the box down and opened it. Berserk licked her lips, lifting up the jacket, her blanket slipping away from her shoulders.
Akio's eyes widened. He blushed and averted his gaze, clearing his throat, "I hope you...you enjoy it. I know you are not fond of the cold, despite your tendency to get lost in less than ideal weather," he chuckled.
Berserk swallowed, holding it up to her chest. It was dark red, with white sleeves and little red rings around the cuffs. She took a deep breath and bit her lip again, glancing up at Akio.
"Why d-do you d-do this?" Berserk asked, her voice watery and weak.
Akio smiled, giving her shoulder a squeeze. Now they both blushed, "I know how things are for you here. I know how the Descendant of Jaaku treats you. I feel it is my duty to ensure you experience at least...some of the magic of Christmas. That is, has always been, my primary gift to you," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
Berserk's whole face lit up red and she quickly spun around, picking up her blanket and wrapping it around her. A few stray tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away.
"Do you like it?" Akio asked.
Berserk shook her head, "It's stupid and l-lame, j-just like you!" she cried, taking off running back to her room without looking back.
XxXxX
Berserk groaned, spitting in the sink and looking at her teeth. Licking her lips and mumbling, she rinsed her mouth and began the arduous task of flossing. After several minutes, fighting with the mint flavored string, she spat again and wiped her mouth off. She wandered toward the meeting hall, knowing the others had likely torn down Akio's decorations already. She grumbled, still too tired lift her feet much off the ground, content to slide along the cold tile in her thick winter socks.
She yawned and stumbled into the conference room, plopping down on the sofa. Somehow it had avoided Brute and Brat's annual "Destroy the Hero's Shit" party. Berserk stuffed her hands into her pockets and watched the two throw the ornaments as hard as they could at each other. The mostly missed, instead smashing on the walls. Every so often, Brat would squeal when Brute managed to hit her.
The blue-eyed Powerpunk knew better than to hit her sister back.
Rubbing her head, Brat glanced up at Berserk. She sputtered, tumbling over laughing, "What's that stupid jacket? Did you get that from your ugly old boyfriend?" she jeered, throwing an ornament at Berserk.
The redhead swatted the ornament away, blushing red to match her jacket. She stuffed her hands deeper into the pockets and snuggled a little more into the couch.
"Sh-shut up, Brat," she mumbled. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and smiled. The mansion was so cold, but her jacket was so warm.