A/N: Now onto another favorite coupling amongst KH fans. As weird as it might seem, my friend (who is one of my muses) and I actually sat and took like an hour making a layout of this story and planning all the events. It might take me a while to write it all, but I'm thoroughly enjoying my work. We tried to think of kind of pricey gifts for each of the members that wouldn't be to cliché, so I hope you enjoy.
On a side note, I've toned down on some of my more excessive writing of certain kind of scenes that I put into my other stories. I wanted this to by mostly fluff, but with the idea of 'other things' Thank you for reading and comments are always welcomed.
I do not own the rights to any of these characters, products or places.
Chapter 4, The Gift: Saix and Xemnas
When they stepped out of the small sweets shop, each holding a couple of shopping bags in their hands, it was hard to ignore the soft sounds of the winter wind whipping around and spinning a flurry of delicate snowflakes as if they were dancing.
"Look Xem," Saix stared in awe towards the sky of the newly falling snow, "It's snowing"
Xemnas stepped up next to him and looked towards the bunches of clouds that were drifting slowly past them. Each looked like a swirl of fluffy cotton candy mixed with the soft purples and pinks in the setting sky.
"It's pretty, huh?" He spoke softly close to Saix and watched him nod in agreement. He turned his face slightly to move close to one of Saix's pointed ears. "But so is something else that I see right now" He leaned in and whispered.
Saix turned his head to see a pair of golden eyes smiling at him. All he could do was shake his head slightly and sigh. Xemnas chuckled low in his throat as he leaned in and pecked Saix on his lips quickly. He stood back and watched as a light pick color formed over Saix's cheeks.
"Okay, so who do we still need gifts for?" Saix cleared his throat a little as he looked into one of the large bags he had slung over his arm.
"Well, that depends" Xemnas said adjusting the few bags he had on his arms. "Who did we already buy gifts for?"
Xemnas watched as Saix turned and dug into his cloak pocket to retrieve a piece of folded paper. As he unfolded it and stared at the penned words written across it, he noticed that there were check marks next to most of the names.
"We already bought for Xaldin, Vexen, Lexeaus, Marluxia, Larxene, Xion, Namine & just picked up some stuff for Demyx. I ordered Xigbar's and it should be here tomorrow." Saix pointed to each name as he said it and Xemnas nodded as he read over his shoulder.
"So we still need," He leaned over to touch each name on the paper as he read them "Axel, Zexion, Luxord, & Roxas"
Saix nodded once "Yes. Then we're done"
"Well almost" Xemnas stepped back, but waited for Saix to turn and face him.
"What do you mean? Who else do we need to buy for?" Saix asked as he refolded the paper and tucked it back into his pocket.
Xemnas just lifted his eyebrows slightly as he watched Saix's face stare at him questionably. "What did you buy for me?" He tipped his face down slightly as he asked with a small grin.
Saix blinked in surprise at his question before answering "I've been shopping with you all day. How am I supposed to buy you a gift when you're with me?" He pulled his dark blue scarf tighter around his neck as he watched Xemnas just chuckle and start walking down the side of the street.
"What's so funny?" Saix walked in step with him as he asked.
Xemnas just shook his head as he said through a light chuckle "Lucky for me, you aren't one for close observation all the time." He glanced sideways at the dumbstruck look on Saix's face as he continued to walk.
"What does that mean exactly?" Saix asked a little smugly as his brows furrowed together and he kept his pace with Xemnas.
"It simply means, my dear Saix," Xemnas waved his hand absently around the swirl of uniquely patterned flakes landing on one of his gloves as he spoke "That I've been buying gifts for you all afternoon without you noticing it"
Saix stopped walking and stilled his body on the sidewalk. He stood with a slight glare on his face, but there was bits of confusion mixed into the cocktail of emotions building inside of him.
"What?" Xemnas had only taken a few steps before he noticed that Saix was no longer at his side. He turned his body around so that he could face him properly. "Oh, come now Saix. Surely you knew that I would buy you something for the holidays?"
He started walking towards Saix and saw as his face softened as he closed the distance between them. He reached a hand up to stroke it gently down one of his pale cheeks which were quickly developing a rosy color from the ever increasing cold as the night sky began to engulf any of the remaining light around them.
"I was only joking love" He pressed his face close to Saix as small clouds of winter breath brushed light over his lips and Xemnas' hand made another gentle sweep down his cheek. "You don't have to get me anything for Christmas"
Xemnas tilted his head to the side and placed his mouth light over Saix's. As he relaxed the muscles in his face, Saix closed his eyes and felt the kiss they were sharing deepen. He hummed low in the back of his throat and when he opened his eyes to watch Xemnas pull back slightly, he saw the same smile that had made him fall in love with his Superior. Xemnas placed his forehead against the X shaped scar on Saix's and sighed softly.
"I already have you… and that's more than enough" It was almost a whisper, but then again, it wasn't meant for anyone else to hear aside from the man standing in front of him.
As he whispered close to his face, Xemnas watched a pair of yellow eyes stare up at him and blink a few times. It was hard to decipher exactly what thoughts were racing though Saix's mind at that moment, but he knew that he could feel the change in body temperature as he pressed his lips to his once more, gently and quickly.
Saix was quiet as he pulled his face back to look at Xemnas, and watched his shoulders shrug as a sigh of relief left his lungs. He glanced upwards at the shop they had stopped walking in front of, and a quick thought raced through his mind. He needed to diverge a quick plan. He bit his bottom lip as his eyes darted to the surrounding gift shops.
"What is it?" Xemnas had watched his movements and began to suspect something.
"Well, it's getting kind of late and I was thinking" Saix stopped mid sentence as he looked across the street for a quick moment before continuing "If we spilt up, we can get this done a lot faster and head back to the Castle before it becomes too dark"
Xemnas smiled slyly as he watched the nervous grin form on Saix's face. "Alright. I'll get gifts for Zexion and Luxord and leave Axel and Roxas up to you" He leaned in and kissed Saix quickly on the cheek and stood up with a smile as Saix nodded.
"We'll meet at the front of Lindi's, in about say half an hour or so?" Saix watched as Xemnas pulled the sleeve of his cloak back to glance quickly at his very worn wrist watch and nod.
"See you in a bit then" Xemnas smiled warmly as he turned and began to walk across the bustling street to the Barnes and Noble bookstore.
"Yeah." Saix nodded and waved a little as he watched Xemnas step into the street, before sighing in relief in turning on his heel to walk into the jewelry store that he'd been standing in front of.
As he stepped through the double glass doors of the highly lit store, he heard a cheerful little jingle ring about the store and assumed it was from the opening of the door. He tapped his boots a few times on the dark gray rug in front of the doors to shake the loose snow off as his eyes began to glance around at the various display counters. They were all a bright shade of white with a very polished silver trim lining the sides and around the glass of each counter. There were all sorts of different displays, each containing a various amount of sparkling and colorful assortment of rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other types of jewelry or accessories.
He started to wander about and took note that the store was fairly empty, aside from a younger looking male that was anxiously looking at a small assortment of what looked like wedding bands with one of the stores associates. He had just leaned over a counter containing many small bobbles covered in various natural gemstones, when he heard a male voice close behind him.
"Hello sir. Is there something I can help you with this evening?" Saix looked up from the counter and turned his head to see a man approaching him from the other side of the store.
He was dressed in all white, aside from the bit of burgundy that stuck out under his vest from the tie that rested neatly beneath his jacket. His slacks were white, with a leather belt hugging his hips tightly. All aside from his shoes, which were stark black and very shiny as they made a light clink sound with each approaching step.
"Yes, thank you." Saix was greeted by the man as he held up a hand and he gladly shook it a few times before releasing. "I was interested in purchasing a watch actually"
He watched as the man nodded a few times and a smile spread across his face. "Ah, yes. We have quite a wide variety to choose from, if you'll please follow me this way"
The man dressed in white turned and gestured with a hand for Saix to follow him towards the right side of the store. "Now what his your price range tonight, might I ask sir?"
"It's Saix, thank you, and I don't have a preference" He walked a few steps behind until they reached the counter and Saix stopped in the front to wait for the man to move behind the display case.
"Well then Saix, my name is Rufus Shinra and I am here to help you find exactly what it is you're looking for." Rufus smiled warmly as he pulled a set of keys from the inside of one of his pockets and bent to unlock the backside of the display counter.
Saix nodded a thank you as he bent his knees slightly and placed the bags he was holding onto the floor so as to have full motion of both of his hands while he looked.
"Is is alright if I set my bags here?" He gestured with a finger to the bags as Rufus began to pull a few of the trays holding the watches out in front of him and setting them on top of the counter.
"Oh, of course" He nodded with a smile and set two more trays down.
Saix leaned in slightly to start looking as all the different types of watches were being placed before him. He recognized a few of the brand names but kept his eyes open for one particular name. When he spotted a case holding about 12 of the brilliantly designed wrist dials, his eyes scanned over the very detailed variety.
Rufus glanced up to notice Saix looking over one of the trays. "Oh, have these caught your interest?"
Saix nodded "This is actually what I had in mind in the first place"
He heard Rufus chuckle light in his throat. "Well, you certainly have fine taste when it comes to men's watches." As he placed the other trays back under the bright lights of the display case, he smiled warmly to Saix.
"Now these right here," He ran a slim finger around the large tray as he pointed to the watches "Range in price from between $4,000 to $50,000"
Saix nodded once as his eyes scanned "As I've already said, money is no object. Especially for the person I'm buying it for"
"So, it's someone very special I'm guessing" Rufus leaned on his elbows over the counter as he observed the young man in front of him.
"Absolutely" Saix looked up with a smile on his face. "Could I see this one?" He was pointing to a silver encrusted watch that had gold embellished throughout the band with various precious stones set in the face to represent each number. The hands moving lazily around the inside were silver and gold.
"Yes, of course" Rufus lifted the watch from it's place on the tray and handed it carefully over to Saix. "Now have you purchased this brand before?"
Saix took the watch into his hands and flipped it over slowly to examine every angle of the small piece of machinery. "Never purchased myself, but I am familiar with the brand"
As he held the watch in his hands and let his fingers graze softly over the smooth glass of the face, he felt a strange flutter in the pit of his stomach that seemed to emanate a certain happiness. This was the one he wanted. There was no question about it.
"It's perfect." He smiled up at Rufus.
"That happens to be one our newest designs and is quite rare in fact. They're not even available in certain countries yet" He flashed a bright white smile at Saix.
Saix handed the watch back over the counter to Rufus "I'll take it"
"Wouldn't you like to know how much an exquisite piece is going to run you?" Rufus raised an eyebrow slightly as he took the watch back into his hand.
"No, and I don't want to look at any more. Thank you" Saix nodded as he bent to pick up his bags from the floor.
"Very well" Rufus placed the watch down on the counter as he picked up the tray of watches and slid them back into their proper place beneath the glowing lights. "I'll get the paper work for you and have Elena ring it up. Is there anything else you'd like today?"
Saix turned his head to glance around the store and was about to reply with 'no' when a small display that was spinning slowly on one of the counters in the far corner caught his eye. He held up a finger to Rufus to signify 'one moment' as he took a few steps towards the case. Within it there were all different kinds of lighters ranging from small and simple, to quite large with highly etched details surrounding them. His mind flew to one particular name still on his list as he gazed into the display.
"Can I look at a few of these?" Saix pointed to the spinning case with the same finger he'd had in the air only a moment before.
Rufus nodded as he stepped next to Saix and raised his keys to unlock the case. He flipped a small switch located just under the lights of the box and the display stopped spinning.
Saix studied all the different patterns and sizes before a simple square silver lighter wrapped in orange and black flames caught his attention. "I like that one" He pointed it out to Rufus.
"It's made of sterling silver and all designs are etched by hand, that's why they run a little more pricy then average lighters." Rufus plucked the lighter from it's place on the display and smiled as he turned and noticed the face that Saix gave him. "But money does not seem to concern you Saix" He nodded as his finger flipped the switch back on and he closed the glass door before locking the case again.
He turned with the wrist watch and lighter in his hands and started walking towards one of the plain counters. "Did you know that we also do engraving?" Rufus stepped behind the counter and laid the objects down onto a swatch of white fabric as he asked.
"Really?" Saix asked. "How long does it usually take?"
"Depending on the amount of words, usually no longer than 10 to 20 minutes" Rufus had pulled up a computer screen and started typing in information attaining to the products being purchased. "Would you like anything done with either of these today?"
Saix looked down at the watch and lighter set on the cloth in front of him and nodded once "Actually yes. I have just the thing in mind too"
Rufus reached under the counter for a small packet containing the various prints and fonts that were available and leaned over the counter to discuss them with Saix as he nodded and began to describe exactly what it was he had in mind.
~xoxoxoxoxoxoxox~
Meanwhile, Xemnas was stepping out of Barnes and Noble with another bag hanging snug to his wrist. He looked ahead to a few stores down from where he was standing and nodded in his decision for his final shopping stop. Sure it was an obvious choice for Luxord, but he had a little something up his sleeve as well.
"I think he deserves it" He spoke softly to himself as he started forwards towards the small winery located at the end of the street.
As he pushed swiftly on the heavy wood door, he noted the atmosphere within the store was very calm and relaxing. Although the shop was quaint, the walls seemed lined with oak barrels used as shelves to hold the many exquisite types of wines. On the far wall, behind the checkout desk there was a wall of harder liquor such as rum, whiskey and tequila.
He tapped the wet snow from his boots as he stepped fully into the store and was soon greeted by a smile.
"Good evening Xemnas" A male wearing a simple pair of black slacks, a white button down shirt and a dark gray vest started walking towards him with one hand outstretched. He had chocolate eyes, brown hair and a bit of facial hair the was well trimmed around his mouth.
"Hello Reeve" Xemnas placed his hand into the one in front of him and shook it firmly a few times.
"Your usual order, I presume?" Reeve released his hand as he asked with a smile.
"Yes, plus a little something extra." Xemnas started to glance around the many displays of fine wines in every possible variety imaginable.
"Oh?" Reeve turned as he spoke to walk towards the back wall of hard liquors. "Anything in particular, might I ask?"
As he stopped in front of the large wall, he moved swiftly over to the section containing various sizes and types of rum. He reached up to pull down two pint size bottles of clear liquor as well as stepping over and extracting a larger bottle of dark brown colored rum.
Xemnas had began to slowly wander around the barrels and peer into the uniquely crafted wooden crates. He knew a little about wine, but only the few flavors he himself enjoyed.
"Actually Reeve, could you help me out?" He turned his head to see reeve was placing the bottles of run into a cloth tote and setting them on the check-out counter.
He nodded a few times with a smile before he started walking to where Xemnas was standing in front of a wall of imported whites.
"Absolutely. What are you interested in?"
"I'm not entirely sure"
"Well, tell me about your taste preferences, for a start" Reeve watched as Xemnas looked from the display to him with an inquiring look. "Unless, this particular bottle is for someone else" Reeve asked with a smile.
"Yes, it is" Xemnas nodded once as he too flashed a quick smile.
Reeve reached forward and plucked a clear glass bottle from one of the barrels. It was trimmed in dark blue and gold. "Then I guess we'll just start with some of the more simple flavors." He held the bottle up for Xemnas to look at it.
"This happens to be a Pinot Girgio imported from Verona, Italy. A light, clean and refreshing blend of peach, honeysuckle and small hints of citrus. It pairs well with seafood and is great for entertaining"
Reeve watched as Xemnas nodded once before he placed the bottle back into the barrel and pulled another from one of the containers a few from where he had previously extracted the other bottle. The bottle again was clear, but had silver inlaid strawberries that swirled like vines around the neck and base of the bottle.
"Now this is an exquisite Pink Moscato from one of our local venders. It has a light and crisp taste with subtle hints of citrus and strawberries. This is a good dessert wine or pairs well with white meats"
Xemnas glanced at the high detail of the bottle as he nodded. "They both sound sweet. I was actually interested in perhaps looking for something in a red though."
"Okay then" Reeve placed the bottle back into the barrel, and turned slightly. "Over this way we have more selection" He gestured lightly with his hand to another section of the store and for Xemnas to follow him.
As they neared the other wall, it had the same set up as the previous. Only the barrels seemed to be polished to a darker color indicating the dark varieties of wine.
"Do you prefer sweet or maybe something with more bite?" Reeve began to reach for a one of the bottle from a dark barrel.
"Show me what you have to offer" Xemnas glanced down at the bottle that Reeve had pulled out and presented to him. The bottle was a dark shade of blue, almost back and had a violet label trimmed in a shimmering burgundy.
"Well this is a Merlot from a small vineyard off the coast of Greece. The taste is a bit more robust with a blend of dark berries and the grapes are extracted to be a little bitter. Great with red meats or pairs well with sweet fruits."
Xemnas nodded and watched as Reeve placed the Merlot back in it's place and pulled another bottle from the rack, turning it so that the label was facing up.
"This is a Charron Cabernet. A little bit sweeter, but with a more refined taste of citrus blended with blackberries and raspberries. Anything caught your interest yet?"
Xemnas was lost at the moment. Not wanting to look like a fool he simply glanced at Reeve asking "What would you recommend for a nice quiet evening of small talk, and perhaps some chocolate?"
Reeve's lips tipped into a slight grin as he placed one bottle back into the barrel and pulled out one from the top. It was a dark green colored glass and as he slowly turned the bottle in his hands Xemnas could se that the label seemed to wrap all around the beautiful colored glass. It had a series of dark red roses inlaid of the filigree of gold with a swirl of calligraphy around the center of the bottle. The neck was adorned with a single red rose that wound itself all the way to the cork.
Reeve held the bottle with pride before handed it to Xemnas. "This happens to be one of the best and probably rarest blends I carry."
As he held the bottle in his hand, he let his thumb run over the raised letters around the middle. The bottle alone would make an amazing gift, but he wanted to know about the tastes. He glanced at Reeve and waited for his description .
As Reeve nodded a smile spread wide across his face. "That is a bottle of Pinot Noir from the fields of Tuscany, Italy. The grapes are hand picked when they are sweetest and then aged in handcrafted oak crates for up to nine months before they are blended with ripe pomegranates, lemon rinds and small hints of rose petals. It pairs well with sweets and it a great sipping wine."
Reeve nodded once more at the bottle that Xemnas held in his hand still "It was also my mother's favorite"
Xemnas saw the quick flash of grief that brazenly left Reeve's eyes before he nodded with a smile.
"Sounds perfect." He handed the bottle back to Reeve very carefully "I'll take two, thank you"
As Reeve reached up to grab another bottle, Xemnas saw a smile graze his lips. "Will that be it for today?"
"I think so" Xemnas nodded once as they both turned and headed to the register.
Reeve started to put the bottle carefully into a tote, when he suggested to Xemnas that they had velvet bags designed specifically for holding alcohol bottles. After grabbing a few different colors and paying the total amount owed, Xemnas reached forward to grab the bag from Reeve with a smile.
"Happy holiday's" He said as his fingers closed around the sturdy tote bag.
"Thanks, you too" Reeve smiled "I hope you and Saix enjoy the wine"
As Xemnas nodded with a smile, he turned towards the door to exit. He glanced quickly at his watch before stepping into the dark cold of the winter night. Once the cold hit his face, he realized just how warm it had been within the shop and began to miss the heat. He was becoming really tired and ready to just head home for the night. As he sighed once and began to glance around he noticed a very familiar shade of pink hair walking from the grocery store across the street.
He was met with a quick smile before Marluxia pulled his scarf up and over his nose and started walking across the street towards him.
"Hello Superior" Marluxia hefted a large tote up over his shoulder. "Are you still Christmas shopping?"
Xemnas nodded "Just finished actually. I'm waiting for Saix."
"Oh, well he was going into the game store as I was coming up the street." Marluxia pointed a finger towards the very crowded looking electronics store just a short distance from where they were standing.
To his relief, Xemnas watched as two teenage girls held the door open and smiled at Saix as he stepped out of the store with bags hanging from both arms. He nodded a 'thank you' to the girls before turning to walk down the street.
"Oh, you're right there, awesome. Now we can just go home" Saix smiled, but the tired looks of spending the day in the cold and shopping were starting to show on his face.
"Hello Marluxia" Saix huffed slightly as he met the other two on the opposite side of the street. "Roxas better feel lucky that I had to go through that whole nightmare for him"
"Roxas is always appreciative of any gifts he gets" Xemnas smiled warmly at Saix as Marluxia nodded in agreement. "Are we ready to head back than?"
After everyone nodded Marluxia stated "I've got all I needed. Want me to help carry any of those?" He pointed between Saix and Xemnas and the many bags the each had slipping down their wrists.
"Please" Saix handed him a large bag as Xemnas handed him two smaller ones.
"Let's get going then" Marluxia turned with a smile and walked a few steps ahead so that Saix and Xemnas had a little privacy to hold hands and talk quietly while they all walked though the soft drifting snow with the twinkling stars dancing above them in the growing darkness.
~xoxoxoxoxoxoxox~
A/N: So this is probably the longest chapter I've written thus far and sorry for that but I wanted to incorporate both POV's and I'm a sucker for details. I actually have a really hard time writing short stories. So you got kind of a hint of who the next chapter is going to be about. It should be interesting because it's something I just through into the air during one of our discussions and my must loved it, so he told me to go with it and write it. Should be quite comical. Anyways, thank you to all of my readers, you're one of the reasons I do this. Comments are always welcomed. Blessed Be!