Wassup. I know haven't been posting lately, but merry Christmas! I've been really busy lately, but trust me, now that winter break has started I'm gonna go to town on this story. A thanks to all of my Reviewer, followers, favoriters?, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
It was the morning on christmas eve in Remnant(shut up) and it was still early in the day. Blake was comfortably sleeping in the bed she occasionally shared with Darron. The winter sun coming through her window slowly roused her from her sleep. Blake let out a yawn, stretching her body just as a cat would. Blake sat up in her bed and pulled her yukata tight around her to conserve heat. She looked towards the spot next to her and smiled warmly. Her smile was soon replaced by confusion. Blake pulled back the blanket and stared at the empty spot where she could have sworn Darron was the night before. Blake glanced around the room, curious as to where he ran off to. Her attention, however was pulled back towards Allister and Yang's bed, where a massive blob of sheets was rustling back and forth as moans and groans of lust. Blake blushed momentarily, then narrowed her eyes, grabbed a book of the nearby nightstand and chucked it across the room. The book slammed right into the blob, startling its occupants.
"Ah shit. Dick in the eye dick in the eye." Yang complained from the mass of sheets. Blake watched as Yang popped her head out from the sheets, and wrapped the edge around her body, hiding her breasts. Yang looked over at a disapproving Blake and chuckled nervously.
"Early start?" Blake asked, jokingly.
"It's christmas.. Santa needs her milk." Yang winked. Blake made a fake throwing up motion.
"Nasty!...nice." Allister complemented from inside the sheets.
"Anyway… did you see Darron leave?" Blake asked, not wanting to hear Yang talk anymore about her… experiences.
"Babe." Yang said, diving back into the sheets. Blake turned her heads towards the other end of the sheets, as Allister popped his head right out.
"Yo. Did it snow?" Allister inquired. Blake looked out the window and saw the trees without their leaves, covered in fresh, crisp, white snow.
"Looks like it." Blake answered.
"Then look outside." Allister suggested as he ducked back into the sheets, and he and Yang resumed their physical expression of love. Blake slipped out of her bed and walked over towards the windowsill. Blake looked down at the snow covered fields of Beacon and gasped. Standing in the middle of the snow was Darron, wearing his usual attire, lying in the snow, a large smile spread across his face. Surrounding him, was field full of snowmen, each sporting a small pair of white kitty ears. Blake looked down at him with a warm smile, mesmerized by his smile which she so rarely sees. She turned and raced throughout the room, trying to bundle herself tightly against the cold outside.
"I'm out." Blake announced, unsure why, but to gleeful to care, as she opened the door.
"Ok." Yang replied her voice totally muffled. A look of disgust flashed across Blake's face momentarily before she shut the door leaving those two… to whatever.
Snow. It was Darron's second favorite thing, with Blake at number one and fighting at a distant three. He loved the cold feeling on his hands and his face. Everything about it reminded him of purity, grace, and beauty. He'd been up since before the sun had cracked the sky wide open, building his little snow faunus, and he was rather pleased with how they'd come out.
"I'll need to do better if I can find an Ice sculpture contest around." He thought to himself, making himself laugh as he thought of the astonished look on Blake's face when he would finish, what he'd hope to be, a stunning replica of her. Darron opened his eyes and stared up at the window to his room in the Beacon dorm.
"I wonder if she's still asleep?" Darron questioned in his mind. Normally he would have to awkwardly chide one of the voices in his head for some obscene and or provocative remark, but quite some time ago they agreed, or were beaten into submission, your choice, to leave Darron alone on the few days before and after Christmas. Though he was quite accustomed to their nuisance, the peace and quiet was rather refreshing. Darron reached out and balled up some snow in his hand, and casually tossed it up and to himself. Darron continued to pass the snow ball to himself when another one popped into his field of vision from seemingly nowhere and clocked him right in the nose. The snow covered his eyes, and prevented him from seeing his own snowball as it landed back down on his face. Darron sat upright, and shook his head to clear the snow. He used the back of his hand to rub his tender face, when another snowball clapped him right in the cheek. Darron looked over towards one of the Beacon entrance ways, and saw Blake giggling as she poorly attempted to hide herself behind the wall. Darron glared at her humorously, and she stuck her tongue out at him. Darron pushed himself to his feet and started playfully chasing after her. Blake was all to willing to partake in the fun, as she pulled her hat lower on her head, her little kitty ears fitting into special imprints on the top, and holding onto her earmuffs as she raced away.
Blake couldn't help from giggle, as she ducked through the alleys of the academy's many buildings. She had lost sight of Darron a few moments ago, but assumed that he was still chasing her.
"I know he knows this is a game, but the man does like to win." Blake laughed to herself. She gave an excited half laugh half shriek(yes?) as Darron jumped out from behind one of the buildings.
"I've got you." Darron said, pretending to be more menacing than his face would show. Blake laughed again.
"Oh no. Don't hurt me." she happily played along.
"Oh I wo-whoops!" Darron exclaimed, stepping forward, slipping on the ice and landing flat on his back. Blake stared at him for a moment, and burst out laughing.
"Is not funny." Darron said, laying motionless on the icy culprit. Blake tried to stop, laughing but came wave after wave. She held her stomach from the cramps and her tears froze to her face.
"I-i'm sorr-ry Darron, it's just so funny." she eventually managed to get out, he laughter subsiding slowly, as she breathed deeply. "Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah I'm fine. Help me up?" Darron asked, holding his hand up in the air.
"Sure." Blake said, stepping forward to grab his outstretched hand, though after her first step she felt he foot lose traction with the ground. She desperately tried to regain her foot by slamming her other foot on the ground, but that wouldn't take hold either, and Blake soon found herself falling right on top of Darron. Blake looked up from his chest and found herself staring straight into his eyes. Blake discreetly bit the back of her lip and averted her gaze, as he cheeks turned a rosy pink, and it wasn't from the cold.
"So much for that feline balance." Darron mocked, wrapping his arms around her.
"Shut up." she said, burying her face in his chest again. Darron smiled at her cute antics, as he started to pet her hair. Blake couldn't resist the opportunity to purr under his touch. After a while Darron gently patted her on the back.
"Time to get up Blake, you and I are going to town." Darron said.
"Cool." Blake said as she stood up, trying to conceal her excitement.
"OMGOMGOMG!" Every synapse in her brain was firing, as Darron gently took her hand, flashed her a warm smile, and the two began running towards the airship dock.
The same could not be said however for a snow queen and her husband.
"How does a snow queen catch a cold?" Zade asked, unable to hide his little bit of amusement at the differing realities between his wife's nickname and her reality.
"Shut up about it ok?" Weiss shot back, sniffing heavily. She reached across her bed to the box of tissues, blowing her nose violently into it and tossing it into the wastebasket next to her bed. Weiss groaned and laid back on her pillow. She sniffed again and pulled her blanket off to cool herself off.
"You ok?" Zade asked, looking back at her. Weiss shook her head no and gently lifted her hand, meddling with her silver wedding band. Zade turned around, and Weiss couldn't help but smile at the pink apron he was wearing. She assumed he stole it from Ren because it read 'Do nothing to the cook.; Although, he had used a post it note to replace the word nothing with everything. Zade stuck his tongue out and walked over to Weiss's bedside, sitting down while cradling a small bowl of soup in his hands.
"Do you like it?" Zade asked.
"Yeah, though you should give it back to Ren." Weiss responded, before coughing hard.
"Not the apron. I know you like that, but the soup?" Zade asked, holding the bowl out towards her.
"I'm not hungry." Weiss complained, holding her stomach. Zade looked at her sympathetically.
"C'mon you need to eat something." Zade pressed. Weiss shook her head and pulled the blankets back over herself, while coughing again Zade rolled his eyes and placed the soup bowl on the table. Zade cracked his fingers and grabbed a handful of Weiss's blanket. As Zade tried to yank the blanket off, Weiss mustered her strength to create a glyph, pulling the blanket back down on her. Zade struggled against the the glyph, pulling as hard as he could.
"How can you do this? You're sick!" Zade asked, incredulously.
"I'm not hungry." Weiss retorted.
"You need to eat!" Zade exclaimed, pulling harder.
"NO!" Weiss responded, coughing harder. Zade let go of the blanket.
"Fine." Zade said, a devilish smile growing on his face. Zade sneakily teleported under the blanket, grabbing onto Weiss Tightly.
"Zade!" Weiss exclaimed. Zade smiled and held her tighter.
"Yes Weissy wife." Zade answered. Weiss rolled her eyes, before rolling over and snuggling into his chest, feeling his warmth.
"Do I need to eat?" She asked.
"It'll help." Zade responded, genuinely. Weiss looked up at him and nodded. Zade smiled and licked her nose, before rolling off the bed and spitting. Weiss laughed.
"Nice one there romeo." she snidely remarked, as she sneezed. She wiped her nose, as Zade finished spitting out the rest of her mucus.
"That was not the intended plan madam." Zade responded,using gentleman mode as a distraction as he casually stood up and grabbed the soup again. Weiss coughed as she tried to sit up. Zade put a pillow behind her back and she leaned on it, as Zade sat on the bed next to her. Weiss reached out for the bowl, when he moved it away.
"C'mon." Weiss complained.
"I'll take good care of you. I promise milady." Zade reassured her. Weiss nodded and sat back, opening her mouth. Zade gently placed the first spoon into her mouth, and her face lit up. Weiss closed her eyes and kept her lips closed around the spoon. When she finally let it go she could see him staring at her.
"It's really good." she cooed.
"It should be. I stole the recipe from Max." Zade explained. Weiss facepalmed and started coughing again.
"Why am I not surprised." Weiss rolled her eyes.
"Anything for you snow queen." Zade said, gently kissing her hand before feeding her the rest of the soup, which she ate much more willingly than before.
Across the town of Vale, Max and Ruby were casually walking through the forest behind the safehouse that they had used, while waiting for Zade to finish fetching Weiss from Atlas. Ruby walked next to Max as he rested a large axe over his shoulder. As they passed by each tree they were careful to inspect it for the right size, branch coverage, and lack of wild animals living in it.
"You know, with the snow and lack of people trying to kill us, this place is actually quite serene." Ruby commented as they passed yet another tree.
"Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Darron bought this as our safehouse merely to get access to this forest during christmas time." Max explained. Ruby giggled lightly, trying to imagine Darron buying a house for a single holiday.
"He doesn't seem like the person who would let resources go to waste like that." Ruby commented.
"Well he is wierdly affectionate towards Christmas." Max explained.
"That explains the axe?" Ruby questioned. Max nodded.
"He would kill me otherwise." Max said, looking back and flashing Ruby a toothy grin. Ruby blushed slightly and stared down at the ground.
"I think it's cute to know there's a bit of a sentimentalist in him." Ruby said.
"He's aight." Max answered. Ruby smiled and kept walking besides him. Eventually she stumbled upon the perfect tree. It was nearly 9 ft tall and was full of green branches.
"This one looks fantastic." Ruby pointed out. Max turned around and walked up to the tree inspecting it as well.
"Oh this one will definitely do." Max agreed.
"Lots of space for Santa to put presents under the tree." Ruby added, crawling under the branches.
"I wonder what he'll bring you this year?" Max asked.
"I don't know… hopefully something I can use to work on Crescent Rose." Ruby answered, crawling back out from under the tree.
'Well I'm sure you'll get exactly what you want." Max replied, chuckling to himself.
"You gonna cut it down?" Ruby asked, gesturing towards the tree.
"Yeah, stand back." Max warned as he stepped closer to the tree. Max reared back and slammed his axe against the trunk of the tree. As soon as the axe made contact a small jingle rang out. Max looked around, confused.
"Uh Max." Ruby said, poking his shoulder. Max turned towards her and noticed that she was looking up. Max looked up as well and his eyes widened at the small piece of mistletoe hanging above them. Looking closer, Max noticed a small scrap of paper which he reached up for. Max snatched it from the branch and read it to himself.
"Tell Darron I knew you'd pick this tree lover boy.
Love Allister."
Max crumpled the note up and tossed it away.
"Don't worry about it." he said, laughing nervously as Ruby looked at the ground, her face burning read and her hands entwined behind her back.
"I mean.. It is tradition." Ruby squeaked out. At that Max couldn't help but feel his heart jump a little in his chest.
"If you insist." Max answered calmly, while freaking out inside. Ruby closed her eyes and lifted her head, the suspense killing her as she could barely hold still. She smiled when she heard Max's footsteps crunch in the snow, getting closer to her. Max stood right in front of her and leaned down to where they could feel each other's breath. He was going to savor every moment of this. Max smirked as Ruby slowly grew more impatient with him. Biting her lip, and wordlessly begging for him to kiss her.
"C'mon." She complained in a light whisper. Max was all too happy to oblige as he gently pressed his lips against hers. Max could taste strawberries on her lips as he wrapped and arm around her waist and pulled her in close. Ruby gave a small yelp, but refused to separate from her kiss with Max. The two of them stood there lip locked for a few moments, before finally Ruby stepped away, too shy to try anything more salacious. They watched each other awkwardly. This wasn't the first time they had kissed, but they were usually so few and far between that it might as well have been.
"I'm gonna go back to my tree." Max declared, still blushing as he picked up his axe again. Ruby nodded and stood there silently, not wanting to make such a big deal of their kiss, at least not in front of him, but she couldn't help but watch him chop down the evergreen with a happy smile plastered on her face.
"Timber!" Max yelled jokingly as the tree finally toppled over. Max swung his axe over his shoulder and stepped up on the stump, striking a pose. Ruby couldn't help but giggle at his ridiculousness.
"I've never cut down my own tree before. This was kinda nice." Ruby said, walking around the down evergreen.
"We haven't even done the hard part." Max added. Ruby looked up at him curiously, and suddenly realized what he was talking about.
"How are we gonna get this back to the house?" Ruby asked. Max just smiled innocently. Ruby sighed
Blake couldn't remember the last time she was this merry. She claspe a warm cup of coffee between her mittens as she looked through the window of a jewelry shop.
"Pretty." Blake whispered to herself as she stared at the golden necklace. Hanging from it was a small piece of amber that completely matched the color of her eyes. She didn't care how girly she acted or how much it hurt her stoic image. She was just going to enjoy as much time as she could with her boyfriend.
"It matches your eyes." Blake jumped in surprise, as Darron whispered in her ear. He leaned over her shoulder and was staring at the exact same piece of jewelry. Blake could suddenly feel as though a little cartoon Ruby, dressed in a white robes, and a little cartoon Yang, who had horns growing out of her head, and laughed evilly.
"Be cute. He's totally getting it for you for christmas." The ruby angel advised.
"Slam dunk." Devil Yang argued. Blake sighed at her blonde advisor and leaned up kissing Darron's cheek.
"It's beautiful." Blake agreed, standing up. "But it's so expensive." She pouted. Darron used one hand to cover his blush.
"I know it's a trap… but she's so damn cute." Darron thought to himself, glancing back at the piece of jewelry, making note to come back for it later.
"Hehe. too easy." Blake smiled to herself.
"Nice." Angel Ruby congratulated as she disappeared from Blake's shoulder.
"C'mon." Darron said, wrapping an arm around Blake's shoulder as they continued walking down the street. Blake happily leaned into his side. Darron kept his eyes on Blake as continued to window shop from under his arm. Darron glanced around to the other side of the street, and watched as people rushed up and down, trying to secure any last minute items to make their christmas successful. Darron grinned as he watched a group of carollers tucked into an alley. As he watched them sing, he suddenly got the feeling he was being watched. Darron turned his head to see Blake looking up at him.
"You can go sing if you want?" She offered, gesturing towards the group. Darron shook his head.
"Nah. I'd much rather spend my time here." Darron said, tapping Blake's nose. Blake turned around and allowed herself to fall back, leaning against Darron. He dutifully held her up, but his scroll inconveniently buzzed in his pocket. Darron slipped it out and read the message.
"Oh shit! There's an Emergency! Get to the house! NOW!
- sincerely, Max."
Darron rubbed his finger on the bridge of his nose, and used his hips to push Blake up straight.
"You ok?" Blake asked, concerned, her ears causing her hat to fold as well.
"Sorry kitty. I need to go. I think the idiot brigade might have done something dangerous. I wanted to spend the day with them, but it looks like I can't trust them to do anything." Darron explained. Blake frowned for a second, then shrugged.
"It's perfectly fine. Anytime with you is the best time. What are you working on?" she asked.
"It's a surprise. Just be at the house by 7:30 like we planned." Darron answered, raising his eyebrow comically. Blake giggled and started walking away.
"Have fun." she called, when she suddenly felt a something, or someone tug on her scarf, and indeed her heartstrings as Darron pulled her back against him and kissed her deeply. Blake let her eyes flutter closed as she embraced the warm kiss. After a moment Darron pulled back, placed a gently kiss on her forehead, and started walking down the Vale street. Blake stood motionless for a moment, before smiling like a schoolgirl and taking her own path through Vale.
"Oh man he's gonna kill us!" Allister panicked as he desperately tried to string some lights up around the room. Things we're clearly not going as planned for him and Max. Despite the fact that Max had gotten the tree with Ruby, brought it back to the house, and convinced Ruby to not peek on the surprise and go check in with either Weiss or Yang, the altercation between Max and Alister over the mistletoe incident had managed to knock over the tree, which got tangled up in, and tore down, most of the other indoor decorations. In the ensuing chaos to redecorate, Max had accidentally left two pies and a turkey in the over for so long, that they actually caught on fire. A situation that just grew even worse when the damn fire spread to the garland. Fortunately, Allister was able to rip off the garland, tearing down more decorations, and Max was able to extinguish the fire fast enough that no serious damage was done to the house. The only worry at this point was how much damage Darron was going to do to them when he got here, after they interrupted his date with Blake.
"Shut up! I don't wanna think about it!" Max cried from the kitchen, desperately filling pie crusts and kicking the oven door closed, starting another turkey with absolutely no time to spare. Max took a second to rub his temples, trying to remember what other dishes he needed to get started on.
"Ok. I got the turkey. I got the pies. I got the potatoes I got the. Oh crap!" Max screamed in his mind, as he glanced a dark shadow through the window. Moments later the door burst open to reveal a particularly unhappy Darron.
"What did you do!" Darron said. Darron glanced around at the disaster zone which was so chaotic it might as well been called abstract art, then in a fit of despair, walked to a corner of the room, and slipped into the fetal position. Allister and Max, just stared at him nervously.
"Wh-what's going on?" Max asked, worriedly, while still cooking for his life.
"He's evolving into ass kicking Darron." Allister explained, taking up the new garland which he had had to run out and buy. Darron slowly raised to his feet, and watched the two.
"Ok.., I will help, and we will have this done by tonight, or it will be your chestnuts roasting on the open fire." Darron said, eerily calmly.
"Yes sir!" Allister and Max shouted in unison as they returned to their work. Darron swiftly grabbed his own ladder and climbed up next to Allister, helping to replace some of the other knocked down decorations.
Oblivious to the suffering of his friends, Zade sat next to Weiss on her bed, reading to her as she rested her head on his chest.
"For, the people who were shovelling away on the housetops were jovial and full of glee; calling out to one another from the parapets, and now and then exchanging a facetious snowball—better-natured missile far than many a wordy jest—laughing heartily if it went right and not less heartily if it went wrong. The poulterers' shops were still half open, and the fruiterers' were radiant in their glory. There were great, round, pot-bellied baskets of chestnuts, shaped like the waistcoats of jolly old gentlemen, lolling at the doors, and tumbling out into the street in their apoplectic opulence. There were ruddy, brown-faced, broad-girthed Spanish Onions, shining in the fatness of their growth like Spanish Friars, and winking from their shelves in wanton slyness at the girls as they went by, and glanced demurely at the hung-up mistletoe. There were pears and apples, clustered high in blooming pyramids; there were bunches of grapes, made, in the A CHRISTMAS CAROL 50 shopkeepers' benevolence to dangle from conspicuous hooks, that people's mouths might water gratis as they passed; there were piles of filberts, mossy and brown, recalling, in their fragrance, ancient walks among the woods, and pleasant shufflings ankle deep through withered leaves; there were Norfolk Biffins, squat and swarthy, setting off the yellow of the oranges and lemons, and, in the great compactness of their juicy persons, urgently entreating and beseeching to be carried home in paper bags and eaten after dinner. The very gold and silver fish, set forth among these choice fruits in a bowl, though members of a dull and stagnant-blooded race, appeared to know that there was something going on; and, to a fish, went gasping round and round their little world in slow and passionless excitement"(C.D. 49-50) Zade read, much to Weiss's enjoyment. She smiled lightly as she coughed into her arm, and gestured for him to keep going. Zade gently smoothed her hair and continued to read. For Zade there was just something about having Weiss… having a wife for christmas, that made him all the more appreciative of moments like this. For Weiss, having someone as dependable and with as smooth a voice as Zade, made her feel like she was barely sick at all. He was so good at getting into character, that she almost believed that she was part of the book itself. As he continued to read, he was interrupted as she lazily reached up and poked his cheek.
"Yes darling?" Zade asked, still in character. Weiss rolled on her back and sniffled.
"Are we still going tonight?" She asked, groaning in misery. Zade reached down and gently placed a hand on her head.
"You're very sick dear. I'm not so sure it would be wise." Zade answered, stroking her cheek. Weiss stared up at him before burying her face in his lap. Zade smiled and continued smoothing her hair.
"Couldn't you just teleport us there?" Weiss asked, rolling back over. Zade pondered the request for a moment.
"Probably. It wouldn't be easy, but if you really want to go." Zade answered.
"I want to." Weiss said resolutely, before coughing again.
"Very well then." Zade responded. He laid back as Weiss pushed herself up, and off of the bed. Weiss stretched her back out, groaning a little. She slumped forward for a moment, before standing up nearly straight.
"I thought I'd never get out of that bed." Weiss commented, putting her hand on Ruby's bunk for some extra support.
"You need some help?" Zade asked, his focus on her legs, to ensure she wouldn't fall.
"No. I'll be fine. I'm going to take a bath." Weiss said, walking over towards her dorms bathroom. Zade quickly teleported next to her.
"Open." Zade directed, poking her lips with the thermometer. Weiss growled lightly, but parted her lips all the same. While waiting for the number to come in, Weiss leaned against Zade, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Zade rubbed her back. The thermometer gave a little beep, and Zade pulled it from Weiss's mouth.
"So?" she asked.
"102.2, it's getting lower. The party tonight shouldn't be a problem at all." Zade said.
"Yay!" Weiss cheered, as entusiactially as she could be in her weakened state. Weiss let go of Zade and stepped into the bathroom. Once she shut the door, Zade sat down on Weiss's bed and listened to the muffled sounds of water running from inside.
"At least her fever is going down. Going out tonight shouldn't be problematic at all. I'll just teleport her in, we'll stay for an hour or two, and I'll teleport us back here." Zade planned in his head. He lifted his head from the bed, when the ringing of his scroll caught his attention. Zade scooped it off the desk, and answered it without looking at the caller.
"Yo." Zade answered as he normally does.
"Did I say you could stop reading?" Weiss asked in a haughty tone, that Zade could tell she was easily faking. Zade rolled his eyes and grabbed the book of the nightstand, trying to get to the page where he was before.
"No ma'am." Zade answered, trying to get back into character.
"Then please continued." Weiss asked.
"Of course ma'am." Zade answered, as he located his spot, and continued to read again.
Darron,Max, and Allister lay scattered throughout the living room. It was 7:53 and they only had seven minutes to spare after finally managing to get the house perfectly ready.
"That was too close…" Max trailed off, laying across the arms of a sofa chair.
"I know." Allister said, laying on the floor, while looking up through a glass coffee table.
"You guys got lucky," Darron added, slowly getting up from the couch, "but I think we're ready don't you?" Allister and Max nodded, as Darron looked around the room. Despite the chaos of earlier, they really managed to get the place spruced up. The fire place in the center of the living room, was roaring with vigor. In two of the corners, christmas trees were set up and strung with warm white lights that shone brilliantly. They had strung garland up along the walls of the room. The main table was set with everything anyone could hope for for such an extravagant celebration. There was Turkey, Ham, four different kinds of pie, a goose, Mashed potatoes, fruitcake, gingerbread houses occupied by gingerbread men, and gingerbread grimm, fudge, as well as pitchers of apple cider, eggnog, and hot chocolate. Max and Allister also rose to their feet.
"This is the biggest christmas gathering we've ever had. Are you sure you made enough food Max?" Allister asked.
"Probably." Max shrugged. Darron looked around the room, and sighed contently. Without warning, a knock on the door startled the three of them. Darron reached into a small bowl of nuts, and chucked it across the room, as he vaulted over the couch. The nut connected with the pin of an old record player, knocking it onto the record, and playing christmas music throughout the house. Darron speed walked over to the door and opened the door.
"Merry Christmas!" Jaune, and Pyrrha exclaimed from outside. Darron could help but chuckle lightly.
"C'mon in guys." Darron offered, stepping out of the doorway while holding the door open. Pyrrha and Jaune casually stepped in, and removed their jackets, hanging them on hooks immediately to the left of the door.
"I know you didn't tell us to bring anything, but I felt it would be rude, so I made some potato salad." Pyrrha said, cheerfully, holding up the bowl. Darron gave her a polite smile and glanced over at Jaune, who was giving him all the subtle warning signs he could think of.
"You shouldn't have." Darron said, gracefully as he took the bowl and passed it on to Max, while conveying the message. Max took the bowl, and gave it a look of pity, as he walked into the kitchen. Darron shut the door behind the two as they finally managed to get a grand look at the interior of the house.
"Wow! You guys really went all out didn't you." Jaune commented, looking at each of the decorations.
"Yes we did. On Darron's orders." Allister added, casually taking a seat near the fire.
"It's beautiful." Pyrrha complimented.
"Thank you. Please take a seat, make yourselves at home." Darron offered, playing the role of gracious host flawlessly.
"I assume we're the first ones here." Pyrrha said, as she sat on the loveseat next to Jaune, leaning into him.
"That would be correct." Darron said, sitting in the chair, opposite Allister, and resting one ankle up on his knee.
"Have you guys been enjoying the holidays?" Allister asked.
"Can't say we haven't. I'm just glad we don't have to deal with classes for another few weeks. Jaune responded.
"I can feel that." Allister added, sinking deeper into the chair.
"So what have the lovebirds been doing lately?" Asked, walking back into the room. "Eggnog?" he added on the end.
"Some apple cider would be lovely." Pyrrha requested, a little nervously. "If you have some?" Jaune just shook his head in negation. Darron swiftly rose from his chair, and strode across the room. Max took the cue to relax, and let himself fall down on the couch.
"You're in for a real treat. Max made this apple cider himself, and believe me, all other food is a disappointment once you've had his cooking." Darron praised, as he walked back across the room, and gently handed the glass to Pyrrha.
"I remember from the party. It's a shame you don't cook more though." Pyrrha said, turning towards Max.
"Cooking just a hobby. Being a huntsman is really what I'm best at." Max answered. Pyrrha took a sip of the cider, and her eyelids fluttered in enjoyment.
"Mmmm. I beg to differ." Pyrrha answered. Max just laughed with amusement.
"You're too kind." he said. Another knock on the door, sent Darron springing back into action, as he made his way to the door.
"He's… unusually cheerful." Jaune pointed out.
"Welcome to Christmas Darron, and enjoy it now cause he's as rare as Santa Claus himself." Allister joked.
"It is nice to see him not fighting all the time." Max added.
"Everyone should relax once in awhile." Pyrrha agreed.
"Hey guys!" Ruby and Yang greeted cheerfully, as she took the seat next to Max. Darron returned to his seat, always ready to receive the next pair of guests. Yang slyly made her way across the room, and sat down on Allister lap, pushing herself into his chest. Allister smiled and rested his head on her chin.
"How was tree searching this morning." Allister asked Ruby, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. Ruby couldn't control herself from blushing, and Max discreetly took hold of her hand. Everyone stared at the presumptive couple, expectantly, while Darron shook his head, knowing what was coming.
"How did you know which tree?" Ruby asked. Allister shrugged.
"My mistletoe placing skills are superb." Allister answered calmly. Everyone couldn't help but giggle lightly, at how red Ruby was turning as she scooted closer to Max.
"It's all in good fun right." Ruby suggested, determined not to ruin the mood.
"Especially when Allister wins." Darron rolled his eyes. Ruby smiled, realizing that she shouldn't be that embarrassed about a kiss, especially with what her sister has been doing with Allister. Another knock on the door interrupted the festivities.
"Who'd you invite, the whole dorm?" Yang asked, reached up and clasped her hands together behind Allisters neck.
"Something like that." Darron said, using his semblance to form a three dimensional silhouette, which walked across the room to let the new guests in.
"This is a stupid use of our power."One of the voices pointed out. Darron simply ignored it as the silhouette let in Ren, Nora, and the entirety of team CFVY.
"Who's ready to party!" Coco exclaimed, walking across the room ,and leaning over the back of the sofa, her face forcibly separating Ruby and Max.
"We're sorry. It seems we couldn't keep her out of the eggnog this morning." velvet apologized, as Yatsuhashi pulled Coco back, before she could fall over the couch.
"Don't worry about it. A number of us will be that way before we're done anyway." Darron shrugged, and pointed to the pitcher of eggnog sitting on the table.
"Hey did any of you guys hear about Weiss?" Ruby asked the newcomers.
"No I thought she was still sick." Velvet said.
"She was right before we left." Ren added.
"It's so sad!" Nora exclaimed, leaning onto the table with grief.
"Who said I wasn't coming?" Weiss asked, as she and Zade suddenly appeared in the middle of the room, Zade holding her bridal style, and wrapped in a blanket. Zade set Weiss down and she walked over to the sofa chair and sat herself down, coughing.
"Are you sure you should be here?" Darron asked politely, as one of the silhouettes courteously made a cup of tea. Weiss Generously accepted as Zade leaned on the back of the chair.
"Her fever has already broken and gone down quite some. As long as I teleport, and she doesn't spend too much time in the cold, she should be just fine." Zade explained panting some.
"Awe. I knew the snow queen wanted to spend time with us." Ruby smiled. Weiss attempted to give Ruby a glare as everyone chuckled, but couldn't help but smile herself. A loud knocking once against echoed throughout the house.
"Man they're showing up like flies." Allister pointed out.
"Don't answer that." Darron commanded his silhouettes.
"Why not?" Yang asked.
"Hey! It's cold. Open up." Sun called out, knocking again. Everyone snickered, realizing Darron was antagonizing Sun on purpose.
"We brought an entrance fee." Neptune added.
"What?" Darron yelled out curiously.
"Blake." Sun answered.
"Damn." Darron muttered to himself sarcastically, while the others watched on amused.
"Let them in" Darron ordered. The silhouette, opened the door and team SSSN piled in with Blake at the rear. While the guys were greeting the others, Darron rose from his seat and walked over to Blake, capturing her in his embrace.
"Sorry about earlier." he said, as the two of them clung to one another,swaying back and forth.
"Don't fret too much about it. You had some work to do and it turned out beautifully." She responded. Darron reached up and gently scratched her kitty ears. Blake purred lightly at the touch.
"Shall we partake?" Darron asked. Blake look up at him and nodded quickly. They released each other, and went to join the rest of their friends in their christmas celebration.
The night went as smoothly as anyone could have hoped for. The gang had a merry time, talking, drinking, and having one large family dinner, accentuated by Max's delectable cooking. They partied until nearly midnight. Darron and Blake stood at the door, saying farewell to Allister and Yang, the last of the guests.
"It's been so long since I've been to a christmas party this fun." Yang complemented. Darron gave a mock bow.
"Thank you. Don't get used to it though." Darron warned.
"I don't plan on it." Yang rolled her eyes.
"Are you guys sure you'll be ok? It's shaping up to be a blizzard." Blake asked, gesturing to the vast amounts of snow falling all around them. Allister glanced at the snow for a moment and shrugged.
"If the rest of our friends could make it, I don't think we are going to have any major problems." Allister said.
"Alright. See you tomorrow." Darron said, tapping fists with Allister. Allister and Yang too each others hands as they walked out into the night. Darron closed the door behind them and sighed.
"They're all gone." he said, stretching his wings out a little. Darron turned to see Blake, slinging a small purse over her shoulder. Blake looked up and noticed Darron giving her an inquisitive look.
"I really can't stay." Blake said.
"Baby, It's cold outside." Darron protested, walking across the room.
"I've got to go away." Blake pressed.
"Baby, it's cold outside." Darron repeated with emphasis.
"This evening has been…" She trailed off as Darron teasingly pulled her purse off of her shoulder, setting it down on the table.
"Been hoping that you'd drop in." Darron pointed out, putting his hands on Blake's arms.
"So very nice." Blake finished, giving him a little glare for interrupting her. .
"I'll hold your hands. They're just like ice." Darron added, taking both her hands and gently bringing them to his lips. Blake smiled for just a moment before regaining her composure.
"You know Yang will start to worry." Blake pointed out. Darron shrugged.
"Beautiful, what's your hurry?" Darron asked in response.
"Weiss will be up pacing the floor." She countered, gently stepping away from him.
"Listen to the fireplace roar." He suggested, Nodding his head to the crackling fire.
"So really I'd better scurry." Blake said, a hint of playfulness in her voice, almost daring him to stop her.
"Beautiful, please don't hurry." he responded, his voice displaying his sincerity. Just as Blake was reaching for the handle, she turned around.
"Maybe just a half a drink more." She said, sarcastically.
"Puts some records on while I pour." Darron suggested, as he filled her a glass. Blake calmly restarted the record player as he handed her the glass.
"The neighbors might think." She suggested. Darron just rolled his eyes.
"Baby, it's bad out there." he pointed out. Blake took a sip, and smiled.
"Say, what's in this drink?" Blake complimented.
"No cab's to be had out there." Darron commented, looking out the window.
"Way to answer the question." Blake mumbled to herself. "I wish I know how."
"You're eyes are like starlight now." Darron said, his voice gently overlapping with hers.
"To break this spell." Blake finished, blushing just ever so lightly. Darron crossed the room, and playfully pulled her hat off, exposing her cat ears.
"I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell." Darron complementing, accentuating the blush on Blake's cheek.
"I ought to say no, no, no." Blake said out loud to remind herself, but all thoughts were once again distracted as she felt Darron wrap his arms around her from behind.
"Mind if I move in closer?" He asked, slyly.
"At least I'm gonna say that I tried." Blake shrugged.
"What's the sense in hurting my pride." Darron reasoned. Blake shook her head, trying once again to get her thoughts straight.
"I really can't stay." Blake said again.
"Baby don't hold out." Darron teased. Blake turned so that she was facing Darron.
"Ah, but it's cold outside." they said, seemingly in unison. Darron raised an eyebrow suggestively. Blake rolled her eyes, and stepped away from him.
"I simply must go" she asserted.
"But baby it's cold outside." Darron continued his protest.
"The answer is no." Blake said, trying to put her foot down.
"But baby it's cold outside." Darron persisted.
"This welcome has been." Blake continued to excuse herself.
"So lucky that you dropped in." Darron snuck in, pretending to speak to himself.
"So nice and warm." Blake continued, as Darron pulled back one of the curtains.
"Look out the window at the storm." He argued, watching the snow whip past the window.
"Ruby will be suspicious." Blake added.
"Gosh your lips look delicious." Darron pointed out, slowly getting closer.
"Sun will be there at the door." Blake argued.
"Waves upon the tropical shore." Darron continued, Blake couldn't resist letting Darron quickly kiss her.
"Goodwitch's mind is vicious" Blake pointed out, as Darron smiled.
"Ooh your lips are delicious." he answered. Blake just rolled her eyes.
"Well maybe just a cigarette more." She conceded.
"Never such a blizzard before… wait you smoke?" Darron asked, confused.
"No I just wanted you to focus on what I was saying." Blake answered. Darron chuckled nervously.
"I've got to get home." Blake said, yet again.
"But, baby, you'll freeze out there." Darron countered.
"Say, lend me your coat." Blake suggested.
"It's up to your knees out there." Darron noted.
"You've been really grand." Blake complemented.
"I thrill when you touch my hand." Darron complimented back. Blake rolled her eye in mock frustration.
"Why don't you see." she asked.
"How can you do this thing to me." Darron said, sliding down to one knee.
"There's bound to be talk tomorrow." Blake argued,
"Think of my lifelong sorrow." Darron implored.
"At least there will be plenty implied." Blake cautioned with a wink.
"If you got pneumonia and died." Darron added, causing Blake to giggle.
"I really can't stay." Blake tried one last time.
"Get over that hold out." Darron suggested.
"Ah, but it's cold outside." they said simultaneous as Darron gently brushed her cheek. Darron placed her hair behind her ear, before finally leaning in and giving Blake a kiss with all the passion that bloomed in his heart when he thought of her. Blake calmly placed her arms around his neck, and kissed back with as equal a passion.
Darron watched the fire as it burned deep into the night. They had turned off all the lights, bathing the room in utter darkness, other than for the fire itself. Darron turned back to the thing that was most radiant in the room. The naked faunus gently sleeping on his chest. Darron smiled warmly as she purred a little with each breath. As he watched her angelic face, a thought raced through his mind.
"I forgot the necklace fuck!" Darron exclaimed in his head., placing his palm on his face. Darron sighed, knowing he couldn't move without disturbing the beautiful girl with him. Darron worried for a moment, when a light hissing filled the room, as something put out the fireplace.
"What is this? Santa Flambe?" A large jolly man in a red suit joked as he squeezed out of the fireplace.
"Sup old man." Darron greeted.
"And merry christmas to you." Santa said, tipping his hat at Darron.
"Anything good this year?" Darron asked.
"Always. I see you've got a better gift than I could give." Santa said, gesturing to Blake, as he started laying gifts under the tree.
"Well she didn't come easy." Darron said.
"I know you forgot her gift, but I've got you covered." Santa said, shaking a small box before Darron, and placing it under the tree.
"Thanks." Darron said.
"Hey. It's the least I can do after that thing you did for me." Santa added.
"Easter bunny never knew what hit him." Darron chuckled.
"Damn right." Santa said, stepping back into the fireplace before flying up it. Darron rolled his eyes, thinking about that rather strange job. Eventually he just focused on the kitty lying on top of him, and gently kissed her forehead, before falling asleep himself.