Christmas 16 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
Christmas 17 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas Skull! You having fun?
Houdini: As much as every year. Happy Christmas Nello.
Christmas 18 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Don't you love Christmas? Because I do.
Houdini: I loved Christmas while I was at school. We always had the biggests feasts and the whole great hall was decorated.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Great Hall? Sounds pompous. In what kind of school were you?
Houdini; It was a castle.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Damn Skull. I didn't expect that. Was the whole school decorated?
Houdini: Yeah. Have to go now though.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Have a fantastic time! Merry Christmas Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
Christmas 19 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: So where are you currently?
Houdini send an image; a small fully decorated village in Scotland
caffeinated sleeping pill: Looks beautiful.
Houdini: It is. Happy Christmas Nello
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas!
Christmas 20 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: You opened your present yet?
Houdini: Not yet.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Kora! I worked really hard to find it.
Houdini: Yeah, Just let me appreciate it a little more.
caffeinated sleeping pill: What? The wrapping paper?
Houdini; Totally, that is exactly it.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You know if you're pleased that easily then I just gift you just a roll of gift wrap next year.
Houdini: I wouldn't mind.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You serious?
Houdini: Yeah.
caffeinated sleeping pill: No can do then. because I plan to always gift you the best things possible. Merry Christmas btw.
Houdini: Happy Christmas Nello.
Christmas 21 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Skull? What were the earliest presents you can remember? Mine was a signed football. I broke the window later that day when I played with it. I only remember it because my mom tells that story every year.
Houdini: a cloak I inherited from my parents that my principal gave to me. a knitted sweater from the mother of one of my best friends, sweets from my other best friend, a flute from the groundskeeper and 50p
caffeinated sleeping pill: 50p?
Houdini: Yeah my relatives send something. Was almost more surprising than the fact that I actually got something in general.
caffeinated sleeping pill:... remind me to step up my gift game next year.
Houdini: No need. Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas and yes I have to. be prepared to get blasted away, kora.
Christmas 22 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: My nephew set the christmas tree on fire.
Houdini: Did it burn the house down?
caffeinated sleeping pill: No but my mother put candles on the table directly afterwards. I think she's tempting fate.
Houdini: How did you even manage to explain to your family your size?
caffeinated sleeping pill: I didn't. I didn't contact them until 7 years into the curse. They were so relieved to hear from me that they promised to not ask questions.
Houdini: Sounds complicated.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Well… it is but I rather have this than not seeing them. Merry Christmas Skull.
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
Christmas 23 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Do you actually have christmas traditions? My family always go ice skating and make gingerbread houses
Houdini: I light candles for my family and friends.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Nothing more?
Houdini: Nothing spectacular.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Well if you're having fun. You should build a gingerbread house next year. I'm sure the Carcassa would love making it a competition.
Houdini: Maybe. Happy Christmas Nello.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas!
Christmas 24 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You back in Scotland?
Houdini: Yeah.
caffeinated sleeping pill: How's the weather?
Houdini: It's snowing pretty hard.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Be careful not to get stuck then. But a white christmas is always the best
Houdini: Sure.
Christmas 25 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: You know the Arcos were trying to pester me to invite you to a christmas party. I told them you're busy with the Carcassa. That's alright?
Houdini: Sure.
caffeinated sleeping pill: But yeah if you want I can ask them if they want to do it in a week or something?
Houdini: I rather not.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Thought so. Merry Christmas Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
Christmas 26 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You know I invited Lal again to come to my family but she refused. It's kinda sad… she usually stays in the office. I know she isn't much into holidays but no one should be alone at Christmas.
Skull?
You there?
Ah I guess you must be busy then. Have fun!
Christmas 27 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You in Scotland again?
Houdini: Yeah.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You're not getting bored of it?
Houdini: No, it just feels right.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Wouldn't have thought that the Carcassa actually follows you there every year.
Skull?
Goddamn how can you always be so busy?
But I guess that's nice.
Have a wonderful Christmas Skull.
Christmas 28 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas. What do you usually eat for christmas?
Houdini: happy Christmas. Nothing special.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Really? Nothing the Carcassa deems essentiell or you?
Houdini: No.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Well… maybe next year?
Houdini: Maybe.
Christmas 29 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Do the Carcassa make christmas fun?
Houdini: Probably.
caffeinated sleeping pill: A bit more enthusiasm please. Christmas is amazing.
Houdini: Sure
caffeinated sleeping pill: Maybe do a snow fight with them?
Houdini: Maybe next year.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Alright? everything okay?
Houdini: Everything as always.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You know you can talk to me if something's bothering you. Did the day not start good?
Houdini: Not really.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Cheer up. It's Christmas and Christmas magic will make it better. It's snowing in Scotland, right?
Houdini: Yeah.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Just watch the snowflakes for a bit. You could go outside. Maybe catch them with your tongue. I did that with my sister when I was younger. It's the best.
Houdini: Yeah, maybe I'll go outside for a bit.
caffeinated sleeping pill: That's the spirit!
Christmas 30 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas once again Skull!
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: I wondered… What's your favorite holiday? Easter, Christmas, halloween, birthday or new year?
Houdini: I despise Halloween.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Not quite my question but alright. Any reason for that? I mean free candy.
Houdini: My parents died that day.
caffeinated sleeping pill: I'm sorry Skull. I didn't know. I shouldn't have asked.
Houdini: It's alright.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Can I make it up to you? Do you want to spend next Halloween together?
Houdini: No really, it's alright. They died when I was 15 months old so… long time ago. I can deal with it.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You still don't have to be alone that day. I could support you?
Houdini: I can manage. You should rather have fun with it.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You shouldn't just manage… but alright. Tell me if I can help you somehow, yeah?
Houdini: Sure.
Christmas 31 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas Skull. Do you have a favorite Christmas song?
Houdini: Happy Christmas. Not really. The ones I used to hear aren't really accessible here.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You could teach them?
Houdini: I could.
caffeinated sleeping pill: You should. You definitely should. Missing home is terrible but well… it shouldn't stop you from remembering it in the best way possible.
Christmas 32 Years into the curse
caffeinated sleeping pill: Merry Christmas
Houdini: Happy Christmas.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Lal tried to stay working again. I texted Reborn and he brought her to the Vongola party.
Houdini: Maybe she's sad. Not all of us can go to our family after all.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Still. He sent a picture, Lals having fun. Sometimes people just need a little push.
Houdini: Maybe
caffeinated sleeping pill: Not just maybe. You needed one too, remember? And you're happier now.
Houdini: You might be right.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Obviously I am
Christmas 33 Years into the curse, present
caffeinated sleeping pill: Skull? I've got a question. How did you celebrate Christmas before?
Houdini: Before when?
caffeinated sleeping pill: When you were still living in the forest.
Houdini: Not much different than now.
caffeinated sleeping pill: But you were alone in the wilderness
Houdini: Yeah.
caffeinated sleeping pill: Skull? Are you alone?
Colonnello stared at the message for a moment before he opened his bank app and sent Viper their normal rate. Immediately switching the app to call the miser after completing the transaction.
The mist didn't take long to pick up "Mou, time is money. What do you need?"
"Where are the Carcassa?"
"You called for that? Mou, I won't complain about the money but they are obviously at their headquarters like every year."
"Every year? Are you sure?"
"Yes, naturally I'm sure."
"Not in Scotland?"
"No? Why would they?"
He didn't answer, the realization washing over him. How did he not notice? How blind had he been?
"Colonnello?"
"Give me a second, kora."
He really was an idiot. It had been obvious… way too obvious. Why had he been so certain that Skull would spend Christmas with the carcassa? Sure, most mafiosi did that but… it was Skull and Skull… had no family left. Honestly all the information had always been there. He could really slap himself. What was he even supposed to do now?
His eyes fell onto his mother. She had already stood up, just smiled warmly at her son and pulled out her tupperware.
Really, Colonnello couldn't put into words how much he loved his mother. Too much of an angel.
"Viper? If I send you a picture could you send me a portal in around 10 minutes?"
"If you pay double."
"Yeah, I will. Thanks, kora."
The miser had already hung up and Colonnello gave his best to find the picture from years ago. He really was lucky that he never managed to delete anything at all.
His mother had meanwhile packed up a few boxes of their dinner and his sister had come back from the living room with a few christmas movies and CDs.
Colonnello couldn't help but smile "Thank you. I'm sorry that I'm leaving."
His mother, as always a way to sweet smile on her lips "Don't worry about it. Bring Skull next year, alright?"
He grinned brightly "I will."
His sister was already holding the two bags towards him and his father had brought his coat and shoes.
The man just grinned at the rain "No one should spend Christmas alone, right?"
"Exactly."
And with a more than just warm feeling in his chest he stepped through the portal.
Leilani had turned her phone around. She didn't want to see it. She had been too obvious and now she ruined Christmas for Colonnello.
It wasn't fair of her. Sure, her Christmas was far from good. But it was okay.
At least she tried to tell that to herself as she sat in her dark airship. The only light that illuminated the roam was from the candles she still lit every year.
She hadn't been able to get up and make herself any food either. It was the same as every year, just sitting in the dark, trying not to cry and forcing herself to not think too much about it. Christmas hadn't been much different at the Dursleys after all and at least now she wasn't sitting in her cupboard, staring through the gap and watching her relatives celebrate.
This was still better, way better. She was sitting in her airship after all and she wasn't cold.
Still Leilani was buried in the too big knitted sweater that Nello had gifted her a few years ago. He had said his mother made it for her as he talked too much about her but had used Colonnellos size as she hadn't known that they differed that much.
She had cried the whole night. It hit too close to home but… still she wore it every year afterwards. It wasn't like a Weasley sweater but… it was the closest thing she had, right?
Her bare face was scrubbed raw from the amount of tears she had tried to rub away and her glasses that she usually wore when she was alone to give her eyes a rest from the contact lenses were hanging crooked over her nose.
Leilani bit on her lip as she pulled her legs closer to her body, completely curled into herself until a knock was heard. Actually not even a knock, more like a heavy snowball that had been thrown against the metal of her door. A second one followed immediately after.
It hadn't been the first time that people in the area had taken offense to her being here… but still… She couldn't get herself to not come here. It was a small village instead of Hogwarts but… it was the closest to home she could achieve.
She was already on her way up to apologize to the people she had offended this year and ready to use her sky flames to make them leave her alone when she could hear the first few notes from 'All I want for Christmas is You' started to play.
She paused, this wasn't usual but still she went towards her door only to freeze completely when she looked through the open door.
Colonnello was standing in the snow, a crooked smile on his lips, his blonde hair hanging loosely in his face, already a few snowflakes having landed on him. His arms opened up, the phone in his hand still playing the music.
He tilted his head slightly "Spend Christmas with me?"
Leilani didn't even know what to do, still completely frozen as the traitorous tears were already falling down again.
With few steps the former soldier was in front of her, pulling her into a hug as she started to weep.
He didn't comment, just tightening the hug more as she was unable to lift her arms to hold onto him.
It took a while until she finally managed to stammer out "But your family?"
"My mother had already started to pack up food as soon as she figured out what was happening."
"But-"
"No, I want to be here Skull. With you, alright?" he gently lifted her head, wiping a few of the still falling tears off as he smiled softly at her "No one should be alone at christmas."
The small sky couldn't stop herself when more tears started to fall and her hands started to rise up to bury themselves into the thick coat of her rain.
He held her until her tears finally started to run out.
His slightly crooked grin in place as he spoke again "Can we go inside? I mean I didn't want to say anything because I'm obviously very masculine and everything but goddamn Scotland is cold, kora."
She couldn't help as the small giggle rang out. Colonnellos smile immediately stretched brighter as he pushed her inside.
The rain proceeded to try to find the most obnoxious christmas songs to get her to laugh as they heated up the food, only to settle on the couch while eating.
"So Skull… what's your favorite christmas movie?
"I… never saw one?"
His eyes widened in disbelief "Emergency alert. You know that we have to do a marathon now, kora?"
She could only giggle as he jumped up to pull an assortment out of the other bag he brought with him.
It was much later, already through the second movie and cuddled together on the couch when he turned his head towards her and whispered in her ear "Merry Christmas Skull."
She had to stop her sniffle from coming out as she for the first time in over 33 years whispered out loud "Happy Christmas Nello."