*car salesmen slap* This bad boy can fit so many grammatical errors in it!

Happy holidays my dear readers! I cranked this out in two days and you can see the length of it. Needless to say, this is very rushed, but filled with what I hope is a sweet holiday story for my favorite couple Ritsuka and Jalter. While this is not directly connected to my current work for Jalter and Ritsuka, you can definitely read a more thematic throughline if you squint. Moreover, there is one reference here that is directly ported from that story, from an as-of-yet unpublished chapter. So...there are some more thematic spoilers for that. However, I tried to make this one-shot stand in its own right.

If you're waiting on the next chapter for my summer Alter fic, as always I promise it's coming. It's at least halfway completed at about a hundred pages. That I will return to regular work at the end of this week.

I once again apologize, but this is very much a rush job when compared to most of my other work that I typically try to publish for all of you. I ask that you be patient with me as I catch errors and please leave citations on them if you feel so inclined in the comments.

So, with that everyone, I invite you to a Chaotic Christmas story about one of my favorite pairings. I can only hope that it doesn't come across as too OCish. You are all wonderful, so merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays.

###JALTER###

At Chaldea, it was cold all months of the year. The idea of a white Christmas seemed almost inevitable as it would translate to the new year's celebration that followed as well. The white floors, the white paneling, and the near sterility of the facility often presented a sense of foreboding and uneasiness as one roamed the halls.

But for the holidays it had been transformed.

Decorations had been spread around at the behest of their masters. Light and other decor covered the walls. Wreaths were hung as greetings and mistletoes lined the corridors like snare traps.

Who would be stupid enough to fall for that?

Alter's lips were pressed together as she looked up at a mistletoe hanging in front of her, but one she hadn't quite gotten close enough to be considered someone who needed to snag a kiss. Carefully she skirted around it, and her lips twisted a little as she continued her march down the hall.

Her breath fogged the air in front of her, as another shiver went up her back. She wrapped her black cloak around her shoulders a little tighter as she pressed on, passing door after door of the sleeping quarters.

The one thing that did separate this year's Christmas from the previous, was that the heaters had failed.

Alter fought another shiver and her lips twisted.

It's fucking cold.

Several servants walked past, drenched in blankets and cloaks over their usual attire. It would've been amusing if not for her having to share in the misery. She grumbled to herself as she finally arrived at one of her two destinations. She turned and once again eyed the hall for any traps and other things that would potentially spoil her mood even further.

Ritsuka's door was decorated proudly by what Jeanne Alter presumed to be the younger Christmas version of herself. Lights were strung across his door, with a sign scrawled with the first "E" backward pronouncing that this was where Reindeer lived. Her lips twitched almost upwards into a smile. She reached out and knocked on the door the ice-cold metal making her hiss at the touch. Then she backed up and folded her hands up underneath the Shinjuku jacket she was wearing underneath her black fur cloak, stuffing them into her pockets to recover warmth.

The noise drew her eye as a few other servants came marching down the hall. Medea and Medusa with big smiles and talking sweet nothings as far as she could tell. Though clearly, Medea was complaining about something, and Medusa was just amused by whatever she was being told. The only pause in their conversation came when they sent Alter some polite greetings as they walked past.

Medusa hummed as he looked back. "Be warned that there is a mistletoe underneath the cafeteria entrance that's already snagged a few victims."

Alter's lip twitched and she smiled softly. "Thanks,"

The door opened and to her shock, it wasn't Ritsuka that was there to greet her. It was Gudako, the other master of Chaldea. She was wrapped in a large blanket of her own, tied to drape around her neck like a cloak or a long cape. Her orange hair wasn't as put together as it normally was. Indicating the slow start of the morning. There was also a green elf's hat sitting atop her head, the faux fur of it sitting on her ears to cover them. She smiled at the sight of her. "Alter." She greeted and then leaned conspiratorially against the doorway sticking out her face toward the avenger with a smirk. "And what brings you to my brother's doorway?"

Her brain came to a screeching halt and her lips twisted as she tried to bury her quick surprise. "Wha- What the hell are you doing here?"

Gudako huffed and shrugged. "Oh relax Alter, it's not like I killed him or anything." She tapped the sides of the entrance with her gloved knuckles. "Though I clearly spoiled something you were trying to do." That smirk remained.

Alter scratched the back of her head and huffed. "Nothing worth your attention. Where is he?"

Even though it happened out of order, I think I can work with this.

She stepped into the room as Gudako made space for her. Her amber eyes found the presents that lined the surface of Ritsuka's bed. That burning curiosity in the back of her mind. She realized belatedly it was her stare that had given it away plainly. She felt her lips compress into a frown.

"These ones are mine." She smirked in a way that Alter tried really hard to ignore. "Mine to you is the one near the pillows." She turned away and Alter could see another box sitting by the end of the bed, unwrapped. Gudako made her way over to it with a smile on her lips. "Remember, no peeking until the eve."

The avenger gave a theatrical sigh and sunk into her shoulders. "That doesn't answer my question."

Gudako smiled, "Yes it did. Though it implies an answer you simply didn't like." She stood at the foot of the bed and began to wrap the small box. The sound of wrapping paper tearing filled the room. "I'll tell you where he is if you tell me why you are so keen on finding him." Gudako paused her boots near a small space heater to defrost her cold feet like everyone else.

Alter bit her lip.

This is what I wanted right?

Both her damned masters were so perceptive and oftentimes it scared her. The smirk on Gudako's lips seemed to fade a little.

"I…" Alter looked away, her lips twisting into a darkening expression. "I wanted to see if…either knowing what my present was or how big it was would help." The way it sounded to her was lame, so she couldn't imagine how Gudako was going to react. The cool air seemed to grow colder and she shoved her hands deeper in her pockets.

She stared, "Help with what?"

Jeanne Alter gave her a pointed look, the kind that conveyed the obviousness of the question she'd asked.

Gudako hummed and nodded once, "You haven't got him his present yet."

She scratched the back of her head, "I…don't want to screw up." Alter could feel the damn break just a little. "I mean…this is our first Christmas together…" she sighed and reached back to scratch her head. "You know our first one..together together?"

Her female master was quiet for a moment. "Well, I suppose I can understand that. No one wants to screw up their first Christmas in a relationship." Gudako paused, setting the sliced paper down to wrap her present up late. "His was something…thoughtful and what he hoped would be meaningful." Gudako trailed off, her eyes narrowing a little. "I'm afraid…I can't say much more than that for fear of giving it away."

Alter's lip twitched.

Just ask her.

No voice came out from her lips, too stubborn.

ASK HER GODDAMN IT.

Gudako tilted her head a little again at her. Once again clear perception of understanding in her eye. "Well, do you have any ideas?" She raised a brow and Alter could feel a little judgment. Gudako was after all looking out for her brother, and Alter didn't give any good ideas that judgment would be there.

"She really loves you as her brother doesn't she?"

He hummed. "Of course she does, before you and Edmond, all we had was each other once we left our parents behind." There was a hint of proudness in his eyes as he spoke. "It was always us against the world."

Her lip twitched at the memory and Alter's frown turned a little thoughtful. "I…had one idea I guess. But I dismissed it because I have no idea how to make it…anything else about it really." Alter scratched the back of her head again.

Gudako patted the empty space beside her.

The avenger servant hesitated but she ultimately took what was offered. Sitting on the sheets of Ritsuka's bed and spreading her fingers over it. The few times she managed to convince herself to come in here were nights she was fond of thinking over. The emotions that had spilled out between them.

And when she was up for it, the passion too.

"You know he only wants you right?" Gudako said pointedly with a raised brow.

"I know…but I still want to give him something physical." She trailed off and blushed, twiddling her thumbs in her lap. Her amber eyes went wide with horror just as Gudako's smirk returned in full force. "Damn it, shut up, you know what I meant!" Alter rubbed her forehead and looked aside at all the presents.

It's not like we haven't…but…

Gudako snorted, "I know I'm teasing, I'm teasing Alter." She leaned back on her hands. "Well, tell me your one idea that wasn't so stupid. And I'll see if I can help you."

Once again Alter fell silent to gather her courage and as she spoke she could see the amusement once again fade from Gudako's expression. At first, Alter had thought it was a disappointment, but she slowly realized it was one of intense consideration. By the time she'd finished explaining her reasons that expression had turned into understanding.

The orange-haired master nodded, "Well, that's certainly an idea Alter. Though we are going to have to get started on it today if we want to finish on time." She stood up and looked back at her unfinished presents. She sighed a little with a smile. "You'll both like what you're getting for each other."

Alter caught the enthusiasm and a part of her was in disbelief at it. Almost having expected his sister to reject it out of hand. "You don't think it's a bad idea?"

I suppose that's a relief.

"Not at all." Gudako affirmed, "He'll love it. The difficulty is that it's a lot of work and we don't have much time." She stood up and offered her a hand. "Come on, let's hurry. We need to start talking about specs right now with Muramasa and Da Vinci."

Alter tentatively took her hand, and found herself yanked up behind her Gudako and being dragged along behind her out the door. She barely had time to catch her breath. "Wait, wait we can't just waltz in on them right?"

"Why not?" Gudako said.

Why not?

As she was pulled out into the hall, the next door down the hall opened, to reveal Ritsuka. His blue eyes went wide upon seeing them sprint past. He looked almost stupefied at the sight of them. Alter managed a small awkward wave and pointed at his sister. "One of her ideas or something."

"That's right!" Gudako sang the words. "Hurry up and finish your gift wrapping brother." And with that, the two went along down the hall, Alter being dragged just behind.

###Ritsuka###

He watched them go by with astonishment half still inside his sister's room, mouth agape. under the door. Confusion was the only word he felt described the situation with accurate certainty. He held up a hand when Alter waved and his sister gave him a wicked grin as they ran down the hallway.

His first fear had been that they were coming to talk about presents. However, that fear faded the further they went down the hall.

That's going to come back and bite me later probably isn't it?

He peeked down the hall just to make sure they weren't coming back. Then he slipped out into the hall, closing the door behind him. His sister, he could trust not to sneak into her own room to show off the gifts he'd gotten. That trust had long since worked itself out to be mutual.

Alter on the other hand.

Somehow the avenger didn't strike Ritsuka as the type to stoop to petty tricks. He shrugged as he marched down the hall in the opposite direction the others had run. Putting the small event in the back of his mind as he was hoping to get hers finished today. There was one more session of bleeding as Medea had called it.

Blood was always powerful in rituals, and this had been no exception. He spotted a mistletoe and carefully skirted around it. Noting that Elizabeth Bathory was waiting for a victim very nearby.

The hiding place wasn't as conspicuous as she probably thought.

Ritsuka tried not to smile when he heard a huff of disappointment in the hall. At least half a dozen doors later he finally arrived at the quarters for the Grecian woman and could hear them bickering from outside with a third person. A scolding tone of concern meshing with Medea's more flabbergasted one.

A tone he well knew to belong to the shepherd of all the servants that herded them both on and off the battlefield.

Jeanne D'Arc.

He took a breath and knocked on the door stifling their muffled conversation for a brief second before a third voice joined in, far deeper in tone compared to the others. Identifying her as Medusa.

"That's him now."

A few seconds later, the door slid open to reveal Medusa had gone to the door. She offered a pleasant smile to him. "Hello Master, I hope you aren't bothered by the lady Ruler here. She has come to share her concerns about Medea's secret rituals and…well, I think she has also heard you participate in them."

Jeanne D'Arc's long braided hair was over her shoulders and while she possessed no weapons for the moment, still looked every bit the wonderful leader she was known to be. Though her expression was one of determination and there was a frown on her expression. Perhaps, in fact, Medusa had stolen her opportunity to speak for herself.

The gorgon rider turned back to her. "Did I miss anything Joan?"

Better settle this quickly.

Medea huffed, "What we are doing is perfectly safe and I'm not doing anything without his expressed consent, and the consent of his sister."

All eyes flicked to him, he scratched his head in response.

Jeanne spoke next, "Is it true Ritsuka?"

"It is." He admitted and placed a hand on his hip. "I'm willing to answer any question you like. I am the one, after all, currently borrowing Medea's excellent sorcerer and mage skills." Ritsuka smiled a little as he entered the room, and started rolling up his sleeve. "Sorry, I'm late. I got caught up in nearly a dozen of my last-minute affairs. Emiya and Boudica wanted Gudako and I to consult with the staff about our holiday meals. That meal ran an hour past due and I needed to catch up on my other gift wrapping."

Medusa nodded her voice deep and melodious as always. "Not to worry master, Medea and I got held up as well and we've only been prepping for the past fifteen minutes." She moved to sit on the bed and pulled up a book for herself to read.

The caster floated a little now, her cloak billowing out behind her as she took flight and glanced over at the Ruler. "Ask away Ruler." Her words held daring and perhaps a bit of contempt. She didn't like it when people showed up to her workshop uninvited. "I should warn you now that blood is involved."

Jeanne wouldn't have been a good leader above the other servants if she couldn't handle a few snide barbs sent her way every now and again. Her expression, however, did darken a little at the mention of blood. Her nostrils flared.

Time to be a tactful master.

"Don't blow it out of proportion Medea." He started to roll up his sleeve, there was the fading scar still present from the days prior. "We are spacing this out specifically so I don't pass out or lose too much blood in one go."

Jeanne's voice was stern, "Which begs the obvious question Master, Caster, what are the two of you doing? I've been told that there was mana flowing in this part of the facility and several other casters were issuing complaints." She folded her arms and waited for one of them to answer."

Better to show and tell.

Ritsuka smiled and nodded to some of the boxes at Medusa's feet.

She grinned at him over the page of her book and skidded it over to where he was standing. Then she leaned back and went about her business.

Ritsuka stood up straight and smiled at Jeanne as he opened up the box and pulled out two things. The first was a bracelet, the second was a familiar golden cup that glistened in the light, radiating with all the power of a magic relic.

Jeanne was in shock at first but as her questions came forth whatever bitterness and concern that had been present were replaced by curiosity. The questions were of different varieties and slowly turning more away from the horrible idea she'd come here thinking it was. Her blue eyes lit up with some amusement.

"It's for her isn't it?"

He nodded.

She folded her arms and considered, "I have two conditions then, I'm allowed to watch the Ritual to make certain things are going well." Her expression smoothed and she looked at Medea. "I mean no offense to you caster, but now that I know this is meant as a gift to my family I feel obligated to make certain this goes well."

The casing servant huffed, peeling off her cowl now that she was in the privacy of her and Medusa's room. Her pointed ears and blue-purple hair flowed out behind her. "Fine Ruler, just don't do anything that could potentially ruin the spell."

Jeanne smiled and looked back again at Ritsuka. The look filled with an intensity that made him swallow his nerves. "Two," she continued. I want you to promise me that you'll take care of my younger sister."

Ritsuka stiffened upright and nodded. "Always," He said with a nod.

With a satisfied nod, she put a hand on her hip and let out a sigh of relief. "I guess at the end of it all, you really will end up being my little brother." She gave him a lopsided smile at that.

Medusa snorted.

He felt a blush rise up to his cheeks as he scratched the back of his head, "I'm not…we're not that far along." Ritsuka muttered under his breath.

Yep, still a goner.

Medea smiled, "Oh it's quite alright Master. We are all rooting for you in our own way. The two of you are quite deserving of one another." She smiled and gestured to him to come forward, to stand in the circle. Plucking the two items from his grasp now that they'd been returned, setting them where she wanted them to be.

Jeanne took a seat and watched Medea take Rule Breaker floating over to Ritsuka. She was quiet as she promised but he did see her twitch as the princess of Colchis raised the infamous dagger and cut into his arm. Slicing just deep enough to draw blood if he squeezed his hand into a fist. It oozed out in a few slow drops.

He then turned his arm palm downward and bled down into the circle on the ground amplifying the magic.

But that was the worst of it. Ritsuka bit the inside of his mouth, straining his arm muscle a little as if he were flexing them, oozing some of the blood out as if it were water from a sponge. But then it was over.

Medea's fingers glowed as the magic of the room ordered itself at her command. It would be so until she'd finished.

Ritsuka went over and sat beside Jeanne. He didn't have to wait for Medea since Jeanne was here now, so he offered her his arm.

She smiled, taking it and channeling one of the class's blessings to heal the small wound that had been made. Just enough to seal the wound leaving the small scar in its place. She raised a brow wondering if he wanted to be rid of that one too.

He shook his head.

The ruler hummed, "How many more sessions?"

"Two." He nodded once. "We've been at it for nearly three weeks." Ritsuka shook his arm as if testing to be certain that both the wound and the arm hadn't worsened. But he was delighted to see that Jeanne's healing magic was as potent as ever. He smiled a little and leaned back a little on the bed propping himself up. "So…do you think she will like it?"

Jeanne D'Arc returned his smile and nodded once. "Master, I think she will love it."

###JALTER###

And just like that, it was Christmas eve almost at the cusp of midnight. The damned building was still cold like it had been for the past weeks. The heater problem had not been solved at all despite the best efforts, even from the likes of Eddison and Tesla weren't able to nail down the problems in short order.

Nerves wracked her from head to toe now that the project had been finished. It was there, only meters away under inspection.

This shouldn't be all that difficult goddamn it!

Muramasa huffed and threw out his billowing cloak. "I will not be taking any last-minute orders from you ever again. Next time the both of you get a bright idea count me out. I could've been doing literally anything else like celebrating but you guys were just slave drivers." He touched a hand to his hip.

Musashi was quiet in the corner, her eyes roaming the back of Muramusa's muscles. She smiled at Alter the second she realized she was being looked at.

Alter cleared her throat and bowed her head respectfully at him. "I know, and I thank you. I couldn't have done it without your help." She was stiff and there was a blush that rose to her ears.

Gudako was just the barest of more nonchalant hints. But even she showed some deference and respect that the old man demanded. "Yes, truly. It is a work of art as all your blades are."

"Tch." Muramasa stepped away from the forge and moved to Musashi in the corner. He growled a little at her and the sword master stiffened upright with a yelp.

She jumped up and moved out of the way as he grabbed something else off the desk. "I'm sorry I didn't know I was-mm-" Her lips were crushed against his and she grew even more flustered at the touch of him. Until they parted. "C-can you please pick one? I'm getting mixed messages."

Muramasa just sighed.

Alter and Gudako exchanged a glance and then walked over to the other side of the workshop. Where Da Vinci bounced and adjusted the contraption over her eyes. She hummed and shifted to a different size of lenses over the glasses zooming in on a particular part of the handle. A few hums escaped from her lips.

Then she smiled wide, "Well I'll say it is certainly the finest work of two geniuses. And it will serve its function should he ever choose to use it!"

Alter breathed out a sigh of relief and ran her fingers over her stomach.

Gudako looked at her pointedly, "Feeling better now?"

"Ugh, shut up." Alter waited until Da Vinci had wrapped it all up again with the linen, talismans as far as Alter could tell, before she took it and placed it gently back into the wooden box with a red pillow supporting it as if it were some relic or a richly ornate gem. She tucked it under her arm and pocketed her freezing hands.

Da Vinci shivered, "Brrrr, now that the forges are out again it's going to cool again in here really quickly." She turned to look at Muramasa and Musashi in deep conversation. "Oi, we need to close out the old man and get ready or we're going to be late!" The other inventor of the room practically threw her goggles off as she started to clear up her workspace. Wanting to tidy it up a little before she truly had to leave.

"Tch, yeah yeah I'm on it."

She smiled and then looked back at the pair of them. "You both should go get ready as well. Lots to do tonight before festivities start."

Jeanne Alter froze, "Shit. I forgot to ask your brother to come with me tonight." She turned to look at Gudako.

She snorted, "What, you think he is going to go with someone else?" Gudako chuckled and snagged the box from her. Alter made a face of protest but she was clearly having none of it. "No, go and get him. Ed and I can wrap it." She bowed her head. "Thank you, Da Vinci, Gramps, for the hard work as always."

Alter repeated it again and followed her out as they turned out at a quick pace.

Gudako jogged in place her sweater and blanket bouncing with the movement as she waited for her at the door. "He's probably helping with mess hall stuff by now." She raised a brow at the avenger as they now fell instep. Her cheeks and nose were a little red now from the constant exposure to cold temperatures.

"You'll wrap it?" Alter pressed.

"Yes, go!" She gave her a gentle shove from the back.

So Alter picked up her pace resisting her usually nervous ticks that often accompanied her. Her fingers, however, were wrapped up with the much more immediate need of keeping warm. Two more turns and another hallway later, the blizzard was billowing outside as she passed and avoided yet another mistletoe.

Or so she'd thought when she heard a jingle.

She tensed until she felt his arms wrap around her, hugging her from behind. And all the worry of who she'd gotten stuck with evaporated.

Ritsuka dangled a loose one over her head and smiled, "Uh-oh. Guess I have to be the one to kiss the beautiful moon under the mistletoe." He grinned against her hair.

She pushed back against him. "Ah-I was…just looking for you." Alter turned around and ran a hand under his chin. She made sure that his arms were still around her, only loose enough to let her turn in his arms. He was wearing those Reindeer antlers like he did every year, only this time there was a Santa hat sitting between them. And like his sister, it covered his ears proving a modicum of protection against the cold.

"Oh, what for?" He raised a brow half leaning away.

Alter frowned, "After."

He smiled again and leaned in to steal a promised kiss. It was shorter than either of them would've liked, but they both relished it nonetheless. The warmth of one another, almost enough to chase away the ever-present cold that hugged the facility. It was only as they parted that the lights suddenly went out.

There were a few shouts of dismay that came from down the hall before the emergency lights flicked on. Red.

Ritsuka sighed, "Another day."

Jalter smiled a little in the dark knowing he couldn't see while his eyes adjusted in the lower light. "Another crisis. Was that the power?"

"Probably…" His fingers wrapped around her shoulders, straightening her cloak over her and grabbing at the hem of the blue jacket she was wearing on the inside of that.

"What are you doing?"

He hummed. "Imagining your beauty while my poor human eyes adjust." He grinned and nodded once at her. "Ah, there we are…now I see you." He leaned in and pecked her nose gently again. Ritsuka's grin widened. "Where's your silly hat?"

"Silly hat?"

She heard him sigh, "Alright I need to go see what in the hell is going on in this place." She felt him step away, the body heat replacing with the cold. Ritsuka's voice filled the low red lights between them. "Talk to you later."

Alter hummed. Then she blinked, "Wait uh, we're going together tonight right?"

She could almost imagine the confused expression on his lips at the question as she stared down at the low red lights following the hall at their feet. "You mean to the party?" There was a beat of quiet. "I assumed we would be going together."

She felt her heart warm just a little at that. "Alright then. I'll see you tonight master. Bring your extra big blanket so we can sit together." She was grateful that it was darker because she was sure she blushed as she spoke. Alter remained rooted as she watched him walk off. Another breath of relief escaped her.

Everything is going well….

Fate was funny like that. It was something Jeanne Alter had grown accustomed to as the months at Chaldea had gone by. She continued around the bend and bumped into the one person she had been avoiding for the past few days.

Saber Alter.

Jeanne felt her brows furrow.

The black Santa smirked at her. "Oh, and here I thought I'd find you sulking in a corner. But no, as it turns out, you're simply avoiding me as usual." Her lips then grew into a tight serious line. The issue once again rears its ugly head.

At least this time it will have an answer.

Her brow twitched.

Damned stupid Santa.

Jalter put a hand on her hip and shook her head. "I'm not avoiding you, I've been busy."

"I know. Rumors abound and all that." She hefted the white Santa bag over her shoulders. "Do you have a Master's present yet so I can deliver it?"

She sighed, "I do, it's being wrapped right now. Gudako will give it to you." The avenger servant adjust the cloak again over her shoulders as the cold seemed to only worsen. Jeanne then leaned forward. "Now piss off."

The black Santa hummed and then smiled at her. "I wonder who's going to be getting coal this year?" She then bounded off past her, back towards the hallway with their Master's rooms. Not looking back once at Jeanne.

Alter huffed at herself rubbing her forehead.

Man holidays are stressful.

Now she was just left to wait around in the hall until the evening came. She considered her options, knowing she would be wearing as many layers as possible to not freeze to death over the holiday evening. She eventually started to walk towards the mess hall like she originally planned when on her way to find him.

She'd long since memorized every mistletoe and other Christmas trap en route. But that didn't stop the unusual obstacle that came in the form of the Nursery Rhyme setting up a small cardboard-made stall with the help of Jack and Lily Alter, doing a silly hat fitting for her.

###Ritsuka###

"But you can fix it right?" He paced the room from one end to the other. Eddison was there cranking out something from one of the boilers. Tesla as well was there leaning against the wall along with several other staff members.

The door burst open as Gudako walked in with Edmond in tow. "Please don't tell me that our power just gave out?"

Ritsuka smiled a little, "Alright I won't tell you that then."

His sister let out a string of curses, "Damage report then."

Tesla cleared his throat, "Well as I was just about to say. Ms. Blavatsky has found the problem, Eddison is helping her dig something out of one of the boilers. We think it's just the unusual cold front that knocked out one of the main generators outside. Something the staff can't fix until the blizzard lets up a little."

Edmond frowned and folded his arms, "Doesn't it never let up?"

"It's got a routine." Someone said, "We'll have to try for midday tomorrow when the sun is at its peak."

Ritsuka considered.

Tesla continued, "Obviously these skills will be at your disposal."

Gudako sighed and pressed a finger to her forehead. "Then the only real problem we have is what do we do with the party plans tonight? Do we postpone? Or do we make the necessary adjustments? I know we have enough firewood in case of emergencies. And there is bound to be plenty of small ovens and hearths we can use?" She adjusted her blankets over her shoulder.

Ritsuka cursed as he shivered, realizing he'd forgotten his blanket in the mess hall. He'd get it back after he stopped at his dorm. He made do by rubbing his gloved hands together.

Postpone probably.

Eddison stuck his head out from the large broken generator. "Actually, I think I have something. It won't work to power the whole facility but it can at least keep the kitchens and Christmas lights running. Possibly enough to get us through a couple of movies?" He rubbed his fingers together. He looked at Tesla, "And with your…" His lip twitched. "Help…it might last a bit longer."

"Oh, another re-worked invention of yours?"

"Not on your life, this one is original."

Gudako's voice filled the room just as Blavatsky's did. "Boys!" His sister sighed, "Alright we continue as planned, and then we all grab firewood and settle in for a cold night." She nodded at the inventors. "How long?"

Eddison shrugged, "Shouldn't be more than half an hour."

Blavatsky's frown grew. "Make it faster, the kitchen will run cold."

Edmond cursed, "I've got some fire skills thanks to my class. I can be of use until you're ready." He turned and looked at Gudako pointedly.

She nodded at him.

And then Edmond jogged off towards the kitchen.

Ritsuka could only sigh and shake his head and then he smirked at Gudako. The thought of how busy and chaotic this holiday had become with all the hiccups that it was causing. Nothing seemed to be working quite right.

She grinned too. "I know what you're thinking."

"It can't be as bad as the one we had on the Shadow Border." They both said in unison. They exchanged a few chuckles and keeled over a bit at the laughter.

Gudako sighed and nodded at the inventors turning to leave.

Ritsuka moved to follow, "Keep up the good work." He commented to both the servants and the Chaldean staff.

Soon the pair were back out in the red-lit halls, and they both immediately did twenty high knees in place to stay warm. They tried not to laugh as they both once again started the familiar action at the same time.

"Seriously though," Gudako said. "This is getting a bit ridiculous."

"Just a little." He put his hand on his hips.

Thankfully we're all so stubborn it doesn't matter.

He sighed contently as with a huff they both came to a stop on their high knees. He looked at her and nodded once. "I'll see you and Ed at the party, yeah?"

She hummed, "You should." Gudako raised a brow and looked a little more like the familiar sibling schemer he knew her sometimes to be. "So, are you going with Alter or what?"

Ritsuka groaned.

Why is it always the same question?

The answer he gave was the same as the last one had been too.

###Jalter###

Alter Lily was stubborn and her older sister Jeanne Alter knew that it was undoubtedly her fault that she was that way. The young girl had stood on top of a table doing something annoyingly distracting. Something that had been all but lost in an instant when Alter felt something wrap around her head.

She spun around to see Jack being carried by Atalante.

The huntress gave her a smirk.

Alter reached up and touched her head, and found fabric indicating a Santa hat of some kind had been placed on her head. Her frown deepened as she looked down at one of the constant volunteers for taking care of the children. "Was that really necessary?"

"Of course it was!" Alter Lily exclaimed. She put her hands on her hips and spoke proclaiming the truth of it. "You weren't wearing one. All guests of the party must be wearing silly hats. We've taken the liberty of decorating everyone's."

Before Alter could retort.

Jack continued from atop Atalante's shoulders. "Masters' orders!"

Her brow twitched at that.

Well, he could've at least warned me!

Then she watched them move along the line to their next victim, a far more willing Cuchulainn who feigned horror for the children. Earning giggles and more bouts of stubbornness. From beside her, she saw Emiya with an empty tray, having delivered pints to the Knights of the Round Table, taking just a second to smile at the sight.

From outside of the room, Illya and Miyu came bounding in to catch up to Atalante.

Such was holiday life at Chaldea. Chaotic and filled with an atmosphere that almost was enough to keep the cold at bay. Alter tugged at the hem of her black cloak and watched the cool air escape from between her lips. She reached up and pulled off the hat to look at it. She saw stickers, hearts, silly eyes, and one addition.

Her breath hitched and she grew red.

Her white fluffy ball, normally at the end of the hat, had been replaced.

Alter pressed her lips into a line.

I have to wear this?

She looked horrified at it as she watched the retreating group make its rounds in the hallway as servants started to gather closer and closer to the hall.

There was a benefit that was to be found in the power of the facility going out, and that was simply that all the Christmas lights seemed to make the room glow. Along the walls were the dozens of small trees. The crackling of low-lit fires farther away from the trees stowed all the presents meant for everyone. Santa Alter spotted her and pointed out where her box had been hidden.

Gudako was there with the long thin box wrapped in her arms. With a ribbon sitting atop it. She smiled at Alter and closed the distance between her. A blanket draped over her orange hair like a misshapen hood. "Here, he's over in the corner. But I'd wait till you guys go back to one of your rooms to give it to him."

Alter nodded once taking it in her arms. "Thanks…I…appreciate it." She scratched the back of her head, "Honestly, I'm still surprised that you wanted to help me at all."

She smiled at her, "Of course we did Alter. Merry Christmas." Then she turned around and jogged back over to Edmond, currently fiddling with their blanket set up.

"Merry Christmas." It became abhorrent clear in that instant as she watched Gudako jog away what her real problem was. Aside from slowly freezing to death and gifts was that she had no idea what feelings she was supposed to have.

Holidays?

She scoffed at herself.

In what world was it normal for someone like me to even be here?

Suddenly the gift in her hand started to feel a little heavy and her nose wrinkled a little. A cool shiver went up her back as she wrapped herself up a little tighter. She glanced from one side to the other.

The smiles. The laughter.

What right do I even have?

She hissed out a breath and walked along to the corner she knew he'd be at, and tried to dissuade herself from the train of thoughts that started spiraling. Alter knew, however, that none of it would work. A grimace settled on to her expression and she shrunk into her shoulders tugging her cloak and the fur of her Shinjuku jacket up high enough to hide her sour expression.

The mess hall had been cleared of all the tables and a white blanket hung on the longest wall at the side of the building, sewn and taped together over the past few days for the biggest makeshift projector screen they could manage. Across the empty floor were dozens of blankets and sleeping bags for staff and servants alike to make their spaces on the floor with different blankets.

Alter wound her way through servants.

Deserve.

It was a word that she had mulled over constantly since the start of their relationship. An idea that she didn't deserve all these nice pleasantries that came her way. Or the fact that he'd chosen to spend it with her.

So too were the words that he'd spoken in response to her concern.

"Who cares about what's deserved? What do you want?"

Alter's lip twitched as she looked up.

What do I want?

Anne Bonnie and Mary Reed were cuddling in each other's lap waiting for the movie to start. They smiled and spoke sweet nothings in a way that Alter couldn't perceive. Whatever it was, their smile was warm.

The fog of her own breath distracted her.

Emiya and Artoria were more respectfully cordial with one another, being that the knights weren't far away, they perhaps didn't want to make much of a scene of sitting beside one another, sharing a hand. Snacking of the food freshly retrieved from the completed buffet lining the wall adjacent to the makeshift movie screen.

Mordred sat apart from them, all alone.

Alter stopped.

What do I want?

She shivered.

And she came to a stop.

Alter looked away and felt as if she was suddenly intruding on everyone. Her fingers tightened their grip on her clothes, not doing enough to keep the cold at bay.

"You made it." A voice came.

She turned to see her thoughts washing away to meet the face of her normal self. Jeanne D'Arc standing there in front of her. A top her head, was one of those promised silly hats. In contrast to her more somber expression. She tilted her head as she looked Alter over for a second and considered.

Alter was quiet among the mass around them. "I…think…I am sad…"

There was a beat of quiet that passed the two of them. Jeanne straightened upright. "I…see." She put her hands on her hips. "Do you need to know where Master is?"

"I…know." Alter said lamely as if that would help her convey the sudden intrusion of all the thoughts in her mind.

"Oh," Jeanne said. Her blue eyes looked away from Alter for a second as she considered something. She hummed, "You know it's okay for it not to be perfect? Right?" The Ruler then turned her blue eyes back to her. This time something new and more determined was birthed within them.

Alter's breath hitched.

Was that what I wanted?

She looked away.

No, there is…

Jeanne stepped in a little closer and wiped the rest of her thoughts away. "Perfection is hardly what matters on a day like today." She smiled gently and pulled Alter in for a gentle hug by the shoulders.

Alter was stiff in her arms.

She didn't care and she whispered for her. "What matters is being with people you care about. Whether they be friends or family." Jeanne grinned a little and ran her cold fingers up Alter's brow and kissed her gently on the forehead. "And failing that, it's about finding something you love to do, and doing it until your soul overflows with it."

There Jeanne Alter stood at a loss for words staring blankly at the normal version of herself. Even as she took a step back.

The blonde remained and nodded once at her. "Merry Christmas Alter." Then she gently slid past as if she'd said nothing at all.

Alter stood there alone.

What do I want?

Her amber eyes flicked up to Mordred had been joined by Frankenstein. And that even that stupid Saber Alter had been joined by good company.

What do I want?

She strode through the rest of the servants with a little more purpose than before. Focusing on just the one certainty that she had. The one that everyone knew she had. The fact that she wanted to be beside him. Perhaps maybe, just maybe this holiday glow would touch her the way they both wanted it to.

###Ritsuka###

He saw her freeze a few meters away and he waved her over before there could be any misunderstandings. Alter looked like she'd had a long week like the rest of them. She stopped a few meters away, her lips pressed into a tight line. Her expression was a careful neutral, but even then he could see some anger boiling up in there.

Better to deal with it now then.

"She ran herself ragged with all the festivities, wanting to decorate." He shifted a little, making sure not to disturb Mash, fast asleep on one end of the thick blankets he'd brought, using one of the pillows.

One has to admire her dedication and determination.

Alter made a noise. "No intention to even watch the movie."

"Nope," He agreed as he looked at last down at Mash's sleeping form. The bags under the Shielder's eyes were enough indication as to how busy she'd truly been with the whole affair. In contrast to the stress that had been plaguing her, her expression was now at last peaceful while she slept.

Ritsuka looked away and smiled up at Alter. "It's good to see you. Busy day after our mistletoe run-in?"

She looks tired too.

Alter scratched the back of her neck. "A little, I suppose." She'd nabbed her gift from the pile, clearly meant for him but not important right now. Her expression seemed to smooth a little with his explanation. Then she plopped down beside him, using the wall to slide down to the floor.

He raised a brow at her as she hugged herself. His hands were still warm when he peeled his glove away, and he reached over gently brushing his knuckles against her cheek.

She stiffened and looked at him wide-eyed.

He tucked her hair behind her ear. "Lovely as always."

It earned him a small smile. "Flatterer," Slowly she then scooted herself over plopping herself right beside him so their legs were brushing. Her smile widened a little more when he wrapped his arm around her, and she lay against him squeezing her eyes shut, feeling nothing but the sensation of being close to him.

It helped.

The realization spurred something else in him and he leaned in to kiss her cheek. Making sure she could feel the tenderness in it. She hummed once at his touch and her feigned pout couldn't fool anything or anyone.

She removed a glove of her own and intertwined their now ungloved hands. "Can we share presents back in your room once the party is done?"

Ritsuka smiled and nodded. "Of course, we can."

Alter hooked their arms together, she hummed a little. "You're very warm…" She smiled pleasantly up at him.

"Well, to be fair the power is out."

She snorted, her grin growing a bit wider. With her beside him in his arms, he thought she almost glowed like the Christmas lights around them. Even through whatever thing was bothering her it seemed to grab hold of her and reached up to kiss the underside of his jaw. "Thanks," she whispered quietly to him.

Now he looked confused, "And what pray tell, did I do to earn that?"

Alter smiled a little at him, one that grew wider with all the variations of her smile. It was both playful and loving. The kind of smile Ritsuka loved to lose himself in. "Didn't you see?" she teased. She adjusted her silly hat for him to see. Instead of the normal white fluffy ball on the end, it had been replaced by a red ribbon and some greenery.

Oh.

"I have a mistletoe." Alter straightened up a little in his arm as if proud of the sudden excuse. "And that means the person I'm sharing the closest distance with must kiss me every few minutes." She looked at him pointedly. "It also means you aren't allowed to leave my side until I pull this off."

He grinned a little and huffed a chuckle. "I think…I can manage that."

This woman…

Ritsuka basked in the glow of her smile.

Is definitely worth it.

Vaguely as the movie started, he was aware of his own present sitting where he'd left it back in his room. He would have to take her back there for the night so he could give it to her. But the thought of it still made him smile.

###JALTER###

The movie was some distraction at the end of the day, a group activity that they could all relish together until the cusp of midnight when the frenzy began. All the young children servants went first, Alter Lily being sure, however, to go last amongst children as a Santa Claus. It was important that she spend her time making sure everyone got their gifts first. Then it went through all the rest. Some were pranks, others were filled with meaning.

It went on until the temporary device that the inventors had set up finally gave out. In a way, it was what all Christmas and holiday parties should be in Alter's mind. The same thing Jeanne had alluded to before she sat down.

Warm.

And that was enough.

But all paled in comparison to the feeling of them leaning on one another as they tiredly made their way back to Ritsuka's room. The power was still out and it was nearly pitch black all across the facility, the low red light of the emergency generator that kept the heat on just enough to prevent freezing deaths.

She nudged him. "It wasn't that good."

"I'm telling you it was great, better than you thought I bet."

She snorted.

Sweet nothings.

Jeanne Alter could only hope that the pitter-pattering of her heart somehow remained hidden from him. The nerves were coming back as the time to open presents neared. She firmed her grip on his hands.

The cold metal door didn't respond to the commands to open. And with a curse, they both flipped open the handle and peeled it open.

"I guess even doors struggle in low power," Ritsuka commented. He led the way stepping into their room for the night. Alter had no intention of returning back to her own in any case and followed just behind, hiding the smile behind the scarf she'd gotten as a gift from Gudako.

She peered around in the dark and could still imagine the look of it in great detail. Alter could feel him unwind their arms as he left her present still tucked under her arm. She heard a few things move around. "Firewood?"

"Yeah." He commented. "We have hearths in case of emergencies like this. I think the vent will take the smoke out to some far end of the facility." There was a flicker of light that flashed across his face. Then again.

And she watched him try twice more before it stuck at the end of his lighter, and something flammable caught in the hearth.

She noted that Ritsuka had dumped the piles of blankets on the floor halfway between her and the hearth of his room. With the low fire light coming to life Alter, moved to deposit all of the gifts they'd been given at the foot of their closet in the corner. There were a few more and then she shed her black cloak tossing it onto the bed.

The rush of the cold was almost instant.

Ritsuka after starting the fire picked up all the other presents that he'd set on the floor, adding them to the pile that Alter had started. He shed his first layer too and tossed it near her cloak, catching it at the end of the bed. Then he started fixing up the blankets. "Yours is underneath the bed if you want to grab it."

She forced down a shudder as she jogged the few steps to the bed and pulled free the obvious box wrapped for her. Alter didn't bother trying to fight the smile that crawled onto her expression. Then she held her gift in one hand, and his tucked under the other. Another breath of cold air made her shiver in place.

He worked quickly and threw all the blankets across the floor until it was nice and padded. He threw all the pillows he had on the floor and huffed putting his hands on his hips. He looked around at the space he'd made for them. Then undid his tie next and tossed it at the end of the bed and jumped up and down.

Alter's teeth chattered as another shiver wracked her from head to toe. Her amber eyes softened a little as the mood compared to the festivities earlier grew quieter and quieter. The fire crackled a little.

Then with the thick wool one, Ritsuka stood up. He threw it over his shoulders to stave off the assault of the cool air and spread his arms out for Alter. His smile grew wider as she stared at him for a few seconds.

She hesitated for a brief moment and then closed the gap, dropping both presents low to the ground at their feet as she wrapped his knee up between her legs, and threw her arms under the blanket, around his back. Alter shivered against him, turning red from ear to ear not bothering to hide her blatant affection.

He closed the blankets around her like it was closing curtains for a show as she stood up on the tips of her toes to kiss his jaw, and then his lips. Alter was delighted at the hum that escaped them, and the kiss at the corner of his mouth. She barely noticed that he moved them to the floor as he worked to loosen some of the thicker clothing now acting as a barrier to her fingers on his skin.

With his own mouth, he plucked the gloves free from his hand, being sure to keep on hand on her at all times, working to clear away her own articles of clothing.

She collapsed down on top of him as he positioned himself on the pile of pillows at the end of his bed. Alter kissed him and kissed him. Tugging buttons loose until she got a semblance of his chest under her fingertips.

He smiled into every single one, only tugging at her hair with his bare hand once he'd finished freeing them of the gloves. She stared at him, smiling eyes glistening in the firelight. Alter wasn't a patient woman. This was something she'd drilled into his head about how things often would go.

He tugged her hair back a little so he could kiss her under her chin.

She felt her zippers open, her straps tugged loose. His warm fingers roamed down her leg, unzipping her boots and freeing her cool toes brushing against his legs. While he did that, she managed to snag his belt, and worked it free, throwing it out with the growing pile nearby. Alter's noise was muffled against his lips.

She huffed out a breath when she managed to get a free moment. "Y-you don't have any morning plans do you?" Her fingers curled against the final buttons of his shirt tempted to rip them free but settled for the method of loosening them and sliding them back off of him until she could feel his shoulder, exposing it only when he supported the back of her neck

Oh god please…

"Not a chance, I'm all yours." He smiled as he leaned forward to kiss her again. She felt herself almost squeezed against him. "And you're all mine." He chuckled with a low smile, directing her gently with the fingers against her neck, tugging at her chin to kiss the opposite end of her clavicle.

She grinned and pushed him down, shrugging off the last layer so it was just her bare shoulders sticking out from the blankets. Alter wrapped her legs around his hips with a grin, and felt the sensation only grow. "Ah~!" She bit down on her lip to prevent making another noise. The gentle grip on her hair grew as he tugged her back whenever they needed to come from the air. The touch in its own way, saiting her.

He curled her hair around his fingers as her fingers grew firm on any part of his body that she could snag a long hold of.

Even as his arms drew her in closer.

And she grew warmer.

Warm enough until it overflowed, and sweat dripped from her brow as she ground her chest against his, straddling him until he sat up again underneath her so he could kiss her, starting low, working her way all up to her chin. She shivered at every touch.

But at last, the stupid cold seemed only a memory.

The fire cracked and he'd sat himself up against the pile of pillows, arm still wrapped comfortably around her when they'd finished. He drew circles on her back, and her stomach daring not to go lower for lest of rekindling what had occurred. She smiled, tucking that giddiness away for the moment brushing her nose against his chest as she looked up at him. Her fingers curled in between the webbings of their shared hands.

Wonderful.

The thought came.

Blissful.

It was a chaotic week that built up the party, with heaters and power problems. Gift-making and gift-wrapping.

All those perfect imperfections.

Her fingers traced some of the scars that lacerated his skin. Each one was a story and a cold reminder to her of how scared she had to be. He must've seen the sour expression on her face and smiled down at her. She paused at the one on his arm, it looked new or it was one she hadn't seen before. Her fingers roamed over it. Noting that a servant had probably treated it quickly given how much it had already faded and healed. She pouted a little realizing he hadn't told her something. He took in stride and smiled a little in return at her. His thumb brushed her cheek.

He paused his tracing of circles against her back to tilt her head up and kiss her again. "Not all of us can look perfect."

She hummed and scooted herself up so she was resting more against the crook of his neck. Intermingling their legs, as if wanting to tangle herself to him. Now she was only a couple of inches away from him. "Mmm, shut up. We have to open presents."

"Right, got distracted there." He chuckled, "And who could blame me."

Alter tapped his chest, and he relented, loosening his grip on her enough for her to sit up on her knees, the blanket falling away off her shoulders and sliding down. The cold hit her again like a truck and she hissed.

She reached over and grabbed their gifts and dragged them closer across the blankets. Then she threw herself against him with another shiver. Her amber eyes narrowing a little at his chuckles are warm and raspy, the vibrations claiming against her cheeks. She still managed to form a pout at him. "Next time, you're going out in the cold."

First, he adjusted the blankets back over them and shivered a little beneath her. Ritsuka rubbed his arms and hands over her skin to warm her back up, the cool air that had been quick to fill the space between them slowly began to turn warm again.

"I plan to keep you in here with me until the heaters are back on." He smirked a little.

Damn it I need to focus.

She pressed her fingers against his lips and pushed him away. "Shush, presents."

"Right." He tilted his head a little as he looked her over.

Still warm, she looked away, blushing a little at the way his eyes looked at her. The way she loved that they looked over. Alter bit her lip.

Like I'm all that matters.

"So…who should go first?"

The nerves she'd had earlier melted away as she was pressed up against him so she smiled a little at the thought of it. Normally, and up until they were in his room together, she would have found her gift to be more inadequate knowing he would certainly come up with something far more thoughtful. She would go last so things weren't ending on a low note. Not that he would ever think her gifts would be inadequate.

But that stupid ever-present fear.

But she suddenly found she was confident and smiled at him. "Can I go first?"

Ritsuka smiled, "Of course mi-lay." Both of his arms rested in the curve of her lower back, allowing her all the freedom of movement she needed to grab her present. She blushed a little as he leaned forward to kiss her exposed chest. Her fingers curled into his shoulders and she made a humming noise.

"After." She pleaded.

"I know," He smiled. "Consider it encouragement."

She rested the box on his chest and leaned over the ribbon to kiss him on the nose. Alter's grin widened as she looked the box over. Green and red ribbons, with a leafy pine design that stretched over the paper. Then she curled her nails into one of the folds and tore at the paper, tossing the excess of it free until she came face to face with a box. "A box, how wonderful!"

He chuckled. "You've been spending too much time around Ushiwakamaru." He smiled resting his chin on top of the box. Ritsuka's smile widening.

She feigned a pout and pushed him away again to rip open the box.

And her breath snagged in her throat as a golden glint caught her eye. The unmistakable kind that Chaldea collected. Suddenly she felt her fingers shaking and his arms worked their way up her back to steady her.

A grail?!

She looked at him wide-eyed to confirm.

Her only answer was a smile, that spoke all the volumes of depth to her.

"Is it real?"

"Of course it's real," Ritsuka said. He nodded at her, "It's just a cup now though. A beautiful cup that we can keep if we want." His smile widened as he looked up at her. "Go on there is one more thing, and that's the important piece."

My wish…

She already knew what it was and even if wasn't she had no doubt her master would get her another until she settled on the correct answer with an admission or a confession. Alter's lip trembled. "Of course." She whispered to him. The fire cracked again. Her smile was nervous. "My answer is yes, of course, I'll stay."

Ritsuka tilted his head with a small smile. "Like I would ever think of letting you leave without trying to talk you out of it."

She hummed and smiled, "That's why I like you…" Alter's amber eyes seemed to glisten in the firelight, but no tears had fallen. "You make me better. Always." She leaned over and kissed him again. Chaste, and quick.

Then her fingers found the smaller box inside and she pulled it free with a furrowing brow. She tilted her head as she pulled it to eye level, quite smaller than that of the grail. Her brows furrowed as she looked over at him.

He nodded, "That…is where your wish lay."

Alter threw the ribbon off and peeled open the top quickly. Not having the patience to wait. In the back of her mind, most people were fond of giving Jewelry in these small boxes. But even knowing didn't dampen what she saw.

The metal of the armlet was blackened, to match her dark sword. And like the bright glowing purple jewel at the end of her hilt, another, similar to that very same one sitting as a centerpiece. The metal curved like branches of interlinked trees, sprouting like growth around the purple jewel. There were others that she could see, other smaller white gems, the ones that would not detract from the centerpiece. The feeling of its presence was warm, and she could feel the mana flowing off of it. The grail that had been transformed.

Her breath hitched again, "How?"

Ritsuka smirked, "Hard work." He upturned his arm for her to see, showing her that new scar she'd noticed earlier. "Medea helped with some Thaumaturgy. My mom specialized in Jewel magic, so I figured I must have some distant talent for it. I knew the concept but I…lacked the skill." His lip twitched.

And Alter only yearned to give him his present more.

"It's…well…it means I had to use blood magic to get it the way we wanted it. But I'd say it was worth it. I never over-exerted myself for it." He smiled and scratched the back of his head. "It's for you to make your wish when you're ready." Ritsuka leaned up and kissed her. "And…if you want, it will be there for you to remember whenever we have to part."

How…

She closed her eyes at the kiss and hummed again. "Thank you, whispered when he rested back down. Alter immediately started to put it on her arm. "Will I be able to wear it in combat?"

Warm.

"I designed it so it could fit under your vambrace if you want." He tilted his head, "I had the best forgers make it so that even if it gets hit, it won't break easily."

Alter grinned at that knowing that she always ran headlong into fights knowing she had something to protect. "I love you."

"I know." He leaned away. "And I love you too."

Alter took a few moments to adjust the armlet on her bare arm, now the only thing she wore on her body under the blankets. She kissed it and then flicked the boxes away so that she could kiss Ritsuka more prolongedly. The grail sat gently to one side, the golden glint dancing in the firelight nearby.

His fingers gripped her arm, squeezing the armlet gently against her skin as they both grew flushed.

"One more." He strained.

"Yes…one." She kissed him again and then pulled away adjusting the blankets over them.

She dragged the long thin present over and settled it on his chest. Alter could feel those nerves bubbling up inside her. The feeling of fear was present but certain still of his fondness for her, and that he would love his present. After all, she'd stood by every word of it when she told him. And she still stands by it to this very day. Without any hesitancy, and with every certainty that she could muster.

His expression was confused, as he settled the thin box between them. Like her, he tore away the paper to see the plainly decorated wooden box. There were jagged intricately carved rune symbols on the box. Ritsuka's brow was furrowed with thoughtfulness and curiosity as he looked up at her one last time.

Alter sat patiently, still half straddling him. But her heart was anything but. The nerves were still there even if she knew and felt to be otherwise, hoping she'd picked right.

There was a hitch in his breath, and underneath her, she felt his body tense with the reaction. Knowing that he'd recognized the runes that decorated the box, indicating it for what it was. Like she had only moments ago. His fingers trembled as he peeled open the top to see the carefully wrapped linen blade inside.

Like her sword, and his gift, the metal was dark. Almost blackened meteorite steel, only cupped by a bright purple jewel.

Great minds think alike.

"An azoth dagger?" He questioned.

She smiled at him and nodded, "You never got to finish your training but…" Alter looked away for a moment. Her smile grew wide as she looked at his flabbergasted expression. "I stand by what I said, I think you're the best mage in the world."

He unwrapped it only to look at the scabbard, golds, and dark greys, another jewel at the center of the scabbard. He peeled it open to look at the sharp end of the blade, and at the fire's flickering reflections. Then he put it away looking up at her still holding it in his hands, fingers trembling.

And a tear welled. "I'm not the best mage-"

"You are to me." She firmed, "And to anyone that matters." She grabbed his wrist, the one still holding up the blade. "You of all people-" She cut herself off and Alter leaned forward. "You of everyone on this god damned planet deserve this. It was you and your sister that continued to save the world. No one else. Not those stuck-up mages and certainly none of your dumb teachers in the clocktower."

He stared at her blinking, and another drop fell.

My hero.

Her thumbs brushed the water away from his cheeks as she kissed him. "You are not just a great mage, you are the best." She smiled and huffed a chuckle. "Hero to all…Hero to me…" Alter kissed him again. "My hero."

Ritsuka sat still in her arms for a moment, before he wrapped his arms more firmly around her again. "Always," He croaked.

"You're the best mage." She repeated.

He sniffed and wiped his eyes and he smiled.

That same stupid idiotic smile that always warmed her heart as he finished gathering himself after a few seconds of letting himself free. He pushed the dagger aside, letting it join the grail beside them. He wrapped the blankets around them more tightly. Ritsuka cupped her cheeks and tugged her closer.

Her hands were still on either side of his face and she returned that warm smile of his with all she could muster.

Ritsuka hummed at her. "Merry Christmas Alter."

She leaned in for the next kiss. "Merry Christmas Master."