Storm Bells Ringing

by Cosmic Sky

The kind of snowy weather that Artoria Alter brought wasn't the kind meant for celebrating in. Not to mention she wasn't the type of person to celebrate anything other than the annihilation of her enemies in battle. Her Master-turned lover had changed that, and in that change, she found herself applying her command over the storm in new ways. Wondrous, incredible ways.

Hey, everyone. A long awaited sequel lemon to a FGO lemon I did a while ago. Funny enough, that lemon was a holiday special, and here I am doing a sequel which is also a holiday special.

As I'm sure you all know, the leading lady this time will be Lancer Artoria Alter! Her second lemon, which as I just said is indeed a holiday-focused one. I'd have liked to have done one in-between them but things turned out a little differently. This story is indeed a sequel to "Beginning of the World", albeit a very, very distant one given the setting. As for the setting, well, you all will have to read it to find out. I hope you all enjoy it!

I do not own anything.

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Storm Bells Ringing

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There were a multitude of things that teenagers did after school. They could be divided into a few neat and understandable categories: gender, academic, sports, hobbies, cute, embarrassing, concerning, dangerous, normal, and abnormal.

Ritsuka knew for a fact that some of his activities fell into that last category, although one could also say there was some overlap with the "dangerous" labeling. There was always an inherent danger in flying, especially flying high. And flying fast.

For a long time, he'd had that fear too, and understandably so. Matter of fact, Ritsuka would proudly say that his experiences would have left him with a crippling fear of flying had it not been for certain circumstances.

He held tight onto one of those circumstances, earning an affectionate giggle in response.

"Hold on tight, Ritsuka. I've been itching to fly all day, and now that the opportunity has presented itself, I'm going full blast." Came the affectionate voice of the woman holding the reigns. The woman who'd captivated his heart after putting such immense fear into it.

"All set!" The teenager called.

With those two words, he, or rather they, took off on the jet-black steed, a crack of thunder booming as they left the rooftop. Restraint was key, key as in it made the difference if they had to sit through a lecture running from ten minutes to half an hour.

It was always funny to contemplate how despite all the two of them had been through, they could still be talked to like a pair of rambunctious kids. As far as Ritsuka was concerned, he still was a kid. Eighteen still wasn't quite considered adult in the eyes of Chaldea's superiors, or the rest of the world. Now, as for the blonde woman who steered the jet-black steed that they were riding on?

It was hard to say, but Artoria Alter felt comfortable giving her age as twenty-four to twenty-five. At least she looked the part, a distinction she was quite proud of. She had the man behind her to take for a large portion of that pride. Pride that she could call herself beautiful…and she could drive modern vehicles such as cars and especially motorcycles. Albeit she wasn't behind the wheel of either of those things. No, she was steering a far more fantastical and downright powerful form of transportation-her favorite form.

As they raced across the skies, the black mare neighed in jubilation as it took the skies, its second natural home. Though it had no wings, it galloped across the skies as easily as it normally would have the ground. With it came the soft but audible clap of thunder. It formed an audible trail as the duo raced across the skies of Japan.

One minute, they were above the skies of Nagoya, and the next they were near halfway to Osaka. In the span of a few heartbeats, they reached the halfway point and were well on their way.

To Ritsuka, the landscape zipped by in a flash. "I don't think I'll ever get tired of this." The mystical horse beneath him let out a thunderous neigh that shook the clouds around them. He chuckled, interpretating the sound as laughter.

The pale-skinned blonde in front of him giggled as well, confirming his assumption. "Good, Llamrei would be so disheartened to know that you aren't enjoying her rides. As would I, Ritsuka."

Grinning with impunity, the Japanese youth leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his former Servant's head through her hair. He couldn't see her face, but he knew for a fact that she was blushing. Stoic as she tried to come off, she enjoyed his shows of affection. They pieced the stormy veil that she usually had up around herself. That stormy veil was metaphorically nowhere to be found at the moment, even as they rode in the guise of a fast-moving storm cloud.

"Since we're likely going to be doing this on a yearly basis, I hope you don't get tired of it."

His grin broadened. "So, you do want to do this again?"

"Let's see how this will go before it becomes definitive." Her attempted coverup was clear, and it made Ritsuka burst into laughter. He still couldn't see Artoria Alter's face, but he knew she was still blushing, and her blush had grown. Beneath them, Llamrei let out another playful neighing. It made the incarnated Servant snort and knee her mount in annoyance. "Quiet, both of you! This is a test flight for the greatest endeavor we've undertaken since the Temple of Time!"

"…Yeah, I think you're right about that." All around him, Ritsuka noticed a shift in the storm. It was already soft, but his words caused it to grow tenderer. He'd seen this change before, and it never failed to tug at his heartstrings. This time, things were a little different though. This time, they didn't have the thought of the fate of the world resting somewhere in the back of their minds.

Up here in the skies of the world, they were finally well and truly free.

Several Days Earlier…

Ritsuka could feel beads of sweat developing on his forehead as he bravely stared back at Artoria Alter. The first time he'd met her, he'd been able to do nothing but stare at her in pure horror. To be fair, they hadn't met under the best of circumstances, which was a trend with many of his Servants. For her though, it was…her well and truly showing up almost completely out of nowhere. Rather fittingly, just like a bolt of lightning, one that came dangerously close to frying him and the rest of his party.

That first meeting had become a treasured one. He'd explained it to his parents with a smile, one that left him more worried than they already were for his mental health. At least Artoria Alter had the "proper" reaction to recounting the story of their first meeting. In her case, it was embarrassment. Well, that and a deep sense of shame, which led her to dropping to her knees and bowing to his parents. She wanted them to know that she well and truly regretted almost killing him upon their first meeting. That said…she did let it be known that he earned her respect in fighting her off.

Naturally, his parents had looked between them with gaping jaws, clearly struggling to process the information. That was the fourth pause they'd had to talk that afternoon. Ultimately though, they'd made it past it, and here in this moment they stood. Another hurdle to their relationship that they stood on the threshold of-how to spend the up incoming holiday.

Artoria Alter's mouth open and closed several times, her cheeks taking on a light red tinge. That alone gave away her thoughts, but Ritsuka patiently waited for her to put them into words. He actually wanted to her. Either an acceptance or rejection, he'd be fine with either one.

"…You…think I can…do that? Ritsuka, I am…I am…I am…"

"The King of Storms, ruler of the Wild Hunt, yeah, I know." His hand nervously scratched the back of his head as he nodded in confirmation. The idea was utterly crazy, which wasn't a first for him. That said, he felt like he couldn't take it back; a part of him genuinely didn't want to. "Still, Artoria, I…I've just been thinking…I…I want to do something special this year. And I…want to do it with you."

The red tinge became a full-on blush. Her hands folded in front of her as her head ducked. With that, she looked so much smaller and demurer than she had a moment ago. Gone was the cool, proud, and seductive woman who'd shown up at his school on her motorcycle to pick him up. It was like that stormy beauty had been swooped out for someone else entirely.

At least until she lifted her head up and looked at him with fierce determination. Determination intermixed with passionate love. Her lips curved into a smile as she covered the short distance between them. Ritsuka held out his arms in relief, welcoming her as she threw herself into his embrace.

"I am the King of Storms, and you seek to turn me into a figure of holiday joy. Ritsuka Fujimaru, you truly are a strangeness beyond words." Her tender voice declared.

"Heh, good to know I haven't lost my touch." Being called strange could be a compliment. Ritsuka had always known that, but working for Chaldea, it'd became one he always took with a certain degree of pride. More so when it was coming from his Servants, who were confounded by his demeanor toward them. Artoria Alter had been no different, but there was something special about hearing it coming from her, coupled with that adorning smile of hers.

The next second was spent adding to the number of kisses they'd shared in Tsuruma Park. It was a favorite spot of theirs, which is why they kept on coming back to it. Ritsuka would never forget the noticeable glow on Artoria Alter's face when he brought her there in the spring, just in time to see all the flowers bloom. He didn't need to take a picture of it, the sight was forever engrained into his memory, along with so many others of the woman that he'd fallen in love with.

He felt the wind around them quickened as Artoria Alter deepened the kiss. Ritsuka happily did the same, his hands gently rubbing her backside. Around him, the wind continued to rise, lifting leaves and even loose clothing into the sky. It came as a surprise to the dozens of people in the park, but not to him.

At the kiss' end, they pull away, their cheeks crimson. On Artoria Alter's pale cheeks, it stood out more, especially as she shyly looked away. "I'm…"

"Don't be. I mean, it's not like you're whipping up tornadoes." He softly offered.

"Give me some credit, Ritsuka. Even enthralled by your wills, my self-control rarely slips that far. Especially while we're here in public." Laughing, he pecked her on the cheek, making those cheeks redden even more. Looking back at him, her proud frown morphed into a tender smile. Their lips found each other again. The wind continued to dance around them, almost literally. Ritsuka felt it encircling them, like a second pair of hands.

He felt them slip beneath his clothes and along his skin. They caressed it with tenderness one wouldn't expect from a ruler of storms. If anything, he'd guess that the British Servant was attempting to create an internalized storm, one within him. "Mmmmm~ A-A-Artoria Alter," he mumbled pulling away. Her attempts were working.

"So…if I am to be Santa, would that make you Santa's helper? Or will I be your helper?" The seductive tone of her voice hit him like a thin but powerful bolt of lightning. Faster than a second it circulated through his body, sending his heart into a lustful frenzy. "Have you worked out which one it is, Ritsuka~?"

Experience had taught Ritsuka how to keep calm under various situations, and that included ones like his girlfriend teasing him. Mostly. "W-W-Well, h-h-how's about we be co-Santas? I mean, you'll be the one doing the flying, and I'll be the one dropping the presents off. Sounds like a nice split between all the duties of Saint Nick, don't you think?"

Her giggling response made him chuckle. "I suppose that's one way to look at it. When it comes to stealth, you are the better one."

"Being trained by ninjas certainly help."

"Yes, and you're speaking of using their talents to sneak into the homes of the unsuspecting and unknowing."

"All for a good cause!"

Her gloved hands framed his face as she looked into his eyes. Artoria Alter's golden orbs sparkled with joy as she nodded. "Yes, and for that, I would be honored to help you. My dearest Ritsuka."

The wind picked up again as they kissed each other, another deep and passionate kiss. Not between a Master and Servant or superior and subordinate, but simply two people in love. In love and with a plan for the holidays that they were sure would raise a few eyebrows, but confident it'd bring the holiday cheer.

Ritsuka routinely glanced at his watch. They'd just finished flying all over Japan and were moving onto east Asia. The flight over his homeland had taken a total of nearly twenty minutes. Not bad at all, especially since he could tell that neither Artoria Alter nor Llamrei were giving it their all. If they were, the flight would have been shorter. They might do it come Christmas night, a near two weeks from their current time. More than enough time for them to get some more practice in, and get everything ready.

"We'll be able to do it." Like in the heat of battle, Artoria Alter's voice was quiet yet breaming with confidence.

Ritsuka fully believed her. "I know we will. We've accomplished harder stuff before."

"That we have, and this time…well…I suppose we have ample motivation. I have ample motivation."

As they crossed the seas separating Japan and east Asia, Ritsuka threw back his head in laughter. "Spoken like a true king!"

"A true king can be many things. I prefer for you to sound like…like…" Her head fell, and with it another blush came up. Again, Ritsuka didn't need to see her face to know it was there. "…Here you are, challenging my notion of what a king should be. For that, I should throw you into the waters below."

"I've got a feeling Llamrei wouldn't let that happen." He replied with a proud snicker. "Not to mention I doubt you'd leave me there."

Finally, she looked back to him. The glare of annoyance she tried to muster was undercut by the still evident blush on her cheeks. Grinning like a fool, Ritsuka seized the moment and kissed her. Llamrei gave a positively encouraging yell in response. Artoria Alter quickly looked back ahead, steam practically rising from her ears. Her embarrassment was further revealed by the rumbling of the clouds around them.

"Hey, hey, you two are actually working and not simply using this as an opportunity for…coupling?"

"Hahaha! You do realize that they are a couple, right, Mr. Curtis?"

"Not to mention they had a perfectly tranquil moment alone until it was unceremoniously ruined."

Thunder boomed, louder and angrier than it had throughout their flight. If they were over land, it might have been cause for concern, but the marine world beneath them had nothing to fear from it. The wind on the other hand was a different story.

While his girlfriend's face darkened with annoyance, Ritsuka sighed before laughing in casual acceptance. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone; to his not-surprise, video chat was up showing a view of the Nagoya Chaldean command center. "Holmes was right, we were having nice tranquil moment until we got interrupted."

Several of the operators snickered. "Gee, I wonder who's responsible for that." One of them openly mused.

To Fredrick Curtis' credit, he stood tall and proud, taking a little bit of pride in being the one responsible. Ritsuka couldn't exactly find it in him to be as angry at the man as his girlfriend was. It helped that the male brunette was one of the few friends he could say he had in the Magus Association. He'd played a major part in them getting them permission for this Christmas "mission".

Mr. Curtis met his snickering smile with a ghost of a smile. "Ritsuka,"

"We're entering Korean airspace now. We should be able to wrap things up in roughly the same amount of time."

"Still planning on spreading some of that so-called holiday cheer to North Korea, eh?"

"Hey, anything we can do to help, especially given how damn depressive it is." Came his casual defense.

"Not to mention it's not like we have anything to worry about." Came the reincarnated Servant. "It'll be a short trip as well. The same thing with a handful of other countries."

"I'll look over the list." Mr. Curtis said without missing a beat. Another round of laughter shook the command center, primarily in response to Artoria Alter's dismissive snort. "Any difficulties?"

"None so far. If we come across any, we'll update you."

"See that you do. Oh, and do please continue to enjoy your date." Holms said before ending the call.

Smiling, he slipped his phone back into his pocket.

"Is it possible we could give the Curtis Family a loop of coal?"

Laughing at his girlfriend's words, Ritsuka leaned forward and affectionately nuzzled her hair. "Last I checked, Sarah Curtis has been a good little girl, and so has her little sister. Seems kind of rude to punish them for their grandpa being a bit of a stick in the mud."

"In my day, one man's crimes could be visited upon the whole family." She spat trying to sound threatening.

It didn't work. At all. "Guess it's a good thing this isn't your day."

He could practically feel the air entering her nose as she breathed in, then it exhaled through her lips. Turning back, Ritsuka was once more greeted to the lovely sight of Lancer Artoria Alter, the King of Storms, wielder of the corrupted Rhongomyniad, and leader of the Wild Hunt. Though as usual her hair was tied up in a bun, her bangs gently swayed about in the wind as they continued to gallop across the sky. It was such a gentle and leisure pace for one who embodied the ferocity of the storm such as her. Likewise, her eyes normally cold and apathetic were filled with love that shined like the sun in a clear sky.

"Yes, it is a good thing this isn't my day. Otherwise, I never would have had the joy of meeting you, Ritsuka Fujimaru." Her voice contrasted the storm that she embodied. Feeling his heart fluttering in his chest, Ritsuka leaned forward and took her by the lips. The former Servant happily returned the kiss, her right arm reaching out and looping around the back of his head. Their third kiss in a row, and it proved that third time was perhaps the charm.

Llamrei continued to ride on, humorously snorting at her riders' intimacy. Intimacy done at thousands of feet in the air. Such was the nature of their relationship. Odd, yet loving. That love would likewise carry them across the skies in little more than two weeks time, when they brought the so-called holiday cheer to the rest of the world, a world they'd fought to save.

---

Artoria Alter normally didn't mind waiting, but sometimes she had to admit, she couldn't help but grow restless. She reasoned it was only natural given her existence. At times she felt like the sky-blackened and brimming with anger, ready to unleash her fury on a fully exposed earth. It was inevitable that the burst would come, yet there had been times it was miraculously held back. Sometimes it was by her own will, the same will that she periodically believed held her existence together.

Her existence was a truly incredible thing. A figment of a dream, a woman trying desperately to avoid her fate, an anomaly, all perfect descriptors for her. Being all those things…how in the hell did anyone expect her to play the part of Santa Claus How?

Looking to the side of her desk, she looked into the photographed eyes of the fool who thought that very same thing.

She had so many photos, but her dearest one occupied her desk at "work". Many of them featured Ritsuka. She had no shame in introducing him as her boyfriend to curious onlookers. Understandably, many had their jaws drop at the revelation. Artoria Alter wondered if this was how Ritsuka felt when she was the one being introduced as his girlfriend. She specifically remembered the gawking stares of his classmates at school the few times she'd showed up. The jealous tears and glares of the young boys was oddly satisfying to her. Not to mention the few she saw the girls giving her. They knew that Ritsuka would make for a good, no, a great lover, but that was an honor they'd never know. He was hers, all hers.

Lacing her hands together, she felt her cheeks redden as she thought of what Ritsuka's reaction to the outfit she'd chosen for their little Christmas delivery run. She knew he was probably expecting something…explicit from her, and he would be right to. While she undoubtedly looked forward to speeding across the world delivering presents with him, there was one present she was especially keen on giving him once they got back-

Knock! Knock!

"Come in." Artoria Alter answered, immediately jumping from her rather intimate thoughts. As the door to her office opened, she found that she did so at just the right time. It would have been embarrassing to be thinking such things in the presence of her boyfriend's mother. "Risako-san," she greeted with a smile.

It was returned with another smile. "Hey, sorry if I'm intruding during your last working hours."

Shaking her head, Artoria Alter motioned to the seat directly across from her. "It's no trouble at all. You know I'm always happy to see you." She saw nothing but joy in the human woman's green eyes as she did exactly that, quickly getting comfortable. "Am I correct to assume this is about our…Christmas run?" Artoria Alter hoped she didn't sound as nervous as she believed she did.

Unfortunately for her pride, the mother of her boyfriend chuckled in amusement. "Yes, but don't worry, I'm not here to pull an emergency cancelation on it. Especially not when you and Ritsuka have put in so much work toward it. Work that…me and the rest of the family are so proud of."

The mention of family caused Artoria Alter's cheeks to redden while she bowed her head in slight embarrassment. All in plain view of the brunette in front of her.

With a smile, she reached forward and placed her hand atop of Artoria Alter's. The move caught her by surprise, causing her to look up. Like her noncorrupted counterparts, her "sisters", Risako possessed green eyes, albeit of a more greyish color. Despite that darker tone, they normally shined with nothing but kindness and respect.

"You know, sometimes I still find it hard to believe that my little Ritsuka has grown up so much. I mean, I'm happy for it, but…in other ways, I…feel so anxious over his future."

"I…will not lie to you and say that you shouldn't. You have every right to, arguably more so than you realize. Once one steps into the Moonlit World, there's scarcely returning from it, and the degree to which Ritsuka has been immersed in it is…greater than many who came before him. Not to mention he has chosen me as his lover, the King of Storms, a-"

"Don't call yourself a ghost, Artoria. You're no such thing." Risako swiftly and definitively cut off. Her hold on her tightened as her green eyes hardened. Artoria Alter found herself silently taken back by the fierceness of the woman in front of her. One of the many voices in her head humorously reminded her that this was the same woman who vigorously defended her family from the priding of the Magus Association when she wasn't there. She had no special capabilities beyond her skills in business, but she had a strong heart. She and her husband had passed that onto Ritsuka. In him, she'd fallen in love, and in his parents, she'd gained respect for them. "You're sitting here in front of me, solid and real as any other person. Most importantly, you're two days away from riding around the world and bringing dropping off presents just like Santa Claus!"

The joyful tone her voice took toward the end cause her blush to deepen. Again, she looked away out of embarrassment. It got another laugh out of the brown-haired woman in front of her. The woman who'd also quietly accepted that Artoria Alter was going to be her daughter-in-law.

"I…um…I'm…don't tell Ritsuka I'm looking forward to it." She murmured.

"You do realize he already knows that, right?" She coyly asked.

Sighing, she looked back at Risako, her embarrassed blush still on her cheeks. "I know, but for the sake of my pride, can you do that?"

Laughing, she raised her hand and fanned the air. "Oh, alright. You know, I'm pretty sure he likes that royalty act you put on. It is kind of cute."

"It's not an act, I'm an actual king." Artoria Alter huffed. She knew perfectly well she didn't look like a king though. Dressed in a modern business suit, working an office job, and getting teased by a woman several centuries her junior and practically an ant compared to the power she wielded as the leader of the Wild Hunt. Of course, looking back at Risako's still giggling face, all that meant exactly squat. "The kind of king that I've turned into…it's not one I ever thought I'd be."

"Yes, I remember Ritsuka telling us about what…you thought a king was supposed to be. I have to admit, I never thought I'd be talking to royalty. Especially on a regular basis."

"You're the type of person I would rather have believed had to hate and revile me. You and Ritsuo-san." Artoria Alter admitted.

"Well, I speak for both of us, and the rest of the family when we say we're happy things didn't turn out that way. We prefer how things turned out in the here and now." Breaking away, she reached down toward her chair. Artoria Alter noticed a Christmas bag she'd been carrying when she came in earlier. It was brought to the top of the table, and its contents extracted. "Here, consider this an early Christmas present from me, from the Fujimaru Family, to you…a future member of it."

She'd seen various lucky charms before. Some were genuine, some were purely sentimental. In the end, they were all supposed to mean something to someone, and that ultimately gave them value.

Feeling the Japanese lucky charm in her hand, Artoria Alter felt a wave of warmth crash into her. The storm clouds that made up her existence were immediately swept away by the summerlike breeze. Fittingly, she took note of the kanji for swiftness and safety embedded on either side. "A swift and safe journey." Artoria Alter summarized.

"A family heirloom. I'm just passing it onto the next generation." Risako kindly explained.

Artoria Alter felt the strong thumping of her heart as she stared at the brunette. "R-R-Risako…"

"When you and Ritsuka came to us with this plan to deliver Christmas presents around the world on your magic horse, I honestly wasn't too surprised."

"You weren't?"

"Not at all! I mean…that horse of yours can travel at the speed of lightning, and it'd take less than a minute for a single lightning bolt to travel across the world. I can see where Ritsuka would get an idea like that. Likewise…you're a truly kind king, Artoria."

Holding the lucky charm in her hand, Artoria Alter felt something moist gathering in her eyes. Something was building up, and a second later she felt that something spill forth. It was an unstoppable rain she had no control over. All she could do was wipe the tears away as they fell.

Before she knew it, her legs rose and carried her over to the other side of the table. Risako was waiting for her, arms out and waiting for her. "Thank you, Risako." She whispered as she fell into her embrace.

"You're welcome Artoria. Just make sure you two make it back so we can spend Christmas together as a family. Oh, and you don't make too much noise when you give him your special present."

And just like that, the meeting that began with her attempting to purge the amorous thoughts from her brain ended with those thoughts returning. In bulk. All thanks to her more than likely, loving, teasing future mother-in-law.

---

It may not have been snowing, but it was cold, as to be expected of Christmas Eve. To be fair, the temperature had steadily been dropping all week. People were holding their breath for snow on Christmas, some even betting on it.

Ritsuka almost felt bad for the people who betted against snow. He at least hoped they'd get a decent consolation prize when they woke up in a few hours. They'd be waking up to a white Christmas, curtesy of him and the woman standing several feet in front of him. Artoria Alter, the love of his life…and for this year, Santa Claus.

"Happy to see you're dressed for the occasion, Ritsuka." She remarked, putting a hand to her hip.

He couldn't help but grin back at her. "Well, it was my idea in the first place. It'd really suck if I showed up not dressed like I meant it." Santa outfits were a dime a dozen, but there was something special about ones Chaldea made. Namely, they were Mystic Codes on par with the numerous ones he'd wore during the Grand Orders. "I'm happy to see you did the same."

It was well below thirty degrees, in the mid-twenties to be precise. Despite that, Lancer Artoria Alter was dressed in nothing but a Santa-themed skirt complete with red stockings. Her fittingly red and white-colored scarf flopped about in the wind behind her, as did her Santa hat. He'd seen her wear hats and glasses, but never had Ritsuka seen her wearing something as festive as a stocking hat. It perfectly covered the pale yellow mane of her hair, yet several of her bangs fell in front of her face. They swayed in the wind as she smiled at back at Ritsuka. He was so mystified by her face he hardly looked at her chest, her breasts emphasized by the strapless dress she wore. The top of her breasts and shoulders were all exposed, but he'd only paid them minimal attention before he found her face.

Feeling the quickening of his heart, he walked forward with her doing the same, her heels clacking over the sound of the city beneath them.

Arms spread out, they met in a heartfelt embrace, one that utterly wiped away the winter air that firmly gripped the world. They had a firm grip on each other, basking in the smoldering heat that one brought to the other. After seemingly several hours they pulled away, only to lean forward, their lips meeting in their first kiss of the evening.

The kiss continued as they noticed several flashes going on to the side of them, as well as heard the humorous snickering of their Chaldean coworkers. When their kiss ended, they turned to look at said coworkers, several of whom grinned back at them.

"Oh no, don't let us slow you down. Keep going." Miyako giggled.

"Yeah, this is one of the best presents of the evening by far." Her friend and coworker, Mamoru, added.

"Sorry guys, but we've got a list of presents to deliver, and only so little time to do it." Ritsuka jokingly declared.

"Oh, you say that like you guys aren't going to be riding the faster reindeer known to man or spirit." Miyako chuckled.

Llamrei's neigh was a soft thunderclap that caught everyone's attention. All eyes went to the jet-black mare. She alone was going to be pulling the bright red sleigh that would be ferrying the couple across the world. The mystical horse was all they'd be needing, and the sleigh would be able to hold the weight of the literal tons of presents already loaded onto it. She scrapped at the rooftop, clearly eager to get going.

For her, the round the world flight was a Christmas present in itself.

Ritsuka and Artoria Alter looked between one another, grinning. It was a present to them as well, one they were likewise eager to enjoy.

Instructions were made and wishes for luck given, then the two loaded up. They'd logged several hours of practice, and now was the time for it all to pay off.

"See you all on Christmas!" Ritsuka yelled seconds before Llamrei took off. It was a resounding thunderclap that shook not just the Chaldea-owned skyscraper by the surrounding buildings and the sky itself. For the common people, it was reason to look skyward, wondering if a storm was rolling in on Christmas Eve. Such an assumption wasn't off basis as just several minutes later snow would begin to gentle cascade upon the city of Nagoya.

It went against every forecast made by meteorologist in the days prior. They too found themselves looking up at the night sky in bewilderment as steady snowfall swept over the city. Of course, few of them were complaining about it. Those who enjoyed the snow certainly weren't, especially young children who happily threw up their arms to catch the falling snowflakes. They'd have many opportunities as the snow wasn't going to be letting up all night. For a handful, it was only the first Christmas present they'd receive.

The snowfall over Nagoya would continue to move out, first heading south then looping back up north. Even as the curious storm cloud left, snow continued to fall in its wake. When over Tokyo, the snow fell particularly hard.

Artoria Alter felt it in her bones, the raw magical power that pulsated beneath the city below her. It was only natural given it rested on powerful Ley lines. Even up in the sky she could feel the mystical energy beneath the steel and concrete. It was easy to call forth that energy from the ground into the sky. Still, as wondrous as that onrush felt, it couldn't compare to the sight before her.

A city of lights, the likes of which she'd never seen in her past life, or lives.

"I always loved Nagoya in Christmas…but…I've always wanted to see Tokyo during Christmas. Specifically, I wanted to see Tokyo Tower." Called her passenger, partner, and lover. She looked back at him, noting the serene yet deeply gratified look on his face. Artoria Alter followed his gaze to the tower metallic structure that he spoke of. Someone had gotten the idea to light it up in the colors of Christmas, red, white, and green.

"Well…this is a first for the both of us, and I must say, it is quite a sight, Ritsuka." She offered. A jolt of joy struck her as she felt his hand on hers. Looking back, she met his warm, inviting gaze. Amidst the blowing wind and the falling snow, they shared a kiss.

"Alright, time for Santa to do his gift giving thing." The Japanese teen remarked upon pulling away.

Artoria Alter was sad, yet happy as well. "Yes, it is. Just don't strain yourself."

"Come on, we just swept through six cities. I'm just getting started." Grinning with audacity, he grabbed one of the many present bags. Wearing a similar smile Artoria Alter beckoned their sleigh toward their next destination, and upon getting there Ritsuka leaped off the sleigh.

There were numerous stories and theories regarding how Santa snuck down the chimney of various homes to deliver presents. Stories had grown throughout the years, some sounding reasonable while others were undoubtedly more outlandish. That outlandishness was part of the wonder of Santa Claus.

Ritsuka was somewhat surprised he never actually ended up summoning Saint Nick himself. With the wide array of Servants he'd collected, a part of him genuinely wondered when he'd end up summoning some holiday figures, not just Servants influenced by the holidays. When the Grand Orders ended, a part of him was sad that he never got to do it, but as he free fell toward the apartment complex, he made peace with that fact.

Playing Santa Claus was just as fun as meeting him.

His Mystic Code activated, phasing him through the ceiling and walls until he reached the apartment on his list. The boots played their part in completely nullifying his footsteps. He could have ran around the home stomping up a storm, and not a peep would have been made, such was the nature of the "Sneaky Santa" Mystic Code designed for him. It'd already proven its worth in the previous cities they visited, and the magically designed clothes did their job again as the teenager swept through one home after another, delivering presents.

He did take a bite out of a few cookies and treats laid out for the jolly man. Ritsuka wanted to believe the real man wouldn't mind, he was standing in for him after all, right?

Within half an hour, their rounds had been made across Japan and east Asia. The pair moved on to western Asia, continuing to spread snow and secretly depositing presents. It was a joyful ride, even as they crossed over into what could be called dangerous territory. They were cloaked in storm clouds that could disable any human sensors, not to mention the storm cloak could deflect any human-based projectiles.

That was something they took solace in. Both of them for all the work they put in to saving mankind, there was still plenty of darkness left in the world. Restoring the world meant restoring that darkness as well. However, that was something that they accepted. They knew that for as much darkness as there was in the world, there was still light in it.

As they traveled the world, they saw that light, and in their own way added to it.

"The swiftly and safely lucky charm,"

"You got it from my parents, didn't you?" They were coming up on the British Isle. Ritsuka knew that Artoria Alter was likely going to have something to say then. It was her homeland after all.

"Yes, your mother specifically. She told me your father knew full well what she intended to do, and completely supported it. They…they had faith in me." His hands gentle wrapped around her waist, bringing her in close while she kept her hands on the reigns. "Your mother called me a kind king." When she looked to him, Ritsuka saw tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. He immediately moved his thumb to her face to wipe them away. "I'm not supposed to be that kind of king, I never was. I…kings are supposed to be hated and loathed, but…but…"

"It's better to be loved." He quietly yet passionate declared. Llamrei neighed in solid agreement. Her neighing being a resounding thunderclap as they came upon the British shores. Rather than an ill omen, it heralded something positive, something that was unbecoming of the King of Storms.

But not unbecoming of the woman once know as Artoria Pendragon.

"I'm only able to be called a kind king…to do these things because of you. Because…you chose me. I still sometimes sit up in night wondering why you chose me."

"Artoria Alter." The teenager called.

"I want to believe one day I'll stop doing that. It's one of the few things I pray will one day cease. One that I don't…is loving you, and you loving me."

Feeling bold and brimming with excitement, he grabbed his girlfriend by the waist and hoisted her onto his lap. Naturally, Artoria Alter was caught completely by surprise. With no one manning the reigns, it might have been cause for concern, but Llamrei kept on steady course, not to mention she gave the couple a thunderous cry of approval.

"I don't think you'll ever have to worry about that. As far as I'm concerned, I've got the strongest, most beautiful woman in the world, and I'm not giving her up for anything or anyone."

Thunder boomed as the pale blonde slammed her lips against Ritsuka's. The stormy winds assailed Britain from the east, sweeping through the skies and bringing with it snowy gales. Onlookers were intrigued as it seemed like the storm had a rhythm to it. One could almost say the storm seemed to be…singing.

Eventually, it died down, though the snow continued, albeit at a gentler pace. It masked the decent of a certain jolly figure dressed in red. And occasionally not one figure but two.

They descended hand-in-hand, disappearing into homes and leaving behind gifts that would delight the hearts of the occupants when they awoke in the morning. It was a Christmas miracle that would seemingly have no explanation, but maybe one wasn't needed.

---

They knew when they got back to Nagoya it might look a little different. Different as in covered in pure white snow. It was like leaving the faucet on thus causing the sink to overflow. That overflow was the city buried in about a foot of snow, and it was still coming down at a steady pace. The couple knew that it was a look shared throughout not just several cities throughout Japan but the world.

Ritsuka and Artoria Alter savored the sight as they covertly charted a course toward their final destination.

The once bountiful sacks that they carried in their sleighs had been deflated. It was proof of a job well done for the couple.

Descending as silently as one of the many falling snowflakes, Llamrei finally touched the ground for the first time in several hours. Her riders dismounted, affectionately stroking the mare's sides.

"As usual, incredible work, Llamrei." Artoria Alter praised.

"Better than any reindeer we could have asked for." Ritsuka added with a smile.

Almost literally cackling with joy, the horse nuzzled both of them. They both detected a hint of something else in her nuzzling as she seemingly pushed them together. Artoria Alter's cheeks flushed crimson, a sight that Ritsuka caught but remained silent on. He figured there'd be a time to talk about it. Preferable once they were back inside his house.

Despite the littering cities they'd flown over in the last couple of hours, there was still something simply majestic about the Fujimaru's simple two-story suburban home.

To the King of Storms, it was the finest castle in the land of Japan.

"Thank you, Ritsuka, and Merry Christmas." She said in a tender voice normally unbecoming of her.

"You're welcome, and thank you, Artoria Alter." The former Master responded, then pulled her into a deep and tender hug. "Thank you for indulging me."

"Heh, well, I've come to consider it one of my duties as your girlfriend. Besides…your heart has never laid you astray, and it certainly didn't this time. I'm certain that we just created a new family tradition."

The possibility of their Christmas run becoming a yearly tradition filled his heart with excitement so great it was enough to make it explode. He channeled that into pulling her into another hug, one that had him swinging her about in his arms. She eagerly returned his embrace, burying herself in the nap of his neck.

"You're the most incredible girlfriend in the world, Artoria Alter." He whispered.

"Fittingly for an incredible man like you, Ritsuka." Once her feet touched the ground, her golden eyes shined with naked intent as she smiled at him. "Alright, now let's head inside. There's a Christmas present from me to you that I'm eager for you to open in your room. It is technical time for it."

Clearly knowing what she was thinking, he reached for the backdoor, finding it unlocked, just as he knew it would be. Her scarf and hat were discarded just outside the door, along with their lightly snow-coated boats.

Upon removing them, they stood up straight and met one another's gaze. Their lips followed a heartbeat later.

The second they kissed, the accumulating storm within the former Servant reached its apex, exploding. Such a violent end was miraculously contained by the human before her. Perhaps there was something fitting to it as he had been the one to help stroke it, yet he'd also tamed the storm before. It could range as wildly as it would have liked, but he'd always be there to bring it to heel. Most surprising, the storm always enjoyed being brought under control by the lone human.

Artoria Alter's tongue was aggressive, but Ritsuka's own was able to stand against it, just as it always had. No matter how forceful she was, he was there, standing strong against her whilst also giving her everything she wanted. Before long, it was him that was on the offensive, overwhelming her tongue with his own. Artoria Alter shuddered at the gradual reversal, finding nothing but ecstasy-inducing bliss in it. The feeling was another Christmas gift in itself, although her fast-graying logical mind knew that she was still only at the unwrapping phase. Barely even that to be honest.

Her heart pounded in excitement at what would happen when they moved beyond it. So too did Ritsuka's. She could hear his ferocious beat within his chest as well. She could also see it in his eyes when they separated. The sight of his kind, loving and lustful smile was practically enough to make the King of Storms melt out from beneath her. As if fueled by primal instinct, she lunged forward, beginning a new kiss as if that would somehow prevent it. How ironically foolish, kissing Ritsuka was making her feel like she was coming apart at the seams; it was a blissful unraveling though. Artoria reached up and wrapped her arms around Ritsuka's neck, intensifying the kiss for the rest of its duration.

Amazingly, she seemed to be the one that was out of breath at its end. Her legs continued to shake, even as she half-heartedly tried to steady them. Seconds later, there was a flash in Ritsuka's eyes. Artoria Alter completely gave up and excitedly hiked her legs up. Automatically, Ritsuka's hands moved to grab them, holding her up as she attached herself to him with a near desperate fervor. In doing so, she felt the obscured hardness of his erection.

"Ritsuka," Whispered the former Servant after what felt like hours. His turquoise-eyes shined with such glistening want, a perfect reflection of her own.

"Artoria," Her former Master whisperingly replied. His head leaned forward, softly touching his forehead against hers. "We don't have to hurry; I don't want to."

Hearing that sent a shudder through her, one that he felt from top to bottom. Ritsuka had been honest, he really didn't want to rush things. All they had to do was be back at his home by eleven. That was hours from now, by his last count, eight hours from now. They could do enough in that time, right? Including maybe….freshen up so when his family celebrates Christmas they didn't totally look like they'd just spent the last several dozen hours fucking. Or, as his cousin Hoji would say, "continuing the Fujimaru bloodline". Just thinking about it actually excited him.

His pale-skinned lover read his mind, his eyes, or both. Either way, she feed that burgeoning desire with the next kiss. His response was immediate, his passion quickly rising to match hers. It had to rise fast as he could sense the pure yearning in her kiss. Ritsuka wasn't surprised by it, not at all. Her longing gaze, their talk, there was no way she wasn't going to think about it as they made love on Christmas night (or technically morning).

"God, I can't take it anymore." He growled upon pulling away.

She giggled, knowing exactly what he was referring to. "Then don't wait any more, my love." To give him some incentive, she rocked her hips against his. Ritsuka shut his eyes and groaned, feeling the strain of his cock against his pants hitting him more strongly than it had before. "Ritsuka, Ritsuka~" Oh, now she was begging. Exactly like an excited child to her parent for a present she'd had her eye on.

Grinning, Ritsuka resolved not to deny her for too much longer.

Tightening his hold on her, he turned around and began to carry the platinum blonde to the bedroom, their bedroom. He felt her continuously trembling in blissful excitement in his arms. Ritsuka was honestly shivering too, but he held it together long enough to get to the door. The black-haired teenager pushed his leg out, gently pushing the door open. There'd been nights where he'd dreamed about kicking it open, just as Artoria Alter sometimes did when she was the one guiding them to the bedroom. She'd done that once while at his home, and it'd resulted in a broken door that'd left her in a cute bit of embarrassment for the rest of the afternoon.

Mere seconds after he stepped in, he felt something-a familiar buildup of magical energy coming from the woman in his arms. The hairs across his body stood up from the sudden electrical charge that emanated from her. Looking up, he saw what had once been a darkened bedroom was now illuminated by red and green lights that circled the bedroom. Following them, his eyes ended up spying the star-like decorations that hung from the ceiling. They too emitted their own light, luminous like the celestial masses they represented. It was as if darkness had never been there at all, and it wouldn't be for a while. The room also sure as hell wasn't going to be as quiet as it once had been.

Especially once he laid eyes on the mistletoe that hung above the bed.

Slack-jawed, Ritsuka missed Artoria Alter removing herself from his arms. She did so with a loving giggle that faintly echoed in his ears. It continued as he found his face turned toward hers. "A-A-Artoria…Artoria," Speaking anything but her name was impossible. Ritsuka was in awe, pure, wide-eyed awe at the setup that his girlfriend had created for their intimate Christmas get together. She'd truly gone the distance to make this night special for the two of them. "Artoria…this is…this is beautiful."

Her hand gently stroked his cheek, sending waves of joy and ecstasy rippling through him. Now it felt like him who was on the verge of melting into a puddle. His body still impulsively moved though; his arms wrapped around her waist bringing her closer to him. Artoria Alter certainly didn't mind it. "I'm so happy to hear that, Ritsuka. Happier than you could imagine." She spoke in a heartfelt voice.

The romantic and fittingly decorated room around him continued to speak volumes about how far she'd came from the fierce and taciturn Ruler of the Wild Hunt he'd known her as. What lay before him wasn't the work of that imposing figure, it was the work of a woman in love, and devoted to her love-him. That realization filled him with pride and joy that he couldn't put into words. Continuing to stare at her, he lost himself in her golden, silted eyes that shimmered boundless affection. He wondered if she saw the same in him, Ritsuka certainly hoped so. He knew that the gorgeous blonde before him deserved nothing less.

Their lips found each other. While gentle at first, the kiss gradually grew in intensity. Their tongues rather loudly flicked against one another, and their bodies sensually grinded together like a pair of gears. In that grinding, the Storm King felt her lover's erection. It called out to her with a voice akin to the thunder she too commanded. Instead of her commanding it though, she felt subordinate to it. Artoria Alter's mind spun with the though of her taking the seven-inch, hard and masculine member into her-into all of her holes. It'd been so long since she'd done that.

Her hands moved from around his neck to his hands, tightly gripping them. Though it was a short walk to the edge of the bed, Artoria Alter wanted it over with as soon as possible.

She got quite a surprise when she suddenly found herself twirled around. The golden-eyed woman gasped as she felt her back hit the softness of the mattress; her legs daggled over the edge of the bed, sliding out and rubbing her heels against the carpeted floor. Her hot breathing ran right into Ritsuka's as he loomed above her. Artoria Alter was at a loss for words. The mouth-watering scene she'd wanted to create in her mind was suddenly swept away curtsy of her boyfriend's hungry, ravenous gaze. Looking into his eyes sent tingles of bliss up her spine and into her brain, short circuiting it. Instead of words all she did was pant at him in lewd yearning. Just as suddenly as she'd been swept off her feet, she found herself crying out in ecstasy.

"You did such an incredibly kind thing tonight, Artoria Alter." The human huskily declared. While his lover had been in a trace, he'd moved his dominant hand beneath her black skirt and her undies. Ritsuka nakedly grinned in delight feeling the moisture that lay beneath them. That moisture grew as he eagerly pumped his fingers in and out of the Storm King's cunt. "That makes me very happy, and it solidifies how much of a good girl you've been this year. For that, you deserve a very special gift."

Artoria Alter's eyes lit up like the numerous Christmas lights all around them. Her vaginal walls responded to her emotions by tightly squeezing around his fingers, nearly paralyzing them in place. The paralysis didn't last long though. Ritsuka continuously pumped his fingers in and out of her pussy, making the blonde moan and scream. His name was stuck on repetition in her mouth, at least until he silenced her with a kiss. It was searing hot for the both of them, the heat making them feel like they were burning up in their clothes, including Artoria Alter, who already had on so little.

Both her arms shot up and wrapped around his neck, squeezing him against her. Ritsuka had no complaints about it, especially as it made the kiss and vaginal fucking all the better in his opinion. Even when they pulled for air, it was barely a few centimeters separating them. That distance vanished seconds later, their tongues sensually batting against each other without stop. His fingers never stopped either, never ending in their jabbing into the Englishwoman's pussy. As the seconds rolled by, it grew hotter and tighter, a process that could only end one way. Grinning against his girlfriend's lips, he pulled them back, then rammed them straight forward, a technique that Ritsuka would like to say he'd mastered.

The incarnated Servant's eyes briefly widened, then slammed shut as she felt the release of her feminine juices. "Mmmmmm~! Haaaaaahhhh~! Ri-Ri-Ritsukaaaa~!" He didn't stop even as she cried his name, even as she came all over his fingers. "H-H-Haaaaaaahhhh~! More, oh God, more, Ritsuka~!" Her eyes locked with his, hazed over, filled to the brim with the joy of an orgasm. The expression was going to be a constant on her face as they were just getting started for the night. "Ritsu-mmmmmmhhhh~!" Her next shout was muffled by the sudden and forceful smash of his lips against hers. Artoria Alter didn't mind it at all, not even as her tongue was overwhelmed by his.

Ritsuka was in complete control, he was dominating the Storm King, asserting his dominance over her as he knew she liked. That in itself was a gift to her, but again, it was merely the first of many. Or perhaps one could say it was still part of the unwrapping process.

As he pulled away, Ritsuka drunk in the delicious sight of his former Servant lying on the bed, panting hard as she stared at him. Streams of cum slid down her exposed legs. Sweat glistened across the exposed portions of her body. Darkness and light clashed, creating an alluring idol that Ritsuka would worship for the rest of the night.

His hands moved to her cute little holiday cap, gently undoing the strings holding it in place. Like he'd told her, it'd been one of the cutest things he'd ever seen her wear, and he looked forward to seeing it on her next year. With that in mind, he stood up, holding it in hand. Artoria Alter giggled as she watched him move toward a nearby dress and place it in one of the drawers. Upon turning around, Ritsuka was met with a surprise.

The hairs on his back stood up as he sensed her moving. Seeing her right up in his face still came as a little bit of a surprise, but a pleasant one he accepted. Especially since her presence came with a kiss. Ritsuka moved his hands around her waist, squeezing her chest against his. Though still covered by her black skirt, Ritsuka could still feel the wetness between her legs, the mark of her first orgasm. He was eager to repeat it, but as Artoria Alter pulled away from him, he saw that she had something slightly different in mind by looking into her eyes. Smiling, he decided to roll with it as she hurriedly pushed him back onto the edge of the bed. She assumed his previous position, looming over him with a look of ravenous lust.

"I…I want my candy cane, Ritsuka." Her voice was so soft and tender, as was her face. The distance between it and her cool yet fierce glare as a warrior was akin to the space between heaven and earth. Ritsuka grinned, once more feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in having covered that distance. "P-Please, you said that I've been a good girl, well, so have you! I-I mean you've been a good boy and I want to give you a worthy enough present!" Oh, her passionate declaration had his cock raging even harder in the confines of his pants. If Artoria Alter weren't so focused on his face, she'd likely have seen it.

Strike that, she did.

"Artooooria…A-A-Alter…aahhh~" She could have so easily torn his pants off if she wanted to. Instead, she was holding herself back. Just barely at that, just like him. Grabbing her head with both her hands, the teenager whispered one word. It was a plea, a command, and a gift of permission. "Unwrap."

Her silted pupils glowed, just outside the window the distant rumble of thunder sounded. Her naked hands quickly moved to follow through, pulling his shirt off then scratching at his now exposed backside. Ritsuka groaned feeling the electrified nails scrapping at his exposed skin. A smoldering hot wind blew through the bedroom while he was forced down. He shuddered as those nails that were once at his back were now dragging their way across his chest. Several breaths later and they were moving south, eventually reaching the waistline of his pants. Panting hard, Ritsuka closed his eyes listened to the sound of his belt and zipper being undone. The second they ended, he held his legs up, making it easier for his British lover to remove his pants and boxers. Once he felt their absence, he opened his eyes and looked down.

"Aaaaah~ Oooohhh~ Artoria Alter." Came the approving moan of Humanity's Savior. The woman who'd been beside him, who'd helped him save the world, was eagerly pumping his member while sprinkling his tip with lewd kisses and licks. Veins appeared along his member as Artoria Alter's ministrations continued. "Ooooohhhh~! Yesss~! That's it! I'm loving my present, Artoria Alter!"

"So am I, my love." She affirmed with a loving smile. A mere second later, her mouth took in the first quarter of his cock, then the entire first half of it. Ritsuka howled even louder, thrusting his hips upward out of impulse. Artoria Alter ended up taking in his whole member, flawless transitioning into a full deepthroating of his cock. "Mmmmmmm~!" Came her tender moan. It lit a fire in him that led to more thrusting, a full on oral fucking being the end result as the two lovers fell into a rhythm of their own creation. Their voices matched their rhythmic fucking.

Unobstructed, Ritsuka's deep, satisfied groans echoed throughout the room. "Aaaahh! Aaaahhh~! Ooooohhh~! That's it, just like that, Artoria~! Aaaaahhhh, yessss!" He'd missed it, the wet and warm feel of Artoria Alter's mouth wrapped around his cock. Arguably more so, he'd missed the sensation of it continuously ramming its way in and out of her pussy. That was still forecasted, but for now, Ritsuka was more than happy to lavish in the ecstasy of a great blowjob. His Lancer always gave him great blowjobs, she was a natural at it. Ritsuka laughed remembering how fiercely she'd blushed upon receiving his praise after he'd came in her mouth, sometimes to the point even the superhuman woman seemed to be choking on his semen. The Japanese teen had shamelessly grown a little addicted to the act of filling his Servant's mouth with his cum. Luckily, Artoria Alter loved it herself.

Thanks to the seven inch "candy cane" in her mouth, Artoria Alter's voice was muffled, but that muffled voice carried all the joy she was experiencing. That and the absolutely loving look on her face as she happily sucked her boyfriend's member. "Mmmmmh! Mmmmm~! Buhaaahh…mmmmmmhh~!" Whenever they went riding, she always felt his rod pressing against her rear. It more often than not left her horny, feelings that exploded outward when they finally had a chance to be intimate with each other, such as they were now. Artoria Alter loved it. Call it a kink, if so, it was one of many she'd developed since falling in love with Ritsuka. She looked up into his eyes while she hungrily soaked his member. Every second she felt it hitting the back of her throat, the brief contact sending electric jolts throughout her body. Nowhere were those jolts strongest than between her legs. Whilst pleasuring her lover, Artoria Alter felt the growing wetness between her legs. It eventually became too much for her, leading to a fit of self-pleasure.

Amazingly, it didn't go unnoticed by Ritsuka. While his eyes were hazy with bliss, he wasn't blind, not even to the sudden moves of his British girlfriend.

"Artoria," The black-haired teen called. He carefully made sure his grip wasn't too tight as he pulled her away. Saliva connected her mouth and his member, now coated in her oral juices. It pulsated, eagerly calling out for the continuation of its oral treatment. The former Servant was longing for it too, her mouth literally watering for the return of the seven-inch meat pole.

"Ritsuka," she pleaded. Tears of bliss and yearning swelled in her eyes and fell. "You taste so good, Master."

Sucking his breath, he brought her head back down while thrusting his hips forward. His cock and Artoria Alter's mouth collided, the latter clamping down hard on it with the intention of never letting go. The air Ritsuka had inhaled was expunged as loud, bellowing roar that echoed not just through the room but the whole house.

"Mmmmmmmhhh~!"

"Ahhhhhhh~! Artoriaaaaa!' His hips kept on moving as his cock erupted in masculine juices. It poured down the blonde's throat as a surging river. A second river surged, this one from between the spear-wielder's legs, curtsy of her rapid fingering. In the absence of his cock, her fingers had done the job of keeping her pleasured, but now it turned into a double whammy. As cum poured down her pussy, she removed her right hand and attached it to her lover's left hip. She held onto both as he continuously rocked against her mouth, his dick lodged deep in her oral hole and still spilling forth its contents.

Artoria Alter's eyes remained softly shut as she gulped down the delicious nectar that was her favorite beverage. As with many things, it tasted better on Christmas. She knew that Ritsuka agreed.

He certainly did based on the endless whispering of her name, tinged with loving affection. That feeling was there as he tenderly rubbed the top of the British woman's hand. Not once did his touch turn hard or fierce, it remained the soft breeze it had always been-the breeze that Artoria Alter loved. Swallowing the last of the latest cum shot, she looked up into the eyes of loving blue that she treasured so dearly. She smiled and so did he, tender silence occupying the world around them. Even as a few final bursts of cum shot from his member, hitting the blonde woman in the face. A sudden and hot pant tumbled from her lips as she moved her hands to her face, sensually scooping the cum up into her hands. With his eyes on her, she licked it up.

Mere seconds after she'd finished, Artoria Alter found her hands being gently gripped by another set. Giggling, she looked back up into her beloved's eyes. A thin coating of sweat glistened across his face.

The Japanese teenager lifted her up, or rather, he lifted her onto himself. Artoria Alter shuddered in ecstasy feeling the drag of his cock across her naked belly. Even though she relished the kiss that unfolded when their lips made, Artoria Alter longed to truly feel their bodies grinding against one another. For that to happen, she knew she was going to have to do something about her undergarments. The ancient king pulled away, intentionally grinding her hips against her lover's while grinning at him. He didn't need to read her mind to know what she was thinking.

"I'm ready, Ritsuka." She whispered causing him to immediately sit up. Rather than immediately undressing her, he just kissed her; Artoria Alter didn't mind that at all. The kiss quickly escalated, but it ended to quickly for her liking. It left her panting, a sight that Ritsuka found enticing. "Come on, don't make me wait too long, my love."

"But half the fun of presents is the unwrapping part." Playfully shot back the blue-eyed high schooler. Her pout was cute, especially when it morphed into a loving giggle. She knew he was right. Their lips met again, their kiss just as intimate as their previous one. Amidst it, the pair sat up, the blonde coming to rest atop her lover's naked lap. His hands caressed her body, seemingly probing a spot to begin his unwrapping of her body. He could have had anywhere he wanted, but the eighteen-year-old eventually found a familiar zipper in the back. Ritsuka broke from the kiss, chuckling as he pulled it down. Artoria Alter pulled away, shivering in excitement as he continued to unwrap her.

Minutes later and she was bare of all her clothing save for her jet-black, stained undies. Ritsuka took a short whiff of the lingering aroma, his left hand rubbed against her clothed folds. He could practically feel the sensual shivering of her cunt beneath the stained black fabric. Turquoise blue loving gazed into gold, the latter awash in lustful haze. The human and former Servant kissed, the former's hands slipping beneath the latter's undies. Not to be outdone, Artoria Alter moved her hand to her lover's exposed cock, gently squeezing it as her lover fingered her pussy for the second time. Naturally, their kiss grew louder, brief breaks for air punctuated by erotic moans that further aroused them. As seconds passed, it almost seemed like a race to see who would cum first. At least, it was until Ritsuka suddenly grabbed the top of Artoria Alter's panties and pulled, hard.

Air rushed from the blonde's lungs, both from the sudden raveling of her pussy and the roll over that left her on her backside. She inhaled, then exhaled as she felt a sudden, powerful intrusion into her vaginal canal.

"Aaahhh~! R-R-Ritsuka~! Oh, God, Ritsukaaaa~!" He needed no words of encouragement, or pleas for more. Artoria Alter grabbed at the sheets and jerked her body in all directions as her Japanese lover ate her out. With a thrust that she'd have been proud of, he pushed his tongue straight into her silt, staking his claim to it once more. "Aaaaaahhh~! Oooohhhh~! Yes~! Yessss~! Ritsuka, my love~!" He couldn't have been eating her out for any longer than a minute or two at most, but Artoria Alter could already feel herself on the verge of climaxing. His earlier tenderizing of her cunt had pushed her close to the brink, and now Ritsuka was forcing her toward the finish line. Every second of waiting was both agony and bliss. "Aaaaahhhh~!"

As her climax grew closer and closer, the former Lancer's legs did what they always did in moments like this-wrapping her legs around Ritsuka's head as tightly as possible. Her eyes nearly rolled back into her head as the onslaught of erotic lightning was too much for even the Storm King to bear. The thousands of bolts struck her in rapid succession until at last, the British king let out a cry of thunderous ecstasy.

Love nectar burst from her loins into the high schooler's waiting mouth. The naked Briton's body formed a perfect arch as she came onto her lover's mouth. He drunk up her delicious, creamy juices like a drain. Artoria Alter held kept a vice grip on his head for the next several seconds, the time that she felt like she was in heaven.

She saw numerous lights around her, far more than she'd put up around the room. They shined so bright, almost blinding her, or maybe that was also her tears. Artoria Alter felt them pouring down her cheeks, she had no energy to wipe them away, nor did she even want to. Whenever she cried tears of bliss, there was something Ritsuka always did, something she absolutely loved.

Minutes felt like hours, but Ritsuka eventually had his fill of her pussy. For the moment. He rose, wearing a cum-soaked smile. Artoria Alter whispered his name, calling out to him. Like a swift wind, he moved up toward her, kissing her and gently wiping the tears away from her face. The touch of his fingers were always as amazing as his lips. Feeling both made her tears continue to flow, but Ritsuka kept on wiping them away with the same tenderness in which he kissed her. It was a bit of a surprise how it remained such given the eroticism of their bodily grinding.

Ritsuka lifted himself up, grinning at his lover. "Thank you, Artoria."

"And thank you, Ritsuka. Thank you so much." Responded the British woman. Her hands loving caressed his chest and abs, making him shudder atop of her. In drinking in his naked body, her eyes drifted down to their waists. His cock had inadvertently been aimed at her, the tip secreting a smidgen of cum. Her mind immediately raced with the sensation of that smidgen becoming a steady burst. It made her heart race with excitement, excitement that gave way to an idea. "My love," she began. "I want to taste your cum again, and I'm certain you want to taste mine too, right?" To really get her point across, she rubbed her naked hips against his. So close to him, she felt the pulsating of his cock.

No one felt it better than the man himself though. "You're right, I do." He confessed. His eyes flashed as a wide grin covered his face. "I did say that you've been a good girl, Artoria Alter."

"And you've been a very good boy." Affirmed the former Alter Servant, she too grinning like a fool.

It was by her instance that he remain upright on the bed. A cute little show of slight submission that Ritsuka always took pleasure in; he knew that Artoria Alter did as well. She was such a cute sub, and he always tried to reward her for that. And let her be the one in control from time to time to. Maybe New Years or Valentine's Day would do.

"Mmmmmm~!"

"Hyyyaaaahhh~!"

They both go a double douse of bliss. As he did earlier, Ritsuka immediately ravished Artoria Alter's cunt, burying himself in it. Simultaneously, she sandwiched his cock between her tits. His mind turned to mush as he felt the familiar, and absolutely amazing pressure of her breasts on either side of his member. Artoria Alter felt a similar rush herself, feeling the iron-like hardness of her boyfriend's member between her orbs, and the searing hot priding of his tongue in her cunt. She was so drunk on the joy that she almost forgot that she had a job to do with Ritsuka's cock. It took him doing his job as her lover for her to snap out of it, and once she did, she returned the favor twice over with his tip.

There were no words, only licking, sucking, and thrusting. They kept at each other without stopping, neither breaking their erotic strides. It potentially helped that they had practice with this position, it was after all one of their favorites.

Snow continued to pile onto the world outside of the window. One could say it grew thicker as the Storm King mentally howled and squirmed. Her breasts never stopped in their tenderizing of her former Master's member. She felt the burst of cum she'd wanted growing within her lover, just as he felt the same within her. Her cunt was under its greatest assault by his tongue; her ass burned as he gripped it hard to steady her lower regions. It was a struggle for her to keep her position, his tongue shot so deeply and warmly into her that she nearly howled in ecstasy several times. She kept her focus on his cock, flicking her tongue across his exposed tip.

"Artoria Alter," the growl reached her ears causing her to grin. Lightning-fast licks turned into a full swallowing. Ritsuka bucked his hips beneath her, shooting his hips-his cock-straight up. The blonde's body shook like it'd been struck by lightning. She channeled the surging energy into her hands and mouth. "Mmmmmmmhhh!" Moaned the Japanese high schooler. He shot his tongue straight up her cunt again, hitting her with another bolt.

"Hyyyaaaaaahhh~! Haaaaaaahhhh~!" Cried the blonde, new tears gathering in her eyes. "R-R-Ritsuka! I'm going to cum!"

"Mmmmmmhhh!"

"Aaaaayyyy~!" Her asshole immediately pressed on his fingers. Blissful tears overflowed from her eyes. While they flowed, she regained a portion of her senses and got back to work. "Ritsukaaaa~!" Artoria Alter cried before taking his tip back into her mouth, after squeezing his member with her tits as hard as she could. She moved them fast, using her superhuman strength to give his member the servicing she knew he wanted. Likewise, he was giving both of her lower holes the fucking that she relished.

A heart beat later, the two lovers gave muffled moans of ecstasy as their shared orgasm hit. Cum exploded from both of their respective organs, and it was eagerly lapped up by the other, gulping it down in gallons. It was undoubtedly the most drinking that they'd done all night.

Both of their faces were a miss, though in Artoria Alter's case, it was also her chest. Ritsuka stared at her tits with hungry eyes, which didn't go unnoticed by the former Servant. Shooting him a seductive grin, she crawled atop of him, pushing her breasts into his face. He immediately snapped at them, hungrily licking and biting the cum-stained flesh. As he did, his member rapidly regained its rigidity; Artoria Alter's cunt trembled in yearning with ever lick and bite her tits received. Their mutual orgasm felt so long ago despite being no more than five minutes old. For the lust-addled lovers, they were in desperate need of another, something they realized when their eyes met.

Ritsuka's hands met Artoria Alter's hips in seconds, positioning her above his erect member. The organ she'd spent seconds pillowing and sucking stood upward with pride and yearning. Their eyes were locked with one another, their lips breathing heavy breathes that marked each passing second.

"This has been the best Christmas ever." Ritsuka affirmed. "And it's thanks to you, Artoria Alter."

A single tear of joy slid down her cheek as she nodded in agreement. "As much as I can't believe it, I feel the same, Ritsuka. We've had a few wonderful Christmases together, but this one…Heh. No, I won't say it. Not until this Christmas Day is finished. I know you'll have done more for me by then."

"Hehehe. You're right, by this time tomorrow, I'll have definitely done even more to make you happy, including this." Grinning, he swiftly brought her down atop of him, his cock sliding straight up her vagina, no doubt in part thanks to her previous orgasm. "Aaaahhh!"

"Hyyaaaaaah~! Ohhhhh, yes! By the gods of old, yessss~!" She was already rocking her hips against his, squeezing his member like a vice already. The fleshy hardness grinded against her folds, the ecstasy-laced bolts stronger than all those that had came before it. Artoria Alter's mouth hung open in endless panting as she used her hips to work her lover's member. She felt his hands tightening on her hips, then suddenly the grinding ceased. Looking down, she saw it was only temporary. Still grinning, Ritsuka brought her back down, while thrusting his hips upward. His dick slid straight her cunt to hit her g-spot. "AAAAAHHH~! RITSUKA~!"

More of the same followed, and that meant Artoria Alter's voice remained at that high, thunderous pitch. Her breasts endlessly bounced alongside her naked, goddess-like body, all within clear view of the mortal man beneath her. He was the cause of her trembling, feeding the storm of lust that was Lancer Artoria Alter, yet he was also her tamer, her master. It was his touch that made her scream louder and louder, only to be silenced as he sat up and kissed her. With a fierce pounding heart, the blonde returned the kiss, her tongue shooting out and pushing hard against Ritsuka's.

He orally overwhelmed her. The former Servant's eyes widened, then narrowed in loving acceptance of her lover's aggression. His hips moved fast, as fast, or maybe even faster than hers. Ritsuka moved his hands to her ass cheeks, groping them with such a grip they felt like balloons about to burst.

As best she could, she channeled some air into his mouth, pumping it into his lungs in the name of prolonging the kiss. The concentration needed to do so was in short supply though. Artoria Alter couldn't-didn't want to-focus on anything but her beloved Ritsuka. Suddenly, she was forced to break from him and howl out, her g-spot having been struck with the force of a battering ram.

While her cry echoed throughout the room, potentially even causing a thunderclap outside, Ritsuka laid flat on his back. Quick as lightning, her moved his hands from her ass to her breasts, squeezing the bouncing melons with lustful vigor. It made Artoria Alter scream even louder. Though it may not have been his lips, she welcomed the amorous touch. Not to mention he was still fucking her pussy, pushing her to the brink of yet another orgasm.

"AAAAHHH~! OOOOHHHHH~! YES, OH, YES~! KEEP GOING, RITSUKA~!"

"HHHHHHAAAAAHHH~! ARTORIA!"

When her vaginal walls clamped down on him, they clamped down hard. The embrace was tighter and warmer than that of her tits, Ritsuka would say better even. His cock pounded away at her center while he joyfully fondled her breasts, squeezing and twisting her ripe nipples. The more he did so, the louder Artoria Alter's screams became; they had no limit. Deep in the back of his mind, sitting atop a comfy couch by a fire, his rationality mused how fortunate they were that his room had been soundproofed, a modification his parents had silently accepted.

"OOOOOOHHHH~!"

"F-FUCK, ARTORIA! MMMMMMMHHHH~!"

"KKKKYAAAAAHHH~!"

Biting down on her tit just made him more likely to cum. Ritsuka felt the familiar buildup inside of his cock. Second by second it grew, an ocean-sized mass of ecstasy waiting to burst forth, and straight into the waiting honeypot of the Storm King. She howled so beautiful, her booming voice a gentle, loving spring breeze to his ears. Only he could make her sing like that, his gift to her, and her gift to him. Her grip on his hand tightened in parallel to her vaginal walls. Biting down hard enough on her tit to draw blood, he thrusted harder and faster, repeatedly hitting her center with his full force.

"RITSUKA~! OH, GOD, RITSUKAAAAAHHHH~!"

"CUM, CUM FOR ME, ARTORIA ALTER! CUM FOR ME LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO!"

"YES! YES, I WILL~! OH, RITSUKA~! I-I'M-AAAAAAAAHHH~!"

As he'd intended, she went first, blasting his dick with her love nectar from all sides. From her orgasm came his own, his member shooting his semen straight into her womb. Lightning crashed and the world shook, the two of them departing it for one of their own makings, and their private enjoyment. Ritsuka and Artoria Alter clung to one another as they traversed it. Their eyes met with their lips eventually following suit.

Despite their minds being focused entirely on the kiss, the couple's bodies still went on their own rhythm, hips thrusting, walls clenching, and cum bursting forth and mixing. Ritsuka's hands never stopped pinching and twisting the blonde beauty's tits, lengthening her orgasm, which in turn lengthened his own. They briefly existed in that endless cycle of pure bliss. It was invigorating, intoxicating, and all-consuming. The couple's kiss ended yet their bodies continued the frantic mating dance that they'd already began.

Somewhere amidst the following kiss, the couple's eyes met. Wild lust continued to flicker within them like dancing flames. Those flames spoke to each other, guiding them to the next stage of their intimate dance.

Ritsuka knew his girlfriend well-the erotic desires that she held deep within. On this Christmas, he was more than happy to satisfy them, and she in turn was more than happy to let him satisfy his own.

The Storm King stood proud on her hands and knees with her lord and lover behind her, his cock angled at her back entrance. She looked back to him with a lustful, gleeful smile that he mirrored. At the beating of his heart, he thrusted his hips forward, driving his member straight into his girlfriend's most explicit door.

"AAAAAAAYYYYYY~! SO BIIIIIG!"

"YOU HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN, HAVE YOU, ARTORIA ALTER! I CERTAINLY HAVEN'T! I CAN NEVER FORGET THIS HOT, TIGHT ASS OF YOURS THAT'S MINE AND MINE ALONE~!"

He'd begun thrusting into her asshole before he'd even finished. At the end of his statement merely came a powerful, earth-shaking thrust that had Artoria Alter clenching at the window with all her might. As she breathed into the snow-covered glass, she muttered a silent thanks to Da Vinci. The specialized windows were originally a safety measure for the Fujimaru family home, though now they'd taken on a different function. That fortitude could withstand the worst of what she could muster while in the midst of sex with her boyfriend, and provide such a clear, pristine, and arousing projection for them to gaze at while they were at it.

Ritsuka kept his focus on her while she looked back at him through the window. Even through the snow-coated glass, she could make out his beautiful vestige. His lean but muscular body, littered with fading and permanent scars, sweat glistened across his naked form as he remained in motion. Fire hot enough to burn the frozen world beyond the glass burned in his eyes, it was channeled into her. Every thrust into her ass filled with the heat of an inferno. It was a Christmas present that she was more than happy to receive, and her boyfriend was more than happy to give. She gave her an equally pleasing one in return.

"Haaahhhh…aaaaggggghhh!" Her tits, her mouth, her pussy, and her ass, Ritsuka had claimed them all with his cock, and he enjoyed the feel of each of them. Some more so than others, but with others it was a dead heat, almost literally. That was the case with Artoria Alter's pussy and ass. On special nights like this, he loved taking both, and he did so with gusto. "Artoriaaaaaa…aaaaaahhh!"

"AAAYYYY! J-JUST LIKE THAT, RITSUKA~! AGAIN, PLEASE DO IT AGAIN~!"

"GLADLY!"

Thunder exploded across the darken sky while the snow fell in stronger concentration. He was bending the weather to his will through his girlfriend. Certainly not the kind of holiday sex he ever thought he'd have, but Ritsuka never in his wildest dreams thought he'd be having sex with a gender flipped version of King Arthur.

His blue eyes drunk in the sight of her in front of him and through her reflection. Through the window he saw her face-twisted in ecstasy as he railed her from behind. Her voice reverberated across the glass, putting its integrity to the test. Inhaling through his nose, the teen reeled his hips back, then slammed them forward with all his body weight.

"OOOOOOHHHH~!"

"IS THAT WHAT YOU WANTED, ARTORIA!" He yelled, driving his member as far up her backdoor as he could. Her ass welcomed the might impalement with a vice grip to rival her pussy.

"YES! BY GOD, YESSSS~!" Raw, pulsating heat behind her and ice-cold to the front of her squishing her face and chest. Before her lay a sea of beautiful, glistening lights. Artoria Alter smiled at the wondrous sight. Little more than an hour ago, she'd been flying above that sea of lights, spreading Christmas cheer over the world alongside Ritsuka. Now, he was spreading, or rather injecting, Christmas cheer into her. She wouldn't have traded it for anything. "RITSUKA~! I'M GOING TO CUM~!"

He didn't respond, not immediately. It took another three thrusts for him to do so. She shivered as he leaned in behind her, his hot, husky breath eating away the coldness of the window. "Me too, Artoria. I'm going to cum straight into your ass, just like you want, right?"

"Yes." She whispered back.

"Yes, what? Is that what you want for your Christmas present?"

"YES!" Her voice nearly shattered the glass, its durability reaching its limit.

"AAAAAAHHH!"

"OOOOOOOHHHHH~!"

Ritsuka came first, his penis unleashing another geyser of cum into her, but this time up her rectum instead of her pussy. Artoria Alter's legs quivered as her ass was filled with her boyfriend's masculine juices, and her own feminine nectar was expunged out the back. Their shared juices mixed and dripped down to the floor, a growing puddle of evidence of their ecstasy.

There was one last thunderclap outside, then a sudden and seemingly tender breeze swept across the city. It seemed almost like the calm after the storm, bringing with it a surreal sense of joy.

No longer was the window bearing superhuman pressure, just the weight of a woman and man, connected at the hip and the ass. Their heavy panted grew the icy cloud around the former's mouth. Slowly, the blonde lost strength in her legs and she felt herself on the verge of collapsing.

Despite the exhaustion from his orgasm, Ritsuka moved swiftly. He removed himself from her ass, not caring about the spilling of their juices; it was quickly amended as he rammed his cock into Artoria's pussy. A gasp shot from her upper lips while her lower ones greedily closed around the former adventurer's member. With its insertion, strength anew seemingly returned to her. She wrapped her legs and arms around his body, her eyes staring lovingly into his.

"Going for three?" She giggled.

"Yep, I did say you've been a good girl." He cheerily responded.

"And you've been a good boy, Ritsuka. So incredibly good." As they kissed, he began thrusting into her. Perhaps still recovering from their previous orgasm, he went slightly slower in his thrusts. It matched the kiss at least-soft and tender. "Ahhh~ Mmmmmhh~"

The gentle snowfall returned, even as the couple's final mating gradually moved away from the gentle end of the spectrum. Ritsuka's thrusts gradually gained in speed, much to Artoria Alter's delight. Her urge to participate was countered by the desire to simply let Ritsuka make lover to her. It took a fierce but loving kiss from her for her to decide to do her part as well. This was the continuation of his gift to her, and she wanted to gift him with the same tender feeling.

Instead of screams it was endless panting, mixed with the quieter but not less heated slapping of flesh against flesh. Names occasionally dropped as the couple never looked away from each other's eyes. Their lips repeatedly slammed into each other, tongues flicking against one another until they withdrew, but only briefly.

"Ritsuka," whispered the former Servant. A few tears slipped down her cheeks as she smiled at him.

"Me too, Artoria Alter." He affirmed. His right hand rose from her hip to brush away the blissful tears. "God…I love you so much."

"I know…and I feel the same way. Thanks to you, I know what that feels like, and I know how to give it in return. I never want to stop, Ritsuka, being loved by you and loving you." With as much control as she could muster, she tightened her hold on his body: his neck, his waist, and of course his cock. Its rapid speed halted as it was pulled back, then rocked forward like a spear thrust. Like a dragon's maw, she clapped down on it.

"AAAAAAAHHHH~!" The couple screamed in unison. Their final orgasm was a mutual one, each cumming in near perfect tandem with the other. Beneath them, the cum stain grew larger thanks to their second union against the window. It perfectly reflected their shared form, locked tight in a loving embrace, even long after their orgasm ended.

It seemed neither of them had the strength to move. Were it not for the reinforced window, they might have collapsed against the floor, a tangle of nakedness, cum, and limbs. Holding onto one another Ritsuka managed to drag them back to his bed. His incredibly messy bed that they promptly collapsed upon.

With that, the exhaustion of their Christmas run hit them in full force, as well as their intense, passionate round of fucking.

It was the perfect ingredient for a nice and pleasant slumber. Of course, they'd have to get themselves cleaned up before they went downstairs. That was something they knew perfectly well, but in this moment, the former Master and Servant were just happy to bask in the joy of their Christmas celebration.

"Undoubtedly…the best Christmas I've ever had. Better than all the ones at Chaldea." The pale-haired blonde murmured.

"Same here. I have to admit, it was a hell of a lot quieter, and more private." Ritsuka seconded.

Giggling, Artoria Alter turned over to face him, loving caressing his hand. "I think I prefer it like that. When it's just to two of us."

Grinning, Ritsuka planted a quick kiss on her lips. "Me too."

Several hours later, they did indeed awake to a snowy Christmas morning, as did the rest of Japan. It was a Christmas morning that the Fujimaru Family would never forget on account of several things.

One it was the first one spent with the next matriarch, an unexpected but welcome addition to the family.

Speaking of the two, no one expected Artoria Alter's "sisters" to show up at the front door, each bearing presents for the rest of the family.

It was a Christmas surprise that caught both her and Ritsuka off-guard. After the hugs and greetings, she turned to him, beaming with joy.

"I promise, I knew absolutely nothing about it." He said throwing his hands up.

"I know…but thank you anyway. Thank you…for showing me what love and family, what Christmas all truly mean." The storm-wielding woman said before launching herself into his arms, sprinkling his face with tender kisses as their two families met for the first time, and fused into one all around them.

Fin

---

Slight confession, I was originally going to post (and finish) this story last year, but with a snowstorm bearing down on I believe the east coast U.S., it seemed a little insensitive given the thematic focus. This year, no such thing, so I decided to go right on ahead.

I hope you all enjoyed this story, and I hope you've all had a Merry Christmas!