Past

XR was bringing a special gift he wanted to give to 42 as he keeps it close. It wasn't much but it was something he made himself for her as everyone was celebrating the holiday with gift exchanges. He was happy to celebrate it with her as their first Christmas together. He wondered if she would wear it but came up to the main hall to see everyone there. Just as he came up he saw her there with the other rangers. "42! I got you something!" He treads over to her and hands her a small box.

42 beams happily and opens it. "Why XR! I love it." She holds out a bracelet he made that had charms of star command and stars. "I'll treasure it everyday!"

XR smiles hearing her say that….

Now

It was truly becoming a Winter's Wonderland in the capital city and Valder town. XR was grinning excitedly because it will be the first Christmas to celebrate with his boyfriend and future daughter and father in-law but with him in hibernation, he knows very well how much he needs to give his mate more love especially with two buns on the way! He was pulled away thanks to missions but now that he's back he was excited to see his Lovely Nightmare!

He had a small early gift for Vanet but Vanet was in her new school since she has now two weeks of Winter's break. But he can have some one-on-one time with his lovely energy vampire today. "Oh Babe~! I'm-!?" He froze to see a giant beast in his lover's shop that had horns that were curved and twisted.

"Little Love!" the beast said hoarsely, turning to him. The beast shifted and changed to whom XR was relieved to see was Nos but the robe was loose on him.

"I know I said I love you in any form you take, and when we get a little experimental, but what's with the beastly look? Not that I'm judging cuz I'm kinda into it." XR was surprised and a bit stunned and already having thoughts but he was mostly curious why.

"There is a parade the town has every year that is called Krampus. For this year, I volunteered to be a Krampus, and Vanet has asked me since last year to be one." Nos added as he walked with his love inside to get dressed. "I was very excited and this way I can work in Tata's cafe with you." Nos takes off the robe and XR blushes to see Nos was bare like a newborn but grinned.

XR walks over and hugs him just as he puts the briefs on. "So, is there a miss's Krampus? I don't mind taking that title for you~." He grins.

"I do not know if he does…" Nos turned to him and had to think about it but realized what XR meant and blushed a bit. "Th-there might but Mrs. Krampus will have to wait since we have to pick up Vanet in an hour."

"Alright, gotta keep it pg but maybe tonight Krampus can join me in some private time~?" XR winks and kisses him sweetly and feels Nos kisses back only to deepen the kiss. How much he misses this and how much he yearns for his Nosy was something he doesn't want to lose. When they finally pulled away, and a quickie later, Nos came out blushing and slightly limping as XR was behind him and helping him out by grabbing his coat for him. "I almost forgot! How do you feel about gift hunting tomorrow? Since it's a little early, I was hoping we can get Vanet something and the little twins a gift together." He beams with hope and Nos nodded.

Getting to Vanet's new school wasn't too far and they figured they could also go see the Christmas trees decorated in the town's Square along the way. He was hoping to see how Vanet is doing in her new school since the incident in summer. He frowns at the memory of how space rangers' kids tried to hurt her when they learned she was Nos's daughter. It was even worse when they ganged up on her.

"Papa! DAD!" Vanet ran out to them and she hugged XR first, missing him. She was so sad when he was forced to go on a mission for a week but now he's here! "I miss you!"

"I miss you too! You know how dull it is when I don't get to see you or papa? 1000% sad!" He lifts her up and hugs her. He saw she was wearing the cloak but had a gold canary sewn in and smiled. It means a lot to him being in Vanet's life. "So how was school? Everything good? Need any back up?" He was worried now.

Vanet giggles and nods. "I made more friends from the Space Ranger's club. They were really nice and there's an art gallery competition at the capital city's art museum for chosen artists from each school!"

"Really?! Please tell me they picked you…?" XR asked and she nodded. He threw her up in the air and she giggled when he caught her. "Sparky I'm so proud of you! That means we gotta get you a dress!" He looks to Nos who was happy watching them.

"We do but I need to speak with the principal first about baking for the Christmas party for the children. I will be back." Nos walks into the office.

When Nos was far enough he needed to talk to her. "Alright kiddo, I didn't want to ask this around your papa cuz he knows I would, but I need you to help me on making a special ring for him." XR stated and saw she was excited.

"Really!?" she asked and he had to calm her. "Easy on the excitement. I know you already call me dad and your gramps calls me ginere, but I want to really propose to him on Christmas. I already got your gramps' blessing so we're good to go."

XR can't see a life without Nos especially after everything they have gone through. He wants to make it official with Nos and to show how serious he is for their relationship. He stops when Nos comes back and seems happy.

"Ready to see the tree decorated?" Nos asked, seeing his love and Vanet were excited. Both robots took a hand from Vanet and walked down to the path of the main square of Valder town to find the people were bringing ornaments they bought or made.

"Can we invite Aunty over for Christmas?"

"Definitely kiddo." XR ruffles her head. "I bet Bunicul is dreaming about all of us together. Anyone else you want to invite?" XR may not see eye to eye with 'Tina, but she was the most supportive of their relationship. That and it would make Nos happy. Just as the two were listening to Vanet day about school they saw the tree was big and huge and the townspeople were all around, bringing their ornaments they either bought or handmade.

XR was beaming in amazement until he faltered a bit when he thought of the last memory.

Last Christmas, after giving 42 the bracelet, he found it later on broken and left in the pile for incineration. He was deeply worried about this year, as much as he tried to make no comparison. 'Nos is no way is going to trash my gift to him. He is so much different!' He thought and dismissed the fear as he noticed they came to a stop to the cove to find people waiting. "Time to open up shop." He smiles, his fears were dissipating far back in his head.

In the Atu residence

XR lies back in his shared charger bed with his Nos who, as much as he likes his coffin, liked the bed just as much. They both couldn't keep their forms up so they reverted back to themselves but they didn't care. "I gotta say, the Cove was pretty busy." He yawns and holds onto Nos who hums in agreement. Today they ended up working till close to midnight with some of the lonely people that were having the blues.

Nos told him that Nosfer made it to keep their doors open for those that were sad or feeling alone during the holidays and had no place to feel safe. XR got the hint Nosfer did this after meeting Nos who not only didn't have a home to go to, but was practically alone in the world.

"So, would it be ok to share a connection to see how it was while I was gone?" He asked and saw that Nos had already opened the port by his neck. He pulls out his cord and connects it to him before seeing everything went during the week. He was falling asleep on him and felt Nos just the same as him. His last thought was hoping to have the perfect Christmas with his family.

In the bustling capital city where Christmas was erupting wild, the trio were walking down the street in search of perfect gifts.

"OK, so down the list, we got Tina-"

"Check. We got her a nice coat." Nos pointed in his pocket bag.

"Warp-" XR goes down.

"His favorite drink and newest blaster and a couple's set for him and Mira."

"Also check on that." XR checksmark it. "Booster-"

"-A new fitting set of gardening tools for his family." Nos replies.

"Buzz?" XR asked.

"A cologne and a new part for his cruiser."

XR hums. "Ryder?"

"A photo of all of us and a new trench coat."

"Alright." XR marks it and sees there is now just them. "That just leaves us." XR smiles and Nos hums. "Do you and Vanet want to get your gifts first?"

"I was thinking of you and Vanet first finding gifts together." Nos smiles. "It is Christmas and as her dad and co guardian, I want you to make many memorable memories with her. That way I can get my loving mate a special gift." He kissed his cheek and XR was steaming up. "D-definitely! Just don't wander too far-!"

WHACK!

Nos winces when XR hits into a sign and shakes away as he and Vanet go.

"We'll be back babe!"

Nos chuckles but smiles before heading to the Sal's shop and sees the owner smile.

"Mr. Nos! Good to see you! I have it ready!" Sal waves and brings the small box to Nos.

Nos opens to see it was the ring he and Vanet drew out. It was in a star-shaped yellow diamond and the band was made out of his part. He smiles and sees it written. "My one and only little love." "This is perfect." He smiles, he knows he wished to propose to XR with his tata there, but he wants to make their bond official! He wants to be XR's and make this special.

"I hope you and XR will have a wonderful first Christmas and many more to come." Sal smiles.

Nos closes it and places the ring in his inner pocket. "Thank you, I will show it to Vanet when XR's not around." He smiles and thinks about what to do as he waits.

Meanwhile,

XR was walking with Vanet as they were looking through a jewelry craft store. It was a grand store that had the latest stones and valuable diamonds in the galaxy.

"Dad, how come we're looking for raw diamonds here?" Vanet was amazed.

"Because I heard they have a few special diamonds in stock and it's pretty hard to find anywhere else. Hopefully this seller could give me a good deal but I want you to help me find the perfect diamond so we can ask Sal to make the ring."

Vanet perked in amazement but couldn't tell her dad papa has a ring for him. "Besides, this will be the best proposal ring-!" XR tenses to see 42 at the counter. "Oh great…" He groans and keeps Vanet close to him. "But it seems like we might have to wait."

"Because of the scary little robot?" Vanet asked and he nodded but soon she hid behind when 42 turned to their direction.

"XR!" 42 beams and goes to them.

XR however did not want to talk to her, 'Not after that incident.' "Vanet, how about we come back later?" He asked and Vanet nodded but it was too late. 42 grabs his hand and she forces him to stay.

"How are you! I missed you!" 42 smiles and XR pulls away. "Why are you here?" She looks around and XR glares knowing she was seeing if Nos wasn't around.

"I'm on Christmas shopping with Vanet, my daughter. You know, the one you tried to take away from me and Nos?" XR glares at her but can guess she ignored that.

"XR, I was not in the right mind but I'm happy you both are ok! I don't see that-"

"My papa is getting us a gifts, miss 42." Vanet answers, she didn't like her but she was not going to be mean like her. "Dad and I are here to buy a special gift-"

"Deary! You can call me Aunty! I want to be a good family to you!" 42 smiled but she saw the little girl hid away behind XR who kept his stance.

"Well it was nice to have a brief discussion, but we gotta go." XR and Vanet were ready to go when 42 halted him.

"I wanted to tell you I have a core now!" 42 blurted out but saw XR wasn't excited or happy.

"Good for you?" XR didn't want to be rude but at the same time he didn't want 42 to think he was interested.

"Don't you think that's good now?" 42 frowns. "XR, that stopped us from being together-"

"42, I don't want to have this talk with my daughter here." XR stops her. "But having a core now won't change anything, much less fix it. I love Nos and I'm really serious with him." XR stated and smiled at the thought of Nos. "I want to make this Christmas with him special and that's why Vanet and I are here."

"He won't appreciate you like I did! He won't choose you-"

"My papa loves dad." Vanet stood tall. "He wants to make him happy."

"I do love your papa so much." XR smiles. "And that's why we're here. 42, since you're determined to believe in delusional hope, I got news for you. I want to propose to Nos." XR said bluntly.

42 faltered. "What?"

"I came here to make a ring so stop bothering me." XR takes Vanet's hand and they walk past her. "Merry Christmas 42." He said as politely as possible but he could see she was still shocked.

XR and Vanet sighed a bit as they headed to the counter and the owner recognized XR and Vanet. "Hi, I was wondering if you guys got some recent stock on diamonds…?" He holds out a special card, Warp, so kind to give him.

The manager was going to say no when he recognized the card and opened the counter. "This way."

XR and Vanet go in, but 42 was shocked and enraged.

Nos was only 5 minutes away from his mate and daughter but he was in the camera store to see a new camera he knew Vanet would love and already bought it from both him and XR. 'She will love it.' He smiles and makes the purchase.

"I see the monster is out."

Nos keeps calm but recognizes who it is already. "Merry Christmas, 42." Nos was not going to let her ruin this for him. He will not have his time ruined and the two cores were still asleep in his chest.

42 crosses her arms. "I thought you would be spending time with him since it's the romantic month-"

"I thought Valentine's Day was the romantic month?" He asks and sees her throw daggers in his direction. 'As if I am scared.' "You should not be concerned over what XR is doing, he is Christmas shopping with our daughter. It will be her first Christmas with us together as a family-"

"I doubt he's enjoying the dormant life." 42 crosses her arms. "He wasn't when we were together-"

"I wonder why?" Nos cut her off and leaves with 42 following him out. He ignores the A.I but he can tell she was not stopping and feels the twin cores were slowly hungry now and he wanted to have a peace of mind while refueling. "Miss 42, I do not have time or patience for your banter or your unneeded advice on how to be in a romantic relationship with my mate-"

"How can he date someone who will feed off of him?!"

"Perhaps he had experience from you." Nos spoke and walked away but 42 was trying to catch up. "42 if you are determined to repeat about me stealing XR, I did not steal him."

"Well I cannot understand why he wants you, an ex con!" She raised her voice. She was still shocked to find XR not only was dating a monster, but the fact he was the Energy Vampire! He was using XR and she needed to stop him!

"Please do speak louder, I think Tangea could not hear you." Nos rolls his servos and stops. He turned to her and spoke calmly. "42, you had ruined your chance with XR and again I did not steal him from you."

"He won't propose to you!" 42 states and Nos crosses his arms. "Do you really think XR will stay long enough with you just because you both take care of a kid? She is just your excuse-!" She froze in place and shook but she internally expected this. 'I can expose him here!'

"You will not speak about our daughter that way. She is not a system objective." Nos growls and controls his anger and releases her. "I will be going now, if you keep tailing after me, I will report you to Star Command about your ill behavior." He leaves and goes to his mate and their daughter who were waiting for him.

Xr smiled but saw his lovely mate was looking annoyed and he had a pretty good guess. "Even number?" He didn't need to say her name.

"Even number." Nos answers. "Can we go to the cove soon?"

XR kisses his cheek and leads him and Vanet back to his car and ignores 42 who tried to scream for him.

Back at the Cove.

XR was helping Nos in the café, making the drinks and handing it to the waiters and waitresses to the patrons. Their daughter was drawing out the ring she thought was perfect for her dad's engagement ring to papa. He showed her different shapes and meaning and they agreed on the one on trillion cut. She and her dad found a red diamond that was perfect! She hums away as she tries to draw it out.

"Hey spark, I brought you lunch!" XR walks in and changes to his robotic self and treads to her. How's the design going?" He saw her show him the picture and he was amazed! "You're really good!" He developed a 3d model and showed her it and can tell she approved it. "It was a good thing we gave it to Sal to work on it so I'll send him an image of the ring. Good thing he got my old parts to use." He grins and sees that Vanet was quiet. "Everything ok?"

"I was thinking about what 42 said. She has a core. How come you and her didn't work?" She asked, being a bit curious since her papa had no relationship but her dad did.

He sat with her and tried to think what to say. "Well sparks, there was a lot of stuff going on between her and me but this was way before your papa came back into my life. You see…. Back when I dated her, she was just an A.I and a ship." He can tell that made Vanet confused. "Yeah it's hard to imagine it but honestly she was nice at first and then she was possessive. After she was given a body, we tried to make it work." He pauses and frowns a bit. "But I didn't think working with her was a problem."

"But you and papa work together. How was it different?" Vanet asked.

"Well for one thing, your papa never tried to make it a competition with me. Don't get me wrong, 42 is a great space ranger and she can have her moments of being a good guy. But she is too competitive and takes things too far. But what peeved her was the core." He took a moment to show her. "See sparks, when it comes to the unimind, it's like a Charles Darwin adaptation: it depends on the person's or in this case robot uptake. The reason I got it was because I needed to help adapt to the situation better." He pauses and bit. "42's a different story. She is more advanced as an A.I. meaning she was more compatible to a bigger system."

"Like the Norwa sharks." Vanet perked. "They are the top apex predator but don't need any more mutation to evolve."

"Sounds about right sparky. The unimind didn't reject her; her database rejected the core." XR crosses his arms. "You can imagine how angry she got but she directed it my way. She believed that I could move on to another person but I proved she didn't need a core to be with me…. But she blamed me a lot for it." He frowns. "And our relationship died out."

Vanet frowns and hesitates to ask. "... She blames papa for being close to you. And stealing you."

"Your papa didn't steal me- in fact, your papa was trying to be a good friend. I pursued after your papa and let's just say he had a hard time rejecting me." He smiles.

"Was it because of me?" She asked, remembering what other kids used to say in her old school.

"No way, Vanet! It's just because of our past upbringing. Your papa feels a lot of guilt for it but you are his light in his life and you to me are the sun in my system that I am proud to call my daughter. You are so unique and amazing that I tell everyone how lucky I am to have you as my daughter!" He smiles. "Your papa felt he didn't deserve this 2nd chance or anything he has now but you and me both know he does and he's amazing." He swoons a bit but clears his throat. "And the more reason to propose to him. I know he and I are technically married but I want to make it more official." He blushes a bit.

"I know papa will be excited." Vanet felt better before taking the bowl of bone marrow beef soup. "How will you propose to him?"

"Well I was thinking of taking him to see his dad but I don't want to wake up your gramps. Maybe on Christmas morning as a gift." He grins. "And I can finally surprise him!"

Vanet was amazed how he thought of the same idea as papa.

Christmas eve.

It was midday and XR and Vanet were watching the parade of all the festivities and they saw Santa and Krampus waving away. XR snickers knowing pretty well but he can tell his husband was having fun. "And there's your papa and…. Santa?!" XR was shocked to see his friend Santa was there and he could spot the real one a mile away.

"Dad?" Vanet asked.

"Just surprised to see an old friend." He smiled and guessed this was his small break. He held Vanet over his shoulders so she could see the parade and just as the parade ended, Krampus came around and growled at random kids. Most of the kids hid away but were given candy in the form of coal and some bells for being a bit brave. When he came to Vanet, XR was a bit worried Nos might have scared her but she giggled and Krampus offered her a bell for being brave. However Krampus kisses XR and hurries back to leave.

XR couldn't help but feel flustered a bit. 'He knows how to surprise me.' As soon as the parade ended, XR carried Vanet over to see Nos was his organic self and held the robe he wore as Krampus. "How was terrifying people?"

Nos kisses his cheek and nuzzles him. "Quite fun." Nos purrs and sees Vanet was excited.

"You were amazing!" Vanet smiles but perks when Nos places a wreath crown on her.

"They gave me the Christmas Crown but I believe you can wear it better." Nos smiles and sees Vanet beamed.

"So up to heading to the cove?" XR saw it was snowing again. "Better head in soon."

Nos nodded and XR carried Vanet as they hurried inside. Nos lets XR and Vanet in first and went in after and closes it. Just as he did, Nos starts the kitchen and saw it will be best to stay in for the night. "It seems we will be forced to stay in."

XR was startled when he hears their snowed in! 'The ring is back home!' He groans and felt this was not how his plan was going! He needed to plan something- he halted and held his other gift he had. It was a simple gift he made when he was on a mission. It was a gear from himself and he found this amazing cave full of gems and found a ruby that he picked out and he made it to a ring. He held the small gift and felt nervous. 'What if he hates it?' He shook it off and saw Nos looked a bit glum as did Vanet. He holds the ring and held it before making his way to them and sat with them.

"You know it'll be ok. On the plus side, can't get worse-" He stops when the lights and the power is out. "Forget what I said." He grumbles but sees the backup generator turned on. "Thank goodness."

"The downside, we cannot use too much electricity." Nos stated getting a sense of the power.

"We still got oil and batteries and we can always cook through the gas. Just till morning and we can keep Vanet warm with these." He brings out the orbs He keeps with him.

Nos was relieved but was still down. "I was hoping to give you something special."

"Well, so did I," XR pulls him for a hug. "I had this plan of proposing to you." Vanet perked as Nos perked up but sees XR holds out a small pouch. "Not exactly the ring Vanet and I had made, but I didn't think this was perfect but I still want to propose to you." He held Nos hand and intertwine with his. "Nos, I love you. You are the one that shaped me when I started out and after coming back into my life, you became my friend and I trust you more than anything." He smiles. "You build me up to better myself; make me strive for more and gave me love." He takes his hand and place the ring in. "I can't see my life without you and yeah we are technically married, but I want to hear you tell me your answer: will you marry me as not only Nosferatu Atu, but also Nos-4-a2?" He asked and felt nervous.

"Yes." Nos cups his face and kisses him. He purrs away and blushes as he takes out a special gear. "XR, I love you more than energy, I am happy you love me for me and I am fortunate that you are by my side when we became friends but I wanted more with you. How you made my life brighter the more you were in it. You have my core, my heart and I too cannot see myself without you. I do not want to belong to anyone but only to you. Will you be my mate and husband?" He kisses his finger and looks up to him.

XR blushes and grins. "I do." He pulls him to a hug and Vanet was giddy and so happy, she hugs them both and her fathers hugged her back. "I can't wait to see you both get married!" She couldn't wait for not only her baby siblings to come, but to see her fathers getting married.

This was truly the best gift ever.

When morning came, both XR and Nos woke up to check on the weather only to find all their gifts in the café.

"Sparky, gotta wake up to see this!" XR nudged her awake and Vanet perked at the sight of their Christmas tree and their gifts. "Guess Santa gave us Christmas here-!" He perked to see a burgundy velvet box next to him and Nos had his purple box next to him. He sees Nos hold his gift but whispers to wait and let Vanet have their attention to open her presents.

"Merry Christmas papa and dad!" Vanet holds out two gifts for them. XR thanked her and Nos the same and waited to see her open her gift she chose. She opened her gift first and Nos and XR after to see it was a picture frame of them together with Nosfer. XR was amazed and saw there were a few words written.

"'I cherish my family.' Vanet, this is beautiful!" XR smiles but sees Nos crying, more emotional thanks to the twins. He hugs his fiancee and sees Vanet hug the camera Nos got her and a moth plush he knew Vanet would love.

"Thank you!" Vanet hugs them both. She was happy that she got the best gift already. She hoped her parents were watching and knowing she is safe and happy.

"Hey Nos! There's a gift for us from…. Helsings?!" XR was flabbergasted and showed Nos.

Nos hesitated but stood up to keep a safe distance and opened it.

"Is it something bad? Good?" XR keeps Vanet behind.

Nos raises a brow. "A note and two rings."

"That's it?!" XR raises a brow.

"'Dear Nos-4-a2 and XR,

Thank you for protecting Vanet, as you know, DRAC wants her and the last remaining Helsings gone. We won't ask her back, yet, but we ask you to keep raising her. These rings are to show you we trust you to protect her and will keep you under the protection of Helsings. We will meet in time.

-Michael Van helsing,

Brother to Gabriel van Helsing.'"

Nos was shocked. "Vanet's uncle."

XR was shocked to hear this and Vanet was quiet.

Truly is a Christmas surprise