Weiss Kreuz Fan Fiction ❯ Christmas Gifts ❯ One-Shot

Here's that Christmas fic I promised. It's been half finished in my notebook for a bit over a year. I finally finished it so here it is. This is for everyone on the YxA mailing list and for my beta, Ka-chan. She looked that this one a bit funny and now has ammo to use against me when we go shopping. Enjoy! And, Merry `belated' Christmas.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with Weiss Kreuz.

Notes: Not set in any particular timeline.

=

"Jingle bells! Jingle Be-"

"Damnit Omi, turn that shit off!" Yohji yelled, covering his ears with his hands. The chibi had been blaring Christmas music through the speaker system of the Koneko all day. Omi was even singing or humming along to most of the music.

"You don't have to be such a jerk, Yotan. You'll ruin Christmas for all of us." Omi hit the power button on the cd player and huffed at the older blond. "Finish closing the shop, I have some things to do before Aya-chan comes tomorrow." He hurried up the stairs, leaving Yohji alone.

"Damn cheery little chibi..." Yohji mumbled as he grabbed a broom and began to sweep. "Mom isn't coming this year, Omi and Ken are smug as hell, and Ran's a human popsicle. I hate Christmas."

Yohji finished sweeping then tended to the cash register and a few plants before finally closing the Koneko. "I would rather have worked all evening than deal with Ken and Omi on Christmas Eve." He wandered upstairs, making a mental note to go out for an alcohol run later.

=

The pot of lukewarm water was emptied into the sink and the container rinsed out before being placed back onto the stove. Ran picked up his cup and cleaned it before putting it in its place in a cupboard. Behind him, Ken shuffled in and grabbed a sports drink from the fridge.

"Do you think you could do something about Yohji?" The soccer player had run into a grumpy blond as Yohji was stomping up from the Koneko. Then, Omi had proceeded to complain Ken's ear off about their older teammate. Omi had left him alone when he hurried upstairs to finish wrapping presents.

Violet eyes fixed on the brunet. "Not. My. Problem." He turned to begin putting the dishes away that he had washed earlier that day.

"What do you mean it's not your problem? He's your boyfriend. Can't you just have sex with him or something?" That earned Ken a death glare. "Ok. Ok, just at least stop ignoring the guy. It sure as hell isn't helping him." With that, Ken carried his drink out of the kitchen, heading for his and Omi's room.

Yohji had driven Ran insane a few days ago. The blond had run to every airport trying to find tickets to get to America. When Ran had suggested he just be happy he wasn't alone, Yohji had snapped at him. A few choice insults were thrown at the redhead, causing Ran to ignore the blond for the past few days.

Ran continued to put away the dishes, debating mentally whether or not to forgive Yohji in time for Christmas Eve.

=

Yohji shrugged on his winter jacket and shoved his keys into his pocket. He pulled his gloves from the pocket of his coat and slipped them on. Like hell he was staying here for Christmas or Christmas Eve if he didn't have any alcohol or cigarettes.

He headed towards the kitchen, planning on avoiding people by taking the back door out. The blond halted in the doorway, surprised to see the redhead moving about, putting away dishes. Yohji had thought that Ran was in his room. When he had passed the door to the redhead's room, it had been shut like as if it was occupied.

Verdant optics shifted over the lithe swordsman as the pale man moved around the kitchen. Yohji could stay for hours and just watch the redhead move. The man moved like a cat, all grace and fluid motion. His gaze skimmed over the other man's backside. Ran had discarded his habitual orange sweater for a grey long-sleeved t-shirt that did little to hide his fit body. The pants were a pair of old jeans that fit the swordsman snuggly. Ran had been doing this for the past few days, dressing to be noticed. Yohji knew it was part of his punishment and it was driving him crazy that he couldn't run his hands all over his lover's exquisite body. He had brought this on himself. Yohji sighed.

Across the room, Ran stiffened at the sound. He hesitated before putting the last coffee cup away. "Omi, go get Ken to help you decorate," he spoke coldly before turning to find Yohji standing in the doorway.

Green met violet as neither of them moved for several moments. Ran could feel the tension filling the room, the kind of tension that either got one of them injured or both of them laid.

Yohji broke eye contact first as his gaze turned toward the tiled floor. "I'm going to the store. There anything you need?" Things like that had been the extent of conversation between them lately. Nothing more than polite exchanges unless they could help it. If they tried anything more, things usually erupted into a fight. Yohji didn't need that tonight. He was already feeling like shit without Ran throwing something in his face.

Ran shook his head, his gaze moving over Yohji's head to a bit of green. Mistletoe. Omi had littered the house with the plant, probably hoping that he could seize every possible opportunity to kiss his athletic boyfriend.

The lanky blond moved to step forward and head for the door but found his way blocked. Ran stretched up and pressed his lips against Yohji's. He didn't respond right away, shocked by the redhead's actions. Wasn't Ran still mad at him?

Pale hands slid into honey-gold locks as the kiss continued. Yohji finally responded and wrapped his arms around the redhead, pulling him close. When Ran asked Yohji to part his lips, the taller man didn't hesitate. They held the kiss as long as they could, tongues waging a war that neither of them wanted to win.

They broke the kiss and stood quietly panting in each other's arms. It took Yohji a few tries before he could speak, unsure of what to say and his voice eluding him. "What was that for, love? I thought you were mad at me?" He let his arms stay around Ran's waist, enjoying the fact that he was allowed to hold his lover again.

Ran motioned upwards to the green leaves that hung at the top of the doorway. The hand returned to being tangled in Yohji's hair.

"Damn that chibi," Yohji mumbled as he chuckled. It took a stupid Christmas tradition to warm the redhead back up. He slid his arms back, laying his palms flat against Ran's sides and made a move to step back and away from Ran. He was still planning on going out for cigarettes and beer, already assuming that Ran's good mood wouldn't last long.

The swordsman tightened his arms around Yohji's neck, moving with the blond. Ran had other plans that didn't involve Yohji leaving the house. "Upstairs."

Yohji blinked at Ran. "So I'm forgiven?" Ran narrowed his eyes and pulled his arms from around Yohji's neck. Yohji turned to watch Ran head for the stairs, feeling that he was being tossed back to his own devices once again.

Halfway up the stairs, Ran turned back to give Yohji a `why the hell aren't you following, you stupid prick' look. "Are you coming?" he asked, just a little impatient. He turned to start back up the stairs when Yohji hurried across the room to follow.

"Glad to see you aren't getting rid of me, kitten." The `kitten' comment earned Yohji a glare directed at him over Ran's shoulder. Yohji gave a small smile and hurried up the stairs after him. What could he do? The man had just basically asked him for sex. Or was planning to kill him. Yohji overlooked that little option before.

Reaching the second floor, Ran walked towards his own room. He was just passing the older blond's room when a warm body pressed against him, pinning him to the wall across from the door. A talented mouth attacked his neck, Yohji using all of his considerable skill to get the redhead to melt in his arms. Ran closed his eyes and tilted his head back.

Yohji rocked his pelvis forward against Ran's as his hands roamed upwards underneath the gray shirt. Teeth raked gently over the redhead's sensitive neck, before tongue and lips soothed the reddening flesh.

Ran gave a low sound as he numbly shifted a hand into wavy blond locks. He tugged, dragging Yohji's mouth away from his neck to be crushed against his lips. Lips and tongues battled, tasting what both assassins had been denied for the past several days. Ran didn't think it was possible to miss the feel of someone's body as much as he realized he had missed Yohji's. His free hand slid down Yohji's slender backside. He hastily pulled their lower bodies together, letting Yohji settle a leg between his own.

A door opened down the hall that neither of the already engaged men noticed. Their worlds had narrowed down to each other and the sensations that they were inflicting upon each other.

Ken rolled his eyes in annoyance at the display. Beside him, Omi just blinked at the display in front of him. "Well, I'm glad you two have made up but you could have made it to the bedroom before you started in on each other." The brunet was trying his best glare on them, irritated at finding them molesting each other in the hallway.

"Yohji..." The redhead fought off a moan as he tugged the blond's face back from his neck again. "Yohji," he said more firmly. He tugged back on the honey colored locks as Yohji tried to reach for his lips again.

"What now, Ran?" he asked, breathless and annoyed. Violet eyes drifted to Ken and green soon followed the gaze. "Oops..."

Ken was still trying to glare at them and falling extremely low on the menace scale. "Get a room, Kudoh. A few feet from your damn door and you can't even make it."

"If you had someone as hot as Ran here sticking his hands down your pants you wouldn't make it to your room either." He smiled at Ken. "As impatient as you are, I don't think you would have made it upstairs."

Omi snickered and when Ken elbowed him, he burst into giggles. "Yohji-kun is right."

Ken glared at the Omi and cast one last glance at his teammates before dragging his younger lover back into his bedroom.

Ran pressed his face into Yohji's neck, hiding a smile. "Ken would do anything Omi told him to do."

Yohji pulled the redhead back towards the door to his room. "I would do anything for you."

The smile broadened slightly as he reached for the door knob. Once inside the room, Ran kicked the door shut. The pair made it across the room, losing as little contact as they could before tumbling onto the bed together.

=

"Ran, Ran, Ran, Ran," the blond moaned over and over.

"Shut up, Kudoh," Ran growled. He returned his mouth to the blond's neck, doing his best to leave a mark on the tanned skin. "How the hell do you keep a tan in the middle of the winter?" he murmured against the red mark.

"Can't help it. I tan easily." He wasn't about to tell Ran that he had a tanning session every so often. Yohji pulled Ran's sweater off over his head and cast it to the side.

"Liar," the redhead gasped. He gripped Yohji's shoulders as the blond rolled him to the mattress.

Yohji chuckled into Ran's chest, little breaths of air ghosting over pale skin. "Don't suppose you could tell me how you stay so fucking beautiful?" He ran tongue and lips over Ran's sternum.

A smile appeared on Ran's face. "It's a gift."

"So's this." That blond slipped his hand beneath the waistband of Ran's jeans and wrapped his fingers around the redhead's half hard length.

"Mmm... yes." He pressed his hips up into Yohji's embrace. Ran squirmed for a moment before he made it halfway out of his jeans. Yohji helped him kick off the confining denim to leave his lower body devoid of any clothing. He hadn't bothered with underwear this morning, not wanting to wash any or go through his drawer in Yohji's room for a clean pair when the blond had been sleeping. Threading his fingers through Yohji's hair, Ran let himself leisurely rock up into Yohji's hand. They didn't have to hurry, they had all night.

Yohji kissed Ran's shoulder as he continued to stroke the redhead's swelling arousal. He watched the man arch and writhe in the face of the stimulus he provided. It was intoxicating, watching sleek muscle bunch and glide beneath pale skin. The blond shifted so that he was on his knees beside the redhead and fumbled at the clasp to his jeans with one hand. He continued to stroke Ran as he freed his own erection and began to stroke it in time to the motions he was making over Ran's arousal.

The redhead panted, biting his lip to try to stifle the low moan that escaped him anyway. His hands shifted to twisting in the expensive sheets Yohji always insisted upon. "Yohji.." He tried for the blond's attention. "I want... you." He focused his gaze on his lover, watching the blond through half open eyelids as he waited for Yohji to take to the meaning of those words.

Motion over his own erection and Ran's ceased as Yohji took a moment to study the redhead sprawled beside him. He was fine with getting them both off this way for now- they did have the rest of the night to play as they saw fit, but Ran obviously had other ideas. "Hmm? What, love?" Releasing himself, he balanced himself over his lover, every so often pumping the redhead's erection.

"Want... mph.. you. Here." At the last word, Ran parted his thighs, pulling his knees up to expose himself to the slightly chilly air. He took a deep breath, letting it slowly leave his lungs to try to bring himself back to his senses.

"As you wish," Yohji purred as he slid his hand once more down the redhead's erection. Long fingers tickled fiery red curls before finally curling around and cupping the redhead's balls. He pressed his lips to Ran's bare chest, nipping at a rosy nipple before trailing kisses over Ran's toned abs. "In the drawer."

Concentrating on the fingers that gently kneaded and cupped his balls, Ran barely heard the request his lover made. He uncurled one of his hands from the sheets and stretched it out to the night stand. Not quite reaching, he twisted to pull the drawer open and in turn caused Yohji to squeeze the base of his erection. He cried out, arching with one hand tangled in the sheets and the other half inside the drawer. Ran was panting as he returned to fumbling for the tube they kept in the nightstand, tossing a pack of cigarettes and a few other things out of the drawer to before finding what he was searching for.

Yohji pressed his lips lovingly to the side of Ran's shaft, kissing the throbbing flesh. His attentions trailed down the length, pushing the redhead's thighs apart a little more so he could kiss the tender flesh on the inside of pale thighs. He felt the chill tube being placed next to his other hand, the one that had been holding him up as he smoothed the other over one of Ran's knees.

"You're still dressed," Ran's hoarse voice protested to the fact that Yohji was still wearing his shirt and pants, even though his jeans and underwear were around his knees. He heard a low, quiet chuckle and felt the pressure of another body leave the bed. It returned quickly as Yohji settled back between his thighs.

"Better?" The blond was now completely naked, his skin a vivid contrast to Ran's in the low light.

The redhead nodded and pulled Yohji up for a searing kiss, like he was trying to devour the blond. He let his hands roam all over now exposed tan skin. Ran loved every inch of Yohji's body and he came back to the realization that he had missed this. Missed just running his fingers over familiar scars and shapes. The kiss broke when Yohji sat back.

The blond reached for the tube, uncapping it even as he pressed the redhead's legs back open. Yohji squeezed a good amount onto his fingers. Green eyes flicked up to Ran's face, asking for permission that he no longer needed anymore. They belonged to each other by this point in their relationship and it had only been early on in it that Ran had ever denied Yohji this pleasure. Violet eyes drifted shut and Ran nodded. Yohji's fingers were already gliding over sensitive skin. He took a moment to skim his fingers over the inside of Ran's thighs before swirling around his entrance.

"Damnit, just do it," the redhead mumbled. Impatient as ever. It wasn't one of his strong points, patience. He always wanted things now. With Yohji, he usually got whatever he asked for. Gasping at the familiar mixture of being uncomfortable and the slight amount of pleasure from anticipation, Ran's plea was answered.

Long fingers pressed slowly inside of the pale man. They carefully turned, spreading a decent amount of lubricant around before pressing further inward. Yohji took his time, making sure his lover was sufficiently prepared for what was to come. His gaze moved between watching the redhead's face and the fascinating point where his fingers disappeared into Ran's body. Yohji twisted his fingers, causing Ran to cry out.

Sparks danced behind Ran's eyes as his body came alive with overwhelming sensations. Yohji was causing them and he was the only person Ran wanted to awaken these feelings within him. Reaching out, he caught hold of one of Yohji's arms and twisted the other hand into the sheets beside him. "Gods... Yohji..." he rasped.

A small smile stretched over the blond's features, knowing he was the one to cause the ice to melt. He twisted his fingers again, just to watch the redhead writhe beneath him before he finally finished preparing the panting man. Yohji withdrew his fingers and wiped them on the bed sheets. He adjusted Ran's knees to his shoulders.

Ran made a small sound as the fingers left him but he knew Yohji wouldn't keep him waiting. The blond man had little control when it came to him and Ran knew it. He allowed Yohji to move his legs to his shoulders and let the blond press them back towards his chest as Yohji leaned forward. Ran let himself relax as he felt something thicker than two fingers press against the entrance to his body.

Yohji pressed his mouth against Ran's as he slowly entered the redhead's warm body. Although he had taken the time to prepare his lover, Ran was still incredibly tight. Green eyes squeezed shut even as white teeth tightened their hold on his lower lip. It was fucking bliss and he wasn't even fully sheathed within Ran yet. "Gods..."

The redhead twisted, pain lingering for a moment as his body tightened to expel the foreign intruder. Ran forced himself to relax. He rolled his hips back, arching his body to take more of Yohji's length inside of him. "Yohji..."

With a final smooth thrust, Yohji's erection was finally fully sheathed within his lover. He opened his eyes as flesh met flesh to see Ran twist beneath him. Panting, trying to take in air that just wasn't settling his nerves. They were on fire with pleasure.

The final hesitation finally did Ran in. He let his legs fall from Yohji's shoulders to wrap around his waist. He held the blond to him for a moment then twisted his hips. He felt a shudder shift through Yohji. "Move, damnit, move!" he growled, the order made rough by the hoarse voice.

Yohji braced himself over Ran, pulling out a fraction then sliding back in. He studied the reaction on the redhead's features, bliss, pleasure, even as the same sensations rippled up his spine. He set a slow pace then, sliding almost all the way out of his lover before pressing slowly back in. He hesitated once, knowing full well that the slow torture he was inflicting on them both wasn't going to make either of them last longer.

Mouth open, soft panting breaths filling his lungs for a few moments before Yohji thrust slowly back into Ran and grazed that sweet spot inside of him, sending the air rushing from his lungs. At the hesitation, the blond barely filling him, Ran squeezed his legs around Yohji's lithe frame, urging his lover back into him.

The pressure on his back urged Yohji to continue with their coupling. He shifted himself on the bed, finding a better angle at which to thrust into his lover. Green eyes glittered as they took in the sight of the lover he had been denied just the day before. "Beautiful," he whispered as his hips flexed, driving his aching erection in and out of the body he found so pleasing to the eye.

Ran gasped and writhed at the onslaught of pleasure that flew through him every time Yohji was fully inside him, stroking his prostate. He felt his body tighten further in response. One of Yohji's hands slipped between them, grasping Ran's neglected erection in a firm grip and stroking it.

Yohji continued to move, a tingling sensation building through his blood, flowing with each beat of his heart. Every thrust was taking him closer and closer to the edge of oblivion, of bliss. He wanted Ran to be there when he finally reached that point. His hand worked skillfully over the redhead's arousal even as he increased the flex of his hips to a frantic pace.

Finally having enough, his body arched off the bed and reached an intense point of tension before finally releasing into bliss. Ran's whole body pulsed with the force of the orgasm as his seed spilled out of him, flowing down over Yohji's hand.

The almost painful tightening of Ran's body around his sent Yohji over the edge as well, emptying himself deep inside his pale lover. Pleasure moved like molten heat through his body in a wave as his orgasm caught him almost off guard. His hips rocked forward a few last times as he spent himself. Yohji let himself drape over Ran, closing his eyes and pressing his forehead against the redhead's.

Ran fought for his breath for a few minutes, content with just the press of their bodies for the time being. He searched for a word, wanting something to describe how he felt to Yohji. "Intense," he murmured.

"Hmm?" Yohji pushed himself back up and stared down at the thoroughly fucked redhead. It took him a moment but he nodded in an agreement to the word.

Violet eyes drifted shut for a moment and Ran sighed. He slid a hand into Yohji's hair and tugged the blonde down for a slow, sated kiss. The sensuous glide of tongues brought an intensity back as need flared white hot to the foreground, again. Ran squirmed a bit as he felt Yohji hardening again, this time, inside of him.

Yohji pulled back from the kiss and gave the redhead a leer. "How about this time you're on top?"

Ran smiled and eagerly pressed his lips back against Yohji's in agreement.

=

Yohji's body was warm and comfortable, Ran decided. He shifted slightly, cuddling closer and moving his head to the blond's shoulder. It was Christmas day but he had no idea what time it was. Yohji's shirt from yesterday had ended up covering the ruby red numbers. Ran wasn't about to move from his comfortable position to check the time.

Last night had been completely mind blowing for Ran. He and Yohji had spent the night making love over and over. They weren't apart for all that long either, maybe a week, but it had been long enough for Ran. He wasn't sure if he wanted to admit that he had depended on being with Yohji that much.

A knock of the door had Ran's attention almost immediately. It opened a bit and Omi stuck his head in, his eyes closed. "Ran-kun? Yohji-kun?"

"It's ok, Omi. Yohji's still asleep."

The blond boy opened his eye and smiled. "Aya-chan's here. Do you think you could come down soon?"

Ran pushed himself up a small amount, careful not to disturb Yohji just yet. "What time is it?"

"11:30."

Damn. They had slept most of Christmas away. "We'll be down soon Omi." He waited for his teammate to leave before turning his attention to his lover.

Yohji always looked so peaceful and unguarded when he slept. The blond even said the same of him on an occasion or two. Ran didn't particularly want to wake Yohji up but they should at least go and greet Aya-chan.

Ran sat up and moved to his knees. He tossed the comforter and sheets off of Yohji, taking a moment to drink in his lean, naked form. The blond shifted in his sleep then but didn't wake. A smirk curved across pale features as he moved to straddle the blond's hips. Leaning down, he brushed his lips to Yohji's collarbone. He slid lips and tongue over warm flesh, pausing to nip gently at the bruise he had made on Yohji's neck last night.

The blond twisted, arching his back to bare his neck in an unconscious plea for Ran's touch.

Ran nipped lightly at Yohji's neck and instead of pressing his attentions there, he laid his mouth against the blond's.

Green eyes blinked sleepily even as he kissed his pale lover back. It was so much more pleasant to wake up to someone than to wake up alone, Yohji decided. He missed having the beautiful redhead beside him every morning. "Mmmm..."

Ran sat back, smiling down at Yohji. "Merry Christmas," he murmured, his lips inches away from Yohji's.

A smile appeared on Yohji's face, mirroring the one on his lover's face. He lifted his head and shared a gentle kiss with Ran. "Morning."

Giving Yohji one last quick kiss, Ran sat up and climbed off his lover. He stood, ignoring the fact that he was still completely naked and walked towards the dresser. There was a subtle anomaly in the way he moved. Part of the liquid grace that always accompanied the redhead's movement was stiff- stiff and just a little sore because of last night. "Aya-chan's here. I told Omi we would be down soon so go get a shower."

Yohji gave a slight groan and rubbed his eyes. He sat up and cast a look of longing at the redhead's pale backside. "Can't we-"

"No. Go get in the shower." Ran began pulling out his clothes.

The blond climbed out of bed and strode over to slip his arms around Ran's waist. "Come with me."

Ran snorted. "If we get a shower together, we'll never make it downstairs today."

"Mmm.. whole point." He began kissing his way across Ran's bare shoulders as one of his hands drifted downwards.

Catching the sneaky hand, he twined his fingers together with Yohji's. "I'll make a deal with you. If you go downstairs, see my sister, and open gifts, I'll get a shower with you. A short one."

"Doesn't sound like you are offering me much."

Ran smiled. "If you decide to try to avoid all of this, I'll kick your ass and you'll be sleeping alone for all of January." He turned in Yohji's arms. "Deal?"

"Damn." Yohji tightened his hold around Ran's waist. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"Of course not." Ran slipped out of Yohji's arms as he gave the taller man a poke in the ribs. He grabbed his jeans off the floor, making sure to give the blond a nice view as he bent down.

Yohji snatched his pants and pulled them on quickly to follow his lover to the bathroom. He didn't think he could take being ignored again by Ran after last night.

=

"Ran-nii!" Aya-chan looked up from her cup of tea to see her brother coming down the stairs. He appeared happy to her even though Yohji was right behind him, his arms around the redhead's waist. It was causing them both a little trouble in making it down the stairs without stumbling.

"Aya-chan." Ran smiled, brushing Yohji's arms away from his waist. He cast the blond a look then walked across the living room to hug his sister.

"Merry Christmas, Ran." Aya hugged her brother tightly for a moment before letting him go to smile brightly at him and Yohji. Her dark eyes shifted to the taller blond. "Merry Christmas, Yohji." She stepped past her brother to give Yohji a brief hug. "You can have him back later," she whispered.

Ran shook his head at his sister and accepted the cup of tea Omi brought him. He dropped to the couch. Aya-chan sat next to him and Yohji wandered into the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Ran watched him go before he turned to his sister. "Did you get it?" Aya-chan smiled and nodded. Ran took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," he whispered as Yohji returned.

All the furniture occupied, Yohji dropped down to the floor at Ran's feet, his back against the couch and his side pressed against Ran's calf. "Well, the quicker this is over, the quicker all of you don't have to put up with me."

"Yohji-kun!" Omi scolded from the armchair.

Ken shook his head. "I'm assuming that you are feeling better but still not good enough."

"Damn ri- ow! Ran..." Yohji jumped and nearly spilled his coffee. He rubbed his shoulder and glared up at his lover.

"Watch your mouth and quit being such an ass."

"Ran-"

"Kudoh." The name had a final tone to it. He gave Yohji a glare, waiting for the blond to challenge him.

"Hey, why don't we open gifts?" Aya gave her brother a look before sliding off the couch to reach for one of the boxes under a small tree she and Omi had set up earlier that week.

Ran nodded and Aya handed him a box.

Yohji sipped his coffee, watching his lover's sister as she passed out gifts. He soon found a box being held in front of him. Blinking, he took it. "Thank you." It was from Aya.

"Alright, open them." Aya grinned as she turned around, sitting cross-legged on the floor to watch `her boys'. She saw Ran about to protest and waved him off. "Open it."

They opened their gifts, clothes, before Aya passed out the rest of the labeled gifts. She handed the last one, unlabeled to her brother. Their gazes met for a moment and Ran offered her a small smile.

Omi gathered up the paper from the floor, shoving it in a bag to get rid of it after all of them had opened the gifts they had given to each other. Ken and Aya had retreated to the kitchen to munch on the cookies she had brought with her. Omi soon wandered out to join them, leaving Yohji and Ran alone.

"You like them?" Yohji asked, tilting his face up to the redhead. Ran sat cross-legged on couch with a book open, three others sitting next to him. He climbed up to the couch to sit next to Ran.

The redhead looked over to the blond and smiled. "Yes. I've been looking for these." Yohji had managed to get a hold several rare books that Aya had been missing. He'd just wanted to read them but owning them was even better. Smiling, he leaned over to press his lips against Yohji's. "Thank you." He sat back and reached for the unmarked package. It was flat and in the shape of a large gift certificate box. "Here." He held it out to Yohji.

The blond took the box with a puzzled look. "But you already got me a gift.." He fingered the cross around his neck. It was perfect, just like the one he had lost on a mission some time ago.

"Just open it." Ran set his books aside and turned to sit facing his lover.

Green eyes shifted over a carefully blank face before he turned his attention to the box. He untied the ribbon and slid it off before pulling the lid off. "Oh, Ran..." He smiled and pulled his lover into a hug. "Thank you, thank you..."

The sat back and Ran watched as Yohji pulled the two plane tickets out. At the puzzled look he was given, he placed a hand on Yohji's knee. "You kept telling me you wanted her to meet me but if you don't want me to go along, I can-"

"No, no. I want you to go with me." He slid the tickets back into the box. "How did you get them? I tried everything I could to try to get tickets there."

Ran shrugged. "I owe Manx some favors now, but she and Birman managed to get them so it's worth it."

Yohji eyed his lover suspiciously. "What do you owe her?"

"Nothing that you wouldn't give for me."

"Fair enough." He looked down at the box. "Really, thank you. I didn't think I'd get to see her this year." They didn't get to see each other every Christmas. It was better if he didn't see his mom every year considering the line of work he was in but this year would have been perfect. Kritkir had them off for the time being and she could have come and stayed with him instead of in some hotel. Then she couldn't come. One of her friends had become very ill and she needed to stay home to take care of her. He had tried everything to get there but the flights to the States were booked solid on such short notice.

Yohji reached out and pulled Ran into his lap. "Merry Christmas, Ran."

Ran leaned forward. "Merry Christmas, Yohji." He relaxed into the blond's welcoming arms for a passionate kiss. Finally, it felt like Christmas to him.