{Name} found him under his bed the next morning: a sign that he was sulking and that he didn't want to be disturbed. The world was dead to him. From the look of things, {Name} couldn't help but feel like the day isn't going to start out well as she had hoped for it to be. She knew what to expect for the next challenge, but she couldn't help but try to see the positive side of it and hope to God that things will take a different turn. Obviously, she wasn't praying hard enough.

{Name} exhaled a heavy sigh before entering his room quietly, looming over the foot of his bed before reaching down to drag his body out from his hiding. Furious golden eyes are met with bored [colour] ones. {Name} couldn't help but break out into a cheeky grin when his sulking pout came to view. "Good morning〜!" She singsonged cheerfully; her eyes smiling in sync to the grin on her lips.

Vanitas glowered in response to her cheery demeanour. "Can't you see that I don't want to be disturbed?" He retorted irritably, folding his arms to show how irritated he was.

"I can see that you're just in your underwear again." {Name} remarked, eyeing the baby Chocobo's printed on the grey material.

"Good to know you have eyes." Vanitas retaliated; a mocking smile curved his lips for a fleeting second before it returned into an irritated scowl. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to my hole as the world quickly dies around me."

As he had promised, Vanitas crawled backwards to hide under his bed. {Name} rolled her eyes at his hissy fit. Drama Queen: the words dancing in her mind as she crouched to the ground to have a better look at the boy.

"Come on, Van, we have to do this challenge." {Name} pleaded, like when a child pleads for their friend to cheer up. She took a hold of the ends of his boxers with her forefinger, curling it tightly as she tugged at it. "It's just dinner at Aqua's..."

"Ha!" He cried; taking {Name} by surprise. "I'd rather sing Christmas carols for a week than go have dinner at hers."

You would think those words were not threatening enough or insulting, but since this was coming from Vanitas ーthe Grinch of Christmasー it was serious just as it is insulting.

{Name} frowned in curiosity. "What's that supposed to mean?" She asked, slightly snappy with her tone. "Her parents are lovely people."

"No comment." Vanitas robotically said, looking up to the ceiling ーwell, looking up to his mattress and the wood that's holding it in place.

No comment? {Name} repeated in her mind, deciding to crawl under to lie beside him. She was taken by surprise when the boy scooted over to make room for her, allowing her to get comfortable with her back to the floor whilst her head is cocked to look at him.

"How can you say that when you haven't even met them?" {Name} asked, persistently pressing further.

"No comment." He repeated robotically once more.

"Vanitas!"

He finally turns his head to look at her as he growled in defeat. "Oh come on, {Name}." He groaned in annoyance. "It's obvious that anyone who is related to a girl like Aqua has got to be out-of-the-loop. I can imagine her parents."

{Name} rolled to her side, sending Vanitas a warning glare. "What do you mean 'anyone who is related to a girl like Aqua'?" She repeated in question.

Vanitas gave her a look as if it were obvious. {Name} returned a pressing look, not getting the point he was trying to make. It made the boy sigh in disbelief.

"This is pointless." He mumbled to himself, as he turned his face to look up at the mattress with eyes closed. He rubbed the tiredness out of his eyes, hoping not only does he wipe away the sand but that this day would go away with it.

"Well since I'm related to a girl like Aqua, what does that make me?" {Name} annoyingly pestered, giving the boy a bigger headache than the event happening today would have.

He cocks his head towards her. "An annoying, persistent flea, who doesn't know when to get off my back," Vanitas snapped without hesitation or a second thought as he bluntly replied.

There was a tensed pause and a dark tension in the air. Vanitas shivered unknowingly. He should probably put on a shirt. "So I'm a flea, am I?" {Name} asked; a dangerous tone evident in her question.

Vanitas suddenly realised his mistake. Crap...

🎎

He let out a very long...and deep sigh as he was faced with a familiar mahogany door. {Name} rang the doorbell and not even a second pass were they met with ーnot Aqua一 but Terra's face as he opened the door. Vanitas let out a disgruntled noise upon seeing Terra's face.

"Nice to see you too, Vanitas." Terra greeted with a triumphant smirk; leaning against the arch of the door.

"Okiayu, I know I'm awesome, but that doesn't give you the excuse to call me by my given name [1]." Vanitas sighed, mockingly pitying the boy, causing Terra to grimace.

"Ignore him, Terra; he's been in a mood all morning." {Name} informed him, her vein slightly twitching from the memory.

Terra grins cheekily. "His time of the month already?"

Golden eyes suddenly glint deviously as a menacing smirk graced his lips. "I must be if it means periods are just things girls make up to avoid hooking up with you." Having known he had the last word in this little fight, Vanitas walked up the porch steps and brushed past Terra, a smirk still evident on his face.

Terra scowled, gritting his teeth whilst clenching his fists. {Name} noticed his actions. She walked up the steps to be on the same level as he is, sympathetically patting his shoulder without a word before entering Aqua's house.

"Tadaima [2]!" {Name} called through the kitchen archway with Vanitas leaning on it whilst Terra stood behind her.

By the kitchen counter preparing the entrée and adding a few finishing touches to the main course was Aqua and beside her was a woman who appears to be her mother. The two ladies instantly looked up curiously from the announcement, which then turned into a smile when they realised who had appeared.

"{Nickname}-Chan [3]!" Aqua's mother, and {Name's} aunt, greeted cheerfully. She wiped her hands on her apron before approaching the girl with open arms. "Okaeri [4]."

"Something smells good〜!" {Name} chirped happily, embracing her aunt whilst noticing the enticing aroma. "What are we having?"

"We're having apricot-glazed Hammer Beak [5] with fresh herb gravy as our main, and for dessert we have Mum's famous pumpkin pie." Aqua said, placing the main course into the oven. "It needs a few more minutes to be fully cooked, so dinner will be slightly delayed."

"Of course." Vanitas muttered irritably, glancing away from the people in the room with folded arms. "Just as long as you don't let {Name} near the kitchen, then you're good." He said, intentionally speaking aloud for everyone to hear. "Her cooking tastes like shit."

{Name} was rather shocked at the sudden attack, but couldn't do much about it since Aqua's mother decided to proceed towards him.

"Well if it isn't Vanitas." Aqua's mother exclaimed rather happily, suddenly approaching Vanitas with open arms. If Aqua's mother had not have approached him, {Name} would have taken that time to beat the snot out of him.

Vanitas inwardly sighed with eyes closed, deciding to turn his head to notify Aqua's mother that she had his attention. "Ojamashima〜su [6] ーoof!" Since Vanitas had not opened his eyes, he failed to notice Aqua's mother pulling him in for a hug.

"My, it has certainly been a long time since you've visited." She stated, squeezing him rather tightly in her hold. "You seem to have lost a lot of weight, dear?"

Normally, boys would be thrilled to hug Aqua's mother and be met with the Valley of the Gods [7]; Vanitas was running out of oxygen. "B-Ba-Chan [8]...air...!" He desperately cried, tapping her back.

"That's not the only thing he'll be losing." Aqua muttered as she placed the entrée's on the dining table; covering it with a cover to keep the heat in.

Overhearing her remark, Aqua's mother instantly stops hugging the poor boy, allowing him to regain oxygen and breathe. "Oh, my!" She chuckles apologetically and in embarrassment. "Sorry about that. Are you all right, dear?"

Both {Name} and Terra couldn't help but laugh as Vanitas coughs air back into his lungs. {Name} laughed out of endearment. Terra laughed at obvious reasons. The sound of laughter resonated throughout the house, catching the man of the house's attention. He walks towards the sound, down the set of stairs and into the kitchen to find everyone, save for a familiar pale boy, sharing cheers and giggles.

"What's all the fuss?" Aqua's father asked, unconsciously smiling, placing his right hand into his pockets as his left hand readjusted the pipe in the corner of his mouth.

"Darling, you will never guess who's here with us." Aqua's mother cried in excitement, turning to the side to reveal the familiar pale boy to the man; giving him a better view.

Though Vanitas was standing right there in plain sight, Aqua's father couldn't help but think that maybe his age was starting to kick in and that his eyes were deceiving him. Aqua's father took hold of his glasses, rubbing his eyes before cleaning the lenses to put them back on and have a clearer view. Yup, his eyes were not deceiving him.

"Is that you, Vanitas?" He called, just to be sure.

"Who else could I be?" Vanitas retorted in snarky way.

Aqua's father broke out into a bigger smile. His eyes that were smiling with it made him appear that he had tears forming in his eyes. Actually, {Name} was sure he did. "By Jove...it is you!" He exclaimed; arms wide open, ready to embrace.

Though he was against all that embracing intimacy shit, Vanitas swallowed his stubbornness, bore a slight grin as he was pulled in the embrace. Aqua's father laughs in joy as he tightly held the pale boy; patting his back rather manly-like yet in a tender manner. He pulls the two out of the embrace to get a better view of the boy. "Where have you been, my boy?" He bellowed happily, scanning the boy's face and height. "My, you have grown quite handsomely over the years." Then he paused as he noticed something; the smile still on his face. "But why are you a twig?"

{Name} couldn't help but snort in laughter at that. She wasn't expecting that comment to leave Aqua's father's mouth so she wasn't fully prepared to hold her laughter in. Her sudden outburst caused a domino effect on Terra and Aqua. Vanitas's striking glare suddenly had them closing their traps; a few snickers leaving {Name's} mouth now and again.

"Well you know, Ojisan [9]; it's a dog-eat-dog world." Vanitas stated, turning his attention back to the old man.

He pats Vanitas on the shoulder, shaking his head in agreement to the pale boy's statement. "I hear ya, my boy. But I guess as long as you have your health, that is the main important part." He pats him a few times before grasping a firm hold on Vanitas's shoulder. "Now, how about we drink in celebration to our reunion?"

Vanitas sighed in relief, as if he was given good news after he had a really long (most probably bad) day. "Finally! Down to the good stuff."

Aqua's father chortled. "You can still drink, right?"

A sneering smirk curved up on the pale boy's lips. "Come on, Ojisan. Who do you take me for? Your soon to be son-in-law?"

"Oi!" {Name} had to hold Terra back before he could rip Vanitas's head off.

Vanitas cocked his head over his shoulder to face the suddenly enraged boy. "What? I'm not wrong there, am I?"

Terra took a few steps forward, but was reminded that {Name} had a firm hold on him when he felt a tug on his arm. He took a brief glance at {Name} to ensure her that he wasn't going to do anything. Not yet, at least. {Name} didn't let go of her hold on him, but she did ease the intensity of her grip. Terra soon composed himself before turning his attention back to Vanitas with a smirk that caught the pale boy's attention.

"You like games, don't ya, Vanitas?" Terra asked, intentionally using Vanitas's given name which (obviously) irked the boy.

"...not really. I'm more into challenges than silly, childish games." Vanitas stated, his words striking Terra's nerves.

"What's the difference? You're just going to participate anyway."

"Au contraire, mon cher benêt〜[10]." Vanitas singsonged in French, reaching out to grab Terra's left cheek and pulling it to squeeze. It made a slight slapping noise when Vanitas had let it go. "There is a big difference, don't you know? If it's childish, then I'm not interested." He shrugged, hands in pockets. "And when I say that, I mean a challenge that I will easily win at. It also depends on what you are willing to put at stake on the table."

Terra folds his arms crossed. "I get it. It depends on your time of the month, right?" Before Vanitas could refute with his own retort, Terra continued on. "But I'm sure you'll like this challenge."

Vanitas cocked a brow. "What makes you think I'll accept?"

Terra smirks in triumph. It was obvious that if Vanitas had at least shown a bit of curiosity (negative or positive), if he had at least replied to Terra instead of walking away, then it was obvious Terra had him under his thumb. "Because it's a drinking competition. Winner has more balls than the other."

Vanitas had a blank look before he broke out into this maniacal look ーlike he was an animal ready to maul savagely at its' prey一 laughing hysterically. The sound of his laughter made everyone, even Aqua's parents to feel nervous. Vanitas's laughter slowly died down into a wicked chuckle before the pale boy came to a stop. His eyes glint in twisted amusement. "You sure you wanna do this? Not like I already know you have the least balls between...anyone really, but do you really want to lose more of whatever's left of your dignity?" He cackles at Terra's reaction. "I mean, come on Okiayu, Aqua's parents are expecting...(ha ha)...kids one day...(haHAhahaaha)..." He finally cracked. Terra has officially made Vanitas crack. He might've broken him, even.

"What's wrong?" Terra poked, remaining calm despite the insults Vanitas was throwing at him. "Afraid you'll lose against me, Vanitas?"

His cackling suddenly came to a stop at the mention of his name. It scared her. It scared everyone. The sudden curve of his lips brought chills down everyone's spines as Vanitas stared into Terra's soul with his intense lightning orbs. "Alright. You're on." He simply said. Vanitas turned to walk out the kitchen/dining room archway towards the bar that was down the basement. He sent Terra a challenging smile over his shoulder. "Don't regret it, Terra."

Despite everything that happened between the two boys, Aqua's father followed the boys out. {Name} shook out of her daze as soon as she heard Aqua sighing rather loudly. "Mum, get the casket ready." She said, scratching the side of her head. "He's going to need it by the end of the night..."

Though it was obviously one of Aqua's dry jokes, {Name} turns to her cousin confusedly and in curiosity. "Is this normal?" She asked, gaining the blunette's attention.

"Oh, right." She realised. "You don't know this but it's not the first time this has happened." Aqua said, causing {Name} to react in surprise. "But it's been a long time since it has..."

Before {Name} could ask further, Aqua continued with a different topic. "Hey {Name}, can you help me finish decorating my tree? I didn't have time to do it these past few days, and neither did Terra with his job and all."

"Yeah, sure thing Aqua." {Name} shrugged, following her cousin out to the lounge room.

🎎

It's been twenty minutes since {Name} helped Aqua with the tree, and twenty minutes of rambling of nonsense, really. Aqua was trying to avoid sharing her past experience stories with Terra during the 12-Day Christmas Challenge with {Name}, so it was whatever really popped in her mind she decided to share. But even though it was good and all, {Name} had so much questions about her partner than she did of Aqua's stories.

"ーand then I was like, "You see, I work here, at this store. I am not a mall employee, nor do I ever enter that place. I run from this entire group of buildings as soon as my shift is over, and I go home. Away from my work. If you have a question about the store I work at, I will answer you as best I can. If you want to know about their products, ask their employees!". Honestly, people sometimes..."

Aqua groans in disbelief at the thought of humanity these days. She was too engrossed in her rants she hardly noticed {Name's} mind wandering off at something else that had been bothering her the moment Aqua's mother embraced her irritated friend. She finally noticed once she realised how quiet her cousin was being.

She stops hanging lights on the tree. "{Name}, is everything all right?" Aqua asked as she tilted her body slightly to have a better view of the girl.

Aqua did not get a response. The blunette tried again. "{Name}? {Name}. {Name}!"

She finally got said girl's attention when her tone suddenly went sharp and loud. "Hm?"

Aqua sighs. "{Name}, what's wrong?"

{Name} glanced away from the lights glittering in her eyes, letting out a breath she didn't realise she was holding, and looked at her hands that were holding the next set of decorations. "I was just...wondering..." {Name} shook her head before looking up to send her cousin a reassuring, but fake, smile; giggling nervously to break the ice. "You know I'm always off in la-la-land. Don't worry about it." She looked back down to her hands, putting up the next decoration on the tree.

It was obvious that {Name} was bothered about something, and Aqua had always had a sharp eye when it comes to these things; and {Name} knew this. It made her a little nervous at times. Though Aqua would never pry into things, it didn't mean to say she wasn't persistent.

"{Name}, you know I won't pry into things, but if something is bothering you, you know you can talk to me about it, right?" As {Name} predicted, this subject wasn't going to drop altogether like a snap of the fingers.

She sent her cousin an appreciating smile. "Yeah..." To which, Aqua returned her own smile. It wasn't even a few seconds in did {Name} finally sigh in defeat. "It's just that...before we got here, I was trying to get Vanitas to get ready ーas per usual." Both girls rolled their eyes at that, sharing a giggle before {Name} continued. "But...when I mentioned aunt and uncle, he acted like he didn't know them personally. Yet when we all came together, aunt and uncle embraced him as if he were their own son. And he accepts it!" {Name} looks away from the tree, stopping her hands from placing the next decoration up and turns her attention to her cousin. "Like, what's the deal with that? Am I on some sort of Punk'd [11] hidden camera or something?"

Aqua blinked in surprise. "Oh, he didn't tell you?" She asked, causing {Name} to shake her head and look at her with curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Well, then again, this is Vanitas we're talking about." Aqua concluded before continuing on topic. "Well, I've known Vanitas ever since Pre-K with a few others, plus the fact that we are neighbours, so there's no way he wouldn't eventually meet my parents right?"

{Name} slowly nods in agreement. "I suppose..."

"Also, ever since my parents laid eyes on Vanitas, they just couldn't help but welcome him in as if he was their son." Aqua stated. Then continued to mumble lowly to herself. "Which annoys Terra..."

"Ever since he was a child, huh?" {Name} repeated solemnly. Something was still amiss. "Then...you must've met his parents right?"

Aqua nods. "Why?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering why he was spending this Christmas alone." {Name} said. She then chuckled at a thought to ease the previous tension. "Then again, Vanitas had told me he wasn't much for these festivities, so he probably didn't want to bother his family with his grouchy-Grinch mood, right?"

Seeing the blank look on Aqua's face did not confirm {Name's} theory to be true. It said something else. {Name} blinked in confusion. "Aqua?"

Aqua's eyes kept shifting from left to right, deep in thought, before Aqua composed herself and decided to continue decorating the tree. "{Name}, despite knowing him since Pre-K, I can't really say I know much about his family." Aqua paused, with her words and her actions. "I...don't remember much about his parents, or what happened..."

{Name} furrowed her brows in confusion. "What happened?" She repeated in question. "What do you mean "what happened"?"

Aqua flinched noticing her mistake. She cleared her throat, still decorating the tree. "{Name}, I..." She paused, clearing her throat once more. She sighs. "There are just some things I do know, and some things I don't. And...the things I do know are better left unsaid. Well, from me anyway." She then turns her attention from the tree to the confused girl. "If you want to know the answers to your questions ーthough it's not the best of ideasー I think it is best you ask that person involved for the answers." She sent {Name} a painful smile, then realised something. "Ah! But, at least be subtle about it!"

{Name} figured it was a tough topic, and she can understand not to pry further no matter how curious she was. But, she could at least ask one thing, right? She decided to ask anyway. "So, you can't tell me anything?"

"It's not my right to say." Aqua said, the painful smile returning to her lips. {Name} nodded once, sending her cousin an appreciating and reassuring smile.

"That's okay, Aqua." She said. "Thanks for the advice."

"And thanks for helping me with the tree!" Aqua stated with a laugh as she placed the last decoration on the tree.

The two girls stood up to view their accomplished work, until {Name} noticed something. "Hey Aqua, what about the star?"

"Hm? Oh! I'm leaving that for Terra." Aqua giggles, fingers slightly covering her lips. "It's a tradition thing only for us two. Well, my parents used to do it, but now it's left to Terra and I."

"Tradition?" {Name} repeated in curiosity.

"Yeah, like that Paopu belief." Aqua said. "It's a 'couple' thing." She motioned her fingers to make quotation marks.

"Ahh." {Name} nodded in understanding.

As if on cue, Aqua's mother called for the girls to announce that the Hammer Beak was ready and asking {Name} to get the boys whilst Aqua helps finish up the preparations. As the girls set out to do what they were asked to do, {Name} couldn't help but ponder on the conversation she just had with her cousin.

"I...don't remember much about his parents, or what happened..."

Why?

"There are just some things I do know, and some things I don't. And...the things I do know are better left unsaid."

But why?

"It's not my right to say."

A sigh escaped her lips at the memory. Aqua was right. It wasn't her right to share a past that was not hers to begin with. Though, she could share the few that does, couldn't she? A door happened to smack {Name} in the face, causing her to realise she had been too lost in thought to realise she had been walking down the basement stairs. She massaged her nose; thanking God nobody had witnessed that. If Vanitas were there with her...she didn't want to think of the outcome. Before she could knock on the door, {Name} could slightly hear a few murmurs coming from the other side. She couldn't hear what it was they were saying, but it didn't mean she couldn't try.

She leant her ear on the door, trying to make out what was going on. Still not getting any proper words, {Name} slowly and quietly opened the door, hoping that it wouldn't creak. Luckily it didn't. She inwardly sighed before listening in.

"ーI might not know much, but I know that regret will be your only friend if you run away from it." {Name} heard her uncle's deep, guttural voice say in seriousness. What were they talking about for her uncle to be so serious? {Name} slightly leant on the door a bit more, taking a peek through the crack.

From what she could make out, Vanitas was leaning his chin on his folded arms, Terra was sitting next to the pale boy with his face down on the counter, whilst her uncle decided to clean up the glasses used. There were about thirty or so empty bottles not far from the boys, and about ten or so glasses her uncle had finished cleaning. Vanitas looked exhausted, about ready to sleep, but at the same time he looked bothered about something. {Name} unconsciously jumped when Vanitas sat up to relieve a heavy sigh.

"...somehow that dun' sound so bad..." He muttered, looking at his empty glass with a pained, mocking smile. "Ignorance was bliss, 'n' the silence had always been welcomin' in the past. I dun' see why I shouldn' accept regret with open arms."

"V-(mm)-nitas..." {Name} (sort of) caught Terra groan.

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Vanitas then leant on his elbows as he took out a piece of paper from his pockets. "But I'm tellin' ya now; the possibility is very slim..."

"Well look at it this way, take it from Terra." He points at the semi-passed out brunette. "I wouldn't accept his existence ever since he entered my daughter's life. But no matter what I threw at him, he never stopped trying to overcome those obstacles." He sighs with closed eyelids. "Though I don't doubt he might regret a few stupid and embarrassing things he's said or done, I know this boy does not regret a single thing since he stepped foot in my door." He opened his eyes as he slightly turned his head to said boy. "It's too early to say this, but at least he's drunk and won't remember a thing for the next few hours. This boy is getting closer to becoming a fine man, like he is getting closer to becoming a son-in-law I would be proud to have and admit to."

Before her uncle could press further, {Name} might've accidentally leant further on the door, causing it to creak open. To make it seem like she wasn't eavesdropping the whole time, she instinctively knocked on the door with a nervous smile on her face. "Dinners ready!" She exclaimed, sheepishly laughing (as she thanked God for recovering rather fast).

"Oh good!" Her uncle cheered, delaying his almost-clean glass for later as he was the first to head for the door. "I was beginning to wonder when the damn poultry would cook!"

{Name} giggled at her uncle's comment before turning her attention to the other two boys. Vanitas was (surprisingly) helping Terra up on his feet, throwing the brunette's arm around his neck for better support, but when you get drunk, you kind of forget the fact that gravity pulls the weight harder than it usually does. Terra is a very tall athlete. Athlete equals to muscles. Carrying a drunken athlete was like heavy weight-lifting for Vanitas. It didn't help with the height difference either. Watching Vanitas trying to balance the tall boy to his height was rather amusing, as Terra kept pulling Vanitas down to level his drunken height. It was like a battle to see who could stand the longest or pull down the farthest. {Name} leant on the doorway as she watched them. It was like they finally became friends or something. Weird friends who show their love through threats and violence.

She giggled once more. "So, who won?"

"I DID〜!!!" Terra exclaimed rather happily. {Name} wasn't surprised by his joy. Anyone would understand seeing as how Terra (a lightweight) won a drinking game against someone who could hold their liquor. However, she was surprised that Terra was the victor. Something wasn't right.

The sound of Terra's voice caused the pale boy to flinch from the sudden booming sound waves resonating in his sharp ears. He flashed his striking golden eyes at the boy who was drunkenly lagging in every step he took. "Hey buddy, I know ya got a bit of yer balls back, but do ya think ya can keep it back fer awhile?"

"Awww〜! Y-(shju)-ou called me buddy〜!" Terra cooed, leaning in close to Vanitas to stroke under his chin. The sudden action caused the pale boy to growl, about ready to bite the finger off if Terra hadn't backed off in defence. "Whoa〜! Calm dow〜n, (Va...)...mmm...Van...I was just jokin', bu〜ddy!" Terra singsonged. {Name} couldn't help but snicker when Terra struggled to say Vanitas's name. Terra then looked up at {Name}. "Y-(shju)-You heard him (shh)-say BUDDY! right, {Mispronounced Name} ー{Name}! It's-(shjj) {Name}..." Terra paused, and then broke out into a grin. "Hey〜{Na〜me}〜♪!"

{Name} sighed in disbelief, kicking the doorway before standing upright from her leaning post. "Dear God, what have you done?" She crossed her arms as she shook her head, blocking the boy's path.

"Wha? He started it!" Vanitas glowered childishly; puffing up his cheeks in a pout.

{Name} shook her head once more, but she couldn't suppress the smile of amusement on her face as she took hold of Terra's other arm; helping the poor pale boy balance the heavy athlete. Despite his figure, Terra was heavier than he appeared to be ーwell, his drunk self was. "And this is why I said not to get him whiskey for Christmas."

{Name} suddenly caused an uproar between the boys at that comment.

"DUDE!!!" Vanitas cried in annoyance.

"WHA〜?!" Terra cried in surprise and joy. "S-(sss)-Santa's gettin' me a gift from a van? What happened to his-(zzz) us-(shjj) gas?"

"Seriously? I'm not even sober 'n' ya dun' see me blabbin' to e'ryone their Christmas gifts." Vanitas snapped, completely ignoring Terra's nonsense as the trio climbed up the stairs. Well, stumbling along the way. "Now I has to fin' me anutha present for 'im."

"Well, if you haven't forgotten, Terra's not going to remember this." {Name} stated, stifling her laughter.

"Nah, nah!" Vanitas swatted. "I needed anutha gift fer 'im anyway."

"Why's that?" {Name} asked, as she took the next step up the stairs before helping Terra up.

"Why ya think? I'n'it obvious? I drank it." He stated nonchalantly, not even feeling guilty at the fact he drank a gift for a friend.

Oh well, at least he knows he needs to get a new gift. {Name} rolled her eyes before getting up the final steps.

"Ya〜y! Les-(tsss) go again〜♪!"

🎎

Come dinner, the boys were finally sobering up. {Name's} uncle wasn't too bad from the start, and despite Vanitas having a good hold with his liquor, he was still drunk and needed to be sober. He was known to fall asleep if something bores him when he gets drunk. Due to Aqua's motherly instincts constantly kicking in, she kept babying her boyfriend by feeding him and getting him to sober up through coffee, slapping his hand away from the liquor her dad kept offering just to wind her up.

"I can't believe you had more than the usual amount of alcohol you would normally have." Aqua scolded with a sigh, dabbing the napkin on Terra's chin. "I know it's a game, but please refrain yourself from something that can poison you if you're not careful."

"Hey, if anythin', you should be glad he got to keep whatever dignity he had left over." Vanitas retorted with, before having a glass of water.

"That's not the point, Vanitas." Aqua refuted, sending him a warning glare. Then she sighed as she noticed the pout on her boyfriend's face. "But just this one time...I'll let it slide. Well done, Hun! I'm happy for you." She said, sending Terra a soft smile.

"Thanks babe." He said, before giving Aqua a quick peck on the lips.

Uncle suddenly cleared his throat as he gently tapped his glass. "I would like to make a toast." Everyone held up their glass of water and wine. "A toast to the friends and family in this room tonight: who I share my love to, my good food and wine, and my fond memories. May this day be forever engraved in my memory as it marks a new meaning to 'Christmas is best spent when being with your loved ones'. Cheers."

"Cheers!" Clink.

And that's how the rest of the day and evening went as everyone shared their love, their stories, their laughter, and more with the music in the background playing (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays [12]. Eventually, everyone agreed that it was time to call it a night as it was almost midnight. Though Terra offered the spare bedroom to {Name} and tried to convince the family he was fine to walk home, {Name} declined the offer; assuring Terra that she didn't live very far, only a few blocks, and that she needed to walk Vanitas back home. Plus, she had a raccoon to feed. No doubt he went through the fridge and pantry by now. Of course, being stubborn helped her case.

"Night everyone!" {Name} waved. "We will catch up soon." (..."No later," Vanitas mumbled in the background). "You guys have a good night."

"Bye {Name}!" Everyone said, not in unison.

"Come back again, Vanitas!" Her aunt called. The boy just sent her a slight wave, his back facing her, before returning his hands in his pockets.

The night suddenly went cold. Vanitas looked up at the sky, scanning the area as he blew out a breath at the sudden cold, his cheeks going red from the crisp breeze. The feeling was like a light tingle feeling. He knew that it was not long until snow starts to fall. {Name} noticed he was slightly swaying as he walked, so without a word, she crept up to his side and wrapped an arm around his to hold him up. Vanitas instantly glanced at her in confusion but decided to shrug it off and let it be. He assumed she was just cold. Only now realising what {Name} was wearing, he wouldn't be surprised that she was looking for a bit of heat. A cream wool jumper that stops at her hips, navy denim skinny jeans, and beige aviator heels with shearling fur trim and lining. She wore light jewellery, like a long golden necklace that elongated down to her chest and simple earrings to match the simple/casual look she was going for.

Though he was wearing light clothes too, just his usual leather jacket around a singlet and long skinny's, he was probably in a warmer state than {Name}. Well, sorta. He was never really bothered by the cold, so even if he were sleeping buck naked out in the cold, he wouldn't get pneumonia and die. {Name} was probably different. Most definitely. Though he wore his favourite leather gloves, it only covered his fingers and part of his palms. He would've lent it to {Name} if it had been fully covered, and there was no way her pockets will cover her hands so...

Guess there's no other way to it, he thought as he got out of {Name's} hold, taking her by surprise by the sudden action. However, he caught her off guard even more when he took hold of her right hand, grasping it tightly and then leading their intertwined hands into his jacket pockets. She didn't question it, to which Vanitas was grateful for, and they just continued walking on home.

"So," {Name} spoke up, deciding to break the silence Vanitas was enjoying. He inwardly sighed as she continued, "Terra won, huh?"

Vanitas took a sidelong glance at her in confusion. He expected her to ask if he enjoyed his time and then pry into it further just to tease him and make a point (as she would normally do), so he was kind of surprised ーand thankfulー that his expectations were wrong (for once). He looked ahead of him, trying to stay levelled. "What? Do you need an explanation fer it? He won fair 'n' square." He said rather snarky-like.

{Name} turned to look at him, noticing he was avoiding her gaze. She smiled. "Is that so?" She hummed coyly, obviously grabbing his attention by doing that.

"Yeah, it is." He stated, focusing his gaze back ahead. {Name} couldn't help but giggle, placing her head on his shoulders; just about reaching it.

"Okay then." She said, her left hand placed on his arm out of assurance and a gesture that states she believed him and that she will drop the subject altogether.

If there was anyone who could read every 'STOP!' and 'WARNING!' signs before it could get any serious, Vanitas was thankful it was {Name}. But at the same time, he was kind of anxious; for personal reasons. Vanitas shook the butterfly-tingling feeling that surged through his body as he concentrated on the walk back home, grasping tightly, yet gently, on {Name's} hands to keep the warmth.

His odd actions sort of worried {Name}, and she knew something was bothering him but, then she thought she was probably reading too much into it, and shook the feelings away. For now, she decided to spend the comfortable warm silence together with him to end what started off bad turned into a good night.

🎎

[1] As I've said in the previous chapter, the Japanese usually address people by surnames unless you are given consent to use their given names. There are different reasons when addressing someone by their surname, such as: first meeting, acquaintances, respect or keeping the distance (and more for whatever reason the individual has). In this case, as I've said in the previous chapter, Vanitas addresses Terra not out of familiarity but to keep the distance. And he would prefer it if Terra (and everyone else) to do the same for his own personal reasons.

[2] Tadaima (ta•die•ma) is an announcement you say when you return home from wherever you came from. It pretty much means something along the lines of "I'm home". Even though {Name} doesn't live with Aqua and her parents, because they are very familiar with her (as she turns up for meals), it's basically a second home to her.

[3] Chan (sounds like tan but with a ch) is a suffix you add at the end when you are addressing someone younger than you that you are familiar with or is a brat. It's insulting to someone who you aren't familiar with.

[4] Okaeri (ou•ka•ee•ri/oh•kairi) is a reply to "Tadaima" as it basically means "Welcome home/back".

[5] Hammer Beaks are fiends you find on the online MMORPG game FFXIV: A Realm Reborn. I am currently playing this on my free time along with writing (don't panic haha). NPC chefs sometimes would use these fiends for food. It's pretty much like chicken/turkey. They look nasty but apparently are delectable. Hey, if it will keep you surviving and it's delicious, why not?

[6] Ojamashimasu (ou•jya•ma•she•ma•ss) is a polite term to say when intruding someone's house as a guest.

[7] Boobs...(if you haven't guessed).

[8] Oba-Chan/Oba-San/Obachan/Obasan/Ba-(Chan/San) (ou•ba) means aunt in Japanese. I think the difference is the one with -San is when you refer to someone else's aunt (and out of politeness), whereas -Chan is if you are actually related to them. I could be wrong but either-either it means the same thing. However, it can also be taken offensively as it also means "middle-aged woman" (that's when you say it to a woman you don't know). Vanitas isn't related to Aqua; he just prefers to shorten words because it's a pain to say the whole thing.

[9] Oji-Chan/Oji-San/Ojichan/Ojisan/Ji-(Chan/San) (ou•g) means uncle in Japanese or "old man" when you say it to a man you're not familiar with. Though he is familiar with Aqua's dad, Vanitas still refers to him as "Old Man".

[10] "Au contraire, mon cher benêt" is French for "On the contrary, my dear simpleton". Vanitas is obviously insulting Terra calling him foolish and putting it in a sentence with "dear".

[11] Punk'd was an American hidden camera practical-joke reality television series that first aired on MTV in 2003. I don't personally watch it myself, I just know it 'cos when I was a child my (1st) oldest sister would watch it. I got that info from Wikipedia.

[12] (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays by Perry Como.

Planned: 12.12.14; 20:31 PM
Started: 21.02.15; 12:08 PM
Edit #1: 21.02.15; 16:59 PM
Edit #2: 22.02.15; 01:25 AM
Edit #3: 22.02.15; 11:04 AM
Edit #4: 22.02.15; 14:23 PM
Edit #5: 24.02.15; 10:16 AM
Edit #6: 24.02.15; 12:46 PM
Edit #7: 24.02.15; 18:48 PM
Edit #8: 26.02.15; 11:10 AM
Edit #9: 02.03.15; 10:53 AM
Edit #10: 03.03.15; 08:33 AM
Edit #11: 14.03.15; 16:49 PM
Edit #12: 14.03.15; 19:49 PM
Edit #13: 15.03.15; 08:57 AM
Edit #14: 16.03.15; 24:01 AM
Edit #15: 16.03.15; 09:53 AM
Finished: 16.03.15; 20:30 PM
Re-Edit: 23.04.15; 12:43 PM