《Christmas: The Mass of Christ or Christ's Mass.》

-

The glaring light of your computer burns your eyes. Fingers typing against the keyboard quickly as the clock ticks.

The desk area was warm due to the heater, yet you still felt chills in your skin.

Glancing at the paperwork your boss gave you before your shift ended. You frown, not wanting to be stuck at your cubicle before Christmas day.

You finish up, a small smile overtaking your face as you grin.

"Ah..." You get up, picking up your bag and phone.

"Eh?"

You see about...

A thousand notifications!?

"Wait... Since when do I check my phone."

....

"WAIT, I HAVE A PHONE!?"

You squeal in delight, "finally! This will be so much easier!"

You eagerly check the time before an icon lights up on the screen.

"Mom...." You mumble as you read the contact.

You start to panic!

"AHHh! Shit- what! Shoot!" You fumble with your phone like a hot potato before it finally drops on the floor.

Dead quiet.

.
.
.

"... Oh no."

-

Ai yawns sleepily as he gets out of the car. Thankful for the ride, but tired after his Christmas performance with his teammates. There was even some green tinsel stuck in his hair...

"Hmm..." Ai eyes the small snowflakes fluttering down. Dissolving on his coat and hat, lost in his thoughts as he walks into his home.

"I'm back!"

Ai greets, opening the door. His mind playing out a fantasy.

♡

"Ai~♡!" You greet with a sweet smile, holding a plate of cookies as you set them down.

"Ai! Sit down, relax! My loving husband-"

♡

Ai blinks away the idea, face warm as he pulls at a strand of tinsel away from his face.

"...Hah..Weird!" He laughs loudly, awkwardly putting his coat on the rack as he takes a deep breath.

"I'm home!"

He calls once more, taking off his boots and putting on some slippers.

"Aqua? Ruby?"

He walks closer to the living room, seeing his sleeping twins huddled together on the couch.

"..."

Ai smiles adoringly, quickly grabbing a blanket and placing it on them.

He takes a seat beside them, patting his twins' blonde strands as they dooze.

"AND THAT WAS B-KOMACHI!-"

Ai turns his attention towards the T.V. attentively, before frowning. Seeing a flash of his smiling face as he waves at the camera and fans at the concert.

Grabbing the remote and turning it off, Ai tosses it on the table before heading to the kitchen.

Poking his head inside the fridge, his eyes light up at the desserts inside.

"Eh?! When did she have time to make this..." Ai said in awe, trying to recall the times he saw (Y/N) scurrying around the kitchen.

Ai closes the fridge, glancing back at the living room area...

"A-ah..." He mumbles in suprise, realizing the festive area.

Lights, decorations, even a freaking tree placed in the corner!?

"... Oh No."

-

Holding a bag of food and a few presents, you unlock the door and step inside.

"I'm home-..."

Your nose scrunched up at the wretched smell coming from the kitchen.

Racing over to the kitchen counter, you place the items down and look at who was cooking. Half-expecting it to be apart of your imagination!

"H-hi... How was work?"

Ai stood by the stove top, the smell of burnt rice overwhelming the air as he wore a pink apron. A worried smile on his face as he gazes at you timidly.

"..." You smile strainfully.

"Ai..."

"Yes?"

"Can you set down the food? Please?" You offer shyly, before whispering. "I bought some Christmas presents for the twins too, can you hide them so we can wrap them later?"

You ask politely as Ai nodded repeatedly, leaving the kitchen as he grabs the bags. Not meeting your gaze as he walks.

You eye the kitchen and laugh a bit.

-

With a plate of cookies shared between the two of you. You wrap presents carefully as Ai sits besides you. Trying to copy your movements.

"...So.. Rice-"

"Don't start."

You start to giggle quietly as Ai looks away, pouting. Remembering your laughter and keeping it as a special memory.

"I felt bad, you made all those treats without telling me. I could of helped. You don't need to pick up my slack."

You place on the tape, finishing one of the presents.

"Thats.. Not what I was trying to do?" You said honestly.

"You were focused on your job, and I like cooking. It's not a big deal." You try to shrug it off.

Ai sighs at your remark. "That's not it." He mutters, placing on a bow for one of the presents. "It's just.. You're not-.." Ai becomes quiet. Realizing his slip up.

You frown, not understanding.

"Never mind! I'm just glad you brought dinner, I doubt Aqua and Ruby would want to eat burnt rice." Ai laughs sadly.

"No, they would. They love you, so they would." You joke back, trying to light uo the mode.

"...Yeah, I guess they would." Ai said proudly.

"BUT, I'm not feeding my kids burnt food. I'll get better at cooking." Ai states, taking a bite of one of the cookies.

"I'm sure you will, Ai." You said sincerely, smiling warmly at his eagerness.

Ai chokes a bit, but covers it up with a cough.

"HA-heh... Yeah."

"I do appreciate it, though." You replied, glancing at another present.

"Ai? You made that one? It looks so cute!" You said in awe, "your really getting the hang of this!" You state, poking at the nicely wrapped present.

"The twins are gonna love it!"

Ai smiles at you, letting his facade slip for a moment as he takes your hand from the present. Slowly lowering it to the table.

"Ai?" You mumble innocently.

"If you keep poking at it its gonna fall apart. My hard work, wasted!" He chided dramatically, causing you to laugh once again. His hand not leaving your own.

-

[Happy Holidays! Updates will hopefully be here next year! Comments appreciated!]