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It is now mid-December, Christmas Eve. The end term exams are finally over. The last bell of the day rings, and students are beginning to leave.

Becky packs up her things. "Phew, I'm so glad finals are over. Now I can let my brain rest!" She says to Anya.

Anya finishes packing up her things, and puts on her back pack. "I can't wait to sleep in this weekend!"

"Haha, that's so you." She replied "So how do you think you did on the exams??"

Anya smiles, confidently. "I've studied real hard, so I bet I did good."

Becky giggles. "You sure seem pretty confident on that. I'm sure studying with Damian again has helped a lot on that~"

"It has!" Anya replied, innocently.

Becky puts on her book bag. "By the way, got any plans for Christmas tomorrow?" She asks.

Anya's face lights up. "YUP!! Gonna spend it with my Papa, Mama and Unkie!" I can't waitttt. The young girl was extremely excited for the event. "How about you, Becky??"

"I'm going to a family reunion. I've gotta prepare for that." Becky replied.

Damian, Ewen and Emile were heading towards the door to leave the classroom.

Anya noticed the boys leaving already. I should ask what Sy-on's gonna do for Christmas. "Sy-on boy!!!" She catches up with them.

Becky yells out to her. "Hey, Anya!!! Wait up!!" She quickly follows Anya.

Damian raises his eyebrows from the sudden interaction at her. "What is it?"

"What are you gonna do for Christmas?" The girl asked, grinning.

Damian was silent for a bit. "I'm visiting my parents for it."

He's going back to his home? Anya thought.

Unfortunately, there is a new moon today, meaning Anya can not read any minds temporarily. "Let me come with you!!"

Damian blushed. "Q-quit asking for that already!! That's all you ever ask for!"

Becky giggled from Anya and Damian's conversation. She turned over to Emile and Ewen. "Are either of you gonna do something for the holidays?"

"Mhm, I'm gonna be visiting my house! It's been a while since I've been there." Ewen replied.

Emile nodded, eagerly. "I'm doing the same! I can't wait to eat candy all day~" He drooled from the thought.

"Sounds like fun!" Becky said to the two boys.

Damian nudged Anya. "So what are you gonna do for Christmas?" He asked.

"I'll be hanging out with my family!!" Anya grinned widely. "It's gonna be the best!!!"

Damian could see how excited she was for the upcoming holidays. "Pft, you act like a child in a teenager's body." He teased.

Anya pouted at him. "Well, maybe I don't wanna grow up!!"

"Of course you don't." Damian said back to her.

Ewen snickered, overhearing Anya and Damian's discussion. "Quit flirting you two~"

Damian and Anya's face turned bright red.

"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!" Damian pushed Ewen away.

Ewen, Emile and Becky laughed out loud from their reactions.

"Tch! Those bastards..." Damian mumbled. He then turned to see Anya's reaction.

Anya was holding her head down, hiding her face. She knew what flirting meant at this point, thanks to Becky.

"Hey, just ignore them." Damian spoke to her in a low voice.

Anya slowly nod her head. "R-right!" She kept trying to hide away her flushed face.

The group of teenagers kept chatting about the exams and Christmas, before eventually parting ways.

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  ·

Anya opened the door to her apartment, walking in excited for the weekend to begin.

"I'm home!!!" She yelled out with joy, closing the door behind her.

Bond ran over to Anya. "BORK!!!"

However, she saw Loid and Yor quietly talking about something in the living room.

Are they talking about Christmas!!? Anya thought, as she rushed over to them.

Loid noticed Anya. "Oh, Anya! Welcome home!" He greeted her.

Yor whirled her head to Anya. "Y-yes!! Welcome home!!" She made a nervous grin.

Anya could feel something was off. "Did something happen??" She asked, worried.

Loid and Yor looked at each other and sighed.

"Well..." Loid spoke first, "Unfortunately today your Mother and I have to work overtime."

Anya gasped. "W-whaa!!?? But what about Christmas!?!?"

Yor chimed in, "Of course we will be here for Christmas!! It's only for today!" She reassured her child.

Anya knew they were both gonna go on a mission together, but she couldn't read her minds to confirm that (because of the new moon).

She had a sulky expression. "Oh... it's okay then! I can handle myself!" World peace is more important. Anya thought.

Yor smiled in relief. "We will make it up to you tomorrow, I promise!!"

Loid nodded. "We better start getting ready then." He indicated to Yor that they needed to hurry.

Yor understood what he meant. "A-ah! Of course!!" She stood up, frantically. "Goodbye, Anya!" She headed towards the door.

Loid put his fedora on, and looked back to Anya. "Also, Anya, be sure to take Bond out for a walk. We haven't had the time to do it ourselves." He said to her.

Anya saluted him. "Sir, yes Sir!!!"

"That's the spirit!" He patted her on the head, right before exiting the apartment. "We will be back. Don't worry!" He reassured her one last time.

As soon as they shut the door, Anya dropped her smile.

She flopped down on the couch. "Not fair! I wanted to make Christmas dinner like always..." She moped.

Bond jumped on the sofa, and sat next to the sad girl. "Borf..." He barked, trying to comfort her.

"And today Sy-on boy is visiting his family. I wish I could've come along, Papa would've been so happy." Anya complained.

Bond stayed silent, listening to her.

Anya sighed. "I wonder what he's doing right now." She referred to Damian.

Her dog barked right after she said that. "BORK!!"

She pouts, and grabs Bond's cheeks. "If only I could read your mind to see if Papa and Mama come back early."

"Borf borf!!" He barked back to her. It seems like he was trying to tell her something, but of course she could not understand.

Anya tilts her head. "Do you need to go on a walk now??"

Bond jumps up and down on the couch. "BORF!!!" He began to pant from excitement.

She stood up. "Beats sitting on the couch all day! Let's get going, Bond!!"

In eagerness, Bond jumped off the sofa, dancing around, ready to finally be able to get some fresh air.

Anya giggled. "Hold still!! I need to put the leash on you!"

After putting Bond on a leash, Anya grabs her sweater.

"Where did I leave my mittens? I had it on just a moment ago!" Anya searched around.

"Bork!!" Bond barked, scratching the door.

Anya noticed how much Bond wanted to leave. "Okay okay! I'll just put on my sweater. It's gonna be a quick trip anyway!"

She puts on her sweater, and grabbed Bond's leash. They both left the apartment to head towards the park.

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  · 

The wind blows as Anya walks down the street with Bond.

Anya shivers. "Brrrr, I should've tried harder to find my mittens!!" She complains to Bond, her hands feeling ice cold.

Bond barks in excitement, seeing that the park is near by. "BORF BORK!!!" He begins to run to it.

Anya gets pulled by Bond. "W-WOAH!! Slow down, Bond!!!"

Bond only kept running, dragging Anya's body along with him.

They enter in the park, Anya still wailing at Bond to stop running.

He then finally stops and turns to Anya, indicating that she unhooks his leash so he can play around.

The small girl was trying to catch her breath. "We're here!!" She kneels down to Bond, unhooking his leash. "Now, *pant* go have fun!"

"BORK BORK!!" Bond started to run around and play with the other dogs.

Phew! I need to catch my breath! Anya thought.

She went up to a bench and sat on it, still shivering. "S-so c-cold!!"

Out of no where, something bonks the top of Anya's head. "OW!!"

She rubs her head, and whirls her head around, only to see Damian standing right there.

"Guess you really do weigh less than a peanut." Damian makes a smug smile.

Her eyes light up, gasping "SY-ON BOY!!!" I thought he was with his family? She wondered.

"Hey, saw you getting dragged by your dog." He snickers at the girl.

She felt embarrassed. "Y-you saw that!?!?"

"Heh, yeah." Damian sat besides Anya on the bench.

"Why are you here though??" She asks.

"I was at the comic store, then I heard someone screaming 'sLoW dOwn'. It sounded like you, so I came over." He replied, making fun of her.

She frowned at him for his teasing. "I-it's not my fault he's so strong!!!"

Damian was still smirking at her. "No, your just too small."

The wind picks up a bit harder, causing Anya to shiver more. "A-ACHOO!!" She sneezed.

Damian notices that Anya is only wearing a sweater. "Why didn't you bundle yourself up more??" He asked, concerned for her health.

Anya sniffled. "I-it's because I couldn't find my mittens, and I don't own a scarf anymore." I ripped it by accident...

Damian face palms. "You're so dumb. It's 30 degrees right now!" He scolded her.

More wind blows, and Anya keeps on shivering. Her nose is a shade of red, and was dripping from the cold.

This idiot is gonna get herself sick! Damian thought, seeing as the girl is trying to warm her hands up.

Hesitantly, Damian takes off his scarf and wraps it around Anya's neck. "Here. You're shaking more than a damn chihuahua." He blushes.

Anya looks up at Damian, sparkles all around. She blushes. "T-thanks."

"Yeah, just don't get your snot all over it." Damian says back.

She smiles, feeling the warmth of the scarf and of Damian's kindness. Out of curiosity, she takes the end of the scarf, and puts it up her nose, smelling it.

Damian blushes more from her action. "S-stop that!! What did I tell you about not getting your snot on it!!??" He yelled at her.

Anya kept on sniffing. "Heheh, it smells like Sy-on boy." She bluntly says out loud.

Dammit! She has no idea how much that makes me feel!! "I'm gonna take it back if you keep doing that!!!" He warned her, feeling flustered.

"Hmph, fine!" She takes her hand off of the scarf.

Bond comes back to Anya, panting from running around the park.

"Bond is back!!!" She pats the top of his head.

Damian and Bond make eye contact. Bond begins to growl at him.

He gets a chill down his spine. What's this dog's deal?

"BOND!! Don't be mean to Sy-on boy!" Anya demanded at her dog. "I'm sorry! He's never like this!!" Besides a few times.

"It's cool." Damian sighs. "So, you gonna go home now?" He asks, not wanting her to leave yet.

Anya shrugs. "I dunno. My parents are not home." She replied, having a gloomy expression on her face. I wanted to spend Christmas Eve with them..

"Oh." Damian notices Anya's sorrow. I know she doesn't like being alone. "Are you hungry? We can stop by somewhere." He suggests.

Anya's face brightened. "I want some hot cocoa!!"

"There's a Cafe near by. I'm sure they'll have some." Damian points his finger to the direct of the establishment.

"Yippee!! Hot cocoa! Bond will be joining us too, right Bond?" She looks down at him.

Bond only kept on glaring straight at Damian.

Anya pets him again. "I think he's starting to like you!!!" She smiles, innocently.

Damian began to sweat. "Uh-huh.. right." This dog better not try to murder me...

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  · 

Anya, Damian and Bond open the door to the Cafe, just about to walk in.

"Oooo, this place looks fancy!!" Anya said, before stepping in.

All of the sudden, the host comes running over to them. "Excuse me, Ma'am, but we do not allow dogs in here!"

"W-what!? But where will my doggy go??" Anya was in despair.

Bond whimpered.

Damian was not having any of it. He takes his from his pocket wallet, and pulls out 10 grand. "This much for the dog to be let in." He pleaded.

The host was taken aback by the obscene amount of money. He immediately grab the cash, and counted it. "O-of course!! You may proceed Ma'am and Sir, and... Dog." He laughs in a guilty manner.

Anya gazed up at Damian in awe. "Sy-on boy saved us!!"

"It was nothing." It pays to be rich. The boy thought, smirking from feeling so superior. "Follow me, I know a great spot." He walked inside the Cafe.

"Oki-doki!!" Anya followed him, taking Bond along by leash.

·  ·  ·

Damian presents to Anya a table in front of a window, revealing the outside.

Anya gasped. "WINDOW SEAT!!" She eagerly yelled out before taking her seat.

Damian sat down at one of the chairs as well. "Cool, right? You can see the lights of the city from in here."

Anya nodded her head. "So prettyyy!" Her eyes sparkled.

Bond walked right next to Anya's chair, and sat beside her. "Borf!!"

The waitress arrives. "Good Afternoon! What will the happy couple want??" She asks the two.

Both Damian and Anya flinch. "WE'RE NOT A COUPLE!!!" They said out loud, both their faces turn red from embarrassment.

"Ohh, my mistake!" The waitress laughs. "Then, what will the two of you want?" She corrects herself.

Damian clears his throat. "I'll just have a Mocha Latte." He orders.

The waitress writes the order down on a notepad. "Okay! And for you, Miss?" She turns to Anya.

"Hot cocoa!!" Anya says out loud with excitement.

She writes it down on the note pad. "Alrighty! Your beverages will be ready in a bit!" The waitress smiles at them before leaving.

Arrogant waitress.. Damian thought, still flustered by what she called Anya and him.

Anya looks over to Damian. "Oh! Sy-on boy, I've got a question."

Damian raises an eyebrow. "Hm? What's up?"

"I thought you said you were gonna visit your family for Christmas?" Anya asks, tilting her head.

"Oh, uhm." Damian did not know what excuse to come up with. "I decided not to go. I need to keep on studying." He lied.

The truth is my Father changed plans, and said that I could come over next year. But I bet that's just another lie, huh? His eyes showed how disappointed he felt.

Despite Anya not being able to read his mind, she could still sense that he wasn't saying the truth. However, she understood why he wouldn't.

"Oh.. well you can come over to my house for Christmas!" She offered to him.

Damian blushed from the though. "W-what?? I don't have the privilege to do that!!" It's not like we're family or something! He thought.

"BORK BORK!!!" Bond barked at Damian, still glaring at him.

Damian glared back at the dog. Geez, what's this dog's problem with me? "Control your psychopath of a dog! He's staring daggers at me!!"

"My doggy is not a psychopath!!" Anya defended Bond.

Bond growled at Damian. "BORF!!"

Anya frowned at her dog. "BOND! Quit it!!" She scolded him. "You'll get us kicked out!"

Bond scoffed. He turned around and sat down again, facing away from Damian.

Damian felt utterly offended.

The waitress comes back, holding the beverages on a tray. "Here you go! One Mocha Latte, and a Hot Chocolate." She places the drinks down at their table. "Enjoy~" She leaves.

Anya's face was filled with joy. "Smells so gooddd!!" She grabs her cup, and tries to drink out of it.

"Careful, It's hot!" Damian warns her. I don't want that dummy to burn herself again. He worried.

"Ah, right!" Anya blows on the liquid before sipping it. "Mmmmm, tastyyy~" Mama makes them better though.

Damian takes a sip from his Latte as well. "By the way, since we've just finish taking the exams, the school field trip will be happening soon." He informs Anya.

Anya jumped in excitement. "OH YES! I can't waitt!! I've been waiting since Fresh-min year!!"

"It's freshmen, and same. You should tell your parents before it's time, though. Give them a heads up." Damian suggests.

Anya fiercely nods her head. "Yuppie!! Will do!" She takes another sip out of her hot chocolate.

The two continued chatting, as they finish their beverages. Anya did not bring any money, so Damian pays for her.

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  · 

Damian, Anya and Bond leave the Cafe. The sky is dark, due to the coldness and the clouds, despite it being early in the evening.

Anya looks up at the sky. "It's night time already!??" She was shocked.

Damian nods. "That's winter for you."

With the sun now being gone, the coldness gets to Anya. She starts shivering again. "B-brrrr!"

He concerningly checks on Anya. "Are you still cold?? I gave you my scarf."

Anya shakes her head. "N-no! I'm f-fine!!" She says, still shivering. She rubs her hands together to try warming them up.

I really don't want her to catch a cold or anything, not before the school trip. He thought. "You should start heading home then. It's getting late anyways, your parents may be home soon."

Anya faces back down, not liking the sound of that idea. "B-being alone in the dark is scary though!" She shyly admits, still freezing.

"Then turn on all the lights or something. You need to go back home at some point!" Damian tells her.

Anya shakes her head. "I-I don't wanna!!" She recoils, afraid to be by herself at night, knowing her parents won't be there to save her if something happens. She continues to shiver.

Damian could see how much she needed someone, and he did not want her to become ill from the cold.

He looks down at her hand, still hesitating on doing what he was about to do.

Damian blushes, as he takes her hand and holds it. "I'll keep you company then." He says, looking away from her out of fluster.

Anya made a small gasp, not ever thinking he would grab her hand. He's so warm!

Her face turns bright red from the physical touch. "P-please take me home..." She mutters.

"I will." Damian tightly holds onto Anya's hand, reassuring her that he's there.

They both walk in the direction of the Forger's apartment, holding hands along the way. Bond continues to give Damian a death glare...

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  · 

Anya and Damian enter her apartment, still holding hands.

"Welcome to Anya's house!!" She says proudly to him.

Damian looked around the apartment in awe. So this is where she lives. He was in disbelief that he was actually in Anya's home. "Wow."

Anya takes off the leash from Bond, and places the leash on a hook near the door. "Do you like it??" She asks the boy.

Damian nods his head. "It's small, exactly like you."

Anya smiles. "It's great!! Let me give you a tour!!!" She begins to drag Damian, by hand, through the house, and shows him around.

She points at her kitchen. "This is my kitchen!! Papa makes good meals here! Mama not so much.."

Damian found it was cute how excited she was to show him around. "Better than my kitchen. I don't even have one in my dorm." He replies.

Anya giggles, then pulls him to her bedroom. "This here is my bedroom!!" She opens the door to her room, revealing the inside.

Damian looked inside, curious. This is Anya's bedroom? It's so pink, just like her hair. He thought.

"Let's go inside!!!" Anya said, trying to drag him in.

Damian's face immediately turns red. "A-are you sure!?!?"

Anya nods with joy. "Yes!! It's my favorite room in my home!" She walks inside her room, pulling Damian with her by hand.

She points at random objects in her room. "This is my desk! And my books, my closet, and my bed!!"

Damian looks at her bed. Her bed... He blushed.

He then noticed that a stuffed animal was on top of it. "Pft, you still play with teddy bears??" He teased the girl.

Anya pouted. "Don't mock Chimera!!! I've loved him ever since I was a kid!" Her face seemed serious.

She probably loves that plushie more than me, dammit. Damian felt jealous, knowing he is not one of the few people Anya loves.

"I'm just messing with you." He sneered. "I used to have a stuffed animal as well."

Anya perks up. "You should show it to me!!!" She had a child-like grin on her face.

She's too cute. "Maybe one day." He replies back.

After showing Damian her room, Anya brings him to the living room. She points her finger at it. "And this is my living room!!" She says, concluding the tour.

Such a small house, she really is a commoner! Damian looks at the girl. "Nice house, it's the perfect size for you." He chuckled at her.

Anya smiles. "Thank you!!" Thinking what he said was a compliment.

"When do you think your parents will be back?" He asks.

Anya shook her head. "I dunno. Hopefully not too late."

"Guess I'm staying here for a while then." Damian says. "Let's sit down, we've been walking for a while." He now is the one pulling Anya's hand.

They both sit on the sofa.

Damian looked down, seeing that they are still holding hands. They haven't let go since they left the Cafe. Her hands feel so soft.

His hands are so soft. Anya thought as well. It's like his hands have some kind of super power to make the cold go away!

Damian stares at Anya, noticing how beautiful she is with her nose red, and her cheeks pink from the cold outside.

"Hey, Anya..?" Damian's tone sounded serious.

She looks up at him. "Yes??" He used my real name again!

Damian sighs.
"Your dog keeps on glaring at me."

Anya whirls her head around, only to find Bond standing right in front of them on the floor. He is still growling as much as before.

She felt frustrated, not knowing why he was acting the way he was.

The girl stands up, letting go of Damian's hand. "BOND!! Why are you being so mean to Sy-on boy!!?"

"Grrrr, BORK BORK!!!" Bond only kept saying nonsense.

Anya frowned. "Go away, Mister!! Leave us alone!"

Bond turned away and scoffed. He went to where his dog bed was, and laid on it.

"I feel unwelcome..." Damian mumbles.

Anya swiftly shook her head at Damian. "No no, I'm so sorry!! I think he just wants attention!"

Bond kept staring right into Damian's soul. His power was not affected by the new moon, so he can still see into the future.

Anya gasps, remembering something. "OH!!! Since you're caught up with Spy Wars now, let's watch the newest episode! It's on right now!!" She suggests.

"Sure, put it on. I still think the plot is pretty cliche, though." Damian smirks at Anya, trying to rile her up.

"HEY!! Spy Wars is a good cartoon! Don't talk bad about it!!!" Anya tries to defend her favorite show.

Damian shrugged. "Obviously a simple minded girl like you would feel that way."

Anya's eyes widened from the insult. "SIMPLE MINDED!?!?" She yelled out.

The teenagers continue to argue about Spy Wars, and the quality of the show. Afterwards, they watch cartoons together to pass the time.

·  ·  ·  · ────────────── ·  ·  ·  · 

Morning arrives, and Anya is just waking up. She slightly opens her eyes to the sight of her parents, Loid and Yor, sitting right beside her.

"Merry Christmas, Anya!!" Yor joyfully said. She was wearing a Santa hat.

Anya fell asleep in the same place where her and Damian were. She looks around, still trying to wake up. "S-sy-on? Where's Sy-on boy??"

Loid confusingly looked at Anya. "Damian? You were probably having a dream of him." He chuckled. Why was Anya dreaming of him? Are they becoming closer??

After finally waking up, Anya sits up. "O-oh, yes! It was just a dream, heh." But it felt so real...

Anya then touched her neck, only to find that she still had the scarf that Damian gave him.

She grabbed the end of it quickly, and went in for a sniff. It smelled exactly like Damian. So it wasn't a dream!! She felt relieved.

"Uh, what are you doing? Go get ready, we have presents to open." Loid told his daughter, weirded out.

Anya flinched, forgetting that Yor and Loid were still there. "O-OKI-DOKI!!" She jumped off the couch, and ran into her room to get dressed.

Yor giggled. "She seems really excited!" She smiles warmly.

"Yup." Loid squints his eyes. I sense that someone else was in this house... He was being overly protective of Anya.

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Merry christmas everyonee!! I know its november by the time I publish this, butttt close enough eheheee!

Maybe next year Damian and Anya will be able to have christmas together c; who knowwsss~

Im really exciting for the upcoming chapters!!! I wont spoil anything BUTTTT its gonna be a fun experience teehee (at least for me to write LOL)

Stay tuned everyoneee :)

~ Michi