#kiramaru7

The sharp crack of a gunshot echoed through the mountains. An ominous quiet briefly filled the air, followed by a deep rumbling. Vash grabbed the riffle out of Roderich’s hands and swore softly. He hurriedly slung it on his back, while Roderich looked around in confusion. Locking gazes with his skiing buddy, Roderich saw a brief flicker of panic in Vash’s eyes as he pulled his ski goggles down over his eyes.

“Let’s go, you idiot!” Vash took off; skiing like his life depended on it.

Roderich carefully pulled his own goggled down over his glasses. The rumbling seemed louder and he wondered what it was as he took off after Vash. Then it hit him. Avalanche; a word that struck fear into many skiers’ hearts. A wave of panic washed over him and Roderich skied like his life depended on it.  The personification of the country Austria, Roderich, in truth, did not have to worry about dying per se, but being caught up in a tumbling mass of snow, broken trees, and whatever else got into the path of destruction, and injuring himself, was not a pleasant thought. By the time he reached Vash’s side, the rumbling had stopped as the avalanche turned out to be a small one, just a sudden down pouring of snow from the peaks above them, though no less deadly. That did not stop Vash from rounding on him.

“Asshole!” He shoved him, pushing Roderich backwards; his ski poles helping to keep him from landing on his butt.

Roderich frowned. “You told me to fire and I did.”

“At the target, you moron!! What the hell were you thinking?! We could’ve been buried until the spring thaw!!”

Roderich went to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose, until he realized he was wearing ski goggles over them. “But…” He frowned again. “Sorry, I missed, but the sound of the shots being fired shouldn’t have set off an avalanche. You did fire at the target a lot more than I did. Maybe it was bad timing? It was just one more shot and I happened to be the unlucky one who fired it?”

“I don’t know…” Vash trailed off, his anger mostly diffused. He looked in the direction of his chalet. “Let’s go.” He pushed off, parallel to the bottom of slope, in the direction of home.

Roderich silently followed him. He had no idea what started the avalanche, for all he knew it would have happened anyway regardless of whether or not they were there, target shooting. He just wished Vash was not such an ass about it. Yes, he understood the danger, he skied in his own Alps often enough to be aware of it. He also knew that you can sometimes set them off on purpose like they did in many a ski lodge and mountain village, but Roderich was also aware that they simply happened. New snow on top of shifting older layers, a sudden earthquake, even the movements of people or animals could cause one. He knew you could set them off with strategically placed explosives, but the sound of gunfire echoing across the mountains? Roderich was sure if conditions were that unstable, he and Vash would have been cooped up in his chalet. When they got back, Roderich made a mental note to see if there were any reports of fresh snowfall on the mountain. Since the avalanche was small and the upper slopes steep, Roderich was fairly certain that was the cause of the sudden onrush of snow and ice.

It did not take long for them to reach Vash’s chalet. After taking off their skis, they went inside. Roderich drank in the warmth. As much as he enjoyed skiing, lounging by the fire with a glass of mulled wine or two to warm him from the inside was a pleasant thought. As he hung up his ski jacket, Roderich said, “I think I’ll go grab a quick shower.” He sat down next to Vash on the bench in the mudroom and took off his ski boots.

Vash nodded. “I’ll go when you’re done.”

“Okay.” Roderich stood up and after putting his equipment away, he hurried to his room. Once there, he stripped out of his sweaty clothes, tossing them into the hamper. Naked, he shivered as he headed towards the shared bathroom. It sat between his room and Vash’s in the loft where both bedrooms were located. Roderich took a towel from the shelf and hung it up next to the shower. He reached inside and turned on the taps, adjusting the water to the exact temperature he preferred. As soon as it was warm enough, Roderich took off his glasses and left on the sink. He stepped inside the shower, sliding the door behind him.

The hot water did wonders for chasing away the chill from his bones and easing the aches from his muscles. Reaching for the shampoo, Roderich squirted some in his hand. He put the bottle back and washed his hair. As his rinsed the lather from his hair, he heard the sound of the shower door being slide back, followed by a quick blast of cold air. Roderich shivered as a pair of arms wrapped themselves around him from behind.

Vash closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on his friend and would be lover’s back. The water beat down on him too as he pulled Roderich close. His hand ghosted over his fellow country’s body. He was slightly built like Vash, but whereas he was whip-hard, Roderich was soft, although a certain part of his anatomy was rapidly becoming harder under Vash’s delicate touch. He tweaked Roderich’s nipple, the other moaning softly under his deft touch.  He pressed his own hardness against his fellow country’s backside. His need to dominate and be in control was strong, and in Roderich he found a willing partner. Yet, he also felt comfortable in letting Roderich dominate him in his own passive way.

Roderich turned in Vash’s arms. Cupping his fellow country’s cheeks, he kissed him long and hard. Breaking the kiss, he gave Vash a tight, knowing, little smile. Vash’s moans where a soft concerto in his ears, a delicate counter melody to the rush of the water pouring from the shower head.  Stepping back, he ran his hand lightly down Vash’s body, mimicking the teasing his fellow country gave him. He held Vash’s heavy sac in his hand, gently massaging it with the pad of his thumb. He trailed his hand upwards, ignoring Vash’s growing need, brushing his fingertips against the thick tangle of light brown curls at the base of his cock. Roderich smiled when his fellow country’s hips jerked forward of their own accord. He wondered if he should go down on his knees and suck him off, or should he simply stroke him until Vash could not take it anymore.

“Please?” Vash said through gritted teeth. He hated begging, but Roderich had excited such need in him that he wanted him now. Luckily, his fellow country did not make him wait long. Vash moaned as Roderich gripped his cock, stroking him slowly and deliberately. He felt weak in the knees and knew it would not be long before he climaxed. He panted, and gripping Roderich’s shoulders, felt his sac tightening as the pleasurable sensations pooled in his cock.

The corners of Roderich’s mouth curled upwards in a smile. Vash had been trying to thrust into him, but Roderich’s firm but gentle grip on the other country’s cock controlled his movements. Rubbing the pad of his thumb on the sensitive head, Roderich counted the beats in his head. And a one… and a two… and a three…

Letting out a strangled cry, Vash climaxed hard. His grip tightening on Roderich’s shoulders, he spewed his hot essence all over his fellow country’s hip. Panting heavily, he clung to him as he basked in his sexual high.

“Idiot…”

Vash pulled back and looked up at him the play of emotion clearly seen on his face. Roderich’s voice had been soft, almost a purr and Vash  never wanted to punch something so badly as he did in that moment. He knew what the look his fellow country was giving him meant and he had no choice, but to obey.

Roderich snorted in amusement. He wore a smirk that would have been at home on Prussia’s face as he watched Vash sink to his knees. Holding his cock out, he moaned softly as the warm confines of his fellow country’s mouth settled around it. Holding Vash’s head in his hands, he set the pace. Roderich loved his fellow country’s talented mouth and he wanted to enjoy every minute of it.

Vash gripped Roderich’s hips as he orally pleasured him. He licked and sucked, doing all those things that his fellow country loved. Keeping to the rhythm that Roderich had set, Vash did his best to get him to climax quickly. He wanted to go downstairs and sit in front of the fire, basking its warmth. After a morning spent skiing and a light lunch, Vash was looking forward to some rough and tumble sex in front of the fire. A little chocolate fondue for dessert… Vash’s fantasy was interrupted by a familiar salty tang on his tongue. He sucked Roderich dry, and pulling back with a loud pop that was lost in the rush of water from the shower head, he swallowed. Rising stiffly to his feet, Vash cupped his fellow country’s cheek. He leaned in and kissed him.

Roderich deepened it. He could taste himself as his tongue explored the warm confines of Vash’s mouth. He knew what Vash wanted to do and he was in complete agreement with those plans. Breaking the kiss, he nuzzled him. “Don’t forget the fondue.”

Vash pulled back with a snort. “As if,” he said, his mouth contorting into a feral grin. Grabbing the soap, he quickly washed up. Nudging Roderich out the way, he rinsed off, before leaving the shower. “Hurry up!” he called out as he left the bathroom.

Sophia lay in bed, a book propped up against her knees while she waited for her husband to get out of the shower and come to bed.  She briefly looked up when he left the bathroom and smiled. Going back to her book, she ignored the dip in the bed when he got in and snuggled up next to her. She lifted her arm without taking her eyes off her book and he settled in, resting his head on her bosom.

“What are you reading?” Tony said.

“A book I borrowed from Ludwig, why?”

“You can’t seem to put it down.”

Sophia finished the page, and taking her bookmark out of the back of the book where she had placed it, she marked her place. Closing the book, she reached back and set it aside on her bedside table. “There, I put it down.”

Tony laughed.  Reaching up, he caressed her cheek and when she tilted her face down to look at him, he kissed her. Breaking the kiss, he said softly, “Tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day.”

“Yeah?”

“Yup. I’m going to wine you and dine you and bring you a big bouquet of red roses and sing love songs to you in Spanish and-”

She placed her fingertips on his lips. “Antonio Fernandez Carriedo, that what’s you do every year.”

“Yeah?” Tony sat up. “How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in Austria?”

“I have no idea; I grew up in Spain like you did.” She smiled. “Why don’t you try something different in addition to the wonderful way we’ve always celebrated?”

He grinned. “Did you get me chocolates?”

“A big red heart full of them.” She kissed him.

“Hmmm… I must think about this.”

“Well, don’t think too hard, we do have to go to sleep.” Sophia opened her book and read a bit more.

“Can I call Mama Edelstein?” Tony reached over and took the book from her.

“In the morning and only to wish her a happy Valentine’s Day.” Sophia reached for her book. “Now give it back, I want to finish the chapter.”

“How about I read it to you?”  He looked down at the book. “Like a bedtime story.”

Sophia sighed. “If you must.”

“‘Cassandra’s heart beat wildly in her chest as Fernando’s nimble fingers plucked at the laces on her bodice. She had no idea what the pirate captain would do to her, but she reasoned it can’t be good. When he leaned over to nuzzle her creamy white bosom-’” He looked over at her. “Ludwig really reads this stuff?”

Sophia nodded. “The Pirate King is a good book, Tony.”

“Yeah?” He gave her a look that said he didn’t believe it for a minute. Tony handed the book back.

She nodded. “It’s a romance book about this pirate king, Fernando Angelo Rodriquez, and while doing pirate things,” she said, describing it in terms that would appeal to him, “he captures the Lady Cassandra Covington, who was on a trip to visit her fiancé who has this import business in Italy and while the ship was in the Mediterranean, it was captured by the notorious pirate king.  And since it’s a romance novel and the main characters are Cassandra and Fernando, they eventually fall in love, the fiancé either dies or finds someone else, and they live happily ever after, the end.”

“And you and Ludwig like this stuff?”

“Yeah. What’s not to like about it? There’s gratuitous nudity-”

“Wait. It’s illustrated?” Tony tried grabbing the book.

Sophia looked at him and shook her head as she heaved a long suffering sigh. She continued as if he had not interrupted her, “And an obligatory sex scene, although older books in this genre used to fade to black whenever it reached that point.”

“So Cassandra and the pirate guy make love?”

“Yeah, although, it’s more like a rape since the girl obviously has Stockholm syndrome.”

“Hunh?”

“Never mind,” Sophia said. She skimmed the page. “Anyway, Fernando gets her naked, dumps her on his bed, admires the goods as your friend Gilbert would put it, and then they make sweet passionate love all night long to the gentle swaying of the ships as they sail through the Mediterranean, looking for adventure.”

“Can I borrow this book when you’re done?”

“If you can put up with heaving bosoms and creamy thighs, I don’t see why not. Just don’t ruin it as it’s Ludwig’s, okay?” She closed the book and placed it back on her bedside table.

“Okay,” Tony said. He wanted to know what his wife and her cousin saw in those books as his friend Gilbert, who happened to be Ludwig’s brother, called them stupid sissy books. Tony found it intriguing since Gilbert would read anything form the back of a cereal box, comic books, various magazines, as well as fiction and nonfiction, but he drew the line at romance. Tony’s other friend Francis claimed they’re okay since they were written for a female audience so not much of an appeal for men. Francis only read the ones he had as they were best sellers and good for making small talk with women, which he claimed saved many a date from disaster.

Sophia rolled over and turned off the light, before settling back into bed. She sighed contentedly when he spooned in behind her, his arm around her, holding her close. Muttering sweet words of love to her, he kissed her shoulder. They soon drifted off to sleep and woke up the next day, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Muttering a cheery “good morning” to her in Spanish, Tony reluctantly let go of his wife and got out of bed. He padded over to the master bathroom to start his morning routine. Sophia woke up a few minutes later when the warmth at her back finally dissipated. She rolled over, looking for her husband. Seeing he was gone, she got up and found him in the master bathroom, brushing his teeth.

“Morning,” she said at the start of her morning routine.

“Morning,” Tony replied around a mouthful of toothbrush and toothpaste.

Sophia shook her head at him, before washing her face.

Tony loved the way her nightie hugged the curves of her body. It was old and worn, an unlikely souvenir from a trip to America bought to replace the one she had lost when her luggage went missing. Knowing how much he liked it, she always made a point of wearing it the night before Valentine’s Day. He moved closer, and when she was finished drying her face, he hugged her from behind. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” Tony said softly in her ear.

Sophia shivered, his breath tickling her cheek. She settled back in his arms, “Happy Valentine’s Day to you too,” she said. Sophia giggled like a school girl when he cupped her breasts. He could be such a guy at times, and yet, there was always a touch of romance in whatever he did. Taking his hand, Sophia stepped away from him. She smiled and led him back to their bedroom.

Tony paused and tugging her hand, he got her raise it and twirled like they were dancing. Humming an old Elvis song, he pulled her close. They danced cheek to cheek in their pajamas, slowly swaying to it. It was the only song the two of them knew in English. Having heard it one night in a club while they were dating, they both liked it and after finding a Spanish translation, it became their song.

“Take my hand; take my whole life too…” Tony sang softly to her. “For I can’t help falling in love with you…”

“Wise men say only fools rush in… But I can’t help falling in love with you…” Sophia sang as they danced.

They sat outdoors at a little Italian café, enjoying a cup of cappuccino. Germany was people watching while his fellow County drew random sketches of him on the backs of several napkins. The weather all week had been beautiful as they toured the area and this day was shaping up to be just as beautiful as the rest. They were close to their final destination, Italy’s private villa in the countryside, and Germany could not wait to get there. Last time he had visited, he had had a wonderful time doing nothing. Germany was surprised at how restful that was and he was eager to do it again. Lost in thought, it was several minutes before Germany even realized his little buddy was speaking. He blushed at the thought of how rude he had been, but Italy did not seem to mind. He just continued babbling on.

“Germany is so pretty and his muscles are so strong, and I wish he’s let me paint him sometime,” Italy sang softly to himself. “I’d love to paint him as Hercules.”

“I’m sorry, Italy, what did you say?” Germany leaned forward in an attempt to better hear him.

Italy blushed as Germany was staring intently at him. He looked away and back. “I was just thinking out loud how nice it would be to paint you. You’re pretty and strong and you would make a great Hercules in a classical type painting!” Italy smiled. Reaching for his cup of cappuccino, he picked it up and drank. “But a portrait of you would be nice too.”

Germany’s cheeks also heated up. “Uh, thanks.” He grimaced at his little buddy in what passed as a smile for him. “You really want to paint me?”

Italy nodded. “Yes! Haven’t you noticed that I’m always doodling you?”

“Well, yes…” Germany trailed off helplessly.

“And while those are a big help in painting a portrait of you, it’s not really the same as having you sit for me. And if you come sit for me, I promise I’ll train extra hard!”

Touched by his offer, Germany found himself agreeing. It was just a portrait and besides, he was willing to do whatever it took to get Italy to train harder. “Okay. So when do we start?”

“Tomorrow. By the time we get back to my house, the lighting won’t be any good.”

“Okay.” Germany picked up his cup and drank his cappuccino. He found he was looking forward to tomorrow as he never really sat formally for him. Most of the sketches Italy did of him were at meetings on ledger paper or in his sketchbook on a lazy afternoon at his home. Italy often sketched Prussia and Germany’s dogs too on those occasions. But a painting was something else entirely and Germany hoped he was up to the task. “So I just have to sit there?”

Italy nodded. “And you can take as many breaks as you like too!”

“Okay.”

“It’ll be fun! I did one of your brother that weekend Romano came to visit with Spain.”

“My brother was there?” Germany was surprised by the sharp pang of jealousy he felt at the thought of his brother spending time with his little buddy. He let his imagination run wild too, as images of Prussia flirting up a storm with Italy danced in his head.

“Yeah! They only spent the night. Romano made his famous pasta fra diavolo! Spain brought the wine and his guitar and he and Prussia sang songs all night while my brother grumbled about what a pair of idiots they are. I was so sad you were stuck at home because of that meeting you had the next day and you needed to prepare for it.” Italy beamed at him. “That’s what Prussia said anyway.”

As annoyed as he was, Germany could not help smiling back. It was not Italy’s fault his idiot brother liked to flirt with him. Germany sighed softly. It was his fault Prussia was there in the first place. If he had not sent him to Spain’s then poor Italy would not have had to deal with Prussia’s nonsense. Germany continued to mentally berate himself as it was much better than letting his imagination run wild where his brother and Italy were concerned. Germany also made a mental note to tell his brother to stop flirting with his little buddy.

“Ready to go?” Italy said as he gathered his paper napkin sketches and stuffed them in his pocket.

“Yeah.”

Germany pushed his chair back and stood up to go. Italy followed suit and together they walked the few blocks to the parking lot where they left their Vespa scooters. They got on and rode through the streets to the outskirts of town. From there, they drove through Italian countryside to Italy’s villa.

Arriving at the villa, they parked the scooters, got off, and went inside. Germany followed his little buddy to his studio. The floor to ceiling windows on three sides let in plenty of light. At this time of day, the sun cast a soft golden glow over everything. While Italy hung up his sketches on a large corkboard, Germany walked over to one of the windows and looked out.

Italy turned around, and spotting Germany standing by the widow, he sighed. He thought his friend looked angelic all bathed in the golden light. “Germany?”

He turned to face him. “Yeah?”

“Can I sketch you quickly? Please? You look so beautiful…” Italy sighed again.

Germany felt his cheeks heating up. He cleared his throat. “Thanks…?”

“So can I sketch you?”

Germany frowned. “I suppose so.”

“YAY!” Italy cried. “Mille grazie!!” He hurried over to get his sketchbook. “Just stand there, okay?” he called out over his shoulder.

Germany stood rooted to the spot. He could feel the beginnings of a headache, blooming behind his eyes, but his little buddy looked so happy that he was able to ignore it. He hoped he did not look too stupid, standing there, doing nothing.

Italy opened his sketchbook. Pencil in hand, he began a quick sketch of his friend. “Don’t move!” he turned and got up to go grab his colored pencils. They were a gift from Prussia for the overnighter and Italy was dying to try them out.

Just when Germany was beginning to feel tired, Italy beamed at him. He straightened his posture and stood there, ignoring the little muscle cramps, he was getting, as he fought to remain motionless.

“What do you think?” Italy held up his sketchbook.

Germany could not help smiling. “I think it looks like me,” he said, blushing when he realized how stupid he sounded.

“Come’re and really look at it.” Italy beckoned him closer.

Germany walked over to him. He gazed down at the sketch. “It’s really good, Italy. Can I have it? Please?”

“Sure!” Italy tore the page out his sketchbook. He handed it to his friend.

“Thanks.” Germany held it carefully in his hands.  “Italy?”

“Yeah?” Italy said as he put his sketchbook and pencils away.

“Do you…?” Germany frowned. “Do you think you could do one of yourself…? If you want to that is…”

Italy nodded. “Sure, if Germany would like a self portrait of me, I’ll do it!” he smiled. “I’ll draw something to compliment yours, okay?”

“Thanks.” Germany watched as Italy grabbed a mirror and looking back and forth between it and his sketchbook, he quickly sketched himself. Several minutes went by before Italy grabbed the colored pencils. He took out one that matched his skin tones and began adding color to the sketch. Replacing that pencil for another, he worked on getting his coloring right, before moving onto to his hair. Italy added some color to his shirt, before handing the sketch to his friend.

Germany took the sketch and held it next to one of himself. His lips briefly contorted into a smile. Italy had drawn himself so that he was facing in the opposite direction, and when Germany held them together, they looked like they were looking at each other. “Thank you,” he said. “Mille grazie,” he repeated, doing a passable job on the Italian.

Italy beamed. “Prego! Germany said ‘thank you’ so nicely in Italian!” He hugged him. “You’re learning!”

Germany blushed. “Yeah…”

“Let’s put these away and celebrate with some gelato and I’ll teach you more words,” Italy said.

Kiku Honda finished lacing his skates, and looking over to his left, he said, “Xiao-san, are you ready to go?” He was on a date of sorts with his friend Mei Xiao, and they were at the mall’s ice rink for an hour of skating, followed by lunch and Christmas shopping. If all went well, Kiku was going to invite her back to his place for a simple dinner and afterwards he hoped she would help him finish decorating his Christmas tree.

Mei giggled in reply and Kiku felt his cheeks heating up. He coughed and said, “Let’s go.” Getting up, he took two steps and stood in front of her, holding out his hands. Mei took them and he pulled her up. They paused, gazing into each other’s eyes, the hubbub of the world around them fading away. Even though the moment stretched into eternity, it was over in a blink of an eye.

“You promise to hold my hand and keep me from falling?” Mei said, the corners of her mouth tugging upwards in a smile.

“Of course.” Kiku smiled shyly at her.

“Good!” She giggled. “I guess it’s now or never, hunh?”

“Yes.”

The two of them slowly made their way over to rink. Kiku, a former Olympic hopeful in figure skating, stepped onto the ice first. Turning around he held out his hands and helped Mei. Much to her amazement and delight, he skated backwards as he held her hands.  Kiku coached her the way he coached his young pupils when giving skating lessons. It did not take long for Mei to feel confident enough to let go and try skating on her own.

“You’re doing great, Xiao-san.”

“Thanks, and please-” Mei wobbled a bit, before landing on her butt. She sat there on the ice, heedless of everyone stares, laughing. Kiku looked so adorably cute, with his concern for her well being clearly seen, but all she could do was laugh as he helped her up. Together, they brushed the bit of slush clinging to her backside. Holding onto his arm, they slowly skated around the rink. The rest of the hour passed by without incident, despite the young boys who skated at breakneck speed, or so it seemed to Mei, as they chased each other around the rink. Finding a quiet corner, they leaned against the rink’s railing and watched the other skaters.

“I wish I could do that,” Mei said as a little girl skated past and went into a spin.

“It’s not that hard to do and if you notice, she’ll spin faster, when she draws her leg in closer.”

“Oh yeah…”

“Now watch,” Kiku said. “She’ll open her arms and bring her leg out again, which’ll slow her down.”

Mei was amazed when the little girl did just that. “How…?”

“I’ve been figure skating since I was five.”

“Really?”

Kiku nodded. “Now I teach it.” He smiled shyly at her and finding a break between groups of skaters, he repeated the little girl’s moves. Pushing off on one leg, he held his left leg out and bent his torso parallel to the ice as he slowly spun. Straightening up, he skated back to her.

“I bet you could have gone to the Olympics!”

Kiku nodded. “I was supposed to go to Sochi, but I got in a car accident and broke my leg the week before.”

“I’m so sorry.” Mei blushed as she mentally kicked herself for being so stupid.

“It’s alright. It just wasn’t meant to be. Besides, I like giving lessons much better. And,” he said, “it’s great to be home all the time and not having to worry about this competition and that one.”

“Oh…”

“Yeah.”

Since their session was almost over, they skated back around to the opening in the rink, while Kiku entertained her with tales of youth as a figure skater. After turning in their skates and getting their shoes back, Kiku and Mei headed to the food court. They stood in line at the place that served American style burgers, waiting for their turn to order.

“I’ll have two burgers with cheese, please, and two fires, and…?” Kiku looked over at Mei.

“He’ll have two chocolate shakes,” she told the girl behind the counter.

Five minutes later, they were sitting down, enjoying their lunch. Kiku told her a bit more about his childhood and Mei listened raptly. She wished she had known him then as the figure skating seemed very exciting compared to her own childhood. Mei sighed softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Mei smiled and ate her lunch.

“Are you sure?”

Mei looked away and back. “Well,” she began, “I was just thinking… Oh, it’s stupid.”

“I’m sure it’s not, but if you don’t want to tell me, it’s okay.” Kiku finished his burger.

“You had just a cool childhood and mine was so normal…” Mei said softly.

“I’d have given anything for ‘normal.’ Seriously, Xiao-san. It might seem glamorous and exciting, but it was hard work and I was rarely allowed to be a child.” Kiku frowned. “And it was all for nothing. I was supposed to go to the Olympics, but a stupid car accident a week before ruined it.”

“I’m sorry.” Mei felt terrible about bringing it up again.

“It’s okay and I’m sorry I upset you.”

“I’ll be fine once I take my foot out of my mouth,” Mei said ruefully.

Kiku got up and gathered the remains of their lunch. “If it makes you feel any better, I can’t see your foot from here.” He smiled.

She laughed and got up as well. “Let’s finish our Christmas shopping and, Kiku, would you like to come over for dinner? I thought maybe we could wrap our presents too.”

“Okay.” Kiku could not believe his luck. He was wondering how to invite Mei over for dinner without seeming too pushy when she beat him to it. “Be right back.” Kiku put their trash in the garbage can and left the tray on top with the others, before walking back over to the table. “Ready to go?”

“Yup!”

Arm in arm, they wandered the mall, stopping at various stores to buy gifts. Kiku insisted on carrying the bags as they shopped and by the time they were finished two hours later, he was loaded down like a pack mule, not that he minded. It took them a bit to find his car as the parking lot was full. After putting the shopping bags in the trunk, they got inside and Kiku drove off.

Mei turned on the car radio. Kiku had it tuned to a station that was playing Christmas music and she sang along. “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…”

Kiku joined in, “With every Christmas card I write…”

Together, they sang, “May your days be merry and bright… And may all your Christmases be white…”

“You have a beautiful voice, Xiao-san.”

“You’re not half bad yourself.”

They sang whatever came on the radio and it was not long before they reached her apartment complex. Kiku parked the car and they got out, and this time Mei helped carry their packages inside.  They had a bit of an awkward moment, when they walked under the mistletoe hanging in the doorway leading to the living room. Blushing and giggling, Mei stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. Kiku also blushed.

“Ummm…”

“Uhhh…”

“How about we put all this stuff down and I start dinner?” Mei said. She walked into the living room.

“Isn’t it a bit early for that?”  Kiku said as he followed her.

“Yeah…” Mei shrugged and set her shopping bags down. She took off her coat.

“We could wrap the presents.” Kiku took his off as well.

“Okay! I’ve got a ton of wrapping paper, if you need it.” Mei took his coat and hung in the front hall next to hers. She was back in minute, making sure to breeze through the doorway so that he could not get up in time to kiss her, as tempting as it was to linger under the mistletoe.

“Thanks.” Kiku mentally sighed at the missed opportunity.

Mei walked over to the TV and switched it on. Handing him the remote, she said, “Find something good, while I go get it.”  Mei headed towards her bedroom.

While she was gone, Kiku found Miracle on 34th Street. It was a good movie and one of the ones he looked forward to at this time of year. When Mei came back with the wrapping paper, she sat down next to him.

“Looks like a good movie.”

“It is. It’s one of my favorites,” Kiku said. “I watch it every year.”

“Yeah?  I never figured you for the old movie type.” Mei grabbed some wrapping paper and one of the pair of scissors she brought, and began wrapping a gift.

“Oh?” Kiku did the same.

Mei nodded. “I figured you’d like more modern stuff like How Murray Saved Christmas, Elf, Home Alone. Stuff like that.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah….”

“Well, my mother liked old movies and I remember watching them when I was little. Watching them reminds me of her, I’ve spent a lot of time away from home, Mei, so that became a kind of I don’t know, security blanket?”

“Oh, for a minute there, I thought you were gay, not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

Kiku made a little sound of amusement, midway between a laugh and a cough, which Mei found adorable. “I’m sorry, I get that all the time and it’s become sort of a running joke. But no, I’m not gay.”

“You have a girlfriend? I hope she’s not upset you spent the day with me.”

“No, but I’d like one. What about you? Is there some boyfriend I don’t know about that’s going to kick my butt for hanging out with you?”

“I wish! Not that I’d want him to kick you, but you know what I mean.”

“Yeah…”

“So, you want to?” they chorused and laughed.

“I think it’s sign,” Mei said with a smile.

“What is?”

“That we’re saying the same thing at the same time…”

They leaned a little closer to each other.

“Oh…” Kiku said as he tilted his head to the side.

“Yeah…” Mei mirrored his actions and closing her eyes, she met him halfway for a kiss.

It was short and sweet, and a very chaste kiss, not that either of them minded.  They finished wrapping the present they started with, before handing it to the other.

“Merry Christmas!”

They kissed again, before they opened their gifts. Mei squealed with delight at the pretty bracelet he got her. “Thanks, Kiku! It’s beautiful!”

“You’re welcome and thank you, Xiao-san,” he said when he opened the box she gave him and took a blue sweater.

“Please call me Mei or Mei-Mei. Xiao-san sounds so formal, not that I didn’t like it.”

“Okay, Mei-san. I mean Mei-chan.” Kiku blushed.

“Mei-chan… I like that!” She giggled and leaned on him.

“I like it too…” Kiku could not believe she was now his girlfriend. It was like what his friend Alfred would call a “Festivus miracle” and he could even hear his friend’s voice booming in his head about how awesome it was that Santa got him a girlfriend. This was turning out to be the best Christmas Kiku ever had and he was filled with a happiness he had not felt in a long time.

Italy was hosting this month’s World 8 meeting. While he was prattling on about some issues his government had with European Union, Germany leaned over to his brother and asked him to stop fooling around with France, and take notes so he could go over his presentation. When an argument broke out between Italy and Romano, Germany took that as an opportunity to slip away and find a quieter room to work in.

Germany found an empty boardroom, two rooms away. He left the door open a crack so that he could hear if anyone called for him, or failing that, they could easily find him when it came time to do his presentation. Setting his briefcase on the table, he walked over to the ancient air conditioner and tried turning it on. It sputtered and blew a steady stream of hot air into a room that was already warm. Groaning softly, he turned it off. Germany’s jacket soon followed. He rolled up his sleeves, loosened his tie and got to work. After a while he was in the “zone,” the heat and humidity forgotten.

When Prussia proved to be as focused on the job at hand as his younger brother had been, France got up and decided to use the restroom. He figured some cold water splashed on his face combined with a quick change of scenery would so wonders for relieving his boredom. The hallway was just as warm as the conference room, and cursing the hot, Italian summer, France strolled down the hall in search of the men’s room. While wasting as much time as he could, he spotted an open door. France wondered if he could get in a “quick siesta” as his good friend Spain would say, before anyone noticed he was missing.

France stood at the door and looked inside. He saw Germany sitting there, hard at work on what France assumed was the answer to Italy’s problems. He idly wondered why the two of them did not settle it in private, since everyone tended to go along with Germany’s proposals anyway, and save everyone the trouble. France was about to slip away when Germany laced his fingers together and brought them up and then over and behind his head. As he stretched, Germany let out a little half sigh, half grunt of pleasure while he leaned back in his chair.

Germany closed his eyes, it felt good to stretch and just be “lazy” for a few minutes while he relaxed. He moved his hands up again, his muscles rippling under his crisp white shirt. Taking a perverse pleasure in goofing off, Germany enjoyed his solitude, unaware he was being watched.

France’s breath hitched in his throat. Germany had matured into a fine young country. A wry smile tugged at his lips when he realized Prussia was not kidding when he said, “West was built like a brick shithouse.” He envied Italy’s familiarity with Germany, having seen a few of the paintings Italy had done with his best friend as a model. Seeing Germany in a rare unguarded moment made him want to paint him as well, but he knew that would never happen as Germany did not have a very high opinion of France, Spain too for that matter. France suspected they were tolerated because they were friends with Prussia.

When Germany sat up and rolled his shoulders, France nearly moaned out loud. The simple act looked so sensual that France briefly entertained the thought of seducing the young German. Unfortunately, that would mean tossing his centuries long friendship with Prussia out the window. Besides, it would have to be a long, slow seduction, as Germany would have to fall for him… and what was he thinking? France shook his head. It must be the heat getting to me… he thought. Too many people would be hurt by so foolish an action. “C’est la vie,” France said softly just as Germany looked over and spotted him.

“France?” Germany was surprised to see him. If anyone was going to come and get him, he figured it would be Italy, if not his brother. “Is it time to make my presentation?” He tightened his tie and gathered his papers into a neat pile.

“No, I don’t think so. I was just coming back from the men’s room and I thought I heard something. I’m sorry if I disturbed you.” France smiled and turned to go.

“It’s okay, I probably should go back now.” Germany took his paperwork, placing it neatly in his briefcase, before closing it. He, much to France’s amusement, rolled down his shirtsleeves and put on his suit jacket despite the sweltering heat. “Shall we?” Germany walked towards the door.