Snow was falling quietly outside, and the sun shone brightly through a small window. Avarin flinched slightly, then turned away from the offending light.

He snuggled closer to the warmth that was surrounding him on the small bed by large blankets.

Suddenly his warmth was taking away, by a small child pulling back the covers hard and his slumber was disturbed by the petit girl exclaiming," Rin! You have to get up now! Everyone's ready to open presents! But you're still asleep and-"

"Okay okay Allison! I'm getting up. Hold on," he replied, sitting up warily.

She smirked at him in a self-satisfied way before waiting for him to stand up.

When the redhead did, she grabbed his hand quickly, and dragged him down the stairs.  

Once they arrived at the lowest step, Avarin was pulled towards the large couch by Jallece to sit beside her.

"Finally you're up you sleepy head! Good morning! And Merry Christmas," she said smiling, giving him a quick hug.

He blushed slightly, but replied," Morning Jallece. And Merry Christmas to you too."

She grinned brightly, and turned to her sister," Did you finish putting all the gifts in a pile Val?"

"Yep! We're ready to start opening them up!" Valerie exclaimed, and began handing each person their pile.

Gilles sat on the floor beside Allison, who was clapping her hands as she got a pile," Wow! I didn't think I would get anything since I just got here."

"We are always prepared for the smallest of guests Ally," Jallece said to the little girl's inquiry.

Zalas walked into the room with a tray of hot chocolate in his hands and placed the tray on the small coffee table," Thank you again for allowing me the use of your kitchen Jal, you're a true angel."

Jallece reddened and nodded, while her older sister rolled her eyes.

" And here's your gifts Rin." The raven-haired girl said to her friend, placing his gifts on his lap.

His eyes widened as he stared at everyone," Bu-but I wasn't expecting anything either."

"Oh really? Why not? You're our friend Rin. Whether you like it or not, you're apart of this pack now," Jallece said, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you. All of you."

"Think nothing of it my compadre!" She hugged him once more, and was surprised when he recopriated the hug.

Gilles smiled, but then winced when a present was thrown at his head," Learn to catch greenhair."

Yellow eyes narrowed at the tall brunet, who was smiling at him innocently," Open your gift Gil."

"Fine." His hands scrambled to open the gift. Then glared at the offending thing.

Allison turned to him with curious eyes," What did you get Gil?"

"I got him a lovely pair of boxers." Zalas remarked from his position in a small chair.

The little girl looked into the box, before Gilles closed it quickly with a tint of red in his cheeks," you shouldn't see things like that Ally."

Jallece burst out in laughter, and Avarin was stifling a grin.

Zalas simply smirked, then turned to his own pile. Opening the one from Jallece, he smiled handsomely to her and placed the small pendant around his own chain. " Thank you Jal. I really love it."

She was happy that he liked it, then gasped when he opened his to her," Oh Zalas! It's beautiful!"

It was a small glass figurine holding a star in the air. The glass had been carved perfectly as the figurine was frozen in time doing a twirl, holding the star up high. Her initials were engraved on the bottom.

Avarin raised his eyebrow at his gift," A teddy bear? With a rose?"

"It signifies how cuddly and still beautiful you are princess," the brunet said, while smiling at his gifts.

Allison held up all her toys she had received and gave everyone a large hug," Thanks guys!! This is the best Christmas I've ever had. That's the truth."

The redhead turned to Jallece and asked her where she had managed to find gifts for Allison.

"I went into my own Plushie collection to give to a sweet misunderstood girl. Much like someone I know right beside me," she poked him, while he blushed and pushed her finger away from him.

"Thanks Jallece. It means a lot to me that Allison can be happy."

"You both deserve some happiness. If I'm the one to give it, then I will." She hugged him briefly before thanking him for his gift to her. Avarin had given her a stationary kit with bears on it, and a small silver bracelet, that ran across her wrist delicately.

He nodded to her as she left to get food ready. Her sister walked after her, while Zalas simply went to find some food.

The room became silent as it was only Gilles, Allison, and Avarin left.

Gilles cleared his throat and said," Um...did you like your gift Rin?"

"Oh...um...I haven't opened it yet."

"Okay."

Allison looked between both boys and sighed in frustration," You two are soo obvious! Ugh...Rin just open his present. You too Gilles."

"You mean...you didn't open yours from me either Gilles?"

"No, he was saving it for last."She exclaimed, standing up placing her hands on her small hips. "It's Christmas guys. Be happy!" She stomped off towards the crowded kitchen, leaving the two young men alone.

They stared at each other then nodded at the same time." We'll go at three."

"One..."

"Two..."

"THREE!"

Avarin stared at his gift as tears clouded his eyes. It was a book of all his poems, placed into one neat book, with his name on the top." But how did you?"

"Jallece helped. She would always distract you, while I took your notebooks to make copies of the poems. I found a store that had good binders and books. Do you like it?"

"I...I love it...thank you so much." Small round tears began to stream down the other's face, but since he held his head down, Gilles did not see as he opened his own gift.

"Wow! I mean really wow! Thank you Rin. It's awesome," he smiled as held in his hands a journal with a small mp3 player attached to it.

"Well you had mentioned that you didn't have anything to listen music with so I bought you one. But it's not that great," the other replied still looking down, wiping his eyes carefully.

Gilles expression softened, as he crawled across the floor to the other on his knees, then once he got in front of Avarin, he crotched on his legs and wiped the rest of Avarin's tears away with a soft hand. "Don't cry. Please don't."

"How can I not? You went through so much trouble...just for me."

Gilles pulled the redhead's chin up so that he could look him in the eyes. Slowly he was closing the distance between the both of them, but hesitated at the last moment." Because I care Rin. I really do."

He could not bring himself to say anything else, before he placed his lips gently on Avarin's. They remained in a soft liplock, before Avarin pulled back with surprised eyes.

"What-what was that for?"

"To get your mind off bad things. And there's mistletoe on top of you."The yellow-eyed man replied, stepping away. While the other regained his composure.

Allison walked in holding a teddy bear she had received from Zalas," Are you guys coming to eat or not?"

They looked at one another, blushed then walked to the kitchen.

Allison smiled to herself while looking out the lone window by the door. She pulled back the curtain to see a fluffy white winter she always dreamed of.'These boys are one step closer. They just need that boost. Merry Christmas guys.'

The small blonde girl shook her head, then turned away from the snowy scene outside.

The rest of the holiday season was spent in merriment before everyone realized that the true meaning of the holiday, was to have the spirit of it.