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Christmas eve is for staying in and sleeping in, not trying to catch the discounts at strip malls. Winter must add an extra layer of fat, or stupidity, to all the souls sold into shitty deals. If given a better option, he wouldn't have to be shivering on a bench because his ride home wants to run after stray cats. Don't even bother arguing that cardio will “warm him up,” there's no point exerting that much energy when the sun has barely shown itself; the same goes for why he won't tackle the car keys off Ness.
Thankfully the sky is clear, only the sunrise can be caught peeking up. It's a shock that Ness hasn't tried to rope him into a picture, or made some typical remark. Kaiser has seen that ball of fire enough to disregard it. Something so mundane isn't worth noting, unless you're a mundane boy willing to get rabies from a tabby's teeth.
Alas that doesn't happen today. The tan feline is rolled over, allowing Ness to rub its belly. How can it be so trusting when Ness’ coat is making a plastic ruckus?
While Kaiser prefers dogs, there is something endearing about the cat mentality. Living in a constant content state, alone or not. They're much different than Ness’ attention seeking behavior. Still, Kaiser's phone camera finds Ness’ knuckles red, pressed into whiskers. His lens gets a clear shot of Ness’ unusually dangling earrings. One is a snowman, the other a candy cane. He doesn't focus on them long, distracted by unruly baby hairs flipping at his neck. Magenta sure is an eyesore compared to the landscape, only a few dying trees diversify the background. He can almost see the winter cloud around Ness’ lips, maybe it's his imagination.
Eventually, the boy is up again, reluctantly parting from the warm fur. Kaiser is quick to lower his device, closing the camera tab as if it burned him. He rises immediately at the sight of Ness’ horrible grin, strolling towards the illuminated shops. Soft footsteps skip to catch up, easily falling in with his own as the smaller points to a Hallmark sign. Groaning, Kaiser now trudges after what could be an oversized child.
Instead of relief from the cold, his discomfort is replaced by radio a notch too high, seemingly echoing from every which way, as if conducting a seance. Of course, Ness beelines for a shelf of music boxes, some wind ups, some electric. Adding to the blonde's misery, wizard boy starts going down the line, one by one. Since when did singing over classical become so popular?
Ness is persistent that he must pick the perfect one for, not his family- no not Kaiser- but himself. Apparently, he never received a present from Santa, so now he's dedicated to festivities, even if on his own. If Kaiser were a better man, maybe he'd get the other something. Hauntingly the last time he did, regret came with it.
It was barely a gift, more like an attempt. The idiot would like *anything* Kaiser gave him, so that's how the image of Ness crying while eating a half-burnt gingerbread cookie has tormented him since their first Christmas together. Well, it was actually the day after.
On Christmas itself, Kaiser had thrown Ness’ gift back at his face. Even in all it's practically, the eyeliner made no difference to his disdain for the action. Unfortunately, he was too weak to leave it there; the cookies were meant to be an apology, and that failed too. After that humiliation, it became a silent deal that Christmas was Ness’ thing.
Ness better realize that Kaiser's presence at the crack of dawn is a gift on its own. Silently, he follows Twilight Sparkle farther to the back for clay animals that are, supposedly, calling to his heart. Although quieter, the incense rack is too close for comfort. All the jumbled fragrances are torturing his brain cells sadistically.
If persistence is Ness’ strong suit, then endurance is Kaiser's. Fortunately, the sensory overload temporarily fades as he observes the magician pluck his victim from the shelf. “Aww this looks like the kitty outside!”
A big eyed clay copy is curled in Ness’ palm.
“You're just trying to remedy the fact that we can't take the real one home.” Ness’ pout answers for him as he turns to the ornament display.
Years must be taken off his life by the time they're at the counter. An obnoxious music box, too many trinkets, and a pair of gloves that Kaiser contributed are totalled. As Ness holds the door for him, Kaiser catches that his smile has softened to the one that means pigs will fly tomorrow, that the sun won't ever explode, that if it did, he'd die with that dopy expression.
People now crowd the outside. One wrong step and a kid is going to be kneed in the face. The amount of snow still piled along the pavement is unreasonable considering the collective bodies creating a hot spot. Each store is harder to traverse, by the third, sweat has appeared on- also magenta- brows. Kaiser had dared him to dye them mostly a joke, but lo and behold the sucker that wouldn't back down.
“There's only one more place I wanna check, so if you want to take the bags, I'll give you the keys.”
With a headache ready to violate his consent, Ness’ arms are given a moment of reprieve. The bags aren't heavy, just frustratingly stiff, each one bumping as he straightens them. They bid their departure, going in opposite directions.
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After taking a detour, and too many paces to turn back, he realizes that his mental map was wrong. Somehow he's ended up by a toy store, the door chiming with every breath he takes. He's swiveling around in place, eye squinted for something familiar. Beneath him, a small gasp can be heard. Looking down, there's a small girl sitting by his leg. Her face is hidden behind a scarf, except for small blue eyes appearing glassy. In the snow is a mug of hot chocolate, or was as it's not only the ground but the top of his left loafer.
Somebody free him from this cursed season.
Tiny tears fall as she squeaks, pulling her hands up. “I-I'm sorry sir!” She's still staring at the mug as if it will evaporate from her embarrassment.
Kaiser shuffles the bags to one arm and leans down, taking the mug. “Where's your parent? You should go back to them.”
He wipes excess chocolate in the snow before setting it in the girl's lap. She only looks down at it, lip wobbling. This scene feels awfully familiar.
Kneeling so that he can face her- and totally not to wipe his shoe into the ground- he tries to sound as friendly as possible. “I'll get you another one if you help me find your mommy or daddy.”
After some coaxing, Kaiser figures out that her sister is wearing an orange hat. Sighing, he begins to survey their surroundings. Turning to check the toy shop's window, there's a woman inside twisting her head in circles. The cashier in front of her is rubbing his nose bridge grimacing. Kaiser taps the girl's shoulder and points to the lady. Thankfully, it's the right match.
Inside he's met with a gleeful reunion, the lady hugging her sister, smile stretched. If he were ever lost as a child, he would have stayed that way, never to become a soccer player, or even someone with a roof over his head. Luck sure has favorites.
The woman has outstretched her palm to Kaiser, singing her praises. Failing to react beyond watching the two, he stares at the hand like a germophobe.
Noticing the girl's dried tears, the women coos; “oh honey it's ok! We can get more coco.”
Snapping from his daze, Kaiser swiftly checks his pockets, retrieving a crumpled bill. He shoves it into her palm just as he turns to leave.
For a moment she tries to return the money, and to hit two birds with one stone, he gets her to point him in the right direction. She girl is waving to him as he yells back,
“Yes yes, merry Christmas! Happy holidays...whatever the fuck.”
After a damn trek, he spots a landmark, picking up the pace. With snow in his shoes, he's able to make out the terrible stickers Ness put on the windshield; characters from some sort of magical girl show that's out of his age bracket. Opening the passenger door, Kaiser starts the engine, taking a moment to bask in the heater. As he's arranging the evidence of their excursion in the backseat, the door is opened. Snowflake wrapped parcel in hand, Ness hops in, melting the same as Kaiser. The small box is unlabeled, just a lump on soft thighs. Well, it's not like Kaiser would know; he's just assuming.
Whatever God felt pity for his shoes, has shown Kaiser a rare mercy, as Ness switches the station to jazz, instead of the plagued jingles.
Outside the window is a dull plane, most things dead or dying. Bland as it is, there's serenity in the monochrome, perfect for a cool day of soccer. Leaning his head against it is soothing. Maybe he could take an early nap.
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The car's been parked for minutes now. If Ness doesn't make a move, he'll surely get chewed out, but how could he not preserve this sight? Kaiser is slumped against the door, likely unintentional. Hair falling, expression blank, breathing shallow, he's cuter than a kitten. Sure, he sees Kaiser practically every morning, sometimes waking him, but that's not exactly domestic as much as its necessity. The man is a slug before breakfast. Atleast, Ness is able to marvel at his most docile state. His favorite part is brushing through the blonde bedhead when Kaiser allows it.
His purchase has sat heavy the entire ride. Even from his seat, surely Kaiser had felt its presence. It was awfully difficult to find something he hopes won't be thrown away immediately. Something that is significant but not intimate. As the years have progressed, things aren't as easy as they used to be.
Magic doesn't have to fade for an illusion to be revealed. All that changes is perspective. Kaiser is cruel, a dictator, sure to sour over time. As much as Ness would like to believe that the cookies were for him, he knows it was just Kaiser testing his skills. He probably never wanted Ness to walk in, never wanted him to take one, only offered out of courtesy. If Ness had actually said something instead of eating them while giggling, maybe he would have continued the hobby.
That was the first Christmas they had spent together after moving into the dorms. Hopefully, he can convert the emperor into a spirit of positivity rather than the grinchy aura he holds.
Deciding that his staring has turned creepy, he turns his attention to checking his phone. Scanning for a specific image, he finds the sacred file of the gods.
For every fact he knows, there's years worth of character that's kept from even him. For some things, Kaiser would answer if prompted enough. For most things, he wouldn't. It's not that Ness was particularly ready to snoop through his ruler's possessions, not at all! The other’s id had just been left in the locker room all alone! That's how he acquired an elusive birth date. No wonder he wouldn't tell Ness, he knew that he'd freak out over the implication of the time. He's aware Kaiser is no God, no blessing was bestowed, no enchantment infused into his blood. Still, a one in three-hundred-sixty-five chance ensured that he was on an emperor's destiny. A crusade to dominate soccer, similar to the religions others preach.
While not entirely due to his parents, the idea of an ancient man existing as the root to all good and bad is difficult to grasp. Even harder is the idea that a God would permit his parents to teach such a scientific outlook. Thus, he chooses not to humor these ideas because they're just not fun. He wouldn't be upset if they did come to fruition, but if something better than God is sitting right beside him, he's not going to ignore that.
Realizing just how long he'd been staring at his photo of Kaiser's id photo, he reaches over to tap the unsuspecting shoulder.
Grunting, Kaiser glares at Ness who only smiles. Mission accomplished, the latter exists to avoid further scrutiny.
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As the day passes, things go right to plan. They eat at the cafeteria, with definitely overpriced desert cakes Ness couldn't pass up. Kaiser complained about the tacky glitter, claiming that if he wanted snowflakes, he would just go outside. Possessed by his jolly mood, Ness dares Kaiser to go kick a ball after they eat. Surprisingly the blonde agrees without so much as an eye roll.
They couldn't get onto an actual field, settling for running around the local park. The wind can't touch Ness as much as it tries. He's having so much fun! Kaiser even cracks a laugh when he catches Ness off guard, hitting him in the leg. As if they're In a romcom, Ness fires a snowball back. It landed short, causing him to go on the defensive from Kaiser's merciless projectiles. Once thoroughly tired, they head back to the dorms for hot chocolate, Ness’ idea.
Without another way to separate himself, he rushes an excuse that he left his phone in his room, leaving Kaiser in the communal kitchen.
Box, tissue paper, bag, put box in bag, tissue paper on top, note…pen…done.
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Ness was taking fucking forever, but when he went up the lift, Kaiser found the other's room empty. He isn't left to wonder for long since a rustle comes from behind him.
“Oh, I was just gonna come down, sorry!” He bows apologetically, taking the dragon cup over plain white one. Kaiser can't tell what Ness is up to, however he doesn't miss the shaky breathing Ness is failing to control.
Silence sits as a staring battle commences, both sipping their cups in the doorway. It's Kaiser who breaks the air. “What'd you do?”
“What do you mean-”
“You said that too fast.”
Ness sucks in his bottom lip, averts eye contact, traces the mug's details while trying to stand here and bullshit Kaiser. His fingertips trail over the dragon's scales, up to the back ridge and down to its tail.
“Ness.”
“Don't be mad, please.”
That was easy. “If you knew I'd be mad, what's the point.” His tone was rhetorical, yet Ness stutters like a man tasting air for the hell of it. After silence falls, again, Kaiser sighs. “Alexis.” Ness immediately turns, Kaiser ready to scold him for running, however, he only trails down the hall to his own room.
As he pads over, the smaller's face goes redder. Peering into his unlocked room, nothing seems out of the ordinary at first, until his gaze fell onto a small bag near the foot of his bed. Seems his subject was trying to be subtle.
“Alexis, will you ever learn your lesson or do you enjoy being dissatisfied?” He strides towards the present shaking his head.
“Just open it!” He was cowering at the door, gripping the mug hard enough for spikes to jab into his palm. “I-it's only half Christmas themed…”
With every ounce of his will, a crowned hand rips out the paper, throwing the rest of the contents onto his bed. His comforter dips under the weight. Sparkles were the first thing his eyes followed, then blue. For someone who enjoys the impossible, he was was predictable. Who else would be as stupid as Ness.
“If you're going to throw it just…wait for me to leave! I don't want to know.”
A snow globe the size of both his palms, houses an array of sizes crowded in the tall space. A bouquet of blue roses. It looks expensive, custom made? A sticky note on the bottom reads, “Merry birthday!”
What a joke.
The glass is covered in a filthy metallic sheen, yet it somehow strikes as familiar. He knows that damned rose from his living room couldn't have telepathically communicated with Ness. It's just his imagination.
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No one yelled. No one cried. No one would ever know what Ness now knows.
Kaiser had discarded the glass vile in the draw of his vanity, walked over to Ness, and right past him. Ness went off, unsure of how badly he failed.
Later that night as he's immersed in a tragic romance flick, there's a harsh knock at the door.
"I swear to god I can hear what you're watching."
Somwhow, he joins Ness in watching the sappy film. The laptop mounted on Ness" knees. It's not horribly awkward, especially considering how much worse it could have been. They're sitting under a flannel blanket, half a foot separated.
After a particularly heartfelt scene of the lovers reconciling, Kaiser chimes, “I never told you my birthday. When did you figure it.” He never takes his eyes off the screen.
“...snooping…”
“And you thought it would be cute to “surprise” me.”
“Uh…I guess yea.”
“Well, I fucking hate my birthday if that's what you have to know. It's not hard to ignore me for one day out of the year.”
Dread pooled in his gut. The hot chocolate was now heavy ice. What was he meant to say? Was he being scolded, or was Kaiser just trying to scare him off? Was he being serious? It's not like Ness was particularly celebrated at home, but who hates their birthday?
“Sorry,” Was the only thing he could muster. He tucked his knees up as they continued to watch.
It wasn't until Kaiser broke the silence that his heart continued to beat.
“Alexis.” A mouse would be louder.
“Micha?” Turning as obedient as a dog, purple eyes met blue, closer than expected.
Michael takes Alexis’ chin to turn his head away. His fingers find his earlobe, tugging to undo his earrings. Holding one pair in his palm, and a pair of studded cartoon stars in the other, Alexis is decorated to Michael's liking.
“Did you buy these?” His own fingers brush each spike as if he just discovered the shape.
Michael leans back, pulling Alexis to his shoulder. “Yeah. Don't mention it.”
Neither move, even when the sky falls, even when the screen flicks off, even when snow can be heard falling.
Their own dimension is carved into the universe, just for them. It probably won't exist tomorrow, maybe never again.
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Michael has always hated his birthday. Now he hates Christmas less.
Alexis has always loved Christmas. Now he loves Michael's birthday.