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Duo: So...you're going to write the New Year's fic when, on Valentine's Day?
Shi-chan: Shut up, you.
Duo: Heheheheh.
Shi-chan: Anyway...here's the second half of my cutesy Christmas fic. Gomen for taking so long...
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First Christmas
Part 2
Warnings: Shounen-ai...sap, fluff, yeah, that's about it...
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Um, yes. Sorry for my absence over the past few days, but I was caught on the computer horrifyingly late at night, and my okaachan stole the keyboard. ^_^;; I was writing but didn't finish the next part of "Star Crossed," last night at a friend's house, and I'm finishing this one while Okaachan's gone out. I'll try my best to keep up...okay? Thanks for your patience!
The square was lit up more brightly than young Duo had ever seen it, with twinkling colors and silver and gold everywhere. A light dusting of snow fell all around the boy as he stood amidst the crowd.
There was a different feeling in the air, he knew. The idea of all this fuss over a holiday was still new to him, but it was an old tradition to the people around him. Many of them smiled at Duo as they passed him, and Duo blushed slightly and backed away. He seemed, to himself, to be so drab and alien to these people, in his clean but frayed preist's robes and with his chestnut hair falling out of its braid already. He wished he had something warmer to wear, but he knew that if he did someone else would have to go without.
"Hi, there." a voice behind him said. Duo whirled, already on guard.
An elderly man stood there, looking at the boy with his small fists held up as if to ward off an attack, and laughed gently. "Are you hungry?"
Hungry? When wasn't he hungry? Duo narrowed his eyes at the old gentleman. "Who are you?"
The man, who had graying hair and a beard, jerked a thumb over his shoulder. "I run a stand here in the market. I was going to offer you an apple, if you'd like."
"Why?" Duo asked suspiciously.
The man chuckled again, as if the little boy in preist's clothes was the best thing he'd seen all day. "Because it's Christmas Eve, and you looked hungry! Take it, little one." He extended a hand to Duo, a shiny red apple on his palm. Duo stared at the shiny fruit.
"Go ahead," the man prodded. Duo accepted the item hesitatingly, and the old shopkeeper turned away with a smile. "Merry Christmas to you, lad."
"Th-thank you." Duo finally said, taking a tentative bite out of the gift. It was tart and juicy--had hadn't tasted one in a long time. "Merry Christmas..."
The boy plodded through the snow and sat down on a bench, clutching the bright red apple. It was so shiny that he could see his eyes reflected in it--it was perfect. He took another hungry bite.
This is what Sister Helen talked about, giving people gifts. I don't have anything to give, though. Not to anyone. The chestnut-haired boy stared at his footprints in the snow, lost in thought. Not even to Father Maxwell and Sister Helen, for all they've done for me.
He munched on the apple thoughtfully for a long time, wondering what he could do to make his first Christmas with the church a little more special. Something struck young Duo--I've got it. Mister, please don't be gone...
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"Work?" the old man asked, surprise in his eyes.
Duo nodded with determination. "Hai. Can you help me?"
"Well..." the old shopkeeper looked reluctant, but caught Duo's violet gaze and held it. "You really want to do this on Christmas Eve?"
"Yes."
"I guess I wouldn't mind being home this evening...and you look like a trustworthy young man." He eyed Duo's preist' garb and smiled. "Are you staying with one of the churches? Maxwell?"
The little boy nodded.
"Can I ask your name then, lad?" the old man had a kindly twinkle in his eyes.
"Duo."
"Well, Duo, best of luck. I'll come back tonight, okay?" The shopkeeper gave him one last smile before turning and walking away, leaving Duo with the small stand.
The young chestnut-haired boy minded the stand for the next few hours, without much success. As the night wore on less and less shoppers came through the square, and the little fruit stand probably didn't do much buisness on an ordinary day as it was. Duo found it difficult to sit behind the rows of apples and oranges and vegtables without his stomach growling and his fingers getting colder by the minute. But he dutifully stood his post--the old man had trusted him with the goods, and no one, not even himself, was going to touch the precious fruit without his permission.
Christmas Eve is very important to the church, Duo. Sister Helen had wanted him to be back early, didn't she? Duo would have to get back in time for Mass. He hoped he would'nt be too late.
When the shopkeeper came back, Duo was slightly disappointed that he hadn't sold anything for him. But the old man gave him an genuine smile and shooed the boy out so he could pack up everything. Duo watched with interest as he sorted apples into one brown sack and oranges into another, carrots and lettuce and other vegatables into another. Then he took a forth sack and placed the remainder of the items into it, adding a few apples and oranges to fill it up. "Thanks a lot, Duo."
"No, thank you." Duo brushed his tousled bangs back and grinned at the man. "I didn't mind at all."
The keeper smiled and got to his feet. "Hold out your arms, ne, lad? This is heavy." He lay down the smaller sack and bundled the other three into Duo's small arms. Duo sputtered. "But--"
The old man placed a finger to his lips and gave Duo a grin. "If you can carry it, it's yours. My family can't eat all this...but I'm sure you can find something to do with it, ne?"
"Th-thank you!" Duo cried, struggling under the weight of the sacks. "Thanks a lot!"
"My pleasure. Merry Christmas, Duo." The shopkeeper tucked the folded table and the remaining sack under his arm and walked off into the night.
Duo stood in the snow for several long moments. "Arigatou..." he whispered.
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"Duo!" Sister Helen cried. "We were worried! Where have you been!?"
Duo staggered in the door and placed his burden on the table. "I'm not too late, am I?"
"No, we were just about to start! What's all this?" Sister Helen eyed the sacks curiously.
"A gift from a friend." Duo opened one and apples spilled out onto the table. "I watched his shop for him and he gave me these in return."
"Oh, Duo! Look at it all! How did you ever get all this home?"
"I managed." Duo said proudly. "Is this a good Christmas present, Sister?"
The young nun had tears in her eyes. "For the children in the morning...and we'll have plently to eat tomorrow! This is a wondeful present!"
The chestnut-haired child beamed. "Really?"
"Really." Sister Helen knelt to enfold him in a hug. "Now, for Mass...we need you out there in the choir, so let's get you cleaned up. Duo...this is the best gift we could ever have."
Duo hugged Sister Helen back. "I'm glad."
That night, Father Maxwell and Sister Helen did their best to make it a Christmas to remember. The next morning Duo found an apple and an orange beside his pillow, as did the other delighted children. And at the morning Christmas Mass, one young voice rang clear and true above the whole choir, singing "Silent Night;" again bringing tears to Sister Helen's eyes.
It was definitely the best Christmas Duo could ever dream of.
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Heero stared thoughtfully into the dying flames. "I think I could get to like this holiday."
Duo snuggled against his chest. "I should be asking you to tell me about your first Christmas about now. But I'm happy I'm here to see it first-hand, ne?"
"Yeah." Heero's eyes began to droop shut. "I'd like that..."
"Hee-chan?"
"Hn?"
Duo clasped Heero's hand in his own. "You want me to get you an apple?"
Heero cracked one colbalt-blue eye open. "If you like."
The chestnut-haired boy let out a laugh. "Really?"
"No. I don't want you to move."
"'Kay."
"Duo?"
"Mmm?"
"We do this once a year, right?" Heero poked at the firelog.
"Yeah."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"I'd like that." Heero took a deep breath.
"I'm gonna make you go to church in the morning, if you actually intend to celebrate with me."
"Fine."
Duo ran his fingers through Heero's chocolate-brown hair. "I expected more protest."
"No. I don't mind."
"Good."
"Duo...you sing?"
"I'm always singing, Hee-chan." What was he getting at?
"Will you sing me a Christmas carol?"
Duo's indigo eyes blinked open sleepily. "A carol? I guess so..." He thought a moment before the words to that long-ago melody returned to him.
"Silent night,
holy night,
all is calm, all is bright,
round yon virgin mother and child,
holy infant so tender and mild,
sleep in heavenly peace..." The clear baritone voice grew quieter as he finished the verse. "Sleep in heavenly peace..."
Duo nodded and closed his tired violet eyes.
"Arigatou," Heero whispered. "Merry Christmas."
OWARI!
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Shi-chan: Merry christmas, minna-san!