A Christmas for Two

A/N: Ehhh... I am so tired... too much work... here it is!
Disclaimer: Tales of Symphonia belongs to Namco, not me. Xylia Eckheart and the plot do belong to me, however. The song at the end is Lullaby by Assemblage 23.
Day 2: Decoration
Even after a long night, Kratos rolled out of bed at quite the early hour. It was sometime past eight, and he felt much better; but than, he supposed, he hadn't been the one on the bottom. Rolling out of bed after carefully untangling his limbs from where they'd entwined with his lover, Kratos pulled on the same jeans he'd worn the night before and a plain black T-shirt. He briefly wondered why there was so much black in Zelos' wardrobe, but quickly shoved that thought aside. What he really needed right now was coffee.

Flanoir was, and probably always will be, a very quiet city; especially so early in the morning. But it was something that Kratos was willing to adjust to and looking forward to enjoying. In a way, the town was much like Iselia, but there was that feeling that that was going to change. After all, a place couldn't be the birth place of a hero unless it had some sort of monument and tourist draw to it. Of course, not many people really knew about such things, only those many who had helped with it, and those who had always known did. But Lloyd, along with Colette, was considered very much of a hero in the lands that had formerly composed the world of Sylvarant.

Lean arms wrapped around his torso and shoulders, “What's on your mind?”

“Depends. You're a terrible house keeper, but your cooking has definitely improved,” Kratos laughed when Zelos scowled at the comment. “But we can worry about that later, firstly, you need a shower and to get dressed; I'll tackle breakfast.”

“You're no fun...” Zelos grumbled as he rolled out of bed, he rubbed his lower back. He hadn't noticed the dull ache that had settled into his rear, and now it had flared up. Muttering darkly, he proceeded to the adjoining bathroom. Once he was under the warm water, he felt better then he had earlier, and he also had a chance to think.

Maybe they'd jumped a little too quickly into the more intimate parts of a relationship, but Zelos didn't regret a thing that had happened; except that it could have happened before then, but he was just happy that it had. If a sore bum was what it took to keep Kratos with him, then he was willing. It looked like this Christmas was going to be a good one. Even if it was only a Christmas with two other people.

Running his fingers through his hair, he quickly lathered it up before rinsing out the suds. Today was a good day. He knew it.
.:-o-:.
“I so say that you're going to bottom one of these days,” Zelos informed Kratos as he walked into the kitchen. He rubbed his lower back and rear for added effect. “This pain is killing me!”

Kratos smirked, handing Zelos a plate of pancakes to place on the table. “Being on the bottom signifies trust, and also strength. It takes strength to allow someone else to take control.”

Sticking his tongue out at the mercenary, Zelos set the plate down on the already breakfast laden table. Kratos only rolled his eyes as he placed a coffee pot on the table, “Quit being so sour about it, I didn't hear you complaining about it last night.” He gave him another smirk, shoulders shaking with barely suppressed laughter at the mortified expression on Zelos' face as well as the tomato red color that it had turned.

“... dirty old man...” Zelos muttered darkly. This time Kratos couldn't contain his laughter. All he earned in return was a rather dirty glare from the shorter red head. “And what's so amusing about that?”

Kratos only gave him a cheshire smile before pressing a passionate kiss to Zelos' lips.
.:-o-:.
“If there is one thing I hate about Flanoir it's the cold!” Zelos cursed as he brought his gloved hands to his mouth. He'd pulled his hood up and was wearing a toque underneath as well. Kratos had tucked a scarf around his neck, as though he'd foreseen the ex-Chosen's sensitivity to the cold.

“If you hate the cold so much, then why did you move here?” Kratos sighed before drawing the younger man to him swiftly, wrapping an arm about his shoulder and pulling him against his chest. Zelos blinked, and was mildly surprised when blood rushed into his cheeks. He thought that his blood was too busy trying to keep his extremities warm then to show embarrassment.

“Ermm... well this is new.”

“Hn.” Zelos gave a small smile as his eyes drifted closed, allowing the mercenary to guide him in the bitter cold of early morning. He'd let the cold response from Kratos slip; he could tell he was a little new to this whole feelings of being in relationship; especially with another man.

Mornings in Flanoir were the pits, it warmed up slightly in the afternoon, before cooling right back down in the evening, before dropping to unreasonably cold temperatures at night. Zelos found himself grateful for the added warmth of another body; he curled closer.

“This is the place right?” Kratos asked, breaking the silence, Zelos cracked his eyes open before nodding. The door swung open, and the pair entered the small cafe.

“Zelly! Kratos!” Xylia called, throwing herself at them and drawing them into a bear hug. “I'm so glad to see you both! How was your night? Was it good? Did you two sleep well?” She eyed them warily for a moment, stepping back before placing her hands on her hips, “Let me guess, you two did it? After I left?”

The deadly glare from Kratos, and the rush of blood to Zelos' face gave her an answer. She squealed, clapping her hands together and twirling around, “You did! Oh wow! It must've been hot! So tell me, who was on top?!”

“X-Xylia!” Zelos exclaimed, dropping his coat to the floor in surprise. “I told you! No asking about our sex life!” She giggled and gave them a totally fake innocent look.

“Please...?”

“No!”

“I believe that what goes on in my and Zelos' room is our business alone,” Kratos replied evenly, despite that pink splotches in his cheeks.

“Ohhh... Kratos is embarrassed!” Xylia giggled, then danced out of reach before either could grab her to throttle her for her remarks. “I've already pulled out everything. I need you to change all of the candles on the tables to the festive ones,” she pointed to Zelos, “And Kratos can hang up all the baubles and mistletoe; we'll all decorate the tree later.”

It took a few minutes for Zelos to detangle himself from the mass of layers he'd worn, while Kratos easily shed his blazer and winter coat. Stowing them on coat racks, they got down to work. Zelos found the replacing of candles tedious and repititive work that didn't take his mind completely off the events that had transpired the night before.

Now that he had chance to think about it, it really had been enjoyable. It was the first time that he'd ever actually enjoyed sex with another person, truly enjoyed it; in fact, he was slightly ashamed to admit that it was his first time being intimate in such a way with another man. He was tredding in slightly unknown territory at this point, but wasn't about to back out now.

Finishing up with the tables, Zelos stowed the old ones into the box, and then tucking that away into a small storage room in the back hallway of the cafe near the bathrooms. Coming back out, he found Xylia perched precariously on a small step ladder, twinning up garlands on the archway; she was just twining in some mistletoe with a rather... amused grin on her face.

“Xylia, what are you planning?” Zelos asked, nearly startling her off her perch. Xylia lurched forward, hands grabbing at the walls for support; she glared darkly at him.

“I'm not planning anything!” she squeaked. “So don't insinuate that I am!” Climbing down, she gave him a smoldering, dark glare (which really wasn't all that effective as Zelos was about eight inches taller then her). Kratos, who was sliding some menus into festive covers, looked up. He rolled his eyes and gave a small smile at their antics; those two were really like brother and sister. He returned to what he was doing, pausing to look at the menu.

Eventually, the squabble drifted to an end once both sides had forgetten what it was that they'd been arguing about originally. Kratos watched as Zelos whispered something to Xylia, who immediately grinned and came bouncing over to him.

“So Kratos... Zelos tells me that you sing?”

Kratos nearly choked on air, and sent a dark look in his lover's direction. Zelos smirked and shrugged before busying himself with arranging some centerpieces on the tables. Turning his attention back to Xylia, “I suppose there's no denying it now.”

She grinned, “None whatsoever!”

“But can I ask why you're interested Xylia?”

“I want you to sing in my café.”

“... you're kidding.”

“Nope! I hope you have something good because tomorrow we're opening back up and I want some live entertainment!” she skipped off into the kitchen to speak to the chef.

Dropping his forehead into his palm, Kratos wondered what else could happen that could possibly embarrass him?

“You okay?” A hand settled on his shoulder, Kratos looked up, frowning.

“This is your fault you know.”

Zelos gave a small smile and shrugged, “It was either that or telling her that you could play an instrument. I was thinking of tenor sax.”

“You'd be sleeping on the couch.”
.:-o-:.
A decent sized spruce tree was set up in one corner of the café. Slightly out of the way, but definitely a focal point of the room now, along with the fire place, the trio set about decorating it. Kratos, being the tallest, got the honor of placing the star on top (with the help of a step ladder). Xylia unpacked ornaments from their newspaper protection, handing them to the new couple to put on the tree.

“So... are we going to have Christmas dinner here or at your place Zelos?”

Looking back, Zelos responded, “I guess at my place; there's plenty of room there for the three of us.”

“Okay! Should I bring anything? Drinks, dessert?”

“How about dessert? I don't think Kratos is any good at baking. Oh! And could maybe bring over some of that special holiday coffee that I like?”

Neither noticed how Kratos ducked a little behind the tree at the mention of baking; Xylia replied, “Of course! You know I love that stuff too! And I'll find something extra special for dessert!”

“That sounds great Xy, thanks.”

“No prob! Kratos? Here's another one.” She handed him another glass orb ornament. Kratos nodded and hung it on an upper branch.

It didn't take too long for the three to finish up with the tree, and soon they were gathered around the fire in the plush armchairs.

“Whew!” Xylia exclaimed as she sank deeper into hers. “Well, at least now all the decoratings done! I can relax for a little. Well, at least until I reopen tomorrow.”

“You took these two days off, didn't you Xy?”

She shrugged, “I figured two days was okay, and I'm not expecting too much traffic in these few days leading up to Christmas, it's those days towards New Year's that I'd really like the extra help.” She smiled at Kratos, “And thanks so much for offering the help Kratos!”

“Your welcome Xylia.”

She glanced at the clock and then out the window, “Wow... I forgot how quickly blizzard's can come in this place! Looks like a bad one, you two should hurry home before it gets worse.”

Following her gaze, Kratos had to agree; snow was already falling heavily, and the wind was stirring it up violently. Tonight looked like a bad one.

Standing, Kratos nodded, “We'll head home then, I don't feel like being caught in a blizzard, nor do I feel like carting a half-frozen Zelos all the way there.”

“Hey!” Xylia giggled at the indignant look on Zelos' face. “It's not my fault I'm more sensitive to the cold then you two!”

Escorting them to the door, Xylia hugged both of them, “I'll see you two tomorrow though, right? Drop by around two, I'll be opening around then. But take care you two! Kratos you take good care of Zelos and yourself.”

“Of course.”

“See ya Xy.”

Once they were bundled up once more, they left Xylia's café and home behind, heading out into the storm towards their own. Zelos huddled down into his clothes, and moved a little closer to Kratos. The mercenary looked at him for a moment before pulling him firmly against his side, his arm wrapping tightly around his shoulders.

“If you're so sensitive to the cold, then why did you move here in the first place?”

“... it's quiet here,” Zelos managed between chattering teeth. “Besides, I don't go out all that often; especially during the 'winter' season.”

Rolling his eyes, Kratos didn't pursue the subject, focusing instead on getting them both home as quickly as possible.

.:-o-:.

Stretching near frozen limbs, Zelos flopped onto the couch, yawning. Kratos picked up both of their outer layers, carefully putting them away before coming over to join Zelos. Picking the ex-Chosen's feet off the couch, Kratos flopped down in their place before leaning back to rest his head on the others chest.

“Heh, comfortable?”

“Yes, you make an excellent pillow.”

Too exhausted to fight back, Zelos merely nodded and yawned. His drifted closed and he fell asleep.

Looking up at his now sleeping pillow/lover, Kratos rolled his eyes with a small smile; shifting their positions so that he was beneath the other, he made sure that they were both in comfortable positions, settling a pillow behind his neck for support before preparing to fall asleep himself.

Not quite sure yet about what might happen tomorrow, Kratos had a feeling in his gut that things were going to get difficult. After all, things had been going too smoothly for them. Things were never this easy.

Humming quietly to himself, he sang softly, “May you find solac in the gentle arms of sleep, despite the wolves outside your door. In time you will see them all as harmless, and their idle threats easy to ignore. And if fate should ever choose to smite you, stand your ground, never walk away. Please don't ever let the world defeat you, don't get buried in its decay.

“As you drift into the gauzy realm of dreams, may you take comfort in the thought that you are safe. For it only takes a fraction of a second, for all of this to change. Return to me, when slumber's fog has lifted. Return to me, stronger than before.”

Letting his eyes drift closed, Kratos eventually gave in to the gentle waves of sleep that battered against his consciousness.
.:-o-:.
Okay, now I have about eleven more chapters to go, and then we're DONE. I hope you all like it. Now to answer a few reviews (this is very overdue...):

IceSeraph:
I hope that you like it and that it keeps giving ya the warm fuzzies! ^_^

Yamiyugikun:
The details are always good; and yes, I admit I'm a yaoi fangirl like Xy too. She's a fun character to write for.

KuraiD:
The longest review yet! Yeah I kinda realized that about the clicking; but I was kinda going with that it's been there for years, and they're only admitting it now. But yeah, I know Xy doesn't seem really all that important, but she (may or may not, not sure yet) may prove you wrong yet! And yes, I know she's kinda the comic relief of the story. Comic relief is always good. Though I like some of Zelos' lines. *giggles*

kyogre:
Hope that this makes your ZeroKura fangirl heart happy! And yeah, I'm upset about Sheena too; she's my favorite female character (next to Presea). But she'll be in later chapters, I hope you stick around long enough to see how it all ends!

Now, please be kind and drop me a review? Thanks!

Kat.