The Christmas Date (Japan and Taiwan)

Mei sat there, contently listening to Kiku talk. Hmm. She was glad (though also a little surprised) that he had decided to tell her what he had been thinking about right then and there. No stalling or passing it off as 'nothing', no curious prying from her. It was nice.

She tried to think. It was oddly familiar, both of them working in the kitchen, preparing meals or such. What had she thought of it when she was younger? 'I need to hurry up and finish and maybe I can have permission to go outside!', most likely. Additionally, with no idea the person she needed that permission from would be her fiance in the future. Well.

"Hmm... there were quite a bit of changes, weren't there?"

That much she could definitely agree with.

Then again... during the time she had lived with him, Mei had wondered if being married to him instead of just being an colony would make her life different. Or something.

...God, how did she even remember this? Why couldn't she have thought of... something else.

She directed her eyes at the floor and nervously swung her legs back and forth faster, trying to get that embarrassing memory out of her mind.

Kiku nodded but then noticed some changes in Mei's behavior. The amount of tension in the air rose, and she looked down and swung her legs faster. The movement now seemed nervous rather than playful.

"I'm sorry, I made you think of something you didn't want to..." he apologized quietly, eyes downcast. Perhaps he shouldn't have brought it up...but no, with her curiosity, it would have eventually came out anyway. He let out a soft sigh. He didn't know what it was she had thought of, but there were plenty of things from the past that someone wouldn't want to think about. "I'm sorry," he said again, even softer, wondering how bad it was.

He looked back over to the water to find it was, in fact, starting to boil. "Oh, look, it did boil once we stopped paying attention to it." He hoped the distraction would lighten her mood.

---

Basically, since he isn't aware of your embarrassing little crush thoughts from back then, the only thing he could think of that might make you react that way would be something bad that he'd done.

She looked up quickly, hearing Kiku's apology. Oh no. This was hardly his fault, but... Mei couldn't tell him exactly why she suddenly got nervous. Even if she kind of wanted to. But the part of her that couldn't tell him outweighed the part of her that wanted to. This felt terrible. Telling him would make the atmosphere less... serious, maybe. Or it could make things more awkward. Maybe he would laugh. If she was someone else, she would laugh at herself. She tried to calm down and chewed on her lip, forcing her legs to stop the swinging.

"It's okay, it's nothing really bad, just... kind of weird, to me."

That was about all she could bring herself to say. Perhaps she'd tell him eventually. But not today. That was too much of a weird, embarrassing memory.

Looking over at the pot, she smiled and slid off the counter. She could worry about silly memories later. For now, she had drinks to finish.

"Of course. Even though water always boils when you don't watch it, we tried watching it anyways."

Mei pulled open the bag of tapioca pearls and poured them slowly into the water.

"And now we wait some more." She sighed. "Only five minutes, though."

---

eue -suspicious faces-

"Nothing bad?" Kiku repeated back at her. "Weird?" He looked at her curiously. He wasn't going to press, but... "Something you can't tell me? ...That's okay, I just...I hope you can tell me someday." And with that, he dropped the subject. If their positions were reversed, Mei probably would have made him tell her, and he did want her to be more open to him about her current thoughts. But the past was a different matter. He'd leave it be, and hope she trusted him enough to tell him someday.

He looked at the clock. Five minutes wasn't too long. But it was just waiting. He'd feel better if they had something constructive to do.

While he looked around, a sudden thought struck him. "This might seem rather random, I apologize," he spoke up, "but where do you keep your tiger?"

He wasn't worried, being one of the few people the animal actually liked, merely curious.

---

Hee~ What? ^.~
<3 Love you~

Mei smiled at his inquiry on her tiger. Most people only asked because they were scared he would appear and dislike them, but she noted Kiku seemed curious instead of worried. Not that he should be worried. Xiaoyun was kind of quiet and kept to himself, but Mei knew he liked Kiku. Maybe because they had that kind of thing in common?

Well, it made sense.

"I don't really... keep him anywhere, kind of. I buy him food or snacks or toys and set them out, but Xiaoyun eats and sleeps and plays when he feels like it." She looked around quickly, wondering if her long time friend would be around at all, but she saw no sign of him. "He's usually outside sleeping though. Only comes inside when it's too hot or it rains. Or if I need him." She nodded, as if agreeing with herself.

She glanced at the pot for a moment, blowing at the rising steam to make it easier to see.

"A minute or so more and then we're about done~"

---

I love you too ;3;/

Kiku nodded at her reply. It made sense. "We wouldn't want to disturb his sleep," Kiku commented. "I suppose we will see him if he decides to show himself."

Even just saying that took up a decent amount of the remaining minute. It was amazing how little time a minute was, when it got down to it. By the time he would be able to think of something to do or say during that time, it would be over.

"Is there anything else I could do, or would I just be in the way?" he asked in a light tone. He wanted to be useful if he could, but if the remainder really was just a one person job, it might just be more complicated to devide it between them.

---

Short reply today, couldn't think of much to say.

Noticing the minute was almost up, Mei pulled a large wooden spoon from a nearby drawer and gave the mixture in the pot a quick stir. She then smiled and turned the oven off.

"There isn't anything left to do other than add this into the drinks, so you can sit down or-- oh!" She suddenly thought of something. "Well, I guess you could add your own if you want. Some people like a lot and some like only a little."

That made sense, right? She took the spoon and added several spoonfuls into one drink, then set it down and handed the other to Kiku.

"Whatever isn't used I can still use later, so take as little or as much as you like," she stated airily, going over to another drawer for straws.

---

You and me both orz.

Kiku nodded as he received the second drink and took the spoon. He added some of the pearls until he felt it was sufficient. "What do you want to do with the extra?" he asked when he had finished. She had said she could use them later, but he didn't know how she stored them.

He looked over to her, noticing that she had aquired straws.

"Thank you," he said, although it wasn't entirely certain what he was thanking her for. The straw? Certainly not just that. The drink? That made more sense, and certainly he was, but also perhaps more than just that. For her company, for inviting him inside her home. It was all pieces.

---

I think the short replies have to do with that we are doing these little actions right now that require a decision or reply from the other person before moving on too far. And it's mundane, too. Not exactly...emotional or something we can elaborate on. lol We'll get past it.

"You're welcome!" she said with a smile after she handed him one of the straws. Mei studied the amount of tapioca pearls left in the pot. Not much, but still not small enough that she could scoop the rest into her drink and still be happy with it. Oh well.

"We'll just leave it for now, I can put it in a plastic container later," she commented with a shrug and nonchalant sip of her drink. "It'll be fine as long as I don't leave it out overnight or let it dry."

She turned and strolled out to the main room, plopping down on the couch. She glanced at the television and the remote control, wondering if she should turn the T.V. on or not. It could get rid of any awkward silences somewhat? But it could also be distracting? Or what if Kiku thought she turned it on because she would rather watch television than talk to him? That would be terrible, so terrible. Terrible had to be prevented.

Mei sighed and instead slouched down a little, trying to make herself relax in the cushions, and drank her tea quietly. At least chewing on the tapioca gave her something else to think about.

---

Yayyy mundane things. Slice-of-life-y, lol

Kiku nodded and followed Mei into the room. He hestitated just a moment before sitting right next to her. Now what?

He heard her sigh as he took his first sip. A glance at her showed that she was slouching. Was she somehow sad or disappointed? But no, he didn't feel that from her. She wasn't always one to sit up all prim and proper, so perhaps she was just relaxing. It wouldn't do to infer a negative emotion that wasn't there.

Although, it didn't seem like she was entirely relaxed, either.

"This is really good," he told her when he had swallowed. "Thank you again."

The hand not holding his drink found its way to almost touch her, then paused. His presence before had startled her. He didn't want a sudden touch to cause her to spill. So the hand stayed in place, mere centimeters away from her skin. He swallowed again, even though there was no longer any of the tea in his mouth.

...Maybe he should have just taken another sip...

"I'm glad you like it." She smiled, then chewed a little bit on her straw, thinking. So they were already sitting down, already had drinks, television wasn't an option. Should she start a conversation? Turn on the stereo? Offer him something else? But what else was there? Food was unneeded.

Mei took a decently big sip of her drink. The cold reminded her she was probably overthinking this. No, she was definitely overthinking things. Maybe just sitting here quietly was fine too.

Or... not. She noticed Kiku move from her corner of eye, looked over, then froze.

His hand was hovering over skin. Close enough her nerves could tell there was something nearby. But still not touching her. After a second or two, she impulsively reached out and grabbed his hand with one of her own. It was warm.

"How is your hand so--"

Oh, shoot.

And as fast as she had moved, Mei pulled her hand back, and answered her own question sheepishly.

"Warm. Your hand is warm because you're not holding a cold glass with it. Of course."

She opened and closed her hand repeatedly, but the warm didn't come as quickly or feel quite the same.

What...what was that? She had grabbed his hand, her hand chilly and slightly damp from the glass. Then, just as quickly, she pulled it back away. Warm or not, why would she do that? Once their hands were together, why would she retreat from it?

He took another sip and nodded at her comment, still a bit puzzled. He watched the repeated movement of her hand out of the corner of his eye for awhile before slowing approaching it with his once more.

He touched her hand slightly with his fingers and waited for to look at him again, giving her a questioning expression. Did you want to hold my hand? I'm confused.

He looked a bit away after, but didn't remove his touch. He waited for her response, hoping that she would decide to put her hand back in his, but not moving his own any more to do so.

When he touched her, Mei felt her heart skip a beat again, as it had done so many times that night. Would it always be like this? Would her poor heart have to go crazy the rest of her life? Not that she would mind. But it was something to wonder. When she read the expression Kiku had given her, her wondering stopped. He looked... confused.

She moved her hand a little bit. Curled her fingers up once more, made a fist, held it for a couple seconds. It didn't feel so cold anymore. That should be good, right? She really did want to hold his hand, wanted that warm in her hand again.

After some mental encouragement and hesitation, Mei slowly found his hand again. She looked at him with an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry my hand was cold the first time."

That was why she had retracted? Not because of him, but because her hand was cold? The information shifted in his head, matched up with what she had said and he lightened up once it settled. "Was that all?" he inquired, without really expecting an answer. "That was alright. Mine would have warmed it in time. I wasn't bothered by it." He gave the hand, now comfortably in his, a light squeeze.

He took another drink from the bubble tea. After swallowing he gave a light, content sigh. Then another sip.

He supposed some couples would find this kind of interaction dull. But Kiku found her presence soothing and just her being there was enough to make his day happier. The nice feeling of her touch was a bonus.

He found himself blushing again for nearly no reason. He thought briefly about putting the glass to his face to cool it, but that would be stranger than the blush itself, so he tossed that idea aside, at least for the moment.

He took another sip.

"Yes, but..." she shrugged. "I don't know, I could say I thought maybe you would have minded it, but then when I really think, you probably wouldn't have anyways, so I was probably just being paranoid, and now I am babbling and should stop."

Mei sighed and then took a sip of her drink again. Hm.

Now that they were holding hands, she did feel happier. It didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable, or that she had to entertain him the same way as a normal guest in her house. If he was okay with this, then she was too.

She repositioned herself somewhat, tucking her legs under her then leaning over and resting her head against his shoulder. Hopefully this was okay too. It occurred to her she probably shouldn't think of Kiku as a normal guest in the first place. They were engaged, for goodness sakes. He wasn't a guest... he was something else. Maybe there was a word for it? She sipped her drink quietly, thinking. Things would probably be so much easier if she didn't think so hard on everything all the time...

They sat there drinking their tea, holding hands. It was nice. It was comfortable. It wasn't exciting, but it didn't need to be. It was a good, happy feeling.

Kiku wondered if he would ever be able to bring himself to leave for his own home tonight. Or if Mei would be able to send him home. He hadn't thought about it before - merely thinking of how to extend their time together. But now that he was here, inside, would they be able to bring themselves to part tonight?

Having surpassed the stopping point of the front door, could they convince themselves to stop at another? Or would the urge to stay - to sleep in each other's arms tonight - be too much?

...Why was he thinking about this now?

...Just enjoy your tea and her company for now. Think about those things when you come to it.

His face had surely turned red now. Perhaps he should reconsider that putting the glass up to his face thing...

Mei thought and sipped her tea, holding the glass up briefly to look at how much was left in it. Not much. She made herself finish it and set the empty cup down beside her, then sighed and closed her eyes.

She felt... well, she felt a lot of things. Full, warm, happy, tired. Full of yummy sweet tea and happy thoughts instead of anxious ones. Though the tea had been cold, being beside Kiku always made her feel warm. Happy because again, he was here, and going out had been fun and nice and everything happy. And then, tired probably because she had worried so much earlier, and having fun could sort of wear you out. It was actually a nice combination of feelings, she noted. Possibly since once usually came with another.

Her eyes opened again and she watched Kiku as he finished his own drink. Well... at this point, she didn't want him to leave. She didn't want to think of him having to leave. ...Or, maybe she hadn't planned of parting ways with him in the first place, but just didn't realize it until now?

Oddly enough, that thought didn't surprise her. She smiled. Wanting to stay as long as you could with the one you loved wasn't out of the ordinary.

Kiku finished his tea, after Mei he noted, and looked at her with a blush still on his face. He felt...a large combination of things, all good, or at least not bad. Other than a comfortable happiness, the chief feeling was a neutral one - tiredness. He attempted holding back a yawn, until the attempt eventually failed.

The corners of his lips curled up just a bit in vague embarrassment.

It caused him to swallow the only words he could think of to say. Questions about what to do next. Or similar. How could he ask such a thing after a yawn? Such a question at that time would either lead to going home, which was undesirable; or sleeping here, which, while nice, was embarrassing to just suggest.

He made a mumbled, indecipherable noise.

She looked up at him when she heard him yawn. Uh-oh. After seeing him yawn, she proceeded to yawn as well. Why were those darn things so contagious? He was tired, she was tired. But... that would mean... he had to leave, had to go home, and she would be left alone after a happy night of being with him.

Or maybe he didn't have to go? Mei played around with that thought in her head. Maybe he didn't. Maybe she didn't have to sleep alone tonight. Her bed was fine for two people. Right?

Though as she was about to say something about her thoughts, she thought she heard Kiku make a sound. It wasn't understandable, but it was something.

"Hm, what was that?" she questioned, suddenly noticing the sleepy tone in her voice. Oh well. Too late to take it back now.

"It was nothing," Kiku told her, "I don't even know what it was, really." He said this quite honestly. It had been an odd expression of...something. The thoughts he didn't know how to, or felt like he couldn't express to her. It wasn't just indecipherable, it was... "I don't even think it was actual words."

It was embarrassing, once again. Why did he seem to have a knack for embarrassing himself in front of her? Although, it always turned out he was more embarrassed for himself than she was bothered by it, if she even was at all.

He noted she seemed sleepy as well. He wondered what she would have said had his strange exclaimation not made her ask about it.

Should he encourage her to voice whatever had been on her mind? But the chance that it might have been a suggestion that he go home kept him hestitating, and he would fine it hard, if not impossible to refuse such a suggestion - otherwise he would feel as if he were being presumptious or imposing - but he didn't want to leave her company yet.

But what if her thoughts were more in line with what he hoped? Shouldn't he then want her to say them so that she wouldn't change her mind and send him home later?

Well, perhaps she would say on her own. Otherwise, he would have to make up his mind on what to do.

"Oh... okay." Mei swallowed. She had hoped that maybe Kiku would say something, anything, to give her time to ready herself to ask what she really wanted to ask... but no. She was... torn, and, admittedly, nervous. Again. If she asked too late, he might end up going home and then she would be left alone, probably scolding herself. But then... if there was any time to ask, it was now. Her nerves weren't exactly the best right now, but...

She really didn't want him to go. The Asian girl sighed, took a breath, then licked her lips and cleared her throat.

"Kiku, could you... not leave me alone?"

Right after she said it, it occurred to her how... vague and unsure it sounded. Oh, way to dance around the subject, she thought. Mei sighed again, her eyes looking nervously off to the side.

"I meant, I-I would like for you to... stay... the... night." Her voice finished off tiny and sounded just as nervous as she felt. "If you'd like, I mean."

Not leave her alone? What did that even mean? His heart skipped at beat. It was hard to tell if that was an invitation to stay or not. It seemed like one. But regardless if he could read her intent, his answer to that question might not be clear that he understood. Assuring her that he wouldn't leave her alone would be the normal response, but it didn't neccessarily indicate that he would intend to stay the night, even if she did mean that...

But then she clarified. His heart jumped again. Sure, they had, in fact, slept in each other arms before, but it somehow seemed different to think of the idea of actually sleeping in her bed...

Wait. He needed to back up. She never said that. There was still the possibility that she intended him to sleep on the couch or the floor.

But first thing first. He blushed. "Yes. I would...like to. ...Thank you."

He would just have to watch her signals for where he was allowed.

The nervous energy that had built up between them was quite large now. He took a breath and then leaned over to kiss her temple lightly, in an attempt to ease it.

Yes? Mei had to sit and absorb what Kiku had just said. He had said yes. He wasn't going to leave. She smiled, feeling the happiness bubbling up inside her.

'See?' she told herself. Why did she always have to worry? Everything turned out fine, like it usually did. It was him, after all... he knew her. They thought similarly, felt similarly. She didn't know why she worried so much about everything when it came to him.

...No, she knew why. She didn't want to mess up, of course. Nobody wants to mess up and have things go terribly wrong with the one they love the most.

Her thoughts went blank when she felt his lips on her temple. Mei blinked, and looked over at him shyly, then smiled. Whatever it was that compelled Kiku to do that, she was thankful for it, feeling calm compared to several seconds ago. Now it felt like... nothing could go wrong.

Hm. Was she... dysfunctional or something? Her mood had gone from anxious to ecstatic to worried again to peaceful, all within minutes.

"Uhm, so... should we get ready for bed now, or... or... uh."

She could think of what else to say, but it... didn't bother her as much as it used to.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to get ready, regardless. We can always spend time after we are finished. Although, it seems we are both tired." They could get ready, and after they were done, they could either...do something else until they wished to sleep, or if they were tired enough, just sleep. It would be easier to figure out when they should call it a night that way, he thought.

But...he realized with crushing embarrassment that he'd forgotten something completely. "Wait...I...I'm not prepared to...I didn't bring anything to...stay the night."

He hoped she might have some things extra for guests, but there was still the issue of sleepwear.

He frowned a bit. "...Do you have anything I could use?"

Mei moved to get up after the 'get ready' part, but stopped when she heard the 'wait', looking at him worriedly. Uh oh. She felt her stomach twist a little. That didn't sound... so... great.

Her mind was suddenly filled with worry and sadness while he talked. It was all kind of fuzzy at first, but after really understanding what he was saying, Mei sincerely hoped she didn't look how she felt. Kiku liked having things planned and ready, she knew that, and this was... well, neither of those. Did that mean he would leave, after all? It did, didn't it. Well this was just--

"...Do you have anything I could use?"

Wait. What?

He was asking for things. He wasn't leaving. She blinked, trying to form words her her head, put them into a sentence, then say them in that correct order, without speaking too fast or too high or too soft. ...Since when was talking to someone this hard?

"Oh, uh, well, I... there's... I-I have pretty much an extra of simple things, like toothbrushes and stuff, but clothes.." she thought for a moment. "I don't have anything like pants, but I have a couple T-shirts that are big on me? Will that work?"