Zelgadiss sat in the corner of the dining room, watching as Amelia and Lina supervised the decorating. It was fun to watch them enjoying themselves, but he still hated this time of year. There was something about everyone running around cheerful and happy that just grated on his nerves. He swore, if one more person wished him a --
"Happy Yuletide Zelgadiss-san." Xellos said with a grin, appearing in the chair next to him.
"Get away from me Xellos." Zelgadiss answered scowling as he pushed the mazoku off the chair.
"So grumpy Zelgadiss-san, don't you like Yule?" Xellos answered from where he landed.
"No."
"Any particular reason, or just because you can't stand to like anything?"
Zelgadiss just growled.
Xellos laughed and stood up, standing right in front of Zelgadiss. "Ne, Zelgadiss-san, look up."
Not quite sure what Xellos wanted, the chimera followed his directions, his eyes widening as he realised what he was looking at. Above his head was a bunch of mistletoe that he was quite certain hadn't been there before. "Xellos, don't even think about it."
"Sorry Zel-chan, it's tradition." And before Zelgadiss could do anything, Xellos threw his arms around the chimera's neck and proceeded to give him a far from innocent kiss.
Zelgadiss' entire mind froze. Never in his entire life had he imagined that a kiss could feel so good. Before it even occurred to him that he should be fighting, the kiss was over.
"Well, you seemed to like that Zel-chan." Xellos said smugly.
"Fruitcake." Zelgadiss growled and pushed the mazoku away again so that he could stalk out of the chamber. He was furious with Xellos, but he was even angrier with himself because Xellos had been right. He had liked it, even more than the mazoku had probably guessed.
Feeling even gloomier than normal he walked out of the palace and into the snow covered streets. The cheerful spirit of Yule filled the air around him, no matter where he went. The effect made him want to run screaming from the city, he wondered why Xellos hadn't been choking on the peace and good will.
Damn it, he was thinking of Xellos again. He really had to stop doing that, but he really didn't seem able to. That was part of the problem he had with the holiday season. All the love and togetherness just amplified his loneliness. This year it was even worse, for the first time in ages he had someone he really wanted to be with. Unfortunately, that someone was a teasing mazoku who Zelgadiss would not dare open himself up to.
All in all it gave him very little to be cheerful about.
He walked around the city for ages before resigning himself to the torturous evening in front of him. He returned to the palace and made his way into the dining room where the party was already in full swing. Everyone was drinking, dancing, singing, and just generally enjoying themselves.
"Zelgadiss-san, you decided to come after all." A cheerful voice said as Xellos suddenly appeared beside him. Zelgadiss decided not to answer him, but Xellos just continued anyway. "Too bad I don't have anymore mistletoe."
"Shut up Xellos."
"You can always get a kiss without it if you want one you know."
That was more than he could take at the moment. Good manner could go to hell, he left the party without another word. Once he was away from the dining room the hallways were pretty deserted. By the time he reached his quarters they were completely empty, he was alone, again. Letting himself in, he shut the door slowly and took his cloak off, throwing it to the side.
"It sure took you a long time to get here Zelgadiss-san, did you get lost?"
"Xellos!" The mazoku seemed determined to drive him nuts today.
"Well, I wanted to give you your Yule present."
Okay, now he was confused. "Fine, what is it?"
"What else?" Xellos asked as he stood and walked forward, only to jump into Zelgadiss' arms. "A fruitcake of course."
Just what he wanted, too bad he had to give it back. Zelgadiss dropped him. "Stop joking around." He said, walking past Xellos as he headed into the room.
"What if I'm not joking?" Xellos asked seriously. Hope leapt in Zelgadiss' chest unbidden, he really wished that were the case.
"Leave me alone."
"Zel-chan, I mean it."
Zelgadiss closed his eyes, he could feel his body beginning to shake. He really, really wanted to believe him. Xellos' arms slipped around him from behind, drawing a gasp from his lips at that welcome touch.
"Are you sure you don't want your present Zel-chan?"
This was more than even Zelgadiss' self-control could withstand. He turned around in Xellos' arms and pulled the mazoku close. "I changed my mind, I'll take it."
"Good." Xellos and kissed him, holding it long enough that Zelgadiss was clinging to him before they broke apart. "Happy Yuletide Zel-chan."
For the first time in ages Zelgadiss actually enjoyed hearing those words.