Celebration

Celebration

//Eggs...eggs... aw crap where are the eggs? Ah, got 'em! Okay, okay, next is chocolate chips, and flour... and then... ahh...//

Fianan scampered about the kitchen as she gathered the appropriate ingredients for her baking. She knew she should have taken care of things like this last night, but she and Alice had stayed up late watching “Gone With the Wind” and had lost track of time before falling asleep on the floor.

When Fianan awoke that morning, she had shaken her roommate awake and loudly reminded her that she needed to go to work today. Refusing to make the Faunus girl breakfast, Fianan had quite literally kicked her complaining companion out the door of the apartment, chuckling smugly as she watched her trip on the pothole outside that had been hidden beneath the snow.

Fianan had made herself some breakfast before she started preparations. It was Christmas, so naturally they wanted to have some form of celebration. But what made this year different from the past several was the fact that it was not just going to be the two of them this time.

After the cafe closed early in the afternoon, Alice was to bring Cael back to the apartment with her.

Hence why Fianan was presently flustered about anything and everything. She had darted about the house for the past hour, dusting off every nook and cranny, straightening out every piece of furniture, adjusting every little decoration they had set up. Their tree was not very big, but it still shed needles, and Fianan lost count of how many times she had had to clean them up that morning alone.

Presently, she cradled the bowl of her cookie batter in one arm as she cracked the eggs swiftly and skillfully, never allowing a single chip of shell to stray into the mix.

//Okay, okay. It's all good, I still have 2 hours before they come home. You can do this, Fee. It's just like last year, y'know except C-Cael's coming and, ha, he kind of like h-has never come over before like ever. B-But other than that, everything's totally the same!//

As she tried to reassure herself -to no avail at all- her motions became a bit more shaky and she ended up splattering some of the mix onto the counter that was previously so pristine thanks to her valiant efforts.

“Gaaah!” She cried. “Are you serious, are you /actually/ serious, Fee?” She put down the bowl to hastily clean up the splatters. But just as she finished and stood back to let out a sigh, the bowl of cookie batter began to tilt off the edge of the counter.

Whether it was her impeccable reflexes or dumb luck (yeah probably that), Fianan was not sure, but she managed to steady it just before it spilled. She stood there in the kitchen, slowly sliding the bowl back onto the leveled counter, panting slightly, trying to fight off the panic attack she knew was trying to surface.

//It's okay, I got this. You got this, Fee...//

Carefully, she began mixing the batter again, glancing nervously at the clock every 4 seconds just in case it was the hour hand that was moving rather than the second hand, because for all she knew, it could have been.

At long last, she finished mixing the batter and began molding it into circles which she then placed onto two non-stick trays; she made sure to make extra this time, as she was well-aware that an entire tray was easily enough for Alice to tackle alone.

She sighed in relief as she brought the trays over to the oven and went to put them in, only to realize she had neglected to pre-heat it. “Oh my god, Fee. Why not just make /every rookie mistake ever/ today? Sound good? Sounds grand. Great job, give yourself a pat on the back, you idiot.” She laughed bitterly to herself as she heaved a sigh, dropping the trays onto the counter with two reverberating clangs as she turned on the oven.

Now that she had to wait 20 minutes for it to pre-heat, she might as well make her cleaning rounds again.

She swore that every time she went to their bedroom to clean Alice's haphazardly strewn-about laundry, it always managed to find it's way back to the floor, no matter how many times Fianan picked it up. She groaned as she stuffed the clothing into her roommate's drawers again - not that she thought Cael would be going to her room or anything of course not why would he do that.

Fianan smacked both hands against her cheeks to try and calm herself down as she returned to the living room, sweeping up stray pine needles for the eighth time that morning. By the time she had deposited them into the trash the oven was ready, and Fianan slipped the two trays in with a sigh.

//I can't believe this. I could have had all of this done so much sooner if we hadn't stayed up last night watching the stupid movie...//

For the umpteenth time, she went around to scour the apartment for any traces of fuzz, any iota of dust that had fallen in the last 5 minutes. She cleaned up the baking supplies from the kitchen and made certain that it was immaculate. She glanced at the clock again and sighed a little.

//It's cool, Fee, it's cool. You've still got an hour. You've got plenty of time...//

The next thing she knew, everything was happening at once.

Firstly, she ended up sweeping away the dust on the bookshelf directly into her own face, which resulted in her sneezing beautifully, effectively messing up her hair.

Secondly, the timer went off to signify that the cookies were ready.

But thirdly, and perhaps most terrifyingly of all, the door to the apartment opened.

“Yo, we're back!” Called out a loud, familiar voice.

“A-Al-?!” Fianan sneezed again as she quickly scrambled into the kitchen, wiping her face in her sleeve and managing to mess up her hair even more. //Why is Alice back, this is an hour early, /an hour/, Al! An entire hour, what am I supposed to do the cookies aren't even ready yet and holy crap my hair is a total mess how am I supposed to go out there and greet them right now-// As she shakily opened up the oven, it hit her. //T-T-T-Them?! Them! As in more than one person! A-As in not just Al! A-As in-//

“Fee?” A second voice called out. It was a bit deeper, but gentler, and sounded excited and just a bit nervous.

//Oh my god!// She screamed to herself. //Why are they here already?! I'm so not prepared!// She tried to reach for the cookie trays but ended up recoiling her hands and clutching them to her head as she tried to suppress the tremors of anxiety that started to throb through her body. //No! Not now, not now, oh my god!// She heard footsteps approaching the kitchen and tried to not to focus on the rising fear that swelled within her stomach.

“Yo, Fee?” Alice's voice called out. “Did ya get my text? We got let out early and- whoa!” Alice had been expecting to find her roommate fidgeting and blushing in the kitchen upon her early return, but not on the verge of having a panic attack. She rushed over and placed a hand on Fianan's back in a rare display of concern. “Fee? Y'okay?” Her voice was lowered too, and Fianan smiled a bit to herself.

//That's right. Alice can be a real pal when she needs to be...// She almost forgot sometimes due to her companion's unkempt habits, sailor mouth, and overall rude tendencies. But it seemed whenever Fianan was having an attack, Alice always happened to call her or show up out of the blue to quell it.

Fianan nodded in response to her friend's question and slowly let her hands fall away from her face. “Y-Yeah, I'm... I'm fine.” She sighed. “I j-just I-” her eyes widened. “W-W-Where's Ca-”

“Jeez, don't sweat it! I told him to wait in the living room so he wouldn't have to see your freaked-out mug!” When she saw that Fianan was alright, Alice smacked her palm between her shoulder blades, causing her to stumble forward. Fianan glared at her and went in to lunge at that smug grin, but froze when she heard their guest's voice.

“Um, Al? Fee? Everything okay?”

Fianan's cheeks grew warm as he spoke. //He's so concerned!//

Alice guffawed when she saw how drastically quickly her roommate's deadly expression turned into that of a lovesick maiden's. “We're fine, pretty boy! Just sit tight!” Alice called back in reply between bouts of laughter.

Fianan realized she must have been blushing and promptly stomped on the Faunus's foot. Alice let out a short “ow” but proceeded to laugh even harder at her reaction. Fianan glowered at her before reaching down to grab the cookie trays from the oven, but Alice immediately stopped laughing as she saw what the other girl was doing.

“Hold it, dipshit!” She quickly smacked Fianan's hands away. “Do you /want/ to burn yourself right now? When he's over?” She smirked a bit, displaying her sharp teeth. Fianan sniffed indigently before grabbing the oven mittens and sliding them on to finally remove the trays.

“Give me the basket...” She muttered. Alice chuckled again but obeyed, sliding the empty basket over to her. Fianan picked out every cookie and carefully placed them into it, warm and steamy, chocolate chips oozing. She grinned to herself as she finally dropped the final cookie in and pulled off her mittens. She could feel Alice circling behind her like a wolf waiting to pounce. “Oh no you don't.” Fianan shooed her away, kicking her tail. “Not until he gets to eat one first.”

“Wha-?!” Her jaw hung open, obviously prepared for a snappy protest, but by some miracle, Alice relented. “Fiiiine.” She sighed. “D'ya want me to hold 'em in case ya faint when ya walk in there?”

“Nice try.”

“Worth a shot.”

Fianan quickly ran her fingers through her bangs that her sneezing fit had previously frazzled. She then took the basket of cookies into her arms and clutched onto it for dear life as she and Alice turned the corner for the living room.

Cael was sitting on their cushioned chair across from the couch, posture erect as his gaze flicked about the room, feet shuffling slightly. Fianan guessed he might have been half as nervous as she was, and when his meadow-green eyes finally came to rest upon her, she really thought she should have taken Alice's word and let her hold the basket.

Fianan began to sway a bit, but was snapped back to her senses by a gracious punch on the arm. She cleared her throat, trying her best to remember how to speak.

“C...C-Ca-”

“Fee!”

“Yes?!” She squeaked. Alice rolled her eyes.

As soon as he saw her, Cael stood up in his excitement, eyes shining, lips curled into a wide smile. Fianan was sure her heart had stopped.

Thankfully, another slap on the back restarted it. She opened her mouth to try and speak again, but Cael beat her to it.

“Merry Christmas, Fee!”

“...H-Huh?”

“Oh my god!” Alice was so fed-up with her partner's idiocy that she smacked her palms to her face and groaned. She did not even laugh this time. She was just so unbelievably flabbergasted that Fianan had forgotten the sole reason they were celebrating today.

“O-Oh! Right!” Fianan quickly attempted to save herself. “C-Christmas, right! Merry Christmas!” She tried to smile, hoping it did not look too goofy. Apparently it was fine, though, as Cael was still grinning back at her.

Fianan then extended her arms, holding out the basket toward him as he blinked curiously. “H-Ha... erm... I mean uh... I uh... m-made these...”

“Oh, wow!” Cael's smile only brightened. Fianan thought she was going blind. “I knew something smelled amazing. Can I have one?”

“Ah! Uh... Y-Y-” Fianan tried to stutter a response, but Alice was already far too exasperated with her hopeless partner.

“I dunno, pretty boy, /can/ ya?” She scoffed, grammar Nazi side sparking a bit. “Of /course/ ya can! That's why she went and made 'em in the first place!” She grabbed Fianan's shoulders and pushed her closer to their guest.

At first, Fianan assumed it was just an action to show how impatient Alice was. But when she felt her roommate's nails clutching onto her tightly, steadying her and preventing her from falling over from her nervousness, Fianan smiled a bit. She was glad she had made Alice her own tray of cookies.

“Wow!” Cael grinned as he reached forward and took a cookie. “Thanks, Fee!” He bit into it and both girls leaned forward a little, waiting for his reaction.

It was... adorable. His eyes lit up more, if that was even possible, and the smile nearly extended to his ears in a boyish grin. “Fee, these are /amazing/! By far the best thing I've ever eaten! You really didn't have to go out of your way for me like this. But I really appreciate it!”

Fianan felt herself smile with relief.

Assuming her partner could stay on her own two feet now, Alice let go of her and swooped around to Fianan's front. “Fine, you can have yours now.” She sighed. “But only take twelve okay? Thirteen tops! You need to leave us half!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Alice waved her hand dismissively as she began plucking the cookies out one by one and shoveling them into her mouth. Fianan sighed as Cael chuckled again. His eyes met hers and his smile faded a bit.

“I'm sorry I didn't get you anything.” He admitted guiltily. “I mean it's Christmas and I didn't even-”

“N-N-No!” Fianan quickly cut him off as she placed the cookies down onto the coffee table. “It's totally fine, okay? I-I mean we did just kinda spring this on you yesterday...”

“But still...” He sighed. “I should have gotten you something...”

Alice, finally having inhaled her last cookie, spoke up next. “Hey, she said it was fine, didn't she? So just let it go, pretty boy.” She then let her voice drop to a mutter. “She didn't exactly get you anything either...”

“Al!” Fianan hissed.

“Huh?” Cael tilted his head curiously. “But you made cookies for me!”

“Yeah, not until an hour ago.” Alice mumbled from her spot on the couch. “She coulda done it last night but she was too busy-”

“Alice-”

“No, no, tell me!” Cael took a step forward toward Fianan, halting her from the intended headlock she was about to give Alice. “What were you doing last night?” He wondered. He wanted to know more about her, things she did in the evenings, things she liked to eat, places she liked to go...

“Ah...W-We were just watching a movie last night.” Fianan answered. “What was it again...?"

“Oh, hey!” Alice jumped up suddenly. “Just remembered I picked somethin' up this mornin'!” She dug into her pocket before running to the archway between the living room and the kitchen. She glared up at the ceiling for a second before cursing under her breath. She disappeared into the kitchen, and Fianan heard her rummaging around.

“Al, what are you doing? I just cleaned-”

“Don't mind me! You guys just keep doin' yer thing!” Alice called back before adding to herself. “Which is probably each other...”

“Alice-”

“Nothing!” She shouted back.

Fianan turned away, cheeks flushed pink, not even caring what Alice did anymore. Cael smiled warmly at her. “Why don't you sit down?” He offered as though he was the host. “You haven't relaxed for a second since I got here.”

“O-Oh, um... right...” Fianan sat down on the couch as Cael took the chair opposite her. He picked up another cookie from the basket, and Fianan felt her heart soar again when he bit into it. Feeling accomplished, she took the liberty of grabbing a cookie for herself and took a bite.

“You really are an amazing baker.” Cael said.

She choked.

“W-Wha-?!”

“H-Hey, take it easy!” He fretted, getting up instantly to sit beside her. “I'm sorry if I startled you.” The comment had done that well enough. His warm hand gently rubbing her back only served to heighten the effects.

Fianan continued to cough for a minute as he patted her back. She honestly thought she was going to pass out until a certain obnoxious voice blurted from behind her.

“Jeez, Fee! What the hell are ya doin when we've got company? Could ya /not/ have a seizure fer once in yer life?”

Fianan glared. Cael chuckled.

He helped her straighten up a bit once her fit had subsided. “You okay?”

“Y...Yeah... Thanks.” She smiled gratefully up at him.

“Don't mention it. You really are an amazing baker, though.” He grinned again and Fianan probably would have fainted for real this time had her roommate not trudged over to them a second later.

“Okay, okay! S'all finished!” She announced.

“/What/ is, Al?” Fianan narrowed her eyes.

“Just come 'ere and you'll see!” Alice reached down and grabbed each of their hands, dragging the two of them over to the archway where the living room met the kitchen.

She managed to get Cael to stand where she wanted, but as soon as Fianan caught sight of the bundle of holly leaves dangling above them, Fianan jerked herself out of Alice's grip with enough force to bring them both crashing to the ground.

“A-Are you guys okay?” Cael made a move to help them up.

“You stay there!” Alice spat. “I worked too damn hard to let this idiot screw things up.” She glared down at Fianan.

“Alice...” Her roommate glowered back up at her with equal fierceness as she growled. “If you think you can just set us up like this whenever you feel like it just 'for the fun of it', so help me I will saw off your tail with a butter knife as you sleep tonight.”

“Aw, come on.” The Faunus grinned. “I ain't doin' this fer the shits and giggles, ya know.” She slid off of Fianan and pushed herself to her feet, speaking so only her partner could hear. “I know ya've wanted this since day one. Ya make it damn obvious, Fee.” Alice offered her hand as the other girl sat up.

Fianan sighed with just a small smile on her lips as she accepted that hand. Alice hoisted her back to her feet.

“Listen, Al...” She murmured. “I appreciate the thought, okay? But right now I just don't-” She cut herself off as the Faunus raised her hand for her to stop.

Alice then grinned devilishly as she uttered the line that would seal her partner's fate: “Frankly m'dear, I don't give a damn.”

In the next second, Fianan felt two hands on her back as she was shoved forward, her lips quite literally crashing into Cael's.

She could not even register what was happening.

All she knew was she was going to kill Alice, she was definitely going to murder her and wring her neck and gut her stomach and saw her tail off with a butter knife she could care less that it was Christmas because Alice was dead meat.

But she also knew that Cael's lips were soft and warm and tasted like chocolate and god it was the most heavenly sensation she had ever felt in her entire life.

And she also knew that he was kissing her back.

Fianan forgot how to stand, but his hands reached up to her arms to steady her. She forgot how to breathe, but the air from his artificial lungs helped her remember. She forgot just about everything else in the world except for him at that moment.

She had never kissed anyone before, heck she never thought she would, but he did not let her pull away just yet; she could tell he had wanted this just as badly and for just as long as she had.

She did her damn best to kiss him in return, extending the moment for as long as possible as she felt him do the same.

At last they broke apart, panting slightly, gazes locked, cheeks flushed with disbelief and shyness, but not embarrassment; it was clear enough there was nothing left to be embarrassed about between them.

But there was one other person in the room whom they had both forgotten to be embarrassed about until now, and they slowly turned their heads.

Alice had dropped to the floor, lying on her stomach, perched on her elbows as her palms supported her chin, every single tooth visible as she grinned eagerly, tail thumping against the floor. The second their faces reddened and it seemed to wash over them what had happened, Alice burst into laughter, rolling onto her back and clutching her stomach.

“Oh. My. God! I can't believe that /actually/ worked! Holy shit, I'm a genius!”

Fianan's jaw gaped as she stared at her partner in disbelief, half of her still wanting to wring her neck while the other half wanted to hug her. Cael's hands were still on her shoulders, and they both blushed when they realized this. But neither stepped away.

“I... I...ju... uhhh...” Fianan wanted to pass out more than anything right now, but some insanely happy bubbling in her chest kept her on her feet. “I-I...oh... god...Well...” She could not believe she was going to say something so lame, but she could not stop herself. “Uh... M...Merry Christmas...?” She glanced up at him nervously. Wow, could she get any more cliché?

But Cael simply blushed and smiled a bit before leaning down to kiss her cheek.

“It was...” He inhaled. “The best gift I ever could have asked for.”

“...Me... Me, too...” She squeaked.

Their gazes met warmly for another few seconds.

However, ignoring the Faunus girl flailing around on the floor was no easy feat, and Fianan's conflicting ire soon got the better of her.

“Oh, god...” Alice was wheezing now. “Damn, that was hot. Why didn't I take pictures, oh god...”

Fianan had half a mind to stomp over there and impale her artificial leg through her roommate's stomach. But Cael nudged her gently and gained her attention back.

“Maybe we should let her be.” He shrugged. “After all,” he leaned down to peck her cheek again. “She did get me the best present ever.”

Fianan squeaked again as his lips brushed over her skin. “I... g-guess you're right...”

Mustering up every ounce of courage in her being, she strained onto her tip-toes to kiss him softly. He chuckled and pulled her into a tight embrace, and she allowed herself to let out a long, blissful sigh.

At last when he let her go, Fianan trudged over to her cackling partner.

“H-Hold on, Fee, ya can kill me later lemme just-” But Alice was cut off as Fianan grabbed her collar and hoisted her to her feet. The Faunus blinked in surprise as Fianan held her in place. “Uh-”

As soon as she tried to speak, a hand slapped Alice's cheek. “Hey! The hell was that-?!”

But the next second, she felt a pair of arms wrapped around her.

It lasted for only a few seconds, but Alice chuckled amusedly. “You're welcome, you dweeb.” She patted Fianan's back briefly before she pulled away. “Now then!” Alice declared. “'Bout the rest of them cookies!”

She grabbed both of their hands again and led them back over to the living room, insisting they sit on the couch together as she sat in the chair.

Cael rested his hand atop Fianan's and she smiled, genuinely, for the first time in a long while.

The rest of the evening was filled with taunting, growling, and blushing, but most of all laughter.

[END].