An AxA Christmas

Characters:

Aidan – 14, vampire prince

Ailill—18, mage prince

Aric—vampire king (Aidan & Densunus' daddy)

Densunus—19, vampire prince

Sabia—Aric’s wife (Aidan’s mommy)

Zedanei—mage king (Ailill’s daddy)

How are you? I do hope you’re well. Things are about the same as they always are here. I’m still the top history student, although I think that might have something to do with my insomniac tendencies and love of dead people. Just kidding, tee-hee… But I can’t seem to grasp runes. It’s awfully frustrating to translate something haphazardly scrawled onto a rock wall… but I digress. I think.

As for what you asked in your last letter… well, most people are afraid to even look at me now. Ailill successfully frightened off the bullies, methinks. He’s awfully scary when he’s angry. It’s always the nice, quiet ones, you know. And besides, I was already pretty angry by the time Ailill arrived to ‘rescue’ me, so rest assured that magey-boy didn’t do all the damage. Tee-hee.

And yes, of course I’ll be coming home for Christmas! You sillies… I mean that affectionately, don’t worry. Ne, but I have something to ask… may Ailill spend Christmas with us? He gets awfully lonely at Christmas, since his mother is dead and his father is… a Zedanei. Besides, he always gets so clingy after holidays… he’d probably be upset if he knew I was telling you that. Tee-hee.

Well, anyway… study time beckons. See you next week!

Love,

Aidan

“Oh, darling, it’s a letter from Aidan!” Sabia said, her eyes scanning the blue, starry stationery.

“Really?” Aric asked, looking up from the legislative proposals he was supposed to be thinking about, but really wasn’t. “What does he say?”

“Umm… he sucks at translating runes… Ailill scared away the bullies… and… Ailill’s father is a Zedanei.”

“He is? Wow, I never would have guessed,” muttered the vampire king, rolling his eyes and leaning way back in his chair.

“Oh, and Ailill wants to spend Christmas with us.”

The man nearly fell out of his chair. “That mage, here?”

“See for yourself,” Sabia said, attempting to throw the letter. The two watched as it fell to the ground three feet away from the woman.

“Ha ha ha!” The king laughed, pointing at the fallen paper. Sabia glared fiercely at him, so Aric got up, retrieved the letter and read it. “…Our son has such gay handwriting…”

“Well, at least his hand matches the rest of him?” Sabia offered, shrugging.

Aric smirked before going back to the letter. “…I don’t mind Ailill, but… I mean… he’s going to turn into ‘a Zedanei’ when he grows up! Is it really safe for the future dictator of the free world to be able to memorize the layout of the castle?”

Sabia rolled her eyes, pulling off her reading glasses and standing. “Oh, don’t be an idiot, Aric. As long as he and Aidan are together, Ailill won’t be doing anything too dastardly.”

“I’ve heard they’re not actually together. Aidan certainly won’t admit to it.”

“It’s only a matter of time, dear. And then, imagine it!” Sabia made a wide, grand gesture with her hands. “Peace between the mages and vampires at last!”

“Hmm… that does sound rather nice, m’luv.”

“Of course! And by letting Ailill stay with us for Christmas, you’re helping that whole love-and-peace thing along.”

“…Well, all right. And if Ailill does turn bad, well, Aidan knows mage castle like the back of his hand! Bwa ha ha ha!”

Sabia sighed. “Vampires…mental, the lot of them.”

“Yeah. Love you too.”

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“This is nerve-wracking…” Ailill mumbled, biting his lip, as he and Aidan walked toward the castle.

“Oh, what are you worried about? It’s not like any of them are going to bite you or anything.”

“They might!” Ailill said defensively.

Aidan rolled his eyes, but then thought for a moment. “So you’d mind if I bit you?”

“…Aidan, I’ve told you a thousand times, we’re not a couple until you’re fifteen.”

“Oh, come on,” Aidan cajoled, taking Ailill by the arm. “My birthday is so far away!”

“Little one, I don’t think you understand that you’re fourteen and I’m almost nineteen, and thus, I feel like a pedophilic cradle robber!”

“And you don’t seem to understand that I’m quite willing to date a guy who feels like a pedophilic cradle robber—as-as long as that guy is you!” Aidan said quickly.

Ailill sighed sadly. “C’mon, Aidan… let’s not talk about this right now.”

The blonde looked up at the mage. “Aww, I’m sorry, Ailill…” Aidan said apologetically, squeezing the boy’s arm tighter.

“It’s all right,” the mage said as they finally came to stand before the gates. Aidan slowly let go, looking up to the top of the wall.

“Hey, guys! Open up!” he yelled.

Ailill sighed and walked forward, simply pushing the large doors open.

The blonde stared in fascinated horror. “How’d you do that?”

“…Magic?”

“Oh,” Aidan muttered, grinning sheepishly. “Well… I suppose that means we need to strengthen the wards on the castle…”

Ailill shrugged. “It’s not like us mages will be attacking you anytime soon.”

Aidan stepped through, making his way toward the castle. “True, true. C’mon, don’t just stand there!”

The mage followed obediently.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“So, Honorable Prince, here are the rooms that have been prepared for you,” the maid said, opening the door and leading the mage inside; he dropped his bags in the middle of the spacious area, looking around.

“Oh, wow… this is huge! But I’m afraid…”

Aidan elbowed him in the stomach.

“What’s wrong?” the maid asked.

“Oh, erm… nothing,” Ailill quickly spat out, not liking the look Aidan was giving him.

“All right, then. If you don’t need anything else, I’ll leave you to your things,” she said, and at a wave of Ailill’s hand, politely excused herself.

“What was that about?”

Aidan looked around, eyes darting across the room. “They don’t have to know.”

“Ne?”

The prince colored slightly. “That we sleep together.”

“It’s not like we’re doing anything. It’s just that everyone in the castle got tired of being awoken by your bloodcurdling screams at four A.M., and so father pretty much decreed that you’d either sleep with me or just magically stop having graphically detailed nightmares about murder and rape and tuberculosis…”

“Well, yeah… but still.”

“What, do you think your parents wouldn’t approve?”

Aidan shrugged, looking at his feet. “I dunno… but I wouldn’t want to risk it.”

Ailill framed him with a concerned look, placing his hands on the other’s shoulders. “Do you think you’ll be all right alone?”

The blonde looked away uncomfortably. “…Well, I usually sleep with Densunus when I have nightmares here.”

“Oh. I’m jealous.”

Rolling his eyes, Aidan turned to the suitcases piled high on the floor. “Shall I help you unpack?”

“Umm… yes?”

The boy turned around with a smile, hefting a suitcase onto the bed before unzipping it. “Pajamas?”

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“Hello and welcome to Colmillo Castle,” Aric greeted the next day.

“Thank you, sir,” Ailill said quietly, giving a slight bow.

“We’re glad to have you here with us, Ailill,” Sabia said, elbowing Aric in the stomach. “You’re such a nice young man.”

“Oh… yes. Yes, you are,” Aric agreed.

The short woman moved her other elbow outward, this time hitting Densunus.

“Oww!” the boy said. “What’d you have to do that for?”

Aidan grinned, whispering out of the corner of his mouth, “See? Mommy is the most dangerous person here.”

“…Yeah. I can tell,” Ailill agreed with a smile, before turning back to the other three. “Ah, thank you so much for letting me stay here.”

“Oh, it—it was nothing.”

“Yes, we couldn’t be more pleased!”

“Anyway, though…” Aidan began, looking around at everyone. “I need to go… CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!”

“Hmm? We already went,” Ailill said, looking over at Aidan.

“I haven’t gotten everyone something,” the blonde said. “Some people are hard to buy for.”

Ailill sweat-dropped. “Heh heh…”

“I’ll take you shopping,” Densunus said, eager to get away from Sabia’s elbows.

“Yay!” Aidan said, running over to Densunus.

The mage stood awkwardly in the center of the room. “…So… what am I supposed to do?”

“You can hang out with Daddy!”

“…Daddy?” Ailill asked, glancing at the vampire king.

“It’ll be fun!” Aidan assured, nodding vehemently. “And not to worry, Densunus and I will be back soon!”

Ailill groaned as Aidan dragged Densunus out of the room, happily chattering all the while.

The sound of Aric’s voice caused him to turn around. “Soooo… let’s get to know each other.”

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“Oh, wow! Look at all of those, Den-Den!” Aidan cried, pointing at the displays in the shop windows. Densunus pretended he didn’t know the cute blonde boy who was clutching at his hand—Aidan was attracting a lot of unwanted attention, not only because he was quite eye-catching, but also because he was… being Aidan-when-Aidan-isn’t-depressed.

“So, I’m assuming we’re out to buy Ailill something?”

Aidan gave a pout. “Yes. But I have no idea what to get him.”

“Well, what does he want?”

“…I dunno…”

Densunus thought for a moment, but didn’t turn up anything and finally shrugged. “If all else fails, I’m sure a kiss would suffice.”

“…No, I think he’d prefer a lack of kisses.”

“Eh? Only a very silly person would turn down a kiss from you, Aidan.”

Aidan gave his brother a strange look. “Well, Ailill is very silly. Although I’m not saying he wouldn’t enjoy it…”

“What is your relationship, anyway?” Densunus asked curiously.

“…Not telling.”

“So you’re still not together?” the older boy asked incredulously.

Aidan sighed and shook his head.

“Well, that’s just sad.”

“He’s been having moral issues with the age difference. So we have to wait another year.”

“I think you should just force him to go out with you. You could be like that guy in Ghost and sing Henry the Eighth until he agrees to go on a date with you…”

“Densunus… back on task, please. There is no need to start talking about Patrick Swayze.”

“But I like Patrick Swayze! …And Demi Moore, of course. Tee-hee…” Aidan glared, poking Densunus’ elbow. The prince blinked. “Oh. Right. Christmas present.”

“So, anymore bright ideas?” Aidan asked.

“…Nope.”

Aidan sighed and tugged an unwilling Densunus into the nearest store. “Come, now. Let’s window-shop.”

“Aww, do I have to?” Densunus whined.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“Sooo, how old are you?” Aric asked as he sipped his tea. He and Ailill were sitting in the study—Ailill had been dragged off after Sabia had deserted him in favor of baking a cake (which he was still quite miffed about, but at least Sabia had promised to let him have some).

“Eighteen,” Ailill said. He kept giving his tea dubious looks. He didn’t trust it, especially since it was sitting on the table so innocently. Slowly reaching a slender finger out, he poked the edge of the cup.

Aric didn’t seem to have noticed Ailill’s strange actions, and continued talking. “When’s your birthday?”

“February fourteenth.”

“…You’re a Valentine’s baby? …Ooh, I’m sure Zedanei must have planned that!”

“Umm… no, I don’t think so.”

Aric was pouting, which was just very odd. “Anyway… I don’t mind about you and Aidan… but I expect that you, as the older one, will take responsibility.”

“…Eh?” Ailill asked, looking up from where he had been poking his teacup and watching as the brown liquid swirled around inside.

“Of course, I hope that the two of you will wait… but I know that I can’t stop you. Teenagers will be teenagers. I know, when I was a kid… hee hee hee…”

“…Sir, what are you talking about?” the mage asked, puzzlement spread across his face.

Aric sighed heavily before leaning forward, whispering conspiratorially, “What I’m saying is… use protection!”

“What?! No! No, we’re not doing anything like that! We’re not even dating!”

“Now, now, you don’t have to hide it from me. I’m not upset.”

“We… we’re really not. And besides… what would the protection be for?”

Aric thought for several moments. “…STDs?”

Ailill was taken aback. “Well, I’m certainly a virgin, thank you.”

The vampire king’s eyes widened. “Y-you! A virgin! Ha ha ha ha ha… ha ha ha…”

The mage stiffened, averting his eyes as the man collapsed onto his desk, laughing. “It’s not funny.”

“Really… you? You’re a prince, for goodness’ sakes! Even if you were ugly, you could have anybody! But you’re not ugly. I mean, there must be hundreds—”

“Thousands,” Ailill corrected.

Aric coughed. “Thousands of people after you.”

“…I’m saving myself for Aidan.”

A funny look spread across Aric’s face. “Aww… that’s cute. Well, why don’t you just go ahead and—”

“And we’re waiting until he’s eighteen.”

“OK, OK. Have it your way. I suppose you’re going to get married first?”

“…Erm… well, depending on whatever the marriage laws are at the time…” Ailill fidgeted.

Aric grinned widely, showing off his pointy canines. “It’s OK. You have my blessing.”

“But we’re not dating…”

“Yes, yes,” Aric murmured, standing. “Well, I guess I’ll be seeing you around, then…”

Ailill sighed, finally picking up his teacup and taking a sip. He had a feeling that Aric had been making fun of him the whole time.

People seemed to like doing that.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“Tee-hee, I know something you don’t know!” Aidan squealed happily that night. He was wearing his pajamas—which had bright yellow ducks and little speech bubbles saying ‘QUACK’ on them—and lounging on Ailill’s bed.

The mage rolled his eyes. “What would that be?”

“Not telling!”

“If you don’t tell, I’ll tickle you,” Ailill warned.

“Pfft,” Aidan mumbled, sticking out his bottom lip. “I dare you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah!”

Ailill was just exacting his promised torture when Densunus walked in. “Hey, Ailill, I was wondering… uhh… umm…never mind!” The two watched as the blonde ran out, his ponytail swinging behind him.

“…What was that about?” Aidan asked, looking up at Ailill—who had, thankfully, declared a cease-fire. Even so, the half-vampire was still red-faced and panting, with little giggles rising in his throat.

“…Well, I think this could be deemed a compromising position,” Ailill mumbled, blushing. He quickly rolled over—accidentally going too far and hitting the floor with a loud thump.

Aidan crept to the edge of the bed, peering down at Ailill. “Are you OK?”

The black-haired teen’s eyes swirled round and round. “Mmm… schnitzel-pie.”

“Aww, poor Ailill.” Aidan hopped down to the floor, helping the teen to his feet. “Maybe you should go to bed.”

“Yeah… tee-hee…” The mage stumbled to the bed, flopping into it.

“Night,” Aidan murmured, pulling the covers over Ailill and ruffling his hair.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

It wasn’t difficult to notice that the next morning at breakfast, Densunus coughed quite a bit more than was normal, even for a winter cold, and that he kept shooting Ailill sly glances from across the table. The mage, for his part, tried very hard to ignore it.

“Den-Den, are you all right? You’ve got a terrible cough—you should rest so that you won’t be sick when we’re doing Christmas tomorrow,” Aidan mumbled, concerned.

Densunus gave another large cough, which sounded suspiciously like several words that involved naughty acts occurring in water closets. Oh yes.

“Would you like to excuse yourself, Densunus? I’m sure one of your chamber maids would jump at the chance to help you stop coughing.”

The crown prince blushed furiously. “Father!”

“Hee hee hee…” Aric chuckled.

Sabia glared his way. “Don’t tease him like that.”

“That’s what he gets for being a tattle-tale.”

The woman blinked. “Is that proper language for a king?”

“Uhh… umm… yes! Because I say so!”

“A tattle-tale? Who were you telling on?” Aidan asked, confused.

Densunus quickly excused himself.

“So, what’s been going on between you two lately?” Aric asked.

Ailill gave a nervous laugh. “Nothiiiiiiing, sir.”

(l)(o)(v)(e)

After being surprised by Aidan under the mistletoe about seventeen times in the past half-hour (but luckily avoiding being kissed—luckily because kissing, especially with Aidan, must lead to the loss of all self-control), Ailill had decided to go around the castle, systematically destroying every piece of mistletoe he came across.

Ailill growled, viciously ripping the berries from a piece he had found hanging in the doorway. He didn’t know when or where Aidan would decide to strike next, so he had to work quickly—lest his little angel force him to share his ‘Christmas spirit’ with reckless abandon.

“I do have reckless abandon,” Ailill said to himself. “Really.”

And that was when he was attacked from behind.

“Really? Really? Where is it, huh?” Aidan asked—he had knocked Ailill to the ground, and was sitting on his back. “Is it in here?” Aidan’s fingers reached to dig around in the mage’s pockets.

“Eek! Stop it, stop it, Aidan!”

“Oh, but why? I’m just trying to find your reckless abandon—because obviously you’ve misplaced it. You certainly don’t use it.”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then why aren’t you using it now?”

“Wh-what if someone walks by and sees what you’re doing?” Ailill hissed desperately, trying not to squirm. Aidan would tease him mercilessly if he did that.

“Oh, lookie here!” Aidan cried, sounding as if he had rehearsed. “It’s romantic yet poisonous… it likes long walks on the beach and love-bites on the ear… IT’S MISTLETOE!”

“NOOOOOOO!” Ailill yelled, ripping the dangling plant from Aidan’s hands and preparing to take the berries off as quickly as he could. After all, if there were no berries, there would be no kisses. Of course, that probably wouldn’t dissuade Aidan.

“Stop that,” a stern voice said. Ailill glanced up, to see Densunus standing in front of him with a sour look on his face.

“This… this isn’t what it looks like!”

“Yes, it is,” Aidan said, nodding vehemently. “I’m the dominant one, too! Aren’t you proud of me, big brother?” Aidan asked with a grin.

Densunus smiled back, showing off his nasty, big, pointy teeth. Which were actually quite white and pearly and well-taken care of, but that’s past the point. They left Ailill feeling very frightened. “Of course I’m proud of you, Aidan! You go, little brother! Claim what’s yours!” He stepped forward, patting Aidan’s head. “But… uhh, yes. I’m afraid I’ll have to confiscate that mistletoe,” he said, reaching for it. Ailill was happy to relinquish it.

“Aww, but why?” Aidan whined, fake tears coming into the corners of his eyes.

Densunus glared, although the effect of it was lost when his face flushed a bright pink. “Because I plan to use it!”

“Ooh! On who? Lissa or Rona or Marlene… or Clarisse?” Aidan tried to think of the names of all the maids Densunus had been caught with, but found his memory to be failing him.

“Sophia,” Densunus said.

Aidan put his finger to his chin, deep in thought. Ailill slumped, resigning himself to being Aidan’s couch, and began slowly counting his fingers to take his mind off the warm weight on his back. “I don’t know her,” Aidan finally said.

“She’s the one who wears the black fishnets,” the crown prince answered, before quickly running away.

“Hmm… well, I guess she’s OK, but Ailill is much hotter than her…” Aidan mumbled, not realizing his brother was already gone.

“Uhh, Aidan… Densunus ran away already,” Ailill informed.

“Really?” the blonde squealed. “Yay!” He wrapped his arms around Ailill’s neck, kissing the top of his head.

“Aidan, please…”

“What? Turning you on? I’ve been told I have magic fingers.”

Ailill’s eyes bugged out. “By whom?”

“Umm… no one?” Aidan said, shrugging. “I made it up. Made you jealous, didn’t it? That’s why you should stake your claim on me now—there’s no telling what might happen before I turn fifteen.”

Ailill sighed, sitting up. Aidan growled as he fell to the side. “What was that for?” Aidan yelled irritably, rubbing a bump on his head.

“I’m sorry, Aidan… I love you.”

“Well, yeah—that’s evident. I love you, too.”

“…But you’re better off—better off with someone who can accept your affections… and return them!” Ailill declared, little tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

“Mou… no I’m not. I need to be with you, because I love you. And that’s final.”

Ailill stared over at the blonde. “You mean it?”

Aidan rolled his eyes. “Of course! And you’re never getting rid of me! Oh ho ho ho ho ho!”

“Merry Christmas!” several random servants yelled.

Ailill grinned, pulling Aidan into a tight hug. “You’re the best.”

“Of course! Some would even say I’m… supertabulous!” Aidan declared, hugging the boy back as tightly as he could.

“Eh heh… I hope you bought me a chastity belt for Christmas, though…”

“Oops!” Aidan said, grinning brightly.

The mage sighed. “…I had a feeling you didn’t.”

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“ ‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all though the castle many creatures were stirring, but not mice— they were just the cooks, the cleaning staff—much of which was in Densunus’ room— and Densunus. The stockings were hung, but not by the chimney, because they might catch fire, and that would be bad, so instead they were by the refrigerator in hopes that Non-Denominational Holiday Figure would soon be there.

“Aidan was nestled all snug in his bed, while visions of a scantily-clad Ailill danced in his head.”

Aidan flushed brightly. “Daddy!” Ailill stared at his hands, blushing to the tips of his ears.

Densunus laughed.

“Keep doing laughing and I’ll go into detail about the cleaning staff being in your room.”

The prince quickly stopped his laughter.

Aric continued, “And Sabia in her frog pajamas, and I in my—you don’t need to know what I wear at night, you’re only children, after all—had just settled down for… something else you don’t need to know about…”

Sabia rolled her eyes. “Perverted vampire.”

“But you love me,” Aric said, grinning widely.

“…Yes. Yes, I do. However, I sometimes wonder why I don’t just run off with that gorgeous medic…”

“Because he’s a male nurse,” Aric said, distractedly.

“Medic.”

“Pfft. Even if you did run away with him, you’d come back.”

“Because true love always prevails?” Sabia asked, eyes sparkling.

“No. Because I’m a better lover.”

Aidan blushed furiously. “Parents!”

Sabia considered it. “Yes, I suppose you would be.”

Ailill edged a little closer to Aidan. “Are they always like this?”

“…Pretty much.”

Aric gave a loud cough before continuing. “When out of the courtyard there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to tell my servants to go see what was the matter! Away to the window he flew like The Flash (because he wanted a payraise) and opened the window. The moon made stuff outside bright, and he saw a man in a sleigh with eight tiny normal deer— who, sadly, could not fly—but one of them did have a funny red blinky light taped to the end of his nose.”

“…This is the worst Christmas story I’ve ever heard,” Ailill mumbled.

“Gets worse every year—when I was little, he actually read The Night Before Christmas—but I guess he got tired of it after a while.”

“Ahem. He called them by name, but they didn’t listen, because of course, they were just normal deer. He got increasingly frustrated, calling them louder—‘Arsonist!’, ‘Hamburgler!’, ‘Home Invader!’ ‘Carjacker!’, and such—but they still would not listen. I finally deigned to see who he was, so I went outside.

“ ‘Ho, ho ho!’ he said, ‘I am Don-Denominational Holiday Figure!’, but I was not fooled. I knew he was not Non-Denominational Holiday Figure, but a robber instead! And… well, I was rather hungry, so I said, ‘Ha ha ha! Robber, take this!’ and bit him. His blood tasted very nice, actually…” Aric trailed off thoughtfully.

“And that is the extremely fictitious and made-up-on-the-spot story of how we got our head cook. And how several deer came to live in the forest,” Densunus concluded for Ailill’s benefit.

“That was lovely,” Aidan said tonelessly. “Much better than last year.”

“Well, yes. But I wish I didn’t always get made fun of,” Densunus grumbled.

“Bedtime!” Aric yelled, shooing them off. “We don’t need to have all of our Christmas fun at once!”

“Right, right. That was ‘fun’.”

Consequently, visions of scantily-clad Ailill did dance in Aidan’s head that night as he lay snug in his bed.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

“Socks… oh, wow! I love socks!” Densunus said tonelessly.

“…Socks with an ‘e’, right?” Aric asked; Sabia nudged his elbow (“Don’t encourage him!”).

“Socks…eeee?” Densunus tried, confusion scrawled over his features.

“Never mind,” Aric said, deflating.

“They’re very nice socks,” Aidan said huffily. “I even had them personalized. See, they’ve got your name… and then you, with a BIG pile of dirty magazines next to you!”

Densunus sweat-dropped. “Everyone thinks I’m a pervert, don’t they?”

“Yes,” everyone quickly answered.

The prince deflated. “I’m not really a pervert… I just admire women…”

“Heh heh heh… naked ones,” Aidan declared.

Densunus crossed his arms and pouted for several hours.

“So, umm… if not a chastity belt, what did you get me?” Ailill asked, shaking the package uncertainly.

“Your heart,” Aidan said enigmatically, his eyes twinkling.

Ailill gave him a curious look, before viciously attacking the wrapping paper covering the gift. It was inside a shoebox, but Ailill somehow doubted that his heart was the same as a pair of shoes, no matter how nice they were. Although he wouldn’t put it past Aidan to get him a pair of hooker boots.

After a lot of struggling—the box was sealed with several varieties of tape—the box finally slid open, and Ailill gaped that the thing inside it. “I… oh, Aidan…”

“I didn’t know what to get you at first… I mean, after all—if there was something material that you wanted, you could get it—you are a prince, after all. And I figured you wouldn’t appreciate a kiss, no matter how much Densunus said you would… so I opted for just throwing something together.”

“You were right, Aidan. It is my heart,” Ailill said, smiling despite the tears in his eyes.

“Silly, of course it is. I know your heart! It’s full of me! …And a couple of other people, but mostly me, right?”

Ailill nodded. “Of course.”

“So, what did you get me?”

Ailill sweat-dropped nervously. “Umm… a book about self-control…”

“Ailill!” Aidan yelled, searching for aforementioned book—still unwrapped—so that he could beat Ailill severely about the head with it.

“If it’s any consolation, I also made you a plushie of me to cuddle with…” Ailill said, ducking.

Aidan stared over at the black-haired boy. “Egotistical prince… so, uhh, happen to know where in the pile that plushie is?”

Ailill grinned.

(l)(o)(v)(e)

That night Ailill slept with a bump on his head, a photo album clutched to his chest, and visions of an angry yet very delectable Aidan in his dreams. “Nn… Aidan...”

Aidan giggled from his room, where he was listening through the wall, a glass pressed against his ear and his Ailill-plushie in his arms.

“Did you hear that, Ailill?” he asked the plushie. “I think you like me!”

The plushie stared up at him blankly.

“Of course you do! Tee-hee!” Aidan cried, going off to listen to what Densunus was doing.

Fwa. R & R… please. Tee-hee, irony abounds.