Merry Christmas Eve and a happy holidays to all the readers out there! :D Here's a little treat for you guys for the holidays!

ENJOY!

29. Christmas

"What a way to celebrate Christmas…" Little Mac complained as he watched the snow fall out the window. A blizzard was raging outside, making it too cold and dangerous to venture into the outdoors. Tonight was Christmas Eve, and Christmas was only a few minutes away.

"Mac-baby!"

Little Mac heard a voice, and he turned to see Doc placing two mugs of steaming hot chocolate on the table. Ryu was sitting near the fireplace, and upon hearing Doc's voice, he got up.

Little Mac sighed. "Thanks, Doc," he whispered as he sat down on the couch. Ryu sat down beside him, grabbing his mug and drinking his hot chocolate.

When Doc left, the two men sat and drank in silence. That was, until Ryu spoke up, "How are you feeling?"

Little Mac shook his head. "Not good. I can't believe that we're trapped in this blizzard on Christmas Eve of all days…" He shivered as he held his mug close for warmth.

Ryu shrugged. "And? Consider it an excuse to spend time together! I mean, we're going to be stuck here for a day or two anyway."

Little Mac sighed as he took a sip of his hot chocolate, enjoying the rich flavor of the beverage. Doc probably added some pieces of his chocolate bar to this… "Yeah…but it stinks having to sit in the dark. At least Doc managed to make some hot chocolate."

Ryu chuckled as he sipped his drink. "We could either sit here and chat…or tell each other ghost stories."

Little Mac rolled his eyes. "Nah. I'll pass."

Ryu smirked as he finished the contents of his mug, and placed it on the table. Little Mac hadn't finished his yet; it was still half-full.

Ryu watched Little Mac drink his hot chocolate, his face blushing. Why is he so cute? he thought to himself. I can't stop staring at him; his muscles…his lovely hair…

Ryu, to take his mind off of Little Mac, looked down at his watch. To his surprise, it was twelve AM, indicating that it was already Christmas day.

"Hey Mac," Ryu spoke in a soft voice.

"Hm?" Little Mac hummed as he finished drinking his hot chocolate.

"Today is Christmas."

"Oh?"

Ryu got up from the couch and walked towards the Christmas tree, where a medium-sized present sat under the branches. Ryu picked up the present, and he returned to the couch.

"Here," Ryu offered Little Mac the gift.

Little Mac stared at the present. He studied the red wrapping with a pink bow on top, and a small tag was attached to the bow that read, "To: Mac. From: Ryu."

"For me?" Little Mac asked.

Ryu nodded. "Of course. Take it."

Little Mac grabbed the present and he untied the bow. He then ripped off the wrapping and opened the box. To his surprise, two red boxing gloves sat in the box.

"Ryu…is this…?"

Ryu smiled. "You like it?"

Little Mac pulled out the boxing gloves by the string, studying them. "Ryu…I love it. How did you—"

"I noticed that your old boxing gloves were worn out, so I thought finding a new pair would do as a gift. And the red color…" he gulped as he blushed. "…It's a symbol of our love."

Little Mac's face also turned red at the last sentence.

"Well?" Little Mac snapped out of it when he heard Ryu's voice. "Try them on."

Little Mac nodded as he put the boxing gloves on. A perfect fit. He smiled as he began punching the air to try them out. "Ryu…thank you."

Ryu chuckled. "No worries, Mac. Merry Christmas. And I love you." The martial artist leaned towards Little Mac and kissed him on the cheek.

Little Mac's blush intensified, and he smiled brightly. "Thanks, Ryu…I love you too." He then kissed him back.

Ryu held Little Mac close as the two kissed passionately. Their bodies fell onto the couch, and when they broke the kiss, Ryu held his lover close.

"This blizzard is worth it," Little Mac commented.

"Yeah…" Ryu agreed.

This was a Christmas that would last forever in their memories.

Constructive criticism is welcomed!

Beta reader: h34rt1lly