a/n: Sorry about the gigantic delay everyone! School has been terrible and I got writers-block-from-hell for all of my stories. But I'm on Spring Break now, so more shall get done! I plan to finish this story by Thursday latest- there's only two and a half chapters left. So yeah...for more news, check my profile! Enjoy! Please review if you have time!

The Angel in the Snow

Chapter 5: Day 5 – Love

Kyouya awoke to the smell of cinnamon and peppermint. I wonder what Tamaki's cooking… As Kyouya finished changing, a thought hit him. I should put his present under the tree now that it's Christmas Eve. Walking over to his closet, he pulled down the golden-wrapped package and headed downstairs.

Tamaki was in the kitchen singing, from the sound of it, something French. Kyouya quickly placed the present beside one that was already there. He must have bought me something when we went to the mall… Upon returning to the kitchen and sitting down at the counter, Tamaki stopped his singing and placed a plate of muffins in front of Kyouya, and then sat down heavily next to him.

"Good morning Kyouya!"

"Good morning, Tamaki." Kyouya's gaze took in all the food Tamaki had made- cookies, a chocolate pie, the muffins in front of them, and, from what it looked like…

"Tamaki, is that a turkey in the oven?" He nodded happily.

"I had my servants drop it off so we can have a traditional Christmas Eve dinner." Kyouya blinked.

"How long have you been up?"

"Since five- couldn't sleep well." A foreboding thought floated through Kyouya's mind.

"Tamaki- won't your servants tell your family where you are?" His friend sighed, placing his fork down.

"It's possible- I called my most loyal, but Grandma has a way of turning people against me. I guess…we'll just have to wait and see."

Seeing Tamaki feeling so hurt due to his family struck a chord in Kyouya's heart. I know how he feels…how terrible it is… Before Kyouya even realized what he was doing, he had placed his hand upon Tamaki's shoulder.

"Don't think about it…them. Let's focus on now- Christmas Eve." Tamaki looked up startled.

"Kyouya…" His expression turned into a warm smile. "You're right- thanks."

Kyouya looked around the living room, Christmas wreaths and garland piled in his arms. He turned to gaze at Tamaki beside him.

"I'll take this room if you get the stair banister and the upstairs area." Tamaki nodded.

"Okay!" Hearing Tamaki running off to go decorate the stairs, Kyouya sighed and began his own duty of decorating.

Within a good twenty or so minutes, Kyouya was putting the final touches on the living room when it began to rain outside. It sounds pretty loud…must be down-pouring… Kyouya turned as he heard footsteps approaching him from behind.

Tamaki walked towards him, smiling yet sporting a bump on the left side of his forehead. Kyouya rolled his eyes, yet a small smile appeared on his face.

"Let me guess; you fell down the stairs?" Tamaki scratched the back of his head, gazing down at the floor.

"…maybe…"

Kyouya could do nothing to stop it; laughter escaped his mouth, ringing through the large room they stood in. Tamaki stared at him in surprise, and a gentle smile spread over his face. As Kyouya calmed down enough to look at his friend, he noticed something in Tamaki's eyes that hadn't been there before.

"…what?"

Tamaki shook his head. "Oh…nothing. I just think…you should laugh more." Tamaki then turned, and walked into the kitchen, leaving Kyouya to ponder what he hadn't seen before.

"The turkey is done!" Tamaki opened up the large oven and pulled out the sizzling turkey, filling the room with the aroma of dinner. Kyouya who had been assigned the job of mashing the potatoes, breathed in the delicious smell.

"Smells great Tamaki." Tamaki glowed with pride.

"If you've finished mashing the potatoes Kyouya, I think we're all set for dinner." Kyouya handed his friend the bowl.

Soon enough, the two were eating away. Kyouya couldn't remember a more delicious meal. He's an excellent cook…he must have been taught in France… Tamaki turned to gaze at him, his fork halted in mid-air.

"How is it?"

"Really delicious." Tamaki smiled and turned his gaze back in front of him.

"I'm glad."

After dinner Tamaki decided to play the piano so they could sing carols. Normally, Kyouya would have tried bitterly to get out of it, but there was just something different…something about this Christmas the sparked the will in him to sing of things he had never understood quite as clearly- peace, kindness, love.

Despite his sometimes dramatic way of singing, Kyouya knew Tamaki had a good voice- he had noticed when the Host Club members had recorded a vocal CD to boost their sales. However, he hadn't been able to listen to it like this- with so much soul put into it. It was almost…stunning.

As they finished, both of them blinked in surprise as they realized some of the noise hadn't stopped with them. Tamaki gazed over at one of the windows.

"…hail?" Kyouya nodded.

"Seems likely." As he exhaled, he could see the puff of air appear in front of him. "It's certainly cold enough…" He gazed down at the two presents under the tree. "We should open those upstairs where it's warmer."

"Okay."

Tamaki squealed in delight and hugged the golden book to his chest, grinning widely.

"Thank you thank you thank you Kyouya! It's perfect!" Kyouya smiled a little.

"I'm glad." They were sitting on his bed, exchanging gifts while the storm raged outside the warmly lit room. It felt peaceful.

Suddenly, and with an unusual amount of calmness, Tamaki placed his book beside him and handed Kyouya his gift, not making eye contact. Well…that's strange…

Opening the gift, Kyouya gazed at it in wide-eyed shock.

"I know it can't replace the one your mother gave you Kyouya, but I…I wanted to help heal that pain…the best way I could…"

Kyouya hugged the blue and gold glass star to his chest, gazing straight down to hide the tears falling from his eyes in his hair. It didn't seem to work as well as he thought it would.

Tamaki sat down in front of Kyouya, worry etched all over his face. " Kyouya! Kyouya, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for it to make you upset! Please forgive me!"

Kyouya laughed softly, tears still rolling down his face, which, if Tamaki looked closer, he would realize was holding a kind smile. "…you moron."

"Kyouy-" Instinct took over. Kyouya's lips came crashing down onto Tamaki's in a tear-soaked, gentle kiss. Tamaki was stiff for a moment from shock, but once recovering, closed his eyes and let Kyouya continue.

Kyouya pulled away suddenly, shock written all over his face. "I shouldn't have- I didn't… I'm sorry…" Kyouya quickly made to move away, but Tamaki grabbed his wrist before he could reach for the door.

"Kyouya!" Kyouya turned around to face his friend, worried. I could have just ruined everything… Seeing as Kyouya had halted his run for the door, Tamaki smiled gently and took hold of his hand.

"Kyouya, it's alright. You…I…" Unable to complete his sentence, Tamaki , before Kyouya could even wonder what he was thinking, placed his lips upon Kyouya's, gently kissing him, then pulling away, blushing.

"It's alright…I love you too…" Kyouya smiled and gazed down at the star in his hands, then looked up at Tamaki.

"Let's put this up…together."

They both stood up on the large wooden desk, and after a few minutes of struggling, they managed to get it pinned to the ceiling, where it hung and glittered in the light. Kyouya and Tamaki smiled at each other, noticing the shine in each other's eyes.

"Merry Christmas Tamaki."

"Merry Christmas Kyouya."

As the grandfather clock in the living room downstairs struck twelve, the two's lips met in their own enchanted Christmas kiss, for the first time, experiencing the feeling of true love.