FDM Christmas Special
AU: Girl Next Door
Selamat Hari Krismas everyone! I know I haven't uploaded a single chapter since a long time but I'm planning on putting this fic as 'complete' and divert my focus to The ASEAN Way before my last semester starts next year.
However, because fanfiction is banned in my country (I prefer not to think about it too much), uploads will be slow.
About this AU, it is told from Maya's (Malaysia) point of view instead of Jonathan's (Singapore). Here's a brief introduction of this AU, both Jonathan and Maya live abroad because of their parents' work. Jonathan lives with Arthur while Maya lives next door with Yao who has Kiku to help him out. Jonathan and Maya are very young in this AU.
Some of the words may sound un-childlike (use of vocabulary) so please forgive me with that. I will try to think of alternative 'childlike' words to fit but there's a possibility I'll just leave it be. List of character names will be provided in order of the 'mentions' or appearances.
Characters:
Maya Salena (Malaysia)
Jonathan (Singapore)
Arthur Kirkland (England)
Wang Yao (China)
Alfred F. Jones (America)
Kiku Honda (Japan)
…
To him whom I cherished the most
…
Christmas, a festive occasion. That was when I met you, Jonathan. On a snowy Christmas Day, we were introduced to each other. You were bit lonely when you were left in a foreign place by your parents for work. I know that feeling, Jonathan. That is why, on that day, I took up the responsibility of keeping you company. It's because I love you Jonathan, since the day we met and I will always love you.
On Christmas morning, I head over to next door, rang the doorbell as I wait for Arthur to answer the door. Rain or shine, summer or winter, I will always be by your side. That is why, when morning arrives, I shall turn this lonely Christmas into the best Christmas that will be forever in your memory.
"Merry Christmas Maya!" Arthur opens the door, as if he's been expecting me. "Jonathan is in his room."
"Merry Christmas to you too Mr. Arthur and thank you!" I said to him, going inside the house. I removed my thick scarf and boots in a hurry, before running up the familiar staircase and stopping in front of a familiar door. I raised my fist and knocked on the door like I always do. "Jonathan, Merry Christmas! Let's go out and play!"
And like always, he would open the door to his room with his usual annoyed look. "I know I can't stop you so why don't you come on in." I beamed at him. As usual, he would give in and I would give him a huge smile in return. "Hehe, come on, don't be such a spoilsport Jonathan. It's Christmas after all!"
He turned around, was about to retort but holds himself back. "Never mind, it's pointless to even argue with you in the first place."
The smile never fade off my lips.
…
Before we left, Arthur did a double check to make sure we were warmly dressed for the winter weather outside. He mentioned about Bang Yao will not let him off lightly should either of us get sick (namely me). I can't blame Arthur as I somehow tend to get sick during cold weathers. This year is pretty lucky for me.
"Now, you two know what to do." Arthur began. And by memory, both of us know what he's going to say next.
"Don't wander off too far, don't talk to strangers especially if it involved a perverted Frenchman and don't cause any trouble for others." Both Jonathan and I recited it out from memory. He did say the same thing every single time we went out to play. It's nothing new and it's boring to hear the same thing all over again.
With a defeated sigh, he lets us off, asking us to be back before dark for the Christmas party later. It's not like he's willing to have one but from what I heard from Bang Yao, an eccentric (read: annoying) American decides to 'host it' at his place much to Arthur's protests.
Pushing that thought off my mind, I grabbed Jonathan's hand and started going towards to the park where the first thing I had in mind will begin from there. Our Christmas Fun Day is going to start!
…
Ice skating was never a specialty of Jonathan's since he was never used to it as he arrived here later than I did. Not that I'm an expert of ice skating but if you're having fun, what's the big deal?
"Come on Jonathan! Step onto the ice!" I called.
Jonathan looked at the ice hesitantly then back at me. "You sure it won't break?"
"It won't!" I laughed. "Our weight is half than the adults! Ice isn't supposed to break easily!" I assure him.
"But-"
"That big-boned Alfred has higher chances of breaking the ice than us."
(Meanwhile in Arthur's house, big-boned Alfred sneezes.)
I stretched out my hands to Jonathan and with a reassuring smile, I told him. "Take my hands, Jonathan! It's going to be alright!"
The hesitant look on Jonathan's face may be the real face Jonathan will ever show to me behind that tough façade of his. I know he's putting that on to protect himself but Jonathan…you didn't have to hide your true self around me.
…
Making snow angels is not something new since I arrived, but making them with Jonathan just makes it more fun to do. Lying side by side with the person you like the most is somehow the best thing I could ever hope for.
"Do you always do this every year?" Jonathan asked from beside me.
"Yes by myself." I answered, pausing in my attempt in making a snow angel. It was then I wonder, who's the real lonely kid here? Jonathan or myself? I usually play by myself before Jonathan came. Could it be that this friendship was meant to cure my loneliness and not Jonathan's? Or are we trying to heal both our loneliness at the same time?
"Do you get lonely playing by yourself?" he asked.
I pushed myself up from the snow, hugging my knees hoping that it could comfort me. "Yes." I answered him again. "But not now." I added. That's right. Since Jonathan came…I'm not lonely anymore. I turned to him with a smile. "It's because you're here Jonathan! I'm not lonely anymore!"
The reddened face of Jonathan was hard to forget. The embarrassed face of Jonathan's shall forever be etched into my memory as I teased him about his red face comparable to a tomato. He spluttered and looked away. "You sure can say something so embarrassing like that." He muttered.
I grinned as I hugged him. "That's because you're my friend Jonathan!"
…
Soon, we have to conclude our fun when Bang Kiku came over to pick us up as we have to be back for the Christmas party at Arthur's place. Of course, I have to get change as well to be more presentable for the occasion. Although the day we spent on fun in the snow is short but the memories made from them were worth it.
"Maya!" Jonathan called out to me.
I turned to him slowly. "Yes?"
With a hesitant and tough tone, he said to me despite the faint blush on his face. "Today was fun. Let's…do it again tomorrow...and the day after tomorrow. As long as you don't mind me being a bore, I'll be happy to play with you again."
My heart feels light and fluttery. Jonathan…you…
Without thinking, I separated myself from Kiku's hand to take Jonathan's hands into my own. "Really Jonathan? Then, let's build a snowman tomorrow! We can named him Olaf like in that super famous movie! And then, we can also have a snowball fight!" I kept going on and on, Jonathan may feel like he's regretting it but if it's to cure both of our loneliness, I won't mind one bit.
-END-
Merry Christmas!
A/N: It could have been longer and faster but I kept dragging it. Too addicted on YouTube especially in listening to Sound Horizon's songs. It's worth listening! Especially the Moira part where I like some of the songs from there. Moreover, I'm also 'whaling' for an event in Touken Ranbu to get that spear! 50,000! I'm not even at 10,000 yet and I have only until next Tuesday…
Ah never mind me, please do give me your feedback! I am still writing, don't worry! Just that I might be lazy to publish it or to complete or I ran into another writer's block.