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I don't know what year it is, just some random one where things turned out this way. Also, I didn't know what Haruto calls Spain and Romano, so.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Don't worry, this... thing isn't all you're getting. I wouldn't be so heartless. ;
Now enjoy. c;
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The countryside outside the window was already pitch black despite the early hour- a result of the coming winter solstice and all the less poetic things that came with it. The only things one could discern with the help of a string of white Christmas lights were the side panels of the house and the fresh snow covering the little garden that slept beneath this particular window. Without the glow of the lights, you could only see stars. The city was many miles away, along with the city lights. Of course, this was considered a perk to the many people taking refuge inside the little house for the holiday season this year.
Yasu had been the first to arrive, invited by the suggestion of Spain for Nico, who also ended up inviting Satu, for Enzo. Between Yasu and Satu, they got Ana and Haruto to come as well. Abby was invited, for Haruto's sanity, but she was stuck in New York, the horrendous plane schedule not permitting the flight. The same had to be said for Nicolai, who was stuck in New York as well, his father and uncle spending Christmas together that year.
And so, Yasu had been there a week, Satu arriving the day after. Haruto came three days before that night, and Ana had only shown up the night before. This, though, allowed all of them, though Lovi refused to come, to stuff into the pimp-van quite illegally for an hour drive to the airport, where they rushed in together in a great mob to greet her, sweeping her off her feet before she could touch the terminal ground after coming off the escalator. They hugged and asked about the flight while waiting for her bags to come around, and they all stuffed back into the van and collapsed, sleeping wherever they felt like it after returning home. This scene was so familiar to them all, it was practically tradition.
There were about fifteen people then, depending on who counted. And nearly everyone did their own personal count, when asked at Romano's request to find out how many goddamn mouths he was feeding. Everyone left out those they currently had a grudge against or forgot, but the official average became fifteen. This, of course, leaving out the combined efforts of Enzo and Satu, whose count was a resounding forty-four.
Games, of both the board and video variety, soon commenced. Alba bested them all in Halo 2; Moses won, and was also lost in hide-and-seek; insults were slung around when they attempted to play a game of international scrabble. Those who knew more languages were at the advantage- they could create, or make up, more words; those who didn't just frowned at the pieces, looking for umlauts and characters that didn't exist in the only version they had- courtesy of the absent Abby. When someone finally got frustrated enough to quit, Ana quickly jumped in and solved the escalating complaints by suggesting truth or dare, which was quickly accepted by the lot of them.
Everyone knew practically everything about each other already, having played millions of times, so the game quickly became dare or dare. Yasu was dared to kiss Nico, which she blushed at and refused resiliently until she had to give in, pecking him quickly on the lips. Nico just smiled and chose the next victim for her, daring Haruto to go sniff Romano, the chef. His siblings smirked and giggled at the inside joke while Haruto frowned, but stood up all the same. He left the room, and after a few moments, scuttled back in, welcomed by questioning looks. He said, "I did it without him noticing, but Spain gave me a thumbs up." The Vargas-Fernandez’s cheered, and the rest of them were left to question what the Spaniards and Italians did with their time. Haruto voted Satu to roll in the snow in nothing but her bathing suit, and they all marveled at her inherited ability.
And so it continued, until everyone had been chosen at least once, twice, nearly three times when Romano called out for them all for supper. They all leapt up, immediately forgetting the game in exchange for the famous home cooking. What they saw was not comparable to what they'd get the following night, but it was still more than they expected, even from Lovi. It was nearly all seafood, true to an Italian Eve. The antipasto, though meatless as it was, was delicious, artichoke hearts and Italian bread piled high. The crab was boiled and expertly seasoned, and the whitefish was perfectly baked. There was the issue of alcohol, but there was quickly widespread agreement that they would not drink more than a glass of wine, for they had to wake up early Christmas morning.
After dinner they, like the good little guests they were, all helped to clean up the tremendous dinner mess. It was done quickly, though, with so many hands helping out. The table was cleared, the table, counter, and floor wiped down, and all the dished were rinsed and stuck in the washing machine. Already, it was nearly ten, and still, they had a few things left to accomplish before they were going to sleep. They stuck out a large plate of cookies and milk for Santa, as well as a letter all the kids gave input on for Satu's 'mother.' Spain and Romano would stay up late enough to give their regards to Finland in person, but all the kids would be sound asleep, as by tradition.
Working quickly, the kids grabbed every pillow, blanket, snuggie, whatever they could find and pilled it into the main living room, careful to give the tree a wide berth. Everything was carefully arranged and sorted so that everyone got the same amount of warmth and no one would get cold. After brushing and changing, everyone got into place, and the closest person was voted to go turn off the light switch. Haruto made a face at his friends, though he mostly considered them family now. He got up wearily and made to turn off the light, but he first switched on the radio to a 24-hour Christmas song station, turning it down low enough that it was only audible to the rooms inhabitants. Everyone murmured in agreement and settled down into the floor in one heap of nations. The tree sparkled in the corner, joined only by the tiny flicker of a few candles.
Unbeknownst to them, certain people snuggled in closer to certain others in their sleep, creating silent smiles. The carols played softly, uninterrupted by anything and inherently comforting. Everything was cold and dark outside, but the many children bundled up together kept plenty warm. Somewhere in the distance, sleigh bells rang in a low, cheerful din.
 Pure Finn · Sat Dec 12, 2009 @ 05:58am · 1 Comments |
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