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Aphismet hadn't seen her since... well, since the whole fiasco with the Infections. He could swear Alex had been avoiding him, even! The white-haired chef had suffered from momentary self-doubt, thinking that maybe she hadn't wanted to be with him anymore, but he'd talked himself out of this state of mind. Alex was a kind and caring person, she probably only felt guilty for Zul infecting the Delaran Sigels... That was all nonsense. Riv would have gotten it elsewhere, if not from there. Aphi just wanted to see his Alex again, dammit, and when Christmas afternoon came around he decided he'd had his fill of waiting. He was going to take matters into his own hands!

He was going to go visit HER! ...And maybe hopefully sneak her few belongings into his car or her truck, and sweep her away to finally come live in Durem Caves North. She'd agreed, after all!

Rivener, of course, came along. The Scorpion had become very docile after the cure, back to the way he'd been before and then some. It was as though all the aggressive behavior had been bled out of him in those few violent weeks of infection. He'd done horrible things, but he didn't dwell on any of it. He acted like nothing happened, and so far so had Aphismet.

Still, those unspeakable things might be part of the reason Rivener now spoke so little.

Aphismet hoped Zul would change that. As they pulled into the Italian's driveway, Aphi turned a soft smile towards his ward. "Here we are, Riv. Ready to go?"

The Scorpion nodded, toting a wrapped gift under his arm. He hadn't really known what to get someone as ascetic as Zul, so he'd settled for one of the newest guitar-games to have come out over the holidays. He really hoped Zul didn't have it already. "Let's go, then," the Sigel announced, opening his door and hurrying to the door to knock.

Aphismet followed close behind with his own gift wrapped up for Alex: a copy of the Delaran house key. An invitation to come away with him right this very day. He hoped she'd still agree.

Aphismet hadn't met Brad before, and he'd only heard of him through Alex. The woman had failed to mention that her brother looked like some kind of brick wall! The chef paled lightly at the lack of a friendly smile of greeting. The first thoughts through his head were "Oh s**t, does he hate me for dating his sister?" and "If he were to kill me, I wonder where he'd hide the body?"

Thankfully Brad only briefly spoke to the Delaran chef, inviting him inside and introducing himself in the most to-the-point way Aphismet could remember seeing. Aphi, for one, offered a smile of greeting (belatedly!) and nodded his head at the man. "P-pleased to meet you, Brad."

That's as far as he got before the announcement caused a crazy commotion from somewhere in the house. Zul showed up mere moments later, all be-decked like a christmas tree and grinning so happily even Aphismet found his nervous smile turn into a reflection of that happy expression.

Rivener's face underwent the most change, however. His serious expression, the one he'd worn since his Cure, cracked away to reveal a thoroughly pleased grin, with more than a little relief thrown in. Either Zul didn't remember Rivener attacking him, or he didn't care. Whatever the case, Rivener felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. He opened his arms, gift in one hand, and accepted the happy Demon in a hug.

"Mnnnh, Merry Christmas my Zul! It's merry for me too, for seeing you." Riv smirked, enjoying the flattering Demon as much as always. Zul always did fuel his ego so... "I got you a present! Come on, let's go open it over there." None-too-subtly guiding Zul away from the humans, Rivener headed for the living room.

Alex's appearance drew quite a few reactions from Aphismet. At first he was elated to see her looking so glad to see him. Then he was confused about the bruising, quickly followed by worry and concern. Then he was embarrassed as the Italian rushed to give him a big hug, pressing up for a kiss right in front of her very intimidating brother. Shyly Aphi wrapped his arms around her back and kissed back, but cut it a little short with a sheepish laugh. Dark eyes flicked up to Brad, checking for any threatening lunges that Aphi might need to duck away from.

"Merry Christmas, Alex. ...I hadn't heard from you in a while and you sounded so busy, and now I'm pretty sure this is why, hm?" He lifted a hand and brushed a finger along her bruised eye and bandaged neck. "What have you been doing to yourself? And why wouldn't you come see me? I missed you."

And since Brad didn't look like he was about to lunge, Aphismet leaned down for another short kiss, fingers straying to the dark hair and caressing soothingly. He returned her stare after this kiss, his dark caramel eyes finally seeing only her and glittering softly. "...I brought you your Christmas gift," he added quietly, fishing the small wrapped parcel from his pocket. It was the size of a small book, the key placed in a cotton-lined box so prevent it from clinking around in a telling way.

Rivener's wings gave a soft flap of happiness. Zul had thought of him too? Zul had gotten him a gift? Rivener smiled, pleased and flattered. He slowed to a stop in the hallway half-way to the living room, far enough away from the humans that they couldn't be bothered unless Aphi and Alex really tried. Not that they would, Riv figured: the two must be all wrapped up in one another by now. The two Raevans would have their privacy here.

Zul's fingers over his skin, then through his hair, drew a soothing sigh from Rivener's lungs. The Scorpion tilted his head into the touch and stared into the other's blue eyes with half-lidded reds, completely relaxed and comfortable. "...I feel much better," Rivener said. He, like Zul, had changed somewhat from this ordeal. At least their feelings for one another hadn't been damaged, by all appearances. "I'm glad you're better too, my Zul. ...I'm really sorry about the stuff I did to you while we were sick. Let's just forget we ever fought, okay?" To seal his apology, Rivener leaned forward to where Zul had distanced himself, pressing their lips together briefly.

When Rivener broke that kiss, he floated back to the distance he'd been before, the perfect distance for exchanging a packaged gift. One long-fingered hand extended the present and Riv smiled. "I wasn't sure what to get you... I hope you like it." The bow on the gift was a sparkly-paper red flower instead of the usual fluffy ball of glitter. "Open it!"

Aphismet chuckled at Alex's, tilting his head affectionately. Oh god, he'd missed her SO much. She had a gift for him too? And why would she say it like that? Aphi's mind immediately began travelling down trails it had no business going down right now, and the chef blushed profusely, smiling sheepishly. Sh-she couldn't mean-

Brad's voice broke into those thoughts and Aphismet suddenly recalled the older man was there in the first place. Brown eyes opened wide and Aphi blushed even worse, clearing his throat and watching the two Italians exchange words. Wow, it's just like Alex had said. The two siblings were so-... they were very alike. Aphi could imagine Alex would be teasing her brother like this too if the situations were reversed. THAT thought brought a chuckle to the chef, dismissing most of the blush and the thoughts that had caused it. "I'm taking note, I'm taking note," Aphismet assured Brad, laughing lightly.

Alex turned back to Aphi then, the chef laughing at her expression lightly. He'd never seen her so... so undone. It was rather cute.

"Aleeeex," Aphismet rebuked lightly, tilting his head and placing a hand at the woman's cheek, keeping their eyes aligned. "Alex, you shouldn't hide this from me. I don't like that you're hurt, it's true, and I am kind of worried out of my skull for you, but I know you're a grown woman and you take all these crazy risks that I can't stop you from taking. You're no delicate little thing. I don't want to be shut out of your life every time you get a scratch. ...okay?" He grinned at referring to these wounds as scratches, when they were obviously much more than that.

Brushing that whole topic aside for now, Aphismet lifted the gift again, bringing her hand along with it. "Now go on, open your gift." She wouldn't be able to avoid him anymore if she accepted the gift anyway, so that previous little conversation would become a moot point. Or so Aphi hoped.

Rivener chuckled and watched Zul open the present, watched the demon's expression go from confused to completely elated. A bright grin nearly mirroring Zul's own lit up Rivener's features: he'd guessed right in getting this game! The frei was SO happy! Riv had used the very last of his money to get this game for his Zul, and it had been worth every single little penny.

Riv wrapped his arms around the half-formed torso that nuzzled at him, chuckling a little breathier and shuddering with happiness at the kiss to his shoulder. "I'm so happy you like it. Of course I'll play with you later!" Rivener was no expert at these guitar games, but he'd played a few times with Zul before... No doubt Riv would get his a** kicked again this time around. Not that it mattered who won (although Riv's pride always ruffled slightly at not coming out number one), as long as they had fun. And watching Zul look so focused on those scrolling notes on the television was very entertaining...

But now there was something else eating away at Riv, his curiosity finally speaking up from around the excitement of giving Zul his gift. "You said you got me something too?" the Sigel prompted, tilting his head and trying not to look too interested. His wings betrayed him, however, rustling like that in barely-contained anticipation.

Aphismet's heart must have stopped beating in the time it took for Alex to open the gift and react to it. Self-doubt, excitement, nerves, feeling foolish, a million emotions flashed through the chef and left, leaving him reeling. Aphi's sanity hinged on Alex's reaction. He watched her face like a hawk.

Hearing his name whispered like that was the catalyst. Aphismet let out the deep breath he'd been holding, feeling his chest thump back to life with a vengeance. He grinned at his girlfriend and laughed airily, his limbs unwinding from the tense springs they'd become.

Just say when, she'd said. Aphismet gathered his courage much easier now that she'd looked so happy, her eyes glazed like that. "How about today? Right now!" Aphismet took a step forward, raising both hands to the sides of her neck, holding on softly. "Please, that would be the BEST gift you could give me. When I go home later, to have you go home too. Please?" He grinned, brown eyes glittering with hope. She'd say yes, she had to, he could almost hear the words already!

Rivener watched Zul float away, noticing the ornaments hanging from his wings for the first time. An amused chuckle rose from the Sigel's throat and he tilted his head fondly. How cute. Zul seemed like such a composed person, but then he wore sparkly christmas doo-dads on his wings. He was like a puzzle Rivener simply adored trying to piece together. He was sure that once all the pieces were in place, Riv would just love the final whole even more.

The demon-frei returned shortly with a small wrapped box, placing it into Riv's palm. The Scorpion tried to play it cool, but there was a spark of excitement in his eyes that couldn't be explained away. That, and his wings just refused to play along, rustling and beating lightly. "I'm opening it," the Sigel declared before he ran fingers over the embossed paper, finding the edges and ripping gently.

It looked like a jewelry box? Rivener's heart quickened and he flipped open the top eagerly, a smile finding its way onto his face and then bursting into an all-out beam when he spotted the ring itself. It was perfect! It matched his current accessories perfectly, and... he pulled it out, slipping it over a very particular finger on his right hand... it fit exactly where it should! The Sigel's wings snapped open and beat down with such force that it sent gusts disturbing the room lightly, and Rivener threw himself around Zul's shoulders, laughing brightly and snuggling the demon's cheek with complete adoration.

"I love it! It's perfect!" He purred, hugging tighter still.

Aphismet's elated smile dimmed as he caught sight of the bandaged wrist, but he only sighed and shook his head lightly to himself, deciding not to mention anything of the shot of concern that had washed through him. Today was not the day to mention anything unpleasant, and Alex drove this point home by leaning up to kiss him one more time, managing to bring the smile back to the chef's face.

The woman turned to ask her brother for help, but Brad already seemed to be in the process of moving her out. Was he that eager to be rid of her? Aphismet laughed, figuring that it was all for the best. "Who's Louie?" he asked, figuring it was most likely a pet of some kind.

Alex's offer to give Aphismet his present "at home" made the white-haired man's chest swell up with fluttery feelings, his grin reflecting this happiness clearly. THEIR home! Alex was really moving in, right now, today! Aphi couldn't quite realize yet that he wasn't dreaming. He grabbed Alex's hands and laughed at her bouncing, moving towards the living room. "Come on, then, we should tell our Raevans so Zul can start packing!"

Rivener snuggled, and to hell with how that wasn't manly at all of him to do. He was just so happy! And he downright adored Zul! The demon's purring words in Riv's ear were so nice, the Sigel relaxing completely, content in this embrace. He'd stay like this FOREVER if he could! With no intention to let go anytime soon, Riv heaved a deep, satisfied sigh and rested his head against the other's. This was so comfortable.

Aphismet grinned to hear Alex had been packed since that very first day, so long ago. Then what had she been waiting for? Of course many things happened, but the woman had obviously needed her boyfriend to come get her, give the green light, or she might have felt like she was being pushy? Well, it didn't matter now: she was coming today, and that was all that Aphismet needed to know.

Answering Aphismet's question about Louie apparently necessitated Alex to look around and call for the thing in question, cementing the concept that it was a pet. A pretty cute one, in fact! As the tiny little monkey-like creature scuttled to Alex and climbed her arm, Aphismet let out a breathy "Aaww!", instantly smitten with it. How shy! Not like all the rambunctious, demanding, arrogant pets Aphismet had at home! "It's so cute!" he added, resisting the urge to scritch its chin too. He wouldn't want to scare it! "You can tell me that sad story another day, then. And you're welcome to come live at my house, Louie! Although, beware of Shalbriri..."

Aphismet followed Alex into the nearby living room, finding the two Raevans hugging. For once there was nothing overtly sexual about it, for which Aphismet was very damned grateful. He dreaded how many times he'd have to separate the two at home. And he wondered if Riv or Zul would one day hit him for it or something. ...Although Alex never seemed worried about it, Aphismet just couldn't let go of the idea that it was "wrong" and shouldn't be encouraged. They were hardly formed! They were only a few years old!

Alex had a much better way of separating them than Aphi, anyway. She declared that they should get moving if they wanted to move today, and Zul practically flew off Rivener, so happy the chef had to chuckle at the sudden energy.

Rivener had reacted much as Zul did. He turned to look at Alex with wide eyes. "Now?" he'd echoed. Zul pulled back and Rivener's gaze snapped to the other Raevan's, a slow beaming grin spreading on the Sigel's face. They were going to live together!!! Rivener beat his wings again in joy, paper and small things flying around in the wind. Zul kissed him and Rivener laughed, watching the frei zip off to gather his games. "Don't forget anything!" Rivener said, glancing around for the guitar-remotes needed for those music games. Ah, they were already in that large box, as were the systems themselves... Zul really was ready, wasn't he? Rivener grinned over at Aphismet, red eyes dancing with more happiness than the white-haired man had ever seen, and the Sigel eagerly followed Zul towards the side door. "This is the best Christmas EVER!" he squeaked, so damned excited he didn't know what to do with himself.

Once outside, Riv quickly jetted off to draw circles and loop-de-loops in the sky, laughing gleefully. He expected Zul to join him the minute the box of games was safely put away: this was the happy display of Rivener's joy! He had to explode with movement and laughter or his body would burst, or something!!!

Aphismet was left inside with Alex, although he turned to head towards the same door the Raevans had taken. He smiled at the Italian woman, easily hearing the words she hadn't spoken. "Come on then, we can't let your brother pack everything by himself: I'll fetch the boxes from the garage if he gets the ones in your room, and then we'll head home, okay?" He leaned over to kiss her cheek lightly, brushing a thumb over the area after. He also tried to give Louie a little pet, testing his boundary with the animal.

"It won't be long now!" the chef added, grinning.

The packing hadn't taken all that long, and as much as Aphismet wanted to tell Alex to just leave the heavy things for him to move, he'd not said anything. Alex was proud, and she was stubborn: there was no way Aphi would have swayed her into letting him do all this on his own (although Rivener would surely have helped), so the chef hadn't tried to argue. He knew to pick his battles, and he didn't mind at all letting the woman have her way most of the time. Besides, when she smiled like that, how could Aphismet do anything other than smile back rather dumbly, most thoughts blasted clear out of his head?

Rivener HAD helped, once his flying had worn out most of the excitement. The Scorpion could tell Zul wasn't as hyped just yet, still holding onto a small smidge of doubt perhaps? Bah, that doubt would fade soon, and the sooner the better! The quicker they packed, the quicker they'd all be living together!

The ride home was nearly unbearable for both Delaran men. Alex was with Zul in her own truck, and Brad followed in another... Too bad they couldn't drive there together. A small sacrifice, and it made the end result no lesser, anyway! The instant the car had come to a stop, Riv bolted out the passenger side to find Zul, the demon already half-way over with his bowl of fish. Riv grinned wide and he hurried to the demon. "Come on! You can put your stuff in my room! You said you don't sleep right, so you don't need a room of your own, but you can totally share mine. Come on, come on, we'll take the short-cut!" Excited beyond measure, Riv gently tugged on Zul's arm (not wanting the fish to spill out of their bowl!) towards the back yard, where they could simply fly up to the balcony connecting Eiry and Riv's rooms.

Aphismet blinked at Brad, the man heading towards the house. "Ah? Where's he going?" Aphi asked, walking over to pick up a few of the lighter boxes from the truck. "Inspecting to make sure it's liveable for you?" He smirked playfully, although he felt half-sincere. He still felt like Brad was giving him The Look, judging him in a Are-You-Good-Enough-For-My-Sister kind of way...