Snow crunched beneath your feet as you walked down the deserted sidewalk. Every store you passed was closed, but that didn't seem to even bother you. You had already gotten all of your Christmas shopping done before the chilling month of December even arrived. You weren't like those shoppers that cram into stores at the very last minute. It shows how unorganized people are nowadays.

You tightened up your jacket and sighed, a white wisp forming in the air. You wouldn't exactly say that you hated the holiday of Christmas, but you never did like celebrating it. You weren't very close to your family, so you wouldn't even dare visit them during the holiday. Instead, you would spend it with your friends. It was more like Alfred dragging you to a Christmas gathering against your will, with you kicking and screaming. You hated the American man with a burning passion, for facts that were clearly obvious. He was oblivious, stuck up, annoying, rude, and just downright idiotic. Despite his moronic ways, he was loved by everyone and had many friends. You hated how he considered you to be one of his friends, but never said a word about it. The man had an ego the size of his favorite burger, and crushing it would lead everyone into a bad mood.

You opened the door to your apartment and shuffled inside. After slipping off your snow-covered boots and hanging up your jacket, you leaned your back onto the door and heaved a long sigh. I'm glad to be out of the snow Hell. Something brushed up against your leg, causing you to look down and smile. Your black kitten with a white belly, named Angus, purred lightly, trying to get your attention. Angus was a gift that Alfred gave you last year. He named him "Angus" after his favorite burger from McDonald's. You thought it was a downright stupid name for a cat, but you didn't have the heart to change the name.

"Hey there, Angus," you gently picked up the feline and placed him on your shoulder, letting him nuzzle against the crook of your neck. You walked into the living room and plopped down on the tiny sofa. You knew you only had a few hours of personal time before you would have to go to some stupid Christmas party with a bunch of people you would really like to punch in the teeth.

You took Angus and held him over your head, letting the cat meow in protest and try to paw you to death. You smiled and nuzzled your nose against his soft wet one.

"I think you're the only friend I actually have. Pretty sad, huh?" you asked Angus, laughing slightly at yourself. Some would find it odd that you talk to a cat, but you had no one else. It wasn't like you didn't have anybody to talk to, you were just afraid of them judging you or deciding to put their two sense in when it didn't really seem necessary. You would give off this cold and scary aura that made everyone afraid of you and keep their distance. The only person who didn't was, of course, Alfred. Being the oblivious asshat he is, he would walk directly into the danger zone and provoke you with his cheesy smile and random outbursts.

Suddenly, Angus's ears twitched. The kitten wriggled its way out of your grasp and shot towards the front door. He meowed loudly and patted the door. You blinked once, before standing up and walking towards the door. You smoothed out for (h/l)(h/c) hair and opened the front door, but immediately regretted it.

"Yo, _______! Merry Christmas!" Alfred sang, pulling you into a crushing embrace. You squealed in protest and tried to push him away, but you were a weakling against the blonde so all you could do was hiss.

"Alfred! What did I tell you about hugging me?!" you said while hissing. Alfred didn't even seem to care that he was one step away from becoming cat food.

"Come on, ______! Can't you be even a little happy during this time of year?" he asked, pulling back far enough to flash you one of his signature cheesy smiles. You pink blush heated up your cheeks with how close his face was from yours. You shook it away and pushed the American away from you.

"No, I can't, nor will I even try to. Christmas is just another day for me," you rebuttled, folding your arms over your chest. "Why are you here anyway? The party isn't for another two hours, right?"

"Well, yeah, but there's also the before-the-Christmas-party party! I volunteered myself to come get you, so let's go!" Alfred grabbed you by the arm and started to half drag, half pull you out of the apartment. You planted your feet firmly on the ground and shook your head.

"I only promised to go to the actual Christmas party, Alfred! Not some dumb, drinking, before party. Now, let me go," you pulled your arm away, but he only grabbed it again. This repeated several times.

"You need to get out more anyway, ________, so come on. You don't have to drink. Just showing up will make the whole thing. Please?" being the stubborn girl you were, you shook your head. You attempted to push him out of the apartment, but again, you were a weakling compared to him so your effort was worthless.

"Can you please go now and pick me up when it's actually time for the real party?" you said, your hands still on his chest. "I just want some time to be alone," you said, looking down at your feet. Alfred tilted his head.

"But, you're always alone, ________. Why would you want to spend more time alone when you can be interacting with other people?" you answered him with a gentle shrug of the shoulders and lowering your hands from his chest. There was a long silence. You hoped that he would for once get the hint and leave. The front door closed, and you were about to sigh in relief until Alfred walked past you into the living room with Angus on his shoulder.

"Well, if you're not going anywhere, I guess I'll just have to stay here with you," he said with a gentle smile. You gritted your teeth. Why must I tolerate this dimwit?! Why can't I tell him how much I loathe him and wish for him to be out my life once and for all?! You shuffled into the living room.

"But, what about that before party your throwing? Shouldn't you be hosting that right now?" you asked, hoping he would jump up and leave in a hurry. Instead, he sat on the end of the couch and placed Angus in his lap. Angus purred heavenly as Alfred scratched behind his ears.

"Arthur can take care of it. I mean, it is at his house anyway," you grumbled insults and a colorful set of words and collapsed on the opposite end of the couch, looking anywhere but at the blonde. I could try kicking him out again, but something is stopping me from doing that. It feels like a part of me actually wants him to be here. I must be going insane. You glanced over at Alfred. He was still scratching behind Angus's ears, while Angus was nestled comfortably against his stomach. For once, you didn't feel any hatred towards Alfred. Another indescribable emotion boiled in your blood. Everything from his striking blue eyes to his very slightly overweight build seemed appealing to you. For a single moment, you didn't think of his as an oblivious, idiotic, cheeseburger-loving asshat. You saw a more caring and gentler side of him.

"You alright over there, _______? You've been staring at me for the past five minutes," you broke your gaze quickly and shook your head.

"I'm sorry, I guess I got lost in thought," you bit your lip and looked away from him, feeling blood rushing to your cheeks and warming them up. I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I was staring at him!

"Oh wow, it's snowing again!" exclaimed Alfred all of a sudden. You looked towards large window on the other side of the room and indeed saw little white snowflakes coming down. It wasn't a lot, but it also wasn't a little. It seemed like the right amount. You smiled softly to yourself and walked to the window. You absolutely adored the snow. The texture, the appearance, everything.

"________?" still with a smile on your face, you turned to face Alfred and before you could ask him what he wanted, a pair of lips were placed on yours. Your eyes widened in shock and yet another blush crawled onto your cheeks, hotter and redder than ever. You mind was clouded with so many thoughts, that you didn't even try to push him away. Once you did come back to your senses, you placed your hands on his chest and tried to push him away. You don't know how you did it, but you were able to push him away and break the kiss. You gasped for air.

"You bastard, what do you get off doing that out of nowhere?!" you yelled, glaring angry (e/c) eyes at him. Alfred smiled with amusement and put his hands behind his head.

"Would you rather I asked first?" he asked, also catching his breath. You growled lowly through your teeth. Is he playing with me? The nerve of this guy!

"I would rather you not do that at all!" you asked, not realizing yourself blushing.

"Well, now you're giving me mixed signals. I mean, that blush on your face is telling me you want me to do that again," Alfred poked one of your red cheeks and smirked. You puffed your cheeks in annoyance and crossed your arms.

"My cheeks are red because it's hot in here," you lied. Alfred might be stupid, but he wasn't that stupid.

"Well, whatever you say. I should be going now, get out of your way," Alfred put Angus down. Your eyes widened ever so slightly, and your heart dropped down to your toes. "I'll just let myself out," you heard his footsteps move towards the door. Your body grew a mind of it's own, because the next thing you know you feel your legs move, more like run, towards him. Before Alfred could get the door open and walk out, you threw yourself into him and embraced him from behind.

"Please don't go," you mumbled into his jacket. "You being here with me has made this the best Christmas ever," warmth pooled in your eyes. You were tired of being so cold to the one person who has dared to come into your world. Tired of hating the one person who has ever cared about you. It was time to drop your guard and let someone in. Who would have thought that that one person could be Alfred F. Jones?

Alfred smiled and turned around to face you, forcing to let him go and stand back. You failed to notice the tears dripping from your (e/c) eyes, until Alfred gently brushed his thumb over your cheek to wipe them away.

"So, can me staying here with you be my Christmas present to you?" he asked, giving you his signature grin. You smiled. Cheap bastard.