MFU: December Drabbles

[wildernesstales]

On mfuwss  , they're prompting each day a word related to Christmas/winter.  This is the final batch.  All 31 done...
Slash present in Holiday, Mulled Wine and New Year.  Also potentially in Dinner if you squint.

My thanks go to sensine   for setting up the challenge and providing all the delicious prompts! 

 

22 – Present
Illya hadn’t expected to find presents under his tree.  So when he woke up on Christmas morning to find a present tucked under the bedraggled fir tree, he was more than a little surprised.
A quick check revealed nothing potentially dangerous, so it wasn’t as if Thrush knew where he lived and had planted a ‘surprise’ for him.  Still, he was confused by the present. 

Sitting down, he unwrapped it carefully, not expecting to find a selection of his favorite records.  Only one man in America knew exactly what he liked listening to.  Checking the tag revealed the answer… Napoleon.
 

23 – Traditions
It wasn’t that Napoleon didn’t care about tradition, he did.  It was just a little hard to follow traditions when you were flying halfway round the world chasing a megalomaniac bent on world domination.  He had no pretty lady to woo this Christmas, no fancy restaurant to take her to.  Or any expensive presents for her to unwrap.
All he had was his partner, his gun and his communicator.  The only crackers they had were the explosives Illya had managed to lay his hands on.  The fireworks they would produce went a little way to reminding Napoleon of Christmas somehow.

24 – Santa
“You have heard of Santa Claus?”
“Of course I have.  Just because I am Russian does not mean I don’t know how you capitalists celebrate Christmas.”
“Smart Russian.” Illya just smiled; their now-familiar banter comforting him more than he would admit to.
“I still do not understand what Thrush mean to gain by having one of their members pose as a Santa Claus and attract children.”
“Attract the children of the rich and brilliant, you mean.” Napoleon corrected.
“Of course.” A tilt of the blond head and Illya returned to watching ‘Santa’s Grotto’.
“Heard of the Pied Piper of Hamlin?”

 

25 – Dinner
It was something they could both look forward to.  Something that they both enjoyed.  Napoleon because of his heritage.  Illya because of… well, because Illya was Illya.  So it was something they could enjoy together.  They never had many arguments over it.  One would make the decision and the other would either agree or suggest something different.

And the best time for having it was right after coming back from a mission, especially one the other side of the world.  Coming home and getting cleaned up and meeting at Napoleon’s luxurious apartment.
Food… the decision was easy.
Italian for dinner.

26 – Holiday
“So much for a holiday.” Illya groused.  It was rare, both of them taking time off together.  And of course, when they finally managed to schedule some vacation time, Thrush would come up with a new plan for world domination.
“Technically we’re away from the office, so it’s a holiday.” Napoleon pointed out, earning him a glare.
“Away from the office and tied up together in a Thrush cell.  That does not constitute a holiday.” Illya growled.  “We should be curled up together watching an old movie, not sitting here half-naked and cold.”
“Well, two out of three isn’t bad?”

 

27 – Skiing
They moved easily down the slope, skis churning up the snow behind them.
“Snow mobile!” Illya called out in warning, turning sharply and heading towards the bank of trees littering the slope.  They would be able to hide more easily in there.
“You know, just once I’d like to ski without being chased by Thrush.” Napoleon grumbled.
“You skied last year.  With your… snow-bunny?”
“Well, we didn’t actually do much… skiing.” Napoleon muttered, following Illya into the trees.
“Tch.  Somehow that doesn’t surprise me.”
“The snow kept us off the slopes.”
“And in bed I presume?”
“Well… it was warmer.”

28 – Mulled Wine
It was the first time since leaving university that Napoleon had even attempted to make alcohol.  But Illya insisted, once he found out about mulled wine.  The kitchen in Napoleon’s flat now smelt of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.
“It smells wonderful.” Illya breathed, leaning over the steaming pot on the stove, spoon in hand.
“It does.” Napoleon agreed, coming up to stand behind Illya, resting his chin on the Russian’s shoulder.
“We need to let it simmer for an hour or so now though.” He murmured.
“So what do you suggest we do?”
“I can think of a few things…”

 

29 – Winter Coat
“Are you sure you’re going to be warm enough in that?”
“Of course I am.”
“I’m not sure you will be.  It will be rather cold where we’re going.”
“Illya, I’ll be fine.”
“I still think you need a warmer coat.”
“I don’t need another coat.  This one will be fine.”
“All the same, I would prefer it if you wore a much warmer coat.”
“Illya, this is my winter coat, it will be fine I assure you.”
“All right…”

“I’m cold.”
“You are?”
“Yes.”
“I hate to say it…”
“Illya, don’t even say it.”
“But I told you so.”

 

30 – Firework/s
It wasn’t often he got to see the results of his explosive skills first hand.  Normally, he was far away when it happened.  Not trapped inside watching the timer tick down.  If only he hadn’t tripped and startled that guard.  Then he wouldn’t be nursing a shoulder wound either.
If only he could pick the lock to the handcuffs, he could escape.  But they’d taken all his tools.  And tied him up.  And left him in the same room as the explosives he’d planted earlier.

His only hope was a last minute rescue before he got to see the fireworks.
 

31 – New Year
The countdown started.  Another year nearly over and he still hadn’t said anything.  New Year’s resolutions be damned, he was not failing this year.  Not again.  He summoned up the courage and stepped closer.
10.
“Illya, there’s something I need to tell you.”
9.
“What is it Napoleon?”
8.
“Something I should have said earlier…”
7.
“What?”
6.
“See, I made a resolution last year…”
5.
“Napoleon…”
4.
“And I didn’t want the year to end without me fulfilling the most important one.”
3.
“What are you talking about Napoleon?”
2.
“Illya, I love you.”
“Oh…”
1.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”