All I Want For Christmas (Ithica)

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan stood at the intersection, between two separate streets. He was slightly freezing, having no money to buy decent winter clothes. Checking the street signs, Ryan walked down the icy street that lead the way to the specific spot that he told Ithica he would meet him at. It had been quite awhile since he had seen his friend, not since the night they ate churros together. Especially not since the truth was told, the truth of how he really felt about Ithica. It wasn't expected, the way things had turned out, but the weight of the truth was now gone, lifted off of his shoulders.

"I hope Ithica missed me, as much as I missed him." Ryan thought to himself hopefully.

And it was true, it was the only thing he really wanted for Christmas. Was that the one person in the world that he really cared for, felt the same exact way about him as he did. Thoughts continued to fly through his mind, all about Ithica, as he walked on. He wondered if Ithica still had a boyfriend, if he even remembered who he, Ryan, was. Did Ithica even still care about him? Did he still "love" him?

"I hope what he told me wasn't just to make me feel better, I hope he actually did care."
After five minutes or so of walking, Ryan reached his destination. Clutching a package, he leaned on the large oak tree that seemed to go up endlessly, and waited for the one person that he was so desperate to see.

[Ithica Pettineo]

His favorite thing about Christmastime was the snow.

Ithica was a simple creature. His inner child ruled him, and the snow sent him into a flurry of excitedness - not a very big change from his normal behavior. It was the time where he could gather up snow and build a snow castle, or when he could make a little snowman. It was also the perfect weather to meet someone you cared for.

Like one of your best friends! Yup. That's right. Snow always stood for happiness in his mind, although he supposed that snow wasn't particularly friendly or happy. Oh well. Ithica bounced across the street cheerfully, singing various 'do do do's in the tune of Frosty the Snowman. He glanced upwards into the park and frowned upon seeing Ryan.

He had never really felt cold in his life (except maybe once, and perhaps that was more psychological than anything). It might have been the demon side of him, or perhaps it was because he bounced around so much that he was perpetually warm. In any case, he knew that it was not normal to be out in the park in the snow in.. in not warm clothes. Which Ryan was. Ithica sighed loudly and walked to Ryan.

"Hello," he said pleasantly. That greeting aside, he turned the conversation to business now. "Are you crazy or something, Ryan?" he demanded, poking the boy with all the fake grumpiness he could muster. "What the hell are you wearing? And don't answer that either, 'cause I can see what you're wearing, and let me tell you that you're going to die of a cold or the flu or pneumonia or maybe both all at the same time," he nodded vehemently as though that proved his point.

Ithica took off his own coat and pushed it into Ryan's arms. He unwrapped the scarf from his neck and put it around Ryan's. "Oh, and Merry Christmas."

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan's teeth were practically chattering due to how cold he was, and he couldn't help but wonder where Ithica was.
"Did he get my message?" he thought worriedly. "I hope he did. I really want to see him."

The sound of walking caused him to raise his head, and the person who was walking happily towards him was none other than the one person he wanted to see the most, Ithica.
Smiling brightly, Ryan waved meekly at the half-demon who was coming towards him as such a brisk pace.
"Ithica..." Ryan said warmly.

Ryan blushed slightly as Ithica chastised him for his lack of winter attire. He mumbled slightly about "lack of money" and "didn't want to bother anybody". He blushed slightly as Ithica handed him the coat that he was wearing, and wrapped the scarf around his neck.
Eyes cast to the ground, Ryan slowly put the coat on and buttoned it.
"Thanks." he muttered. "And Merry Christmas to you too, Ithica."

Ryan closed the distance between them in a split-second, throwing his arms around the person he cared about so deeply and gripping him tightly as if he were the ground itself. Distantly he felt like he wouldn't ever want to let go, but knew that he couldn't keep Ithica his huggy prisoner.

"Ithica I really missed you. It's been too long." Ryan said warmly. "I got you a present."

[Ithica Pettineo]

He giggled as Ryan jump-hugged him. "You're so funny," he commented lightly, returning the hug happily. "If you need something, Ryan, you really should ask." Ithica grinned as squirmed in the hug, trying to bounce on his feet. "Especially if you're going to try and meet me in the cold without a proper coat. And it's not a bother because I...you know, don't want you to die."

It was a pretty lame thing to say, but Ithi was a pretty lame half-demon. "I've missed you, too. How have things been with you?" he asked nonchalantly. He had been trying to pretend that the feelings for Ryan weren't real because Sop Aaran was his boyfriend, but it was becoming highly doubtful.

"I didn't get you anything though," Ithica said unhappily. It was guilt that was sending him into a panic. "What am I supposed to do now? Gah! I'm terrible," he pouted dramatically, resting his head on Ryan's shoulder. "What do you want?" he asked quietly. "And afterwards, do you want to build a snowman with me?"

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan smiled as he felt Ithica's warm hands hug him back, and was happy that it was far from half-hearted. During the embrace a wave of pure bliss flowed through him as he breathed in the deep and pure scent that Ithica always seemed to radiate, vanilla.
"I don't want to bother you with my silly requests. I didn't mind the cold, honest." Ryan replied, although it was a bit far from the truth. He was used to being uncomfortable, the cold not making a difference, though it was just that, uncomfortable.

"I'm glad you've missed me too." Ryan replied, struggling to hide his happiness at that fact, that Ithica HAD missed him.
"I've been fine I guess. I've just been studying really hard in the academy, learning to better control my powers and what not. The headaches have gone away."

Ryan shrugged when he heard that Ithica didn't get him anything.
"Trust me, it's fine. I didn't really expect anything..." he said softly.

Pausing, he handed Ithica the package and watched as he opened it. Inside would be a necklace with a star shaped pendant on it. Each point of the star a different color; red, blue, green, yellow, and orange; with a purple gem in the center.
"It's something I made, it's from one of my favorite games. It's called a way-finder. The legend is if you give one to somebody, you two will be connected together forever." he said grinning slightly, trying to gauge a reaction from Ithica.

Ryan went quiet when Ithica asked him what did he want, presumably for Christmas. That was an easy one, a question that didn't even need thought put into it.
"I know I'm stupid for saying this, but you already know what I want. I want the one thing that will truly make me happy. I want you."

[Ithica Pettineo]

"It's not silly if you need stuff like that," he insisted quietly. He didn't want Ryan to get embarrassed about the lack of a coat, but Ithi needed Ryan to know that his health wasn't a silly request. "Keep the coat and scarf," he offered, taking a step backwards and looked around sheepishly.

He listened silently as Ryan talked about making progress with his gifts. He opened the package and ran his fingers across the necklace. He slipped it around his neck and continued listening as Ryan explained the significance. His cheeks colored at the thought of being connected forever. "I'm really happy for you, Ryan. And thank you for the necklace. It's lovely," he returned the grin.

He was an uneasy, and even someone without empathy could pick up on it. Ithi bit his lip when he heard Ryan's request, but the giggle escaped past the bit lips. "Most people would have said, 'you know, I'm craving some Thai, Ithica', or 'I've had my eye on these shoes, Ithica,'" he laughed, sitting down on the snow. "Shall I wrap myself up with a bow?" he laid back in the snow, sticking out his tongue to catch a snowflake.

"You know, I'm craving some Thai," he commented and patted his stomach. "I think I'm wasting away. You can see my ribs if I suck my breath in." To prove his point he lifted up his shirt slightly and sucked in his breath, pointing dramatically to his ribcage. "I'm going to fade away into nothingness if I don't eat soon...well, you know, not that I'd ever starve to death because I'm... well, you know."

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan blushed slightly as Ithica attempted (key word being attempted) to explain that his (Ryan's) wants and needs were not silly. Growing up he had never really been told that, actually quite the opposite, from his mother and the kids at his school.
"I wish I could believe him. I wish I could believe even for a second that I matter."

At the prospect of being allowed to keep the coat and scarf, Ryan blushed brighter red. Never in his life had somebody been so willing to give him something, let alone something that was theirs. The gift offering meant all the much more to him since it was from the person he cared about so much, Ithica.

"I'm glad you like your present, Ith." Ryan said, feeling quite awkward as he tried a new "nickname" that he never used before, hoping his friend wouldn't take offense.
"I really thought long and hard on what to get you, I'm glad you liked it."


A warm feeling spread through him as he heard Ithica go on one of his random tangents about food and the human psyche. These were the moments he had missed the most when he spent most of his time studying and attending classes, the moments were it would be just him, Ithica, and pointless conversation.
"Ithica, I love you." he said softly. "I love you so very much. The stars themselves pale in comparison to the light that radiates off of you."

A growling in his stomach disrupted his thoughts. He hadn't really eaten much today, warm food sounded excellent.
"Thai...is that anything like Chinese? I could really go for some of that!" Ryan exclaimed happily, however a tiny voice in the back of his head reminded him exactly how unconventional that would be.
"I can't go get Thai. I don't have any money." he grumbled.

[Ithica Pettineo]

He tilted his head at the shortening of his name. "I'm glad you're glad," he replied, and gave Ryan a thumbs-up. "You shouldn't have put so much thought into it, sir, I would've been happy with anything!" he grinned. "Even if you had given me a snowball to the face! I love snowballs! I quite like snow in general, but I don't like how I get cold and wet from it," he rambled.

He would have kept rambling some more about various different topics had Ryan not interrupted him. Ithica looked down and poked at the snow sheepishly. His face was entirely red from the comment, and the heat radiating from his face could melt all the ice in New York. "That's a funny thing to say," he mumbled sheepishly.

"It's kind of like Chinese," he answered. "It's... from the same continent.. as Chinese food. Well obviously, right? You can eat Chinese and Thai right here, but I'm just saying that China and Thailand are both Asian...countries..." he floundered, trailing off.

Ithica puffed out his cheeks. "You can go get food because I shall pay for you," he declared, standing up cheerfully. "Or if you're against that, we can go visit my daddy and make him feed us," he offered. "It's up to you."

[ooc; sorry. >.< The snow killed my electricity..]

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan shrugged. He didn't know how to put what he was feeling into words that wouldn't offend Ithica.
"You're always paying for me...it feels wrong." he sighed. "I know enough about the world to know that there are relationships out there, bad ones. Like the kind in which one of the two in the relationship is only with the other person to gain material things or money. I don't want you to feel like I'm using you, cause that's not the case at all. Thing is, when I'm with you, I want you to know that I'm only here for you. Not for anything you can give me. Except...your love of course."

Ryan blushed slightly as he said the last line, about only wanting Ithica's love. He was sure that by now Ithica definitely knew that he was interested and in love, but it never did hurt to make sure.
"Ithi I know you're not one for the serious and the emotional, I get that. I just...I don't know where I stand with you. Sometimes when I'm with you I feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and I want you to feel that way also."

Ryan took a deep breath in, trying to process his thoughts.
"I guess what I'm asking is, are we just friends?"

[Ithica Pettineo]

"I'm not always paying for you," he defended. "I certainly don't think you're after me for my money. You're too good for that." He reached over and ruffled Ryan's hair. He withdrew his hand when Ryan mentioned the part about only wanting Ithica's love. Why was Ryan always talking like that? Who the heck could love the clumsy annoying half-demon that much?

He bit his lip as Ryan continued to speak. He knew that whenever said things like that - in the tone of voice that he was saying it in - there was always going to be a tough question. And if there were one thing Ithica Pettineo hated more than spiders, it was tough questions.

Are we just friends?

"I don't think we're just anything," Ithica muttered, glancing down at his feet. "I wasn't lying to you when I said I had feelings for you, but I do already have... someone," he continued. He could remember when his life was simple and he didn't cast much thought into the ways of romance. Now it seemed that he couldn't spend a day without being reminded of the damned emotion.

He dug his foot in the snow silently. "Can we please go eat?" he asked quietly. "I'm sure my daddy would like to meet you, and he can cook sweet and sour chicken with the best of them," he offered. He held out his hand hopefully. "Don't be angry with me, please?"

[Ryan Alexander]

Ryan tensed up slightly, distantly feeling the complexity of the emotions that Ithica was feeling. It relieved him to know that Ithica did have feelings for him, and that he was in somebody's heart for once in his life. In the back of his mind he registered that there was another person in Ithica's life already, but his teenage heart just couldn't let that be a barrier for what he thought and truly believed was true love.
"It's alright Ithica, I understand. I would love to meet you dad, plus I'm hungry. So that's a reason in itself. Plus it's a win-win, since you won't be spending any money on me." Ryan said with a smile.
As the half-demon looking at him and pleaded for him to not be angry, Ryan shook his head.
"I could never be mad at you, Ithi." he said softly.
And he knew that no words could ever come closer to the truth.

[Ithica Pettineo]

He grinned. "Not even if I pulled your hair? Or tickled you until you wet yourself? Or put snow down your shirt?" he asked, poking Ryan cheerfully. "Cause I'm a mean, vicious demon. I'd do something like that." He bared his teeth and hissed in his best imitation of his cat. "I bet then you'd be mad at me, right?" he persisted. Ithica smiled widely and hopped through the snow in the general direction of his house.

It wasn't as though Ithi wanted Ryan to become angry at him. Ryan could probably kick his wimpy half-demon butt into next week if he felt so inclined. Or barrage him with an onslaught of telekinetically thrown kittens, or something of that sort.

"Sometimes I wish I weren't a demon or gifted. I remember back when I was a kid, I didn't have very much control over my Animation," he thought briefly of how little control he possessed of it now and sighed, "well, I had less control over it then," he amended. "Once I was playing with another kid, and I accidentally brought the toy to life. The other kids ignored me after that day, but the teachers never believed them about me." He rubbed his hands together and glanced at the healing skin nervously. "They knew I was different though. They kept me separate from the other children."

He smiled at Ryan and looked back at the snow. "But I guess everyone feels like that. I think everyone wants to be normal sometimes." Ithica yawned and stretched, pulling Ryan into a brief hug. "You know, I am a little too old for you. Ithi the pedo," he lamented.

"Ah, anyway, when you meet my cat, you should probably give him a treat." Ithica dug his hand in his pockets and pulled out a small treat. "You never know when you'll meet a stray cat," he explained. "Moose is pretty grumpy all the time, but he adores anyone that gives him food and love. We spoiled him rotten."

[Ryan Alexander]

(I'm sorry I haven't been on here yet to reply, I've been really sick. There's like a virus going around and it's really bad. I'm feeling a bit better, but I'm not 100% yet =/
please pass the word onto Domi?)