Christmas Surprise (Leiken)

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper contemplated the note in her hand as she grabbed a package of vegan sugar cookies she had made earlier that day at her mom's house, walking quickly out of her dorm room and heading towards the auditorium as the words instructed. She knew it was from Leiken, and she couldn't help but wonder what on earth he had planned.

She had dressed up earlier that day in a dress she had been working on for quite some time, and, seeing no reason to change out of it, was still wearing it as she tread softly down the stairs, her curled hair bouncing happily along behind her. Butterflies fluttered in her chest, as usual, and she couldn't wipe the grin off of her face.

Soon she reached the auditorium and, pausing at the door, opened it slowly. "Lei?" she called out, stepping inside. "Are you here?" She held the package of cookies in front of her, biting her lip as she looked around for his familiar face.

[Leiken Chu]

Lei took in deep breaths, his lips parting, exhaling it slowly. His lungs stung slightly from each taken breath, but it was nessicary to calm his nerves. He wasn't really sure why he was doing this when he wanted her to stay away so that she would not be hurt, but he could not make her christmas a sad day. So at least for now he wanted to show her that she was important to him, even if he could not say it with words, or behavior.

As he heard her voice echoing into the auditorium he swallowed rather hard. He pulled on the chord to draw back the stage curtain. The smooth material swaying in the breeze as it flowed back to stage right and left. The echo of his footsteps would ring out as his hard-soled shoes would tap upon the floor. A pair of black slacks draping over them, a deep blue overcoat worn with white trimings, and a small matching hat that rested crooked upon his head. He smoothed his hands over his chest as he approached a piano that had been set up on stage. How it go there? Well, that was a mystery for now.

Lei took in another deep breath, exhaling again as he looked toward the empty seats, seeing Juniper standing among them radiating like the first rays of a sunrise. a smile spread his lips as he sat down at the paino bench. swallowing the lump in his throat, his fingers pressing to the keys, slowly drawing the notes with his fingertips.

His eyes drifted closed, focusing only on the feelings, both from his heart and his mind. As well as the sensation of the piano keys beneath those fingertips. He'd prepared for this, this moment, and he played for her with strong emotion. With passion that words could not explain. he'd said nothing the entire time, but he hoped that she understood his feelings better with the song that filled the air with each movement of his fingers.

The Song
His Outfit

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper blinked in surprise as the curtains opened, and she stepped down further among the seats, her eyes widening as she caught sight of Lei. He looked so perfect, all dressed up and beautiful, that her breath caught in her throat and she stopped where she was, feeling frozen in place as he sat down at the piano. She didn't realize that he played.

He caught her eye and she gave him a shy smile, not saying a word since he hadn't said anything. Instead, she watched as he began to play, the notes drifting melodically into the empty room as his fingers danced along the keys. There was such raw emotion in the song that Juniper was nearly overwhelmed by it, and her eyes began to water as she smiled widely, silently watching Lei pour his heart out through the instrument. She didn't speak music, but even she could understand this.

The song went on for a couple minutes, while she just stood between the seats in the auditorium, completely captivated by the melody. As it eventually drifted into silence, she gazed at him for a long, sweet moment longer before she hurried the rest of the way down the steps and wrapped him in an embrace, setting her package aside so she could hug him fully, with both arms.

"That was beautiful, Lei," she murmured, squeezing him gently. "I... I don't know what to say. It was perfect." She pressed her lips to his ear. "Thank you so much. I'm going to treasure this forever." She felt like her contribution to this night was very small now. She eventually pulled away enough to look into his eyes, then, giving a small laugh. "I wish I had something I could play for you in return, but I'm afraid I never learned how to play the piano."

[Leiken Chu]

Lei's hair was slightly shorter than normal, not by much, but it was noticable. It seemed that he'd gotten it cut after all. Even if only a little for now. he wasn't quite daring enough yet to go with anything bold. Lei fidgeted nervously as he walked onto that stage.

Lei put his heart into each brush of his finger to those keys, each sound that would radiate from the instrument, he wanted to express everything to her that he could not in words and yet there was still much to be said that even music could say for him.

However, as she reached him, wrapping those arms around him he gave a happy sound. Turning to wrap her in his own arms, bringing her into a tight embrace, holding her there. Not wanting to let go of her. "Merry christmas Princess. I hope that you will." he stated as she mentioned treasuring it forever. He made a small sound before he gave her a grin, sliding over on the bench, he pat the bench beside himself.

"Then let me show you something." He told her softly.

[Juniper Birdsong]

As Juniper hugged him, her hands felt the back of his neck and she realized something was different. "Your hair is shorter," she murmured, raising her hand a little higher so she could brush it through the shorter strands. She smiled. "It looks nice. You look nice." She hadn't minded his longer hair, but this change was not unwelcome either.

Her heart was beating quickly as she held him, and she wanted nothing more than to be there with him, happy, and let the memory of the music wash over her with all of its sweetness. He was just so perfect to her. He had his faults, of course, but no one had ever before made her feel like she did then.

She sighed in content as he held her close. "Merry Christmas to you too, Lei," she smiled. "I absolutely will." How could she not? No one had ever played the piano like this for her before. She was stunned and breathless. As he slid over, she settled down beside him, close enough so their shoulders brushed as she looked over at him. "What do you want to show me?" she asked, unable to stop smiling as she gazed at him.

[Leiken Chu]

Lei made a small sound as she noticed his hair, his cheeks flushing a bit as his hands raised to rub at the strands of his hair, "Yeah... Do you like it? " He tilted his head a bit "Really? Do you really think so?" he questioned as he ran his fingers through the shorter strands of his hair. "Do you like like it better short? or like before?" he questioned her carefully.

His own heart beat was quick in it's pace, but he still couldn't shake that nervous feeling. Why was that exactly? He couldn't really tell not yet anyway, there was still more he wanted to do, more time he wanted to spend with her.

Lei made a small sound as he placed his hands on the keys, speaking softly to her shortly after, "I want you to place your hands ontop of mine, line your fingers up with mine, i want you to feel what I feel when I play for you." he stated with a certain amount of color staining his cheeks.

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper let her fingers play with the ends of his hair, getting used to the new feeling. "Yes, I do think so," she grinned, nodding affirmatively. She pondered his question for a moment. "Personally, I think you're perfect no matter what length your hair is," she began, gently wrapping her arms around his neck again and leaning her head against the crook of his neck. "But I do think it looks more... You." She chuckled into his shirt. "I can see more of your face. And that's definitely not unwelcome."

She watched as he placed his hands on the keys, scooting a little forward on the bench so she could see. She glanced up at him as he spoke. "Okay," she breathed, reaching her arms out and doing as he asked. Tingles ran down her spine as her smaller hands were placed on top of his, and she bit her lip a little nervously. "Now what?" she asked, looking over at him once more. The blush in his cheeks was absolutely adorable, and she was sure hers were probably similarly flushed as well.

[Leiken Chu]

Lei gave a small huff of his breath, "you know what i'm getting at." Lei almost felt the urge to pout when she said he looked perfect no matter. He wanted to know whether the change was better or worse. He had a feeling she'd like him even if he went bald. Lei shuddered a bit at the thought of being bald. "me?" he questioned as he smiled. "You like my face, Princess? " he questioned happily.

Lei's fingertips pressed into the keys the moment her hands slid over his own and took place over his fingers. He swallowed hard before he began to replay the same gentle song. Letting her feel every motion, every movement, of those fingers within the song. Every emotion that fled him would be emphasised by that music, those movements, and the gentle shifting of flow within his blood. His ability had touched upon her pulse the moment that contact was made. Matching the beat of her heart and the flow of her blood with this own.

Lei tried to focus on the music, to keep his ability from causing her harm, to keep his mind from becoming to focused on those sensations alone. Instead, he fell into a state of relaxation, much like when he was meditating with Vincent. For those minutes, to him, it seemed as all the world had fallen to silence beside the gentle rhythm of that music and the beating of their hearts as one. He could feel the sychronized heart beat, the warmth of her skin, he could feel it all yet all his thoughts were focused on that music and those emotions.

The song would near it's end, however, his fingers would slip upon a note.his hand grasping against that area of keys to steady himself a bit as that lightheaded sensation overwhelmed him. he pulled away from her touch for that moment as he let his eyes fall more heavily closed, clenched shut almost, as he took in deep breaths. exhaling them slowly for a few moments before he would speak softly to her, "I'm sorry. " Lei croaked out.

He had pulled away so that his ability would not try to harm her so aggressively due to the side effects. "Princess...Can I ask you something?" he questioned her with a shaken breath.

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper giggled at his response. "I like it," she told him finally. "It's a good change." Yes, she would like him even if he was bald. As attractive as he was, it wasn't just his appearance that she was drawn to. But she wasn't going to encourage shaving his head by any means. "Of course I do," she smiled, tracing the pad of her thumb over his cheek. "It's beautiful."

She felt a strange but not unpleasant tingling in her fingers as they brushed onto Lei's, and the feeling trailed throughout her body as he began to play. She wasn't sure what the feeling was, but she was so captivated by the dance of his hands across the keys that she didn't really pay attention to the sensation. Entranced by the movement, her heart beat at a steady, smooth rhythm that seemed to match that of the music; she had no idea it was going at the same pace as Lei's own.

So she wasn't exactly playing the piano, but a soft smile lit up her face nevertheless as Lei's hands guided her through the notes, each key sending a new emotion through her, until she felt she could nearly burst. They were both silent as they played, but Juniper felt like they had never communicated so well as they were then. She felt drawn to him like never before, in more than one way - emotionally and physically.

She was anticipating the end of the song when something seemed to go wrong, and Lei slipped up and pulled his hands away from her, seeming to be in pain. "Lei?" she murmured in concern. "Are you alright?" As he took deep breaths, she did, too, hoping it would help calm him from whatever had happened. "It's alright," she replied quietly. "Thank you for that. It was... Incredible." How could she use words to express how magical that had felt? Still, her brow was furrowed in worry for him. What had happened?

"Of course," she murmured, wondering what it could be. She wanted to comfort him in some way, but by the way he had pulled away from her touch, she wasn't sure if she should reach out to him again.

[Leiken Chu]

Lei smiled to her then, a bit too happily perhaps, but how could help it? She was just to adorable. He didn't understand it, why his world lit up when she was around, and not even why it was so easy for him to forget all of his stress whenever she was around. She was like the first rays of sunshine on a gloomy and rainy day; Washing away the sadness.

The dull throbbing in his head was nothing compared to the rush of happiness that filled his heart. He felt like they were one, like she understood him, like he could tell her everything without fear of hurting her or scaring her away. Though as that dull throbbing in his head turned into more of an aching pulse all those doubts came rushing back upon him.

He took in a heavy breath as she spoke, he exhaled as he replied, "I-I will be alright. It's just that...ability of mine. " He added. "It made me a little light headed is all. " he stated closing his eyes. wishing he had some water or something to moisten his throat about then. He felt as if there were a lump stuck within hit. "You're welcome. " he stated softly to her. "Someday. I can teach you to play, but i wanted to show you first how to feel it." he added before taking in a deep breath and then asking her that question.

"Before, When you said you liked me, how do you mean? Did you mean that...you liked me...like you like amos? Or did you mean...that you like me like me?" he questioned as the color drew to his cheeks. his fingers curling to the keys of the paino, causing a few loose notes to ring out, though he pulled his hand back in efforts to keep himself from losing it.

[Juniper Birdsong]

Lei's smile made Juniper's heart skip a beat, and she looked away bashfully. She didn't quite know the effect of what she had on him, but she knew that he made her feel beautiful and special and wanted unlike anyone had before. She just wanted to make him always smile like that.

She wanted to listen to him talk, no matter what he had to say. She wanted to help him through whatever troubled him, no matter the cost to herself. Juniper wasn't sure when these feelings had grasped onto her, but she knew she was in too deep to back out now, even if she wanted to.

"Oh," she breathed, still concerned. "I'm sorry. Did something... Happen?" She wondered now if maybe that steady rhythm pumping through her veins had been his doing. It didn't scare her so much as intrigue her, although she felt bad that it had resulted in his pain. She smiled, though, at his offer. "I would love that," she told him. "You play so beautifully, I'm sure you'll be a great teacher." She couldn't wait.

As he began to question her, Juniper felt her own cheeks begin to flush again, and her heart picked up a few notches of its own accord without his ability provoking it. She thought for a moment, blinking as his fingers pressed against the keys, before looking back into his eyes with a soft, nervous smile. "I.... I like you as more than just a f-friend, Lei," she slowly replied in a low voice, surprised at the nervous stammer in her voice. "I... I've never felt quite like this for anyone before. I mean, you were my first kiss, and we've spent so much time together..." Her hands folded together in her lap, her fingers lacing together and apart anxiously as she looked down. "I don't know how you feel, but... That's the honest truth." She wondered why he was asking. Was it possible that he really returned to feelings? Or was she just dreaming?

[Leiken Chu]

Lei couldn't really begin to explain to her what had happened, or what he'd been doing to try to make her feel what he was feeling through that music. Through his blood, his heart, and his soul. He couldn't even begin to put into words how much he cared for this girl. Regardless, those words seemed the hardest things he'd ever tried to move past his lips.

"I.. let my..ability touch you and because I strained so much to control it. I've just got a little bit of a headache and i'm a little dizzy is all.." he tried to explain the best he could. Though his best was not as detailed as he would have liked it to have been, "You're kind to say so, but i'm really not sure if i'm the teacher type." he stated as he breathed out. "But i will try teach you at least...many things."

A smile crossed his lips, one that wasn't hiding other intention, or other meaning. A smile that was brought on by a pure happiness that her words brought him, though his smile quivered faintly, he could feel the moisture lining the edge of his eyes. He gave a sought laugh, exhaling a held breath, "That feels so good to hear." It took him a few minutes further to gather himself enough to look at her. He gave her a serious expression then, despite his tear streaked cheeks, "Then I want to ask you something else. " he stated though he did not wait for her to agree this time.

"I am not perfect, I am flawed in many ways, and I am dangerous. A monster, evil, and vile. I am nothing that deserves you, but everything that wants you. One day I may swallow your light and I am very afraid of that. Do you think...that someday...when I am able to be less of a monster and more of a man...That you might be able to be my own princess? Do you think...that when that day comes...that maybe you could.. you could... " He sputtered out as he looked down somewhat. Fear and pain holding those last words in his throat, but his hand rose as if he were telling her to halt or stop. Then finally he managed the words past his lips in a blurted out phrase, "that you could love me ?" His eyes clenched tight, preparing himself for that familiar rejection, for that pain he'd felt not long ago.

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper bit her lip once more and looked up at Lei, nodding. "I see. So that's what I felt." She smiled, lifting her hands slightly so she could look at them. "I wondered what that was." Although, the cost to Lei made her still feel bad. She reached up and brushed his temple lightly, letting a cool breeze blow through that would hopefully bring at least a little relief. "I appreciate it," she murmured about his willingness to teach her. What all he meant, she wasn't sure, but she was certain he only meant good.

She smiled again as he did, his reaction settling the nerves that had bound up in her stomach after she had admitted how she felt. Moisture built up in her own eyes as well, and she rubbed at one with the flat of her hand, looking up at him with a slightly watery gaze as he spoke. "It feels good to say, too," she replied quietly. The well of her own emotions was threatening to break free as she saw tears on his face, and she let out a short, soft laugh, meeting his eyes again when he gave her a serious look. She nodded silently, letting her face go slack as well due to the feeling of the statement.

She listened quietly as he spoke, her heart beginning to pound once again as he went on. At one point she looked down and wrapped her fingers gently around his own, keeping a light but supportive touch as he spoke. She let him finish before she looked up again, the last words he blurted out making her entire body shiver, from what, she wasn't sure. "Oh, Lei...." she breathed, unable to hold back the flow of tears any longer. They dripped down her face silently, but not from sadness - she wasn't sure what they were from either, but she knew they were not bitter or sad tears. "I know you think all of these things of yourself, and though I haven't seen that side of you, I want to help you in any way that I can." Her fingers squeezed his own as the butterflies in her chest fluttered, no, hammered in her chest. "I want you, too. And..." She hesitated, trying to figure out the best way to express herself in full. "I... I do, Lei," she finished, the words simple but full of emotion to that final question of his. Unknowing of what else to say, she let out a shaky breath, before giving a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

"Look at me," she murmured, placing each of her hands on either side of his face. "I'm not going to break your heart." She swallowed hard. "I promise."

[Leiken Chu]

Lei smiled faintly as she tried to ease his pain, for a moment it had, though such a pain would not fade so easily. However, it wasn't something that was so terrible that he could not bare it. "I'm sorry that I could not finish." he apologized to her as he sighed softly.

The feel of her fingers wrapping his hand made him tremble slightly. Mostly in fear that his power had not calmed just yet. He nearly recoiled, but he forced himself not to. Even if the cost was more pain to himself he did not care. He had to make sure he did not scare or hurt her. "How could you not have seen that side of me Princess? How can you not see the bad that I have done?" he choked out as his eyes clenched sight in attempt to stop those tears. "I hope that you never see that me." he stated as he trembled. Though her words made him suddenly relax. As if everything had thrust out of him at once, including his breath, which exhaled rather suddenly. Even his eyes sprung open, it was pure surprise, shock even. Though it shouldn't have been that surprising it was to him.

His tears began to flow freely down his cheeks as her hands touched their surfaces. His eyes staring to hers with their leafy hue that had grown glassy beneath the tears, "I believe you, but I am more afraid of breaking yours." he choked out to her.

[Juniper Birdsong]

Juniper wished there was more she could do to help ease Lei's pain, but she was at a loss. All she knew to do was listen and be patient, and hope he could control himself without causing too much pain to himself. "It's alright, Lei," she murmured. "You already played for me, and even that was more than I could have asked for." She smiled gently.

She didn't realize she was probably causing him more harm than good by holding his hands, but she felt like she needed to do something. Nevertheless, she felt his hands tremble, and pursed her lips sympathetically. He seemed terrified, and she didn't want him to be. Not with her. "I know how you treated Amos at first," she murmured, looking away for a moment. "And I know what you've told me you've done." She looked back. "But I also feel like there's immense good in you trying to break free, and I want to help you get there." She smiled again. "You're good to me, Lei. And I know you can be that way to other people. It's just going to take some time." She brushed her thumbs over the back of his hands again. As his eyes opened, she felt herself shiver, blinking back the moisture in her own vision. She was surprised, too, at how easy it was for her to know what she had said was true.

"Shhh," she murmured, wiping the tears from his cheeks, though there were too many for her to brush away completely. She felt the wetness on her own face, but ignored it for the present. "Don't worry about that," she replied, chuckling a little through the tears. "I'm tougher than I look. And I know you wouldn't do anything on purpose to hurt me." Juniper reached up and pressed her lips to his cheek, holding it there for a moment before pulling back. "It's all going to be okay."