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If someone told Karaka he someday would have a Christmas without needing to take out his stupid father from jail or go with his little brother to the hospital, he would have killed that person on the spot.
If someone told Yuri that someday she would have a Christmas without having to practice her judo, karate, or box skills, nor she would need to take care of her new baby brother that her adoptive father decided to bring home, nor race with the police in the whole town for her stupid friends, she might have punched that someone.
For them, Christmas was just another chaotic day. No, better said, it was the most chaotic day of the year. So who would have thought that both of them together could be the solution? But you know, that old saying ' fight fire with fire ' may work sometimes.
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They met in their second year of university, when coincidence made them spend two whole hours in detention. You see, this would be the moment when a slow romantic song would be heard in the background, they would look at each other, their hearts would beat faster and the urge to kiss the other would be strong. But not for them. Instead of love at first sight, it was hate at first sight.
And a strong urge to punch the other.
They hated each other guts.
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In Karaka's eyes, Yuri was a delinquent. She was always in the middle of a fight. She didn't even have the decency to try and look adequate, especially when she is from the Ha Family. No, for Karaka, Yuri Ha was a beast. A brute that can't be tamed.
( He would later find out, that Yuri always fought to protect her friends...and the bullies from her friends.
"Why would you protect the ones that caused problems?"
"Wolhaiksong is like my family, at least they are decent enough."
"I was talking about the bullies."
"If you were in their place, would you prefer to be punched by me or have Hachuling after you?"
"..."
"That is what I thought too." )
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In Yuri's eyes, Karaka was one of those rich guys that thought the world revolve around him. He was arrogant but of course, he was. He was the eldest son of Zhahard Ja, the richest man from their city.
It did not help the fact that Karaka had a weird outfit: a blue and red nightrobe and a metal helmet. What? Does he think he is such a big celebrity that he has to hide himself from the poor sight of common people?
( She would later find out that the weird outfit was a character from Karaka's little brother's favorite comics that he agreed to dress as a day prior to the incident and the helmet got stuck.
"But why did you wear the entire costume?"
"I would have looked ridiculous otherwise."
"..." )
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It would have been the end of the story if that was the only moment they met. After all, even if Yuri caused some problems and Karaka's ego made him get into some trouble, they were gold students, top of their classes and they also participated in many sports activities.
But even if they had so many in common, that was the first moment, and hopefully, unluckily not, their last time to stay face to face. They heard about each other, obviously, but they never interacted. They had different classes, and they were practicing different sports, except martial arts but their college decided to make two clubs for this one, one for boys and one for girls (no one would admit it, but this decision was made when and because Urek Mazino entered). Their group of friends and admirers was completely different too.
So it should have been easy to avoid each other, but apparently, God decided he was extremely bored and they were his best entertainment.
From that moment, the whole university had tickets in the front row at their war. Even the teachers were fed up with their pettiness.
And everything was intensified by God's joke to make their dorm be very close.
( Going back, Yuri and Karaka will always have to hear Urek's theory that it was, actually, love at first sight, but they were too romantic constipated to know.
Yuri and Karaka will never give Urek the satisfaction and admit, that maybe, just maybe, might be a small truth behind this theory. )
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The war between them started to mollify only in their third year, when, at the beginning of December the fire alarms in every dorm went off at 3 am and they had to run outside in the cold.
Yuri and her big sister mode worried and tried to make sure the others were safe, so when a soft red blanket was put on her shoulders, she was surprised to see Karaka's grumpy face in front of her.
"Uh, thanks?"
"Just don't get a cold. Our rooms are too close and you could spread the germs."
For some reason, instead of making a bad remark about his rudeness, she stayed quiet, and when the man left, she softly giggled and covered herself better with the blanket.
"What a jerk..."
And if a small part of her wanted to go after the man and hug him and make him stay with her for a little more...well she will blame the cold for such ideas.
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What made the war end was, as no one, and I want to clarify, absolutely no one, bet on: the two of them (fake) dating.
So, the news hit the people from the university only after the New Year celebration, when, back in their classes, they made this shocking announcement.
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It was two days before Christmas. Everyone went home. Their college accepted students to stay even around the holidays, not that anyone remained...except Karaka and Yuri.
And, as much as they preferred to be hit by the train than be in each other presence, that year was not a good moment for either of them, and a Christmas home felt like a worse punishment than being together, alone.
And as much as they wanted to ignore each other's presence, it became frustrating to be alone in the room all day long.
So, on Christmas Eve, they stayed on the hall floor and tried to have a decent conversation. Why on the hall's floor? They were so fed up with the four walls they slept in and outside was way too cold, so the hall was the best place to mourn their pathetic holiday.
And if that small part of Yuri's part was happier than she should be for being with Karaka...she will blame it on the fact that maybe staying too much time in her room made her delirious.
"So, would you share with this mere brute why I have the opportunity to be in your presence these days?"
"Nothing worthy for your ears."
"Mhm, I am very curious. What about your little brother?"
Of course, Yuri knew about Wangnan, who doesn't. Just like Zahard himself, his family is well known too.
"Remained at his uncle's house."
"Your father?"
"Most likely getting his 30th restrict order from his last girlfriend."
"30th? Damn, how can he show his face on the TV anymore?"
"Simple, he has money."
After that, for a few moments was completely silent, but not an awkward one.
"What about you? Why are you not with your family and friends?"
"I don't know. I guess I am tired."
"How so? You are the most hyperactive person I know."
"You know other people? I always thought we are insects that live in your world."
Yuri couldn't help the petty comment from escaping, but instead of being mad, Karaka only scoffed.
"Asshole!"
Yuri finally laughed in her specific, full-force, and loud way.
"So?"
"I don't know man. It's complicated. I don't have any place to hide like your brother. Every relative I have grew under grandma's stoic eye, and for her, Christmas is just another day to practice your kicking-asses style.
My adoptive father is not better either, not after he came home with Bam. I love that small chestnut, but gosh father thinks he will break by breathing too fast. Let the poor boy leave his life old jerk!"
Yuri stopped when she realized she was screaming to the ceiling, where a flickering light bulb was about to go out. She faked some coughs to hide her reddening cheeks and waited for an insulting comment from Karaka. But the comment never came, instead...
"What about your friends? You seem very close."
"We are, but for some reason every Christmas they have this mindset to create havoc, and I am the one that has to get them out of trouble."
She did not feel like Karaka was judging her or her choices. So, she didn't shy down from purring out her heart.
"Look, it is not like I hate them. I love them, but damn sometimes I just need...I need some me time!"
"I understand. If I didn't have to take care of Wangnan I would have left that poor excuse of a father a long time ago."
...
"Man we suck!"
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They did not do something big for Christmas to try and heal their wounds. But they got a small Christmas tree and some presents.
"Did you ever smoke? My old man gave up on them with Bam's coming. You should see him with his lollipops. He looks like a big old kid!"
"I did, actually."
"What?! I don't believe you!"
"Well, that is your problem! And no, I will not show you!"
"Ow! Well, I will use it to blackmail you."
"You will not!"
"I will!" (She never used it.)
Karaka hands her a bottle of liqueur. The short interaction of their hands made Yuri shudder and she seemed lost for a few seconds.
"I will not smoke, but it is the perfect occasion to drink 'till I black out."
"You know, Karaka, I like how you think!"
The soft smile on Karaka's face made Yuri rethinks every emotion she ever had for the boy. And if that small of her will punch her in the stomach and make her believe that what she feels is love...well, she will blame the alcohol.
Except, when these thoughts hit her she did not consume a single drop of alcohol. Oh, well..she definitely was high on something.
'High on love!'
'Shut up!'
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It was the morning after the New Year celebration when Yuri propose to Karaka. And if she has to be honest, not even now she has any idea why and from where this idea came.
"Let's do the most out-of-the-way thing we could do together!"
"And that would be?"
"Let's date!"
"You drank too much!"
"Just listen to me. We will only fake it, sorry man but you are not my type."
"No hard feeling, and no! This is stupid!"
"Exactly! Just think about everyone's terrified faces!"
...
"Fine!"
( "Was it worth it?"
"Yes, your friends' horrored faces will always stay with me."
"You know what I mean!"
"Yes, Yuri. You will always be my best decision taken with a headache!"
"Asshole!" )
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Yuri regretted and loved the decision she made. Loved because everyone's reactions were priceless. even her grandmother and dad called to make sure she is fine. Her grandmother even called the police to see if she was not held captive. Her stupid father came in person to see if she was not terminally ill or something.
"You are exagereting! Why are you here old man?"
"Excuse me, but is a little bit suspicious when your daughter does not come back for Christmas, and then she calls you and says she is dating the boy she has a photo of on her punching bag!"
"That was one time! I was in a bad mood! And our feelings changed!"
'Or at least mine did...'
"Where is the boy?"
"He has a few more classes today. And no, you will not meet him."
"I am your father and I have the right to give him the shovel talk!"
"Not if you plan to murder him with an actual shovel! Do not forget he still is the son of the richest man in the town!"
"Our family is very well-known too. Your grandma gave the permission and has the perfect place to hide the body!"
"GO HOME!"
And hated because...
"Ah, fucking beast, get your cold hands off my neck!"
"No, you're warm! And you owe me for helping you put sweaters on the cats from the adoption center!"
"You were the one that followed me there! And I did not ask for your help."
"You did not say the same thing when I had to take the band-aids."
'And you looked so adorable with the cats purring in your lap.'
Yuri realized she was way too whipped for him.
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It passed an entire year of their (fake) relationship. They even had family dinners with each other but besides meeting their little brothers it was hell.
"Can I murder your father?"
"Can your father murder him and leave me alone?"
"I will see what I can do."
"Where are Bam and Wangnan? I could see they liked each other."
"I saw that too. And about where they are..."
Exactly at that moment, a loud sound like something shattered could be heard.
"...planning to destroy the house."
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It started with a war, it become a fake relationship and it ended...
"I think...I am in love with you...for real!"
"That is...unexpected, but, Yuri...be honest with me..."
"I am! I love you, I really do! Please, let me show you!"
"You don't have to...but I might need you to do something for me..."
"Anything!"
"Get out of the carriage right this instant and admit already you are terrified of horses!"
Yuri jumped in Karaka's arm.
"Gosh, I can't believe I felt for you!"
"Ha, you got stuck with me!"
"The carriage did not leave yet!"
"Put me down and I will throw you in the frozen lake!"
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Everyone would be surprised to find out that, between Yuri and Karaka, he has the biggest sweet tooth.
"Are you trying to put yourself into a sugar coma, right before Christmas?"
"Please, have more faith in me, if I would want to be gone on Christmas I wouldn't need to put this much effort."
Oh, God, she is so down for this man. How did he steal her heart?
"Do you want some hot cocoa with your mountain of marshmallows?"
For anyone that doesn't know him, the stare Karaka gave her would be taken as a threat to murder, but she understands the true meaning behind it.
"You will have the right to judge me when that cup of coffee will be actually coffee and not some coffee and the whole whipped cream tube."
Ah yes, she totally is head over heels for this man.
"Gosh, lovebirds is five in the morning, go back to sleep, or at least keep your deprived asses for yourselves!"
Yuri laughed at the ten-year-old kid that looked like he was woken up by an earthquake.
"Sorry, blondie, we will be quiet."
"Go back to sleep, brat. And where you learned to speak so colorfully?"
"I have a jerk as big brother!"
The little boy run away before Karak could react.
"I feel like I failed somewhere when he is like that."
"Nah, you made a decent job. Brothers always fight, is in our nature."
"But you and Viole understand each other so well."
"Bam is a special case."
Yuri leaned close and placed a kiss on Karaka's lips. The blond man melted at the touch.
If three years ago someone would have said Karaka and Yuri this is how their Christmas would be, that someone would never be able to speak again.
But now...now they feel like this was all along how it should have been.
"I still feel I will wake from this dream."
Karaka moves them both in front of the fireplace and covers themselves with a cozy blanket.
"Then let's never wake up."
"You think we can sleep that much? Us and our deprived asses?" Yuri teased and Karaka snorted.
"I will blame you for Wangnan's vocabulary."
"Ah, No! Where do you think I took it from?"
"Please, the most I did was to tame you."
Yuri put her head on the man's shoulder and closed her eyes. Maybe...maybe they can have this. Let her dream a bit more. Let her be happy a bit more. At least on Christmas.
And as if he knew what Yuri's mind was contemplating about he placed a kiss on her forehead.
"I promise you, this Christmas and every day from now on will be the dream none of us dared to have."
Yuri felt tears coming from her eyes and she felt so stupid to be so sentimental from nothing. She will put the blame on her nonexistent coffee and too much-whipped cream.
"You know Karaka, if I knew that all I needed to do to have all I dreamed about for Christmas, I would have asked you to be my fake date long ago."
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"Karaka, what did you say Wangnan wanted for Christmas?"
"A dog?"
"Why the dog has three heads?"
"Did you drink your coffee?"
"Yes!"
"Then I have no idea!"
Karaka came down from his room to see a small brown dog, with two plushes tied on its collar, which made the puppy look like it had three heads. Yuri was snickering with Bam and Wangnan next to her and in her hand was a small sheet of paper.
"What is that?"
"Wangnan's letter to Santa. Look for who it is addressed."
Karaka sighed hard, but Yuri could see he restrained from laughing. Instead of Santa, the letter was addressed to Satan.
"You know, after last year, I thought your father got in prison. Guess he still send a present to his son."
"Oh, my gosh Yuri, your jokes are so horrible I will kiss you right now!"
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"Karaka! Did you ever think about a true Christmas like this? We together, our siblings with us, far away from the old jerks?"
"Hmmm, I dreamed about it. But, this Christmas still needs something to be perfect?"
"Oh? What?"
Karaka kissed her.
"For you to promise next year will be together too!"
"We will!"