Hey! This will probably be my last post, unless I get a great idea, until the start of my new book! 

Enjoy ❤️💚🤍

Dec 17th 1:27 AM

Artemis POV

____________

I was so excited. Not only because I have just finished my new scarf, but its December 17th! 

I was loved this time of year! Christmas was always special at the orphanage. Of course we didn't have blood relations to celebrate with, but we had each other. One year I was working random jobs since November so I could get all the younger kids something they wanted. One year there was a fundraiser for our orphanage so we all got something we wanted! That was the day I got my sewing machine. 

As soon as I finished the scarf, I draped it over my bed frame and ran down the stairs. Shino was for sure still awake even though it was 1:30 AM. I burst through the door and hugged a surprised Shino. 

"H-hey Arty, is something wrong?" Shino asked, slightly concerned.

"No, of course not! It December 17th!!!" I yelled before coving my mouth, remembering that Rikku actually sleeps. 

Shino chuckled and kissed my cheek.

"That's great I guess?" Shino stated blandly. "Oh yea, is there anything you've been wanting for a while? Or just want in general? Anything? Just asking...no reason, no reason at all, just curious!" Shino said with a more playful tone.

"Mhm your not slick, I hope you know I'm getting you something you will love." I said crossing my arms with a smile. 

"Of course! Was just just kidding silly...I know exactly what you want!" Shino said, matching my tone.

I giggled and left his room. 

I have no idea what I'm getting him!!!

Shino POV

__________

I have no idea what I'm gonna get him-!

I immediately hopped onto Amazon, target, and even Walmart, just to scroll through things Artemis might like. Then something caught my eye. Well, multiple things actually. There was a set of fabrics that I think Artemis would be interested in. There was also little trinkets, tassels, beads, etc. The last thing was jewelry, just some random jewels, necklaces, bracelets, shiny things. I smiled since I found an amazing gift. Then I realized the fabric was at target and the jewelry and trinkets were both at Walmart. 

Ok fine a bunch of packages, won't be too obvious, right?

Only Available In Stores

Was underneath all of them. 

Great.

I sighed and decided to go to sleep now so I could go early in the morning.

Dec 18th 8:22 AM

Yes! Bright and early, just how I like it. 

I actually didn't get enough sleep but it's fine, I got a small boost from the sun's light. I had bags ready for the stuff. First stop, Target! Target had the fabrics. I searched the store for them, but I couldn't find it! I had to ask an employee about it. They were in a bad mood so I got a lot of attitude. That's fine though since they got me the fabrics. It was a struggle to carry it, but when the cashier helped me stuff the rolls into one of my bags. On to the next store!

Artemis POV

____________

Dec 18th 9:16

I have to figure out what I want to get for Shino. I have 6 days! I rushed the mall to look for something Shino would like. I made myself a list of things to choose from.

1. Books

2. Candles

3. Spices

4. Headphones 

5. Music

I looked over my list and strained my brain trying to think of other things. 

All these things so so lame! 

Actually maybe the music isn't a bad shout...

"Bad shout" ?

I'm taking up Shino's British habits...

Then I decided the music would be better for Jack. 

My gift for Shino has to be special. He told me holidays were never his thing after his parents died. I had to make this the best Christmas he's ever had. That is until next year of course! 

I racked my brain, trying to remember any of Shino's small habits. I sighed and crossed off everything on my list one by one. 

I started walking around the mall, searching for anything as caught my eye. 

After an hour I had something for everyone but Shino! Not to devalue my other friends, but Shino's gift was the most important!

I finally found myself in front of a pet store. 

Hmm...

I walked in and the shop attendant greeted me.

"Welcome to Poppy's Pet's! This is our smaller branch where we don't have any of the actual animals, but we have anything you'll need to care for them! How can I help you!" The shop woman smiled at me. 

"Thank you! I'll just look around a little." I nodded and returned the smile. 

I walked around the shop and picked up a dog toy.

Pets at Monarch...Are they allowed? I'll check the rule book. 

I searched up our rule book. The only thing they said about pets was that students were allowed to keep pets in their dorms as long as we took adequate care of them. 

This is perfect! I'll have to ask Shino his favorite animal. No house pet, because what if he says giraffe! I'll have to ask for a house pet and then he might find out! House pet first.

I texted him immediately.

Artemis: What's your favorite pet?

Shino: Pet? 

Shino: Probably a dog.

Shino: Why?

I left him a read. I hoped it wasn't gonna be obvious. 

I picked up a bag of dog treats, a few toys, and a dog bed. 

This is a crazy idea.

"Hey where is the bigger store for uhm...Poppy's Pet's ?" I asked the worker as I paid. 

"Thinking about giving a furry friend a home this holiday season? Ha, that's lovely! It's on Main Street, right next to target. I smiled and got a hold of my bags. 

Great, now I can get some gift wrap at target.

I decided to head there first. I finally found some wrapping paper. Just when I walked into the isle, there was Shino!

I didn't even know he left the house!

"Artemis? Wh-what's up! What brings you here!" Shino jumped when he saw me and scratched the back of his head. 

"N-nothing! Just getting some gift wrap! Not for you though! For our friends!" I said, just as suspicious.

Shino sighed and chuckled.

"Look, we both know we're here to get gifts. Does not! Mean I'm happy about this though." Shino said while showing me his bag.

I did the same and laughed as well.

"Yea I guess, and I don't care! Your getting an amazing gift from me, no matter what!" I picked up a roll of wrapping paper before nodded aggressively and running off to pay. 

Shino POV

__________

Dec 18th 10:45 AM

That was an odd encounter but I'm glad Artemis isn't on my back about this. I studied the various wrapping paper before choosing a yellow and orange one with snowflakes on it. Perfect. Now everyone will know it's from me. I also picked up ribbon so I could properly wrap the presents. 

I just have to go to Walmart to get the other stuff, then I can wrap the gifts! Nothing else to do. 

But then another problem occurred. The store was packed! 

So many people...so uncomfortable...what if they had taken all of that item! Wait what did I even need here...oh no...the music is so loud! My head hurts...

I started getting overwhelmed so I pushed through the crowd to an empty corner to collect myself. 

Oh right, jewelry and trinkets! 

I made my way to the jewelry section and found the exact thing I saw online. 

Yes!

I picked it up then went looking for the trinkets. 

This was slightly harder. 

I finally found them, but there wasn't many left, thank goodness I found them in time. 

There were different items in the sets so now is just the matter of choosing one. 

I finally decided on the one with the most purple in it and I grabbed that. 

As I paid I felt my heart light up. This is going to be the best Christmas ever!

Dec 18th 11:18 AM

As soon as I got back to the dorm, I ran to my room to do a check of everything I got.

Coffee machine for Blake + any materials 

Old-school record for Jack with one of his favorite artists

 A new hat with matching accessories for Rikku

A special made set of sneakers for Shizu, red and blue with pluses and minuses, hints of purple added in

I even got a towel rack for the sports team. We were in dire need of that.

And of course the set of things for Artemis.

Three hours later, I finished wrapping things. I wrapped them all carefully, the ribbon I got was black. Somewhat festive. As soon as I finished, I stuffed everything into the corner of my room, fell back onto my bed, and fell asleep.

Artemis POV

____________

Dec 18th 11:18 AM 

I made my way to the pet center directly after paying for the wrapping paper. I already had bows with my design stuff so that was all set.

As soon as I walked into the pet store, I was greeted with barking, meows, caws, any sort of animal noise! And some kind of smell. Couldn't tell if I liked it or not. I walked up to the front desk and smiled at the man behind.

"Hey! Welcome to Poppy's Pet's, how may I help you!" The man greeted after closing off some tabs at his computer.

"Hi! I'm looking for dogs?" I said with a hopeful expression.

"Of course! We have a section for them, follow me," The man gestured for me to follow him and I did so. We went down a hall and went through an archway that led to the dogs.

There were so many!

Big dogs, small dogs, loud dogs, quiet dogs, furry dogs, short haired dogs, cute dogs, scary dogs, it was amazing! 

I walked around, looking into every kennel, hoping to find the perfect dog for Shino.

Shino doesn't seem like one to own a big dog, but he also doesn't seem like a tiny dog person.

Then I heard a bark, as if calling me over. I walked towards the source of the sound and I saw a puppy. A Pomeranian. It was a brownish-yellow color that reminded me of one thing. Shino's eyes. There were some strands of fur that was a lighter brown. The rings in his eyes! 

The dog walked in a circle, as if showing itself off. It barked again and I smiled. I reached down my hand and the dog gently licked my fingertips. I giggled and pulled away my hand.

"Oh this is one of our newest additions! She hasn't got a name yet, only 8 weeks old!" The store attendant smiled and tossed a treat to her. "Wanna try?" He offered me a treat and I took it happily. 

I tossed it to the dog and she leaped up to catch it. 

"Wow! She's never done that for me before, I think she likes you!" The shop attendant adjusted his cap and smiled. 

"I'll take her!"

After about an hour of paperwork, she was officially my dog! Technically Shino's dog but still. I got a free dog carrier which was helpful. I made my way to the nearest park and called up Blake and Rikku. 

"Hey, I need your help with something, I'm at a park, I'll send you the location." 

"Ok? Fine, your lucky I have an opening in my VERY busy holiday schedule."

"Alright! Be right there Arty!" 

Perfect. 

As soon as Rikku and Blake both turned up, they were in awe with the puppy. 

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!Oh my gosh!Oh my gosh!!!! Wait, don't tell me you got her for Shino!" Said Blake while rubbing the puppy's belly. They both seemed to enjoy it.

I nodded sheepishly and smiled.

"That's so cute!!! I didn't even know we could keep pets at the dorms!" Said Rikku ecstatically. I suppose it would be her dog too, since she lives at the dorm. 

"I need your help! Blake, could you keep her by your dorm until Christmas? I'll come by early to pick her up." I said while making sure I had everything I got today.

"Of course! It's been kind empty since..." Blake started. "Kol and Flex went missing." 

It was silent for a moment before Rikku turned to me.

"How can I help?" She asked while staring at the puppy.

"I need help wrapping stuff and carrying it back to to the dorm!" I said with dying enthusiasm. "Sorry you got the lame job." I added with a giggle.

"Oh it's fine, since I get to live with her! Isn't that right girl? Oh yea it is! Aww!" Rikku started baby talking to the puppy, who was simply confused and started barking.

"Ok, let's go!"

Dec 25th 12:30 PM

I was so excited! It's Christmas Day! We had an amazing breakfast, made by me, and everyone was over at our dorm. We were the only ones that had a decorated house and Christmas tree after all. 

We had a little gathering with all our friends.

Jack, Blake, Shizu, Shino, Rikku, and me were all here. 

Shino had taken on the responsibility of making everyone hot chocolate or tea. He placed down a tray with all our drinks, letting us take ours before grabbing his own and taking back the tray. I held both our drinks as Shino washed up. He smiled and took back his drink as he sat down next to me. 

We went around in a circle telling each other any holiday stories we had. The dorm was full of laughter and joy as we hung out. The sun started to set and Rikku demanded we opened gifts. 

We each had about 5 gifts, one from everyone else. Although Shino had given me two different packages that he counted as one.

"Of course, Shino doing the most!!!" Blake teased while taking her gifts. 

They were all labeled but it was easy to tell who the gifts were from based of the wrapping paper and style.

Blake had some fancy green wrapping and glittery silver ribbon that tied into a giant bow on the top her presents.

Jack had blue wrapping with a black bow on the side of the gifts from him.

Rikku's presents had cats and paw prints all over, a festive bow taped on top.

Shizu gave us red metallic wrapped presents that have blue ribbon.

Shino's gifts has yellow and orange stripped wrapping with snowflakes and a black ribbon. 

I used glittery black wrapping paper with even glittery-er white ribbon. 

Once we all had our piles of presents, we decided to race  to see who could open them the fastest.  

The place goes as followed, fastest to slowest: 

1. Rikku

2. Jack

3. Shizu

4. Me

5. Blake

6. Shino

Shino came in last because he took time to give everyone a heartfelt thank-you. 

I had gotten fabric, sew-on trinkets, and jewelry from Shino, a new coat from Blake, a poster and figurine from my favorite anime from Rikku, art supplies from Jack, and homemade candies from Shizu.

"Thank you all! And Shino, how could you...You always tell people not to spoil you, how about you set an example!!" I said while hugging him. 

"Yea yea, but can I ask why you got me dog treats??? I know I'm a simple person, but, why?" Shino said with the most confused tone ever. I couldn't tell if he was just confused or even slightly hurt. 

"Because, your a dog," I said while flicking him in the forehead. "And also that's not it." 

Before he could say anything I got up and grabbed the most important gift of all.

I had put her in a large wicker basket with her pet bed and one of the toys I got. 

I slowly went down the stairs and walked up with a smile.

"W-what the???" Shino said while looking back and forth from everyone else, to me and the present. "I refuse it!" 

Shino stood up and turned to leave but Blake pulled him back with a snicker. She sat him back down and I placed the box of his lap.

"I really don't know why you would do this...This is too much trouble you shouldn't have-" in the middle of Shino's lecture, a bark came from inside the basket. 

Shino looked up at me in disbelief, then back at his lap. 

Jack and Shizu had the same expression as Shino slowly lifted the top off the basket.

He just stared at the puppy as she rolled around playing with the rope I gave her. 

Shino stuttered random things until he finally said something, even that was a struggle.

"H-how, and WHY!" Shino yelled while sniffing. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his mouth while shaking his head. "I..." 

Shino touched the puppy and she squeaked happily at his touch. Shino smiled and laughed when she licked his hand.

I handed him the dog treats and he fed one to her.

"So, what's their name?" He asked while staying fixated of the puppy.

"She doesn't have one, it's up to you!" I said taking in the joy of giving Shino the perfect gift.

He was shocked for a second before smiling again and thinking hard.

"How about...Hinode? It's Japanese for sunrise!" Shino said finally, looking at the rest of us for approval.

We all agreed it suited her and Shino picked up the puppy, who was no Hinode, and held her close to him.

"I'm surprised you know that off the top of your head." Said Jack while messing with the new headphone I got him. 

I sat with him and held Shino close to me. He smiled at me. This was different from any smile he'd ever given before. My goal was accomplished.

Shino POV

___________

Dec 25th 10:11 PM

Everyone had left now. We haven't cleaned up yet since we enjoyed watching Hinode play in the wrapping. Artemis was giggling away at her when I came up with two cups of tea. He smiled at me as I sat next to him and handed him a cup. 

Hinode paused before running downstairs. She went to Rikku apparently since we could hear Rikku's baby talk from upstairs. 

"Thank you Artemis." I said while staring into the lit tree. 

"For?" Artemis said, looking at me.

I rest my head on his shoulder and laughed softly. 

"Don't...You know exactly what you did." I said without taking my eyes off the tree.

"Oh! Your talking about your present...Of course! I'll tell you a secret..." Artemis said before pausing to take a sip of his tea. "I mad a promise to myself a few days ago to give you a good Christmas. Do you think I succeeded?" He said while moving his hand to my cheek, turning my head to look at him.

The lights of the tree reflected in his eyes. His happy, full, beautiful lilac eyes...

"I think you did..." I said leaning closer to him. 

Just then Artemis looked up before grabbing my hand and dragging me to one corner.

It's where we hung up some mistletoe.

"Sorry, I've just always wanted to do this," Artemis said with a smile.

Then he pulled me into a kiss. I heard our cups clink when he pulled my face to his. His touch and our kiss blew away any cold I was feeling. When we let go of our rather long kiss, Artemis smiled again and I smiled back. We looked into each others eyes for a moment before holding hands and heading up to his room to watch movies with Hinode. 

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays ❤️💚🎄❄️🎊🎉💚❤️