The Birds Of Prey: Christmas Special

"Pretty difficult to believe that it's already been a year right?"

I shrugged and scratched my the back of my neck.

"Is it really so difficult to imagine that we've actually managed to get so much done?" I asked.

She snickered.

"I guess it's all the better considering that we haven't really had much of a reason to celebrate,"

"Yeah...between Kit's sister passing away as well as Yuna having to stay in the medical wing, there really hasn't been much time to really sit down and enjoy life,"

"Christmas is all about the small victories...I have to admit that we've grown into quite the little family," she said.

I laughed softly.

"I'll admit you've rubbed off on me quite a bit Celina," I said.

"Likewise Brandon,"

I looked down at the ground and sighed deeply.

"Memories of the past?" she asked.

"Lots of them...fighting Baneford and seeing the things he did to others really got me thinking about all the terrible things I've done in the past," I replied.

Much to my surprise, I felt her hand on mine.

"It's in the past for a reason Brandon," she said.

I had no idea why I appreciated those words so much; I had lived a life of being the textbook definition of a power hungry murderer. I killed so many people in the quest to achieve ultimate power...but then I realized just how much suffering I caused. I killed that teenaged girl a few years ago...and ever since I met everyone here at the compound, I began to change. I found myself actually caring about them...being concerned for their safety and even risking my life to save them.

Then there was Celina Truong. I have no idea what it was about her that really interested me; maybe it was her smile, maybe it was her enthusiasm about everything or maybe it was her strong sense of justice that never had an ulterior motive. She always believed in doing the right thing, even if it didn't benefit her in any way and that was something I deeply admired about her.

"I guess you're right," I sighed.

"So are you going to play that song?" she asked.

I blinked twice, completely forgetting what she was referring to.

"You said you were going to play me a song on the piano," she said.

I snapped my fingers, now remembering clearly what I meant.

"Yeah...I guess this is how I'm going to say Merry Christmas," I replied.

I took my seat in front of the grand piano in front of me before cracking my knuckles. Once I felt comfortable, I took a deep breath.

I had always known that Brandon was a great musician...but only by the words of others. This was the first time I had ever seen Brandon get near an instrument. He closed his eyes as his hands expertly made their way across the keys. I had spent a lot of time with him...but I had never seen him so look so relaxed and passionate before.

He didn't miss a single note and I found myself getting lost in the familiar melody of

Silent Night

. I couldn't believe that he was playing song...just for me. He must've seen how broken up I was upon learning what happened to my father all those years ago and I guess it took spending time with him to allow him to see just how hurt I was inside. Even though he wasn't exactly the romantic type of guy, he always looked out for me even though he really didn't have to. He also took the time to train with me personally, thinking that he and I had the best chemistry to work with each other due to my ability to control electricity and his to control water. We were quite the team...but for some reason I began to think of him as more than just a colleague and partner.

He was my friend. He was always there for me whenever things seemed down and though he wasn't the type to hug me and tell me it was going to be alright, he always stayed by my side and told me that he would help however he could. I also noticed that he stopped being cold to me and he instead actually acted as if he cared about me...in a different way than he how treats all the others.

He finished the song before smiling at me.

"Merry Christmas Celina," he said.

For some reason, I looked above his head and blushed at what I saw. I looked away, rubbing my arm nervously.

"GO ON AND DO IT!"

I rolled my eyes; Tia had shouted from seemingly nowhere. Brandon raised his eyebrow.

"What's she on about?" he asked.

"...Look up,"

He did as I said...to see that a mistletoe was above his head. I looked away and tried to move but my legs refused to obey me.

"...I hate my body sometimes...the only reason I'm so flustered right now is because of my heightened emotions...but how could I feel differently after all we've been through?"

"Celina?"

I turned only to meet his lips. He had somehow risen from the piano and walked over to me without me even remotely noticing his movements. As quickly as the contact came, he moved away and laughed nervously.

"I'm sorry...if I didn't do it then I don't think I'd have had the courage to-"

I didn't give him a chance to continue before I returned the gesture. He wrapped a single arm around my waist and pulled my closer as my arms subconsciously went around his neck. A few yearlong seconds passed until I moved away from him, blushing furiously as to what I just did.

"Merry Christmas," he said with a chuckle.

I shook my head and took a breath.

"Likewise," I muttered.

"So are we going to do dinner tomorrow?" he asked.

I laughed loudly; it was just like him to be straight to the point.

"One condition," I said.

"And what's that?" he replied.

I snickered.

"You're buying.