Phft! Like i would ever own beyblade.

Chapter 01: Yule Cake.

The echo of the bell rang far and wide, announcing to the inhabitants of the abbey, that the day has come to end and they shall now reside to their dormitories to rest and to prepare for the hell that awaits them in a few hours.
Tala let out a sigh of relief. Today has been very tiring. His whole body was aching with pulling ripcords all day. Not to mention he again underwent a session where a set of unknown injections were inoculated into him. He still doesn't know what he was immunized with and why of all the reason was he the one experimented and not the others. The doctors didn't tell him anything other than instructing him not to be difficult. How ironic.

Tala made his way towards his room, nursing his sore arm, wanting nothing more than to be in his bed and close his eyes just for a while.
Just when he was about to enter the corridor, he heard hushed whispers. Tala paused and glanced around. Judging from where he was standing, the voices were coming from behind the columns of empty carton boxes that were bolted to the wall.

'To go or not to go?' The red-head deliberated.
He would have ignored, seeing how each part of his muscle was aching with pain, but curiosity got the better of him.
He silently tip-toe towards the boxes and came to stand on the corner, listening in intently.

"Someone would catch us Ian" the voice stated. Tala recognized it; it was Spencer.
"They won't if you would cooperate with me!" Ian snapped back. Even without Spencer mentioning the name, Tala would have recognized that nasal tone. Anyone would.

"Cut the tape!" Ian ordered.
Spencer gulped, before cutting the transparent binding neatly.
"That should do. Now pull it!"

Maybe the paper material was poor or Ian himself lacked the skills of unwrapping, not that any skills are required in removing the cover, but a thing like 'doing it quietly' exists too. The paper crinkled nosily. Spencer was right to fear.

"Ian maybe this isn't a good idea"
"Your panicking isn't helping me here Petrov! Shut it!" Papov growled.

'Just what the hell are they doing?' Ivanov wondered.
After another agonizing two minutes, Ian let out a small cry of triumph "There!"

Silence ensued once the creasing of paper stopped. Tala waited before he heard an exchange of words, this time expressed softly.
"Merry Christmas Ian"
"Merry Christmas Spen"

Tala's eyes widened. He had to chance a glance at whatever they were doing, despite the fact knowing all too well that just how risky it was.
Taking a deep breath, he shifted his position until it was safe enough to peek. Counting to three under his breath, he stepped forward, until he saw the view.

Spencer and Ian were eating pieces of what appeared to be a flattened Yule cake. The noisy silver packaging which was casing the dessert previously was tossed aside carelessly. Though that wasn't the thing that caught Tala's attention. It was the Yule cake. Despite being trodden, the sponge looked dark and moist, with succulent cherries topping it. It was a mouth-watering sight.
When was the last time he saw this dessert? Days? Months? Or Years perhaps? Tala doesn't remember. It seemed like a faraway dream now.

Lost in thoughts, he didn't realize he was caught. Spencer and Ian were standing in front of him until the latter one cleared his throat.
"Ah-hem!"

Tala snapped out from his trance and looked at the duo; Uh-oh. They weren't at all pleased. The silence that was settling in was becoming uncomfortable with each passing second.

Ian was the first one to break it.
"What?! So you are spying now?!" he snapped "So that you can tell Boris and earn more praises?! As if being the favorite wasn't good enough already!" he finished snidely.
"I wasn't going to….." Tala answered, lips pursed in a thin line.
"Give me a break!" the short blader cut-in, rolling his eyes to a degree that would have brought an earthquake "Why else would you stand here?!"

Tala was about to reply until to his embarrassment, his stomach rumbled. Quite loudly.

The frown from Ian's face quickly siphoned off, being replaced with a surprised expression.

Well this was awkward.
So much for being tough, this was bound to happen when you ignore your basic body needs. But to make its presence known here of all the times!

Tala wished at that moment the ground would split open so that he could sink in it. He hated being vulnerable.

Pretending that nothing happened, Tala spoke in an authoritative tone "The guards will be here any minute now for patrolling. You better scram from here" And with that, the red haired boy departed.

Before reaching the corner, he heard a voice.
"Wait!"

Tala paused. Did the pair wanted to punch him? Fair enough. After all he would too if someone caught him eating pieces of dessert.

He turned around slowly, flexing his jaw.

It was Spencer. Without saying a word, the blond fellow pushed the foil in his hands. It felt a bit heavy.

"What's this?" Tala asked startled, even though he knew. Spencer just shrugged in reply.

He could feel the rage creeping on him. So they thought they could hand him a piece of cake just because he was freaking hungry, Tala thought angrily. Like dropping a penny on beggar's cup; he didn't want their charity, their pity.

While weighing his options about whether to throw the foil on blond's face or stamp upon it on the concrete floor, Ian came as well and added another package on Tala's hand.

'The hell?!' Tala couldn't understand what they were playing at until Spencer's uttered "Merry Christmas"

Oh; It was never about making fun at the first place. Or being merciful for that matter.
It was about getting into Christmas spirit. It was about spreading smiles and adorning the pine trees with baubles. Or in this case, sharing Yule cake.

Any other day the exchange would have ended into a petty squabble. But tonight was different.

Ian and Spencer turned around. They have only taken a few steps when they heard a faint whisper "Merry Christmas to you as well"

They didn't turn around but the slight nod of their heads and the relaxed shoulders give it away that they appreciated his gratefulness.

Smiling to himself, Tala fled towards his room, taking light steps. Once reaching there, he quietly opened the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. The sound of soft snores echoed in the night air of more than twenty inmates. Tala passed by them, making a beeline towards the bunk bed kept in the corner, next to the glassless window from where ice cold winds gusted in.

Someone was already asleep there, the flimsy blanket unable to hide the dirt covered toes peeping from it.
The red-head boy jabbed at the figure to which it shifted slightly. After moments did sleepy eyed Bryan emerged from the sheets, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Tala?" He asked groggily "Is it morning already?"

Tala shook his head "No it's not. I brought you something" and with that, he dropped the foil package in his lap.

Must be important otherwise Ivanov would have never disturbed him in his sleep, Bryan mused, though he was sort of irritated from being woken up. He then suddenly caught the whiff and he paused. Could it be?

He glanced at his fellow and he only smiled in response. Bryan wasted no time in unwrapping the package. He felt like crying at the sight of dessert once the casing came undone. It looked so delicious. And it was delicious, as his teeth sank in the soft sponge, the warm chocolate seeping in his mouth and the cherries balancing all the sweetness with their tender sourness. It was heaven.

They ate in silence and didn't spoke until every crumb was gone. Bryan was still licking the silver wrapping.

"Not that I am complaining, but whom did you steal it from? The kitchens?" he asked, nibbling on his fingers.

"It was a gift"

Kuznetsov paused "Gift? From whom?"
"Spencer…..and Ian"
"WHAT?!" Bryan yelled, not aware of his surroundings.

Someone whimpered in their sleep while most of them gurgled.

"Sshhh!" Tala hissed, putting his finger on his lips.

Bryan slammed his palms over his mouth instinctively, but the look of incredulity was still frozen in his eyes. Ian? That scrawny kid with a nose larger than his size and a mouth even bigger than that, the one who is constantly bullied and would fight back if picked on, That KID gifted this?! He screamed inwardly.

He didn't buy it. Bryan always hated Papov's guts. From his accent to his beybladying, to his mannerisms and snarky attitude; Bryan couldn't stand him. The kid irked him.
They weren't even on good terms. They were always fighting. Ian hated being looked down and Bryan loathed his daring nature.

But Tala wasn't one for lying. He never did, as the grey haired kid peered at his comrade's face for any trace of misgivings.

There weren't any.

"Why?" Bryan asked, his tone muffled, quite forgetting that his mouth was clamped shut, but Tala understood him anyway.

"It's Christmas" Ivanov shrugged "Which reminds me 'Merry Christmas'"

Tala looked towards the window. Byran followed his gaze and saw that it had started snowing, hushing the winds and the coldness that were encircling them a minute ago.

Silence for a while; until Bryan muttered "Touche"

For at that moment, it felt like Christmas did pay a visit to lonesome Abbey. To make sure that the scared souls residing in it weren't alone on this special night. That it was so glad to see them reach this far, just so they could reunite on this day.

The End

If you haven't guessed already, it's a drabble series, featuring everyone but as kids! :'D

Let me know your views! and also Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating! May Heaven shower His countless blessings upon you on this day and onward! :D

~Noni