A/N: Here is the end to this little story about Seifer and Ceri! It's a sweet little scene, my favorite in fact! This was meant for Christmas~ I can almost feel the holiday spirit again! Enjoy! Thank you for all your views! ^^

Chapter 4 – Quiet Steps

When Seifer finally emerged from the kitchen after washing the dishes, he gave a soft smile as he took in the scene in front of him. Ceri was sleeping on her arms with the occasional sniffle coming from her nose. It was quite cute. He chuckled to himself, when did he ever use the word "cute" to describe anything? That girl did wonders to him.

Gently, he approached her and carefully picked up her feeble body. Never had he seen her in such a delicate state. Ceri was always such a kind yet extremely cynical and stubborn girl who always promised Seifer a good banter now and then. In the times he'd known her, an opportunity to be truly alone by her side during a time of such vulnerability never occurred to him. It's not his fault that he was such a busy person. People can't do anything right without him around. Did she ever get sick anyways?

Seifer shook his head to throw out the useless thoughts. It really wasn't the time to think of such things. Did he care about her? Obviously. Did he like her? He looked at the girl in his arms and knew that he indeed…had no idea.

Such were the mysterious and indecisive ways of a young man's mind. Never knowing clearly what it was that he wanted and never accepting whatever it was that he needed. Seifer gave a mental shrug; he didn't see what the big deal was. He had a lifetime ahead of him, filled with chances to discover and fulfill whatever dreams he possessed. Meager questions like those should not be of his concern to answer.

Ohh, but you already know the answer, don't you?

…Shut up…

Touchy, touchy. Didn't anyone tell you that denial is the first step towards acceptance?

…I am NOT in denial!

Now, as your conscience, I think I would know if you were in denial, and I have to say that

GET OUT!!

Fine, fine. Don't know what she sees in you anyways~~

…what? she? who?

…(silence)...

"Wonderful," Seifer mumbled to himself. "Even my conscience is an ass." He let out a quiet laugh as he placed Ceri gently on her bed and pulled the covers up to tuck her in. Seifer gingerly took out a small box from his coat and placed it on her bed stand. It was a tiny little thing wrapped in glistening blue paper and tied with a simple white bow, but it had taken him quite some effort to pick it out.

He sat down on the mattress next to the sleeping girl along with a pile of magazines on a chair besides him. A part of him truly hoped that she would be thrilled once she opens her present or at least be appreciative of his thoughts for her. An imagined scene resided in his mind, but he dared not let his imagination go wild and his expectations rise too high.

With a slight turn to his side, Seifer smoothed out the strand of hair that had fallen onto Ceri's face. As if instinctively sensing his close proximity, her body curved towards his presence, seemingly seeking further for his comfort and warmth; he was more than happy to comply. One of his arms held her to his side while his other hand turned the pages of the magazine currently on his lap.

It was such a peaceful Christmas day. Although it was not how he had planned to spend the holiday since he had intended to whisk her away on the dance floor and dazzle her further with his naturally blessed charms, it was more than what he'd ask for. Enjoying the calming air of the Christmas' spirit and the presence of his sleeping beauty, Seifer looked over at Ceri and smiled to himself again. Hopefully I'm not going to go through all the other steps to reach acceptance. No way in hell was he in denial.

Merry Christmas.