knocks on his door.

sets his glass down before hurrying to the door. He thought it might be Gilbert, but he was very happy to see Elizabeta. "Hallo." He smiles-

- at her. "Happy New Year."

returned the smile happily, "Hell, Happy New Year Roderich!" She nodded as she held out a small box. "And a late Merry Christmas as well."

takes the box, smiling before pulling her into a light embrace. "Thank you, you didn't have to go through the trouble."

blinked as she was pulled into a hug, she smiled and hugged him back lightly. "No trouble at all, I missed Christmas... sorry about that."

- "Don't worry about that." He finally pulls back, stepping aside to let her in. "I have your present inside."

slowly stepped inside as she smiled and nodded, "you didn't have to get me anything."

- "Nonsense." He gestured to the gift under the tree. "Open it."

looked over at the gift, nodding. "Open your's first." She took her boots and coat off at the door before she moved into the house more.

smiles and carefully opens the small box.

got him a ring, it was just a simple silver band ring, but when she'd seen it in the store she had to get it for him.

a little... shocked by it to be honest. He stares at it for a moment before looking back to Elizabeta. ".. A ring..? You shouldn't have gone

-through so much trouble, Eli.."

shakes her head, "I saw it and thought it was perfect for you. Just don't go thinking it means anything. Because it doesn't. I just wanted

to get it for you."

....furrows his eyebrows a bit. "Well.. You certainly have a way with words." He shakes his head, closing the small box and setting it on-

-the coffee table. "Open yours."

frowned a bit suddenly wish that she hadn't worded it like that. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean..." She sighed a bit as she rubbed the back of

her head.

- "It's fine. I get it." He smiles a little.

nods a bit as she looked at the gift he had gotten her. She carefully picked it up and started to open it.

had purchased various... er.. yaoi manga from Japan for her. He hoped she would enjoy them. >////>

opened it and smiled, she did like it. She didn't have any of these ones. "Thank you."

- "You're welcome." He smiles at her, settling back against the couch.

she held onto the books as she stood, "sorry again... about how I worded that."

shakes his head. "Don't worry about it. I already fully understand that nothing means anything more than friendship, and I accept it-

-completely, Liebe."

nods as she finally took a seat. "Yes... I'm glad then."

stands up when she takes a seat. "I'll get you some tea. Would you like some gingerbread cookies?"

shakes her head quickly, "no it's okay..."

hums. "Would you like some iced tea, then?"

nods a bit, "sure..." she sat quietly as she ran her fingers over the books.

grabs a tall glass and fills it with ice before pouring some of the sweet acai tea into the glass. After grabbing a straw he comes back to -

-the living room. She hands it to her. "Are you sure you don't want gingerbread?"

nodded a bit as she took the glass with a thanks. "I'm good, I made some for Christmas so I've got quite a bit of it."

nods. He picks up the ring box and takes the ring out of it before slipping it on. "You remember my ring size."

looked up at him and frowned a bit, "of course I do... is that weird?"

shakes his head, smiling a little. "Not at all."

hesitated before she nodded, "okay." She took another sip of the iced tea. "So how are you doing?"

- "Fine." He watches her closely. "Why do you always look so uncomfortable when I'm around?"

blinks at that question and shakes her head, "I'm not uncomfortable." She smiled with that.

nods. "Good.. I just get this feeling.."

took another sip of her drink as she shook her head again. "I'm not... sorry if I gave you that impression though."

- "It's quite alright. I suppose I was just being a tad bit sensitive."