Rory woke the next morning with a weight on her chest. Looking down she saw that Tim was laid on top of her fast asleep with his head on her chest, his arms wrapped around her waist. Rory let out a slight giggle and brushed the hair out of his eyes softly. It was very rare that she saw him sleep, this boy could pull all-nighters for days on end before someone was sent to make him go to sleep. 

Even when he was asleep, there seemed to be a permanent smile on his lips that were slightly puckered. His black hair was matted all over the place, as he buried his face into her chest. Not wanting to ruin the moment, Rory decided to stay in bed. Looking out the window, Christmas morning was here and it was snowing outside. Seeing that made Rory smile, she loved the snow.

Rory watched it fall as she ran her fingers through Tim's hair, humming a Christmas tune softly. Her throat still hurt, but not as bad as it did the night before and she was able to talk for the most part. Christmas was her favorite time of year, it was the only time her family was able to be together, the Sonnets and the Queens. Clara and Michael were busy with ballet and his job, and Oliver and Dinah were always busy with vigilante stuff.

Tim woke to the feeling of Rory's fingers in his hair, and he loved it. There was nothing more he loved than the feeling of his hair being played with. It was the reason that he kept it long, ever since he felt her fingers in his hair the first time. Slowly, he leaned into her touch and nuzzled deeper into her chest.

Rory looked down and saw Tim's smile was bigger. "Good morning Timmy," she said softly, her fingers still brushing his hair. Tim let out a chuckle and opened his eyes and looked up at her, Rory's eyes still full of sleep. Slowly he leaned up and gave her a soft kiss.

"Good morning to you too Songbird." he smiled, looking down at the beautiful girl under him. 

Rory let out a small giggle and pulled him into another kiss, cupping his cheek. She rested a hand on his hip, gripping the bottom of his shirt. The way he made Rory feel, she couldn't describe it. His lips were like a drug and she was addicted to it, all she wanted to do was kiss him endlessly. Tim's hands rested on her sides, as he slid them up and down only to feel Rory wiggle from underneath him. 

"Rory? You alright?" 

Her face went slightly red as she nodded. "Just tickles is all." 

Tim raised an eyebrow, Rory Sonnet-Queen the most kick-ass person he knew, was ticklish?

Once those words left her mouth, Rory's eyes widened. The next thing she knew, Rory was being held down by Tim's body and he was tickling her sides with a huge grin on her face as she shrieked with laughter yelling for him to stop.

Rory tried pushing him off, but couldn't because she was laughing so hard. "Tim stop!"

"Not until you say the magic word." he grinned and kept tickling her. Rory couldn't get any more words out, her voice cut off by her laughter. She tried kicking him off, only for him to hold her legs down with his own.

She was laughing so hard that neither of them noticed the door being pushed open with Jason and Dick standing there and watching Tim tickle Rory. Dick smiled watching the two of them, it always made him happy to see his brothers so happy. It was one of his favorite things about being the oldest, he got to watch them grow and have fun through life.

Jason crossed his arms, he too had a smile on his face. He may not know much about Rory's past but he could see that it was not an easy one and she kept herself guarded because of it. Seeing her so happy with Tim put a smile on his face.

"Do we want to know what is going on here?" Dick asked, interrupting Tim and Rory.

Tim stopped tickling her, and looked over at his brothers and blushed. He was under the blanket and straddling Rory, making it look like something else. "This is not what it looks like, I swear." 

Rory grinned and pushed Tim off the bed, watching him fall off with a thud and a small cry of pain. "Hey! What the hell was that for?" 

"I told you to stop tickling me." she giggled. 

Tim's eyes narrowed at her with a playful grin on his face. "So you push me off the bed?"

Sensing the slight hostility in his voice, Rory quickly got up and hid behind Jason making him laugh. "If you think I'm going to hide you, you picked the wrong brother princess." 

"I'm your favorite, besides you'd do it just so you can pick at Tim," she answered, looking around Jason to watch Tim get up and begin to walk over to them.

Jason let out another laugh. "How do you know me so well?" 

"We have the same best friend, and the same taste in women apparently. By this point, we might as well be the genderswapped version of the other." Rory chuckled, Jason just rolled his eyes and ruffled her hair, Rory swatting his hand away.

Dick and Tim's eyes widened. "You guys dated the same person?" Dick asked. 

"Not at the same time obviously, but we both dated Kori at one point," she explained, hoping to ease the look on their face, but Dick only looked more distressed. "What the hell is wrong with you?" 

"Dick has dated Kori as well."

Rory's jaw dropped. What the hell? The look on her face made Tim laugh, he was also the only one in the house that knew she dated Kori and he kept the information to himself about it. Turning to look at him, she glared.

"Tim, you knew the three of us dated Kori in the past and didn't say something?" 

He just shrugged, "I thought it would be funny once you all figured it out." The three of them were now glaring at Tim. They gave each other a look before Rory quickly shut the door and locked it with the key from the outside.

They heard Tim banging on the door. "Guys! Come on, let me out! I expected this of them, but you too Rory?"

"You should have said something, now you will sit here and suffer while we eat all the cookies," she said and started off down the hall with Dick and Jason laughing behind her. The three of them walked down to the kitchen where the others were waiting. 

"Where's Tim?" Babs asked, noticing that he was the only one not with them.

"Tim is indisposed for the time being, he thought it would be funny to keep something from us," Dick said simply and sat down on one of the chairs, Jason and Rory sitting with him. They all quietly sipped their morning coffee, when there was a loud thud from the upstairs.

"Was that Tim?" Cass asked.

"Was what Tim?" 

There was another loud thud again, making everyone look up to the floor above them. "That, what did you three do to Tim?" Steph asked, looking confused about how casual the three of them were looking.

"We have no idea what you are talking about," Jason said as he sipped his coffee. 

The thuds continued for a few minutes before they finally stopped, Dick, Rory, and Jason all looked at each other. What was he doing, and wasn't Rory's room above the kitchen? There was a thud from the window. They all looked over and in came Tim, glaring at the three people who seemed a little surprised to see him crawling in a window. 

"Well, I think it's time we all head to the living room to unwrap gifts right?" Dick said and quickly got up, with Rory and Jason right behind him.

"What are you talking about Dick, you haven't eaten anything yet," Bruce said, sensing that they did something to Tim.

"Oh no matter, we should probably leave," Rory said and took off out of the kitchen with Dick and Jason right behind her, all running from a cold and disheveled looking Tim.

The three of them ran up the stairs, Tim right behind them. Rory was slower than the other two because she was shorter and her ankles were still in pain. He managed to catch her, and throw her over his shoulder.

"You'll never take me alive!" she cried, trying to wiggle out of his hold.

"I think I just did." 

Tim carried her back to the kitchen and sat her down on a chair. "Don't you dare move, or I will drag you back and restart this process." he then left to get them both a plate of food and himself a cup of coffee. Rory crossed her arms with a pout, ignoring the girls as they tried to hide their giggles.

Tim came back with two plates and his mug and sat next to Rory, giving her a plate that she ate making sure to stab every item on her plate while watching Tim.

"Are you two having a fight?" Damian asked, looking at them.

"No Dami, Tim is just trying to suck up for something he didn't think to tell me. I don't think it's working though." Rory took a bite of her food, not taking her gaze off of Tim. 

"What did he not tell you?" 

Tim was about to answer, but Rory cut him off. "You answer that I will lock you outside the manor." she threatened. Tim glanced to the side to look at her, even when she was scary, he still thought she was gorgeous.

The conversation quieted down after a while and Jason and Dick thought it was safe to return to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Christmas morning was a beautiful time in the Wayne household, normally Bruce's kids would behave for the most part but he had a feeling that that would not be the case for this year.

Breakfast was eaten and everyone helped Alfred clean up, even though he tried to object. This just ended with Bruce putting a hand on his shoulder saying "It's Christmas, let us help." and after that, Alfred had the biggest smile on his face. 

Once the kitchen was clean, everyone went to the living room to open presents. Dick grabbed a radio and turned on a Christmas station, letting the carols fill the air as the fire roared beside them. Dick was the most eager and quickly passed out his presents to the others, giving Jason a new leather jacket because the one he always wore was getting worn out, Tim a new mug that had the Red Robin symbol on it because Tim loved getting mugs and he was starting to grow a collection and he found it one day in a store. Damian had gotten an arrowhead that Dick had found when he was on a mission two months ago and thought he would enjoy it. When it came to the girls, it was a little harder. 

He had gotten Barbara a new necklace, it was gold and had her initials on it. Steph had gotten multiple t-shirts with various sayings that made Dick think of her. Cass got a vinyl of Bing Cosby's Christmas Album. Rory was the last of the girls to open hers and when she saw what Dick had gotten her, her jaw dropped. In the box were three pairs of point shoes in pink, white and black. Dick had noticed that hers were really worn out and would be needing some soon. 

She gave him a hug and thanked him with a large smile. When it got to Bruce, he had found a mug with the superman symbol on it and laughed when he saw the look on Bruce's face who asked if Clark had put him up to this. Alfred's gift was bags of loose-leaf tea that Dick had picked out for him.

Bruce and Alfred went next, their gifts the same to everyone. From Bruce, they all got little slips of paper saying 'Get out of patrol free card. Valid for one patrol.' and from Alfred they each got hefty sized goodie bags that were filled with cookies, brownies, and other treats galore. Rory wanted to go next so she passed out her gifts to everyone.

Alfred went first, Rory watched as he carefully opened his gift to see that it was a Christmas themed tea set complete with a pot, cups, saucers, spoons, and a milk and sugar jar. "Maybe we can have our next afternoon tea with this set." she smiled. Alfred gave her a thankful smile and set it to the side.

Next was Bruce, who laughed once he saw what she had gotten him seeing the batman wearing a Santa hat. "Thanks, Rory, this is definitely something unique." he chuckled and hung it on the tree.

Dick was next and he unwrapped his gift, seeing that it was a snowglobe that had a circus tent on the inside with animals and clown and various performers. She saw the tears form in his eyes and scooted closer and hugged him tightly. Rory knew that Dick grew up in the circus and still had fond memories of it. 

Jason's gift was funny, Rory had gotten him an original copy of the book A Little Princess from 1905. He let out a laugh and ruffled her hair, a habit he was picking up from Roy. "Thanks, princess." he chuckled.

Next came Damian, and this one was a little hard to find but once she saw it, she knew it was the gift for him. Rory watched as Damian unwrapped an amulet with a wolf on it, and twirled it in his hand to look at it better. "This is really cool Rory, I like it a lot." Rory beamed, it wasn't every day that Damian called you by your first name.

Cass, Stephanie, and Babs were all next. Rory had gotten them all bracelets to match and charms with the symbol of Athena, the Greek Goddess of wisdom and battle strategy. Rory had gotten herself the same charm and clasped it onto the bracelet she kept from her parents. Of course, they all loved it and put them on immediately.

Last was Tim's gift. Rory was nervous about this one, she didn't know if Tim would like it or not. Handing it to him, she sat close to him and watched as he carefully unwrapped the statue of a dragon protecting a princess. Tim was silent as he looked at the statue, understanding the meaning of what it meant to her. Rory always called him dragon boy, and she had the same name as a princess. With a smile, he set it down and pulled Rory close and pecked her lips. "I love it." was all he said before she started smiling again.

The rest of them handed out their gifts, Rory getting more charms from the girls with Apollo, Zeus, and Aphrodite as the charms from Babs, Cass, and Steph. Jason had gotten her a copy of Sleeping Beauty. It was an old copy and she could tell he was doing it as a joke but the sentiment was there and Rory loved it never the less. Damian had given her a carving of a lion, she sat and listened as he explained what lions symbolized in Arabic and she got a little teary-eyed from it. Lions symbolized strength, courage, ferocity, and royalty. He told her since her surname was Queen, she fit the description. Of course, Rory tried to hug him, but the little demon refused and pushed her off.

Tim's gift was the last she opened, Tim now had an arm wrapped around her waist keeping her close to his side and put his head on her shoulder to watch her unwrap. She carefully removed the paper and her jaw dropped. In her hands was a beautiful nutcracker, it was old a rustic looking but it was still beautiful and it even still had the wood smell to it.

"Tim, it's beautiful." 

"I figured that it would be a good reminder of our first date, you know that got ruined by Harley Quinn but still a date none the less," he said and looked at her. Rory ran her fingers over the carved markings and smiled this was one of the most beautiful things she had ever gotten.

Once presents were unwrapped, everyone sat back and ate from their goodie bags and talked about various topics. A popular one was what Christmas was like for Rory in Star City. "Well, most of the time the entire team is able to make it but on the occasion one or two can't We open presents, we sit and talk eat and watch movies all day before we eat dinner. I just loved spending time with my family, and I love spending time with you guys. It's like I have another family." 

"Well, you are always welcome here Rory." Bruce smiled, as he ate a cookie. Rory gave him a smile back and looked at Tim, who was playing with strands of her loose hair that was flying everywhere. He didn't notice her looking at him, he was so focused on those few strands and it made her giggle. 

It wasn't long before Alfred disappeared into the kitchen to finish up Christmas Dinner and Rory decided to help him, ignoring his objections. She always helped Oliver and Dinah cook, so she was going to help Alfred. Grabbing an apron, she tied it around herself and pulled her hair back.

Alfred gave her the directions for one of the dishes and she got right to work on making the green bean casserole. Tim had tried to come in and help, but the boy couldn't cook for the life of him. The only one actually allowed in to help cook was Jason, the others only knew how to burn food and Alfred wanted none of them around.

With the help of Jason and Rory, Christmas Dinner was finished ahead of schedule, so everyone had time to go get changed into something nice to eat in. Rory took off the apron and pushed the loose hair back when she felt two arms wrap around her from behind.

Tim placed his head on her shoulder and smiled. "You know, you looked really cute in that apron and your hair flying out." Rory rolled her eyes and turned in his hold to look at him, placing her hands on his shoulders. 

The two of them stood like that, enjoying the small moment of silence before it would be ruined again. "I really do like your gift Rory, but I think you end up protecting me more than I protect you."

"Well, maybe the princess wants to keep her dragon safe and make sure he feels loved?" she asked, tilting her head to look at him. Rory had still not told Tim that she loved him, but after what had happened the night before it made her realize that there was no time like the present. "I love you, Tim. I think I always have, and I always will."

Tim's smile grew hearing those words from her, "I love you too Rory." he then leaned in and kissed her lovingly. Rory wrapped her arms around his neck and brought him closer, Tim trapping her against the counter. Even after he pulled away, he still held her there with a dorky smile on his face.

Rory telling him that she loved him was the best Christmas present he could have ever gotten.

An hour later, everyone was at the table with Christmas Dinner laid out in front of them as their mouths watered with the scent of dinner filling the air. They watched as Bruce carved the turkey and passed out pieces and everyone ate their favorite dishes. Throughout dinner, everyone was smiling and laughing at the jokes told and the stories mentioned. 

Christmas really was the best time to be at Wayne Manor.

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I'm a sap, I love romantic Christmas movies. Things are gonna be picking up again here soon, so buckle your seatbelts my dudes and get ready. 

Also quick sidenote, how the hell am I at Chpt 18 already? And ambient mixers are my best friend and I love Spooky Season. Good thing my favorite color is orange right?

Anyway, have a good week guys!

Until Next Time,