A/N: Okay, I'm your surprise Santa for today, Annie Tate, here's a small present for you. Pardon me if its rotten clumsily. My heart is ready to take your criticism. Merry Christmas once more. XD ;'D


Max's Proposal~

"Aw, chill Max, everything will be alright." Tyson said flippantly to a worried Max who was standing in front of him. Max was worried; his electrical blue eyes lowered and lifelessly looked at the floor.

Tyson draped an arm on Hilary's back who was standing beside him, concerned about her former teammate and friend, the bubbly cheery blonde. Tyson and Hilary were newlywed just after a month of their confession has happened.

Everyone had grown, Tyson, Max, Hilary were 27, Kai and Ray were 29, Daichi and Kenny were 25. All were moving on with life happily and finely. Max was contended with his ongoing life as well. He was working along with Tyson in the BBA and earning finely.

Though Max was happy for both of them when Tyson confessed and shortly proposed Hilary after defeating Kai once again in the tournament... but still he was little worried because...His five year old girlfriend, Annie Wilson who was in a perfect relationship with him, refused to marry him when he proposed her yesterday.

He could remember... It was such a nice and cheerful Christmas yesterday. The aura was so delightful. Everyone was dancing in the banquet hall where the party was organized by Kai and Julia. Even Daichi got a date. He was jumping instead of dancing. Tyson and Hilary were mouth-locked nonstop making out under the mistletoe; Julia and Kai were decently talking while looking at the large Christmas tree, Ray and Mariah were dancing as well. Other guests joined and the Christmas was seeming to be in full blow and agog.

Max was with Annie, dancing serenely and relaxingly under the mistletoe. She was wearing a red cap, navy blue skin tight jeans and a cropped-white-top, black wedges. She easily reached Max's neck. Her plush lush black hair was flamboyantly teasing her shoulders. Max was totally enjoying her company. She was slightly drunk, but sober enough. However Annie occasionally tethered into his arms and crashed on his shoulder and Max would just give her a cheerful remark, hold her tighter and she would chuckle back and continue dancing. It was all going perfect. He'd given her a blue hoodie, and she's given him new headphones as their Christmas presents. She was a young astrophysicist, researching on "Black Hole" with her crew.

Max had first met her in America, when Judy introduced her to him. They had been in contact ever since then. She had shifted to Japan since better research Companies were available here.

"Why is red your favorite huh?" He asked teasingly,

"It just is, like you'd go for blue," she shrugged, grasping his intimating shoulders. Max grinned,

"Red lips, I don't mind though-"

She suddenly pressed a firm kiss on his lips, smudging her lipstick on his lips. His lips were slightly red, but his face went redder. He swallowed and gawked at her. She was slightly coloured but was smirking at his reaction. No one noticed fortunately. But they could hear Daichi squealing at them.

"Cuteness overloaded, Maxie." She winked, turned and crashed her slender back against his front.

He sighed. He thought this was the perfect opportunity. He had been waiting quite since time to propose her, now was the time.

And that's when things went down, shattering his hopes. He had taken her on balcony. They were few types of mistletoe still there, and the moonshine was blemishing. Standing on his knee, taking out the rose from the pocket on his white shirt of tuxedo, he held it forward and genuinely proposed her. Annie was confused and taken aback. She was not ready probably. She had kindly refused him and thus, turned him down.

"I've my career ahead, Maxie... I've to live my dreams first, I hope you understand..." that was her last statement before she exited the banquet itself.

Max was nervous, hurt and mostly broken by her rejection. Yet he didn't show it that time, he just gave his signature grin and laughed- all fake.

"I was just teasing you Nie, c'mon!" He cackled. But Annie wasn't blind, she knew what he felt, she gave a sad smile to him and walked away. A cold slap of wind blew right then, bristling him.

...

"Hey," Hilary said, puckered, "Don't worry Max, maybe you should give her some more time,"

Tyson nodded, still a little clueless of what he could do to help his best friend. Max wished if someone could actually help him out of this but well... Ray went back to China last night and Kai wasn't the type of person to help in these kind of matters. Tyson was too oblivious. It was Max who had encouraged and helped Tyson when he was too much chickening from confessing to Hilary.

But now? Tyson couldn't help Max back. He was a little stupid. His laid-back attitude didn't help

Max sighed, "I-Its...It's okay, I'm fine," Max whispered and walked out of the dojo.

His friends gave him sympathizing looks as he receded but couldn't help him much.

Max settled near the shore of beachside. It was quiet, serene and silent. Only, just the billows and waves gently crashing against the brown sand could be heard. It was nearing the twilight. The sun's rays were gracefully warming the dispirited blonde, despite the chilly December casting its ruthless coldness in the atmosphere.

'Why did she turn me down? Is her career more important to her than us? Nie...' Max mused, his heart was at unease and low. He breathed out heavily, trying to release all his anxiety which had been piling up since last night, 'It's not like she has to give up on her dreams if we got married. I'd have pursued my passion for blading and she could have continued exploring the galaxies; who is stopping her?'

Max shook his head indignantly and got up, looking at the boardwalk and plodded ahead. He never felt his heart heavy before this way. 'I wish if I could understand her reasons,' he frowned at the waves rising and dancing in the magenta coloured sea, the twilight had taken its toll.

"One day, I wish I can marry you. I'm 27 already, I'm growing old already," he mumbled to himself, scratching his head skittishly.

He could remember the last night she had kissed him, and how she admired the hoodie he had given. He was brightly cheered up when they had exchanged the gifts and were teased by others, but she was little frenzy and rather teased back his friends back more mercilessly. She had become bold.

He smirked at the thought. Max knew her very well. Annie didn't had a pleasant childhood or memories, but she has pursued hard for achieving her goals and ambitions, and she was dedicated to Astrophysics, besides being an renowned artist in Japan. Her paintings were auctioned last month. She earned a lot. He remembered how excited she was and the Exhibition was a big hit. Her fans were surrounding her, admiring her works and tumultuous claps were roared.

He wished if he could feel that once again, that togetherness and happiness. He bitterly smirked right now. Shaking his head, he chuckled, "Well, Nie, I hope you earn more, travel places, gets lot of joys and one day...I wish you'd come back to me and accept my proposal. Even if its years from now, I'm ready to wait to marry you…" He smiled genuinely, looking at the slightly shining stars in the dark orange-pink hued sky. His hair ruffled in the wind. He finally found the courage to let go of her. . . For her own happiness that is,

"I'm getting married next week itself, Max. Would you come?" A bold, familiar yet charming voice asked him from behind.

Max turned quickly, staring in surprise at her former girlfriend.

"Annie...when did you come?" Max stuttered, slightly embarrassed. Did she hear what he was saying?

"When you were talking with the stars," she walked towards him, standing beside him and staring genuinely at the seraphic oceanside beauty before her. Her black hair flaunted off and blew lavishly, large angular eyes containing ambivalent emotions. Tender pink orange rays reflected on her face's unblemished skin.

Max stared at her for few seconds but she was undisturbed, lost staring at the sky.
"You're getting married, Nie?" Max giggled, trying to not show his nervousness.

"Yea, here's the wedding card. If you're not busy that is, Maxie, do come," she handed him the card. Max gulped and timidly took the card, opening it to read.

'Max Tate Weds Annie Wilson' The literal five words written in dark black bold letters on the floral printed card were enough for him. His heart leaped in pure delight. His mouth dropped, "When did this happen! When did you got this card printed, Nie!" Max exclaimed unbelievably.

"This morning," she turned to him and looked him in his ocean like eyes, "Yes, Max I want to marry you. I'm ready, will you marry me?" She asked with a serene petite smile.

Max was dumbfounded. Was it her words or her beautiful face? He couldn't decide.

"A-Are you serious? Of course I will!" Max rejoiced, happily bounding his arms around her waist lightly. He noticed she was wearing the red hoodie he had given her, but the cap was flown back, revealing her mighty gorgeous hair all.

She nodded, and smiled, "Last night, I couldn't sleep, I've thought a lot. And Max," she stressed, "I realized something. What's the use of a life without love? Chasing dreams but missing the presence and warmth of your favorite person? I realized this..."

"You're right, Nie. I'm so glad you understood this," Max smiled cheerfully, seeming the happiest man on the planet,

"So did you like the surprise?" She smirked, pinching his forming dimples. He chuckled and nodded, "Of course, I've!"

"I love you Max, and that's why I accept you as my partner," Annie said, trying to hide the amusing smirks and embarrassment coming from her cliche confession- she thought that way.

"I love you too, sweetness." He pulled her slightly closer. They were standing at the boardwalk, gazing at the ocean once again, the dancing loud waves seeming to congratulate them, "Next week will be great."

"You bet," Max winked,

Annie sighed, "A beginning of new life it would be,"

I love you 'til the last of snow disappears
Love you 'til a rainy day becomes clear
Never knew a love like this, now I can't let go

"Huh? Oh, you don't worry at all," he patted her mindlessly, "You can pursue your career even after we marry. We will try not to have many kids quickly."

"Idiot!" She smacked him on head, "You think too much!"

Max was satisfied. The punch-pink colored blush on her cheeks made him grin again in his own style. She sighed. 'Max will not change, nor will his flirty flamboyant habits will. That's the Max I've known all this time, but... He's my Maxie. That's how I've always loved him.'

Love you every minute, every second
Love you everywhere and any moment
Always and forever I know I can't quit you
'Cause, baby, you're the one, I don't know how


A/N:

Well, I'm done. Hope that was not too boring. XD

I've retreated from the secret Santa game actually because well, I was sick and lazying around and facing writer's blocks. That's scary actually. But today, I was having little free time and I was goofing around on ffn. I wanted to write something for my little best friend, hopefully to compensate her not-so-good Christmas that went yesterday, so here it was. Supposedly I'd have written a KaneSal for Nain, but well, I couldn't *sighs*. But I'll write one very soon. Forgive me, Nain cousin.

Anyway, I hope you've liked this shot, Nie Tate! Stay cheered up, dude. Life's short, live to your fullest and flight for your dreams. Bye.