He squinted at the clock but couldn't make it out as it was on the other side of the bed. "What time is it?"

Duo let out a breath and shrugged slightly, the sheet sliding down. "Just past midnight."

"What are you doing?" Heero rolled over and pulled Duo toward him so they were in his favorite position. Duo's skin was cool where it had been exposed to the air and Heero pulled up the sheet, snuggling closer.

Duo squirmed until his head was resting more comfortably. "Just watching you sleep. Feeling grateful. Various sorts of sentimental tripe that I don't necessarily have to share with you."

"You have an oddly grouchy romantic turn of phrase." Heero nuzzled Duo's neck and made a content sound. "Not that I mind, you watching me sleep or being sentimental. I have been guilty of the occasional sentimental thought myself."

Duo pulled his braid out from where it was stuck under Heero's pillow. "It's officially Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Heero wondered if they would be going back to sleep anytime soon and rubbed a lazy hand down Duo's side.

"I was lying here thinking about Midnight Mass and all the things I have in my life. Things that are important to me." Duo turned so he was facing Heero and smiled, "You came up on the list."

"Good to know I make your list. You make mine too." Heero lifted his head for a kiss and then dropped back down on the pillow. "Definitely on the list."

Duo shook his head obviously amused, "So then I realized something else."

"You think a lot for a guy who's supposed to be sleeping." Heero yawned, "So what did you realize?"

"That I loved you. I knew I loved you when I realized I'd throw myself in front of a moving vehicle to save you."

Heero laughed quietly. "You are being sentimental."

Duo slid down to brush his lips against Heero's bare chest. "Yeah well, don't get use to it."

He arched his back when Duo found a sensitive spot. "Hmm, I knew I loved you when I realized I'd throw somebody else in front of a moving vehicle to save you."

Duo paused. "Seriously?"

Heero nodded and shifted, pulling Duo back up for another kiss. "Yes."

"Well then." Duo pondered this for a moment and then smirked. "We should have these sentimental conversations more often. You can learn all sorts of interesting things."

"We can have all the sentimental conversations you want. But first, since you're awake and I'm apparently awake . . ." Heero lifted the sheet and pointed below. "How about we sentimentalize each other in a more physical kind of way?"

Duo burst out laughing. "Sure thing, it'll give you one more thing to be grateful for."

Heero closed his eyes. "I didn't have to wake up at midnight to know that."

"Now who's the sentimental fool?" But Duo was smiling.