Work Text:
If there's any town that feels the Christmas spirit, it's Morioh. From the seasonal snow that varies from a light dusting to fifteen inches, the multicolored lights that slink around every telephone pole, the poinsettias on every doorstep - Christmas is truly here.
To Josuke, it can’t come any faster. Currently, he’s restlessly staring at the classroom clock, awaiting the ring of the final bell. With Kira gone, Morioh can have its first peaceful Christmas in a while - and he can finally relax.
It's not just the end of school that he's excited for - Jolyne, Jotaro, and Noriaki are coming to visit for the holiday. It's comforting, to be honest - he wasn't sure how the first Christmas without his grandfather would be. But with his new relatives and friends, he isn’t worried.
He glances around the classroom, searching for his friends. Koichi is diligently taking notes as he usually does. Yukako is gazing at Koichi diligently taking notes as she usually does. Okuyasu is staring quietly at the clock, tapping his pencil on his desk - he's probably the most excited for Christmas out of all of them.
He deserves to be happy, Josuke thinks. Especially after everything with his family and then Kira...
It’s odd, how Okuyasu has slowly but surely become a permanent fixture in his life. They’re best friends, to say the least - playing video games together, studying together, even just doing nothing together. Okuyasu is kind, sweet, and his eyes that light up whenever he’s talking about something he loves, like Tonio’s food. And it’s totally normal to like a smile like that, to feel warm on the inside whenever he sees it.
He and Okuyasu are just really, really good friends. He defintiely doesn’t have a crush on his best friend, even though it’s not like he’d mind if he did-
"Mr. Higashikata. I know that you are as excited for break as the rest of us, but you still need to pay attention," his teacher chides, and everyone glances in his direction.
"Yes, sir," he grumbles, trying to fight the flush of embarrassment on his face and ignore the snickers of his classmates.
The sound of the final bell is music to his ears - he snatches his bag and runs for the door as fast as his legs can carry him in the sea of eager-to-leave students.
"We're finally free! No more pencils, no more books, no more teacher’s dirty looks!" Josuke roars, skipping off the school grounds with Koichi and Okuyasu. "What are you doing for break, Koichi? Playing video games? Studying?"
"Well, I'm spending Christmas with my family, then going with Yukako to a light show the day after... But I still need to figure out a gift for her!” Koichi replies, anxiously fiddling with his bag straps. “I want to get her something special, but she says she doesn’t want anything...”
Josuke whistles. "Good luck with that. What are you doing for break, Okuyasu?"
Okuyasu shrugs. “Well… I’ll probably be at home, I guess. I don’t have much planned or anywhere else to go-”
"You could stay with me," Josuke interjects. No one - least of all, Okuyasu - should spend their holiday all alone. And friends help friends out, right? What better way for friends to just be friends by spending the holiday together?
"Really?" Okuyasu asks, his eyes widening in surprise. "I mean, I don't want to be a bother-"
"It's fine, really. It just… Might be a bit cramped with Jotaro and his family staying over, but other than that it should be fine." Josuke assures. "What are friends for?"
“Thanks, Josuke!” Okuyasu grins, hugging him tightly.
And for once, Josuke feels a shot of warmth through him that isn’t from the Morioh cold.
"Mom! Did I mention how wonderful you look today?" Josuke asks, running into the kitchen to hug her.
"What do you want, Josuke?" Tomoko questions, raising an eyebrow. “Did you bother that artist again?”
“Of course I didn't! I was just greeting the most wonderful mother in the world!” Josuke grins, putting on his best loving-and-totally-not-scheming-son face.
Tomoko only raises her eyebrow at him higher, her signature I-know-that-you’re-scheming look.
"CanOkuyasustayoverforChristmaspleeease?" Josuke begs.
Tomoko narrows her eyes. "What did you say?"
"I was wondering if Okuyasu could stay over for break. He... Needs a place to stay," Josuke admits. “No one should spend their Christmas alone.”
Tomoko continues to contemplate what he’s said, sipping her coffee and glancing at him.
“I’ll clean up the house before Okuyasu and the Kujo’s get here! I’ll help make the Christmas dinner, and I’ll stop eating out of your secret chocolate stash-”
“Wait, what?”
“Thanks, mom, I love you!” Josuke beams, kissing her cheek before grabbing the broom and rushing out.
“You’re welcome! And don’t forget to take out the spare futon!” Tomoko yells, a small smile forming on her face.
The next day, Josuke notes how crowded the house is. The normal silence is filled with an eager chatter, varying from a quiet ‘How are your grades?’ from Jotaro to an eager ‘Can you do my hair like yours?’ from Jolyne. It’s comforting and significantly better than the perpetual silence in the house following the loss of his grandfather. Slowly but surely, life is returning to the Higashikata household.
Even late at night, when everyone else is asleep, it’s still nice. With him and Okuyasu in the living room, that means midnight snacks and playing video games as late as they want. Even better, they can chat without the worry of being interrupted. About school. Stands. Kira. Anything that they want, quietly watching the reflection of Christmas lights on the ceiling.
“A plant could totally get a stand, dude. Just look at Stray Cat,” Okuyasu reasons. “That’s like, kinda a plant.”
“But that was a cat before. And we still aren’t sure what Stray Cat even is now,” Josuke comments.
Okuyasu shrugs, before staring at the Christmas tree Jotaro had somehow managed to pull into the living room earlier. “What’s your favorite part about Christmas, Josuke?”
“That’s easy. No school, no homework, and gifts,” Josuke answers. “What’s your favorite part, Okuyasu?”
Okuyasu chuckles. “Santa Claus. He’s the best.”
“Santa?” Josuke questions, sitting up.
“Yeah, dude. Everyone else thinks he isn’t real, but I know for a fact he is,” Okuyasu insists. “Ghosts, Stands, Rohan, and Stray Cat are all real… So why not Santa Claus?”
“Because…” Josuke begins, and then frowns. “Well, when you put it like that…”
“I told you, dude. Santa’s real. And when I see him this year, I’m going to thank him.”
“For what?” Josuke asks, making a confused look. “Did you get something really cool last year?”
“He granted a wish for me last year, so I’m hoping he’ll grant one for me this year. A really important one,” Okuyasu admits.
“What?” Josuke asks, curious. He wonders what Okuyasu would wish for. Money? A car? A date?
Okuyasu yawns, before turning over. “I’d love to tell you, but I can’t. Then it won’t come true.”
In a few moments, Okuyasu is snoring - leaving Josuke silently staring at the glow of the Christmas lights before falling asleep.
The next morning, Jotaro and Tomoko announce that they’re going to get extra supplies so they can relax on Christmas Eve, which Josuke knows means buying presents. So that leaves him to repeatedly lose to Noriaki at Smash Bros. while Jolyne and Okuyasu watch.
“Isn’t it like, illegal to beat someone like that?” Okuyasu asks. “That’s like, six to nothing.”
“That’s 'cause my papa is awesome at video games!” Jolyne announces, raising her hands. “I wanna play! I wanna play!”
“It’s not a real win if you guard the edge all the time,” Josuke mutters, handing his controller over to Jolyne. “You want to play versus her, Okuyasu?”
Okuyasu glances at the clock before shaking his head. “Sorry, I have to run and grab something. I’ll be back in a bit!” he chirps, before grabbing his bag and heading out the front door.
“He’s certainly in a hurry. He even forgot his gloves,” Noriaki muses, spying them on the table.
“I’ll go give them to him!” Josuke volunteers, happy for an activity that doesn’t involve Noriaki taunting him. He grabs the gloves and puts them in his pocket before reaching for his coat.
“Don’t stay out for too long. I want to see if I can make the score ten to nothing,” Noriaki grins. Josuke rolls his eyes and exits out the door.
It takes a little bit of wandering, but eventually, he finds Okuyasu outside the Morioh Blooms shop. In his hands are a few bunches of poinsettias that he gingerly places in his bag. He glances about him, before starting to walk down the street.
What would he need all those flowers for? Is he seeing someone? The thought makes him feel something. But why? He should be happy that Okuyasu has found someone special, right?
Right?
Okuyasu treks all around the neighborhood, placing little poinsettias on every doorstep and handing them to passersby with a soft Merry Christmas. The Yamagishi doorstep, the Hirose doorstep, even the Kawajiri doorstep - each has a little flower placed on them.
For what? Josuke wonders, continuing to follow a block behind him. He stops, watching Okuyasu hand a little girl a poinsettia.
“What’s this flower for, mister?” she asks, looking up at him.
“They’re for good luck and a Merry Christmas,” he explains. “My mom used to do this, but she can’t anymore. So I keep doing it for her, every year.”
“Like Santa?” the little girl questions, her eyes widening.
“Just like Santa,” Okuyasu grins, before continuing to walk. “Have a Merry Christmas!”
As Okuyasu continues through Morioh, Josuke makes sure to stay close, ignoring the odd glances he gets from other people walking on the street.
Eventually, Okuyasu stops at the street where Reimi’s alley used to be. He reaches into his bag, resting a small bundle of pink and blue poinsettias on the telephone pole next to it. He murmurs something - Josuke is too far to hear what he’s saying - before going through his bag. He seems happy at the three bunches of poinsettias he has left; one pink, one blue, and one multicolored.
When Okuyasu walks away, he follows, only to stop at the telephone pole.
“Merry Christmas, Reimi. Merry Christmas, Shigechi,” he whispers. He hopes they’re doing alright, wherever they are. Even ghosts deserve a happy holiday.
The Morioh cemetery has always been creepy for Josuke. Growing up, he was always told stories of the monsters that hid in graves and stole naughty little grandsons.
But after last summer, he learned - the things in the graves aren't the monsters - it's the people who put them there. As he follows Okuyasu, he stops, glancing at his grandfather’s grave.
It’s still covered in the flowers he and his mother placed there a few days prior.
"Merry Christmas, Grandpa," he whispers, before continuing after Okuyasu.
If Okuyasu is unnerved, he doesn't show it - only continuing to wherever he’s heading. He pauses at two graves, before reaching into his bag. He rests a bundle of multicolored flowers on one grave and a bundle of blue ones on the other.
"Hey, Mom. Hey, Keicho. I got poinsettias again, like the ones we decorated that hospital room with,” Okuyasu says, rocking from one foot to the other. "It was a bit difficult spreading all the flowers around without you two to help, but I did it. They’re all over Morioh, so you both can look down from heaven and see them. But don’t worry about me! I’m staying with Josuke and his family this year.”
Okuyasu quietly rubs his hands together, likely from the cold. “One of my friends believes that Santa doesn’t exist. But that isn’t true. You always told me he was real, mom. And you always told me the truth, even when you were sick. Santa Claus is an angel, just like you. When I asked him to bring me a new family last year, he did. He even brought me a new best friend! I… I really hope that Santa grants my wish this year. It’s… Really important. I’ll even stay up and thank him, so it will definitely come true!” he exclaims.
“Love you, Keicho. Love you, Mom. Don’t worry about me, OK? Merry Christmas,” Okuyasu says, picking up his bag. “I’m going to give this last bundle to Ms. Higashikata as a thank you for letting me stay with her.”
And in that moment, watching Okuyasu trudge home, Josuke makes a decision.
"Jotaro, can you help me with something?" Josuke asks, sitting next to him in the dining room. Okuyasu, Noriaki, and Jolyne are still playing video games in the living room, and his mother is wrapping presents upstairs - so he knows he won’t be interrupted.
Jotaro looks up at him from the newspaper. "What is it?"
"I need you to dress up as Santa Claus tomorrow night.”
Jotaro adjusts his hat, and without a word, picks up his newspaper and walks out of the dining room.
"Wait! I'm serious!" Josuke insists, running after him into the hall. "It's important!"
"How?" Jotaro asks, raising an eyebrow.
"It's... For Jolyne?" Josuke responds, making his best I'm-totally-not-scheming look.
"Jolyne doesn't believe in Santa," Jotaro states, giving his best I-know-you’re-scheming look. "We tell her we get her the gifts because we love her, not some stranger with a sleigh.”
"You are just full of Christmas spirit, aren't you?" Josuke mutters. “Noriaki said that you would do it.”
"That’s because he didn’t want to do it. Is this another scheme like the mall Santa one?" Jotaro questions.
"First, that never happened. Rohan was lying. Second, it's for Okuyasu. He still believes in Santa, and I want to make sure that he sees him this Christmas."
“Why don’t you do it?” Jotaro counters. “Since it’s so important.”
"I'm too young. You look ol- I mean, experienced enough to do it!" Josuke sputters, trying to ignore his nephew's glare. “Besides, there's no one else who can do it! I can't get within thirty feet of Rohan's because I may or may not have set his house on fire again-"
"Again?"
"So could you please do it?" Josuke pleads. "Pleeeease?"
"No," Jotaro responds, then frowns as Josuke walks outside and sits in the snow.
"What are you doing?"
"Making you feel guilty. Is it working?" Josuke asks, making his best you’ve-broken-your-uncle’s-heart face.
"You're going to get sick,” Jotaro cautions.
"Well, I'm not moving until you say you're going to do it. So there," Josuke pouts. “You wouldn’t let your uncle die in the Morioh cold on Christmas Adam, would you?”
Jotaro sighs, and in an instant Star Platinum grabs Josuke and lifts him into the house with ease.
"Hey! Put me down! I'm your uncle! I have my rights!"
The next night, after one very quick rush through the Morioh Department store on Christmas Eve, Josuke somewhat has a plan.
Step 1: Slip into an oversized, overpriced Santa Costume without being spotted.
Step 2: Sneak into into the living room and place presents under the tree.
Step 3: "Accidentally" bump into Okuyasu and surprise him.
Step one is complete - he's managed to slip into his costume in the upstairs bathroom. Now for step two - slipping downstairs. He tiptoes downstairs, glancing about quietly, before freezing as he sees another Santa.
"Santa?" he whispers, only for Santa to turn and glare at him. But that particular glare he knows all too well.
He grins, pointing at his nephew. "I knew you'd do it!"
"Stop talking!" Jotaro hisses. Well, probably what he hisses, given how his voice is muffled by his Santa beard.
"I knew you had some Christmas spirit in you!" Josuke exclaims, walking to the tree and placing his gifts. "Where'd you get the costume? And what did you get me for Christmas, Santa?”
“You’re still talking-”
"Santa?" Okuyasu asks, his eyes widening as he sits up. "Two Santas?"
"I'm just an apprentice," Josuke says, in the gruffest voice he can manage. "Isn't that right, Santa!"
When Jotaro only stares, he elbows him - but since Jotaro is built like a truck, all he gets is an injured elbow.
“Did you stuff that suit with cinder blocks?” Josuke hisses. “Uh, I mean-”
"Of course. You've been a very good boy this year!" Jotaro says, in the best Santa voice he can manage. Josuke's glad for the oversized beard - it's the only thing that hides that smile breaking out on his face.
“I’m so glad to see you, Mr. Klaus. It’s really an honor!” Okuyasu gasps, hugging Jotaro tightly. “Thank you for everything. You granted my wish last year, brought me a best friend, and now I can blame that incident with Rohan’s roof on you instead of Mr. Kujo!”
“What-”
“Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year!” Josuke interjects, pulling out his phone and taking a picture. Over Okuyasu’s shoulder, Jotaro glares and mouths I am going to murder you.
“Off topic fact, but did you know that avunculicide is generally frowned upon, especially on Christmas?” Josuke says, continuing to snap pictures.
"Two Santas?" Jolyne gasps, standing at the top of the stairs. Noriaki walks after her, and by the hand he places over his mouth, it’s clear he's trying very hard not to laugh.
“If Santa is real… Then the monsters under my bed must be real, too! I told you, Papa!” Jolyne exclaims, pulling at her Noriaki’s leg. “I told you!”
During Christmas breakfast, the only conversation is Jolyne and Okuyasu retelling the story of how not one, but two Santas visited. Jolyne, Jotaro, and Noriaki sit on the couch while Tomoko, Josuke, and Okuyasu sit at the table.
"Santa was right there, daddy! And he had a 'prentice!" Jolyne insists, pulling on Jotaro's jacket. "Papa saw him too!”
"Jolyne is right. I should have taken a picture," Noriaki muses, pressing a kiss to her forehead and ignoring Jotaro’s glare.
"I can't believe you missed him, Josuke. He was right there, in the flesh!" Okuyasu says, before stuffing a pancake into his mouth.
"Sorry, Okuyasu, I slept like a log last night. I’ll be sure to catch him next year." Josuke yawns, rubbing his eyes.
“You’re awfully tired for someone who slept like a log,” Tomoko muses, giving Josuke a suspicious look.
“Okuyasu! I hid my gift in my room so we should go get it right now!” Josuke chirps, pulling Okuyasu upstairs as Tomoko continues to watch them.
Josuke pulls a small bag out from his closet, before handing it to Okuyasu.
“Merry Christmas, Okuyasu. I hope you like it. I have a hunch that you did, but I can get you something different if you want!” he assures, watching Okuyasu go through it.
“No,” Okuyasu responds, pulling out a small bunch of poinsettias and a gift card to Morioh Blooms. “This is perfect. How’d you know I liked these?”
Josuke shrugs. “Just a lucky guess.”
Okuyasu rubs his eyes. “I- I really love this gift… This is the best Christmas ever, really...”
“Are you alright, dude?” Josuke asks, slightly worried until Okuyasu hugs him.
“For your gift, I, I wanted to take you out to Tonio’s, just the two of us, but that’s nothing compared to this gift-”
“No! I would love that!” Josuke insists. “That would be my best Christmas gift ever, Okuyasu! I… Like when we do things together. A lot.”
“Really?” Okuyasu brightens. “I, I like when we do things together too! You’re cool, you always look awesome, and you’re Santa’s secret apprentice- wow, my wish did come true!”
“Wait, what?” Josuke asks, a confused look on his face.
Okuyasu winks at him. “Don’t worry, dude. Your secret identity is safe with me. We’re like Robin and like. The other, cooler Robin!”
“So I dressed up as Santa to be my uncle’s wingman?” Jotaro mutters, watching Josuke and Okuyasu walk down the stairs. “Good grief.”
“You say that as if it isn’t the most bizarre thing that has happened in your life, much less this week,” Noriaki counters, resting his head on Jotaro’s shoulder as Jolyne naps in their laps. “And even if Jolyne doesn’t want to sleep alone anymore, you make a very handsome Santa.”
“You’re only saying that because you have that picture,” Jotaro grumbles. Noriaki laughs, before pressing a soft kiss to Jotaro’s cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Santa.”
The rest of their Christmas is uneventful, sans for Noriaki once again beating everyone at video games, only this time in Double Dash instead of Smash Bros.
“We won again, papa!” Jolyne exclaims. “That’s eight to nothing!”
“You kept getting red shells in first place! That’s illegal!” Josuke protests.
“We’ll get them next time, Josuke,” Okuyasu vows. “They can’t keep winning forever!”
"Josuke! There's a package for you on the doorstep!" Tomoko exclaims.
“I’ll get it!” he answers, resting his controller next to Okuyasu and walking outside to the porch.
It’s a small box, wrapped in pink and blue wrapping paper with a big purple bow. There’s a small note attached a blue poinsettia, and he pulls it off the box before reading it.
Dear Josuke Higashikata-
You've been a very good boy this year, schemes aside. I missed your friend, but luckily you were able to cover me.
Have a Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Santa Claus