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“Whew, never thought I’d actually get out at this hour.” Hifumi pulls out his phone from his pocket, checking up on the time as he steps outside. The time read 9:59 PM, and it just so happens to be Christmas day- well Christmas evening now considering the whole day he was tending to customers as there was a small Christmas celebration going on in Fragrance, which was very lively to say the least. It would be a lie to say he was a bit tired, but of course he is never too tired to stop by and take Doppo out for the evening. In fact, Hifumi had already planned this out a while back that every Christmas he would treat Doppo to something nice for he deserved it! Doppo was hard working non-stop, even if he puts himself down one too many times, but the takeaway from all of it is that he deserved some sort of break. Nonetheless, Hifumi decides to send a little message Doppo’s way to indicate he would be arriving as he sets his destination to the office.
' 'Doppo! Just a liiiiiiiil heads up~ I’m coming to get you soooo don’t act so surprised to see me there, ‘kay~?' ' SENT at 10:00 PM.
Knowing he would be busy along with the fact that Doppo always set his ringer on silent whenever working, Hifumi would still plan on showing up “unannounced” regardless as a few blocks and one subway ride later, he’s at the front entrance of the building Doppo is working at. Glancing up, he can clearly see that Doppo was the only person working, seeing how almost all the lights in the building were off except for one part of the building that had dim lighting to where the brightness of the computer screen illuminated the salaryman’s deadpan, exhausted expression. Oh this certainly won’t do, Hifumi frowns a bit before making his way inside.
Finding Doppo was the easiest part of all for he’s stopped by one too many times for whether it be delivering his bento for his lunch break, giving him some missing papers he had left on the table, or to even fix his tie like an overbearing mother, Hifumi just knew by heart where he was at so it was less of a hassle for him. Unknowing to Doppo about Hifumi’s sudden arrival, he takes a gulp of canned coffee before typing away again. He really didn’t want to be here working when he could be at home, sleeping or enjoying a warm meal Hifumi had made for him, telling him to eat as much as he wanted to. The sheer thought of it made him sigh rather loudly, slumping back into the chair before looking at the piled up documents on his table. He really, really didn’t want to do all this work that wasn’t even his to begin with; in fact, Doppo had managed to come up with some sort of response in his head he would tell to his boss that he was tired and wanted to go home for Christmas, that he shouldn’t be dumped with his crap and be obliging to do the work for him. At least that’s what he wanted to say but didn’t have the confidence to do so.
“I should suck it up, and just deal with it,” Doppo mumbles, “I should be glad that I still have a job and afford such things, because without this job I would just be deadweight. Ah, maybe I am deadweight to everyone, including Hifumi who always looks out for me as well as Jakurai-sensei. I’m just a burden to them, I should stay in my place, maybe even consider qui-GYAAAAAAH?!”
“Found you again, Doppochin~! Merry Christmaaasss!” Hifumi places both of his hands on Doppo’s shoulders, startling him. Seeing as if nothing was wrong with this, he turns the chair around so Doppo would be looking at him instead of the monitor. While Doppo thought a ghost had snuck up on him and was going to be the one to put him out of his misery, instead it was just Hifumi….showing up here out of the blue with no warning given. His brows furrowed in that of either frustration or annoyance, but soon he just shook his head, sighing in defeat before looking up at Hifumi again.
“You almost gave me a heart attack, Hifumi!” Doppo voices out, looking a bit angry at Hifumi yet he wasn’t really mad, just surprised for the most part as that entices a giggle or two out of the blonde.
“You’re so silly, Doppo! I sent you a text message saying that I would be dropping by to get you~! See?” Hifumi holds up his phone to show the sent message to Doppo, in which that makes him sigh yet again, but in defeat. There was no stop to Hifumi, once he puts his mind to something, he’s surely going to do it.
“I..I see now. I’m sorry for not messaging back sooner, my-”
“Your phone is on silent mode? I know! I’m not upset, silly Doppochin! But what I am upset about is that you’re out here working on a holiday.” He pouts a little bit, “Well, since I am here, it's time to pack up and get out of here! Come on now! Up, up, uppp!” Hifumi ushers Doppo to get up from his seat, now holding out his briefcase happily as Doppo stares at him dumbfoundedly. He does know he’s still working and won’t be off the clock for 3 hours more, right?
“Hifumi I can’t just get up and leave, you know..I’m still working and my boss will get mad at me for not finishing my work. Then he’ll fire me and I won’t be able to help you with the bills and-”
Hifumi makes a shushing noise, pressing a finger against the others lips, pouting at him again before smiling.
“Don’t be like that, Doppo~ It’s Christmas! I don’t want you to be holed up in this sad office for the rest of the evening. Besides, it's tradition that I will treat you out no matter what! So with that said,” Hifumi holds out the briefcase for him again. Doppo really can’t say no to Hifumi, can he? After staring at him for a few good minutes or two, he shuts off the computer monitor, now getting up to throw the now empty can into the trash can and hastily shove the rest of the papers into the briefcase that Hifumi had eventually opened up for him, now closing it with a click.
He can’t believe that he’s actually ditching work just to be with Hifumi. It’s something that he’s always dreamt of doing when it comes to work, whether it's to intentionally oversleep, miss the subway or just call out sick, Doppo just wanted a day off but could never find it in himself to do such a thing. That is up until now where he’s already packed up everything and ready to walk out that door with Hifumi by his side, it was already adrenaline-rushing for him. He’s going to do it, he’s finally going to break the habit of staying behind for overtime, it’s only a few walks away from the door. Doppo extends a hand out ever so slowly as Hifumi patiently waits for him to push it open, cheering him on with, ‘You can do it Doppo!’, ‘I believe in you, Doppochin!’, ‘Go!Go!Doppo!’ like he was his own personal cheerleader or motivator.
“I..I can do it. Haha.. who cares about that stupid, demanding, balding boss of mine...I deserve to have a day off too! I’m not incompetent, it’s going to be the last time I’ll let him order me around like that ever again…” Doppo takes a deep breath, his hand now resting against the handle. Just when he’s about to push the door open, he suddenly stops to turn and look back at Hifumi with a nervous look written on his face.
“I can’t do it Hifumi...I’m such a disappointment, aha...look at me, I can’t even break the rules...I can’t do this.. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for being such a coward..I’m always going to be like this...haha, maybe I am just deadweight after all.” He proceeds to spiral further into his negative thoughts before Hifumi pulls the man out of his thoughts, hugging him tightly. For one this surprised Doppo as he blinks.
“...Hi...Hifumi..?”
“Don’t get so down in the dumps with those bad thoughts, now! Plus, it's Christmas...I want you- no- us. I want us to spend Christmas together, like we always do!” Hifumi pulls away shortly, smiling at Doppo as he manages to get him to smile just a teeny bit. This makes him happy as he steps in to help Doppo out, both of them opening the door together as the cold air greets them first thing when they step outside. Doppo could see his breath the moment he exhaled, looking up at the night sky. For Christmas evening, it was still lively as ever as couples were spotted walking along the sidewalk hand in hand, plus the accompanying flashing lights that truly set the Christmas mood that made them forget about the cold just for a little bit.
However, it still was pretty cold for Doppo who was shivering slightly. Without a second thought, Hifumi strips off his jacket, now draping it over Doppo who hunched over unconsciously. Surprisingly it was still very warm for him, almost perfect enough to melt into. Seeing how Doppo felt ten times more better than he was before was a comforting feeling for Hifumi to witness with his very own eyes. Hell, it was just so cute for him to the point he just wanted to kiss him right then and there-but he had to hold himself back from doing such a thing, there was much more he wanted to do with Doppo before it hit midnight. But...it wouldn’t hurt to just take his hand within his and intertwine fingers, giving a light squeeze. He couldn’t tell if it was the cold getting to Doppo but the tips of his ears were red, seeming to radiate some sort of heat just from standing next to Doppo.
Regardless, he notions Doppo to follow him as he hastily follows behind Hifumi, not letting go of his hand once. Just where exactly did he have in mind and more importantly, was it going to be expensive? Guess he’ll find out once they get there. He has the thought to try and ask Hifumi where exactly he is going to take him to, but he doesn’t bother asking because he already expects a, ‘it’s a surprise~’ from Hifumi. But that’s fine, he’s not bothered by it too much, if anything it’s the usual behavior from Hifumi he knows by now. However, they have been walking in the cold for quite awhile and it’s been nothing but silence between the two of them.
“Hey Hifumi?” Doppo finally decides to break the silence, “Where exactly are we goi-”
“We’re here!~ Ta-daaaa!” Hifumi eagerly points to a nearby ice skating rink that was already occupied with a lot of people. A few people were sitting down while enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate from outdoor vendors while other passerbys or visitors were attracted to the beautiful Christmas scenery just across the rink as familiar Christmas tunes were being played by a small band to set the entire mood. Christmas lights were decoratively hung up from post to post that lit up the entire area. Hifumi grins at Doppo who seemed to be taken back by the sudden change of scenery from where they first were at.
With no warning given, Hifumi tugs Doppo towards the ice skating rink, nearly making him stumble but he manages to stay on his feet and follow after Hifumi who had approached a small building with a window, eventually renting out two pairs of ice skates for him and for Doppo to wear. The look on Doppo’s face read loud and clear that he had zero experience with ice skating and god forbid he slips and falls face first on the ice.
“Here! Put these on!” Hifumi holds out the pair of ice skates towards Doppo as soon as they get to a table to sit down as he holds up both his hands, reluctantly shaking his head. There was that same old pout Hifumi always gave him to get him to do something despite how many times he would say no. For one, he says he is immune to it and would try to refuse Hifumi- but guilt always got the best of Doppo as he takes the skates from Hifumi’s hands, now taking off his business shoes and replacing them for ice skates, hastily tying them together. They were slightly uncomfortable to be walking in, given that one shouldn’t really be normally in ice skates but he’ll manage regardless. Looking over at Hifumi, he can already see that he was prepared and ready to go as he watches him get up from his chair, now walking over to him, extending a hand out to him.
“Shall we, Doppo?” Hifumi smiles in such a radiant way underneath the light that makes Doppo turn red at the face. Doppo takes Hifumi’s hand, now being pulled up and held close to him. Hifumi was really warm.
“Wait….let me give you this back.” Taking off the jacket Hifumi provided, he drapes it over the other as Hifumi looks at him quizzically. “I want you to stay warm as well…” Doppo mumbles so that only Hifumi could hear. Sure enough, Hifumi heard him loud and clear as it was his turn to be blushing. He was thankful that it was cold so it could come off as him being cold rather than heating up at what Doppo had said to him. Shaking it off, he guides Doppo towards the ice rink as he was the first one to get on the ice while holding onto Doppo to make sure he can safely enter the rink.
“You got this Doppo!” Hifumi exclaims as Doppo is too busy looking at his feet that were practically shaking, taking small baby steps into the ice rink. Once Doppo finally enters the ice rink, Hifumi cheers, patting him on the back.
“I-I feel like I’m going to fall, Hifumi…” Doppo sputters in hesitation, trying his best to follow Hifumi around who was pulling him around the skating rink. It would be a lie if he said he wasn’t too thrilled about this, rather he was having fun a little bit. Hifumi lets out a gleeful laugh.
“Don’t worry Doppochin! I’ll be sure to catch you!” Hifumi responds back, soon turning around as just when he said that, Doppo lost his grip on the railing as he eventually slips, yet he didn’t hit the ground as a pair of strong arms was holding him around the waist. Out of pure impulse, Doppo places both of his hands on Hifumi’s shoulders as he looks at him in the eye. Whatever concern Hifumi was voicing right now was just static to Doppo’s ears as he found himself staring at his childhood best friend. Soon a thought hit him, a thought that he never would ever find himself thinking about until now: Does he see Hifumi as more than just his best friend?
Hifumi checks the time on his phone again. 11:50 PM. It was almost time to do what he really wanted to do. Still holding onto Doppo, he guides him out of the ice rink and back to their small table as Doppo was first to plop down into the chair, exhausted. Now he knows never to try ice skating again, that one was surely going on the list of, ‘Things I’ve tried but won’t ever try again as long as I am still alive.’ However, the scene of himself looking at Hifumi like some lovestruck bird was stuck on replay somehow, and it just flustered him all the more just thinking about it again. While Doppo began to untie the laces to his ice skates, Hifumi came back holding two cups of hot chocolate, setting it down on the table as he sits across from Doppo slowly taking a sip from his cocoa. By the time Doppo finishes untying the laces, he was too tired to take them off right now, sitting back up in his chair before noticing the steaming cup of the hot beverage just sitting there.
“I got us both hot chocolate! It’s soooo good! Plus it’s sweet, just the perfect amount of sweetness I need to keep me warm.~” Hifumi takes another moment to sip at the hot chocolate again.
“But it’s not as sweet as you are..” Doppo mutters underneath his breath.
“Hm? Did you say something, Doppo?” Hifumi tilts his head to the side, confused but curious which elicits a panicked, embarrassed expression of Doppo who frantically waved his hands around.
“O-Oh! No, not at all..! Honest..” Doppo sputters out, taking the hot chocolate as he takes a small gulp of it, tears pricking in the corner of his eyes out of regret for not taking his time with drinking it, but Hifumi was right about it being really sweet. Spending time like this with him was...nice. It was honestly the best thing he would want to be doing during Christmas, seeing how as soon as the two of them grew up, they were working and barely had time for themselves. Yet, the fact that Hifumi made the effort to always make sure they would stay close and look after each other up until now was something that genuinely made Doppo happy. If he was honest, Hifumi has played a huge role in his life the moment they met at a young age. Who knew that things would still be the same as ever, almost as if they were back in their teens when life was much more simpler. Doppo owed Hifumi so much for everything he has done for him.
As time passed by while the two were discussing just about anything they wanted to talk about, suddenly Hifumi felt something cold land on his nose and then turn into water. Looking up at the sky, it had started snowing. Hifumi’s eyes lit up similar to a Christmas tree, cupping his hands together to catch a snowflake or two.
“Look Doppochin! Look! I caught a snowflake!”
“Really? That’s...nice.”
Seeing how Hifumi was having so much fun catching snowflakes, it did get him to chuckle just a little at how childish the other was but he didn’t mind. It was just one of the many things he loved about Hifumi. Love? Is that what Doppo really feels for Hifumi? No, he’s definitely positive that it’s that. It was love. He loved Hifumi. But the question here is, does Hifumi feel the same? Standing up rather abruptly, Doppo makes his way over to Hifumi while trying not to trip over his untied skate laces which gets Hifumi’s attention.
“Hifumi..”Doppo takes a deep breath, his expression turning serious, “There’s something I want to tell you..”
“Ah..?” Hifumi was surprised, soon breaking the serious atmosphere with a laugh. “That’s funny you say that Doppo, because I too have something to not only tell you but give you.” He slowly gets on one knee, looking up at Doppo.
“Doppo, for all of my life that I have known you, I’ve-no- we’ve made so many memories together. I would always take a picture to commemorate those memories and put them in a scrapbook so whenever I felt down and you were not around, I would look at the memories you and I created and then I would feel a lot better.” Hifumi smiles sheepishly, “What I want to say is that...you make me the happiest man alive and that hasn’t changed since. You are the greatest gift of all for Christmas.”
For one, Doppo didn’t know how to react to this situation he found himself in, yet listening to Hifumi pour his heart out onto him..touched him deeply.
“Doppo Kannonzaka...please continue to be by my side as not just my best friend but..” Hifumi reached into his pocket, pulling out a ring that came off so expensive in material it bewildered Doppo all the while making his heart skip a beat, “My husband. So..will you marry me, Doppochin?”
As soon as Hifumi popped the question to him, Doppo was speechless for words. He could only stand there, surprised, flustered, all sorts of emotions running through him. It didn’t take long before his face was as red as the Christmas ornaments hung, bowing his head so Hifumi couldn’t see how embarrassed he was. Yet, he managed to give a nod of approval to Hifumi which made him smile to the point he was nearly crying, taking Doppo’s hand and planting a gentle kiss to it, soon sliding the ring onto his finger as Hifumi got up, pulling Doppo into his embrace.
Doppo happily accepted this as he wrapped his arms around Hifumi, him doing the same in return as he found himself brought in close to Hifumi’s face, now sharing what may be their first kiss as lovers and newlyweds. As they pulled away, they could only just lock eyes with each other and smile lovingly.
“Merry Christmas, Doppo. I love you so much.”
Doppo leans in for another kiss which surely surprises Hifumi yet it was a delightful surprise to experience.
“Merry Christmas to you too, Hifumi..I love you too.”