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Is this really necessary? Shoto asked as he parked the car
Of course it's necessary! Buying a live tree is a Christmas tradition. Said Izuku
Not in my family. Besides why would you spend your money on something that's just going to die and be thrown out in a couple weeks?
Izuku stopped short with a pained expression on his face. He composed himself quickly though.
Shoto, you missed out on a lot of holiday traditions because of your father...but I'll be damned if I let you miss out on that now. This is gonna be fun. You'll see.
Izuku slammed the car door shut with a bit more force than necessary and the two walked over to the tree lot.
As they entered the lot Izuku took a deep breath.
Ahh...I love the smell of Christmas trees. Isn't it great shoto?
Shoto sniffed the air. It was a nice smell. He told Izuku as much.
That's what the apartment is going to smell like for the next few weeks. Izuku said with a smile.
Shoto just nodded. Izuku took him by the hand and said
Come on. Let's go find our tree!
Izuku explained that the trees were sold depending on their height and lead Shoto over to some medium sized trees.
One of these should fit nicely in our apartment. He said
Shoto looked around. Some of the trees were on stands but most were just piled in a heap against the wall.
Ok. Which one do you want?
Well first we have to pick the variety. I'm partial to the noble fir. But if you like something else we can get that.
No. Let's get the noble one.
Shoto was trying his best to be excited about the trees but in all honesty they all looked the same to him.
Ok now we just have chose one of these. Pick that one up so we can look at it.
Shoto stood the tree up and Izuku shook his head.
Too narrow. He said
Shoto lifted and displayed multiple trees all to the dissatisfaction of Izuku. Too tall. Sparse branches. Missing branches near the base. Not enough foliage at the top.
The next one was finally deemed acceptable.
This one is perfect. Izuku said beaming.
Shoto still didn't really get all this tree business but if it made Izuku this happy he was willing to spend the money.
They took the tree over to the front of the lot. There Izuku had the tree fresh cut and wrapped in some sort of plastic netting.
Izuku thanked the man and he and shoto walked back to the car Christmas tree in tow.
Shoto tied the tree to the top of their car and they both got inside. Izuku was so happy, shoto couldn't help but smile.
On the way home Izuku explained the best ways to take care of the tree. They needed to keep it watered and give it lots of natural light. That way it wouldn't lose as many needles and would stay green for as long as possible. As far as shoto could tell the Christmas tree was just a glorified house plant but he kept the thought to himself.
Back at the apartment they set up the tree in it's stand near the window and watered it just as Izuku had instructed.
Now for the fun part! Izuku said excitedly. Time to decorate!
Izuku brought out several boxes all filled with Christmas decorations. Shoto untangled the Christmas lights while Izuku began stringing them on the tree. Then the star had to go on the top branch. Next came a box of glittery glass ball type decorations. Izuku showed shoto how to space them properly on the tree and how to hang the heavier ones on the thick branches. Then Izuku dug into the box labeled "fragile". This box apparently contained Izuku's most precious Christmas ornaments. Each ornament was wrapped in tissue paper and had a story attached.
Shoto listened with a smile as Izuku told stories of Christmases past and childhood memories with his mom, of decorations he had made in school, and decorations his mom had bought for him.
Izuku had had a charming childhood. Shoto thought. And in spite of not understanding it, he was happy to just be with Izuku right now.
shoto hung the last decoration on the tree.
Wait here Izuku said
Then he dashed to their bedroom and came back with a small box in hand.
One last thing. I got this for you. Izuku said handing shoto the box.
Shoto opened it with curiosity. Inside cushioned with tissue paper was another Christmas ornament. This one had the year stamped on it and read "First Christmas together"
Shoto looked up at Izuku getting misty eyed. He finally understood. It wasn't about the tree. It was about the memories that they were making together. Right here, right now.
Shoto hugged Izuku and mumbled into his hair.
It's perfect
Izuku hugged him tightly then pulled back to look up at his face.
Go ahead and put it on the tree. I left a spot right in front.
Shoto hung the decoration and they both stepped back to look at their handiwork. Izuku wrapped his arm around shoto's waist and leaned his head on shoto's shoulder with a contented sigh.
So this is what Christmas was supposed to feel like. Shoto thought. It felt like home.