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You were stressing. You hated stressing, but here you were, days before Christmas, with not a single idea of what to get for your boyfriend. What's more, you were stressing while on the clock, which made it feel worse. At least your boss was understanding.
The bar, Kamohen, was lively for a weekday; there were a few regulars joined by faces you hadn't seen before. Likely the holiday spirit was getting some clients in the giving mood, and they were there buying rounds for their friends and coworkers. Busy was good, but not when your mind was elsewhere.
“L/N-san?” Your boss, Hiroyasu Ueno, interrupted your stressed thoughts.
“Huh? Yes, Ueno-san?”
Ueno, who was somewhere in his 70s, with peppered hair, and horn-rimmed glasses, gestured with his chin to your hands, “I'm pretty sure that glass is dry by now.”
You looked down at your hands, “Oh... How long have I been standing here?” I don't even remember when I picked this up.
“Maybe five minutes. Table three might need attention,” anyone else would think Ueno's monotone voice and blank face meant he was unhappy with you, but you could see the amusement behind his expression.
You set the glass and towel down in their respective places, and trotted off to a table in the back. There was a group of business men, probably in their 40s, who had been nursing on glasses of Yamazaki 12 Year, and they were getting low. “Hello, gentlemen,” you put on your best service voice. “Anything I can get you, or you still working on these?”
One of the men was a regular you'd seen since you started at Kamohen; you didn't know his name, but you knew his face, and his usual whiskey of choice. The other three were clearly colleagues who he was treating.
“I think we're gonna do one more round, L/N-san,” the regular said, and realizing he knew your name made you feel guilty you never got his.
“I can definitely get that for you,” you nodded, and went to head back to the bar counter, when you felt the soft grip of a hand on your elbow. Turning to look at the owner of said hand, he released you when he had your attention. You remained composed, but annoyed he grabbed you at all, “Yes, sir?”
“Hey, girl, yer cute,” he slurred, his breath smelled like a noxious campfire. “What time ya off?”
“Oi! Tanaka-san!” The regular piped up, and reached out to smack the other man's shoulder. “She's taken. You're lucky her boyfriend ain't here; he wouldn't be too happy with ya grabbing at her like that. Sorry, L/N-san.”
You were a bit taken aback; not that your regular clientele didn't know you were dating a customer, but it wasn't something spoken about. You smiled curtly, “He's right, and just for the future, don't grab a girl for her attention, okay?”
“Ahh come on, lemme have my fun,” Tanaka continued. “What's he got that I don't?”
“Manners,” you smiled, but the glint in your eyes shot daggers from behind your cheery facade. Tanaka's friends erupted into a commotion of hoots and hollers, affirming your parry.
It was with divine timing that the door of Kamohen opened, and one well-dressed, slender figure walked in. His hair a sort of bowl cut with a buzz underneath, his jawline was sharp, and his profile highlighted his hooked nose. The man looked towards the bar, and you saw Ueno gesture in your direction. The slim figure turned to the back of the bar, and spotted you with a lone eye, his other covered with an eye-patch. A smile ripped across his face, and he called out loud enough for the whole bar to hear, “F/N-chaaaan!”
Your cheeks felt warm with him practically yelling out your name, but his ridiculous bravado made you laugh, “Evening, Majima!”
Your boyfriend, Goro Majima, strutted over to the table and draped an arm over your shoulders, “How's it goin'? Oi, evenin' Ito!” Majima waved the hand that he was resting over your shoulder.
ITO! Of course it's Ito. I need to remember that... “I was just getting them another, round. Right boys?” You looked at the group's faces, and could see Tanaka looked pale; the liquid courage wearing off quickly before your eyes. The group nodded, and Ito mouthed 'thank you.'
“What we drinkin'?” Majima lifted his arm letting you walk off back to the bar, then grabbed a nearby chair, straddling it to sit backwards, his chin resting on the back.
“Yamazaki 12,” Ito responded. “Ya want in, Majima-san? I'm buyin'.”
“I ain't one ta' turn down a free drink.” He turned towards the bar, putting his hand to his mouth, “Hey, F/N-chan--”
You lifted an arm and gave a thumb's up; you already anticipated this would happen. While prepping the five tumblers with ice, you saw Ueno in your peripheral, bending down to toss something in the trash. “Hey, Ueno-san,” you piped up. “I wanted to ask your opinion on something.”
“Go ahead,” Ueno's attention was on the highball he was putting together.
“Well,” you popped open the bottle of Yamazaki. “What do you think Majima would want for Christmas?”
“Is this what you've been spacing out about?” Ueno slid the highball to a woman standing at the bar, who handed him a card to open a tab with. He turned back to you, “If you want my honest opinion, L/N-san--”
“Okay, I know you're not the biggest fan of him,” you laughed.
“Even so,” he continued, “I think Majima would like to spend Christmas with you, and that's it. I don't think he'd want anything more from you.”
You gave a look that said, 'cut the crap.' “That seems like a very boring answer, Ueno-san.”
“I'm a pragmatic man, L/N-san,” he shrugged. “Why are you so concerned, though?”
“This is my first Christmas here, and my first Christmas with Majima,” you looked at him from across the bar. His head was thrown back laughing with the other men at the table. He always livened up a party, though this was a somewhat recent development.
For a long while he had come to the bar and kept to himself or talked only to you, but since you made your relationship official a few months back, it was, not to be cliché, but as if he had a new lease on life. He became less reserved, more outgoing and social, and many of the bar patrons became buddy-buddy with him. Plus, they didn't want to be on his bad-side with you being the one who served the drinks.
“Christmas has always been so family-oriented whether I liked it or not,” you continued, setting the glasses of Yamazaki on a tray. “But here it's like another Valentine's Day, and I want it to be special.”
Ueno nodded in understanding, “Don't stress about it, L/N-san. Whatever you do, he'd be happy.”
You sighed jokingly, and hoisted the tray onto your shoulder, “Ueno-san, the wizened sage persona fits you so well.”
There was the slightest twinge of a smile under Ueno's gruff exterior, “The key is you grow into it.”
You laughed, walking passed him, and towards the table your boisterous boyfriend occupied.
---
After Majima had called to you that he'd also take a drink, he turned back to the group of businessmen, “What's the occasion, boys?”
Ito spoke up, “Christmas, of course! I just thought I'd treat my top salesmen to a few good glasses of my favorite whiskey.”
“Ahh, how kind of ya. I'm a Hibiki man, myself, but anythin' from Suntory is good,” Majima boasted. He noticed the man beside him, Tanaka, looked a little nervous. “Oi, what's up with this one?”
Tanaka was taken aback, and slurred, “Oh nothin', nothin'.”
One of the other men sat forward, and clearly not reading the room, blurted, “Tanaka-san was tryin' to woo the waitress.”
Majima's brow raised, then he squinted and he grinned, slowly turning to Tanaka, “Oh, that so?”
“I-I was just--” Tanaka felt a great fear under Majima's stare. When Majima smiled, Tanaka could swear there was a flash of fangs.
“He called her cute!” The fourth man laughed, clearly enjoying the show.
“Really now?” Majima's face was getting closer to Tanaka's.
“I-I didn't!” Tanaka said in defense, leaning back in his seat.
“Haw?” Majima's eye went wide, “S'matter? Ya don't think she's cute?”
“Majima-san, go easy on him, he didn't know,” Ito offered, though he knew there was little point, and was stifling a laugh.
Tanaka thought he was going to pass out under the one-eyed man's manic gaze, “No! I mean yes! She's very cute!”
“Oi! Oi oi oi oi oi!” Majima slammed his fist on the table. “... Yer damn RIGHT she's cute!” He threw his head back, laughing at how scared he'd made the younger man. Ito and the others joined in, howling as Tanaka laughed awkwardly.
Majima composed himself quickly, and put his arm over Tanaka's shoulders, and whispered in a serious tone, “Ya try anythin' an' I'll know.”
Tanaka gulped loudly, his mouth dry. Majima smacked his back and laughed again, “I'm playin' with ya! Ya guys are fun. Oh, darlin'!”
You pulled the tray off your shoulders, and balanced putting out the fresh glasses, and grabbing empty ones. “You having fun?”
“A great time!” Ito said, still working through his laughter. He handed you his card, “You can close us out L/N-san. Thank you!”
“I'll come join ya at the bar after this one, yeah?” Majima said, lightly swirling his glass.
You nodded to Ito, then looked to Majima, smiling softly, “You got it.”
Once you were out of earshot, Ito cleared his throat. He said, poking fun, “She is pretty cute, Majima-san.”
“Watch yerself, Ito,” Majima jested, bringing his drink to his lips. “A free drink only goes so far.”
The table of men laughed again.
---
Ito and his coworkers left shortly thereafter, so Majima came over to his regular seat at the bar, his glass in hand.
You smiled knowingly, “Were you giving that guy a hard time, Majima?”
His brow quirked and he pretended to be offended, putting a hand to his chest, “Me? I would never.”
“Uh-huh,” you nodded. “Want me to pour you Hibiki?”
“Please, darlin',” he grabbed at the glass of Yamazaki, downing the last of it, then handed you the empty glass.
Majima watched you as you got a new glass, and reached for the bottle, his eye wandering across your figure. It didn't matter how many times he'd seen you, clothed or not, he found you cute, beautiful, and every other positive adjective under the sun.
“There you are,” you said setting the glass down on a napkin in front of him.
“Thank you, little lady,” he held the drink to his lips and took a small sip, then set the glass back down. “What's the plan fer this weekend?”
“Oh you mean that whole Christmas thing?” You tried to play it off that you weren't stressing hardly five minutes prior.
“Yeah, that thing. It's yer first here, right?”
“That it is,” you were cleaning a glass.
“Any ideas what ya wanna do?”
“Oh uhh... No actually,” you stared off thinking. “Yeah, nothing. I've been more worried about what to get you, honestly.”
“Haw? Why ya tryin' ta' git me anythin'?” He leaned forward, tilting his head.
“I want to!” You picked up another glass after finishing with the first one, “You don't have to get me anything, though.”
“That's a trap,” Ueno remarked as he walked passed you to drop off some drinks.
Majima laughed, “The old man's right, I ain't gonna not git ya somethin'.”
You rolled your eyes, “But I do want to get you something.”
“Yeah, and I wanna git ya somethin' too,” he spoke with finality, drinking from his glass again. “That aside, what do ya wanna do?”
“I really don't have any clue,” you frowned. “I don't even know where to begin.”
“Hmm...” Majima sat back, and put his hand on his chin, his eye looking up in thought. “Well, why don't I plan somethin' fer us?”
You blinked in surprise, “Really?”
“Yeah, why not?” He shrugged.
You mused, bobbing your head thinking, “You know, yeah. I'll leave it up to you.”
“It's settled then,” he raised his glass. “Ya just be ready come Saturday, an' I'll handle the rest.”
---
Ueno was adamant you take time off for the days before Christmas, and you had convinced him to at least have you come in the latter half of your shift. You didn't want to leave him to fend for himself especially with how busy the previous night had been. This did however get you more time to think about Majima's gift, and your friends Hina and Airi were more than happy to take you shopping.
“I'm still blown away that you've never been to any of the shopping streets around here, L/N-san,” your bubbly, albeit air-headed, friend Airi mused. “Majima-san needs to take you on more dates.”
“Majima takes me on plenty of dates!” You lightly pushed Airi's shoulder.
“Going to Poppo isn't a date, L/N-san,” Hina said poking fun at you. She was often as monotone as Ueno-san, but had a sly, snarky edge to her.
Airi and Hina were best friends, roommates, and co-workers; it was very rare to see one without the other. They worked at the same cabaret, and drank at Kamohen once a week. Airi was a sweet beauty with long hair, and a flirtatious nature, while Hina had a short bob, serious and calculated aura, and often made remarks that went over other people's heads. They were always an interesting pair to say the least.
Airi had pulled you into shopping with the two of them on the basis that you get in, get out, be done. You should have known better in hindsight. This must have been the third or forth block of stores you had walked down, and they were all starting to look the same.
“Airi-san, I thought this would be quick,” you said as you walked into another men's department store.
“Unfortunately, Airi's doing her Christmas shopping too,” Hina shrugged.
“It's not my fault I have customers to buy for,” Airi pouted while looking at the tie selection.
“You could just not get them gifts,” Hina smirked.
“That works on your customers; they like being abused,” Airi rolled her eyes. She picked up a dark green tie, looking it over carefully, “I think this color would suit Ogawa-san. L/N-san, why don't you get Majima-san a tie. He's a businessman.”
Ahh yes, a totally normal businessman. Something he definitely has always been. You giggled quietly to yourself thinking about how Majima would probably hate a tie; he'd say it was just another collar for the old Mad Dog.
“I know what you could get Majima-san, L/N-san,” Hina said with a surprising amount of sincerity.
“Really?” You walked into her trap.
“Yeah, I hear that place has some fun stuff,” she smirked and gestured to a store with posters over the windows, signs plastered across every inch of the glass stating, 'Adults Only!' 'No one under 18 allowed!'
Your cheeks went red, “Hina-san!”
“Oh come on, L/N-san,” Hina waved her hand in front of her, as if swatting your embarrassment away. “We both know you've done it, just indulge a little.”
“Hina!” Airi whined, “You're gonna make L/N-san pass out at this rate.”
“It's not my fault she makes it easy,” Hina teased.
Hina and Airi were bickering for likely the fifth time this afternoon. Hina wasn't wrong about the two of you, but that went without saying; you'd been together for months, after all.
Hina interjected, “Just take him to a love hotel, then! You live right by a bunch, don't you?”
“Hina noooo! L/N-san is too innocent for that,” Airi pulled your face into a suffocating hug.
The three of you most definitely were getting stares from the other shoppers.
“A-Airi-san,” you choked out, “Could we maybe get going, please?”
“Oh oops!” She released you and you could breathe again. “Well, I guess after this I'm done... Oh! We should go to the stationery store for gift wrap.”
“I still haven't figured out what I'm doing for my gift, though,” you half laughed. This trip was originally meant to help you.
“Well, the stationery place is close, so we'll go there, and figure it out,” Airi nodded to herself, you and Hina at her whim to agree.
The stationery store was small, but absolutely packed wall to wall with notepads, cards, pens, pencils, gift wrap, gift boxes, and magazines. It would have felt a bit claustrophobic had you not grown accustomed to stores cramming their wares in small spaces like this.
Airi was looking through the gift wrap selection, while Hina was looking at small, cutesy stickers and washi tape that contrasted the energy she gave off. You looked up and down the colorful shelves of markers and paint pens, occasionally doodling on the nearby test paper.
“Sorry, we couldn't help you out, L/N-san,” Airi was heading to the register, a large pile of gift wrap and ribbons in hand.
“Yeah... I wish I had even a slight idea of what to get...” You trailed off, looking around as if you'd see something last second, which wasn't going to happen—Wait.
Something caught your eye, and it was perfect.
---
Christmas Eve landed on a Saturday, and the weather was a brisk 50 °F, clear for the night, with a teeny chance of snow in the evening. Majima had told you he'd pick you up at 4pm, so naturally your day went by slow as eternity. When it reached 3 o'clock, you excitedly started prepping for the night out, though you didn't actually know what you were going out to do.
You showered and washed your face, and had already planned on what to wear. Though it wasn't as cold as it could get, you immediately picked out, and slipped on fleece lined leggings that were made to look like they were cable-knit. Your dress was a sleek a-line, with a deep v-neck, capped sleeves, and a skirt that ended just above your knees. You had a coat jacket and scarf waiting for you by the door, next to simple ankle-high winter boots.
Checking the time, you had 20 minutes to kill. You sighed annoyed that you had to sit and wait, the anticipation of the date and gift exchange eating at you. You had no idea what was happening tonight, but whatever parts you could control, i.e. the gift giving, you wanted to make perfect.
You plopped onto your couch, sinking back into the cushions, and went through your social media. You mostly followed local businesses, fan accounts for characters, and the odd known celebrity here and there. Despite not following many real people, your feeds were full of pictures of couples. Some were just plain old ads, spoon-feeding you messages to buy from them.
Get her the prefect gift she'll love? Don't fall short this Christmas, get him what every man wants? You rolled your eyes. Majima would hate most of these things. Yet there was a twinge of worry at the back of your mind. Had you picked the right thing? You glanced to your jacket, the gift box tucked in the inside pocket.
BZZZ. BZZZ.
Airi sent you a text, “Hiiiiii L/N-san!! Good luck 2nite! o(≧∇≦o)”
You tapped a message back, “Thanks! I hope I bought the right thing... (ד ྊ ד)”
Moments after hitting 'send,' a message from Hina came in, “If the gift fails, give him a bj. I hear guys like that ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)”
You snapped up in your seat, face red, typing furiously, “HINA-SAN, PLEASE...”
Messages from Airi flowed in, “O MY GOD SRY, HINAS W/ME, SHES SUCH A BRAT”
Before you could type back, Airi sent a photo of her and Hina. Hina had a signature smirk, and Airi was pouting.
“Good you're together! Keep Hina-san outta trouble,” you responded.
You had been so absorbed in your texting, the knock on the door caused you to nearly jump out of your skin. “Who is it?” You asked on reflex, knowing full well who it was.
“Haw? Ya expectin' someone other than me?” Majima's thick Kansai accent wormed through the cracks of the door.
“Ahh sorry, sorry,” you rushed to the door, opened it, and was immediately surprised seeing as there was a huge bouquet of camellias in front of you. “Oh wow!”
“Figure it's been a while since I got ya that last bouquet, an' this time I'm deliverin' it myself,” he walked passed you, and to avoid slipping off his shoes, stretched himself from the entryway to reach the kitchen island. Now that he wasn't blocked by flowers, you noticed he was wearing a different suit than his usual.
“Ohhh I've never seen you wear this before,” you ogled. It was sort of a silver color jacket with matching slacks, that he paired with a dark green dress shirt.
“Ahh it's old; felt it matched the season, though. Speakin' of looks, yer lookin' real beautiful tonight, F/N-chan!” He said your name in a high sing-song voice, and patted you on the nose with his index finger, a goofy smile on his face.
“Oh this old thing?” You teased, pretending as if you hadn't painstakingly gone through every dress you had before settling on this one.
“Gimme a spin, darlin',” Majima twirled his finger, and you obliged. He whistled, “Yup, cancel plans, we're stayin' in tonight.”
“Goro...” You gave him a look like you were about to scold a child for not eating his vegetables.
“Don't ya 'Goro' me,” he leaned forward, his nose touching yours, and he put his hands on your waist. If you thought he was going to kiss you, you were mistaken; his fingers curled and he began to tickle you, eliciting a full body laugh out of you. “If ya weren't so cute, things'd be easier.”
“S-Stop, stop,” you weren't doing a good job trying to escape, and instead got closer to him.
He stopped tickling you, resting his hands on your hips, kissed the top of your head, and sighed, “Fiiiiine, fine. I did go through the trouble of plannin' a date, I guess.”
“I admit, I kinda do want to see what you've come up with,” pulling away from Majima's hold, you picked up your boots and got to work slipping them on.
“I think yu'll have fun,” he watched as you laced your boots. After a bit he mused aloud, “It's been a while since I did any Christmas junk with a date.”
You were getting on your coat, “What did you normally do?”
He looked up and rubbed at the stubble on his chin, “Hmm... Something would explode usually. Was kinda tradition.”
“... That's a yakuza thing, isn't it?” You asked flatly, while wrapping your scarf around you.
“Heh, how'd ya figure?” Majima grinned. He reached for the doorknob, ready to open it once you were finished.
You grabbed your bag, and had keys in hand to lock up. You teased, “I think I'm catching on.”
Stepping out and locking the door, Majima gestured a hand towards a familiar sedan that was waiting down the stairs, “Ya don't mind me makin' Nishida drive us around, do ya?”
You shook your head, and slipped your arm around Majima's, the two of you walking down the landing to the stairs, “You know I like Nishida-san, I don't mind at all.”
Majima rolled his eye, “Yer too nice ta' him.”
“Or maybe you're too mean,” you stuck your tongue out. “He loves you so much, Goro.”
His face flushed red; he still wasn't totally used to you calling him 'Goro,' but he knew he liked it, and felt a little weak when you'd say his name. “Well,” he mused, “I'm payin' him good tonight, so he can't complain.”
Reaching the car, Majima opened the door for you. You sat down in the back, sliding over to the middle seat, “Nishida-san! Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, L/N-san!” Nishida turned around to look at you, “You look very nice tonight!”
“Course she does!” Majima interrupted, getting into the seat behind Nishida. “Now, Nishida, you know the plan. Head to stop one.”
“On it, bos-- Majima, sir,” Nishida often fumbled with the old habits.
“Spot one? There's more than one place you're taking me?” You buckled your seat-belt, and looked to Majima excited.
“It's yer first Christmas here, ain't it? Let's make it special,” once you were buckled in, he put his arm around you.
You nestled in against Majima's side, ready for whatever the night had in store.
---
The drive was a bit longer than you had expected, and took you out of Sotenbori farther up north. It was less tourist-driven, and more standard businesses that lined the streets. Lights were hung up in the trees, but being it wasn't quite sunset yet, they weren't in full glistening splendor.
“Where are you taking us, Go—Majima?” It felt a little awkward to call him his first name in front of others.
“A surprise implies ya don't know beforehand, ya know,” Majima tutted, wagging his finger.
“I forgot how stubborn you are with secrets,” you sighed.
“Well, we're comin' 'round in a minute anyway,” he sat up, letting you look out the window better.
A large outdoor skating rink came into view, other couples and families were gliding around in a circle, a lit up and decorated Christmas tree in the center. The tree must have been at least 15ft tall, with a delicate star at the top.
Your eyes widened, and a smile spread across your face, “Really? I haven't been in years! Look at you; you're too sweet!” Too excited to care about Nishida seeing, you planted a kiss on Majima's cheek.
“Ahh I git good ideas sometimes,” he was grinning, clearly very proud of himself.
Nishida dropped the two of you off nearby the ticket and skate rental stalls. Majima bent down to the window, “I'll call ya, but we'll probably be an hour or so.”
Nishida nodded, “You got it, boss,” and drove off.
Seeing him drive away, you turned to Majima, mulling over a thought, “Hey umm... What does Nishida-san usually do for Christmas?”
“Haw?” Majima was taken aback, “I uh... I don't know. Why?”
“Hmm we should just take the train back, let him celebrate the holiday,” you declared, and Majima could see this wasn't a request.
“Augh fine, well, there is a Christmas party Daigo's holdin' at the office. I guess Nishida is missin' it...”
“Oh good! I'll text Nishida-san that he can go,” you pulled your phone from your bag and tapped at the screen.
Majima looked down at the top of your head, watching you type out the message, and noted there was a message log, “Ya text him a lot?”
“Oh nah, not too much,” your thumb tapped to send, and you shoved your phone away. “I was asking him what I should get you.”
“Git me fer what?” Majima was leading you to the ticket booth.
“A Christmas gift, duh,” you titled your head, looking at him like it was the most obvious thing.
“Oi, ya didn't actually git me somethin' did ya?”
“Of course I did!” You looked surprised.
“Ya didn't have ta' do that!” Majima leaned over closer to your face, “I dun need anything.”
You nudged his side with your elbow, “Doesn't mean I shouldn't get you something. You are pretty hard to shop for, though.”
“See? That shoulda been a sign.”
“Well, tough, I already got you something,” you shrugged.
Majima sighed, “There's really no arguing with ya ever, is there?”
“I thought you knew that already,” you grinned.
Reaching the booth, Majima paid for two tickets and skate rentals. The two of you grabbed your skates, and sat at the benches, lacing up, then set your shoes in the nearby cubby.
Majima was standing up, his hand out for you to take, but when you stood, you immediately started to topple over, your knees knocking together. Majima reached out, catching you around the waist before you could fall, “Whoa there, little lady, ya good?”
Your eyes were wide, a little surprised, “Yeah uhh... You know how I said I haven't done this in years?”
“Yeah..?” He raised his brow.
“It's been like two decades,” you winced, causing him to laugh.
“It's all right, ya can hold on ta' me, or the wall. Ya good ta' walk?” He helped stand you up straight.
You nodded confidently, “I'm sure it'll come back to me.”
It did not.
For the first 20 minutes, you hugged the walls, slowly clunking your skates over the ice while other people, including small children, passed you by. You had told Majima to take a lap since he seemed a little antsy, and he was just making his way back up to you.
“All right, let's see what's happenin' here,” he got himself alongside you, and watched your feet. “Hmm, okay, try ta' march two steps, one foot, other foot, then glide off that.”
“You want me to lift my feet higher?” There was fear in your eyes.
“Yeah, ya gotta kinda walk an' force the skates into a glide,” he pushed himself to go in front of you, turned around, skating backwards, and held his hands out. “Give it a shot, I got ya.”
Doing as he said, you put more intent behind your step, causing yourself to glide forward. “Okay, yeah, this isn't--”
You wobbled, and grabbed at Majima's hands, steadying yourself.
He laughed, “Ya kinda gotta keep movin' ta' keep upright.”
Your cheeks were red, which you would argue was from the dropping temperature, and most definitely not because you were embarrassed. Majima gracefully skated backwards, his hands holding yours, giving you bits of encouragement as you awkwardly marched. He WOULD be good at this; he skates as good as he dances.
Eventually, you released his hands, and made your way forward on your own, and seeing this, Majima moved out of your way and back to your side, “Wanna try ta' skate together?”
You nodded, but weren't sure why you agreed seeing as every voice in your head was panicking that you weren't ready. He took your hand, the leather of his gloves still warm from you squeezing for dear life moments before. He let you move slow, whispering, “Nice, ya got it,” “there ya go,” like he was encouraging a toddler's first steps.
“Hey, we did a whole loop,” he beamed proudly.
“I think maybe I can do one on my own... Mostly,” you said with newfound confidence.
Majima released your hand, “I'll be right by ya.”
You focused, and found yourself no longer marching, but properly sliding across the ice. Majima stayed near, observing quietly as not to break your concentration.
A turn came up, and you were able to awkwardly maneuver around it without falling, then picked back up a decent speed. Majima was nodding happily at your side.
“Hey umm,” you were still going at a good rhythm, “How do I stop?”
Majima couldn't stop himself from laughing, “Oh god right, ya kinda need ta' know that, huh? Okay, so yer gonna, bring your legs together, an' turn one foot sideways--”
You attempted to do as he said, but too abruptly, and fumbled. Majima's hands went out to catch you, but the momentum caused him to fall with you. You landed on your butt, and while it stung a bit, you were thankful for the padding you had back there. Majima was looming over your torso, on his hands and knees, face inches from yours.
You could feel the stares from other people. People probably wondering what this older man was doing with a young woman like yourself. Majima carefully pushed himself up, and reached his hand out, “Ya all right, darlin'?”
Using him and the wall beside you, you were able to pull yourself up again, “Only hurt my pride, I'm okay.”
He smiled, and squeezed your hand, “Ya about ready ta' go? We got other stops ta' make.”
“Oh? Well, my legs do feel like they've moved more this last hour than they have all year.”
Holding your hand, Majima helped lead you off the rink, and back to where your shoes were. You sighed when you sat down, “Oh boy yeah, they are feeling a way,” you said about your legs. You sat with your skates still on for a bit.
Majima had already taken his skates off, and had his boots back on. Seeing how he was ready to go, you bent over, and started to undo the laces, but a knot was giving you trouble. You furrowed your brow, trying to untie it, when Majima's hands came into frame, taking the laces, and undoing it himself.
“There, all better,” he looked up at you from a kneeling position, with a soft smile and gentle gaze. He lifted himself just enough to plant a kiss on your lips.
Your cheeks went bright red, as you lightly pushed him back, frantic and looking around. “G-Goro,” you whispered, “People are around.”
“No one's lookin' at ya but me, it's fine,” he kissed you again, holding a bit longer before parting. “This was fun, right?”
Your face still flushed, you nodded with an embarrassed smile.
“Good,” he beamed. He stood up, bouncing on his heels. “Hope ya worked up an appetite.”
---
Majima had hailed a cab, that you didn't take too far before getting out in a square with a few different restaurants. You looked around trying to guess where he was taking you; maybe it was a hotpot place? Or maybe noodles of some sort?
“All right,” Majima cleared his throat. “I know this is yer first Christmas here, so I thought I'd introduce ya to a tradition. It's riiiiiight over here.”
He took you around the corner, struck a pose, and waved his hands, wiggling his fingers, at a small, but packed establishment, “Ta-da!”
“It's... KFC?” You looked around thinking he was joking. “Wait, seriously?”
“Yeah of course! I reserved a holiday bucket fer us,” he was practically jumping with excitement.
“You had to reserve a bucket?” You looked around and finally noticed the sheer amount of customers inside, and a stand-by line that was leading out the door. “Oh, this is a big thing, huh?”
“Surprised ya didn't know,” Majima teased, opening the door for you. “It's the Christmas tradition to have fried chicken.”
“I'm not opposed; it's been a long time since I ate here,” you looked around at the cute decorations, and statues of the Colonel donning Santa hats.
“It hasn't been so long that yer gonna have trouble eating it, right? Like how ya hadn't skated in so long?” He grinned devilishly.
Your jaw dropped, and you shoved him playfully, “You're such a smartass!”
He laughed, proud of himself, then went up to the pick-up line, pulling his phone from his pocket. He showed the girl behind the counter his screen, and a moment later she handed him a tray with a large bucket on it. He nodded as thanks, and turned to you, “There's an upstairs if ya wanna check up there.”
“It's probably packed, but if I'm not back down in a minute, come up,” you turned and dashed up the stairs, leaving Majima to take care of grabbing utensils and napkins.
Upstairs was indeed just as packed as downstairs. You were about to head back to the first floor, when you saw a couple getting up from a small table in the corner. Waiting for the right amount of time to pass without seeming desperate, you trotted over and sat in one of the chairs. You looked out the window, and admired the lights on the trees glistening among the neon of the city.
A moment later, Majima made his way upstairs, turned and saw you. He placed the tray in the middle of the booth and sat down. He pointed his finger and wagged it at the two drinks on the tray, “Wasn't sure what ya'd want, so I got a regular lemonade an' a hot one.”
“A hot lemonade? Is it like tea?” You tilted your head a little confused.
“No, see, it's a lemonade... that's hot,” Majima's expression was serious.
“Oh...” You stared back and a silence followed.
Majima's straight face cracked and he started laughing, “Sorry, was too easy.”
“I would kick you if you weren't wearing nice pants,” you playfully threatened.
He bobbed his head from side to side amused. He slipped his gloves off, tucking them inside his jacket pocket, and opened the bucket of fried chicken, setting aside the biscuits that were also nestled inside.
Majima tilted the opening of the bucket toward you, “I'll let ya have first pick.”
Using a napkin, you grabbed a thigh, and blew on it before taking a bite. Steam rushed out of the freshly cooked meat, and you had to cover your mouth with one hand, exhaling and inhaling trying to cool off the burning in your mouth.
“How many times are ya gonna burn yer tongue before ya learn ta' wait?” Majima teased.
In lieu of speaking with hot food in your mouth, you held up a free hand to flip him off, causing him to laugh. He picked up a wing, and before biting, asked, “Why d'ya put up with me?”
You looked up in thought, chewing and swallowing your food, “Honestly? It's not hard. I appreciate you making my life more fun.”
“Oh, do I now?”
“I've been here almost a year, and I don't know how things would be if you weren't around,” you took a sip of the hot lemonade, and made a face. Taking another sip, you mulled it over, then nodded to yourself, thinking it was pretty good.
Majima smiled, food in his mouth.
“Besides,” you continued, “I'm waaaay too deep in it now. I already had to explain you to my parents.”
“I like yer dad; he's funny,” he said casually, and took a bite of a biscuit.
You made a confused, but amused face, “Neither of you can understand a word the other is saying.”
“Yeah, but I can tell he's funny,” he shook the biscuit at you to enunciate his point.
The conversation fell silent as the two of you picked at your food. Majima was staring absentmindedly out the window, watching younger couples taking selfies, and sharing their scarves. His next words came out as a whisper you almost didn't hear, and the distinct lack of his signature Kansai accent caught you off-guard, “You are happy, right?”
You sat up, and furrowed your brow, concerned, “What, with the chicken?”
Majima's head snapped forward, eye wide with an indignant expression, “No, not the chicken!”
“Sorry, sorry, couldn't help it. Yes, you dingus, I'm very happy,” you took another gulp of hot lemonade. “Don't get sentimental on me in a KFC.”
“It's just the time'a year, ya know?” He leaned back in his seat, “Reflectin' an' shit.”
“I think it's funny you think I'd be with you almost a year now if I wasn't happy,” you gave him a look that said he was being ridiculous.
“Fine, fine, point taken,” he waved his hand in front of his face. “Sometimes I wonder if ya would've liked a younger man s'all.”
You rolled your eyes, then leaned forward to look him in the eye, “I wouldn't trade you for anyone.”
“Really?” He looked down at his food, “Not fer anyone?”
“Really,” you sat up, nodding.
“Damn,” he looked back up, the seriousness gone from his expression, “'Cause there's a lot of rich people out there, but yer choice, ya said no trades.”
Your face twisted to a faux anger, and you reflexively threw your napkin at his face, laughing, “You are the biggest brat.”
“Yeah, and ya decided ta' be stuck with me,” he held up his hands, laughing and half-expecting you to throw a biscuit next.
The two of you laughed and talked through the rest of dinner as if no one else were there.
---
The last place Majima wanted to take you involved getting on the train. The cars were packed, but Majima looking the way he did, was able to weave through the small crowd of standing passengers, and get you a seat. He stood in front of you, holding the upper railing.
Adjusting in your seat, you felt the gift box you had tucked into your jacket. You were relieved it was still safe, but also nervous about giving it to him before the end of the night. Sensing your anxiety, but not sure what about, Majima leaned down to whisper, “Dun worry, we ain't going too far.”
You nodded and smiled, going along with what he was saying.
After two stops, Majima helped you up, and you and a good chunk of passengers got off the train. They must be going to the same thing we are.
The two of you were keeping up with a large part of the crowd, and when they veered one direction, you almost followed.
“Oi,” Majima grabbed your hand, “This way, little lady.”
He led you to a calmer part of the suburbs, winding through an alley, that eventually opened up onto a path that ran alongside a small creek. There were streetlights along the path, sparsely separated, and it was overall much darker than where you had come from.
“Where are we going?” You finally asked.
Majima gestured up ahead of you, “See that embankment up ahead? We're goin' over it.”
You could see your breath, and felt the air getting chilly, so you walked a bit closer to Majima's side for warmth. He put an arm around you, and rubbed your shoulder.
As you were coming over the embankment, Majima stopped you, “Close yer eyes.”
Doing so, he took your hand, and carefully guided you over the dirt hill.
“Okay, open 'em.”
You opened your eyes to see a beautiful park, the outside surrounded by trees lit with delicate lights, the lamps decorated in garland and holly. There was a fence blocking the two of you from getting in, but Majima led you to a break in the links, peeling back the wire fence, “Ladies first.”
The moment you stood up after squeezing through, it felt like you'd been transported to a Christmas Wonderland. You stepped through the bushes, and into a clearing that was lined with a few benches. There were some people walking around here and there, but nowhere as crowded as you would have anticipated.
And then you saw the main attraction: a large tree in the middle far ahead of you. It must have been five stories tall. Large ornaments and icicle lights hung from it's branches.
You were in awe, and could swear you were in a cheesy RomCom. Majima was watching you from a few feet behind. You turned back to him, “Where are we?”
He wore a soft, sincere smile, “This park's a popular spot fer Christmas, but everyone always crowds the front by the tree. The back's way more secluded.”
“You know how to impress a girl, that's for sure,” you were looking up at the trees, entranced by the shimmering lights.
“I'm only tryin' ta' impress one girl, actually,” Majima came up from behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist, and resting his head atop yours. “Ya like it?”
“This is only the coolest thing someone has done for me, so yes,” you put your hand up, finding his face, and cupping his cheek. He turned his head to kiss your hand, then released you to stand beside you and offer his arm, “Wanna walk?”
You slipped your arm through his, linking your elbows. You leaned in and held his arm with both hands, and nodded.
The night was definitely getting cold, but it was perfect for Christmas Eve. You kept pointing out decorations, and trees you thought were pretty, Majima quietly smiling at your side.
Reaching a bench, the two of you sat down side by side. You were rubbing your hands together, looking down when a small piece of white floated down beside your feet. Looking up, you saw more, “Oh! It's snowing!”
Majima stuck his tongue out, catching a snowflake. “Man, I didn't plan this one,” he laughed.
You looked back to him, “You did a really wonderful job putting this together.”
“Ahh I didn't do much,” he rubbed the back of his head. “I'm just happy yer happy.”
You smiled, then glanced around, and seeing no one around, leaned in and kissed him. Your lips were dry and chapped from the cold air. Majima's hand found your jawline, and stroked at your cheek. Pulling from the kiss, he rested his forehead against yours.
The two of you held on to the quiet moment you were sharing. Majima let out a nervous exhale, and sat up. He reached into his breast pocket, and pulled out a small, flat box, affixed with a red ribbon, “I guess I got ya somethin' if ya want it.”
You made a playful judging face, then took the box from him. Pulling at the string, the ribbon came undone, and you lifted the lid off the box. Inside was a dainty gold necklace with a box style chain, and a gold charm shaped like a knot hanging from the middle. You were quietly looking it over.
Majima was studying your face, “Do ya like it? I thought it wasn't too much, an' ya could wear it at work no problem. If ya don't like it, I can--”
“No, no! I really like it. I love it. It's really cute,” you freed it from the box, taking a closer look at the charm.
“Ahh the lady told me it was a lover's knot, which sounds all kinds of kinky ta' me,” he was definitely worried over if he'd made the right choice.
“Can you help me put it on?” You looked up, and he saw your face was earnest, your eyes shining.
Majima moved your scarf out of the way, as you raised the necklace up around your neck. He took the two ends, and after a small struggle with his gloves, clasped them together. You touched the charm that sat about at your collarbone.
“So ahh,” you spoke a bit slowly, “What is a lover's knot?”
Majima scratched at the corner of his mustache, adverting his eyes, his cheeks turning pink. He mumbled, “S'pretty self-explanatory ain't it?”
“Is it?” You asked innocently.
He sighed and crossed his arms, his cheeks burning against the wind chill, “It's an unbreakable connection between lovers or some shit.”
You smirked, “So you do know what it means?”
“Haw?” He looked at you, squinting, “Ya sayin' ya knew? Ya just wanted me ta' say it?”
You grinned and let out a little laugh, “Guilty.”
Majima grabbed the top of your head, and tussled your hair, “Darlin' ya drive me mad sometimes.”
You leaned your shoulder into his side playfully, “I really love it. Thank you, Goro.”
He pulled your head over, kissing your temple, “Good.”
You sat straight up and cleared your throat, “Okay, I have something for you too.” You pulled a small rectangular box out of your inner pocket, wrapped in cutesy Christmas paper. “Here,” you put it in Majima's hands.
Majima sighed, but his lips curled into a smile; it had been a while since someone had bought him a gift. He couldn't hide that he was in fact a bit excited for it. He peeled at one corner, than ripped the paper off, revealing a sleek wooden box. He crumpled the wrapping paper it into a ball, and pocketed the trash.
Carefully he popped the box open, revealing a wood grain pen nestled between the satin-lined interior.
“O-Oh,” Majima sputtered out. He set the box in his lap, and delicately picked up the pen, inspecting the pattern in the wood grain, and gold fixtures.
Time stopped aside from the snowflakes that were falling around you. You weren't breathing. Does he like it? Was this stupid?
Majima had talked about his marriage to Mirei before, but there was never a point or reason for him to bring up he ever gifted her a pen. You didn't know it, but Majima was thinking about what he had felt those years ago, understanding what you felt now. A pen as a gift had many meanings, but he had taken it to mean transition into a new life, and freedom of choice. He cracked a smile.
He looked up at you, his eye kind and loving, “Thank you.”
Still a little shaky, you pointed at the wood grain, “It's black walnut; the pattern reminded me of your snake tattoos.”
He nodded, then carefully put the pen back into the box, closing it, and holding the case tightly. “I think it's pretty perfect.”
You smiled, and looked at your lap, embarrassed at his sincerity.
“Hey ahh, I wanted ta' ask ya,” Majima's eye was fixed on the pen box, and you could hear the nerves in his voice. “Maybe we should ahh...”
You leaned forward, trying to get a better look at his face, “We should..?”
He threw his head back, exhaling through pursed lips, then stood up from the bench. He put the pen box in his jacket, and kicked at the ground, “Ya wanna maybe talk about movin' in? Ta' my place, I mean.”
Your eyes went wide.
Majima held out his hands defensively, “Not like we gotta talk 'bout it soon, an' if ya don't wanna, I git it. But yer place is small, an' I know ya've been savin' to move, so maybe ya could just... Move in with me..?”
You put your head down, and nodded furiously. Jumping up from the bench and onto your feet, you grabbed his hands, your cheeks the brightest red, your eyes slightly glazed over, “Yes! Whenever! Yes, of course!”
Majima's nerves left him, and he put on his signature goofy grin, “Yeah? Ya good with that?”
You nodded, a toothy grin coming over you, and you threw your arms around Majima's waist. Looking up into his gaze, you stood on tiptoes, silently asking for a kiss.
“There's people around,” Majima mused, and this was true; a few couples were walking around that area of the park now.
“I don't give a shit, kiss me,” you said firmly.
“Yes ma'am,” Majima cracked into a bigger grin, held your face, and kissed you, your heart swelling with that floating feeling.
Breaking the kiss, you rocked a bit, side to side, feeling happy, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, F/N-chan,” he pushed some hair out of your face, looking you over and smiling sweetly. Almost absentmindedly, he commented softly, “You're beautiful, ya know?”
Your eyes locked with his, and you smiled, “I love you, Goro.”
You saw the color rush to Majima's cheeks. “I love you, too,” his Kansai accent absent.
You moved to link arms with him, “Was there anything else you had planned tonight?”
“Nah, I'm tapped out, this was it,” he shrugged, leading you to walk towards the park entrance.
You felt your phone buzz, and pulled it from your bag. It was a text from Nishida.
“Oh look,” you held your phone up for Majima to see. Nishida had sent a photo from the Christmas party. Daigo and Watase were in the back by a tree talking, Saejima drinking, and Nishida in the bottom corner selfie-style. You pulled your phone back down, looking it over. “You're still paying him what you promised, right?”
Majima was taken aback, “We sent him off hours ago.”
“Yeah, but it's Christmas,” you gave him large puppy eyes.
“Ahh fiiiine. Yes, I'll pay him; pay him fer having a good time, I guess.”
“They do look like they're having fun,” you mused.
“Did ya wanna go over?” Majima asked.
“Hmm,” you pretended you were thinking hard, tapping at your chin. “That sounds fun, but uhh... What if we... went back to your place instead? You can unwrap another gift there.”
“Oh?” Majima raised a brow, smiling slyly.
“Mhmm,” you nodded, tight-lipped.
“... What gift is that?” His smirk widened into a grin.
“You're not supposed to ask,” you turned away from him, turning up your nose as you felt a heat move across your face. “You're supposed to know what I mean.”
“Yeah, but it's funnier ta' make ya say it.”
“... Fine." You spoke flatly, as if tired of his antics, "It's me. I'm the gift."
Majima leaned down, so not to let any passersby hear, “Darlin', if ya wanted a white Christmas, ya just gotta ask.”
You pushed your hand into his face, frazzled, but laughing, “Oh my god, you're the worst!”
He threw his head back, then doubled over, his laugh loud and a little manic, your reaction bringing a tear to his eye. He wiped it away, “Oh man, I was waitin' ta' use that one.”
You pushed him with your shoulder, and he pushed you back, the two of you laughing, as your boots crunched on the freshly fallen snow.