Archive of Our Own

It’s a pretty cold night out tonight in town as Megumi is on the search for some last minute Christmas gifts and decor since he and Yuuji were hosting the holiday at their new house.

Even though he’s been grumbling about having to be the ones to host their loud group, he's actually been looking forward to it. They all hardly get together anymore now that they have to be adults with busy, stressful adult lives, so having all their friends and family there to celebrate the holiday with them sounds like a gift in itself.

But getting ready for that day and dealing with dumb Christmas shopping crowds at countless stores this month makes Megumi feel like he’s breaking out in stress hives every time he even thinks about having to step into another store and watch another lame Karen yelling at some poor retail clerk.

Luckily they’d gotten the majority of everyone else’s gifts out of the way together, but Megumi’s been trying to find a gift for Yuuji this whole week with no luck. Yuuji’s been working a lot of double shifts at the fire station, so Megumi’s had chances for Yuuji on his own, but things have been busy for himself at work before his break and he’s been trying to fit things in after work. Even though shopping is the last thing on his mind after a whole day stuck at the office.

Yuuji always goes above and beyond in gift giving. Whether it was for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and as hard as Megumi tries, he feels like he can’t get it quite right. Even though Yuuji tells him not to worry and that he loves everything Megumi gives him, even when they’ve been socks, but he still wants to get him that something special. But so far, everything seems tacky and not enough, and now Christmas is already next weekend and still nothing. 

He manages to find some more cute ornaments for the tree and things for the house, but still no luck on a gift for Yuuji and he huffs in defeat. Maybe he should just call it a night.

He digs out his earbuds from his pocket to try and block out the buzz of noise of the crowd around him. He only gets some relief for one song and short walk past a few more stores before they die. Even the case is dead.

Of course. Just his luck.

He grumbles and snaps them back in their case and tucking his hands in his pockets. Yeah, he's definitely calling it a night now. He feels his phone vibrate, pulling it up and seeing the text from the very person that was on his mind.

Got home early, dinner’s almost ready! Can’t wait to see you, babe ❤️

No matter what kind of day he was having, getting a text or call from his sunshine of a boyfriend never failed to make it better.

It especially made his heart warm after a shitty day like today.

He and Yuuji had been together since the beginning of their third year of college. Megumi had seen him around campus during his first year, but as if he’d talk to Itadori Yuuji, the hot, sociable, baseball player when Megumi often preferred his secluded safe spot in the library. So, he was content to admire from afar and daydream.

As luck would have it, they started to share some classes in the start of their second year. Fate really must’ve been in Megumi’s favor when Yuuji sat next to him in his spot in the library and enthusiastically asked him about the pictures of his dogs he stuck on his composition book with a toothy smile and bright eyes.

"Sorry if that was random and bother you when you're studyin'. I've just seen you around and noticed we share some classes now and you seem really cool, so thought I'd break the ice," he laughed, leaning in closer. "I'm Yuuji! Itadori Yuuji."

Megumi still remembered all the flecks of brown and amber in his eyes and how he smelled like woodsy citrus that close. Megumi definitely hadn’t been expecting all that and scrambled to make his brain work and form words that hopefully weren’t too embarrassing. 

"O-Oh, I, uh, I dunno about cool, but I'm Megumi. Fushiguro Megumi."

Somehow he pulled it off and Megumi started sharing stories about his dogs and couldn't help his own smile at the way Yuuji's expression lit up. Megumi felt really comfortable around him and he was easy to talk to, all of which was surprising since he rarely felt that way around others right away.

They became fast friends after that, sitting beside each other in their classes, Yuuji bringing Megumi into his friend group and immediately expanding his small circle. Megumi's spot in the library became their spot, and he even went a little out of his comfort zone and went to a few of Yuuji's games. They got closer and eventually Megumi started having a mess of feelings whenever he was around Yuuji and his golden eyes, bright smile, and big heart. He came to realize it was a not so little crush, but Megumi didn’t know what to do with said feelings and they quickly overwhelmed him. He'd never felt that way so, it was just easier to distance himself, as his anxious easily overwhelmed brain often did.

It hurt to think about Yuuji and catch his hurt, fleeting glances around campus, all his texts and calls that Megumi wouldn't return, but his brain just kept telling him it was for the best. Yuuji was probably better off without all his mess, deserved a better friend.

It wasn't until the start of their third year, after Nobara and their friends talked some sense into Megumi, or more like smacked in Nobara's case.

"Enough is enough of both of your annoying pining and sulking. It's still obvious to all of us how much you're both still crushing on each other, so just talk it out already and give us some peace," Nobara had declared, leaving them with a huff at the cafe she'd told them both to meet her at apparently.

Both of their eyes widened and Megumi felt a quick flush up his neck. Yuuji just wore a sheepish smile, palming his neck, honey eyes as kind as ever.

They did end up finally properly talking, Megumi apologizing for all the distance and finding that they both felt the same the whole time, and still did. They had finally came back into each other’s orbit and stood there ever since.

They moved into an apartment together their last year and it never failed to make Megumi’s heart all warm and fuzzy at the thought of getting to come home to him. Especially now in their first home together. Finally having a space to call their own after all these years.

Megumi wishes he was already home in Yuuji's arms already.

He sighs, shifting the bag on his shoulder, moving the other direction back towards his car, but only made it a few more steps before hearing what sounded like a soft meow.

Megumi pauses, looking around but not seeing or hearing anything. He steps again and there's the meow again, and when he looks closer, there's a gap in the bushes off the path beside him and sure enough, when he steps closer and kneels down to get a better look, there's two kittens mewing up at him.

One is orange, the other seeming like a tortie color, mix of black and orange. They're so small, shaking a little as they huddled together from the cold probably.

"Oh, hi there. What are you doing out here," Megumi whispers, slowly putting his hand out to them. The tortie hisses a little and keeps back. The orange one mews and slowly approaches Megumi's hand and eventually curls up to it and his heart melts.

He waits a little for a mom cat or others to appear, but it seems like they've been on their own for a while with the look of their dirty fur.

"Looks like it's just you guys, huh?" Megumi says, smiling softly when the tortie eventually warmed up and had curled up against his hand too. Orange one already making its way closer towards his lap, mewing away still. He glances at his phone when he gets another text from Yuuji after his earlier reply. He still wants to make it home and makes the quick decision to take them with him, because he surely doesn't have the heart to leave them our here on their own. "Wanna get out of the cold and come home with me?"

Megumi ends up bundling up the mewing little loafs in the spare blanket he keeps in his trunk once he gets to the car and slowly starts the drive back home. He keeps them close to his chest, careful not to let them wiggle too much and escape, and by the time he manages to pull into the driveway, his heart's melted more since they'd started purring during the whole drive.

He sighs and smiles softly as he takes a moment to admire the outside of the house. It may seem a bit small to others, but it's perfect for them from the minute they stepped inside on their first tour of it.

Managing to step out of the car and dig in his pocket for his keys, he pushes the door open.

“In the kitchen, babe!” Yuuji calls out from the other room. 

Megumi sets his other bag down and toes off his shoes, taking a steadying breath before he moves towards the kitchen.

“Hey, you. Did you end up working late?” Yuuji turns and glances at him and Megumi’s heart can’t help but swell at the domestic picture Yuuji paints. With his apron, towel across his shoulder as he checks on something on the stove, turning fully to bless Megumi with that bright toothy smile of his.

He definitely loves coming home to this, but a squirm against his chest reminds him of his current issue.

“Um, kinda.”

Yuuji’s expression shifts at that, honeyed eyes filling with a bit of concern.

“Everything ok?”

The bundle in Megumi’s arms chooses to answer instead. Two vocal mews.

Yuuji’s expression instantly lights up. “Is that-” He hops around the kitchen island and tugs on the edge of the blanket to reveal two sets of wide blue eyes and his expression immediately melts and he gasps. “Oh my god, it is! They’re so cute! Where did you- How did you-”

Yuuji’s already distracted from giving the kittens scratches behind their ears, but Megumi got what he was getting at.

“I was already stressed from work a shit day at work, then dealing with crowds after to get some last couple of things for next week,” Megumi starts with a huff. “Then annoyed because my earbuds died halfway through, but then all of sudden I thought I heard meowing as I was walking back to the car but thought I was hearing things. Got louder, then I found them under some bushes. Didn’t seem like the mom was around or anything, and like they’ve been on their own for a while. It was cold and they’re so small and I couldn’t really leave them there…” 

“Aw, you big ol’ softie, you,” Yuuji grins warmly, leaning in to press a kiss to Megumi’s cheek that still flushes at the touch whenever he does that. Megumi grumbles, a smile twitching on his lips as he leans into Yuuji’s warmth. “I’m sorry you had a rough night out there though. You should’a told me, I would’ve gone with you. Know how crowds can be for you,” he says softly, curling some of Megumi’s hair behind his ear.

Megumi hummed into the touch. “Well, I mostly didn’t want to deal with more craziness this weekend.”

“Mm, true. Maybe it worked out, ‘cause I’m glad you were there to find them tonight.” The kittens mew up at Yuuji, wiggling around when he scratches the tops of their small heads softly and eventually takes the bundle from Megumi’s arms. He holds them against his chest with soft cooing sounds. “Aw, you guys are just too perfect and cute aren’t you!”

Megumi’s heart swells, chuckling at how quick Yuuji fell for them. But a bit of uncertainty thrums in his chest. “Hope it’s ok? That I brought them without letting you know first? It’s kind of a lot to spring on you. Especially now with the house and everything and-”

“Hey, hey,” Yuuji pauses Megumi’s rambling with a squeeze to his hand. “Of course it’s ok, baby. It’s nothin’ we can’t handle, don’t worry.” That bright, warm grin already melts away his bit of worry. Like it always does. “I love your big heart, especially when it comes to animals.” Yuuji smiles wider and presses another kiss to his jaw.

Yuuji always sees right through his overthinking, anxious mind, knowing Megumi better than he knows himself. He always has, even when they were just friends.

“Mm, I dunno, think you have an even softer spot for them than I do sometimes,” Megumi grins, at ease now and leaning closer into Yuuji’s side.

“They’re all so cute and cuddly, how could I not,” Yuuji coos again, giving more scritches to the kitties, just making them mew more. “Aw, they’re probably hungry. I don’t think we even have anything to give them? They need milk right? Or wet food? Can they even eat wet food yet? We’ve never had cats before, maybe they’re too small and they need some kind of formula- wait, we need to get them beds and stuff or-”

“Hey, one thing at a time,” Megumi chuckles at Yuuji’s endearing concerned rambles, giving his own hand a squeeze this time. “Let’s eat what you made quick, then can head out again to get them stuff for tonight. Then probably take them to the vet in the morning.”

Yuuji breathes a steady sigh, nodding. “You’re right as always, babe.”

As well as Yuuji knows him, Megumi likes to think he knows his boyfriend pretty well too. He has his own big heart that Megumi couldn’t help but fall for.

So, they did just that, going to the local pet supply store after a quick dinner and picking up some things with the help of one of the workers.

They told them it looked like the kittens were about a couple months old or younger since they were small, but the vet will probably tell them more.

When they came back, they get everything set up in the living room to give the kitties some formula and tested out a bit of wet food. The orange tabby had its paws around Yuuji’s wrist, ears twitching with eager sounds and trying to get as close as they can as he holds the bottle.

“Aw, they sure were hungry after all,” Yuuji laughs warmly, a palm smoothing over their small back with his other hand.

Megumi smiles softly at the happy look in Yuuji’s eyes, humming as Megumi feeds the darker, tortie colored one who had warmed up to him a lot more now.

The kittens eventually have their fill and fall fast asleep between them on the bed they bought in the middle of a nest of soft blankets, really must've been worn out on their own.

“You know, technically I was only out there in the masses because I was still trying to find something for you,” Megumi admits with a sigh, fixing the blankets around the kittens. “Work’s been busy and haven’t had a chance to do much for you, but it still ended up the same anyway since I still didn’t find anything,” he huffs.

“Babe, you didn’t have to stress yourself out with all that for me,” Yuuji reassures softly, slowly reaching over the kitties to lace his fingers with Megumi’s between them.

His rough, warm palm is grounding.

“I know I don’t have to, but I wanted to. I still do. You do so much for me and I still want to measure up to that even a little, not feel like a lame boyfriend.”

“Megumi, baby,” Yuuji says softly, leaning in closer and tipping Megumi’s chin to look up at him better, fully pulling Megumi into those expressive honey eyes that are so easy to fall into. “Building this life with you everyday, loving you, you loving me, that’s my perfect gift every day. You're perfect. Don’t need anything other than you.”

The strong affection in those kind eyes makes a lump grow in Megumi’s throat, swallowing thickly. Yuuji always has that way of soothing his mess of emotion and straight to his heart.

“I do love you. So much,” Megumi rasps, reaching up to cup Yuuji's jaw and pull him in closer for a slow, deep kiss.

“Love you more,” Yuuji hums against his lips and breathes a soft sound against him, deepening the kiss. He pulls Megumi closer after in a comfortable, warm, hug that melts away the last of Megumi’s stress and tension from the day, resting his head against Yuuji's broad shoulder.

"I'm sorry you had a rough day though," Yuuji consoles. "Anything I could do? Massage? Foot rub? Tea? Somethin' stronger?"

Megumi huffs a laugh, heart swelling and wrapping an arm tighter around Yuuji's waist. "You're already doing it. Just need you."

Yuuji just nods and sighs in content and holding Megumi tighter.

Yuuji's just as excited the next day when they go to their local vet and get the kittens checked out, rambling on about all the things they could still get them.

The kittens ended up being about six weeks old, but seemed smaller due to them being a bit malnourished from being orphaned young most likely. The orange tabby a boy and the tortie colored one a girl.

They were otherwise seemingly healthy, the vet setting them up with a check up schedule and contact with the local rescue shelter too in case they wanted to foster.

"So, do you think you'd want to? Foster them I mean?" Yuuji asks on their way home after they stopped by the shelter who happily gave them all kinds of info about fostering the kittens.

Megumi's heart swells when he admires the happy, excited look in Yuuji's eyes every step of the way today. Even now, as he looks over at Megumi while he drove and Megumi cuddles the kittens to his chest in the passenger seat, how could he say no.

He was never good at that anyway.

"I know you do already," Megumi grins. "So, even though it may be a little crazy for our first time doing this, as long as it's with you, I'm always up for anything."

Yuuji glances over at him again with that happy, toothy smile that brings out the dimple in his cheek and makes Megumi feel all warm inside.

He reaches over and laces his fingers with Megumi's and brings it closer to him to press a warm kiss to the back of it.

"Always do anything for you too," Yuuji says warmly. "It may be a little crazy, but mostly fun!"

And that it was the whole rest of the week, starting off with giving the kittens a bath to clean them up and finding it wasn't as easy as the videos made it seem, but Megumi's stomach hurt from how much he laughed at Yuuji's hair and shirt ending up with more of the soap than the kittens. Yuuji just pouted and Megumi couldn't help but kiss it.

The kittens' personalities started to emerge after settling into a better routine of lots of sleep in warm beds, good food, and some energetic playtime. They were eager to start exploring and get into things already. One of them being finding the curtains, Christmas tree, and decorations in the living room very interesting to test their claws on.

Yuuji was quick to kiss away Megumi's stressed out furrow in his brow, reminding him to relax. And he did, content to lean into all of Yuuji's comforting warmth.

Of course they kept their friends updated and they were just as excited over all the pictures and videos.

They were finally getting some time to just relax tonight on Christmas eve after a filling dinner Yuuji made, lounging along the couch, Megumi slotting against Yuuji's side and the back of the couch. Content, warm, and loved. The kittens were napping in the gaps between them, orange one further up on Yuuji's chest.

"Aw, look, he's making his first biscuits!" Yuuji gasps softly, his warm palm squeezing Megumi's hip where his arm wrapped around him, watching as the kitten was slowly kneading his paws against Yuuji's shirt while he purrs. "So cute," he coos. "Y'know, we should name him Nacho, y'know since he's orange like the cheese."

Megumi snorts, chuckling against Yuuji's chest where his head was resting. "You would want to name him after food."

"Of course," Yuuji laughs. "You can do the honors of naming her then."

Megumi hums, reaching up to run a gentle finger over the tortie's patch of orange fur between her darker ears as she slept. He knew it was probably eager of them to be thinking about names already, but even Megumi couldn't help it.

"I dunno, was thinking Patches for her fur, or Ollie."

"Aw, she's a little sassy like you so think a nicer name like Ollie would work."

Megumi tilts his head up to give Yuuji an unamused look at the same time the kitten mews.

"What? See, she likes it already," Yuuji says through another bright laugh that Megumi couldn't help melt from as he always does.

"No, she's telling you to leave us alone, but fine, Ollie and... Nacho it is then."

"Perfect."

He feels Yuuji smile into the kiss he presses against his temple, making Megumi sigh in content, nose brushing up against the warm crook of Yuuji's neck.

The background noise of the television, the comforting purrs from the kitties, the warmth radiating from Yuuji and the soft blankets over them, was all enough to make either of them want to move and easily fall under sleep's pull.

Before he knew it, Megumi felt himself waking up again from light streaming through the curtains and the smell of something savory coming from the kitchen.

He groans as he stretches out along the couch, grateful they got this comfy new one, his back would've been killing him for sleeping on the couch.

The kitties already seem to be awake and playing in one of the spare boxes when he looks over, smiling softly when he looks over more and sees Yuuji working on something on the stove, before yawning deeply and managing to stand and make his way over to the kitchen.

"Mm, morning," Megumi murmurs, wrapping his arms around Yuuji's waist and pressing a kiss to the back of his neck. He's warm and still smells like woodsy citrus.

He feels a chuckle vibrate against Yuuji's warm, broad back through the hoodie he's wearing. "Hey, morning, babe." Yuuji squeezes Megumi's hands in front of him before turning around in his hold. "Get enough rest? Didn't wanna wake you when I got up," he says warmly, pushing back some of Megumi's probably messy hair and curling it around his ear.

"Mm, must've been since I didn't even feel you get up," Megumi sighs through a yawn, running his hand up along Yuuji's back. "Anything I can help you with here?"

"Nope," Yuuji grins bright. "Pretty much finishing up on breakfast. You can get comfy at the table."

Megumi huffs a laugh, nodding, leaning in to press a kiss to Yuuji's cheek, only for Yuuji to redirect it to give Megumi a longer, slower kiss.

He breathes a soft sound against Yuuji and melts into him a little, arms circling around Yuuji's neck, heart swelling like it does until he feels something clawing up his pants with a mew.

They break the kiss with a warm laugh to see both kittens trying to make their way up their legs.

"Don't listen to them. They're plenty fed, you guys just like to be greedy, huh?" Yuuji says playfully, cuddling Nacho to his chest.

"I believe it," Megumi chuckles, leaning down to detangle Ollie from the material of his pants and takes her with him as he goes to freshen up a little since she'd just follow him anyway.

By the time he comes back out, Yuuji's gesturing to their dining table full of food.

"Welcome, the holiday fest is now ready."

Megumi couldn't help but smile at the happy, enduring expression Yuuji's wearing. Even as he pulls out Megumi's chair for him.

"Dork."

"Only the best for you, babe," Yuuji winks and takes his seat in front of him.

Breakfast was amazing as always. How Yuuji always manages to have the energy to put in all this effort for everything he makes and that fast, never ceases to amaze Megumi.

But Megumi's grateful for it because he gets to be spoiled like this... and he's really not complaining.

He gives Yuuji his always much deserved praise for the food and Megumi always enjoys the bright, almost sheepish smile Yuuji wears.

Yuuji pulls him back over to the couch as soon as they're done, pushing a thin box into Megumi's hand as the kitties claw up the cushions up beside him.

"C'mon, open it," Yuuji urges, practically vibrating beside him.

"Alright realx," Megumi chuckles, tearing open the paper, pulls off the lid and finds... a headband with what looks like cat ears. He turns to give Yuuji a look. "You didn't."

Yuuji immediately bursts into a full laugh. "Aw, c'mon, look." He reaches over and takes the band and puts it on Megumi's head before he has a chance to say anything. "See, now you guys match!" Yuuji's holding up Ollie right beside Megumi's head and they're probably wearing the same annoyed expression as Yuuji takes a picture of them on his phone with his other hand. "I found them when we were out yesterday and couldn't help myself," Yuuji laughs. "The real gift is underneath don't worry."

Megumi can't help the twitch of his lips at Yuuji's happy playful expression. That was always worth it. Even if it was occasionally at his expense.

He pulls off the rest of the tissue paper, seeing some kind of paperwork to a booking of a cabin up in their local mountains.

"Yuuji..." Megumi says softly.

"You've been working so hard, we've been working so hard lately, then all the stress of getting the house and everything I figured we deserve a break. Just get away for a bit, just you, me, well and now the kitties," Yuuji grins warmly.

Megumi already felt tears prick his eyes. This man and his ways of reading his mind and knowing what Megumi needs before he even realizes it. "This is... You're too good to me. I love it, and I love you," he manages to say through the thick lump of emotion in his throat, reaching up to cup Yuuji's cheek.

Yuuji hums, leaning into Megumi's palm, pressing a kiss to his inner wrist. "Nothin's ever too good for you. Merry Christmas, baby," Yuuji whispers, leaning in closer for a slow, deep kiss that spread heat all through him.

Megumi's small gift for Yuuji definitely didn't feel like much after that. He ended up just buying some tickets to a movie Yuuji's been wanting to see, could make it into a nice date night he figured, but of course Yuuji loved it all the same, still saying Megumi and the kitties were still the perfect gift.

They were content to lounge the rest of the morning away with the kitties before getting up and moving to get the house ready, and by the time they were all cleaned up and dressed, it was already getting close to the time when everyone was supposed to be getting there.

"Mm, I almost forgot how well you clean up. These pants make your ass look great," Yuuji says when walks up behind Megumi as he tries to fix his hair in the mirror in their room, wrapping those strong arms around his waist. After giving his ass a squeeze of course.

"They're just slacks," Megumi chuckles with a shake of his head, but leans back against the warm of Yuuji's broad chest.

"Yeah, but they're my favorite ones you have," Yuuji murmurs, placing slow kisses along side of Megumi's neck, making Megumi sigh into it, almost forgetting what he was doing.

"Mm, enough, we don't have time for that," Megumi huffs, ignoring the flush that was creeping up his neck. "We can save that for later." He turns around and reaches over to give Yuuji's own plush ass an appreciative squeeze with a playful smile over his shoulder as he moves to leave the room just as there's a knock at the door, catching Yuuji's own wolfish smile before he does.

Soon enough it's a whole whirlwind of hugs and greetings as their friends and family started to arrive.

"Yeah, hi hi, where's the kitties!" Nobara says for her greeting and brushing past them in favor of heading straight for the kitties who were currently getting spoiled with attention by Megumi's younger sisters Mimiko and Nanako in the living room.

"Good to see you too," Megumi says, rolling his eyes and shaking his head, Yuuji laughing beside him. "Hi guys." He gives a warmer smile to the trio of Maki, Toge, and Yuuta who were coming in after their rude friend.

They all give him and Yuuji hugs. "Thanks for having us, love the house already. Congrats!" Yuuta grins brightly.

"Very nice, how adult of you guys. Growing up," Maki adds with a teasing, warm smile.

"Thanks! We love it too," Yuuji says brighter, reaching over to squeeze Megumi's hand. "We can give you guys a tour before dinner now that everyone's here?" he offers after officially introducing Nacho and Ollie to everyone who were all already smitten.

"Yes! How kind of you, Yuuji. Megumi here hasn't even offered that yet. Not a very good host. Your dearest parents should've been first," Satoru teases playfully. Suguru just chuckles warmly beside him.

Megumi just rolls his eyes again. "We've been a little busy and you guys were literally just here dropping something off last week."

"Yeah, but only for a little," Satoru pouts.

"Alright, c'mon everyone," Yuuji laughs, tugging Megumi's hand to start leading the tour.

Megumi sighs and lets the warmth of Yuuji's large palm ground him and soothe his nerves from his slightly irritating dads.

Nobara and the girls carry the kittens with them of course and are gushing over their cute mews more than paying attention to what's going on.

Everyone gives their kind words of appreciation after the quick tour as they sit around the large dining table for dinner full of the food everyone brought, and eventually migrating to the living room with full bellies.

Megumi could take a nap right now actually with how much he let himself indulge, but it was Christmas so oh well.

“Y'know, since you guys names them, you totally have to adopt them!” Nobara gushes, cuddling Ollie to her chest, kissing the top of her small head.

Toge nods enthusiastically from where he was playing with Nacho and his favorite toy on the floor in front of the couch. 

“Gumi here has been all worried ‘cause we’ve never had cats before, but he’s the one getting’ more attached already,” Yuuji grins, smug, with a squeeze to Megumi's thigh that was half laid over his thigh.

Megumi scoffs. “Yeah right, says the one who’s been putting them in our bed every night already.”

“Well, I don’t want them to be cold,” Yuuji pouts.

They all share a laugh before Megumi continues. "But honestly, it's only been a week, but I can't see giving them up either, so think they're one of us now," he says, feeling a genuine happy smile spread across his face, hugging Yuuji's arm to his side and setting his head on his warm shoulder.

"Wow, look at you, big ol' softie now," Maki teases, making laughter surround them again.

Megumi just shrugs and keeps his smile, not feeling an ounce of shame for enjoying every ounce of happiness he feels after years of struggling with feeling like he didn't deserve it. So, he just soaks up all the love and warmth filling their house, most of it radiating from the man beside him, hugging Megumi to his side, making him feel like the only person in the world, pressing a smile of a kiss to his temple with soft loving words he'll always keep in his heart.

Every holiday and forever.