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Kokichi knocked on Kaito's door, waiting on the cold steps with bated breath. He fiddled with the fluff of his Santa-themed outfit, watching as puffs of cold air came out of his mouth. He rocked on the balls of his feet, wondering who could be at the party. Sure, Maki and Kaito were a given, he knew that much. Tenko couldn't resist free food, and Rantaro would probably leap at the thought of a party, knowing he could at least flirt with someone while he was there. Especially since it was Christmas Eve. Honestly, Kokichi was surprised his mother even let him go to the party in the first place. Kokichi looked up at the sky, jokingly asking himself if he could see Santa's sleigh. That'd be a sight for sore eyes.
The sound of the door opening brought Kokichi's attention back to the house in front of him. Kaito stood before him, clad in a reindeer onesie, with a matching red nose. "Kokichi! You made it!" He cheered, bringing the smaller boy in for a hug. Kokichi smiled up at him, handing him the present he had bought. Kaito let out a small thank you, before beckoning Kokichi inside.
Kokichi gazed at Kaito's living room, which was decorated with bright, twinkling lights. Tinsel was delicately wrapped around the stair case, and the tree had several presents sitting peacefully underneath it, as well as a toy train running circles around the base.
"You decorated this yourself...?" Kokichi gasped, looking around. "Kaito, I'm seriously impressed!"
"I-It's not that impressive..." Kaito blushed, scratching the back of his neck. "A-Anyway! Maki made food, so that's waitin' in the kitchen if you're hungry. Everyone's out in the backyard."
Kokichi happily nodded and sauntered off to the backyard. Sure enough, there sat all his friends, and a few kids from different schools as well. Music was booming from speakers that were controlled by Miu- who infamously strayed away from parties. She must've made a bit of an effort just to see her classmates. Kokichi couldn't help but feel proud of her.
"Kokichi!" Tenko called and rushed over, dragging him to one of the plastic tables Kaito had set up. "She's trying to fight me!"
"I am not!" Scoffed Kaede, who was clearly intoxicated. Kokichi blushed once he laid eyes upon the girl. She was dressed in a simple pink sweater and a white skirt, but she was still absolutely stunning to him. She leaned forward a bit, accidentally resting her head on his shoulder. Kokichi just chuckled and awkwardly pat her head. "Kokichi...you're so...tiny..." she yawned.
Kokichi gulped and decided to ignore her comment. "All right, Kaede. Let's get you sat down now, ok?" He gently placed her down on the bench. She giggled sleepily and sat down, her manicured hands wrapped around a red solo cup. Once Kokichi tried to take away the cup, she grunted and snatched it back.
"Better you didn't." Chuckled a familiar voice. Kokichi turned around to see Shuichi standing there, smiling smugly. He joined the table, sitting behind Kaede. "Akamatsuu...you've gotta drink water now, ok?" He gently pressed a water bottle to her lips.
"Okay..." She yawned, taking small sips. She hiccuped a bit, her cheeks a lovely shade of rose. Kokichi watched and grew a bit warmer too. "I don't...I don't like water..."
"I know, hon." Shuichi sighed and stroked her hair. He was never this gentle with her. The once brash and aggressive Saihara was now replaced with a soft and understanding version of him. He gently hugged Kaede and stroked her hair, being nothing short of kind and quiet. She simply hiccuped in response, before falling asleep in his lap.
"Woah..." Kokichi blushed. "You...How did you know what to do?" He tilted his head.
"There's a lot Kaede and I have been through that you don't know about." Shuichi chuckled, resting his chin on top of Kaede's head. "How's your Christmas Eve going? Having fun yet?"
"Um...yeah! Yeah, I'm having fun!" He smiled and nodded, hands on his knees. "I don't really go to parties, so this is a new experience for me!"
"Of course you don't go to parties." Shuichi chuckled. "I bet you only go to school events, huh?"
"What? Hey, I totally go to parties!" Kokichi puffed out his cheeks. "I just...! Well...what's so wrong with school events, hm?" He folded his arms over his chest, eliciting a small laugh from Shuichi, who adjusted his Santa hat.
He looked out at everyone who was dancing, laughing, and drinking Eggnog that had a 60% chance of being spiked. "You got me there. And either way...it's nice to get out for once. Even if it's freezing." He shivered.
Kokichi noticed and tilted his head, before taking off his fluffy Santa coat and wrapping it around both Shuichi and Kaede, being extra delicate with the pair. He smiled at the two, awkwardly rubbing his shoes together.
"Thank you..." Shuichi whispered, his eyes softening for just a moment. And for that solid moment, when the light caught his eyes, Kokichi felt like he was in a hand mixer, being spun over and over again and whipped to perfection, mixing in with all that was great and perfect in the world. He simply nodded in reply, scooching a bit closer to Shuichi. The taller boy noticed this and let out a small chuckle, pulling Kokichi to sit in his lap alongside Kaede. The three were all pressed together, huddling for warmth.
Kaede, still trapped in her state of unconsciousness, reached for Kokichi's hand. He blushed, intertwining his fingers with hers. From his position on Shuichi's lap, he could hear his heartbeat.
God, why was it so fast?
Kokichi began to grow jittery and nervous, feeling the warm embrace of the two people he cared for the most. And yet, it was a comforting, quiet kind of nervous. The kind of nervous that made people care about things. He looked up at Shuichi, lips parted slightly. Those eyes...that hair...that jawline...it was all too much.
"I..." Kokichi gulped. "I'm g-gonna...I'm gonna go..."
"What?" Shuichi went wide-eyed, feeling more alert. "Go? Why? Y-You don't have to go! The party only just started!"
"Um! W-Well yeah, but, my mom said that-"
"Forget about your mom." Shuichi gazed at him, gently holding his wrist. Not enough force to hurt, but just enough for him to stay. "I just..." His face broke out into a blush. "Look. I only showed up because I knew you and Kaede would be here tonight. If you leave, that's your choice. But...I'd really prefer it if you just...stayed here..."
Kokichi sat back down slowly, his breath shaky as he scooched in closer. He gazed at Shuichi, who looked relieved. He was almost on Shuichi's lap at this point.
"...Shuichi..?"
"Um..y..yeah?"
"What...did you want for Christmas this year...?"
Kokichi's forehead was now pressed up against his. Kaede was still asleep, slumped over Shuichi's shoulder. There was so much that was threatening to spill from Kokichi's lips. How he felt about the two in front of them, how he longed for them, how he fixated on them because he was so worried they wouldn't like him. A build up of passion and longing filled both of their bodies. Kokichi shut his eyes, waiting for Shuichi's reply.
But Shuichi didn't answer. Instead, he passionately pressed his lips against Kokichi's, pulling him in closer by his hips. The two melted into each other, almost forgetting where and who they are. Kokichi ran his pudgy fingers through Shuichi's long hair, almost accidentally squishing Kaede.
After a while, The two pulled back for air. Kokichi paused for a moment, before covering his face behind his hands, spurting out flustered apologies. Shuichi simply laughed it off. Kaede, on the other hand, had woken up mid-kiss. She sat up and giggled a bit, still not completely sober.
"Mm..." She hiccuped, clinging to Shuichi. "Do you like me?" She pouted. "I want you to like me. I want both of you to like me."
"K...Kaede?!" Kokichi blushed, eyes getting wide. Kaede noticed and giggled, scooting to sit on Kokichi's lap. "Kaede...you're seriously freaking me out..."
She hiccuped and smiled, before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. Kokichi heated up even more, hiding his face in her chest. Shuichi laughed, hugging Kaede from behind. "I really...really, really, reaaaallly wish...I was sober right now...so I could kiss you both on the mouf..."
"...Go to bed, Kaede..." Shuichi chuckled, kissing her shoulder. "So...what now?"
"I think we all need to go to bed and never speak of this again!" Kokichi blushed, refusing to show his face.
"You worry too much!" Kaede squealed and laughed, pinching his cheeks like a grandma. "I'll just kiss you both in the morning. That'll be my Christmas present...to..you..." She was struggling to stay awake. Luckily, the sound of Miu blasting more Christmas music forced those eyes right open again.
Kokichi chuckled softly, before settling for just gazing at her. The way she looked off and continued drinking out of her little red cup was almost angelic. Even when she did so much as blink, she was like a goddess to him. A goddess who was too drunk for her own good- a goddess who gave him way more attention than he needed. And honestly? He didn't want it any other way. He gently ran his fingers over the lines in her palms, finding some serenity in the way her hands twitched ever so slightly. Shuichi watched, looking at both him and Kaede with care and love in his eyes.
All Kokichi wanted for Christmas was the attention of who he loved the most.
He got it.