Chapter Text
Intricate patterns of snowflakes whisked through the cold air as snow fell gently, ice formed like the laughter and excitement of Yokohama's citizens.
Wintertime, the last season of the year had begun. Parents hurriedly bought gifts for their children as students ran home to drink a cozy cup of hot chocolate.
Atsushi explored the city with Kyouka, both of their eyes widening at the festive decorations. They looked at multiple gift shops, which were ransacked by buyers in mere seconds close down for the day.
"I wonder what they're buying all this for.."
"I still remember Christmas when I was younger, my parents bought me a few toys. It's a Christmas tradition to gift something to your loved ones."
"That's so cool!"
"Are you getting anything for Akutagawa then?"
Atsushi froze for a moment as he realized he didn't get anything yet, and everything was sold out! What would Akutagawa even want? Does he even like Christmas?
"Ryuu, look at this knitted sweater, I want to buy it for Higuchi," Gin said as she pointed at her phone screen.
"What for? Is it her birthday?"
"It's Christmas, and last year Higuchi bought me something. She said we gift things to our friends during this time of year so I would like to return the favour."
"Christmas...I forgot about that holiday."
"Are you and Atsushi going to celebrate?"
Akutagawa coughed uncontrollably as he remembered his boyfriend. What would Atsushi even want? Chazuke? No, too easy to achieve. Something tiger related? Would that be offensive? He did promise to stop calling him weretiger when they started dating after all.
And so the hunt for the perfect present began, Atsushi and Kyouka scurrying around for a gift while Akutagawa thought silently to himself in his room.
"This has to be the best surprise ever, Akutagawa and I have been through a lot this year and I want something that makes him feel at ease."
His eyes darted around the small handmade shop as his hands touched the fluffy blanket that probably took months to crochet.
Meanwhile Akutagawa stared blankly at the white tiger plushies that stood together in a neat row, all slightly different from hair to facial expressions.
He reached out for the one without a thought behind its eyes, carefully examining it before putting it into his basket.
Fortunately, Atsushi had called him, asking to meet up for a short stroll to sightsee the Christmas decorations. Carrying his wrapped gift box, he slowly approached the bench they agreed to meet at. Atsushi shortly arrived after, holding a slightly larger gift.
"Merry Christmas Akutagawa, I bought a gift for you."
"It seems we both had the same idea," he handed the gift to Atsushi.
The two looked at each other, small smiles forming from their lips. Atsushi took a step forward and gave Akutagawa a short kiss on the cheek before they continued looking at each other once more, this time with more obvious smiles.