Work Text:
Akutagawa clutched Atsushi’s hand tighter as they weaved through the back alleys of Yokohama, passing by fellow pedestrians on their way to Christmas parties and beyond. He caught snippets of conversations as they drifted by, various flavours of enthusiastic chatter detailing extravagant holiday preparations. The air was abuzz with energy – excited anticipation characteristic of the festive season.
Snow crunched underfoot as they turned another corner.
“Why won’t you just tell me where we’re going?” Akutagawa asked, sigh muffled by the scarf wound snugly around his neck. As soon as their shift had ended, Atsushi had grabbed their coats and rushed them out the door. He hadn’t bothered to explain where he was taking them, only emphasising the need to hurry into town for his so-called ‘best plan ever’. No amount of threatening, Rashōmon-related or otherwise, had squeezed even a hint out of his boyfriend. Not that Akutagawa really minded, the spontaneity kept their days interesting.
“It won’t be a surprise if I tell you.”
“I don’t care.”
“Well, I do, so too bad.”
Akutagawa stifled a grumble. Maybe he’d have been a bit more willing to go along for this mystery ride if it wasn’t so cold. The tip of his nose was numb, chilled through by the biting air. The only thing keeping him from freezing was the heat radiating from Atsushi. The weretiger was like a furnace, perfect for the cold winter days during which they roamed the streets working on cases. This justified the hand-holding, he wouldn’t want hypothermia now would he?
“This way.”
Atsushi dragged them down another street, ducking to the side as the crowds they passed on the side-walk grew larger and larger. After almost crashing into a group of carollers, they gave up trying to stay on the pavement, moving into the middle of the street instead.
“Oh man, I can smell them already.”
“What on earth are you talking about?”
Atsushi ignored him, again. He laughed at Akutagawa’s expression, the timbre rich and hearty.
As much as he tried not to, Akutagawa blushed. He couldn’t help it. That damn laugh, so uniquely musical, would be his undoing. He swore it. Not that he’d ever admit to it, but he would go to great lengths just to hear that sound. It was intoxicating, blooming a warmth within Akutagawa that was wholly foreign. And addictive.
How embarrassing.
Instead of telling Atsushi that his laughter had the same magnetic pull as the Sun had to Earth, his lip curled and he huffed, “What’s so funny, weretiger?”
Atsushi’s gaze was soft as it met Akutagawa’s stare.
“You look so sad. Cheer up for me would ya?”
Akutagawa set his jaw and rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”
Continuing in companionable silence, they grew closer and closer to the source of the clustering crowds. They emerged out onto a main street, pausing to take in the hustle and bustle around them.
Stalls lined both sides of the road, small wooden structures decorated with lights and tinsel of all colours. A gentle snowfall (which had yet to cease) had been going strong for the better part of the afternoon, dusting the roofs with a crisp white. Laughter and chatter painted the atmosphere bright.
“Come on,”Atsushi said, leading them into the hubbub. They joined a queue, the one leading to the... hot chocolate stand? “Wait here.”
Atsushi strode away, leaving Akutagawa to stand by himself.
He shook his head lightly. Of course the weretiger would bring him to a Christmas market. Where else? If there was anything Atsushi loved, it was joining in on festivities by eating his way through them. It was as if he’d made it his life’s mission to try every seasonal snack on offer, even if it meant eating at ten restaurants in one day just to catch them before they disappeared. God bless his appetite was all Akutagawa had to say. Maybe the tiger genes contributed to his impressive, but concerning, ability to eat so much.
Akutagawa squinted at the menu boards hanging from awning. Loops of fancy script detailed more kinds of hot chocolate than he ever thought possible. He knew Gin and Higuchi would enjoy this stall, being as chocolate obsessed as they were. No doubt that when he mentioned this place to his sister later she’d immediately begin making plans to try it herself.
Akutagawa barely made it to the end of the lists before his other half returned.
“Here.”
Atsushi extended a paper cup with an eager smile.
After a moments hesitation, Akutagawa accepted the drink, taking a deep inhale as the steam caressed his cheeks.
“Is that... earl grey?”
“Yup! Infusion speciality.”
Damn it. Of course he’d picked the one Akutagawa had been most intrigued by. At this rate the weretiger’s thoughtfulness was going to kill him.
“Oh, and I also got you this,” Atsushi mumbled, pulling a little paper-wrapped package from his coat pocket. “I think it’s called ‘figgy pudding’? Whatever it is, it’s a Christmas special that’s supposedly good.”
An invisible arrow pierced straight through Akutagawa’s heart at the mention of the fruit. Oh that stupid, annoying, absolutely perfect man.
Akutagawa hid his deepening blush behind a sip of his cocoa. The flavours hit his tongue, almost eliciting a smile out of him. Almost. He bristled when Atsushi’s laughter started back up again.
“What?”
Atsushi pointed timidly in the direction of Akutagawa’s face.
“You’ve uh... got something on your nose.”
While Atsushi stood there giggling, Akutagawa swiped a hand across his face. His palm came away smeared by a dollop of whipped cream.
Atsushi checked his watch as Akutagawa died on the inside. “Damn it. We’re going to be late.”
They hurried along, past groups of friends and beaming children with parents in tow. Akutagawa wondered if any of their colleagues were among them. He supposed they probably were, Atsushi wasn’t the only one who loved a festive outing. Kunikida enjoyed admiring the organisation of the decorations, Yosano’s closet thrived during the winter sales, and Ranpo was a glutton for treats. Even the younger members, Kenji, Kyouka, the Tanizakis, they all seemed to come alive when there was magic in the air.
It was only at the end of the street did they pause at one particular store-front upon Atsushi’s request.
“Look at all of them! They’re so cool,” Atsushi said, browsing the racks of glittering ornaments. There were dozens of options, from bedazzled unicorns to miniature spaceships. The shop’s diverse range meant there was something for everyone. He held up a plump plastic Santa Claus. “Do you want one?”
Seriously? What kind of a question was that? Akutagawa turned his nose up at the childishness of it all. He couldn’t be seen buying one of these, let alone touching one. He had a reputation to uphold, being spotted holding a glittery decoration in the shape of a chicken wing would ruin that.
So, correction, there was something for almost everyone.
“No.”
“You sure?” Atsushi threw his hands up in defence when Akutagawa shot him an icy glare. “Okay, Mr. Grinch. I’ll be back in a sec then.”
A twinge of regret blossomed in Akutagawa’s chest at the disappointment on Atsushi’s face. He hadn’t intended his refusal to be a jab at his boyfriend’s enjoyment of the novelty gifts. Another glimpse of that crestfallen expression pushed him over the edge.
For heaven’s sake.
“Wait,” Akutagawa said, holding Atsushi back by firmly gripping his coat. He shifted on his feet. Embarrassing wasn’t a strong enough word for this. “I like that one.”
“Which one?”
“That one.”
“Huh?”
“Ugh.”
Akutagawa stopped his attempts at telepathically communicating his preference, snatching up the little ceramic tiger with a sneer. It had a red bobble hat attached to its head, a small Christmas sweater (knitted to match) covered most of its body.
Last time they’d been out to eat together, Chuuya had imparted his wisdom regarding dealing with a partner’s antics, Dazai being the king of tomfoolery.
“Just go with whatever’s thrown your way, kid,” Chuuya had said, taking a sip of wine. “You’ll never hear the end of it if you refuse to participate in their nonsense.”
Dazai then appeared, a sly smile twisting his mouth.
“Refuse to what?”
“Nothing. Go away you nosy bastard.”
Chuuya had been right. By excluding Dazai from their conversation, he’d unintentionally instigated a cross-organisational prank war that spanned several weeks. After that, everyone had taken the lesson on board.
Thus, Akutagawa relented and chose an ornament, even if it kind of pained him to do so.
“I like this one.”
Atsushi looked between Akutagawa and the ornament, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Any particular reason?”
“Shut up, weretiger.”
Atsushi plucked the tiger out of Akutagawa’s hands with delight. He paid for the decorations with haste, tucking the bag under his arm before taking flight once more. “Okay, we really have to get going.”
They raced down a few more streets, barely stopping to check that they were headed in the right direction. Akutagawa trusted that his boyfriend knew the way, he had his tiger senses to rely on after all.
And he did.
Atsushi released a sigh of relief when they arrived at their destination. “We made it.”
The cobblestone square was amass with people, all grinning and staring patiently at the fixture in the centre of the crowd – a massive pine tree jutting out of its cheerily decorated base. Its branches stretched wide, full-bodied with close-knit needles of deep green.
A man – the mayor – stood behind a lectern on the wooden podium. He leaned forward, speaking into the microphone with great clarity. “Three, two, one!”
The tree lit up in technicolour, thousands upon thousands of LEDs bursting to life at the pull of the lever. Tinsel, much fluffier than that decorating the market stalls, glimmered beside multi-coloured baubles of all shapes and sizes. The star on top outshone everything else, a glowing ornament of grandeur that had to be at least as tall as Kyouka.
Atsushi was fixated on the pretty display, but Akutagawa was focused on something else entirely. He was busy staring at the mirth on Atsushi’s face, at the pure glee sparkling in his eyes. The youthful glow, mixed with his joy, was infectious. For the first time in a long time, Akutagawa smiled.
“Beautiful, right?” Atsushi asked, tearing his gaze away from the tree to look at his partner.
“Yes.”
Akutagawa’s focus flicked between Atsushi’s eyes and lips, eventually settling on the latter. He tilted his head to the side, losing his resolve at the last minute and pressing a kiss to his boyfriend’s cheek. He wasn’t usually one for public displays of affection. As a result, he swallowed thickly, wildly unsure of why he’d done that. A fiery blush was undoubtedly beginning to form on every square inch of his skin.
Atsushi stood frozen for a second, eyes wide as he regarded Akutagawa.
Then, with no warning, their lips met again, the contact pleasantly warm amidst the freezing cold. The kiss started gentle, deepening slightly when Atsushi reached up to cradle Akutagawa’s face. They took their time, savouring the connection. It was sweet, both figuratively and literally. The faint taste of peppermint was a result of the candies they’d shared earlier. Everything faded away into the background. Only the two of them remained, enclosed in their own little bubble.
They slowly broke apart, breaths intermingling in the space between them. The small clouds of crystallised fog did nothing to hide either of their parted lips. A rosy flush coloured both of their cheeks.
Atsushi spoke softly, holding Akutagawa’s hand close to his side. “Merry Christmas, Akutagawa.”
There weren’t any sarcastic comments, snide remarks, or deadpan jokes left in Akutagawa’s brain. In that moment, all he could think about was the beauty of the holidays. Of the weretiger.
“Merry Christmas... Atsushi.”