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Them moving in together in the city was a birthday gift to Yosuke, there was a key in a box and Souji had a matching key already on his key chain.
It was a nice place, a quaint one bed, one bath apartment that had plenty of room for the two of them, and an occasional guest like Rise or Naoto when they finished with work.
The few months they've spent have been a dream, not to mention a new, budding relationship on top of the festive season, they've both enjoyed every moment.
Souji has always been on the quieter side even since high-school, and Yosuke by contrast just doesn't shut up, but it's nice. Souji is a good listener and does make inputs with sign when necessary.
“Christmas is coming soon..” Yosuke hums, marking off another day in the calendar. “Were you thinking of decorating, Partner? We gotta make the place at least a little lived in.”
It has been half a year, but moving is a slow and taxing process.
Souji nods, with a smile. “ There may be a tree left at Junes, I think all of the real trees will be gone by now. ”
Yosuke sighs at the mention of the store, he doesn't work there anymore thank goodness, but an emergency is an emergency. “I guess we have to at least go look since I brought it up.”
Souji gives a silent laugh, giving a kiss to Yosuke’s cheek, making the brunet turn a little red. “ I can go and get one if you really don’t want to go back. ”
Yosuke looks as though Souji has instead run his sibling through with his own kunai. “And let our first Christmas together be mis-matched? Hell no, Partner! I will grin and bear every second if it means I get to decorate this place together with you.”
Souji starts getting his things together, and it makes Yosuke blink. Oh, he means now. Yosuke scrambles in contrast to Souji’s precision, but they both finish getting ready at the same time.
They share a smile, and head out to the nearest Junes superstore. The iconic jingle runs throughout the whole store and Yosuke wills every part of his body to think of Nanako’s smiling face rather than the dark slimy Shadows that he’s come to associate the chime with.
Souji seems to see Yosuke’s internal fight and takes his hand without skipping a beat, as they look around at the seasonal decoration aisle. Junes goes above and beyond with their decorations, with display after display of trees, lights and gaudy baubles all in different themes and styles.
They’re all a bit.. much for Yosuke, some too bright, others too cluttered. One half of the fake trees have what feels like too much fake white ‘snow’ paint and others not enough.
Souji though? He’s the epitome of a people pleaser. It infuriates Yosuke at times, wishing he could just make a choice and not worry about what people thought of it.
Today, Souji makes his choice known. It’s a pretty tree, one that maybe to Yosuke is a little on the noisy side in terms of what baubles it’s adorned in, but Souji can’t take his eyes off it.
His eyes are full of a feeling that Yosuke’s only seen once or twice, back when the news had settled that Dojima and Nanako were okay, and the love he saw in his partner as the train was leaving the station after the year was up, refreshed with the promise that they would all keep in touch.
The brunet bumps Souji’s shoulder gently, “you like this one, huh?”
It breaks him out of his trance as he looks at Yosuke in confusion.
“The tree. I can tell you like it, the decorations too.” Ah, the rare flustered expression. That’s logged in the memory bank. “It’s okay, I think it’d fit, we’ve always been a little on the messier side.”
“ We? ”
“Okay, okay, I’ve been on the messier side.” He smiles at Souji’s chuckle at the admission. “But I mean it, I think if you like this tree, then we get the tree.”
“ But do you like it? ”
“None of these trees stand out to me, so if this one is your favourite, then I want this one; for you.” The smile that Souji gives makes everything worth it. It’s decided. That tree is theirs now, lights, decor and all.
Souji signs an emotional thank you and Yosuke can’t help but give him a kiss.
They make it home and immediately start getting the tree set up. Though just like too many cooks ruin the broth; too many decorators ruin the christmas tree.
They decide to delegate, Souji will make some incredible cookies that Yosuke can brag to Teddie about, and Yosuke can decorate the tree as best as his memory can provide.
Their teamwork is unmatched as usual, as the cookies came out delicious and the tree came out ugly, but they like it better that way. Souji raises his phone, giving Yosuke a look that is definitely going to lead to teasing.
“No, you can’t send that to my sister. Teddie would have a field day roasting me about my awful decorating that, by the way, you wanted to replicate.” The taller gives a playful pout, easily fading to a smile and offers him a cookie.
“ Next year we should invite them all over. ”
“I’d like that, Partner.” He takes a bite, giving Souji’s cheek a crumbly kiss.