Chapter Text
“Thanks again for helping, Buffa.”
Michinaga rolled his eyes as he placed several bags down onto the table. There were nine bags full of supplies of assorted items; food, drinks, disposable dishware, decorations, all the things needed to host a New Year’s Eve party and then some. And there was only Ace and Michinaga there to help set the temple up for the party.
Everyone else was busy deep cleaning their own homes in preperation for the new year. Michinaga lived by himself, and was not one to follow traditions so he had the free time to help Ace. But as he surveyed what needed to be done before tonight, he thought that maybe he made a mistake by volunteering. The temple common area needed to be swept, furniture moved around to accommodate a party better, food prepared and set out, and decorations hung up.
“Can't you just snap everything into being ready?” Michinaga asked with a tilt of the head. The work had not even started yet, but he was already exhausted at just the thought.
“I could…” Ace trailed off as he started to unpack the bags. A grin spread across Ace’s face as he nudged Michinaga playfully. “But I want to create these happy memories by hand, the normal human way.”
Michinaga gave Ace a judgmental side eyed, debating on if he should hit Ace or not for his cheesy words. Ace wore an innocuous smile. Michinaga could feel a smile was tugging at one side of his lips at Ace’s sincere words and charming ways. Geats was infectious in that way. Michinaga expression relaxed as he let out a soft snort.
“Well, I guess we better get started then?” Michinaga asked rhetorically.
Ace placed a cookie in front of a Michinaga’s mouth. Michinaga gave Ace a puzzled look. When did the fox open a box of cookies?
“Can’t work on an empty stomach,” Ace said, his mouth already full with a cookie of his own.
“Oi, those are for tonight!” Michinaga scolded, reaching out to take the box of cookies away from the other. Ace moved quickly and held the box up high out of the bull’s reach.
“Just one won’t hurt!”
Michinaga attempted one last swipe for the snacks before giving up with a sigh. There was too much to do and not enough time for their petty squabbles.
“Whatever,” Michinaga huffed as he began to unpack a different bag. “Do what you want.”
Michianga once again found the cookie held in front of his face. Instead of bickering, Michinaga took a bite without arguing. Although, he still shot Ace a judgmental glance. It did not have any effect on Ace though, the other man was grinning shamelessly in victory.
It was going to be a long day.
“Hmm… Let's maybe put it back over there,” Ace said as he pursed his lips in thought.
“I swear I’m going to kill you,” Michinaga hissed as he dropped his end of the sofa. He was clenching his jaw as he threw Ace an exasperated look. They had been moving the furniture all around the main lounge area for the past 30 minutes because Ace could not decided where he wanted things.
“You just don’t get it, Buffa. You don't understand feng shui,” Ace retorted. “I want to make sure we have good energy.”
“You want to see some energy?” Michinaga asked as he balled up one of his fists, threatening Ace.
Ace rolled his eyes, unbothered by the bull’s tantrum. He gave Michinaga a pointed look, still holding his side of the sofa up. Ace quirked an eyebrow as he waited impatiently for Michinaga to help him. The two stared at each other for a few moments, waiting to see who would break first.
Michinaga let out a deep sigh in resignation. He picked up his end of the sofa once more to move it somewhere to Ace’s liking.
Michinaga finished sweeping the floors as he looked around the room. Food, drinks, decorations, music. Everything was more or less ready for the party. He took a deep breath of relief as he wiped his forehead. Despite the cold winter temperatures, Michinaga had managed to work up a sweat with all the preparations.
Footsteps down the hall signaled Ace coming into view. The other had already cleaned up, a warm welcoming cologne wafted in the air around him. Ace was wearing his usual formal attire of a black suit, a bow tie, and a red and white scarf. Ace slicked back his hair to smooth down invisible loose ends as he walked over to Michinaga. He looked like a model on a runway. Michinaga felt his breath hitch, his mouth agape as he stared. He hated to admit it, but Ace was truly devilishly handsome
“Here comes the highlight,” Ace said with a wink.
Geats had to ruin his image with his mouth.
“Get over yourself,” Michinaga scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Thanks for the help cleaning up.”
“No problem,” Ace said with a cheeky grin. He paused for a moment before speaking again, “But for real, thank you for all the help today, Buffa.”
Hearing the sincere tone in the other’s voice, Michinaga turned to look back at the other. He saw big brown eyes that seemed to hold the world in them, and in Ace’s case perhaps they did. Michinaga felt a slight stirring in his chest the longer he looked at Ace.
“You’re welcome, Geats,” Michinaga said softly, adverting his gaze to look just past Ace’s head. The atmosphere between them seemed to shift, and Michinaga could not tell if Ace felt it too, or if it was all in his head. Regardless, he did not want to dwell on the moment for too much longer; less he started to have strange thoughts.
“You should freshen up Buffa, it’s almost time,” Ace said as he patted Michinaga’s shoulders. He made a slightly disgusted face when he felt the other’s shoulders being slightly damp. “And maybe a change of clothes too.”
“Thanks asshole.” Michinaga rolled his eyes, although he was thankful that the tone of the conversation shifted back to their normal. He handed the broom over to Ace before taking steps towards the bathroom.
“You’re welcome!” Ace called out, ignoring the other’s sarcasm once more.
Inside the bathroom, as Michinaga started to heat the water he noticed a stack of neatly folded clothes with a note on top of it.
“A small thanks from me to you -Ace.”
The signature was the same from Ace’s days as The Star of the Stars of the Stars. The letter A being the top point of a star, matching the shirt that Ace ruined signed long ago during the Desire Grand Prix. Michiniaga let out a small private chuckle to himself at the note and memories. Ace was annoying as hell, but he did have his good points too.
Michinaga did not have time to reminisce for long, guests would be arriving soon. He made quick work with cleaning himself up. Taking a better look at the new clothes, Ace was silently thankful that Ace chose not to give him anything too gaudy. It was a new year, but he was not looking to expand his fashion choices.
A shiny silver button up with a purple undershirt, a black sweater vest, loose black trousers, and silver jewelry scatter throughout the outfit. Not his usual attire, but Michinaga had to admit it all did look quite nice.
The center piece of the outfit was a blue gemstone broach. Michinaga wondered if it was real, and was not quite sure how he felt if it turned out to be an actual sapphire gemstone. Knowing Ace, it very well might be. Michinaga shook his head, not wanting to dwell on that thought too long.
Taking one last look in the mirror, Michinaga took a deep breath in as he tied up his hair.
Everything was going to be okay.
Michinaga let out a controlled exhale before exited the bathroom.
Stepping back out, Michinaga saw that guests had already started to arrive; Keiwa, Sara, Neon with her parents and body guards. He could not see Ace out in the common area, but he could hear Win’s booming voice from the foyer. Ace was probably busy greeting guests as they came in.
“Michinaga!” Neon called out with an energetic wave. She crossed the room with a bright smile and greeted the man with a hug. “Good to see you. Happy New Years!”
“Happy New Years,” Michinaga greeted, slowly patting the woman’s back and returning the hug.
“How have you been?” Neon asked as she pulled away.
“Same old, same old,” Michinaga shrugged. “What about you?”
“I just finished decorating my new apartment. You would know, if you watched my livestreams,” Neon teased as she poked Michinaga’s chest playfully. “You’re so dressed up today! Looks great, very chic.”
Michinaga rubbed the back of his neck, the tips of his ears feeling red. Maybe the outfit was a bit too out there for him after all. “Yeah, it’s… new.”
“I like it!” Neon said while giving two encouraging thumbs up. “Where did you get it?”
“Ah... Ace picked it out,” Michinaga said sheepishly. He could feel the blush start to migrate across his face.
“Oh?” Neon raised an eyebrow, trying to bite back a knowing smile. Although she was practically buzzing with excitement, hungry for any juicy details.
“It’s just a thank-you gift for helping out for tonight,” Michinaga tried to explain as plainly as possible.
"Just a thank you?"
Michinaga nodded with more force than he intended. It made him look guilty, like he was trying to cover up a secret he was trying to hide.
And there was nothing to hide.
“If you insist,” Neon said as she eyed the sapphire broach. Despite her words, Michinaga could still see the mischievous glint in her eyes.
Michinaga opened his mouth to say more, to tell her that he was right, but Neon’s loud gasp interrupted him.
“Oh Sae’s here! I’m going to say hi to her. Talk to you later Michinaga!”
Neon rushed off to greet the other woman, leaving Michinaga behind. He let out a deep sigh of relief as he watched Neon leave.
As his eyes drifted across the room, he found his gaze lingering a little too long on Ace. He seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with Ziin, Niramu, and Tsumuri. Regardless, Ace still managed to take enough pause to make eye contact with Michinaga. A quick private smile flashed towards Michinaga before Ace returned to focus on his conversation. Michinaga felt a tight squeeze in his chest at the small gesture. It was fast. Fast enough that maybe Michinaga imagined it, but he knew Geats better than that.
Michinaga turned his whole body away from Ace. He did not need that fox messing with his head. Michinaga pinched the bridge of his nose. The party had just started, and yet Michinaga was already feeling drained. Even if he was surrounded by familiar faces and friends, he needed something to drink to make it through the night.
At the mini-bar, Michinaga was deciding which and how much alcohol he wanted to start off with. The idea of just taking a whole bottle of whiskey was tempting, but it was not the time for that kind of debauchery. Perhaps later in the night. Once he made his decision on his choice of poison, Michinaga started to pour himself a glass.
“Can I have some Michi-nii?”
“Ah!” Michinaga gasped, jumping slightly at Haruki’s sudden appearance. He relaxed once he realized the current situation, smiling at the hybrid child. “You scared me there kid!”
Haruki snickered, he was quite tickled with himself that he managed to sneak up on the other.
“And no, this is for adults,” Michinaga explained as he capped the bottle of whiskey. “Although, I’m sure we can find you something else to drink.”
“Can I have a soda?” Haruki asked as he rocked back and forth on his heels. He looked up at Michinaga with the largest puppy eyes he could muster. “Please?”
Michinaga as he looked around, seeing Daichi talking to Keiwa and Sara in a separate corner. Daichi was a strict guardian, and tried to keep overly sugary foods away. Despite that, it was a special occasion. Surely they could make an exception.
“I won’t tell if you won’t,” Michinaga said with a smile, pressing a finger to his lips.
Haurki pressed a finger to his lips to copy the other before breaking out into giggles at the promise of a treat.
Once Michinaga handed the child a glass of soda, he held his whiskey drink up.
"Cheers!" the two said as they clinked their glasses together.
Haruki began to tell Michinaga updates on his life at the human school and the jyamato nursery. The new things he was learning, friends he was making, and training with his powers. Michinaga nodded along, listening intently as Haruki kept rattling on. This was easy. Kids were a lot more open and uncomplicated than adults. Maybe Michinaga could just spend the night watching over Haruki instead of mingling with the other guests.
“What’s that?!” Haruki stopped mid-story, pointing across the room.
Michinaga turned his head to see what Haruki was referring to, a large grasshopper that was bouncing around the room. Before Michinaga could react, Haruki had run off to chase after the insect.
“Hop-paah!”
It was Hopper1, and if that chemy was here, it surely meant that Houtaro was nearby. Looking up, Michinaga saw just how many more people arrived; Houtaro and the rest of the folks from the Alchemist Academy, the Igarashi clan, and a colorful excited trio who Michinaga was unfamiliar with.
The room was now filled with guests and lively chatter. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, excited to be celebrating the New Year. And at the center of it all was the host, Ukiyo Ace, entertaining them all. Ace seemed to waltz around the room, wearing a charming smile, speaking to people with a familiar ease. He could make anyone feel like they were the only two people in the room. Judging from all the conversations he could overhear; it seemed like that’s exactly what Ace was doing.
Truly, a god amongst men.
And Michinaga was lucky enough to be in his presence.
Mcihinaga finished his glass of whiskey with one large gulp. It was going to be a long night, and he needed another drink.
After hours of small talk and pleasantries, Michinaga needed to be alone. He felt drained from talking to so many different people and forcing his face into a pleasant, even sometimes happy expression. Michinaga decided that it was late enough that he could take the rest of the whiskey bottle and take a step outside. Some fresh air and quite would do him good.
The night air was crips and cold. There was fresh snow covering the ground. And yet the skies were clear, an inky black canvas decorated with the moon and stars. It was beautiful and more importantly peaceful. Staring up at the night sky, Michinaga felt all the tension in his body start to relax. He took several deep, calming breaths. He could feel all the jumbled thoughts and swirling feelings he was holding onto seemed to unwind and fade into the night. He found himself idly rubbing the sapphire broach on his collar as he allowed his mind to clear. The party was fun, but this was what he needed.
The multiple layers of the outfit Ace chose for him and the alcohol was doing its job at keeping Michinaga warm. The sounds of the party were muffled as he walked further away from the main building. He would go back inside sooner or later, but for right now, he needed the comfort of isolation under the cover of night.
Michinaga was not sure how much time had passed, but the cold was finally seeping through his layers of clothes, moving past his skin and chilling his bones.The alcohol’s powers were wearing off. Michinaga wrapped his arms around himself to try and preserve some warmth, if only to give himself a little bit more time before he would have to surrender and return inside.
Michinaga felt the comfortable weight of a jacket placed around his shoulders, enveloping him in a comforting gentle warmth. Blinking, Michinaga stood up straight as he noticed Ace had arrived and given Michinaga his suit jacket. Michinaga stared dumbly at Ace, eyes wide and voice mute. He blamed the whiskey as his brain was taking longer than normal to process what was going on.
“It looked like you could use it more than me,” Ace answered a question that had not been asked yet.
“Thanks…” Michinaga mumbled as he pulled Ace’s jacket closer to him.
It still had the scent of Ace’s cologne on it, a smokey cedarwood, amber and a warm vanilla. His head started to feel dizzy, whether it was from the alcohol, Ace’s cologne, or some other reason, Michinaga could not quite tell. Perhaps it was all of the above. Closing his eyes, he took slow deep breaths. Allowing himself to indulge in the warm comfort of Ace’s jacket and scent. He could feel his body start to sway, but he could not be bothered to steady himself.
“Are you okay, Buffa?” Ace asked, placing a grounding hand on Michinaga’s shoulder.
Michinaga blinked his eyes open, seeing Ace look back at him with those big brown eyes. Those eyes that had seen ages pass and the whole world change. And yet, still looked at Michinaga like he was still special. But that was what Ace did best, a sly fox that charmed unsuspecting fools. Despite knowing better, Michinaga found himself foolishly falling for the other's tricks.
Michinaga broke eye contact, biting down on the inside of his cheek. He could not let his mind wander too far. He had to focus, or at least as much as he could.
“I’m doing good,” Michinaga finally spoke, clearing his throat. “Just needed some fresh air.”
“And nearly half a bottle of whiskey?” Ace asked with a quirked eyebrow.
“That too,” Michinaga shamelessly agreed, holding the bottle up. “You want some?”
“I’ll pass for now.”
Ace gently took the bottle, setting it aside. Michinaga could had sworn that Ace’s fingers lingered on his own for just a little longer than necessary. Or maybe the alcohol was messing with his sense of time. Either way, Michinaga could still feel the burning heat where Ace’s fingertips had touch him.
“How about some water instead?” Ace offered, manifesting a bottle of water into his hand.
“After all that talk earlier, now you’re using your powers?”
Ace shrug, a playful grin on his lips. “Gods work in mysterious ways.”
“Asshole,” Michinaga scoffed, accepting the water.
“You wound me,” Ace said with a pout.
"And I'll do it again." Michinaga rolled his eyes at the other’s antics as he took a swig of water. It tasted refreshing, he did not realize how dehydrated he was until then. As he lowered the bottle, his eyes drifted off to the main building where everyone else was.
That’s right, there was a party going on and he was stealing the host’s precious time and attention. Michinaga should not be too selfish and keep Ace away for much longer. He should be content with what he already had.
“Shouldn’t you go back to the party?” Michinaga asked, his voice coming out more sober than just a few moments ago.
Ace took a glance back at the party before looking back at Michinaga. He wore a soft gentle smile on his lips. “I think they’ll be fine without me for a little bit longer.”
Michinaga could feel his pulse skip a beat before picking back up. He was starting to feel hot again despite the freezing temperatures. Ace was choosing to stay with Michinaga. He was not sure what that meant, if it meant anything at all. But he did know that he was glad that Ace was still here with him.
“Did you get a chance to meet Shoma?” Ace began to speak, and Michinaga attempted to listen. He was having a difficult time focusing. Ace was just too distracting; tall, handsome, and kind. What more could anyone ask for? He was also an annoying sly fox, but even gods needed to have their flaws. And Michinaga was only human after all.
Michinaga could only dream that perhaps the attention Ace gave him was just a little bit more special than the attention he gave everyone else. That their bond was more than superficial. That despite 2000 years of existence, meeting countless of different people, and ascending to godhood, Ace treasured his bond with Michinaga, if only a fraction of the same amount.
It was not lost on Michinaga that he owed Ace everything, including his life. The other man saved him countless of times; over and over again and asked nothing in return. And while Michinaga was unsure if he believed in other gods, Michinaga had nothing but absolute faith in Ace.
The whiskey must be really hitting Michinaga now.
“Ten!”
Michinaga’s ears perked up as he heard chanting coming from inside the house. It must be getting close to midnight. The year was coming to a close, and a new one about to start.
“Nine!”
“Hey… are you even listening, Buffa?” Ace asked with a teasing grin.
“Eight!”
“You’re annoying, Geats,” Michinaga huffed as he gently pushed the other. Ace laughed at the other’s feeble attempts to start a fight. Michinaga whole body shuddered at the comforting sound.
“Seven!”
Teasing and bickering, that was what was normal between them; what was safe. That’s all Michinaga should want from Ace to be satisfied.
Nothing more.
“Six!”
Michinaga could not help himself from wanting more. He so selfishly wanted more that it practically hurt with an ache he did not even realized was possible.
“Sounds like the New Year is coming up soon,” Ace mused.
“Five!”
Was that even allowed? For a mere mortal to demand more from a god?
But he was not some random mortal, he was Michinaga. And it was not any god, it was Ace.
“Four!”
“Yeah…” Michinaga trailed off, his thoughts jumbled up in a drunken haze.
What was that thing Ace said earlier? Something about ‘making memories through action’? And Michinaga was, if anything else, a man of action.
”Three!”
But what if it was a mistake? What if Ace rejected it? Rejected him? Michinaga would not know what to do with himself if his god casted him aside.
“Two!”
“Buffa?”
Tilting his head up, Michinaga took one more glance up into Ace’s eyes. A feeling of warmth and comfort bloomed from his chest and flooded his whole body. And that was all he needed to find his answer.
“One!”
Reached out Ace, Michinaga pulled the other man in close and closing the gap with a chaste kiss.
“Happy New Years!”
Closing his eyes, Michinaga tried to use all of his senses to commit this moment to memory. The warm senet of Ace’s cologne, soft touch of Ace’s lips, the sweet taste of Ace’s lips. All of it together mixed to form a single beautiful moment. It was better than anything he could had imagine.
As much as he wanted the moment to last, Michinaga could not allow himself to be too indulgent. If it lasted any longer, he feared he would get addicted. As quickly as the moment came, it was gone as he pulled back from the kiss. The tingling sensation of Ace’s touch still lingering on Michinaga’s lips.
Ace actually looked completely taken back by Michinaga’s bold actions. His eyes were wide, jaw slack, and there was a bright red blush creeping across Ace’s features. Michinaga felt a swell of pride in his chest, that he was able to fluster the God of Creation himself, if only for a moment.
“Happy New Years, Geats.”
Fireworks lit up the New Year’s night sky, illuminating the two men under bright colorful lights. In the background, Michinaga could hear the cheers of everyone else louder than moments prior. Perhaps they all had come outside to view the fireworks better.
Michinaga started to turn to watch the fireworks properly before he felt a warm hand on his cheek. With a gentle but firm touch, it directed Michinaga to face Ace directly. Before he knew it, Michinaga felt Ace’s lips on his own again, only this time it was the latter who initiated it. Michinaga closed his eyes, and allowing himself to relax and fully succumb to the kiss. He wrapped his arms around Ace’s neck, pulling their bodies flushed against each other. Despite the freezing temperatures, Michinaga felt like he was melting.
It was only due to the need for oxygen that Michinaga pulled back. Both men looked at each other, cheeks flushed and panting softly. There was so much going on inside their heads, thoughts and feelings they wanted to share with the other, and yet words failed them in the moment. Perhaps in time they would be able to speak openly. For now, there was only one thing that needed to be said.
“Happy New Years, Buffa.”