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December 24, 20XX was an especially cold day. The warmth that flowed through Ren when he took Makoto’s gloved hand on that thankfully normal winter’s evening was enough to keep the chill at bay as they started looking for somewhere to eat together.
Unsurprisingly, every restaurant and cafe was packed to the rafters, full of renewed Christmas cheer, but no space for two more to share. Makoto suggested they get a Christmas cake to share instead, and Ren followed that up, inviting her to Leblanc to eat and escape the cold. She happily accepted, telling him that she would go, even if they couldn’t find a cake.
Even that mission seemed futile, as each supermarket and konbini was fresh out. Makoto sighed, muttering that she would’ve thought ahead if she didn’t have something far more pressing to deal with that day . All Ren could do is shake his head with mirth at his girlfriend’s words.
As luck would have it, overhearing their dilemma, one of the store assistants offered them a Christmas cake that had been ordered, yet not collected in time. Ren watched as Makoto’s frown turned to delight, and she profusely thanked the assistant, taking the box and wishing them the happiest of Christmases.
Just the smallest thing really could change the trajectory of an evening. Ren and Makoto knew that better than anyone.
Makoto glanced at Ren, her lips curving into a smile as she reached forward, scooping cream off his nose with her finger and popping it into her mouth with a gentle mmm . “Now, how did that get there?”
Ren tilted his head to hide his eyes behind his glasses, expression giving nothing away. “I do not know what you mean.”
Makoto giggled, and the sound was music to his ears. “If I said that I think you may have done that on purpose… would I be right?”
Ren chose that moment to take off his glasses, a smirk following. “I still have no idea…”
Makoto pursed her lips and paused for a moment before pouncing on him, tickling her boyfriend’s sides, taking delight in the way he squealed and squirmed.
“Stop! Stop!” He laughed, trying to prise the brunette’s playful fingers from his body.
“I thought you liked me touching you…” she whispered, teeth sinking into her bottom lip. By this point, their faces were close, and Ren took the moment to close the space between them, her lips soft against his.
“I do,” he whispered in kind, kissing her again, lifting her hands from his sides and interlocking them with his own. Brushing his lips across her knuckles this time, she relaxed against him, head nestled in the crook of his shoulder. “I’m glad we managed to get that cake,” Ren murmured, his thumb drawing gentle circles against the back of her palm. “After all we’ve been through the last six months, fate afforded us a break.”
Makoto, whose eyes had closed as Ren spoke, lulled by the feel of her hands in his, simply nodded. She was content; happy, even. “And it was delicious.”
A few moments of companionable silence passed before Makoto opened her eyes. “Oh, Ren, look!” She pointed out towards the window as she spoke. “It’s snowing!” She stood then (Ren whining just a touch) and walked over, sitting on his bed and leaning out against the ledge. “Snow, on Christmas. How perfect.”
Ren chuckled and followed, sitting alongside her. He pulled his blanket around her shoulders, snuggling under too before his arm slipped around her waist and pulled her closer. Makoto sat back and rested her head against his shoulder again, watching as the snowflakes descended from the sky.
“What you said earlier, about fate,” Makoto whispered once Ren was comfortable. “I’ve just been thinking about that.”
Ren turned his head ever so slightly, letting his senses take in the scent of her hair. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “Fate may have been cruel to you especially but… it’s also been incredibly kind.” She picked her head up then to look directly at him. “For me at least. If not for the Phantom Thieves, especially you… I, nor the others, would have found the strength to change our lives.” She placed her hand on his thigh and squeezed lightly. “You, us, all of us - we saved one another. We saved ourselves at the same time. I think that’s amazing.”
Ren listened without interruption. It was true that he sometimes thought that fate was unjust towards people who just wanted to live honest lives, himself included, but he often buried those feelings away. Makoto was right - had they not found each other, who knows what the state of his life would be now? He had a solid group of friends, a home, a found family that put his blood family to shame, confidants with the utmost trust in him and the most wonderful girlfriend that broke through all his barriers and still appreciated the scared little boy at its core. Fate indeed was cruel, but he’d resolved to make the most of the cards he was dealt. He wouldn’t have thought this way back in April. He couldn’t have done it without the support and love of those around him.
He had known where his feelings were headed after Makoto joined the Phantom Thieves. At first it was pretty shallow - yes, she looked badass on her bike persona, and her Phantom outfit was perfect on her, and God, those eyes… but as he got to know her, as he helped Makoto to discover new things (some of which they both would have preferred to forget), he found himself leaning to her for support, seeking her out first, just anything to build upon their relationship. He watched as she turned from a straight A student trapped under the heel of careless adults, to a free-thinking, independent, caring woman without the shackles of the expectations of others. He’d fallen for her mind and heart; everything else was a pleasant bonus.
“I love you.” Ren barely had registered that he’d said it, but he knew he had. It had been natural and, honestly, he’d felt it for a long time, even before that September evening they decided to ‘study’ together. Exclusively. He’d nervously popped the question, and she accepted instantly.
“E-eh?”
Where the words flowed smoothly for Ren, Makoto was surprised. Very surprised, given her reaction, and she simply stared at her boyfriend. “Love? Me?” She asked dumbly, a flush quickly tinting her face.
“I love you,” Ren repeated easily, like he was made to say those very words. Maybe he was. “Makoto Niijima, I love you.”
The brunette was still astonished, but finally managed to jump start her brain back into action, though her heart was beating wildly. “I—“ The words were oh so simple. She knew how she felt. He’d put himself on the line for her countless times, and now it was her turn.
“I love you too, Ren.” She smiled gently at him, the words coming easily the moment she stopped overthinking. And she meant every word.
Ren, without his glasses to hide his face, was visibly delighted. His smile, though closed-lipped, was the sort he reserved for her when they were alone; it was genuine.
“I’m so glad to hear you say that.” His arms closed around her once more, and their lips connected.
“You know,” Makoto breathily whispered as she pulled away from Ren, her own lips gently swollen from the heated nips and tugs over the past half an hour. “It’s still snowing.” She tilted her head to glance up again at the sky. Though the night air was cold on her face, it didn’t matter - she was warm everywhere else. “I doubt there’ll be any trains running.”
“And I don’t want to call you a taxi…” he trailed off, eyes meeting hers.
“Maybe…”
“Maybe..?”
“Maybe I could stay tonight..?” Her fingers toyed with the buttons on his blazer under the blanket, and he trapped her hand against his chest, holding it in place. His heart beat raced ever so slightly under the pads of her fingers, reminding them both that they had put so much on the line that day, but now, they could rest. The evening was theirs.
“I think you should.”