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Rei did not really know what to expect. The bare minimum would be a simple and quiet and non-boisterous Christmas party that Eiden has now held three years in a row with all of them. Really, anyone is fine. He could whip out the best gifts for Garu, he knows what Yakumo likes, and of course, Quincy is even easier to give to, the practical man he is. But as he picked up a folded paper in a tupperware that Eiden had been passing around, he could feel his eyes twitching at the sudden realization.
Kuya
- Surprise me.
Rei almost crumpled up the paper and threw it on the ground. Of all people— he sighed exasperatedly that he is thankful that Eiden has moved on to the others to take their pick for the secret santa thing and is far enough to hear it. He has never been a people pleaser type of a person, he knows his limits and he tiptoes in the thin line of taking it easy and pushing himself.
But it’s different when it comes to Kuya, it always has been. Because everything is suddenly so chaotic. Everything is suddenly so specific. Everything is— as wise words from their dear old friend— troublesome. And if Rei ever received those judging heterochromatic eyes, looking down at him with an audacious smirk during Christmas, all hell would break loose in that party.
So now that leaves him with one last relevant question: What the fuck is a "surprise me" and where can he buy it?
He's willing to give his entire savings for it.
“You got Kuya?” There was a wince on Eiden's face as he said it, almost making the glass he was cleaning fall off his hands but he caught it just in time. “Oof, dude. I am so sorry that happened to you.”
“Say that to yourself, you got him twice in a row didn't you?” Rei said, playing over his glass of alcohol on the counter. He was told that if he is going to harass a certain part time bartender in their establishment, he should at least order something. So now he is stuck with overpriced margaritas that he could've used to get whatever Kuya wants. “Just tell me what's the trick to it. What did you do?”
“Look, man, if I could tell you what it is I would.” Eiden also sighed to himself, as if reliving a bad memory as he set the clean glass down on a tray and picked up another. “I don't get it either. I just know that he hates over-expensive stuff. I pointed at some jewel ring once to get a clue and he glared at it like it offended him.”
Okay. So that would save him a lot of money then. “What else?”
“That's it.”
“What do you mean that's it?”
“I told you I don't know what happened either!” Eiden answered helplessly to him, then got spooked out that other patrons drinking in the counter turned their eyes to them. He then started to speak quieter, “For some reason, he just liked the heated pillow I won on a random coupon discount I got. But don't tell him that.”
“That didn't help at all.” Rei grumbled under his breath, taking the rest of his drink in one gulp in stress. He only has less than a week left and he is empty-handed at the mercy of an annoying fox.
“I know. I’m sorry.” Eiden smiled helplessly and offered a pitiful pat in the shoulder. “You know the bar is currently hosting an event with a coupon too— Ow!”
“Don’t sales talk your way out of this one.” Rei said with a fist still hanging in the air on what he used to hit Eiden’s forehead with.
“I’m not! I’m behaving now! I get it!” Eiden cried, cradling his poor forehead that he wished didn't start becoming red later.
Pleased, Rei focused back on his drink and might as well make the most of the evening when he couldn't even get a proper answer to his questions. This should be fine. At least he got one clue to make up for it.
Rei found Yakumo and Garu together next, having a buffet of different cookies in a cafe down the street, saying that Yakumo is in need of a new inspiration for a recipe he is experimenting on. He didn't know they would be here, as his initial goal was to get something sweet to keep his sugar level high from all the fatigue and stress he has been accumulating from this ordeal.
“A gift that Mr. Kuya would be surprised to…” Yakumo thought over the situation with a dessert spoon pressing on his lower lip.
“Uhm… I don't know if it will help, Rei but…” Garu started playing with his fingers, twirling it around, “I always especially appreciate it if it was made by hand— or! From scratch!”
Rei frowned, well that sounds a little too much effort for something to be only given to Kuya. But he asked softly, “Like what? I don't think the Old Fox will like anything handicraft.”
“Then cooking?” Yakumo added gently, “Mr. Eiden told me that whenever I cook him food it’s always special. Because I made it on my own.”
“You say that but—” Rei sighed, tapping a finger on his table, “I am not that gifted when it comes to that kind of work.”
Garu giggled at one side, “I’m pretty sure Mr. Kuya will like anything you give him, Rei.” He smiled widely and innocently at Rei, “Because you put in effort to everything.”
Rei snorted at that statement, “I highly doubt that.”
With no one left to ask, Rei courageously took a familiar path towards a cabin in what he can only call as the borderlines in the city from the lack of civilization in that place. Quincy— Rei is hopefully praying— must be the one who will be able to help him the most when it comes to whatever that Old Fox wants in his little gift box. They’ve known each other longer than anyone else anyway, longer than Rei had even known them both.
“He’s sentimental.” Quincy says, wiping the sweat off his forehead as he chopped woods behind his house. Rei sits prettily on a chair near the sliding door, watching a spectacular show in the front seats. “Kuya hates senseless, expensive things. But he’d like a secondhand thing as long as he sees emotional value to it.”
“Where did you get that information?”
Quincy’s lips quirked up slightly in amusement, “Took him to a thrift shop once. It’s like setting a child on loose in a park.”
Rei stared at him with squinted eyes and a frown, “I feel like you’re messing with me.”
“Believe what you want.” Quincy said with a shrug, he landed his axe on the unsuspecting log on the stump once more and it smoothly cuts in half.
He wanted to believe Quincy, he truly does. But trying to imagine the most revered, most respected, somehow idolized by all, Kuya getting excited over a thrift store is kind of— makes sense actually, but his brain has imagined him in a terribly exaggerated way akin to a child finding a new favorite toy.
“Who did you get?” Rei asked curiously, in an attempt to divert the topic, “It’s not me, is it?”
Quincy halted in his work for a moment, then he deliberately avoided Rei’s gaze as he answered, “...Olivine.”
“Oh, wow.” It was Rei’s turn to perk up in amusement, sitting on his chair properly like a story has finally reached its climax and he can't afford to miss a single detail. “Is that why you’ve been chopping all these logs for? Quincy, you're not thinking of building a whole piece of furniture for him, are you?”
Quincy huffed a breath, “No such thing.”
Rei laughed. Maybe if he teased him enough, he’d forget about this whole situation.
With three clues in his brain, Rei remembered a memory.
He and Kuya were batch mates in college. They shared the same minor class in communication and also the same nightmare schedule of having to wake up five in the morning to even get to that class on time. They sat next to each other, on the same table. Kuya will always get a laptop out and tapping away, Rei tries to catch forty winks before discussion officially starts. They were still civil back then, surprisingly. Like they were on their last thread of patience and decided on a truce to not make the situation worse. Rei thought that during that time, if he accidentally knocked Kuya's water bottle over or Kuya nudged him a little too hard when waking him up as the professor walks in, that classroom would have been a blood bath between the two of them.
But that wasn't important. The main reason that Rei is reminiscing about this memory was because there was a trend of bracelets getting painted on with your name on it going around the university. Friends gave it to each other, couples even more so. It was a cheap, flimsy threaded bracelet that has a smooth black plastic on top that allows the seller to write a name. Rei once saw Kuya staring at it blankly as the class dismissed.
But when he asked (teasingly) if he wanted one, Kuya hissed and said he doesn't care about such trivial matters. Rei shrugged it off.
But here he is now. A day before Christmas, waking up at five in the morning like all that years ago. Father was still asleep on his perch when he opened his eyes, Rei merely refilled his food and then grabbed his wallet, keys, phone and helmet to be on his merry way.
Travelling to two towns over with his motorcycle must've been a dream since he wouldn't have to deal with hours of commute on his way and back. Rei's first stop was to buy the cheapest breakfast sandwich and water by the nearest convenience store to fuel him and his fatigue through the entire journey. The only store that had that annoying bracelet was the street where their university was. He knows the trend had long since forgotten and Rei could only hope to God that it was still open and thriving or, have mercy, he'd sacrifice a goat to get it up and running.
And truth be told.
“I'm so sorry. But we don't sell that bracelet anymore.”
Rei could feel a headache forming, trying too hard to not clutch his head in front of the saleslady to maintain dignity and be polite. “...Are there any other stores that have something similar? It doesn't need to be customized or anything.”
The saleslady only smiled apologetically, “I'm sorry again but I think not... They have been closed down for years I believe.”
Great. Just Great. Now what?
If he had a choice to have a mental breakdown right in the middle of a rundown shop full of dust he would, however his dignity won over and Rei only managed to groan and smother his hands to his face. Hopefully he didn't freak out the saleslady too much, he’d rather this store remained welcoming of him.
“Uhm… Sir?”
Rei pathetically raised his head back up from the sudden query, the saleslady only offered him a sweet smile and a shy look.
“Is this… some sort of gift, maybe?”
He blinked his eyes and tilted his head. In a sense of helplessness, Rei exhaled, “It is. For a friend's party.”
“I see.” The saleslady nodded her head, her fingers started fidgeting and she kept on glancing down from under the counter. “We also offer other kinds of bracelets, sir. If you want, I can give you recommendations of which accessories are of latest trends and I can even find one to your tastes! Unless— Well.”
Rei raised a brow. What is this suspension for? “Unless?”
“Unless… this is a very specific gift and that no other accessories can compare?”
He was a little taken aback by the question. Why does he need this specific stupid bracelet? There are tons, more bejeweled, expensive, and shinier than anyone has ever seen before. Kuya was even talking about a new jewelry magazine lately, shoving it to his face and complimenting each and every detail of it.
But then Rei also holds a blurry memory of that time; when the class had been dismissed by the professor and every other student had been running and rushing to get out of the classroom. The barely rising sun hits the windows just quite right to give Kuya, who sat beside him, unmoving, eyes fixed to somewhere— someone— and then a quick flash of light from the corner of Rei’s eyes. A threaded bracelet—
He took a deep breath. Kuya is so difficult.
“Yes.” Rei answered, “It has to be that specific bracelet.”
Instead of being disappointed that she won't be able to sell her other wares anymore, the saleslady only clapped her hands with sparkles in her eyes. Rei blinked at her in surprise.
“It had been so long ago but… I used to help my mother when making those bracelets so I know a thing or two. If you want I can make you one right now! No service fee included!”
Rei was completely dumbfounded, staring at her with shock, “O… kay?”
“Let me just get my box!”
That's how Rei found himself sitting on an old wobbly chair, hands on his knees as he watched expert nimble but shaky fingers make work of thin ropes, charms and tools right across from him.
“Is this for someone special?”
Rei scoffed, but he tried to stop himself from rolling his eyes, “He is special alright. Making me ride all the way here to get him something so specific.” No one has to know that Kuya’s wishlist isn't really as specific as this. He could've just gone to a thrift store and grab a mug if he wanted to, maybe he’d just drive through fast food and then put the sauce condiments in a box and then give it. Instead, Rei chose the hard way and he is now suffering the consequences of it.
The saleslady lets out a soft laugh, “You must be quite close.”
“No—” Rei bit his lower lip and made a face. No, he and Kuya are not close in the way the saleslady thinks they are. Put them in a locked room together and they’d be blood on their trails the moment they get out. He opened his mouth once again, “...I wouldn't say that close.”
The saleslady gave him a smile, “I see.”
They sit in silence. Rei continued to watch the bracelet slowly come together with the beads of color of purple and gold intertwining with each other. It is a pretty mix of color, really. Even Rei was mesmerized when he finally got the end product.
Soon enough, the saleslady pulled out a dusty bag from under the drawer and opened it up, revealing a series of paint pens she has to shake from all the dried up pigments on its surface.
“What name should I put on here?”
Rei sucked in a breath.
“...Kuya.”
—
When he arrived at the venue, Rei was utterly exhausted. His motorcycle is almost out of gas, he is starving, his lower back aches and his arms are strained. But he managed to still properly park in front of the café and pushed the heavy glass doors open (seriously, who needed that much manpower to open a goddamn door?). After receiving the custom bracelet, he drove all the way back to town, went to a nearby department store to get a pretty box and some ribbons, then started decorating it all in the store’s parking lot. Then he threw the box and drove away again.
The loud music welcomed him as he entered, the entire café which was the venue of their christmas party was decorated in colored papers and a bunch of old dusty christmas decorations that Rei could tell was also used last year. At this point of the day, he was ready to drop himself on a nearby chair, hugging the gift tightly in his arms and just collapse.
But God has other plans it seems like.
“Little chick!”
While others only regarded him with a nod and a smile, a very energetic ball of sunshine just swoops past and starts running to him. Rei only sighed in defeat and let the energetic furball jump on him and give him a nicely tight squeeze.
“Merry Christmas! I’m your secret santa!”
Rei patted his back and choked out his greetings, “Merry Christmas.”
Finally, Blade lets him go to conjure up a neatly wrapped gift in his hand. For a person like Blade, it was comparatively small rather than the candle sculpture he made of Eiden from last year. Still though, it's not like Rei is the type to make a big deal out of gift sizes of all things. The smaller it is, the better it can fit in his apartment.
Blade excitedly placed it on his hands and Rei can practically imagine him just vibrating waiting for him to open his gift. “I picked up something that could help Little Chick with his samples.”
Rei smiled politely and carefully undoes the ribbon. Blade was still looking at him with bright and expectant eyes as he lifted the box and— Oh. To say that he didn't expect this would be an understatement.
He picked up the shiny gemstone from the box and looked at it closer with awe and curiosity in his mind. Rei broke into a silly smile as he placed it against the light in the ceiling, watching in fascination as the hue from it glitters and sparkles at every turn. It wasn't just a pretty stone, Rei could tell. He watched particles dance on its almost transparent surface and he could already hear the gears in his brain starting to turn.
“Do you like it?” Blade beamed at him.
Rei chuckled and placed the stone back carefully in the box, “I love it. Thanks, Blade. Where did you find this?”
“Oh~! It’s here and there~”
Whatever that means.
Blade held him hostage (sat beside him and clung to him) for around at least ten minutes before Edmond had arrived and so he went for his next target. Rei, finally getting comfortable in his seat, took a few minutes to catch his breath and watch in content as everyone interacted with each other. Aster and Morvay acting like they were Garu’s parents who, in contrast, is happily giggling while chugging a glass of wine. Quincy was in the middle of presenting his gift to Olivine— a wooden bunny paperweight, it seems like— which the priest accepted with stars in his eyes. Eiden was off on the other side, laughing about something Edmond had said while Yakumo blushed furiously. And it seems Blade has found yet another target, together with Karu, they are trying to get on Dante’s back to see what kind of gift he received.
It was all fun and loud, as it always is whenever all of them had managed to fit everyone's schedule to get together. Rei would never admit it out loud but he always finds this sight kind of… endearing.
Then his eyes found a familiar purple on one side of the wall, watching the others with full interest just as much as Rei, but with more listlessness in his eyes as he played with the rim of his teacup with his finger. Rei knew he had to approach him sooner or later, and it seems like he is the only one left who hasn't given a gift yet so it all comes down to the guilt and pressure.
He does have a choice to never give Kuya his gift like, ever. But the consequences of that action includes a whiny tantruming old fox everywhere he goes after this day. Plus, he went through a lot of trouble getting this damned gift so might as well “fuck it we ball”.
With a clear mind and determination, Rei confidently walked across the hall, almost bumping into Dante and Blade still keeping up with their little play. And when he arrived at the table where Kuya was, the old fox didn't even bother looking up to greet him. He clicked his tongue, placed the box harshly on the table and proceeded to sit down on the chair across from him.
Kuya gave him a puzzled look, “And this is?”
“I’m your secret santa.” Rei answered without a single hint of enthusiasm, "Merry Christmas. Hooray.”
Instead of being thrilled (not like Rei expected that in the first place), Kuya merely sighed loudly, playing with the gray ribbon of the box, “And here I was expecting what kind of nonsensical gift Eiden had come up with for me this year. Ah, turns out it was just you all along. How disappointing.”
“Like I wanted this in the first place.” Rei rolled his eyes, “Just open the gift.”
“Hehe, and if I don't want to?”
“Then you’ll never find out what it is.”
“That sounds promising.”
“Just open the damn gift, Kuya.”
Kuya laughed out loud at that, fully amused and happy, one that Rei would’ve been so starstruck to look at if he was any other normal person in a street who doesn't know what Kuya truly is. But despite not being the said any other normal person in a street, Rei does find himself feeling a little… surprised.
“Why are you being so fussy? Have you perhaps placed some sort of prank—”
Kuya opened the gift Rei huffed and looked away.
“You…” Kuya placed the lid back on with a sharp inhale, “...are an annoying sentimental little bug.”
“Give it back if you don't want it.”
“I never said that.”
It’s cheesy. It's corny. Not really Rei’s kind of style whenever he goes to buy gifts. He’d given Eiden a set of artistic markers, Quincy a toolbox, and he treated Garu and Karu more than he can count to make that little boy happy. It’s practical, always has been. He doesn't work on emotional biases and nostalgia, what else would it do? The best gift is always something that can be used in the long run, not some bunch of random accessories that Kuya loves throwing out to people.
And that is exactly why Kuya wouldn't like it if he chose to do what he usually does. So what? Was it worth all that traveling by motorcycle? The skipped lunch, breaking down from the bracelet no longer being sold, riding in the way back where his back had long been aching and screaming at him?
Was it?
Kuya pushed the box towards him.
Rei looked back at him confused, “You’re really giving it back?”
“The only way you can pry this off my hands is when I'm a lifeless corpse in a casket.” Kuya then raised and placed his arm at the top of the table, “Put it on me.”
He rolled his eyes, “You can't do anything by yourself, can you?” But still, Rei reached for the box and picked up the threaded bracelet carefully.
It feels so foreign in his hands despite seeing how it was made and having to hold it in his hand as he was driving back to town. He loosened its lock, then he held out his hand to ask for the other’s wrist, Kuya obliged surprisingly. Rei slipped it in Kuya’s hand, letting it rest on the frail and pale wrist. The side that reads Kuya’s name was right in front of Rei’s face, written in beautiful cursive and decorated by painted small purple flowers sprouting from the green vines. It’s beautiful, just as it was when the saleslady handed it to Rei the first time and she laughed at how dazed his eyes had gotten. It was just so… perfect. It fits Kuya’s character so well, he couldn't have come up with any other gift.
Soon, Rei pulls on the loose threads and it tightens around Kuya’s wrist, securing it around just right so it wouldn't carelessly fall.
Kuya hummed in delight, “I can accept this.”
How funny. Travelling so far and back, just so the person he is giving this to can say it barely hit his standard.
“Just say you like it. It’s not that hard.”
Yeah. This is worth it.