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Feitan's feet were going numb. The snow rose to mid-thigh and continued to fall in large puffs from the low, red sky. His boots did little to stop the snow from seeping through his socks. His robes did far less.Tch. There was no reason to suppress his shivers - nobody was around to see - but the bodily response grated on Feitan like blades on glass.
The Phantom Troupe didn't have many opportunities to get together like this. They weren't often able to come together outside of work. Just them, socializing and coexisting together. Like when we were kids, Feitan thought. His cheeks and nose were already pink from the frigid air, and he found himself grateful for that.
"Since most of the troupe will be in the area for Christmas, we're going to have a small party," Chrollo had said over the phone. Feitan bit his tongue, but he could smell Pakunoda all over this idea.
"What is the objective?" He asked flatly.
A heavy sigh came through the phone.
"No objectives this time, Fei. Just come and have fun."
"That an order?"
"Sure. I'm ordering you to come and enjoy yourself."
Feitan grimaced. Parties were fine, but holidays weren't really his thing.
"Want me to bring anything?" He asked.
"Bring a gift," Chrollo responded, and Feitan could tell that he was losing patience.
"What kind of gift?"
"Just - a nice gift. Steal something."
Feitan's eyes lit up. Now, there's something he could do. Something he was good at.
The house looked nice - some kind of farmhouse in the middle of nowhere. Unplowed roads and dense forest trees surrounded the place. A blue truck sat in the driveway, untouched. Just about every part of Feitan was soaked to the bone, except for the small present he had tucked away in his pocket. Phinks' present. Feitan's heart stuttered at the thought. Would it be too much? Would it be poorly received? Would he even like it? Oh, God. What if he didn't like it?
At the top of the porch stairs, the front door swung open. Uvogin's large torso filled the frame as he grinned toothily down at Feitan.
"I knew I sensed someone! It's just Feitan," He barked out a laugh to somebody inside before returning his attention outside. "You're late."
Feitan pushed past the giant and into the warmth of the farmhouse. "Boss said this not a job. Not possible to be late."
"Yeah! You can't be late to a party, Uvo!" Shalnark called from the kitchen, where he was pouring ungodly-sized shots for himself and a nervous-looking Pakunoda.
"Don't you start again! You were almost as late as he was. Give me that!" Uvogin scoffed, marching over and snatching the liquor from Shalnark's hand while the blond let out an indignant, "Hey!"
"Take mine, too," Pakunoda shoved hers into Uvogin's other hand, relief evident on her face.
"You're soaked." Machi was much closer than he'd expected. His eyes shot to her, questioning.
"Did you really walk here?" She continued. Feitan said nothing.
…He didn't want to admit that he was afraid of winter driving.
"I've got a sweater you can borrow!" Shalnark called from the kitchen, already running up the stairs.
"I'm fine," Feitan responded, not keen on putting on whatever pastel colored abomination Shalnark was about to produce.
“You’re fine! But you're going to get the furniture all wet!" Nobunaga complained.
"I could give you my shirt if you want." A warm voice quietly offered to his right.
Feitan's eyes widened, his cheeks flushing pink. It wouldn't be the first time that Phinks shared his clothes with him, but recently Feitan felt like an exposed nerve around the man. Every sense focused on Phinks when the tall man was around. His laugh, his drive, his body.
It was horrible. Even before the dreams started.
"Here it is!" Shalnark called out melodically, a fiendish grin splitting his face. He skipped down the stairs, holding up a pink sweater.
A pink. Sweater.
Uvogin barked out a laugh, and Machi sighed beside him. Phinks frowned, looking Shalnark and the sweater up and down.
"Seriously. You can wear mine," Phinks insisted, already unzipping his jacket.
Feitan's breath caught in his throat. He wasn't going to just grab one of the ones he packed? He just had to offer up the one he was wearing?
It'll probably be warmer, Feitan thought. It'll probably smell like him.
"Tch!" Feitan stomped over to a smug-looking Shalnark and snatched the abomination from his hands. He could hear Machi lecturing the manipulator about being a "shit-stirrer" as he ascended the stairs.
He didn't see Phinks deflate behind him as he watched him leave.
The wet clothes were hard to peel off, the leather wanting to shrink and stick to his shivering form. Once he was free of the confining fabric, Feitan's fingers clumsily felt at the small, wrapped gift he'd been hiding. A part of him expected it to be soaked through as well, ruined. Aside from a little bit of dampness, it held up pretty well. The tape was peeling, but the paper itself was intact. The tension released from his shoulders all at once. He gently set the gift aside and turned his attention back to getting dressed. Shalnark's sweater sagged over Feitan's thin form as he pulled it on, the hem dropping down to just above his knees. It was a relief to stop shivering, he thought begrudgingly.
Gift in hand, he descended the stairs, rejoining the others. His eyes had only just found Phinks when Chrollo's smooth voice broke through the din in the room.
"Oh, good! Fei has his gift. We can start now."
Start? Feitan's eye twitched. ...He doesn't expect everyone to open their gifts right here, right?
Feitan's grip tightened as he trailed after everyone into the main room of the house. The Boss had even put up a Christmas tree. It looked… nice - cozy, Feitan thought.
"Okay! Everyone put their gifts on the table." Shalnark grinned. Feitan shot him a glare, and the box creaked beneath his fingers.
Shalnark smiled as he walked over, intending to take the small box from the torturer.
"Okay, now just - just give it here," Shalnark grunted as he tried to pry it from Feitan's cold fingers.
"No."
"What do you mean, 'no'? This is how the game works. Give me the box!" Shalnark was frowning now.
"No!" Feitan kicked the taller man in the shin.
"Fei, put the present on the table," Chrollo sighed, though Feitan saw the glint of amusement he tried to hide.
"Why?" Feitan huffed even as he set the gift carefully on the table, away from the others.
"For the game, you dick," Shalnark rubbed his leg. "We're playing White Elephant."
"Why?" Feitan asked again, a sinking feeling in his gut.
"So that everybody gets a gift," Chrollo explained. "One person is going to pick a gift and open it in front of everybody."
He may as well have dumped ice water down Feitan's back. What did he just say?!
Chrollo continued to explain the game. "The next person in line can either steal that gift or open up a new one. If your gift is stolen, you get to choose again. Once we all have a gift in hand, the first person in line can choose to swap gifts with someone else. Their victim will have the same option until someone chooses to keep their gift. Make sense, everyone?"
Feitan's fists clenched, nails digging into his skin.
"Makes sense to me!" Shalnark smirked.
"Yeah, let's get started." Machi flopped on the couch, securing a spot before anyone else could.
"I want to go first!" Phinks demanded.
"We should go in the order of our numbers." Nobunaga grinned.
"Oh, fuck off!" Phinks raised his fist.
"No fighting!" Pakunoda snapped. "Don't make me get the spray bottle. We'll draw numbers out of a hat, like adults."
Bonolenov went first, approaching the table of gifts with his thumb resting contemplatively on his chin. Feitan felt antsy as the tall, bandaged man skimmed over the gifts before finally settling on the one Shizuku put down. It was small. The rest of them had to lean in to get a good look as Bono tore open the packaging.
"It's… candy?" He asked, unamused.
"Gummybears!" Shalnark exclaimed.
"Can someone please steal this?" Bono groaned, slumping back onto the couch.
"Not a chance," Kortopi said, walking up to the table decisively. "I want this one."
Feitan nearly burst a blood vessel as he watched the mop-head put his dirty little fingers all over the green wrapping paper that he'd spent so long choosing. The gift itself was admittedly not very well wrapped… It was almost more tape than paper. But it's the thought that counts, right?
Kortopi tore open the wrapping to reveal a small black box. Inside was a golden watch - the most expensive one Feitan could find. Phinks likes gold, he'd thought as he stole it.
"Oh! This is pretty nice. I bet I could make a bunch of these and sell them," Kortopi smiled. "Thanks, Feitan."
Feitan grunted in response. Nobunaga was already unwrapping a grenade launcher, but Feitan couldn't keep his eyes off the watch in Kortopi's hand. He wasn't the only one. When his gaze lifted towards Phinks, he found the tall blond staring intently at the watch as well.
Does he like it? Feitan couldn't help himself. A small bloom of pride joined the cloud of irritation inside him. Phinks' stare lifted to meet his, and Feitan's breath caught. This felt too vulnerable. Too honest for them.
"Phinks, you're up," Chrollo called.
Phinks' attention turned to the center of the room as the room's attention turned to him.
"Are you a fan of candy?" Bonolenov asked.
"I want the watch."
Kortopi cursed under his breath as he held it out. The rest of the group erupted in laughter and teasing.
"Oooh, first steal!"
"Watch out, everyone!"
"Maybe now you won't be so late everywhere."
Feitan's heart was thudding in his chest. The room suddenly felt warmer, and his hands were clammy in the sleeves of his sweater. Breathing was getting harder.
Kortopi was placated quickly as he opened Machi's gift - a hand-knitted hat and scarf. He was quick to put them on, earning a small smile from her. Chrollo opened a vinyl record from Bono, his eyes lighting up appreciatively. Franklin opened a box with a small cactus inside. The plant looked even smaller in his large hands. Machi stole the grenade launcher, to everyone's surprise. Nobunaga opened a box containing some motorcycle keys.
"The bike's out back," Uvogin explained with a grin.
"Yeah? How the hell am I supposed to get the damned thing out of here? It's blizzarding outside!" Nobunaga complained.
"Just carry it. That's what I did."
"Carry it?!"
The two enhancers' bickering was drowned out as Shalnark stood up. Feitan could already see a wicked gleam in his eye as he approached Phinks, hands shoved in his pockets.
"That's a nice-looking watch, Phinks. I think I'll steal that for myself!" He said, holding out his hand.
Phinks frowned at him. "Are you kidding me? You don't even wear watches. Your phone is glued to your hand 24/7."
"Might I interest you in some gummy bears? I know you have a sweet tooth!" Bonolenov chimed in.
"Nah, I want the watch. I can always sell it, like Kortopi suggested," Shalnark snatched the little black box before heading back to his seat. He gave Feitan a wink before sitting down.
"I guess I'll steal the bike, then…" Phinks said, unsure of himself.
"Why does everyone keep robbing me?" Nobunaga threw the keys angrily, face turning red. "Give me the damned candy. At least no one will take that."
Bonolenov was all too happy to be rid of the candy. His face fell when he unwrapped a game, clearly used.
"What… is this?" He questioned, glancing up at the group.
"Animal Crossing!" Shalnark grinned.
"Like, a video game?" He looked disappointed. “I don’t have a way to play this…”
Whatever Shalnark was about to say was cut off by Feitan stomping over to him and swiping the box from his hands.
"I'm stealing." He growled, his tone warning everyone not to steal from him.
"You're stealing your own gift? Boring, but okay," Shalnark shrugged. "I want the gift the Boss brought."
Feitan sat down, watch clutched tightly in his hands as Shalnark opened a heated blanket. His eyes drifted towards Phinks, who was preoccupied with the new keys to his bike. Feitan's breath caught. Oh, he thought. He really was more excited about that than the watch, wasn't he?
His eyes found the watch again. It was a stupid idea. Foolish. Who did he think he was? This isn't the kind of thing they got each other. Why did he do this? His heartbeat thrummed loudly in his ears as Pakunoda opened some gun oil in the background, and Uvogin opened a nice bottle of wine. Shizuku tried to steal an incensed Nobunaga's gummy candy, but was convinced by Franklin to open his gift - a painting of a raccoon he'd found at a flea market.
Feitan quietly left the room and headed upstairs, wanting to get some air. The sweater was becoming even more irritating to his skin, and his clothes wouldn't be dry for a few more hours. Great.
Should probably throw this stupid thing out, he thought, clutching the small, black box.
"Hey! There you are. You hiding from me?" Phinks' voice made him tense.
"If I hid, you would not find me." Feitan huffed.
Phinks' face twitched into a frown, but quickly morphed into something more neutral. He broke eye contact, looking away as his hand came to rest on the back of his neck.
"Look, uh - that watch you brought. It's for me, right?" He said.
Feitan's eyes went wild. Did he deny it? Phinks didn't wait for him to respond.
"I got you something, too."
Feitan's mouth fell open as Phinks pulled out a small box. Was it torture equipment? A sword? No, the packaging was too small for that…
"It's yours, but if that watch really is for me, then I want it back," Phinks said. Feitan had never seen him blush, but the pink that licked at the tips of the tall man's ears was breathtaking.
Only I get to see him like this, he thought greedily. That look is mine.
He held the watch out, carefully.
"Yeah. It yours," Feitan's voice was softer than usual, the edges blunted and put away.
Phinks smiled and handed the wrapped package to Feitan as he fitted the golden watch to his wrist.
"It's a little rich for my taste, but I do like gold," Phinks admired the cold metal against his skin. “Thanks, Fei. I love it.”
Feitan carefully opened the packaging, reverently. He peeled open a book. A manga, actually. The latest issue of his favorite series. Opening the cover revealed the author's signature.
"You went into bookstore for this?" Feitan snickered, imagining how out of his element Phinks must've been.
"Yeah," Phinks groaned. "It was a pain. The hard part was breaking into his house for the signature. You know he owns like four dogs? And it's not like I could kill him. Or hurt him too badly. Since you like his books so much."
"Thank you, Phinks," Feitan said, looking up at him. "It perfect."
Phinks' eyes widened as he caught sight of something above Feitan's head. Feitan followed his gaze to find a piece of mistletoe taped to the ceiling.
Mistletoe.
He raised an eyebrow, looking back to Phinks just to see him staring back down at him. If Feitan didn't know any better, he'd almost think that he looked nervous.
…Was he nervous? Were his hands also clammy with anticipation? Had his feelings for Feitan also changed as the boys grew into men together?
"I-"
"We-"
They both stopped and looked at each other. Two hearts thumping in unison. Phinks stepped closer, gently placing a hand around Feitan's.
"You can tell me if I'm misreading this, but I don't think I am… And if you tell me to stop, I'll stop," Phinks murmured, leaning down. "But I think you feel it, too. Don't you?"
Feitan's knees felt weak. One wrong move, and they'd buckle right under him. He kept looking between Phinks' eyes and his lips as they got closer.
"Am I wrong?" Phinks asked, quietly. Feitan could feel his breath on his face.
"No," Feitan murmured, closing the rest of the distance.
His hands came up to rest on Phinks' chest, while Phinks' hand left Feitan's to wrap around him and pull him snugly against his chest. Feitan pulled his heels off the ground to press more firmly into Phinks and deepen the kiss. Phinks gladly accepted with a “hmph!”, and Feitan could tell he'd caught him off guard. He smirked, nipping the taller man's lip before pulling back. Phinks looked dazed, pupils dilated, and cheeks flushed.
"Wow, that was, um-" Phinks chuckled, trailing off.
"Regret it?" Feitan questioned.
"What? No! God, no, I just - I'm just enjoying the moment." Phinks sputtered.
Feitan smirked.
"We can enjoy it again," He leaned forward.
"Oh, my God! They're making out up here! They're making out!" Shalnark's shrill voice cut through the moment. He had come looking for them, only to find the mistletoe he'd put out earlier being put to good use.
"Shal, shut up! You're ruining it!" Pakunoda scolded from downstairs as Shalnark was pulled back downstairs.
Phinks groaned, and Feitan looked down at his socks. The moment was already fading, but he was still buzzing with joy.
"Merry Christmas, Fei," Phinks smiled sheepishly.
"Merry Christmas, Phinks."