Work Text:
Lighter doesn't really care for holidays much. They were as festive as the bar fights and impromptu toss-down arenas he's had his fair share of in the Outer Ring—it gets old after a while of the same thing every time.
It's not that he disliked the holidays, he's just not as socially inclined as the other members of the Sons of Calydon or even the average person. He usually prefers sticking to the sidelines and watching people celebrate for him because he was sure that his smiles were still stiff and awkward; that he was probably too clumsy to be able to pick out a gift, left alone wrap it; that he was still undeserving of the bright smiles everyone wore as they celebrated another year that he never should've gotten.
Lighter doesn't really like the holidays, it's just not for him.
So he can't really explain why he was just a teensy little bit... upset this year when the 25th day of the month finally rolls around and he gets a text from Harumasa about how he's actually not making it home in time for the festivities tonight, which probably included cuddles on the couch and some nonalcoholic wine. It wasn't anything special, but Lighter was still hoping that he'd get to see the archer for just a few hours before the date passed—it wasn't important to him, but he's heard that Christmas was supposed to be a little sweeter with someone to spend it with and Harumasa deserved that much, even if Lighter didn't really get it.
It's not like he ever really cared for that specific date or the ones that came right after.
Harumasa [8:16pm]: im really sorry babe ☹️
Harumasa [8:16pm]: some things came up so i wont be out till super late!!!!
Harumasa [8:17pm]: i really wanted to spend this christmas together i swear! but the hollows had other plans for us
Harumasa [8:17pm]: gahh > <
Harumasa [8:17pm]: forgive me?? 🥺 ill make it up to you i swearr
In true Harumasa fashion, Lighter's phone dings with a flurry of incoming texts that only serve to soften his frown just a little bit into a slight glower (if Harumasa were here, he'd simply say the biker was pouting). He can tell the archer was genuinely apologetic for missing out and it makes the sting of being alone on the holidays fade into a familiar dull ache instead. He's a grown ass man, he'll live without his boyfriend for another day even if he misses him terribly.
Lighter [8:19pm]: It's fine, Haru.
Lighter [8:19pm]: You're busy with work, I get it.
Harumasa [8:21pm]: you sound upset though ☹️☹️
Lighter [8:22pm]: How do I sound upset over text??
Harumasa [8:22pm]: i have telepathic mind powers. i can sense your frown through the phone
That gets Lighter smiling just to prove the little jackass wrong.
Lighter [8:22pm]: Your telepathic powers must be broken then.
Harumasa [8:23pm]: i could never be wrong... i wont believe youre not doing that hot brooding look of yours unless you send pics...
Harumasa [8:24pm]: 😶
Lighter [8:24pm]: I'm not sending you selfies while you're still on company time.
Harumasa [8:25pm]: foiled again 💔
And he's fine, really. Lighter's quite used to spending nights like these by himself—he tells himself it's normal and that he shouldn't have gotten his hopes up even just a smidge because there will be other days when they're both free and it's not coincidentally Christmas. It's not like Harumasa owes him anything nor can he ditch work just because the biker was feeling a little put out at seeing the smiling faces of the people around him, laughing and celebrating together.
Even if the nights are warm in the Outer Ring, Lighter pulls his scarf a little tighter around his neck as if he could chase away the chills that had permanently settled in his bones all those years ago. Lighter says he's not cut out for the holidays, but he's never really had the chance to try it out to be sure. Maybe next year.
"They have me working all throughout the holidays, can you believe that?!" Even through the phone, Lighter could see the fussy expression on Harumasa's face clear as day in his mind—brows furrowed with a cute little wrinkle on the bridge of his nose and his lips pulled into a little pout. It's an expression Lighter's gotten used to every time the archer complains about work (which is all the time) and one he's kissed off of his lips more times than he can count.
"It's like they want me dead... I finally managed to finish a mountain of paperwork and then Tsukishiro just materializes another stack out of nowhere!"
As it were, the archer had called him on his lunch break like clockwork. It was something they got used to working out between their hectic schedules, being semi-long distance and everything. Harumasa would spend his lunch break at work on the phone with Lighter and the biker would drop whatever he was doing just to pick up even if he was in the middle of a fight—he had his priorities straight after all and calls from his annoying boyfriend was pretty high up there.
Today was a rather slow day in the Outer Ring and so the only thing Lighter had to look forward to was ribbing Harumasa for his work ethic—or lack thereof—something he takes very seriously. "Are you sure that wasn't just the paperwork you put off since Monday? I think she's just trying to get you to finish them before you're off for the weekend."
The archer's tone was immediately offended at the mere thought of Lighter's suggestion. "Now whose side are you on exactly?"
"I'm a neutral party." He holds up his hands in a placating manner as if Harumasa could see him, an obvious grin in his voice as he finds a quiet corner in Blazewood to take the call—it wouldn't do his image well if he was standing out in the open with a lovesick grin while on the phone. "I'm just an innocent bystander here, making a simple observation that you never do shit until last minute."
"Maybe I should hang up the call early then, huh? That'll show you last minute!" The archer's voice rings out clearly through the speakers—he must've been left alone in the office because Harumasa was making sure that Lighter could really hear his displeasure by complaining as loud as possible.
"Oh, so you really don't want to spend time with me, huh?" The words come out a lot more like a petty whine (a bad habit he's picked up from Harumasa because he swears he's never done this before) than he had initially intended and the biker's almost embarrassed by the sound of his own voice. He swears he wasn't hung up on spending the night alone, he was just trying to make a poorly timed joke!
Unfortunately for him, said joke completely flies over his boyfriend's head because Harumasa immediately starts whining too, which was weird because they were both grown ass men. "Aw c'mon... I said I was sorry babe, I really wanted to get home early last night..."
Lighter lets out a heavy sigh and rubs the back of his neck in a rather self-conscious manner. This is exactly why he didn't really want to bring it up, but he just had to go and open his big fat stupid mouth anyway. He knows that Harumasa would've felt bad—worse—about missing out on the holidays especially since they rarely had time together already so it just makes him feel selfish, greedy even, asking for more when the archer already indulges him in so much. "I know, I know. I wasn't saying that to make you feel bad Haru, honest. I was just teasing, you know that."
"But now I do feel bad! I have to make it up to you!"
He attempts to argue, but he can never win with Harumasa, not that he tries very hard anyways. "That really isn't necessary—"
His boyfriend cuts him off before he could successfully dig himself a bigger hole. "Here, how's this? Give me a few hours to finish my work and then I'll meet you at my place, okay? I'm going to need you to pick up a few things on the way but I promise it'll be worth it."
The biker is silent on his end for a few heartbeats as he chews on the words. Finally, he responds with no small amount of trepidation. "What things?"
"When I figure it out, I'll text you!" Harumasa cuts him off again right before he opens his mouth to protest and it's almost uncanny the way he knows Lighter so well now to that he's able to do so. "But I swear, I'll be out nice and early this time—no paperwork, no Hollows, and definitely no distractions! Just you and me."
Lighter heaves another sigh in response, giving one last ditch effort in trying to smooth things over. "You really don't need to worry about it, it wasn't a big deal or anything. I can stop by another time whenever you're not buried up to your nose in work."
Yet the one thing the biker should've been used to by now is that once the archer sets his sights on something, it's near impossible to get him to budge even an inch and today, he decides to dig his heels in over something Lighter wouldn't have thought twice about were it anyone else. "But it's a big deal to me so please, humor me Lighter. I'm never too busy when it comes to you."
And it's absolutely no fair at all because both of them know that Lighter can't say no to Harumasa, especially not when the archer speaks to him like that—so soft and undeniably fond that he saves just for his champion that has Lighter caving in every single time, but he can't find it in himself to be upset about it at all. "Okay. Fine. Text me as soon as you can then."
"I will." There's a pause on the other end for just a second, as if Harumasa was waiting for something before he speaks up again, a hint of teasing lacing through his words. "I love you."
"Yeah yeah. Go back to work already." Even as his words were less than enthusiastic, there's no denying the big stupid grin on Lighter's face. It only grows when he hears a squawk of protest from Harumasa on the other end.
"Not until you say it back!"
That gets a full blown laugh from the biker, so utterly fond and besotted like the leashed man that he was. This was always his favorite part of their daily phone calls—the easy and carefree back and forth between them, it just felt right in a way that he didn't know he was desperately missing until he finally had it. "Love you too, sweetheart. Now scram."
"You are so unromantic, do you know that?" There's an accusatory lilt in the archer's voice, but it's clear he's also just as fond as Lighter is—the way he can hear the soft tilt in Harumasa's voice that tells the biker he was fighting back a smile and losing horribly, the tiny huff of laughter that said he was both parts exasperated and just as fond despite his words. It's just how they were and Lighter wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
Lighter ends the call with the sound of Harumasa's laughter echoing in his ear and a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. His boyfriend is a jackass sometimes but at the end of the day, he's his jackass.
1.
Nothing is ever easy where Harumasa is concerned and Lighter should've known that this so-called errand trip wouldn't have been an exception either. He gets a message from the archer right before he could set out for the city, barely throwing a leg over his bike before he pauses at the sound of his phone going off. It's like the archer has some uncanny sixth sense or something where the biker's concerned—it's almost freaky.
Harumasa [3:48pm]: are you in the city yet?
Harumasa [3:48pm]: theres just a few things i need you to grab for me if you dont mind 🥺
Lighter [3:50pm]: I'm heading out now. What is it?
Harumasa [3:50pm]: make a stop in front of the newsstand in lumina square. there should be something there! i need you to find it for me
Lighter [3:52pm]: Could you be any less vague?
Lighter [3:52pm]: 🤔
Harumasa [3:53pm]: its not that hard i promise! just look in that area, especially near the statues. its super important you find it!!!
Lighter [3:53pm]: What exactly is 'it' supposed to be?
Harumasa [3:56pm]: youll know when you see it 😊
As it was, Lighter has no fucking clue what that 'something' could possibly be as he stands in the middle of Lumina Square, hands on his hips as he stares at the newsstand as instructed. The nice little old lady running said stand waves at him and he waves back because it would be rude not to. Lighter also does not have the guts to actually walk up to her and ask if there was any weird 'something's laying around, so he just turns away to stiffly walk over to the aforementioned statutes. Asking for help is a last ditch effort and he'll be damned if he doesn't try to figure it out himself first.
He walks around the weird display thrice and on the fourth, he still has no clue what he's looking for. It's not like Harumasa would really give him a helpful clue either—the biker has a feeling there's a reason why the archer sent him on this weird errand, but he's also not particularly sure why. Was this some weird form of punishment or something? He's feeling an awful lot like a dog being given some sort of brain-exercise toy as he circles the six-legged shapes one more time before stopping in front of the rails with a put out huff.
Maybe he needs a different angle on it or something... maybe he's just missing one last clue in figuring out the puzzle. Lighter's this close to calling it a day as he goes to plop his ass down at one of the benches nearby, the one closest to the bike stand when a flash of color catches his eye right before he sits down.
Right there, carefully hidden on the underside of the bench, was a little yellow sticky note—a very familiar shade of yellow sticky note. Lighter has half a mind to just throw the thing over the railing out of sheer exasperation—leave it to Harumasa fucking Asaba to send him on a treasure hunt for a sticky note.
The biker sits his ass down on the bench with a soft grunt, unfolding the slip of paper with a slight frown that only deepens when another piece falls into his hands while he reads. It's only when he glance at the other sheet in his hand does he actually realize what he was holding and he has to double take.
It's a very familiar photo, so familiar in fact that he's pretty sure he knows exactly when and where this was taken because he remembers looking at this same photo every time he stayed the night at Harumasa's place. It's from one of their very first dates, when they were still new and awkward but still very much head over heels regardless. The archer had insisted they explore all the hot spots in Lumina Square for couples and so they had hit every shop and stand that was open that day.
The smile on Lighter's face in the photo was one of fond exasperation and he can see it as clear as day now. Maybe back then he didn't have a name for it, but it's so obvious now that he fell embarrassingly hard and fast that day. The only consultation he had for this was the fact that he wasn't alone in this because the archer's smile in the photo was as bright as the setting sun behind them when it was taken.
At a second pass, it was an awful lot like the backdrop behind him now, so similar in fact that Lighter has to turn and look over his shoulder just to be sure. He doesn't even try to stop the small smile that tugs at his lips as he realizes that not even five steps away from where he was sitting was the very same spot they took that photo, leaning against the railing with the rolling waves behind them as Harumasa snapped a photo of them both—he couldn't forget that moment even if he tried to.
The little sticky note in his hands serve as a small reminder as well when he skims over the words again.
you found me! good job!
do you remember this spot? of course you do, you had the photo as your background for months. i saw it
but the fun's not over yet! head over to the pharmacy nearby before heading over. give them your name
see you soon! :)
He rereads the hastily scrawled letters twice over—he's always told Harumasa he's got chicken scratch and he'll tell him again when he sees him later—before an astonished chuckle falls from his lips. So is that how it's going to be? A treasure hunt around the city? Lighter supposes he has nothing better to do anyways and so with a shrug, he sets off to the little store on the corner for the next surprise.
2.
The small bell above him chimes softly to announce the arrival of another customer and the girl at the register perks up when he walks in, a friendly smile already on her face.
"Hi, welcome in!" she chirps, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed that Lighter returns with a good-natured nod. He's become somewhat of a familiar face around this part of town now after he started seeing a certain Section 6 executive officer, often times stopping by to pick up generous amounts of prescription drugs, so he has no problem stepping up to the counter.
"Hey there. I was told I needed to pick something up for a Lighter? Last name Lorenz." He keeps it casual but there's no denying the keen curiosity in his eyes as he lets his shades slip a little down the bridge of his nose so he could peek over them. What could he possibly need from the pharmacy himself for Harumasa to send him here? Luckily, the cashier seems to know exactly what because she just claps her hands together with a smile.
"Oh! Yes, I have it right here. Give me a sec!" She dives behind the counter before he could even get a chance to respond and pops right back up with a small bag in her hands. "Here we are, everything for a Lighter Lorenz!"
He fumbles a little when he takes the proffered bag, but recovers with a lopsided smile just because he actually doesn't know what to say in response. Sometimes you just have to grin and bear it when you don't know what to say and the biker's taken that to heart. "Everything, huh? Well, thanks."
"Of course. Did you also want to pick up any prescriptions or anything today?" The fact that the cashier knows him—and by extension, his relationship—so well by now never fails to get him a little hot under the collar, but that's why he wears his dark sunglasses and red scarf 24/7—so he can hide the flush that creeps up the back of his neck and starts to splotch his face whenever he gets embarrassed, obviously.
It's not that he's ashamed or anything! It just gets him a little shy and giddy in a way that a guy pushing 30 should not be feeling about what wasn't even his first relationship, so he all but hightails it out of there after thanking her. "Not today, I don't think. I'll stop by if I need to, but thanks anyway."
It's only when he's out of the store does he let himself actually take a peek at what's inside the bag. He's not sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't a bunch of colorfully wrapped candies and lollipops that's for damn sure.
Still, Lighter can't help the incredulous laugh he lets out when he spots another yellow sticky note tucked amongst it all like another clue for him to unravel. He thinks he's picking up on the trend now—it really is a little treasure hunt, not that he's exactly opposed to the thought of it. It was so like Harumasa anyways, making him jump through an entire circus's worth of hoops before he finally gets his reward that feels all the sweeter after working up a sweat.
you always remember to stop by the pharmacy for me even when i dont remember myself
so its only fair that its my turn to remember for you! you really seemed to like this flavor last time :)
dont eat them all in one sitting and stop by the flower shop before you go. theres something i need you to pick up there
dont take too long slowpoke!
There's a stupidly fond grin on his face by the time he finishes reading. It doesn't bode very well for his tough biker guy persona, to be standing in the middle of the street and smiling like an idiot at a few words his boyfriend left him, but Lighter's a little too pleased right now to make a fuss about it. It might've not been much to anyone else, but it was special to him.
It was special to him because someone had taken the time to listen to him, to remember all the little details of his life that he didn't really think twice about. It was special because Harumasa listened and he cared in all the little ways even if it meant buying more candy than he normally would have in a year.
The biker pops one of the wrapped candies into his mouth—grape flavored, his favorite—before shoving the rest into his pockets for later. Right now, he's more focused on making his way down the street to see what else Harumasa had in store for him.
3.
Orchidea doesn't even wait for the biker to even walk up to her shop properly before she's already greeting him, a friendly smile on her face that belies the mischief behind her eyes that makes Lighter sweat for some reason. "Hello, Mister Lorenz. Are you looking for some flowers again today?"
"Hi there, ma'am. I'm afraid not, I'm just looking today. Or well, I'm here to pick something up?" He rubs at the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, I wasn't told much so I can't even give you a name for it."
"Oh, don't worry. As a matter of fact, I'm already aware. Wait here just a moment while I wrap it for you." That catches his attention—did Harumasa get him a bouquet or something?
It was a little unnecessary in his opinion, especially since it was damn hard to keep any flowers fresh in the Outer Ring. Still, the thought was sweet all the same. He's always thought the displays at Dew Gardening Shop were very pretty—he's not really well versed in flower language at all, but he can still appreciate all the neat and colorful flowers artfully arranged to convey some sort of secret message if you took the time to listen, time he really shouldn't have had in the first place.
As much as he always liked looking at the soft and delicate blooms every time he passed by the shop, Lighter doesn't think he could ever keep something so precious like that, to handle something so fragile and precious with his bloodied and bruised hands, but he keeps that part quietly to himself. Even if he knows they never quite last around him, Lighter can't deny the fact that a small part of him wishes they would.
So engrossed with bending over to observe some of the daily arrangements, the biker doesn't notice the door opening as Orchidea steps back out onto the street until she's clearing her throat politely.
Lighter snaps back into attention like he got caught with his hand down the cookie jar—the knowing grin that tugs at the shopkeeper's lips tells him that that's exactly what he looked like as well and he just gives her a look in —a silent plea for her to forget that ever happened for his sake.
"What a pretty bouquet you've received, Mister Lorenz." Orchidea teases him with a gentle smile as she hands him the prettily wrapped bouquet. He's never seen anything like them before, neither in her shop or in the city. Glossy green leaves with pointed spikes and tall white flowers with five petals all wrapped up and tied off with a big yellow ribbon tied into an exaggerated bow that has Lighter grinning from just the sight of it.
Orchidea passes him the bundle with a pleased smile of her own, carefully depositing it in his arms as she brushes a gentle farewell to the arrangement. The biker tries to mimic her gentle touch and ends up cradling the bunch in his arms like a baby—surely a sight for sore eyes from a guy dressed in all leather and spikes. "From the flowers, it seems that a happy birthday is in order?"
His eyebrows shoot up to his hairline at her words—Orchidea was magic when it came to flowers, but was she also a mind reader of sorts? "How'd you know?"
"Paper-white narcissus and holly are the birth flowers for December." She points at each flower respectively—dark green holly leaves with their bright berries and then the soft velvet of the white narcissus petals. They're quite fetching in Lighter's opinion and aptly festive looking.
"They're quite meaningful as well and perhaps you might appreciate them in your own way. Rebirth, new beginnings, and resilience—they're special flowers for a special someone, wouldn't you agree?" The words hit a little too close to home for Lighter's liking actually—it makes him squirm a little under Orchidea's gaze and the flowers feel a little heavier in his arms as he clutches them a little closer to his chest as if to keep them safe in his hands.
"Yeah." Lighter swallows thickly, one hand coming up to softly brush over the fluttering ribbon wrapped around the bunch. His fingers catch on a little piece of paper tucked into the bundle and his expression softens around the edges some when he sees that it's the same shade of yellow he's come to adore. "Yeah, I suppose so..."
The shopkeeper just gives him another gentle smile accompanied by one last parting fuss over the bouquet, maneuvering his hands to hold it rather than crush it against his chest before she lets him go with a friendly smile and wave. "If you ever would like some more, feel free to stop by. With the proper care, they're quite hardy types of arrangements. They just need a little extra time and attention to truly bloom."
How ironic that these were his birth flowers when he's still grappling with the fact that he's still here to see another year. He doesn't feel very resilient or freshly reborn, but he supposes that like these flowers, he just needs a little time and care until then.
Still, he keeps his offer in mind nonetheless—he did quite like how they looked and if he can keep them alive, it wouldn't hurt to leave a few here in the city for his visits. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you again, ma'am."
This time, Harumasa at least had the decency to use a proper letter and envelope instead of a sticky note he probably found from his desk, if only to make the whole ensemble look a little nicer for the biker.
The only thing that doesn't change is his shitty handwriting, but Lighter's just a big sucker at the end of the day because he's smiling ear to ear anyway as his eyes flit over the words almost greedily.
arent these pretty? a little unusual but still, theyre beautiful in their own way
did you know flowers have their own language? isnt that fun!
on an entirely different note, would you believe me if i said i only chose these because they were the prettiest of the bunch? ;)
stop by the old swing set while youre over there. theres a few friendly faces waiting to see you again
A sloppily drawn heart marks the end of that note and the sheer audacity of the entire situation just makes Lighter laugh out loud, spooking a few stray cats on the streets as he makes a beeline over to the rusty old playground they both were much too old and much too tall to enjoy anymore.
4.
New Eridu was a bit of a strange place to be in, if Lighter's being honest. Even after years of living in the Outer Ring and seeing the strangest things himself—like a cactus in the shape of a hand doing a peace sign or a giant lake of lava that kept the entire outback safe and stable—somehow the city still manages to catch him by surprise each time he comes to visit.
Today was not an exception despite the fact that he thought he managed to see all that there was to see already.
"Now what are you guys doing here?" The biker stands in the middle of the playground, one hand on his hip as the other cradles the bouquet of flowers still tucked into the crook of his arms. In front of him are four very familiar bangboos bouncing up and down in excitement as they look up at him.
"Ehn-ne! (Daddy!)" One of the bangboo exclaims, clutching at his leg as if it was asking to be picked up—cute, if not for the fact that he feels like he just got sucker punched in the gut.
"No, that's definitely not right." Despite the fact that he's feeling a little faint already, Lighter crouches down for the bangboos to happily bounce over and grab at his hand, two of them already fighting over which one gets head pats from him first.
One of the bangboos in the back exchanges a look with another one and the biker swears he hears it say something like "Ehn-ne? (Mommy?)" instead and he resolutely pretends that he did not hear that.
"Never mind that... How've you all been, huh? It's been a while, hasn't it?" He gives the first one, a little devil-shaped one a playful ruffle between the ears before he switches to the one with the paper bag over its head. It's kind of cute how they all push up into his palm like a cat seeking affection, so he doesn't even bother to try to hide his grin as he goes through them all. "Don't tell me your wires are all messed up again."
"Eh-nah! Nah ehn-nah! (Our wires are fine! A nice man helped us out! )" Lighter feels like he should be a little concerned at hearing these little guys stumbling around by themselves and then getting approached by a stranger—the city is a dangerous place—but a once over tells him he's worrying for nothing as the ragtag little group dance and hop around in excitement.
"En-ehn-nah ehn-ne-ne! (He also told us to tell you happy birthday!)"
Lighter can't help the incredulous laugh that falls from his lips at that because he immediately knows who exactly was behind all of this. His grin only grows as he pats all the friendly little bangboo, making sure they all get their fair share of friendly head rubs. "Is that so? Well thank you. That's real sweet of you guys."
"Eh-nah! Enh-enh-nah! (Yeah! Happy birthday, daddy!)" The other bangboo does a few high hops, its little eyes crinkling with a smile and looking so awfully proud of itself that the biker couldn't quite bring himself to correcting it.
"Lighter," he desperately stresses his name to the avocado-shaped bangboo. Seriously, there must be a faulty wire or something in that one. He refuses to think about where it managed to pick that up from. "There's no need for all of that, my name's just Lighter..."
A tiny paw tugs at his arm and he looks over to the little Devilboo from earlier, its face lit up in excitement as it extends its other little hand to him. There's a familiar yellow piece of paper in its hand—a notecard this time—and Lighter snorts in incredulous amusement at the sight. "Enh, Nah-nah-ehn ehn-ne! (Mister Lighter, the nice man said to give this to you!)"
He takes it with a grin, reaching out to give the bangboo a playful ruffle in between its ears as it trills happily under his large palm. He's surrounded by a bunch of silly little guys, all dancing and hopping circles around him as they repeatedly wish him a happy birthday and Lighter could hardly believe this was his life now—not that it was so bad if he's being honest.
"Thanks, little guy. You all be safe now, alright? I'll stop by to play with you guys again soon when I'm in town." He makes sure to stoop down to give all the bangboos one more pat on the head, chuckling fondly as they line up in front of him to patiently wait their turn. He couldn't stop grinning if he tried as he waves back at the sight of all four little guys excitedly waving at his retreating back.
He's still smiling wide by the time he remembers to open the little note he got, the fond look on his face turning fonder by the second as he walks and reads the little note left behind.
so i heard a funny story from the proxy the other day... im sure you already know what it could've possibly been about ;)
they told me they didnt get a chance to thank the nice man in sunglasses, so i thought i'd help them out a little bit! and maybe i let a thing or two slip, but they just seemed so excited to be able to see you again, can you blame me?
never forget that you have people, both big and small, who think of you and appreciate you—i hope you can see just how loved you are, because you definitely are!
say hi to the little guys for me while youre at it
your last hint is a little farther, but you're almost there :)
This time, there's a little drawing of a very familiar scene, complete with little doodles of a sun and the ocean—the lighthouse in Port Elpis. It's a spot he liked frequenting himself and after they started dating, it wasn't uncommon for Harumasa to accompany him as well whenever their schedules lined up. It was a different type of serene compared to the view he gets in the middle of the desert on his bike, but it's just as nice here, especially if he could share it with someone else.
5.
The sun was well on its way down by the time Lighter manages to make it to the seaside port, the familiar smell of salt in the air as he flips out the kickstand on his bike in a corner a little ways out of the path. He pauses to take a second to look out at the sun sinking down below the horizon, the sunset casting a warm golden hue to everything it touches like a warm hug despite the chill that lingers in the air.
It's a sight he's gotten familiar with ever since he's given himself a chance to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life—before, he can't quite say he was the type of person who really cared for the path of the sun beyond the fact that it signaled another day he had to live.
Now, Lighter finds that one of his favorite things to do is to try and count how many colors he can see in the setting sun before it gets too dark to stay out. He's managed to count at least five, but Harumasa says he's not even counting them right since he doesn't count each individual shade.
The little drawing of the top of the lighthouse has the biker smiling a little bit again when he looks at the scribbles on the letter. For some reason, Harumasa's always been a fan of sneaking up to the lighthouse, especially after hours and Lighter's never bothered to protest—he quite likes it up there too, though he's not going to admit to willingly coming up there if only to have plausible deniability if they get caught one day.
It's not hard at all to hop over the little barrier that closes the lighthouse roof off from the public and he scales the stairs two steps at a time if only because they were much too close together that he might end up tripping if he went up them one at a time.
He's met with the bright sight of the setting sun dipping below the horizon when he reaches the top, one hand coming up to shield his eyes from the bright oranges and yellows that cast out over the never-ending waves of the ocean, lighting everything up in a golden hue that he's become very fond of after tugging at a ribbon of the same color nearly every day just to be a jackass.
Lighter nearly misses a tiny little note stuck to the railings because of the bright sun just barely peeking out over the waves and setting fast. It was just a small slip of paper that flapped in the wind, barely hanging on by a piece of tape haphazardly slapped on there. What he didn't expect when he opened the note was just an arrow pointing downwards and it takes him a few more minutes of ducking down and searching the floor until he finds an envelope with what he can only assume was a proper letter and something else, something that makes the thing a little heavier.
With a growing sense of curiosity, the biker dumps the contents out into his hand and out tumbles a note and—much to his surprise—a key. His heart races a little faster at the sight of the little golden thing sitting in his palm because there's really only one reason why Harumasa would leave this here for him, but he can't quite let himself get his hopes up too much just yet as he opens the letter with growing urgency.
you found the last one! :) or at least i hope you did. you are lighter right?
He takes to take a second to laugh at the words that he swears he can practically hear in Harumasa's voice, all playfully teasing and indignant. It was just so like him that Lighter could only smile like the hopelessly lovesick idiot he was.
anyways, i figured it's time i got you a spare key to my place since you spend so much time here already. i dont need you sitting outside my door like some sad puppy just because im not home to open the door for you!
dont lose it because im not making you another one and make sure you pick up after yourself otherwise you really will be going to the doghouse!
now come home already, i miss you
The last line nearly makes his knees go out from underneath him. Home.
He had a key to come back home, a place where someone was waiting—waiting for him.
It was still a marvel to him that even someone like him could find a place to belong to, a place that'll take him in even after all his fuck-ups and hang-ups and still love him all the same. The Sons of Calydon were like a family to him even though they only took him in as their Champion, there's no denying that the ragtag team of bikers mean more to him than his own life at this point.
And now this, finding someone who willingly keeps him in their life, someone who willingly loves him and misses him when he's gone. If he had to admit it out loud, Lighter still can't believe it some days—even when he wakes up in Harumasa's apartment and his bed—that he's managed to get this lucky, even if his boyfriend is a pain in the ass most days. The most important thing, he supposes, is that Harumasa Asaba is his pain in the ass and that's all he needs.
Lighter lets out a bark of laughter before he sinks down to the cool metal floor of the lighthouse with a wry grin. He might as well enjoy the rest of the sunset while he's at it before he heads back. "That asshole—why the fuck would he leave his key laying around like this?"
+1.
Let it be known that no matter the time of day or situation, Lighter Lorenz has a reputation to maintain and he does so with pride. Unfortunately, this also leads to situations like this, where he stumbles in the dark for a little bit after he flips the kickstand on his bike out and then nearly eats shit when he steps on a loose patch of gravel he didn't see because he did not bother with taking off his shades. It was just a part of him, he can't do it.
At least the walk to Harumasa's apartment was short and the lights were bright inside as he rides the elevator up to the familiar set of numbers he's memorized day after day. Even though he knows better, he almost expects the key to not fit as he slots it into the lock and turns it. He lets out a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding when a soft click signals the lock undoing and he takes a few extra seconds to breathe again before turning the knob and pushing the door inside.
He gets greeted with a familiar voice as soon as he steps one foot through the door. "Welcome back!"
Harumasa is lounging on the couch, already changed out of his work uniform to a casual tee (that looks suspiciously familiar) and soft pants. A bright smile lights up his face at the sight of the biker and he leans over the back of the couch like an excited dog that greets you at the door. It makes Lighter's expression soften into a smile as he kicks the door shut behind him and walk further into the small apartment. "I'm back."
"Took you long enough." The archer bounds over from the couch with a smile that turns up into a coy grin as he catches the bundle of color in Lighter's hands. "Oh, and you have the flowers! Pretty, aren't they?"
He pretends to fawn over the neatly wrapped flowers, playfully tugging at the yellow ribbon as if he was fixing it up as the biker goes to fetch a vase or something close enough to leave them in for now. Lighter thinks they should invest in more vases around the place so he can replace these with a new bunch when they start to wilt—Harumasa's apartment could do with a little more color and he finds that he likes that soft look on his boyfriend's face as he fixed up the pale flowers against the dark leaves of the holly.
"They're very pretty. Thank you, sweetheart. I didn't even know birth flowers were a thing." Lighter drops a quick kiss to Harumasa's cheek as he passes, endlessly pleased when the archer tilts his head up to accept the gesture.
"Well now you know, but like I said it was only pure coincidence that these happened to be December flowers," Harumasa retorts, not that he was trying very hard to hide the mischief that dances in his eyes. "And I'm assuming you got everything else along the way? Especially since you broke into my place like this."
"I didn't break in, you left me your key. Which I might have to point out, you left me your key in a very public spot! What if someone else managed to snag it before I did, huh? What happened to public safety?" Lighter points a very accusatory finger at Harumasa who doesn't even bat an eye. If anything, the asshole looks proud of himself for the whole thing.
"Aw, but you were the one to get it, weren't you? It all worked out fine," the archer says with an air of casualness that a civil servant should not have when it comes to these things and Lighter swears that he—a biker from a ragtag gang in the Outer Ring—worries more about public safety than an executive officer from H.A.N.D.
"Yeah, somehow, jackass." For all his grumbling and scolding, the biker is more than happy to float over to the couch when Harumasa beckons him over. He's perched himself on the back of the couch and happily spreads his legs apart so Lighter could step in between them with one eyebrow raised in wry amusement.
"Never mind all your complaining... Did you have fun?" Harumasa asks softly, opening his arms in an open invitation for a hug that Lighter immediately takes. He leans down to wrap his arms carefully around Harumasa's shoulders like he was afraid of crushing him, a complete contrast to the way the archer wrapped his arms around Lighter's waist and squeezed him tight enough to make his ribs start to protest. "I won't be mad if you thought it was stupid or too much of a hassle, but I thought something fun would've been better than a shitty last minute present from a gift shop or whatever."
"Relax, I did have fun I promise. I'll admit, I was a little confused at first, but it was all really sweet of you." He pets down the length of Harumasa's spine like he was an oversized cat and is immensely pleased when Harumasa responds in turn, pressing back into his hand with a pleased noise. It just makes him feel all sorts of fuzzy and warm inside to be able to spend time together again. "Wasn't exactly expecting to be sent out on a scavenger hunt today, but it was fun. Thanks for that, by the way. You really didn't have to, I know you've been busy with work lately."
"Hey, I made sure to get all your favorite treats and then some pretty flowers for you! I put a lot of thought into everything, I swear! Since I couldn't spend Christmas with you like I wanted to, I thought just reminiscing on the rest of the year would make up a little bit for it." Harumasa squeezes him a little bit tighter and his lungs go from protesting to straight up groaning in protest, but Lighter just leans into it a little more with a fond laugh as he buries his nose into his boyfriend's perpetually fluffy hair if only to hide his growing grin.
"When did you even have the time to do all of that anyways? Weren't you at work all day today?"
"I was for a little bit, but I begged on my hands and knees for Tsukishiro to let me out early today..." The archer shrugs like it was nothing but Lighter knows full well he might've just actually given up the rest of his sick days of the year for this or something else extremely absurd—he's touched all the same. "I thought up the idea last night while I was on overtime and then rushed out this morning to get all the stuff together! I'm just glad it worked out in the end."
"It definitely did," Lighter murmurs, pulling back if only to lean back in to press a soft kiss to his cheek just because he can. "A little unconventional I'll admit, but that's part of the fun of it all."
Harumasa just preens beneath him, eyes crinkling with a bright smile as he leans into the kiss with a pleased grin. He turns his face up just as the biker pulls back, nuzzling back up the underside of his jaw where he presses a lingering kiss to sun-kissed skin in turn. "Mhm... And there's still one last thing on the list, if I remember correctly."
Lighter's brow immediately furrow—did he miss something while he was out? Yet before he could ask, the archer beats him to the punch and loosens his arms just enough to pull back with a gentle smile. He swears he feels his breath stutter a little in his lungs when Harumasa just lifts his hand—the left one—in lieu of a proper explanation and he spies a familiar splash of rich red.
It was a little silly and surely it shouldn't have meant that much, but it did—it did to him, to them.
Somehow, the archer had managed to tie a neat little bow with a ribbon that exactly matched Lighter's red scarf—if he didn't know any better, the biker would say it was from his precious scarf. Yet the real kicker was where it sat, tightened just enough so that it wouldn't fall off or slip, it wraps neatly around his fourth finger on the left hand. Lighter's never really believed in any of those silly little folk tales, but he thinks he can understand now why this one is so popular as he takes Harumasa's hand in his and stares down at the spot where a ring should've been.
"Cat got your tongue?" Harumasa wriggles his fingers lightly in his boyfriend's palm, his grin softening around the edges as he catches the dazed look on Lighter's face.
"I think so," the biker murmurs quietly, a rather thoughtful expression crossing his face even as he gently, oh-so-carefully runs his thumb over the back of Harumasa's knuckles cradled in his large palm. "I just didn't really expect to see something like this in my entire lifetime. It's not even the real deal, but it near scared me half to death. You're bad for my heart, you know that Haru?"
"I thought it was a cute idea... It's supposed to be like, a promise ring thing. All the couples in New Eridu are doing it this year, don't you know?" The archer teases him with a fond grin, intertwining their fingers gently so he could bring their hands up to his smiling lips. Adoration sparkles in his yellow eyes where he presses a warm kiss to the back of Lighter's hand. "You really are becoming an old man, babe."
Lighter just leans down and bumps their foreheads together a little harder than usual in petty retaliation despite the fact that he laughs anyways—God, he really is getting old, putting another year under his belt. It's almost too much for him to fathom, so he focuses on his boyfriend's playfully offended face instead.
"Ow, hey!" Harumasa pulls back to rub at his forehead, a pout already growing on his face as he shoots an indignant glare in Lighter's direction. It doesn't really have the same effect because his lips threaten to twitch upwards, so the biker knows he's just messing around as usual. "Ignoring your shitty attitude... I thought it was cute and just in time for the holidays. A real one would be a little bit too fussy for us so for now, this is what you get."
Lighter can't really argue with that, even if he really wanted to. Instead, he just hums quietly as he stares down at the bow again with a crooked smile. "I guess it's the thought that counts. But let me get you a real one later anyway."
The archer's smile gentles into something a lot more genuine, a lot more tender and sweet as he squeezes his hand back like he doesn't want to let go any time soon. "Later then. I'm looking forward to it."
He punctuates his words with a warm kiss he presses to the smack dab center of Lighter's forehead, lingering there for a moment as they both savor the quiet moment in this tiny apartment that felt a little more like home with each passing day ever since they decided to take a chance on the entire mess that was their relationship—Lighter can't remember who started it first, but he's awfully grateful every day that it even started in the first place because he wouldn't trade this for anything in the world.
Harumasa pulls back eventually only to smirk up at Lighter with a rather mischievous expression and he wriggles his fingers at the biker to show off the neat little ribbon on his ring finger once more. "Don't you want to unwrap your gift?"
The sight of it makes him wish that Harumasa could just keep it there until he can actually get him a replacement, but he keeps that part to himself because they were both too practical for that. Instead, Lighter lifts their hands up to his lips to press a fleeting kiss over the red ribbon. "Not really. I like how it looks like this just fine."
"Okay good, because it took me too long to get it on nicely that I was gonna be a little bit angry if you took it off too soon," Harumasa says with a falsely relieved tone if only to piss him off. It doesn't really work since Lighter just snorts in amusement, but he plays along anyways because he can never help himself where Harumasa is concerned.
"Then why'd you ask if I wanted to take it off? Jackass," Lighter accuses, nipping at Harumasa's fingers lightly just to hear him yelp.
Harumasa just sticks his tongue out at him instead and Lighter has half a mind to kiss that stupid expression off of his face and he plans to make good on that thought too as he starts leaning in.
Except Harumasa expertly dodges his attempts, reeling back and out of his reach even if it makes him nearly bend over backwards (literally) to dodge the biker's lips. He really is a cat sometimes, Lighter muses, watching him nearly topple back onto the couch if it weren't for the fact that the biker wrapped one arm around his waist to keep him still.
"Whoa there now! What do you think you're doing?" Harumasa exclaims as he pushes at Lighter's shoulders when he gets too close, giving him a look that says 'Are you crazy?' that genuinely almost makes Lighter think he is going crazy for a second.
"Huh?" The biker just looks at him like he's grown a second head. "Trying to kiss you? My boyfriend?"
Harumasa tuts. "Nuh-uh! Can't do that I'm afraid."
He thinks he's missing something here, but surely not? There's absolutely not reason he can't steal a kiss, right? Lighter feels his lips beginning to pull down in a pout anyways as he stares suspiciously back at Harumasa. "And can I ask why exactly..?"
"Because I said so! Not yet, anyway!" His answer was just as cryptic as the little wild goose chase he sent Lighter on earlier and really, the biker should've known better than to get a straight answer with a little bit of a fight first. Really, that's what kept things fun between them, but sometimes he's just tempted to sit on the guy until he coughs up all his secrets or stubbornly takes them to the grave.
"Uh-huh..." The biker nods slowly as if he understood—he did not. "And when exactly can I kiss you then?"
Harumasa just gives him the most shit-eating grin he could possibly muster. "When I say so." Yeah, Lighter is so going to wring him out like wet rag later when the opportunity presents itself.
"Keep your secrets then, asshole." Though he says it like he doesn't care, Lighter actually does care a lot and ends up nuzzling against the archer's throat like a sad, abandoned puppy begging for scraps of his affection. Harumasa just laughs at his pitiful act though.
"Hey, I'll have you know it's for a very good cause!" He snickers lightly before he cups Lighter's face in his perpetually cold hands, squishing his cheeks with a bright-eyed grin as his champion frowns some more. "Stop pouting, you're gonna get wrinkles."
"I'm pushing 30. It's totally appropriate to have wrinkles," Lighter argues just to be contrary, but he softens up a little anyway.
"Hush, I don't want to look like a grave robber." Harumasa punctuates his words by peppering little kisses to Lighter's puffed cheeks even as he starts to sputter at the sheer audacity.
"What are you even talking abou-" Yet before he can finish, Harumasa plants a kiss right at the corner of his mouth, missing his plush lips by just a few agonizing millimeters that Lighter nearly whines in impatience.
"There, isn't that better?" The archer says as if he doesn't know what he's doing, driving a man to near insanity. Luckily, Lighter's accepted the fact that his screws have always been a bit loose, but he might actually lose them soon if Harumasa keeps this up.
"...Just a little. But it's still not what I actually want." There's a petulant note to his voice as he leans in, large hands clamping down on Harumasa's hips to keep him in place as Lighter stares down at him impatiently as all his mean boyfriend does is laugh and laugh at him and his suffering. He's going into a withdrawal of kisses and Harumasa is just laughing at him.
"Aren't you just being a little greedy?" Harumasa teases him in that coy little voice, all sickly sweet when he knows he's just being a little piece of shit. Lighter just thinks his love language is rage-baiting 80% of the time and it must've rubbed off on him along the way because he attempts to flip the tables on the archer.
"I think since I missed the holidays with you and then you spent all day making me run around, I can afford to be a little bit greedy right now." Lighter relishes in the way Harumasa's eyes widen at his accusation, clearly not expecting him to push back like that and a sheepish little smile overtakes his earlier smug grin—good. At least the guy still has a conscious and the biker immediately takes advantage of it. "Please? Let me kiss you?"
Harumasa tips his head back for a moment as if lost in thought, his brows raising as he pretends to contemplate Lighter's words until something clicks and he lights up with a smile. By some hidden grace or miracle, he nods. "Okay."
And finally—finally—after two whole days of missing him, of standing to the side and watching every other damn couple in New Eridu laugh and take cheesy photos in the middle of a festive Lumina Square, Lighter finally gets a kiss from the one person who makes him want all those cheesy, lovesick little things he's been missing out on for 20 something years.
It's soft with a hint of sweetness that doesn't come from the candies he had earlier, but from something else that always makes his heart stumble and skip every time without fail when Harumasa cups his cheek gently and tilts his face down so their lips fit together at just the perfect angle. He's more than happy to let his knees turn to jelly if only he could give up the need for air and stay here like this forever.
Yet unfortunately, neither of them forget how to breathe and eventually Harumasa gently edges him backwards with a soft gasp for air. Still, the way his yellow eyes shine with unfiltered affection just makes him lose his breath all over again. "Happy birthday, Lighter."
An incredulous laugh falls from his lips as Lighter swipes his thumb over the archer's plush bottom lip, playfully tugging it down with a grin of his own. "You sneaky shit, is it already midnight? Was that supposed to be your gift to me?"
"You could say that. Since it's midnight, it's officially your birthday now so I can officially kiss you and write it off as an easy present—two birds one stone," Harumasa chirps, looking awfully proud of him and his chain of logic, not that Lighter would ever complain about more kisses. No, this works just fine for him.
"Well I officially give you permission to do that any day, so you don't officially need permission to do so anymore. Not that you ever needed it in the first place, by the way. Feel free to kiss me any time." Lighter accentuates his words by leaning down for another kiss, only to feint it out by nipping at Harumasa's bottom lip instead. He keeps eye contact with the archer as he tugs at the soft flesh with his teeth, a smirk drawing at the corners of his mouth as he watches those yellow eyes widen and dilate.
"Duly noted," Harumasa breathes out, unable to help himself from leaning back in for a proper kiss that Lighter happily accepts and encourages. He can feel the way the archer's nimble fingers immediately card through his hair, tugging at the roots to pull him down to deepen the kiss some more and he doesn't hesitate to slip his arms beneath Harumasa's thighs and haul him upwards into his strong arms—he works out for this very reason after all.
Abruptly, Harumasa pulls back with a dazed look before he focuses on his champion's face one more time with a laugh as if he finally remembered something, an afterthought to the feel of Lighter's lips on his."Oh, but I do actually have a gift for you!"
Lighter raises one eyebrow, clearly intrigued despite himself. "What is it?"
"Why don't you unwrap me and find out?" Harumasa wriggles his eyebrows in an overly seductive manner with the biggest shit eating grin on his face and Lighter can't help himself—he laughs and then laughs some more before he ducks his head back down for another kiss from smiling lips.
So maybe the holidays and the days that came close after weren't too bad in Lighter's opinion, even if it was a little chaotic. At least it was as sweet as the taste of laughter and love on his lips.