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Christmas wasn’t something Reki was always a fan of.
Yes, he’d get to spend Christmas Eve with his mum, but then have to pack to spend the next day travelling to get to his dad. Sometimes he’d just have to spend it with one parent entirely. Sometimes he’d just have to spend it alone. That’s how it was for all of his holidays. Every birthday, new years, White Day, Valentine’s Day, no friends, no family. It just happened to especially hurt at Christmas time. There was no way to escape the ongoing motif of ‘togetherness’ and ‘family’. It haunted him. It wasn’t fair.
Kids at school would boast about their gifts, talk about how they had spent the entire day with mummy and daddy. They’d speak about going on fishing trips with their fathers, shopping with their mothers, all of this togetherness-cheer that really grinded Reki’s gears. He’d never spent Christmas with both of his parents together. It wasn’t their fault, it just… sucked. It wasn’t fair.
He’d began to lose resentment about the special day around high school. It was just something he needed to get past. Get through it, and no one talks about it again, for like a good 10 months. 2 stupid days of carollers and elves jumping around, singing those damned songs. However, this time around, more people were in his situation, and Christmas time coming around only meant preparations for the yearly panto. Reki found it as an excuse to practice acting and performing. Christmas was just another pointless holiday that happened to bring others to joy. It wasn’t fair.
When he started performing with Shunmeiza, a troupe member would always ask him the occasional ‘How did you spend Christmas?’, always getting the same reply of, ‘Alone.’ Christmas shows were awkward for him, but atleast he usually got a side role, something that didn’t need to be in the presence of a fake Santa Claus or a Grinch. When his part of the show was done, off he went to a cafe to watch people pass by. There was no point in staying behind to watch those merry celebrations. He’d stay till the end of every show, except Christmas ones. Atleast he did his part. It wasn’t fair.
Decemeber would roll around each year at his bookstore; a swarm of people buying last-minute gifts, committing themselves to reading books as their new year resolutions, or just to watch the sour expression on Reki’s face as he has to wrap books into presents instead of the normal paper bags. Company policy for the season, and having an angry manager on Christmas just makes everything worse. It wasn’t fair.
Reki got used to it.
Every 25th, he’d treat himself to a winter walk in the park and buy himself some new manga. Or a big box of festive dagashi. Well, there was no regular choice in the holiday season. They get rid of the original flavours and push in their stupid ‘peppermint’ and shitty ‘nutmeg’. Too sweet cinnamon and too juicy hollyberry. And don’t get him started on the coffee flavours! The new promotional ‘jolly cups’ they throw out? They taste like straight-up glass. Who likes that stuff? The milk is always way too runny anyway. He has no choice but to start stocking up on regular instant coffee before the festive season starts. It wasn’t fair.
It was the same routine. He was fine with it.
It wasn’t fair.
Reki stood infront of the bare, green tree in his living room. It towered in the corner, and although no lights or decor were on it, it announced its presence in the festive season. It wasn’t his idea to put it up, but some actor insisted it for the joy and spirit of Christmas. And Reki could never say no to some actor. There wasn’t a single universe where he’d stare into those sapphire eyes and say no.
”So! How do you usually decorate yours?” Asahi nudged him gently, taking him out of his thoughts. His smile was as warm as the fading rays of sunset filtering through the windows.
“I… I usually…” Reki struggled. He couldn’t exactly say he never took part in decorating trees, but he didn’t want Asahi to think he was a Scrooge.“I… just throw silver.. tinsel.. yellow lights? And… maybe red balls..” He second-guessed himself each syllable, awkwardly fidgeting with his hands as he kept his gaze lowered. He was just using what he remembers from TV shows and passing commercials.
Asahi giggled, “It’s not a test, honey.”
Reki nodded, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. He went a bit red from the pet name.
“I remember when I was younger, my grandma would always make sure our tree was red. Red tinsel, red lights, red decorations, and always a bright red star on top. Every year that I can take part in some sort of tree decorating, I make sure to make most of it red.” Asahi spoke with a distant sigh, “She always had the best presents, but when I moved, and then the war…” he trailed off, a distant solemn look fading into his eyes.
Reki swallowed before reaching out and squeezing Asahi’s hand.
”Let’s make this the best, red, Christmas tree possible then.”
Reki quite literally, also turned red at his own words. He had no idea what possessed him to say that, his head sinking into his hands as he could hear the laughs of the shorter nearby. The sweet melody of his laughs comforted Reki, as he slowly lifted his head.
”Yeah, let’s do that. The best, red, Christmas tree.” His lover beamed, approaching him from the side. He outstretched his arms and gently encircled the taller, Reki reciprocating tightly.
“I love you…” he mumbled into Asahi’s soft hair.
After they parted, Asahi gave Reki a quick peck on the cheek.
“A week till the big 25. I’ve got plans, you know..” He spoke, his lips still grazing Reki’s cheek.
”…I’m not building a snowman with you.” Reki turned away.
Asahi whined, his hand reaching to Reki’s cheek, trying to coax his boyfriend to look at him again.
”Why not? That’s like, literally the best part!”
“My hands will get cold..” Reki groaned and rolled his eyes.
Asahi shook his head. He grinned before taking Reki’s hands, placing a gentle kiss on both of them. “Will this help warm them up?”
Reki jerked his hand back, much to Asahi’s amusement before muttering something along the lines of, “..such a sap..”
“Well, I’m going to go decoration shopping, and I’d surely love an extra pair of hands to carry the stuff back with me…” The shorter cooed, deliberately dragging Reki towards the door. He grinned wider, tapping the shoes by the door with his foot.
“…Fine.” His lover reluctantly pulled himself out of Asahi’s grip and bent over, where he began to put his shoes on.
Asahi sighed lovingly and watched the domestic act, finding himself mesmerised by any action of Reki. He was just such an interesting person, a loving one at that. He’s shy and struggles to socialise, but really, so does Asahi. Plus, he likes to think that is how they found eachother; molding into one shape, two halves a whole. Reki spacing out was also cute, always in his own world. His daydreams had so much compelling storytelling-
“Are you going to put your shoes on or what?”
Reki’s confused voice broke Asahi out of his admiration, the taller poking him in the cheek - which earned a chuckle from him.
Asahi gently took Reki’s hand from his face and interlaced their fingers. He leaned forward and pressed their foreheads together, watching the gradual heat rise to his boyfriend’s cheeks.
“Yes, yes, I was just lovingly thinking about you.”
He spoke softly and reached for his shoes, his gaze flicking towards Reki every few seconds.
“…Stop it.” Reki was smiling like a fool.
”Stop what?” Asahi looked up with fake innocence.
“Come on, let’s just go shopping.”
“So now you’re eager to go? I thought you were Mr Grinch…”
“Don’t make me not go!”
Although Asahi had walked into the store with confidence, he had quickly realised why people do their Christmas shopping early and not a week before the day. The rush for last-minute gifts and presents had completely drained the holiday isle of its contents, except for a few stray fireplace lamps and broken baubles. On the other hand, Reki was quite glad they hadn’t joined the tidal wave of lazy shoppers.
“…Aw man! All the tinsel is sold out..”
Reki looked over to see his boyfriend pouting at the empty shelves. The taller sighed, approaching Asahi and placing a hand on his shoulder. It was quite a shame how most decor had disappeared; you would’ve thought that it would have been restocked by now.
”We can always head to the other store down the street.” Reki suggested, his fingers idly tracing the collar of Asahi’s shirt.
Subtly, the shorter leaned into the touch, his sadness fading away at the presence of Reki.
”I’ll ask if they have anything in the back.” Insisted Asahi, who was already walking towards the yawning employee. Said employee was barely standing up, looking like a zombie - it was clear they had seen the horrors of Karens and yelling customers, this time in abundance due to the time of year.
”Excuse me, Sir?”
Asahi asked quietly.
No response from employee, and Asahi didn’t want to pester them.
”Is there any Christmas decorations in the back?” He asked, a bit louder this time.
“Noo, we all sol’ out, ya knoow?” The employee slurred, turning on their heel as Asahi was about to speak again.
The actor stood in silence for a moment before turning to his boyfriend, who was equally surprised. Reki adjusted his glasses awkwardly. He held Asahi’s gaze.
“Other store?”
”Other store.”
After much struggle, Asahi managed to get his hands on some decorations, red, that they could put on the tree. Asahi carried the box, walking by Reki, who was busy scribbling stuff in his notepad. As they approached their shared apartment, Asahi couldn’t help but peek at the taller’s notes.
”Mrs Claus, huh?” Asahi nudged him.
”Wh-“ Reki squeaked and turned his notebook away, a light scowl on his reddening face. “Didn’t I tell you to ask before snooping through my stories?”
”I can’t help it. If it’s from you, I have to see it. Plus, they’re good stories. But somehow you don’t believe that..” Asahi responded as if it was a matter of fact, a gentle smile on his face. He turned his head to watch his boyfriend, the caramel strands of his hair falling onto his eyes.
”When did you become such a sap..?” Reki groaned, folding his notebook and holding it to his chest.
”It’s adorable though, don’t stop..” His hand reached out to tuck the stray hairs behind the shorter’s ears.
Asahi’s only response was a warmer smile, his gaze falling the container he carried.
”