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“You really should wear a coat when you’re out here, it’s already winter,” he remarked, taking her hand.

“I’ll be fine, I’m gonna head back to the Christmas party in a bit!” She replied, rubbing her thumb along his knuckle.

It was nice, he thought, to be able to receive this simple affection from a lover. It was something he never would have considered wanting back in the organization, though he had to admit it was now something he craved.

Almost like the time he had with his family. With August.

But now he had a new family to protect, and a new love. He was lucky.

“Still, you really should, you’ll catch a cold-“

“Achoo!”

“See, what did I tell you?” He sighed, giving her hand the smallest squeeze. Izumi only chuckled, leaning against his shoulder.

“A little cold won’t kill me, you know.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Protective as ever, I see.”

“Please don’t joke about that time.”

“Who’s to say it was about that?”

“Shut up,” Chikage murmured, leaning down to place a small kiss on her forehead.

“…Gross,” said a third voice, joining the couple.

They turned to find Hisoka had now found them, standing in the cold and gripping Penpen tightly.

“What are you doing out here?” Chikage drawled, watching as Hisoka shoved himself beside him.

“Too loud. It’s quiet here,” he muttered, snuggling into his brother.

“It is, huh? It’s nice,” Izumi remarked, gazing across the yard, admiring the snow that had begun to fall. “Oh, I almost forgot. Merry Christmas, you two.”

“Merry Christmas,” Chikage returned.

“Mm… Christmas,” Hisoka murmured, slowly starting to fall asleep again.

Upon further inspection, the someone was dressed in red, had a white beard, and was carrying a large sack. Santa Claus? Against your better judgement, you opened the window.

He stumbled in, clumsily trying to fit himself through the small space, along with pulling his bag through. After having to provide some extra help, he finally managed to stand up straight(well, as best as he could, given that his extra weight seemed unnatural. Odd.).

“I’ve come to give you your presents! You’ve been very good this year!” Santa(?) exclaimed, reaching into his bag.

Once his back was turned, you couldn’t help but notice a tuft of reddish-pink hair poking out from under his hat. You smiled, knowing instantly who it could be, and who would do this for you.

After a moment, he handed you a small, wrapped gift, clearly beaming under the fake beard.

“Merry Christmas! Be sure not to open it until morning, okay?” He asked cheerily.

You had to laugh as you took the gift, setting it on the coffee table.

“You make a great Santa, Sakuya! I was almost surprised! Your acting really has come a long way!”

“Sakuya? Who’s Sakuya? I am Santa Claus!”

You giggled again.

“Sure you are.”

You stepped forward, pulled down the beard, and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“I- uh- you-“ he stammered, looking for a good, in-character response, even if he was already busted and blushing like a maniac. He sighed.

“Sorry, I guess I should’ve just delivered your gift normally, huh?” He said with a sheepish giggle.

“You’re just fine. Thanks for the little bit of magic. Do you wanna stay for a bit?”

“I can’t, I’ve got the party back at Mankai-“

“I made hot chocolate.”

He stopped short. He knew he couldn’t turn that down.

“Well, maybe just for a little while.”

“That’s the spirit!” You cheered.

It was only December first, and already, the dorms were decorated from head to toe in a variety of Christmas decorations, from the customized teddy bears that sat happily on the shelves, right down to the main tree in the lounge.

This year, however, there was a new addition.

Somehow, Kazunari had managed to mistletoe-bomb the whole place, with every square inch sporting a small sprig. It seemed simple and harmless to place them over a few doors to some dorm rooms, sure, but taking it so far as to give up on doorways altogether and slap them on the ceiling was a bold choice. As much as he teased about simply wanting his chances of getting a lil’ kiss from somebody, it was no wonder that everyone else in the dorm was interested in the same.

When Masumi discovered it dangling above his doorframe later that morning, he was annoyed, to say the least. Knowing his family, he’d end up smothered if he wasn’t careful where he stepped. He’d have to avoid it at all costs.

Making his way to the common room as safely as possible, he was utterly terrified by the sight that greeted him.

An ordinary morning, by Mankai’s standards, was chaotic, but today was something else.

Everybody was either desperately trying to get underneath or completely avoid the absurd amount of mistletoe, with a few casual kisses being exchanged among the family, a sweet sight to see. Well, not exactly for Masumi. That was, until, his eyes met another.

Sakuya. He giggled while receiving a short kiss on the cheek from Citron, whom he couldn’t believe was doing this so casually.

Once Sakuya noticed him, he bounded over, way too energetic for how early it was.

“Good morning, Masumi!” He greeted, cheerful as ever. It must be a good day for him already.

“What’s with all the mistletoe?”

“Do you not like it?”

“Not really,” he scoffed.

“Oh,” Sakuya’s volume lowered, “Well, while it’s still here, I figured I should give you one, so, here.”

With that, he placed a small kiss to Masumi’s cheek, setting his face ablaze. Sakuya couldn’t help but laugh.

“Was that good?”

Masumi took a look around the room to make sure nobody was watching, knowing it would be hell for him if anybody knew about the exchange. Once he was sure, he gave him a nod.

“I’m glad! You know you can come to me if you want more, okay?”

He quickly rushes out the door of the dorms, grabbing some leftovers from the night before as a questionable breakfast on the go. He has to hurry, after all.

Or else he wouldn’t get to have his one relaxing moment during the day.

Tsuzuru finally arrives at your apartment, knocking vigorously on the door.

These past few weeks, he’s been making a point of walking together in the mornings, no matter how far away your two destinations were. Thankfully, you both went to the same university, but the days where you both had different destinations were the ones that made him regret agreeing to walk together every day.

Sure, you two were close, but sometimes, he felt, other things have to take priority. Though he couldn’t say he didn’t enjoy having one moment of peace in his day, especially during the holiday season, with all of his responsibilities. This was really they only time in his day that wasn’t monopolized, so he had to enjoy it as much as he could.

“Hey, c’mon, we’re gonna be late!” Tsuzuru shouted as loud as he could, given the fact that most people were still asleep.

“Door’s open. Just come in.” You replied through the door.

He sighed, disappointed in your lack of basic safety precautions, but entered anyway.

He found you in the kitchen, making a last-minute breakfast before leaving.

“Hey,” you greeted, “good morning.”

“You literally work at a coffee shop, and you have an opening shift today. Why are you doing that?” He asked, irritated.

“Wait, I have work today? I thought we had class this morning.”

“I have class this morning. We go together tomorrow. Let’s just get moving, okay?”

“But I don’t have my uniform on!”

“Then go change. We’re already late, and I’ve got to go to Yosei, which is in the opposite direction.”

“Alright, alright, I get it. I’ll hurry.” You complain, going to your room to get re-dressed.

Though he was quite exasperated with you, Tsuzuru never felt any real rage or hate towards you. It just felt like you were another one of his little brothers; often forgetful and silly, but still someone he loved.

Eventually, you finished changing, and found Tsuzuru flipping through his phone on the couch, waiting for you.

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Finally.” He sighed.

And off you went into the wintry streets of Veludo Way.

The snow on the ground was slowly melting, and the grey sky above didn’t help the world look any less dreary. And in such a gloomy world, you begrudgingly walked beside Tsuzuru to work.

“Got any plans for the holidays?” Tsuzuru piped up.

“Mm, not really. I’ll probably visit my family, eat until I’m sick, you know, the usual. You?”

He could only groan.

“Urgh. I’ve got too much planned. I have to get finished with my finals, work overtime to be able to get presents for my brothers and the Mankai members, not to mention even deciding on what to get for everybody, then there’s the script for Mankai’s annual Christmas production slash fan meet, and to top it all off, I’m supposed to be helping Omi figure out the food for Christmas dinner.” He slumped over to punctuate his little speech, his sigh becoming a cloud of his anguish in the cold.

You had to laugh a little at him.

“Well, just know that you can come to me if you need help, okay? I don’t live too far from the dorm, and I’m always down to spend time with you, even if it’s just work.” You replied with a grin, grabbing his hand to emphasize your point. As soon as you did, however, your eyes went wide as you dropped it.

“Woah, your hands are freezing!”

“It’s not that bad, I can handle it…woah, wait, what are you doing?!”

Tsuzuru panics as you shift your position so you can walk in front of him, taking his hands and placing them in your pockets.

“There, now we can both have warm hands!” You say with a cheeky grin.

He can only stammer a bit.

“I- I guess that’s fine.”

“Yeah. It is fine.” you giggle smugly, intertwining your fingers.

Though he can’t say it isn’t a little difficult to walk with your back pressed directly against his chest, Tsuzuru smiles anyway, enjoying the closeness. Even if he has to wrap his arms around you to keep his hands in your pockets, it’s sweet, and he appreciates the affection.

“You’re comfortable there, huh?” He asks.

“Mmhm!” You confirm, delighted.

“Good.” His voice softens a bit, though it’s jut barely noticeable.

The two of you continue to walk like that all the way to your work, despite how slow it was and how many stares you got. It didn’t matter. You were comfortable, and you wouldn’t mind staying like that forever.

Eventually, you make it to the coffee shop, and you unlock the door, entering with Tsuzuru close behind.

“Okay, I’m gonna go to school now, so I’ll see you la-“

“No, stay,” You interrupt him sternly, “I’m guessing you didn’t have a proper breakfast either.”

“I did, don’t worry. I just grabbed some leftovers from dinner last night, I’m gonna eat them in cla-“

“Welp, not anymore.”

“What?”

“Sit down. I’ll make you something before we open.” You offer as you tie on your apron.

“You sure? Yosei is in the other direction, and I’m already late.”

“You share your first class with Juza, right?”

“Yeah, why?” He asks quizzically.

“Borrow his notes, I’m sure he won’t mind. Bedsides, being late to one class isn’t gonna kill you.” You insist, starting up the machines to brew some coffee for the two of you.

“During finals week though?!”

“Shut up.”

“You really can’t-“

“You can take it outside of class if you have a test this period. After all that complaining about all you have to do, you should relax a little. Here.” You hand him a piping hot espresso, just the way he likes it.

“Just take some time for yourself. Catch up on some work if you have to. I just want to see you doing okay.”

Tsuzuru just sits there, his mouth agape, before taking the coffee, finally sitting down at one of the tables.

“Fine. You’re right, I guess I’ll live.”

“That’s what I thought. I’ll get you some food, too.”