...send me a ✵ to catch my muse under the mistletoe!
christmas in iwatobi was many things. it was cold, for starters, and it was without snow for the most part. but it was bright, and festive. through the cold came the warmth of the hearts of those who lived in iwatobi celebrating the holidays together, families and friends alike. and it was no different now.
the get together had been held at the nanase household. makoto was there with ren and ran, nagisa was chasing rei with a pair of reindeer antlers, coach sasabe was sitting near the refreshment table. even rin and sousuke showed up. the house was warm and loud and happy and haruka thought to himself, i like this.
from where he stood in the doorway leading to the kitchen, haruka could see everyone. and he could hear everyone. and, looking out over the expanse of people he knew and cared about, haru couldn’t help but feel like he was dreaming. like the world had suddenly called time out, and everything bad went to sleep for a while, and all the good things came out to play. it was a little childish, but that’s how he felt.
he almost didn’t notice when someone came to stand beside him. but when the sound of nagisa hollering 'oooooh, haru-chaaaaan!' met his ear, he knew instantly what prompted the outburst. gou was standing beside him. no big deal. but she was smiling, and — and her cheeks looked a little red. and nagisa was pointing to something above his head and…
he could have walked away — just ducked back into the kitchen. but he could see the crestfallen look on gou’s face. and he could hear the hush of disappointment falling over the lull of festivity in the house. he didn’t want that, and well, it was only a mistletoe. he could…play along for once. so, he did.
quicker than necessary, haru leaned down and pecked gou right on the cheek. it was a little awkward, because there was a collective gasp from the group and nagisa was giggling like the little demon he was and rin was choking.
but gou was smiling. she was smiling and her cheeks were almost as red as her hair and haru thought, 'oh god, she's cute' without even meaning to, and he was certain his own cheeks were flushed red, too.
gou folded her hands behind her back and looked down at the ground. she took a breath and then she said ' merry christmas haruka-senpai ' in perhaps the sweetest voice one human being could muster. and haruka thought to himself, with the makings of a smile on his lips, yeah, i definitely like this.
christmas in iwatobi was many things. and now, for haruka nanase, it was perfect.
