[ Thank goodness Sano heeded the request in the card Haruaki gave with his gift this morning. Dinner isn't anything fancy – he and Akira still haven't gotten too much better at cooking for themselves – but it's a little taste of home, at least. The evening is cosy, snow drifting down through the darkness outside the high windows while they're ensconced in the warm safety of the apartment.
Akira steps out to take Hana for a walk, and Marshmallow ate himself into a nap coma, so for the moment–
It's only Haruaki turning toward Sano with the brightest expression on his face, pure holiday spirit and joy. ]
Sano-kuuuuun!!!
[ As if he's seeing him for the first time, and they haven't spent hours together. ]
Has it been a good Christmas? Waaah, isn't it so weird that when we get back home, we'll do it again in a couple months? What are you going to do for winter break? Do you want to come to my family's shrine!?
[Fine. Weird, but fine. Sano can't remember the last time he properly celebrated Christmas, and Takahashi and Haruaki have only been harmlessly abnormal tonight.
[It's nice not to be alone. It's nice to be with Haruaki, the only person Sano would want to spend Christmas with here. He thinks Winter break would be nice at the shrine, actually, if they ever make it there.]
[ A few moments later, Haruaki bounds out of the bedroom and presses into Sano's hands a framed photo of their class. It isn't wrapped, but there is a little ribbon tied around one of the corners of the frame, as blue as Sano's eyes. ]
[ Right after Sano showed up, honestly. He's been hanging onto it, waiting for a good opportunity to give it to him. After their conversation at the party, he realized there was no time to waste. ]
It was always supposed to be for you, though! I'll wish for another one for myself someday.
[ It is familiar. So familiar that Haruaki wouldn't even have to look at it to know what it is; the shape and weight of it in his hand once saved his life. He could never forget.
He stares dumbly down at it until his vision begins to blur, then looks back up at Sano, unshed tears shining bright in his eyes. ]
[Sano is bracing for that embrace as soon as Haruaki's eyes start shining. One arm comes up, halfway to wrap around the older man, and halfway to tug his collar, "trying" to get him to release.]
[ Haruaki keeps clinging to him for a few moments longer before pulling away, sniffling, rubbing at his eyes with the hand not clutching the talisman. ]
Do you... do something to make them lucky?
[ That makes no sense given everything about him, but to be fair, Haruaki doesn't know what Sano is the god of. ]
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> stellari christmastime, we gather round and sing songs by sublime
Akira steps out to take Hana for a walk, and Marshmallow ate himself into a nap coma, so for the moment–
It's only Haruaki turning toward Sano with the brightest expression on his face, pure holiday spirit and joy. ]
Sano-kuuuuun!!!
[ As if he's seeing him for the first time, and they haven't spent hours together. ]
Has it been a good Christmas? Waaah, isn't it so weird that when we get back home, we'll do it again in a couple months? What are you going to do for winter break? Do you want to come to my family's shrine!?
[ So many questions!! ]
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[Fine. Weird, but fine. Sano can't remember the last time he properly celebrated Christmas, and Takahashi and Haruaki have only been harmlessly abnormal tonight.
[It's nice not to be alone. It's nice to be with Haruaki, the only person Sano would want to spend Christmas with here. He thinks Winter break would be nice at the shrine, actually, if they ever make it there.]
If that's what you want, fine. I will.
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[ Don't mind Haruaki as he vaults over the arm of the couch to perch there, staring at Sano like an expectant puppy. ]
I asked if you wanted to! What do you want to do?
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[Sano plants his hand on top of Haruaki's face, as if to push him away, but he doesn't actually push.]
I said that's fine. I had a good time, so yeah.
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I can't wait!
[ He's going to start nibbling if Sano doesn't take his hand away. ]
Um, also... I have another present for you, if that's okay!
JSDLFSJDF NOT NIBBLING
[He removes his hand and stuffs both in his pocket.]
You already got me something. It was a good gift. I don't need more.
? chomp <3
[ And he didn't want to embarrass Sano by giving it to him in front of Akira, so. Time is of the essence!
Haruaki springs up off the couch, starts bounding down toward his bedroom, then turns over his shoulder. ]
Close your eyes and hold out your hands, okay?
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[You know what, though?]
Nah. I'm not gonna do that.
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It's not a seifuku!!!! I swear!!!!!!!!!
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Hurry it up already. I'll beat your ass if you're lying to me.
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Take good care of it, okay?
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You've had this...?
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[ Right after Sano showed up, honestly. He's been hanging onto it, waiting for a good opportunity to give it to him. After their conversation at the party, he realized there was no time to waste. ]
It was always supposed to be for you, though! I'll wish for another one for myself someday.
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[Fingers ghost over the glass, and Sano's jaw clenches.]
Alright. Thanks...
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[ With the photo now out of his hands, he plunks back down onto the couch, pulling his knees up in front of him and wrapping his arms around them. ]
Waaah, everyone looked so happy on that day, didn't they? And it was the first time I saw Zashiki-san in her proper sailor uniform... teehee...
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[Sano's voice is quiet. There's no bite to it.]
I got you something too.
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[ Oh, he looks like he genuinely wasn't expecting a present. ]
Really? You didn't have to do that!
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[He hands it to Haruaki without much ceremony. It should be familiar.
[A talisman.]
Here. I don't know if this one will work, but...I made it for you.
1/2
He stares dumbly down at it until his vision begins to blur, then looks back up at Sano, unshed tears shining bright in his eyes. ]
S... Sano-kun...
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[ Of course he's throwing himself at Sano, scrambling across the couch to hug him, talisman still clenched in one fist. ]
Thank you so much! I need all the good luck I can get!!!
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I know it. So, carry it around with you, 'kay?
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[ Haruaki keeps clinging to him for a few moments longer before pulling away, sniffling, rubbing at his eyes with the hand not clutching the talisman. ]
Do you... do something to make them lucky?
[ That makes no sense given everything about him, but to be fair, Haruaki doesn't know what Sano is the god of. ]
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[Eh... How to explain?]
Not really. I'm a god of misfortune, so...really, a talisman like that is for warding it off. All I had to do was make it, but...
[But...]
My powers still don't work here. It might end up a dud.
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It isn't a dud. I can tell.
[ Even if it is, Haruaki has full confidence that channeling his belief in Sano into it will make it work after all. ]
I love it. Thank you, Sano-kun.
we can wrap this too...ohhh
[The thanks is so earnest it's embarrassing...]
Yeah. No problem.
[There are footsteps outside. It sounds like Takahashi-sensei will be back through the door any second.
[Sano wiggles away from Haruaki on the couch.
[The framed photo is still in his hands. He frowns and picks it up, stands.]
I'm just gonna go...put this in my bag...'kay?
hehehe wrapt for mee
are u sure
YES