[Fic] SD Spin-off: Christmas Eve

[aya_magic]

Title: Christmas Eve
Author:iris_aya  (me ^^)
Beta: spread_da_love 
Pairing: Akakame
Rating: PG/PG-13 (just to be safe, nothing of particular worry)
Genre: Fluff, crack, romance, angst (barely there you have to squint)
Warnings: boyxboy pairing, the standard ones. This is based off an AU universe
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with JE, and obviously I cannot "own" these people. I also, in no way, make monetary profit off this.
Summary: After six months of dating Christmas Eve finally arrives and those words, the ones that would truly cement their relationship, are finally spoken.
Word Count: 2,639
Author’s Note: This is for sweetpaopuwind who wanted a pre-story drabble on SD!Akame’s first Christmas/gift exchange.  This is set very closely after Gift (within a month or so).  This also leads up to another drabble that has been requested by gemplee .  Sadly this drabble requires at least general knowledge from SD so it can’t stand alone.  This is set about 5.5 years before Sweet Devotion occurred.
Also, this is the beginning of a thank you.  I can’t believe I won my portion of theakame_  2010 one-shot competition, especially not after the debacle with the finalized version being lost.  So thank you those who took the time to read and vote, hopefully I’ll manage to thank you all enough ^^.

--

 

[6 Months into Akame relationship]

Jin wobbled as he adjusted the star atop the tree.  He leaned back a bit to check it before adjusting it again.  He was surrounded by twinkling lights, stars, snowflakes, and crystals all in red, gold, and green hanging from a Christmas tree.  Every once in a while he had to shake off the twinkling lights. He was positively sure the strands were alive, it was the only explanation as to just how they coiled around his ankle every ten minutes or so.

He smiled in triumph before running to the kitchen upon hearing the light beeping from the timer.  He quickly lowered the heat to the warming setting and went to toss the salad one more time when his doorbell rang.

“Coming!” He ran and threw the door open.  His smile impossibly widened upon seeing his boyfriend.

“I’m not too late am I?” Kame bit his lip worriedly as he slipped his shoes off.

Jin glanced at the clock in the entryway and leaned forward and pecked Kame on the lips, “only a minute or two don’t worry I was busy finishing a few things anyway.”

Kame finally got a look around the living room as they moved into the apartment.  He immediately focused on the tree, he had only seen such perfectly proportioned trees in Christmas specials before.  He immediately pictured Jin demanding a perfectly shaped tree and then meticulously decorating it.  He couldn’t suppress smiling at his adorable boyfriend instantly taking on a more household role.

“I take it I should put this under there?” He motioned to the tree with the box in his hand, decorated in red wrapping paper with a gold bow.

“I’ll do it, go ahead and take a seat?” Jin suggested.

Kame smiled fondly and handed over the box before carefully depositing himself on a couch. “I see you’ve been busy… I know all this wasn’t here yesterday.”

“It’s Christmas Eve!” Jin exclaimed with a pout. “Of course I had to decorate.  You don’t think it looks bad, do you?” He instantly eyed the star on top in contempt as he fell down next to Kame

“Stop looking at the tree,” Kame murmured before pulling Jin into his lap, “you’re so adorable.”

Jin turned bright red and pouted a bit more. “I don’t want to be called adorable Kazu…”

“It’s not my fault you’re so adorable.  If you acted more manly then I’d call you manly instead.” He dropped sweet kisses on Jin’s pouty lips for a few seconds before the other began to smile.  He took the slight quirk as reason enough to deepen the kisses.

Jin grudgingly pushed Kame away right as he felt the other’s tongue slipping into his mouth, “as much as I’d love to continue this we should eat dinner.”

Kame frowned and kept Jin from pulling out of his lap. “Do we have to?”

Jin squirmed in the firm grasp. “We’ll continue later, but I’m hungry…”

Kame sighed and rested his forehead on Jin’s shoulder before pushing him up. “Alright let’s go.”

Jin stopped him when he went to grab his phone from the table. “We’re eating here, I cooked… don’t give me that look I can cook some things you know.”

“Sorry but in the past six months I have never heard anything about this.” Kame frowned.

“I’m normally too busy or late with work to have time to cook.” He tugged the smaller man into the dining room before disappearing into the kitchen to grab the salad.

“It’s all Italian tonight.  To be honest it’s what I make best,” Jin dished some of the Tortellini and Pesto salad onto Kame’s salad plate before his own.

“Tomatoes?” Kame asked warily, knowing the other’s love for the ingredient.

“I took it out of the recipe for you.” Jin deftly poured the wine.

Kame motioned for the bottle and Jin knowingly handed it over. Cinque Terre he traced the label lightly before placing the bottle down.

“Up to your standards?” Jin grinned good-naturedly as he gathered a fork full of salad.

“I don’t think I’ve even heard of it.” Kame admitted.

“I heard it was supposed to go well with the pesto, I just didn’t know initially it’s hard to find outside of Europe,” Jin commented before looking up from his salad. “Eat your salad or I’ll be insulted!”

“What would your employees think if they heard you whining like that?” Kame teased before starting to eat.

“They wouldn’t dare tease me, that’s for sure.” Jin pouted but smiled at seeing Kame enjoying the salad.

--

After a light but fulfilling Farfalle with chicken, tomatoes once again omitted, they moved into the living room.  They sat on the floor near the coffee table, in front of the tree.  Kame grinned as he fed Jin bites of tiramisu.

Jin happily accepted a few bites, pleased with the outcome of the cake.  He had spent ages meticulously making the lady fingers, refusing to use any in the final product that hadn’t been perfectly shaped.

“One day you’ll have to tell me how you learned to make this.” He leaned forward and kissed off the remnants of cocoa powder dusting Jin’s lips.

Jin stole the fork and proceeded to feed Kame while relating the story to his boyfriend.

“Mm… well I grew up loving Italian food, just like my mum.  So when I was ten I convinced the cook to teach me to make it for her birthday.” The look on Kame’s face at this moment perfectly reflected his mum’s when she had first tasted the cake.

“This is amazing!” Kame grinned. “Continue…”

Jin rolled his eyes. “Luckily I asked her weeks in advance because it took me that long, even with Hana-san’s expertise, to properly make it on my own.  Mum started to cry when I told her I learned to make it just for her.  I still make it for her every year on her birthday.” He blushed lightly. “Thankfully I’ve improved since then or my tiramisu would still look like a disaster.”

Kame smiled. “I must say, I have the sweetest boyfriend.”

Jin smiled. “Ah, I think it’s time for presents.  Before it gets too late.”

“Alright.” Kame watched Jin leaning forward and pulling the two presents under the tree to them.

Jin sighed, he wished Kame had allowed him to buy more than one present, but the other had strictly forbid him.  He held the small box out to Kame before placing the red one in his lap.

“At the same time?” Kame asked knowingly.

Kame pulled the silver ribbon off and carefully opened the box.  He stared at the glimmering bracelet, unable to fully take in the beauty of the piece.  Three individual cords of platinum elegantly coiled around one another, a line of diamonds on each.  A charm hung from one cluster, a slightly curled heart with a K engraved onto the surface along with intricate etchings, the same design decorating the cords.

He missed the look of pure joy crossing Jin’s face as he held up his own present.  He looked up when he was enveloped in a tight hug and waited for Jin to pull back.

“Thank you.” He missed what he thought was a glint of tears in Jin’s eyes.

“I can’t accept this Jin.” Kame sighed.  He carefully set the box on the floor between them.

He watched Jin’s expression almost comically change.  The huge grin disappeared in an instant as a heart wrenching pain came into his eyes.

“I don’t understand.” Jin whispered.

“You had to know I couldn’t accept this, Jin.” Kame mumbled, looking anywhere but into those eyes.

Jin fidgeted, trying to wrap his mind around the turn of events.  He hadn’t expected the other to reject him, not like this.  He had spent weeks designing this and constantly second guessing himself.  He had put all of his feelings into it, trying to ensure that Kame would understand and hoping the other felt the same.  It had taken all those weeks to truly work up the courage to commission one of his jewelers to create the piece based off his exact specifications.  He had decided to jump, to trust in his instincts and now this had happened.  He clutched the jersey in his hands tighter.

He shut his eyes, trying to rid his mind of the image of Kame’s apologetic expression.  His heart pounded in his ears as he tried to dispel the sudden vice-like feeling in his chest.  His confession, the first time those words had been communicated in their relationship, had been outright rejected.  Kame hadn’t even attempted to console him with even lesser feelings, only that he had to know he wouldn’t accept the gift.  Had he truly been so far off in his assumptions concerning the other’s feelings?  What could he do at this point?

Kame watched a tear stubbornly force its way down Jin’s cheek. “Jin… I don’t…”

Jin shook his head at the words.  He felt he wouldn’t survive hearing Kame’s explanation but knew he had to. “Was I really completely wrong this whole time?  Was it really just… did it really mean that little to you?”

“What are you talking about?” Kame dragged a hand through his hair, completely concerned over Jin’s dramatic reaction.

“Everything!” Jin croaked. “These past six months.  Was I the only one thinking it meant something? Anything?”

“Of course it means something!  Where did you get those ideas?  I wouldn’t trade these past months for anything!” Kame hurriedly tried to assure him.

“Then why can’t you accept it?” Jin asked, still dreading the answer.

“Jin it’s too… too… too…” Kame stuttered unintelligibly.

“Too much?” Jin whispered. “Too intense?  You don’t feel even remotely similarly?”

Kame blinked. “It is too much but… what?  Feel similarly to what?  Why are you freaking out?”

“Why wouldn’t I be freaking out?” Jin asked.

“I always tell you I don’t want you spending so much money on me!” Kame snapped. “I feel horrible when you spend so much money just for me.”

Jin blinked. “Wait… are you rejecting it because of the price?”

“Of course!” Kame wanted to hit his idiot of a boyfriend.

Jin laughed hysterically. “Don’t scare me like that!”

“Why else would I reject it?” Kame groaned.

Jin froze. “You mean you didn’t… you haven’t… oh thank god.  Unless of course you end up rejecting it anyway.”

Kame watched in confusion as Jin delicately lifted the box and removed the bracelet.  He motioned for Kame to hold his wrist out so he grudgingly held out his left arm, sending a glare at Jin.  This didn’t mean he was accepting the bracelet, that was for sure.

“I designed this one for you.” Jin mumbled as he once again started to blush. “I spent weeks designing the engravings and how the diamonds would be set.  I spent even longer deciding on if I should go through with it, but I realized I had to go through with it.  There wasn’t any way my heart would let me chicken out.”

He carefully closed the clasp. “All I can hope is that you feel the same?”

Kame frowned but noticed Jin’s worried look fixated on the charm.  He traced the elegant K as he rubbed the heart.  He felt the continued engravings on the back and turned it over, exposing the side he hadn’t looked at yet.  It made sense now.  The idiot’s tears and words all made sense after he read the phrase he’d been throwing around his head for weeks.

“Kazuya, I love you.” Jin whispered, watching Kame carefully for a reaction.

Kame covered his face, resisting the urge to laugh at how badly this had gone so far. “You’re an idiot.”

Jin frowned again, that was definitely not the response he had wanted.

“Putting it there, when you know I hate you spending this kind of money on me!” Kame sighed. “And now I feel like crap, you gave me this gift you hand designed and… I gave you that.”

“Eh?” Jin turned his gaze to his lap and smiled, “I absolutely love this present.  It’s my favorite present I’ve ever gotten.”

“Please, I’ve seen the types of gifts you received on your birthday.” Kame scoffed.

“It’s not the price that matters.” Jin smiled brightly. “Those were all great gifts, they were all expensive gifts but…”

He lifted up the white, home jersey of the LA Galaxy¹ team, his favorite soccer team.  The ‘14’ on the back, just below ‘Buddle’², had instantly stolen his heart.

“You listened.” Jin mumbled. “You haven’t met my parents and when you do they’ll love you.  They have to be laid back to some extent, to let me take over so young… but that doesn’t mean I was free to do whatever I wanted when I was growing up.  Soccer wasn’t something encouraged.”

“You love soccer.” Kame mumbled, confused.

“I do love soccer, I always did.  But I was made to understand from a young age that it wasn’t something I could pursue.  It simply wasn’t allowed.  Of course I could play in league and school, it helped develop skills.  But something simple like going to professional games or owning jerseys of my favorite player… my parents and friends would never have bought me Buddle’s jersey.  My friends simply wouldn’t have listened well enough and my parents wouldn’t want to encourage it… maybe now they might consider it but even then.” Jin grimaced. “I don’t care about the price, this is my favorite gift.”

Kame smiled sadly. “I always kind of imagined you flying overseas for the weekend to catch your favorite team playing.  Or getting to meet your favorite player because of family connections.”

Kame didn’t hold a love for soccer, it was interesting enough but baseball was what he really loved.  But early on when Jin had told him that his favorite team was the LA Galaxy he had understood those feelings exactly.  It made more sense now, the excited reaction Kame received whenever he had asked if Jin wanted to watch one of the Galaxy’s games back during soccer season and Jin returning the sentiment whenever he knew a Giants³ game would be on those same months.  He had diligently listened to Jin explain exactly why Buddle was his favorite player, apart from having played as a forward himself.

“I wish…” Jin mumbled. “I suppose I could get away with it now but I’ve only just started at work.  I think I’ll have to wait another year or so until I can warrant that sort of thing.”

Kame smiled. “What will I do with you?”

Jin didn’t answer immediately. “I don’t know.  But, I love you.”

“I love you too.” Kame mumbled before moving so he could finally kiss his boyfriend.  His arms wound around Jin’s waist, the new bracelet clinking as it shifted.

Kame continued to drop unhurried and sweet kisses even after hearing the doorbell ring.

“Let me up,” Jin mumbled, trying to pull from Kame’s strong hold.

“Ignore it, it can’t be important.  It’s Christmas Eve, who would be visiting you?  Everyone is probably out with loved ones.” Kame mumbled, pulling Jin back down.  He watched a sign of realization cross Jin’s face as they heard the front door open.  He directed a questioning look at his boyfriend, whoever it was had a key.

“I am so sorry for this,” Jin whispered in his ear before finally pushing out of Kame’s embrace.

“Jin!” A woman called from the entryway.

Kame frowned as he stood up.  When he was finally able to see to the doorway he recognized the couple immediately.  How could he not recognize the couple that flanked Jin in a few of the pictures around the apartment?

“Mum, dad.” Jin hugged his mother and then his father. “I wasn’t expecting to see you until tomorrow.”

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1. LA Galaxy – Los Angeles soccer team, includes players like David Beckham, etc
2. Edson Buddle – plays forward for LA Galaxy, number 14
3. The (Yomiuri) Giants – Japanese, professional baseball team based in Tokyo.