Work Text:
December quickly overtook Tokyo with cold temperatures and chilly breezes. But the interior of the apartment was warm and cozy, a welcome contrast to the wintery world outside.
"Iku!" Hajime sighed when he found his son sitting in front of the television, brown eyes glued to the screen. "Iku, isn't it almost your bedtime?"
"The episode is almost over!" Iku whined.
Hajime looked at the clock, then at the screen. "Alright, but you'd better in bed by nine."
"But papa..!"
"You should listen to your father, Ikkun," Shun sang from the kitchen. "Otherwise Santa-san will label you as a naughty boy!"
Iku's eyes widened. "I will be in bed by nine!" he promised.
Sure enough, the second the episode finished, Iku turned off the television, then dashed down the hallway to prepare for bed. Hajime stared at the clock, watching slowly as it counted down the seconds to the deadline. When nine finally arrived, he went into the hallway to check on his son.
Happily enough, Iku was curled up in bed, hugging Sasakuma Ichigou as he began his journey to dreamland.
"He's an obedient little one once you give him some motivation," Shun chuckled.
"Thank goodness for Santa then." Hajime sighed. "But we won't be able to use him to scare Iku into obedience for much longer…"
"What makes you say that?"
"He's getting closer and closer to the double digits." Hajime gazed mournfully down the hallway. "Soon he's going to find out that Santa isn't real."
"…Not real, huh?"
Hajime turned towards his boyfriend. Shun was smiling as he always did. But there was an intrigued sparkle in his eyes.
"What? Don't tell me you think he's real."
"I don't think, Hajime. I know."
Hajime frowned. "I don't follow."
"Let the child believe for a while longer." Shun closed his eyes. "A healthy imagination is essential for growth, after all."
"If you say so." Hajime blinked. "By the way, are you staying the night?"
"Does Hajime want to get rid of me so badly? I just got used to sitting here though…"
Hajime sighed. "You can stay so long as you promise to wear some clothes to bed."
Shun pouted. "If Hajime insists…"
Hajime was in the middle of a meeting when his phone buzzed. He stole a look at the screen, made a face at the characters spelling out Shun's name, then silenced his phone.
When he left the meeting an hour later, he had three missed calls and a flurry of text messages from his boyfriend, each one shorter than the predecessor.
"More love mail from your partner?" a coworker joked upon seeing Hajime staring at his phone.
"Something like that," Hajime sighed as he tapped out a reply.
"I am limiting you to one present for Iku."
Shun replied instantly. "But Hajime, it's Christmas!"
"And you need to stop spoiling him."
"Then can I at least take care of the present from 'Santa'?"
Hajime sighed again. "Sure."
"Yay~"
Hajime shook his head, but smiled at the happy kaomoji Shun sent after the cheer.
Present from Santa, huh? Hajime set his phone down and leaned back in his chair. He gazed out the window, towards the direction of Iku's school. Hopefully it'll be something that'll make him smile.
Hajime's phone buzzed when he turned onto his street.
"What is it, Shun?" he asked as he entered his apartment complex. "Are you stopping by again tonight?"
"Not tonight, no. I have matters to take care of," Shun replied. "I just wanted to check up on you."
"I'm the same as always."
"Tired and moody like a cat from work?"
"…I'm not a cat." Hajime reached into his bag. "And I'm tired, yes, but hearing your voice gives me a little energy."
"What was that?"
"Your voice gives me a little energy?"
Hajime held his phone back when Shun squealed.
"Should I give you more love then? Would that power Hajime up?!"
"Calm down!" Hajime sighed and pulled out his key. "Alright, I'm at my apartment. I'll text you later, okay?"
"I'll be waiting!"
Hajime shook his head as he hung up. That man… He sighed for seemingly the millionth time that day as he unlocked the door and stepped into the apartment.
"I'm home."
"PAPA!" Iku bolted from the kitchen and threw himself at his father, forcing Hajime to drop his bag to catch him.
"Omph. Seems like you've gotten bigger…hm?" He froze when he saw the tears staining Iku's cheeks. "What's wrong?"
"Papa, it was horrible!" Iku wailed. "At school…they…" He broke down into tears.
"What is it? What happened?" Hajime lifted Iku and carried him into the apartment.
"I…I told them that I couldn't wait to see what Santa-san got me for Christmas! And…and they laughed at me!"
Hajime raised an eyebrow as he sat down and set Iku on his lap. "Laughed? Why?"
"They…they teased me for believing in Santa!" Iku sobbed. "And then they told me…that he wasn't real!"
…Oh.
"Papa, they have to be wrong, right? They must be wrong!" Iku tugged on Hajime's shirt. "Papa, Santa-san is real, right?"
Hajime sighed. "I knew this day would come sooner or later…"
"Papa?"
"Iku…those kids are right. Santa isn't real."
Iku's eyes watered. "W-what? N-no! Papa is lying!"
"It's the truth, Iku," Hajime said.
"No!" Iku burst into tears again. "He can't be fake! He can't be..!"
"I'm sorry."
"Papa is mean!" Iku smacked Hajime's chest. "He's like all the other kids! A big, big bully!" He buried his face in his father's shoulder and cried.
Hajime rubbed Iku's back and waited for the child's sobs to ease into sniffles. "The truth hurts, I know, " he finally said.
"It hurts," Iku agreed. "And now the magic of Christmas is gone…"
"Are you sure about that?"
Iku lifted his head. His eyes were red and his nose was still running. "What do you mean?" he asked with a sniffle.
"Well…" Hajime adjusted Iku's position on his lap. "You've gotten presents from Santa, haven't you? Even when you lived with your birth parents."
"Yeah…"
"Where do you think those came from if Santa isn't real?"
Iku was silent.
"Your parents, of course. Well, me as of a few years ago. And now Shun too." Hajime smiled. "We're your personal little Santa Claus, keeping track of your actions and making sure you stay on the nice list so you can receive beautiful gifts filled with love at the end of the year."
"My personal little Santa Claus…" Iku furrowed his eyebrows.
Hajime nodded. "And sure, receiving presents is fun, but Christmas is about more than that, you know?"
"More?"
"Well, seeing all those presents seems pretty magical, yeah?" Iku nodded. "But Santa-san isn't the one who makes Christmas magical, you know?" Hajime's eyes were glimmering. "The magic of Christmas comes from being with your loved ones—from singing, dancing, laughing together."
"From being with your loved ones…" A smile spread across the child's face. "I did like singing Christmas songs with Aneki…and watching movies with Papa and Shun-san…"
"The magic's already working, see?" Hajime pinched Iku's cheeks. "A gloomy face doesn't suit you."
"It doesn't suit Papa either," Iku giggled.
"If you say so." Hajime pressed a kiss to his son's forehead. "But you should still be a good boy, okay? Or else Papa is going to reconsider giving you your gifts!"
"No worries! I'll be a good boy!"
"Good." Hajime nudged Iku's sides. "Then you can start by getting off. I need to start dinner before you get the grumblies."
"Okay!" Iku hopped off Hajime's lap. "Papa?"
"Yes?"
Iku's eyes sparkled, this time not with tears, but with happiness. "Thank you."
Hajime chuckled and ruffled Iku's hair. "Of course."
Shun was silent as Hajime relayed the day's events to him.
"You told him?" he finally said.
Hajime hummed. "To be fair, his classmates did most of the work. I just had to deal with the clean up."
"But either way, the little prince found out."
"It was bound to happen sooner or later." Hajime smiled. "I'm just glad I was able to do damage control."
"Yes, yes. But it still makes me somewhat sad. I already picked out the present from 'Santa' too…" Hajime could hear the pout in Shun's voice.
"Fine. You're limited to two presents for Iku."
"Hajime is the best!" Shun sighed wistfully. "But the era of Santa is over, huh? Ikkun's entered the first stage of growing up…"
Hajime turned towards the hallway, in the direction of Iku's bedroom. "I'd rather not think about that right now…"
"Well, he's still a child, yes? There's no need to be depressed yet."
"Yeah."
"Alright, I won't hold you back from resting any longer."
"Okay." Hajime paused. "Shun?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
There was a sound that sounded suspiciously like Shun stifling a squeal. Then, "I love you too. Now get some rest!"
"I will."
There was an idiotic grin plastered on Hajime's face as he hung up.
Christmas Eve quickly arrived. After a day of work, Hajime returned home and immediately began cooking to prepare for dinner with Shun. Iku wandered into the kitchen halfway through to offer help.
"Such a good boy," Hajime chuckled as he handed Iku a spoon.
Iku beamed in response.
Dinner was a cheerful affair. Shun arrived wielding a box of expensive chocolates that Iku's eyes instantly latched onto even before the table was set. Hajime glared at Shun in warning, but did nothing but sigh when Shun offered the child a pre-dinner chocolate. Slowly, the evening drifted by, and soon enough, Iku was tucked into bed and given his goodnight kisses.
"Well," Shun began as he sat down on the sofa, "this isn't exactly a traditional couple's Christmas Eve, is it?"
Hajime snorted, "Well, we aren't exactly a traditional couple anyways."
"True, true." Shun offered Hajime a glass of wine, which he accepted. "But to me, any time spent with Hajime is well worth it."
"Even if it involves telling an elementary schooler about Christmas in the underworld?"
Shun giggled. "That's what makes it extra special."
"Of course." Hajime pressed a kiss to Shun's temple. "Movie?"
"Sure."
The two spent the remainder of the evening enjoying each other's company.
Christmas morning greeted Hajime by encouraging Iku to barrel into the room and leap onto the bed, right on Hajime's chest.
"Good morning!" Iku cheered. "Good morning to Papa and good morning to Shun-san!"
Hajime grunted, "Morning Iku…" He yawned. "What time is it..?"
"Eight!"
"Too early." Hajime draped his hand across his eyes. "Good night."
"No!" Iku tugged on his father's arm. "Papa, I know you like to sleep but I want to open presents and eat cake!"
Hajime peeked through his fingers. "It's it a few hours too early for cake?"
"I want Papa and Shun-san to watch me open presents!"
"Do you?" Hajime turned his head. "Shun, what do you think?"
Shun cracked open an eye. "I want to sleep until I die."
"No!" Iku wailed and prodded Shun's side. "Shun-san, you can't do that! What will your underworld friends do without you? What will Papa do without you?!"
"Your papa is a very strong man. I'm sure he'll be fine."
"No! Papa loves you! He wants to keep you around forever!" Iku looked at Hajime. "Right?!"
Hajime chuckled. "That's right." He sat up and patted Iku's head. "I'll encourage Shun to get up. In the meanwhile, why don't you wait for us in the living room?"
"Fine." Iku slid off the bed and pitter pattered out of the room. Hajime refocused his attention on his boyfriend.
"He is right, you know."
"I know." Shun reached out and laced his fingers with Hajime's. "But I wanted to laze around with Hajime some more…"
"You'll have plenty of chances to do that in the future, I'm sure." Hajime squeezed Shun's hand. "But for now, we have a little prince to entertain."
"…Oh, alright." Shun sat up and stretched his arms over his head.
"Good." Hajime crawled out of bed. "And please put on some clothes."
Shun laughed in response.
Iku was waiting in the living room, still dressed in his pajamas, eyes filled with stars when he saw Hajime walk in with Shun in tow.
"You waited?" Hajime asked.
Iku nodded. "Of course!"
"Such a good little prince!" Shun ruffled Iku's hair. "Alright, which one do you want to open first?"
"This one!" Iku grabbed a box and gently shook it.
"That's from me," Hajime said. "Go on."
Iku peeled off the paper. A smile spread across his face. "Papa has good memory…" He held the toy trumpet to his lips and blew into it.
"Don't make me regret getting it," Hajime laughed.
"I won't!" Iku giggled. "But now I can play songs with Rui! Thank you! I can't wait to tell Rui…" He gave Hajime a hug, then reached for two bags.
"That would be my work," Shun sang.
Iku pulled out the tissue paper and laughed. He pulled out a hoodie and an action figure box. "Heartbreak Purple!" he cheered. "Look, he kinda looks like Papa, doesn't he?" He held up the figure next to Hajime's face. "So cool!"
"I think Hajime is cooler," Shun sang.
"Yeah, yeah." Hajime lowered Iku's hand. "Try on the hoodie and see if Shun got the right size."
Iku pulled on the garment. "It fits." He held up his arms. "Makes your heart goes thump, don't coil, show!" He laughed. "Thank you, Shun-san!"
"Whatever makes the little prince happy." Shun pinched Iku's cheek for emphasis.
"Then for the last one!" Iku reached for an object wrapped in gold wrapping paper. "So pretty…" He ran his hands over the pattern, then peeled off the paper. His eyes widened. "It's a sword!" He held up the toy. "And not just any sword…Durandal! The sword that cool guard has in that one play!" He leapt forward and gave Hajime and Shun hugs. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I need to tell Sasakuma Ichigou..!" He ran off into the apartment.
Hajime looked over at Shun. "I thought I limited you to two presents."
"I only got him the Heartbreak merchandise," Shun said.
"Then who got him the sword?" Hajime examined the wrapping paper.
"…Seems like Ikkun was a good boy this year after all."
Hajime frowned. "What do you mean?"
Shun gave his boyfriend a small, knowing smile. "Seems like the little prince made the 'nice' list yet again."
"…But he doesn't exist?"
"Not in this world, no." Shun closed his eyes. "But in some other land, perhaps it's a different story."
Iku ran back into the room with a stuffed panda tucked under his arm, laughing as he tried to swing the oversized plastic sword around. When he saw the elated look on the child's face, Hajime couldn't help but smile.
"Does he accept thank you cards?"
Shun chuckled. "I think Iku's happiness is all the thanks he needs."
Hajime nodded. "I agree."
"Papa! Papa, let's play!" Iku yelled.
"Play? Alright then." Hajime threw his arms around Shun, causing the white-haired man to yelp in surprise. "Rawr! I'm the fearsome dragon who has captured the fair Princess Shunderella!"
"P-Princess Shunderella…" Shun's eyes sparkled like crystals as he laughed into the back of his hand. "Oh dear..! I hope someone will come and save me!"
"No fear!" Iku raised his sword. "Knight Kannaduki will come and save the princess!"
And so, another Christmas cheerfully passed for the small family.