destinystrings | (no subject)

Who: The Investigation Team and Nanako plus one death goddess.
Where: Yu and Nanako's apartment.
Summary: The IT celebrates Christmas together away from home... more or less.
Warnings: Yu trying to keep up his mission to bring a Green Christmas to Hinoto-ri. Horrible singing. lulz

It was a bit rushed and last minute -- and most of the work had to be done by other people because a certain grey haired leader was currently acting like an idiot -- but the apartment that Yu and Nanako shared was currently decked out for the winter holiday. Streamers hung around door frames and windows, and someone had even managed to bring in a little fake pine tree to be decorated.

There's also food, of course, though how good it is depends greatly on who cooked it. Taste with care, least you end up poisoned on Christmas.

It might not seem very festive at the moment, especially considering the current state (and presence) of certain individuals... but that will change at midnight at least.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Nope, not getting away that easily. Yukiko did feel like like maybe she should give their leader some space; after all, he was forced to do something against his will despite the...intentions. But that just made her feel worried. Should she go see him or would it seem too obsessive?

No, it just shows that she cares, right?

"Yu-kun?"

Yu had a closet where he hid everyone's presents half way open when she poked her head in on him. He stared at her a moment, struggling to find something to say... only to end up staring back at the inside of the closet. Wow... awkward conversations are go. They just started going out; they didn't need... all of that hanging over their heads.

"...sorry."

It was the only thing he could think of to say.

Yes, it would be awkward but they needed to speak to each other sooner or later. And it's not just him who needs to say something. She went along with it in the beginning and even if she could blame it on the atmosphere, Yukiko wouldn't deny it being somewhat true. Because to be honest, she did. And if unbothered, she would've kept up that charade and things would be just worse.

"Yu."

She dropped the honorific this time and put a hand on his shoulder.

"There's no need to say that. It's not your fault."

"Yeah... but I can't just say, 'It's not my fault,' and be okay with it," he replied, still having difficulty looking at her. "Besides... what I did with you..."

That went too far... but he was being honest. It just came out... really bad.

The memory of them dancing together so close to each other made Yukiko go darker than her sweater. It was hard to admit that a small part of yourself enjoyed the closeness and to admit that...she knew keeping it to herself wasn't going to work.

"I can't say it was because of the area. Because I could've said something at first but I didn't. It should be me who should apologize to you."

"You apologize...?"

Because, seriously, what; there was so much wrong on his end that he hardly saw anything completely bad about her reacting to it. She shouldn't be the one to take on any guilt here...

Just go with it. She feels bad enough by not saying anything at first.

"If Rise-chan wasn't there to step in...I would've..."

He could most likely figure out what was going to be said after that.

"That's why I'm saying it."

...and now it was Yu's turn to flush a shade of red darker than her sweater.

"...ah," was all he could manage to get out, staring down at the wrapped presents on the floor. Wow, this was insanely embarrassing.

Yes, the floor was rather interesting to look at. And admitting that you were seriously kind of turned on by that...yeah, really scary.

"I'm really sorry."

Please don't hate her for it.

"Don't... be," he managed to get out. "I'm the one that instigated it. You just... responded. You shouldn't feel so responsible."

This was going nowhere really fast. Both can say the same damn thing to each other and nothing would be resolved. No more blaming themselves for what happened. She looks up at him, returning a small smile.

"I'm just glad you're safe now. That's all that really matters."

Oh, right! She still has something to give to him; everyone else already got their presents except for him. Well, because of the hands bit.

Yu nodded; well, safe for the moment at least.

"I'm glad it wasn't worse," he agreed. Because oh god, if he had done something more than what he'd done...

He bent down, starting to collect the presents he had gotten for everyone. His hands paused when they grasped Yukiko's present, unsure if he should give it to her now or wait...

"Oh! I nearly forgot about your present: I left it in the living room. I should go get it."

And she quickly goes off to said room and gets the small box from the table. Phew, it didn't get picked up and assumed for something else. It was really hard to pick out a really good one and have it mean something.

Yu raised a hand in protest -- he was going to be out there in just a minute! But Yukiko was already running out the door before he could say anything.

...welp.

He let out a sigh, before pulling the presents out of the closet and stacking them together so he could just lift them up and take them out once she came back.

It only took like five seconds to get from the living room and back but it was plenty of time for Yukiko to give the grey haired teen his present. It's not a lightsaber given that the package is small but we'll see about your birthday for that one.

"Merry Christmas, Yu-kun. I hope you like it."

Funny; small presents seemed to be a thing this year. Yu took the top present off the stack, exchanging it with the one she was holding.

"Merry Christmas, Yukiko."

Well, they may be small but the thoughts that went with them were anything but. As Yukiko took off the bow part, she looks at it and sticks it on his shoulder. Wait, doesn't someone just...toss the wrapping aside to check out the gift inside?

Or is she sending a message across?

Yu blinked at that, perplexed. Was... she implying that...?

...

Oh.

...

Oh.

A smile worked its way onto his face as he returned the favor, sticking it to her hairband.

Yes, he got it.

And with the bow on her hairband, she couldn't help but giggle. Don't worry, no hyena one coming out.

That smile turned a bit bigger, and he looked like he was going to be a bit daring for a moment and lean down to kiss her, but seemed to think better of it. Instead he started working on unwrapping the rest of that present.