Nightvision

The lustful flames curled and twisted with affection, scattering fanciful shadows across the log cabin's walls. Outside the fogged up windowpanes, the blizzard stormed even more fervently through the darkness, and Kaneki cuddled closer to Hideyoshi to stave off the cold.

Cooped up on a lavish couch and cocooned in blankets, Kaneki gazed at the flamboyant ornaments strung around the fireplace as they reflected the fire's advances. Meanwhile, Hideyoshi was sprawled inelegantly next to him with globs of snow entangled in his phoenixian hair.

Kaneki shifted his eyes to look at Hideyoshi's tranquil sleeping face, with clementine eyebrows raised in relaxation and saffron eyelashes mischievously tickling his tender pale cheeks. The corners of Kaneki's mouth couldn't help but curl into a delicate smile as he thought there couldn't be a better way to spend Christmas Eve.

Entranced by Hideyoshi's visage, Kaneki leaned toward him and softly kissed his cheek. Then, Kaneki leaned back and blushed innocently.

As if on queue, Hideyoshi groggily opened his eyes.

"Did you just kiss me?"

"Wh-what? Don't be stupid! Some snow from your head must've fallen onto your face."

"Oh, you actually didn't," Hideyoshi mused in a muted surprise. As if natural, he grabbed both of Kaneki's shoulders, moved his head towards Kaneki's face, and locked their lips in a deep kiss.

They kept their faces pressed against one another for a seemingly endless moment of intimacy. Finally, Hideyoshi pulled back, obtaining a spectacular view of Kaneki's face in utter shock.

"H-Hide!?"

"What? I was just upholding the Christmas tradition."

"Wh-what tradition…?"

Hideyoshi looked at him seriously and pointed upward. "Mistletoe."

Kaneki looked upward, but he wasn't even able to make out the ceiling in the fire's dim light. "Wh-what are you talking about? You can't see anything!"

"Trust me, it's there."

"Oh, really," Kaneki complained sarcastically.

"No, really! Let me show you. Just close your eyes and lie back in the couch."

Kaneki gave Hideyoshi a skeptical look, then conceded with a sigh and lay back in the couch.

"I don't see anything at –"

Kaneki was interrupted by Hideyoshi nuzzling his head onto Kaneki's shoulder, his wet hair sloppily caressing Kaneki's neck. Then, he felt Hideyoshi take Kaneki's hand in his own, fondly stroking Kaneki's palm with his fingers. Staying in that position for a while, Kaneki could feel Hideyoshi's presence being entangled with his own, and somehow, he was able to see the mistletoe.