Disclaimer: No, I have not purchased the rights from Koyappi in the last few months.
Notes: For layla-xd for Christmas. Her request was fluffy friendship Aya and Yohji, with a bit of angst.
Christmas List
"Come Christmas shopping with me."
Aya looked up from a large pile of wires and green foam and garish scarlet-and-gold roses. He stared at Yohji for several moments before looking down, as if to check himself.
"You're aware you're not talking to Omi, right? I mean, the red hair probably should have given it away, but I never know, when you're drunk."
Yohji gave a laugh halfway between chuckling and snorting. "Good to hear you have such a high opinion of me, but I'm really not drunk right now. I'm aware it's you, Aya, and I want to know if you want to go Christmas shopping with me."
"I don't celebrate Christmas."
Yohji rolled his eyes. "Yes, but celebrating Christmas like churches-and-Jesus-and-angels isn't really required to celebrate Christmas with giving presents."
"You just want presents," Aya accused, narrowing his eyes. Yohji smirked.
"Of course, but that's not all of it. I like getting presents, but I like giving them more."
"…really?"
"Yep. A while ago, before you came, I got Omi some computer part he'd been talking about. Took me an afternoon in Akihabara, too, but the excitement from the chibi was worth it."
"Bet he wasn't happy with you skipping work to do it though."
Yohji laughed. "I love it when you have a sense of humor. Now come on, Ken's taking the afternoon shift with Omi. We're the adults in the house, we need to get some gifts for the kids, ne?"
And somehow, half an hour later, Aya found himself walking around Shibuya, with Yohji sparkling at every window display and pretty girl.
"Look, Aya!" he kept drawling, "That'd be great for Omi!" Or Ken, or Manx, or even sometimes Aya, but that was beside the point. The point was, Aya was a bit perplexed at Yohji's hyperactive excitement, but more perplexed at the fact that he himself was smiling at it.
Yohji wound down after half an hour or so, leaving the two assassins to walk around in silence.
"…my sister liked Christmas," Aya muttered suddenly, not sure why he wanted to start divulging such things to Yohji of all people.
"I'm sure you did too, back then," was all Yohji answered.
Aya didn't know what to say, so he stayed silent.
"You know why I invited you, Aya?" Yohji finally asked. Aya shook his head, and Yohji sighed. "It's because, out of all of us, you seemed like you needed this the most. I thought you needed something fun and warm to remind you why we're doing all the things we are. Because when you buy someone a present, you're not doing it so you can give them the present. You're doing it so you can make them happy." Yohji took a deep breath. "And, I thought, maybe dragging you out here with me might…you know…"
Aya's eyes widened.
This… he thought to himself. This was your gift? For a holiday none of us truly celebrate, based on a God none of us believe in, yet you had faith in giving happiness.
"Thank you," was what he said aloud.
And the sound of cars rushing past on the street drowned out everything else, except for Yohji's brilliant smile.