…

Haruka groaned as he was pressed even further against the window of the train, any more pressure from his body he was sure the glass would begin to crack. He was deeply beginning to regret his decision to travel from Tokyo to Iwatobi on Christmas Eve.

Personally, he couldn't see what the big hype was all about, everyone told him how Christmas was for being with your family but he'd have much rather spent the whole holiday in his apartment, more specifically in the bath.

But, his parents had insisted he come home for Christmas, they made sure their schedules were free every year to be home so he should do the same.

"Sorry." A girl apologised as she tightly gripped his hips to stop herself from falling, her cheeks flushing pink as she let go far too reluctantly for Haruka's liking.

"Whatever." He shrugged, turning back to the window to watch as the scenery whipped by.

He should have gone home last week with Makoto when he'd offered, but just because all of his classes had finished didn't mean his training had done.

He rolled his eyes as the fuzzy sounds of Christmas songs came through the speaker, clearly the train driver's desperate attempt to pass the time away.

It had only been an hour and he was already sick of the music, hell he was sick of the whole holiday and he wasn't even sure why. If anything this was the least Christmassy December he had had in years

Usually, he would get roped into various Christmas arts and crafts Makoto's brother and sister wanted to do to decorate their house, he would have to have helped with the spelling for what could only be described as the world's longest letter to Santa, he would have listened to off key singing to every Christmas song known to man by now – and that was just from Makoto – and he would have been forced to a play where Ren played the donkey and Ran a Christmas tree.

But this year, all he had dealt with was the occasional festive advert, songs played while he was out and garish decorations in the apartments around him yet he was already completely done with the whole spectacle of the season. Maybe he was just getting bitter in his old age.

Haruka let his mind wander, imaging the Tachibana household right now. Makoto's mother in the kitchen prepping all the food to feed her own brood and the Nanase's – who never thought to buy food for the big day despite insisting they spent it as a family. Makoto's father struggling to hang the decorations around the house, trying so hard to get them all perfect and symmetrical before giving up in a huff and a pint of mulled cider. Makoto mercilessly winding up the twins to the point of bursting with stories of Santa with his reindeers and all the presents he would bring.

Despite himself, he found he was smiling at the idea of the family.

The sound of an announcement broke him out of his thoughts, telling him he'd finally reached his destination. With a sigh of relief he squeezed through the packed train and out the doors just before they shut. Only to discover that the station was just as crowded.

He joined the seemingly endless queue to swipe his ticket and leave the building. He glanced to his side, determining whether the line he'd joined was achingly slow or if it was them all when his eyes were drawn to a man.

He was tapping his foot impatiently, trying to balance bags of wrapped presents his arms while checking his wrist watch for the time. His eyes widened slightly when he read the time, clearly late for something.

Almost as if another person had sensed his realisation his phone rang out loudly from his pocket, with a muttered curse he tried to reach the device, almost dropping the gifts in his arms.

Without thinking Haruka reached out and grabbed the toppling gifts before they fell into the slushy snow surrounding their feet.

"Hello?" The man said into the phone, a thankful smile shot in Haruka's direction. "I'm almost there… Tell them Daddy will be home soon… Love you all too."

The man hung up with a smile, his previous scowl long gone as he slipped the phone back in his pocket.

"Thanks." He grinned, taking the gifts back off Haruka. "The holidays, eh?"

Haruka offered a polite smile and nod in return.

"You got someone special waiting for you at home?" He asked.

In his mind, he didn't for once think of his family, instead he was filled with warmth as green eyes shone back at him, the familiar voice reached his ears, the tight embrace he would receive when they met again despite just being apart for a week hugged his heart.

"Yeah, I do." Haruka blushed.

"Have a good one mate." The man said as he shuffled forward with his line, leaving Haruka behind with a small smile playing on his lips.

…

Haruka felt relief as the crowds began to disperse the further he got from the station, his feet finally on holy ground as he reached the familiar steps that separated his and Makoto's houses.

His heart pulled him towards the Tachibana residence but his feet led him to his own house, knowing his parents would be waiting for him.

"Hello?" He called out as he stepped inside.

He was greeted with a clatter and muffled swearing – clearly from where his mother had excitedly dropped whatever she was holding, presumably on his father's foot.

"Oh my baby boy!" His mother cried, pulling him tightly into her arms.

"Hi mum." He said, awkwardly returning the hug as he inhaled his mother's powdery scent.

"How've you been?" She asked, pulling back and taking his face in her hands. "How's uni going? Are you still training hard? Are you eating properly? Is Makoto making sure you don't waste away in the bath tub?"

"Mum!" He shouted, ending her questioning and yanking her hands off his cheeks. "One thing at a time."

"Sorry." She apologised, slipping her hand around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder.

As they walked deeper into the house Haruka's mother sighed fondly, remembering a time when her little Haruka only reached her own waist and now he towered above her. Gone was the young boy who would hide behind her as the other children rushed towards Father Christmas, least until a certain boy would come back and coax him out of his hiding place.

"Hi Haru." His father smiled, cleaning up the batter that was on the floor – obviously a mixing bowl was the item his mother had dropped.

"Hey Dad." He greeted him as the man in question stood tall again.

"Welcome home son." He said, shaking his hand. Both men uncomfortable with outright displays of affection, unlike his touchy feely mother.

"Thanks." He nodded.

This was his home. Where he'd lived since he was born. Everything was the same as it always was, the furniture in the same place, the same ancient decorations had been brought out as they always were year after year, the tree littered with marine animals wearing Christmas hats – a pack a stubborn three year old Haruka had insisted they needed.

Yet, something seemed off. Part of his home was missing and he couldn't work out what it was. But maybe home wasn't a place but more of a feeling, a safety that you felt when you were completely relaxed and welcomed.

"We're going over to Aki and Mikazuki's tonight for drinks." His mother said, Haruka perking up at the mention of Makoto's parents. "But I'm sure you want to go before hand to see a certain someone."

Haruka would have rolled his eyes at his mother's wink if it weren't for his heart beating in double time at the mention of his boyfriend, it had only been seven days since he'd last seen him – and they still spoke daily – but he missed him dearly.

"I'll just dump my stuff in my room then head out." He agreed.

"I didn't mean right now." She called after Haruka as he rushed up the stairs two at a time.

"Leave him be." His father scolded. "You know what those boys are like, completely inseparable."

"I suppose so." She sighed as her son ran past her and out the house, leaving his parents in his dust.

Haruka practically tripped in his haste to get to Makoto's house, his cheeks straining to hold in his giddy smile. He couldn't wait to see those faces, his second family.

"Ah, hello Haru." Makoto's mother smiled as she opened the door. "Makoto! Someone's here to see you."

Once she'd called for her son she walked away, letting the boys have their privacy. There was loud stomping as Makoto bounded down the stairs to greet his mystery guest. He froze when he saw who was at the door, his eyes sparkling with joy when he saw the familiar black haired boy. Evidently he'd missed Haruka as much as he missed him.

"Haru." He whispered, rushing to the boy and wrapping him up in his arms. "Welcome home."

"I'm home." He whispered back, tightly returning the embrace.

…

"I'm not sure." Makoto shook his head, the twins hanging on his every word as Haruka lazily lounged on his boyfriend's shoulder. The week apart had been too much and now he craved any contact he could get.

"But we've been so good this last month." Ran insisted, her twin brother eagerly nodding in agreement.

"But Santa watches you for the whole year, not just December." He informed them. "And with all the fighting you two do I'm sure you're on the naughty list. Coal this year for you."

"No! He's lying isn't he Haru-chan?" Ren asked, eyes wide with fear.

"Santa doesn't like little boys and girls who fight." He teased.

"This is all your fault!" Ren cried, pushing his sister.

"Nu-uh! It's you! You're so stupid!" She shouted, hitting his arm.

"You won't be saying that tomorrow when I have loads of presents and you just have a lump of coal." Ren shot back, sticking his tongue out.

Their argument was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Maybe that's Santa, here to break the news to Dad that there will be no gifts this year." Makoto sighed sadly, as if the twins had ruined Christmas for everyone.

"We can explain Santa!" They cried, both boys laughing as the twins scrambled to the front door.

"They're going to be upset when they just see my parents at the door." Haruka said, burying his face further into Makoto.

"Oji-chan? Oba-chan?" Ran asked when the pair had bounded up to the door.

"You're not Santa." Ren muttered in disappointment.

"No, but we did bring presents from Tokyo for you both." Haruka's mum said, holding out two bright gift bags filled to the brim wrapped presents – she always spoilt the twins.

"Thank you!" The twins exclaimed.

"Quickly go put them under the tree then get ready for bed, Santa will be here soon and he won't leave gifts if you're awake." Their dad said.

"But it's so early." Ran pouted.

"Doesn't matter, Santa is still coming." He shook his head.

"There he is!" Haruka's dad cried, pointing up at a random spot in the sky.

"Where?!" The twins screeched, staring up at the stars.

"You just missed him." Haruka's mum said. "But you better hurry to bed."

"Okay!" The grinned, running frantically to the tree to place their gifts, the sooner they slept the sooner they could open them.

"Come on in, Mikazuki's mulling some form of beverage in the kitchen." Makoto's dad laughed, taking their coats.

"Sounds heavenly." Haruka's mum complimented, walking through the house with practised ease as the men stood behind in the doorway to catch up.

…

Makoto and Haruka lay on the bed, far more cramped than the ones they were used to sharing in Tokyo but they would make do – even if it meant Haruka had to practically lie on top of Makoto. No words were shared, just loving glances and soft kisses as the cheesy Christmas music played in the background – Makoto's choice – and the sounds of their noisy, overly tipsy parents floated up the stairs.

"Makoto." His mother stumbled into the room, both boys jumping up with a blush. "Sorry! Sorry." She held her hand up. "I should have knocked."

The boys watched in amusement as she shuffled back out the room and gently tapped on the door.

"Come in." Makoto sighed.

"The twins are asleep." She said, walking back in. "Do you think you boys could fill their stockings up while we do yours and the tree downstairs?"

The question was code for 'your father and I are far too drunk to quietly fill a stocking at the end of their beds but we know you two can handle it.'

"Sure." He nodded, it was the same every year. Haruka took Ren and Makoto took Ran – who would always complain that Santa filled Ren's stocking neater than her own.

As the boys tiptoed into the darkened room Haruka found himself imagining their future, their own children sleeping as they silently filled the stockings – probably just as drunk as his own parents if Nagisa was still in their lives.

Last year he'd never even considered that possibility but now they were together he hoped that's were their lives were headed, a family all of their own to spoil when Christmas came around. Spending the whole year trying to pay off the debt only to repeat the cycle again next Christmas.

"Me too." Makoto whispered, reaching out and squeezing his hand.

Haruka blushed deeply at his boyfriend's ability to read his mind, busying himself with the gifts to save himself the embarrassment of being caught dreaming.

…

"Haruka!" His mother shouted far too loudly as he walked down the stairs. "It's time to go home!"

"Okay." He nodded, not really wanting to leave just yet.

"We need to put out our own presents." His dad said, his speech very obviously slurred.

"And we need to fill my little prince's stocking!" His mum hiccupped.

"Come on guys." His dad almost yelled, saluting and marching towards the door as if leading his family to war.

"I'll see you tomorrow Haru." Makoto whispered, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"We all know you can do better than that Makoto." Makoto's dad teased.

"Shut up you idiot." Makoto's mum scolded, dragging him by the tie out the room, leaving the couple alone.

"Goodnight Makoto." Haruka said, pressing their lips together in a quick but loving kiss.

"Goodnight." Makoto smiled dazedly at him.

Haruka reluctantly left, it was only one night but he wanted to stay close to all his loved ones tonight.

"Look Haru! It's Santa!" His mum cried, much like his father had done earlier with the twins.

"Mum, I'm too old for that." He rolled his eyes.

"Oh, you always ruin my fun." She moaned, leaning on her husband as they struggled up the stairs.

Haruka snickered slightly as he watched the case of the blind leading the blind, both too drunk to offer any real support. He knew they'd both be hung-over in the morning, but like any excitable son he would rush into the room bright and early to open his presents then drag his stocking around to the Tachibana's – where Makoto would be patiently waiting with his own stocking, much like he had down for the past 14 years of their friendship.

He'd finally worked out what he was missing, but now he had his family and Makoto's family together again, he was home for Christmas.

…

Only the 1st and I'm already Christmas crazy!