Happy Nondenominational holidays everyone! This is a three-part story, very short, a little angst-y, but I liked it. But I'll keep this note short.
Spoilers (duh): This takes place during and after Silent Christmas, so if you haven't seen that episode, sorry! Plus, normal spoilers for the series in general.
Warnings: Contains a few curse words, and Naru is a little OOC, but it should be apparent why. If not, then I have failed. Whoops.
Disclaimer: I'm not nearly creative enough to have come up with the brilliant man we know as Naru.
"Take it down."
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and he could see the retort bubbling on her tongue. It was almost enough to make him smile. He'd at least smirk, normally, but not today. He couldn't handle it today. The door opened thankfully, cutting off her disappointment before it really bloomed.
"Masako?" He'd never understand the pleasant surprise with which Mai greeted the celebrity. Their mutual animosity was obvious, yet even at odds she managed to act kindly and civilly (for the most part). She was a baffling creature, that was certain.
He sort of tuned them out, turning away when Mai gave him a pointed look. He'd let her have the tree. But he sure as hell wouldn't enjoy it. The others invaded, one after the other, insisting on a party or some other such nonsense, and he just barely resisted the urge to pinch his nose. Maybe cry, but he hadn't done that since he was an infant. There was hardly a reason to start now.
Except there was.
He could feel Lin's gaze on the back of his head. Not now.
Amid the warm chatter, he slipped into his mind, escaped in the citations and avoided lakes and cars with all of his concentration. She was too much like him. Too sunny. Too many sparks in her eyes. For God's sake, she even decorated the damn tree like him, haphazardly, the ornaments jauntily placed with little consideration of size, color, or shape. She had three blue ones next to each other, all different shades, too close but it was charming. He rubbed at his temple forlornly. So much for escaping.
When John entered, case in hand, Oliver let himself be impulsive for once. He took the case after only half-listening to the details, while Lin kept up his analytical stare. No one seemed to question it, but then he'd given them no reason to do so. It was extraordinary, the level of faith these complete strangers put in him.
And they didn't even know his name.
"Noll," Lin began warningly when they were alone in the van, waiting for Mai (she was always late) to stop chasing snowflakes.
"Lin," he half-mocked, looking out the window to his assistant, willing her to miraculously mature so he wouldn't have to deal with his bodyguard or his disturbing omniscience. For once, she complied, and he thought it was typical of Mai to respond to an unconscious demand.
"I'm so excited," she declared, punctuating her unrestrained energy with the slamming door. Lin looked to the road as she began her ceaseless chatter. Oliver didn't mind it today.
He'd thought, hoped, prayed the case would be a distraction. But he'd failed to realize, much to his dismay, that it in fact occurred in a church, a cathedral to be exact, and literally every surface depicted some sort of festive reminder of his predicament.
The little paper wreaths taped to the door, the candles lit at the altars, the soft, sweet sound of Mai's voice as she hummed a plump baby to sleep.
It was Christmas.
And Gene wasn't there.
I kid you not, this document on my computer was actually called poornaru. BUT worry not, Mai comes to the rescue in part 2! Also, Naru is a little (a lot) grief stricken so...blame his OOC-ness on that.
Hope you enjoyed!