A/N: This was totally inspired by Lovedreams01 (over on tumblr), more specifically her BEAUTIFUL imperial pair art. I wrote this for her, Xposting here. Hope you guys like this!
"So, how's your wife doing?"
Tezuka makes no move to pick up his cup of tea. Atobe casually takes a sip of his own.
"She's doing well," Kunimitsu says after a lengthy interval, one in which Keigo successfully gauges the extent of Tezuka's feelings for the wife that he's left on Christmas for Keigo and his butler-prepared tea. "How's Suzuka?"
"Oh, off doing this and that, you know," Atobe dismisses the question with a wave of his hands. Suzuka is not important. He's not going to mar their mock-conversation with her name or news. "I think you know that despite the impression the public has, the two of us have separated permanently. I wonder why you're here every Christmas, Kunimitsu, is it to ensure that wereally have?"
"I'm definitely not here to see whether you're lonely or not," Tezuka replies, clipped, curt, hurt. "If you wish me to, I will go."
"Don't," Atobe answers immediately, sitting up. The alarm in his eyes, unwarranted for such a small sentence does not escape Tezuka.
"Well, by all means, let's continue talking like we're not going to end up in bed fifteen minutes later like we do every year," Tezuka says, finally grasping the cup handle and taking a long drink of his now-lukewarm beverage.
The glimmer of desperation in Keigo's eyes is replaced by the familiar sparkle of confidence and arrogance. "How's the tea?"
"Fantastic, as usual," Tezuka answers, draining the last of it.
"Would you have mine as well?"
Tezuka looks slightly bemused at the request, but acquiesces and drinks Atobe's tea from his cup, as well. He asks for the reason after he downs the lingering dregs.
"I love the way you swallow," Keigo answers with a smirk. Tezuka wills himself to stop blood from flowing to his face.
"I love this year's tree," Tezuka changes the topic, turning his head to look at it, marvellously decorated. "It's sad that it's only you and the domestic help who get to see this."
"My lover gets to see it, too, don't forget," Atobe says quietly, smirk persistent on his face.
Tezuka can't help but blush this time.
"I love you," Atobe murmurs.
Tezuka averts his eyes from the tree to look at Keigo.
"Kunimitsu, would you keep cheating on your wife every year just to see me at Christmas?" Keigo asks. He's asked many things of Tezuka in the entire time they've known each other, but both know this is the most momentous, and the last thing Keigo will ever ask of Tezuka, regardless of Kunimitsu's answer. Ethics and morality have firmly taken a backseat.
Tezuka hesitates. They look at each other with bated breath. Then Kunimitsu ventures -
"I don't think you know, but despite the impression you have, I divorced my wife six months ago."
Atobe is speechless for a moment.
"And I refrained from telling you or making anything known just for that expression." It's now Tezuka's turn to sport a tiny grin, lips curling very slightly, but enough for Atobe's discerning eyes.
They look at each other in a new yet old light.
"I love you too, Keigo. Would you spend every day with me?"
"Would you spend every second?"
"I would. And I plan to."
"Good. Now where's the bed you were talking about?"
"It's your house, Keigo. You should know."
The laugh that Keigo lets out allows Kunimitsu to be the happiest man in the world.
