A/N: It's official. I can't write anything without sticking a bad pun in it. (Or two, as in this fic.)
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The Gift of Time
Whenever Yuuri asks what Conrad would like for his birthday, or for Christmas, which Yuuri has insisted on importing into Shin Makoku for the sole purpose of spoiling Greta, or actually for any event in which there is an exchange of gifts, he gets a smile. It isn't Conrad's usual Gentle Smile, his default poker face, but a Real Smile. Deep, secretive, soft, sad, happy, and bittersweet all rolled into one, it's a complex flavor that Yuuri doesn't know how to describe. He doesn't quite understand what it means, exactly. All he knows is that it makes his chest feel tight.
It never lasts, though, because Conrad will smile that other smile, the Amused Smile that says he's being entertained by Yuuri's antics. And Yuuri will say, "What? What's so funny?"
And Conrad will say, "Nothing, Your Majesty. It was very sweet of you to offer."
Of course, having the man who named him calling him by a title never fails to exasperate him, so Yuuri will say something along the lines of, "Call me Yuuri, Nazukeoya! And I just wanted you to have a nice birthday."
This is about the time when Conrad will smile his other other smile, the one where his eyes squint up until they're just two arches, two lines of silver lights glittering with mirth under his dark lashes.
Although this smile is one of the most beautiful ones, Yuuri has learned to watch out for it. This is Conrad's Punny Smile, and true to its name, Conrad will then say, "Oh? A Nice birthday, is it? Well, if I had to spend my birthday in France, I would have preferred to stay in Paris."
It's only then that Yuuri figures out he's been duped, conned by Conrad into dropping the issue of gifts. That's the model for how things play out whenever there are gifts to be given. In the end, Yuuri ends up giving Conrad something baseball-related. Conrad, on the other hand, has never given Yuuri anything physical. Truthfully, though, after the pendant, any other trinkets would have paled in comparison, so Yuuri is fine with that.
Instead, Conrad gives him trips to the beach and whole days out on the town disguised as regular citizens. He secretly arranges for the festival held on the Maou's birthday to resemble a Japanese matsuri, just in case Yuuri is homesick, and escorts Yuuri around the food stalls dressed in yukata. He regularly kidnaps Yuuri for a few hours when the throng of well-wishers overwhelms the Maou with their enthusiasm. These are the types of gifts Conrad gives.
Yuuri loves Conrad's gifts, and he thinks that a new baseball glove is just stupid when juxtaposed with such thoughtful acts. This time, however, is going to be it. This time, Yuuri has discovered Conrad's secret to good gifts, and he plans to reciprocate.
It is late at night on New Year's Eve, or technically very early on New Year's Day, when Yuuri gets up and lays a hand on Conrad's shoulder. The soldier's eyes immediately snap open and one hand grasps Yuuri's wrist while the other shoots out for his sword. His hand is already halfway to the scabbard before a second ticks past. Then Conrad's face drops from fierce to kind, and the grip around Yuuri's wrist turns into a caress.
"What is it, Yuuri?" he asks.
Yuuri tugs up, indicating that he wants Conrad to get out of bed. Though the area around Blood Pledge Castle rarely gets cold enough to snow, it is chilly enough outside for them to don their coats before climbing up the castle parapets.
Conrad follows Yuuri, curious as to where they are going. They stop along the east wall, where Yuuri pulls him into an embrace and stands still, one side of his face buried in Conrad's chest.
"Yuuri?"
"Shh. This is your New Year's present."
"I wasn't aware that it was customary to give presents at this time of year."
Yuuri doesn't reply, but he grips tighter and smiles into Conrad's chest. Conrad smiles back with understanding, and it's a new smile for Yuuri's mental encyclopedia. He tentatively puts it down under Grateful Smile, though something nags at the back of his mind, saying that this might just be Conrad's version of the Lovestruck Grin.
They turn their heads to watch the sunrise, and Yuuri thinks that he has finally understood. Conrad hasn't been giving him many separate gifts, but only variations on one gift. Now it is Yuuri's turn to return the favor, so he does. He gives Conrad the gift of time.
It is hatsuhinode, the first sunrise of the year, and the lovers who watch it together are fated to be by each other's sides for the rest of the year.
