Nobody told him that all the drinks aside from water were spiked. Naomasa takes off his jacket even outside the police force's rented building, his coworkers celebrating loudly at their version of an office Christmas party. What it really was – a rented out bar that someone's family member owned, drinking, mock fighting, and shenanigans.
Clothed in only a sweater and breathing out puffs of warm air, Naomasa sways slightly, fumbling through his pockets. A cigarette sounded good right now, but his lighter was nowhere to be found. Instead, his phone slips into his palm.
The phone is ringing before he knows it, pressed to his ear as his body slumps against the outside of the bar for comfort. As always, the line connects quickly.
"Tsu? What's up?" Toshinori's voice is soft and curious, with a hint of apprehension. He never calls without reason; or at least, not without a work reason. Naomasa's heart picks up its pace when his friend uses his nickname. Even though they've been through years of friendship, Toshinori still maintained a high level of respect between them. Between everyone, really. Naomasa never heard him call anyone by their first name.
"I… I dunno?" He laughs, the alcohol dulling his thoughts. Why did he call? "I just felt like talking to you, I guess."
Toshinori stays quiet enough that Naomasa can hear music playing in the background, as well as a quieter version of what his coworkers were doing back in the bar. "Hold on, let me… let me get outside, okay Tsu?"
Naomasa finds himself nodding as if Toshinori could see it. He catches muffled wishes of 'happy holidays, All Might!' and 'Merry Christmas!' while he waits, and the rustle of movement when Toshinori puts the phone back to his ear.
"There we go – ah, still there?" His tone is clearer now, and more focused. Naomasa hums his response.
"Don't stay out too long, you'll get cold." Even tipsy, he worries for the hero. There's a hearty laughter, one that goes on long enough for Naomasa to pout. "Hey, 'Nori. I just want you safe, cause I…"
The front door opens, an officer poking their head out with a grin. "Get back inside Tsukauchi! You're missing all the fun."
The interruption makes Naomasa jump, and drop his train of thought. He turns to nod, pointing at his call. The officer bows with a quick apology and retreats back inside.
It's good they're not talking face to face. Naomasa is crinkled and a strange shade of pink, not all of it from the alcohol. He holds the phone tightly, waiting for an answer. He can't see how wide Toshinori's eyes have gotten, or how he has to cover his mouth with his hand to keep from coughing in embarrassment. Neither of them are sure how the sentence was supposed to end.
"Oh…" The pause is soon forgotten, Naomasa breathing out heavily enough to see the condensation float up and disappear in the cold air. "It's snowing here, Toshi."
The flurry of falling snow looks magical in the low light, coming into view from where the stars end in the sky. "Can you see it?" He asks gently.
A sharp intake of breath makes them feel closer, the distance between them gone. Naomasa's head pushes back into the bricks to watch the flakes land silently, wishing it was Toshinori that he leaned against instead. Unbeknownst to him, Toshinori tightens his hand around his cell, wishing for his friend's warmth rather than the cold plastic. They share the same sky, though, and for now that's enough.
"Yeah, I can."
