My 12 days of Cuddlemas 2021 contribution for the prompt : Exchanging gifts.

I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer : Fruits Basket belongs to Natsuki Takaya.

Exchanging Gifts

Akito was in her room. She was sitting on her bed and trying to wrap a gift. She was on her third attempt. It did not look that complicated to do it though, she thought. She wanted to apply. It was the first time that she had given a gift to the person she loved.

Before the curse was broken, she did not care about that sort of thing. She used to receive gifts and never give it. For her, it was normal. She was a God and she had to be treated as such. But since the curse was broken, she saw things differently. She wanted to make Shigure happy and what could be better than Christmas time for that.

She had learned that in a bookstore, Shigure's favorite author was doing a book signing for the sale of his latest book and she had decided to go there. She had gone there alone. It still scared her a bit to find herself alone outside the Soma residence and to be confronted with the real world. But for Shigure, she was ready to face her fears. She had been happy when she finally had the signed book in her hands. She could not help but imagining Shigure's reaction and the joy on his face will be the reward for her efforts.

On the other hand, she would never have thought that the most complicated part would be to make a gift package.

'Akito.'

She jumped. She was so absorbed in what she was doing that she had not heard Shigure arrive.

'What are you doing ?'

Akito tried to hide the book the best she could under her blankets.

'Nothing at all. Let's go, Tohru will be waiting for us.'

Tohru had invited them to spend Christmas Day at her and Kyo's new home. Akito had not seen Tohru for several weeks and she could not wait to see her again. Akito stood up and took Shigure's hand to pull him out of the room, but he was faster than her. He walked over to the bed and lifted the blankets.

'What do we have here ?' He said cheerfully.

'Shigure !' Akito said, exasperated.

She tried to take the book from him, but he raised his arm. He was much taller than her and it was impossible for her to take it. He annoyed her when he acted like that. She got on her tiptoes, but he was still too tall. She pulled away from him and crossed her arms, pouting. Shigure took the opportunity to leaf through the book.

'You just spoiled your Christmas present.'

Shigure his eyes wide and read the inscription.

'You had it signed.'

Akito nodded. Even if she did not show it, Shigure knew that the outside world still frightened Akito and he saw all the efforts she was making to become a better person.

'I wanted to give it to you tonight when we'll came back from Tohru and Kyo's place.'

Shigure walked over to her and kissed her forehead.

'Sorry for spoiling your surprise. But since we are exchanging gifts …'

He took a rectangular box from the inside pocket of his jacket and handed it to Akito. She took the gift and opened it. She discovered a simple yet elegant golden bracelet. She had seen it in a jewelry store window several weeks ago while on a date with Shigure.

'You remember ?'

'Of course.'

He took the bracelet out of its box and tied it to Akito's wrist. He smiled and raised her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

'Merry Christmas Akito.'

'Merry Christmas.'

The end