-For those of you wondering what the hell I'm doing, this is actually one of my Christmas gifts for a friend of mine. She's a friend of mine in real life, in case you were wondering. I also feel indebted to her because of all the advertising she did for me on her profile. I didn't ask her to; she's just a devoted friend and reader. 0.0 I feel undeserving of such praise, so I try to repay it with words. Anyway, this is for Ink on Ice, and this is the set of drabbles she donated to me to do for Christmas. Sorry for those of you that don't celebrate Christmas; but these aren't religious in any way. They're romantic moments, so please don't get offended. D: That is not their intention.

1: Tree

"What a fascinating tradition."

Ichigo laughed, sighing contentedly as he and Toshiro sat before the large fir tree that Logan and Scott had cut down from the woods around the school. The tree was covered with multicolored lights, having been decorated by the younger children earlier on in the day. Unique ornaments hung from every bough, a glimmering star mounting the tip of the tree. Together, they took up one corner of one of the large leather couches that had been moved to accommodate the massive tree. Toshiro, in all of his vast knowledge, had only heard scarcely of Christmas, and there was an almost naïve joy he seemed to get from all of its festivities.

Ichigo couldn't help but think it to be much like a child's, the glee that he seemed to get from all the festivities. But more than anything, basked in the warm light of the tree, Ichigo couldn't help but find him more than the slightest bit unfairly beautiful. His wide, perceptive eyes were glassy with comfort, the lights from the tree glancing off those teal orbs in the most fantastic colors. And his silver hair, seemingly translucent in the gold light, picked up the warm colors and turned an almost shining gold.

It was only when he realized that Toshiro was smiling at him that he realized he'd been unabashedly staring. He didn't blush, instead just leaning into the other and nuzzling his nose under Toshiro's chin. Toshiro's legs were tucked up under him, his little feet tucked under where Ichigo's hip lay against his own. Ichigo didn't mind the cold feet; too preoccupied with everything else going on to be bothered by them too much. In fact, they only served to add to the gentle intimacy of the moment.

Because even though they were in a school full of people, immersed in a country that was not their own, it was home. Because home wasn't about the physical location. Home wasn't about the traditions. Home wasn't defined by the gifts. No, this was home because they were the ones that made it home, and it would follow them wherever the two of them chose to go, Ichigo could just feel it.

He also didn't realize just how close they'd gotten until he could feel Toshiro's cool breath on his lips. He looked into the other's cerulean eyes, admiring in that last moment just how uniquely beautiful those snowy lashes were. "Think I'm gonna steal your first kiss now, 'Shiro," he mumbled, almost unable to take the modicum of space that rested between their two faces. "Hope ya don't mind."

Ichigo just barely caught the whispered "Not at all," that Toshiro gave him before he pressed their lips together. The world held still for that moment, and he could only revel in the coolth that brushed at his skin. He felt his arm move of its own volition, slowly circling around the smaller man's narrow hip and pulling them closer gently. At almost the same moment, he felt one of Toshiro's narrow arms reach up to wrap around the back of his neck, the fingers of that dainty hand soothingly combing through the soft hair tucked behind his ear.

When he pulled away, he felt like he'd just touched part of heaven. His heart was still high in his throat, but it was beating slowly, as if not willing to thrill for him in order to cherish the moment. Toshiro's eyes, which had fluttered shut, drew open, and Ichigo came nigh close to melting on the spot from the look the other was giving him. It wasn't lustful, wasn't romantic, it was just peaceful and contented. It shook warmth into all those stagnant places in his body, and made him be the one blushing for once.

"Thanks," he mumbled, his lips feeling large and clumsy to him even as he spoke through them. It was like when they weren't attached to Toshiro's, they didn't fit anywhere else.

Toshiro just chuckled lightly, the pads of his fingers still drawing soothing circles along the side of Ichigo's neck. It was lulling him to sleep, almost, even as he lay warming against Toshiro's shoulder. "Not at all."

2: Candle

During their short sojourn in the world of the living, shortly into Toshiro's pregnancy, Ichigo had come upon the strange idea of a date by candlelight. He had kept it to himself, saving it until Christmas Eve when Toshiro arrived back after going out to coffee with Orihime. She had all but been ecstatic to help, and did a phenomenal job of keeping her mouth shut about all of Ichigo's plans. So when Toshiro had arrived back, his hair dusted with snow and his cheeks kissed with a chill induced blush, he'd come back to a rather large surprise.

A full three course meal, and their entire rented apartment (borrowed from Uryuu whilst he was out of country with his father) lit only by the gentle glow of tea candles. He'd been horribly flattered, but somehow Ichigo had convinced him to go through with the entire dinner regardless. Slowly the night had progressed, and the candles had burned down and out save for one as they lay out on a blanket Ichigo had spread out over the living room floor. Toshiro was leaning against his chest, promptly slipping into sleep after being stuffed with warm food and romantic words. But Ichigo's own hands remained busy, lazily sprawling over the warm curve to his husband's stomach.

"You seem enchanted," Toshiro had mumbled against his shoulder sleepily, promptly startling him out of his thoughts as the smaller man settled a bit more closely to him. "And it's not even born yet."

Ichigo let his chin curl over the top of Toshiro's head as it returned to resting against his shoulder. He nuzzled his nose into those snowy locks, listening to Toshiro breathe slowly against him. "Nothing in the world could hold a candle to this," he whispered, as he too began to doze off. And that way they remained, lying against each other in the dark far after the last tea light had had burned down to its last fiber of wick before spluttering out quietly in its own wax. Thus leaving the two in complete darkness and silence, only with each other to nurse in the warm, yet encompassing dark.

3: Ornament

Ichigo always hated the term "arm candy". It offended him to think that spouses could think so little of each other as to be entranced only by appearances. True, he was madly in love with every part of his own husband's physique, but what kept him crawling back into bed next to that man every night was not the sex, was not the body that cooled him. It was the man's heart, calm and steadying, that kept him rooted where he was. It was the true blue nature of his personality that kept Ichigo attracted, and he only ever saw Toshiro as an ornament to represent his hard work. The years he'd spent putting all of his love and care into a man whose heart had been solid ice their first meeting, but had melted under his care to become his partner, his soul mate. But that ornament was only for his heart, where it belonged, and where it could not be shared with the public eye.

4: Tinsel

When their daughter was three, Ichigo and Toshiro introduced her to her first Christmas. The holiday and New Year's season was greatly celebrated in the Soul Society, but Christmas was a demographic that was rare. But they'd taken her to Orihime's house, where she'd gotten the full blown experience; presents and all. But her favorite part, regardless of presents or other gifts, seemed to be the silver tinsel that Orihime decorated her tree with. Which, in all good heart, she would always remove and use to tie tiny, silver bows in her "mama's" hair, thinking that's where they belonged, seeing as they always kept her little length of soft orange hair tied back with a ribbon at the base of her neck.

Orihime never minded, thinking it was far too cute to scold her for, and far too nice to see Ichigo smiling so widely to infringe upon his happiness.

5: Menorah

"What's wrong, Toshiro?" Ichigo asked, a bit concerned at the expression on his companion's face. It was a strange mix of emotions, making it hard for Ichigo to interpret properly. But with all of the different holidays on display and being celebrated at the stroll, he couldn't help but be worried. Toshiro probably hadn't known about the existence of most of them, and so there was a risk of him being offended in some way.

But the more Ichigo looked at Toshiro's expression, the more he realized that it was actually reverent; an expression he'd actually never seen on the other's pale features before. "Nothing is wrong, Ichigo," he said, seeming a bit breathless as he shook his head. "It's so very right, that there now exists a time when some understanding and respect can be shared amongst groups." His look then turned to Ichigo, and he held onto the other's hand a bit tighter. "It may not be perfect coexistence, but the fact that so many people from so many different backgrounds can share one joy is… phenomenal."

Ichigo smiled, unable to keep it in at the other's sweet words. He leaned down, capturing the Captain's cool lips with his own for a lingering moment under the glowing, wavering light of a candle-lit menorah, affirming his agreement with all of the above sentiments without ever needing to open his mouth.

6: Caroling

Even though Ichigo and Toshiro had long since moved on from needing Home Base to return to, they still made the tradition of returning every Christmas. The Grace always knew where to go, and the employees at the Station, in spite being different every damn time, had gotten to know that particular route so well that they hardly even needed to give the two tickets anymore. But Ichigo was always glad to return to the Station, finding it always interesting to see who he could spot amongst the crowd. Most were new faces, bright and sometimes nervous. But others were usuals, calm and knowing. He and Toshiro had gotten enough practice with the Trains to be of the latter category, so it was really no problem at all for them to go bustling about the different trains to the stops they were interested in.

But it was always the Grace that took them Home, and Ichigo was always more than okay with that. Seeing as the Grace had never failed him, he had long ago foregone the need to fear their destination. Some of the smaller trains seemed less reliable; their routes more winding and their ride less smooth. But the Grace, behemoth and mother that she was, was the smoothest, sweetest, most reliable ride of them all. And, though it could have just been Ichigo's imagination, she always seemed to run just a little bit faster whenever he and Toshiro were headed Home for Christmas.

They would always arrive at least a week beforehand, if only for the sake of attending all of the festivities that set the little seaside town alight with joy. There would be ropes of lights strewn from roof to roof; showering the snowy streets with warm, dancing light that flickered in time with the lilting music that permeated about the air with the smell of cider and warm wassail. But what Ichigo and Toshiro liked most about the festivities was one night in particular, probably not three or four days before Christmas, when every child in the town would band together with their parents and go caroling through the streets.

Ichigo and Toshiro would always wait at their house, a little wedged place tucked onto a wide cobblestone street whose windows were sadly left dark most days, seeing as they only stayed there very seldom. When the large menagerie of children arrived, they would come out and stand on their porch, listening as any good audience before joining the band of singers as they made their way through the city. Eventually their trend began to catch on, and on most years, by the time they reached the last street, almost every man, woman, and child had gathered in the street where they would all proceed to sing one last carol, the winking stars above the only appreciative audience they would need.

7: Family Dinner

It usually wasn't within Byakuya's habit to be hospitable. He wasn't even generous on most days, let alone thoughtlessly so. But one winter, he changed that reputation. Because one winter, Ichigo and Toshiro had received an invitation at their home, requesting their presence at the first ever Kuchiki Banquet; a special gathering in thanks to friends and family whom were to be celebrated in the New Year. Ichigo had been under every assumption that it had been of Rukia's doing, but when she sought him out the next day, asking about hers and Renji's invitation, that had been proven incorrect.

Toshiro, however, seemed to have seen through the mysterious façade down to what it really meant to the head of the Kuchiki House. Toshiro saw it as the aloof man finally apologizing for his mistakes; and making an attempt to repay all those whom he had caused damage to. It was like A Christmas Carol, but without the ghosts. Ichigo had laughed at the comparison, but had agreed, already knowing why exactly Byakuya had invited them in particular.

Because as much as he would have liked to think that Byakuya was admitting to old mistakes, Ichigo knew he wasn't. But he was satisfied that he was apologizing for recent mistakes, considering the most grievous one he'd made had almost cost Ichigo his husband. And for that, Ichigo was more than willing to let the man serve dinner for a night. But Toshiro, being much more the intellectual gentleman that he was, had not been satisfied with letting the older man stew in his defeats. Both he and Ichigo had chosen to go, arriving even bearing a gift for their host, which the elder Kuchiki had obviously not been expecting, judging by the look on his face when Toshiro handed over the small gift. But more than that, he and Toshiro had enjoyed themselves, along with the rather large menagerie of people Byakuya had assembled. Thus, between the two of them, they had taken the strain off the other man's hands to make the night enjoyable for all. The pleasant talk lasted on late into the night, leaving his doors happier than it had come in.

But before Ichigo and Toshiro had the chance to leave after having said their thanks more than enough times, Byakuya had insisted they stay. Toshiro, who was admittedly weary by that point, had agreed only in order to placate the other man's pride. Ichigo, however, who was more worried for his husband and his health, had been a little more hesitant to extend their stay at the dwindling party.

It proved well worth the wait, however, when Byakuya offered his open and public blessing of their House. Both Toshiro and Ichigo had been stunned by the offered proclamation, knowing how serious such a gesture would be. But Byakuya seemed unafraid of the relation that may as well have been family according to the social standards of the Houses. "A life for a life," he'd said. "I owe both of you that and more; I can only think honoring your House and its future would serve to pay that debt." And as much as Ichigo was sure Toshiro would have liked to contest the fact that Byakuya didn't owe them anything, they knew the man's pride was bruised enough as it was, and that allowing him this one vice would be a greater gift to him than anything.

"Thank you, Byakuya," Ichigo had said, unsure whether to bow or kneel under the other man's sentiments. Toshiro seemed to be at a similar impasse, but as it seemed, neither was necessary, as the head of the Kuchiki House did something he rarely ever did.

He gave a shadow of a smile, faint and fleeting. "Consider it nothing," he said, turning to head back into his manor from the courtyard they'd been milling in. But over his shoulder, he added just as subtly as his smile, "Brothers."

8: Gift

"Maybe we should've gotten you guys some mistletoe for Christmas."

Ichigo looked over at Logan, blinking slowly as he registered the other's words in his head. He was still half asleep, and headed to the kitchen in hopes of getting some coffee to wake him up when the other had stopped him. "What do you mean?" he asked, not liking the smug look on the other man's face.

"Well, if we'd given you some mistletoe, at least you would have had that to excuse the fact that the two of you were snogging on the couch in the common room last night."

Ichigo blushed, but held his head high and kept walking. "I don't need anything to excuse me kissing him," Ichigo said, striding into the kitchen where Toshiro stood, leaning against the counter and nursing a cup of coffee of his own. He too seemed half asleep, and only offered his boyfriend a gentle, sleepy smile as a greeting. Ichigo smiled back, leaning down to peck at his cheek before pouring himself a cup of coffee and sticking his tongue out at Logan.

Toshiro just looked between the both of them, sighing to himself, muttering something about moronic, jealous cockfights. But, luckily for Ichigo, the shorter man still let him stand next to him as the taller ginger leaned against the counter, sliding an arm around the other's fair waist. Logan looked at the two of them skeptically, earning a few vacant stares in return.

"What's with the public displays of affection all of a sudden?" he asked, resisting wandering into the kitchen until his question was answered.

"Ichigo's Christmas present," Toshiro supplied before the ginger wrapped around him could think of a proper answer.

Logan looked at the Substitute with a scandalous look on his face. "What, did you pop his cherry too?"

Neither of the two had any idea what that meant. But regardless, Ichigo shook his head. "No," he said, a gentle smile on his lips as Toshiro leaned a bit closer into him, "he just finally decided to let me actually date him."

9: Ribbon

"This is Matsumoto's poor attempt at being droll," Toshiro grumbled from his place on Ichigo's desk, apparently not at all too pleased by the idea of being bare from the waist up save for the ruby red silk ribbon twirled haphazardly around his arms and torso. There were two pert little bows tied where the ribbon ended, one sitting like a little necktie right where Toshiro's sharp little collarbones met, the other resting at the bases of his thumbs where Rangiku had tied his wrists together.

"Really?" Ichigo drawled, hooking his index finger around the ribbon wrapped round his husband's wrists, pulling him forward as he bowed his head, successfully bringing their faces rather close together. "Because I don't think it's very funny. However," he said, taking that same finger and hooking it around the ribbon hung around Toshiro's neck instead, "I have to admit, I like it. A lot."

10: Prime Rib

"That's some strong horseradish you've got there, Akira," Ichigo wheezed out, his eye twitching from the potent sauce the young woman had offered with her famed Prime Rib Christmas dinner. The steak itself was perfectly done; each thick cut seasoned just lightly enough to have a distinctive flavor, whilst still retaining the hearty flavor of the meat itself. But Akira made a horseradish sauce that was made to accompany the meat, and though she had given Ichigo plenty of warning beforehand, he had rather unwisely chosen to ignore her.

Now, as he sat fanning his mouth, he wished he had paid a bit more attention. He was almost afraid that he wasn't going to be able to even taste the rest of his dinner, considering it felt like the horseradish has singed the taste buds right off his tongue.

"I warned you," Toshiro's seventh-made-third seat quipped, biting into a piece of steak with an unholy large dob of the killer sauce on it. "S'not my fault you don't listen."

-Ta da! Merry Christmas Inky! I hope these turned out well. I pretty much melted myself writing them. I probably shouldn't have been listening to Josh Groban's sexy voice sing Christmas carols while writing these, but I couldn't help it. It was the only way I could get in the mood. In any case, I'm apologizing to the rest of you readers because I still won't be updating for a while yet; I still have more than a dozen Christmas gifts to write, so I probably won't get more drabbles up until next week. In the mean time, please enjoy these, and have yourselves a merry little Christmas. Or, for the rest of you who celebrate other things, please just be safe, and enjoy yourselves in whatever ways you choose. Peace out, biffles!

8-90s love,

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