Summary: Five Times Maki Kissed Nico Under The Mistletoe (and the one time she didn't)
1. Tokyo Regionals
Honoka was on the way. She, Kotori, and Umi were going to make it. Snow couldn't stop them, not with the whole school actively helping them, rooting Muse on. The six at the venue had put their coats back on, eager for the sight of their leader, rushing out of the green room. Nico felt something pulling her back. Maki. Nervous.
"It'll be okay, Maki-chan."
"That's not what…"
Nico rolled her eyes, "Nico knows A-Rise are our rivals and Nico can't be a fan. I get it Maki-chan."
"No." Maki stepped close, very tall. "That's not…" Huge inhale, then Maki pointed up, at the door frame over their heads. Nico spotted a clump of green.
"You're the cutest, Nico-chan." Rushed out of Maki's mouth as she pressed a light, quick kiss on Nico's cheek, rushing down the hall, buttoning up her coat, leaving Nico to stare after her, open mouthed.
2. Nico's First Day As An Idol
The contract had been signed. A small production company, former school idols who loved Nico's energy and found her "spunk" invigorating when she argued for what she wanted in a contract, including dropping the "no dating" clause. Nico wouldn't be getting any money until concert and album sales started, probably six months from now, but Nico had never been in the Idol business for the money. Sure, if she could make enough so Maki would never have to worry about her family cutting her off, that would be great. Nico knew she was a hard worker, that was her best selling point, and Nico was determined that her hard work would pay off. Now, she had some celebrating to do.
She stepped outside the offices and turned toward the train stop when she heard someone yelling her name, "Nico-chan, Nico-chan, wait!"
Nico spun, surprised to see Maki running toward her. Maki was supposed to be at cram school. Had something happened.
"Hanayo said they signed you." Maki had a huge grin on her face.
Hanayo had probably found out before Nico had.
"Yeah," Nico felt herself puff up with earned pride, "Nico got nearly everything we wanted. Your lawyers gave Nico really good notes."
"I'm so glad." Maki pulled Nico into a hug, spinning, Nico could feel how rapidly Maki's heart was beating. Then Maki jumped back, hands held out wide. "Can we do this?"
"Yes."
Maki nodded happily, her blush starting, fingers finding curls to twirl under the dark green hat embroidered with bright green leaves and words in the same color she was wearing
"That's new. What's it say?"
Maki's eyes sparkled, as she leaned down, "Come closer and read it."
Nico did.
"Mistletoe: Kiss Below."
"That's a pretty bold ask, Maki-chan. It's still November."
"Mistletoe is mistletoe. I don't make the rules." The prettiest eyes sparkled at Nico, eager to see what the now official idol would do next."
"Next year, you'll be dressed as mistletoe for Halloween."
"Ooh, good idea, Nico-chan."
"No." Fast as a flash of lightning, Nico stepped in, stood on tippytoe, crashed her lips into Maki's, and grabbed the hat off Maki's head.
"Hey!" Maki blinked madly, confused by Nico's quick actions.
"Nico is confiscating this." Nico shoved the hat in her coat pocket.
"Why, Nico-chan?" Maki asked angrily.
"So no one else has an excuse to do this." Nico pulled Maki back into an alley, out of the stream of people, and the second kiss lingered, Maki speechless as Nico pulled away.
"Nico thinks we should get takeout to celebrate. Are your parents home?"
"No."
"Good."
3. Nico's First International Tour
"Nico-chan, Nico-chan…wake up."
Nico groaned. Maki wasn't a morning person, so what was this about? Oh wait, it was Christmas morning wasn't it? Maki was a Christmas morning person. Good thing Nico had set it up with the concierge to sneak in and do the Santa thing at dawn because Nico had been enjoying the reward of sound sleep that comes with blissful exhaustion.
Nico opened her eyes. "I like you better when you're in caffeine withdrawal."
"Liar."
Maki was practically bouncing. And holding something over their heads. Green, leaves, clump of…Nico groaned.
"Nico knows you didn't have that when we made it to the bed last night." Nico reached out a hand to tickle Maki, "Nico checked everywhere."
"Mistletoe magic." Maki leaned down, perfect lips glowing.
"Nico needs…"
Maki's lips scattered all Nico's thoughts as they carefully matched every nerve of Nico's with a soft pressure that would drive Nico batty if she didn't get a chance to surge forward, pick up the pace, reach out and pull Maki into a deeper kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Nico-chan" sounded best smashed out between passionate breaths. Nico knew that now.
4. Nico's SOLD OUT South American Tour
"NICO-CHAN, WAIT!"
Nico knew that voice. What was it doing in Seoul? She glanced to the left, watching a completely flustered Nishikino Maki running through Incheon Airport at top speed toward her. Nico reached out her arms, catching the redhead and pulling her close.
"What are you doing here, Maki-chan? Don't you have finals or something."
"Don't care." Amethyst eyes were wet. All those tears that had waited until after video calls to fall were now dropping on Nico's shoulder, smearing her makeup, drawing the attention of crowds.
"C'mon, Maki-chan." Nico took Maki's hand in hers, pulling her along to the Korean Air First Class Lounge. It was a small lounge, but there was seating and privacy shields, and Nico had already had one flight delay. Maki was keeping very close on Nico's heel, head down, hands wiping away tears. Nico got them in easily enough, stashed her luggage in a locker, and decided on a daybed, settling down and encouraging Maki to curl up in her arms. Maki immediately snuggled, head on Nico's shoulder, face hidden.
"'M sorry Nico-chan."
"For missing Nico. You don't have to be sorry. Nico misses you."
Every time Nico left on tour and Maki couldn't come, Nico had this impossible urge to just wrap Maki up in a blanket and tuck her in with the luggage, leaving a robot or something to take Maki's classes and family obligations.
"It's just Christmas and you'll be gone…"
Nico sighed. That had been unavoidable. And Argentina was too far away for Maki to fly in for the day. And they'd both been ignoring how miserable it was going to make them feel.
"Nico will make it up to you."
More crying, sobbing. Maki must be exhausted.
"You're going with your parents, right?"
Maki shook her head, "Staying in Tokyo."
"Go stay with my mom and the kids. You can cheer each other up."
"I can't…"
"You're family, Maki-chan. The cutest Yazawa…and that's saying a lot."
Maki laughed, finally sitting up, wiping more liquids off her face. "I'm a mess."
"You're a beautiful mess."
"You're so comforting, Nico-chan." Maki's voice had some snap back. Nico was glad.
"Now, tell Nico why you flew to Korea?"
Maki blushed red, mumbled something, and pushed her face into Nico's chest.
"Maki-chan?" Nico wheedled, her hands threatening to poke Maki in the side.
"It's silly."
"Not if it upsets you."
"We haven't…" Maki twirled a curl frantically.
"We haven't what? You have to be clearer, Maki-chan. Nico doesn't have time to guess."
Still muttering, not making eye contact, Maki reached into a pocket and Nico glimpsed a clump of green leaves. Her hand grabbed them and she held the mistletoe between them.
"DId you smuggle this on a plane?"
Maki nodded.
"To kiss Nico under."
Maki winced.
"Nico would kiss you without salad."
"It's not salad, it's poisonous."
"Nico knows."
"We always kiss under it, every year, Nico-chan." The tears were going to start again.
Maki was still so…Maki, Nico realized, with an innate naivety that bolstered her natural charm and protected her heart, the heart that Nico had sworn to safeguard.
"Well, Nico's going to make it enough kisses to keep you warm 'til New Year's."
For New Year's Maki would be flying to Rio to join the tour.
"Promise."
"Promise."
5. One Month Before Maki's Due Date
Nico prided herself on infinite energy. Nico could do anything. One Nico Ni had enough energy to spin the world on its axis, give the sun an energy boost. But Nico was dragging. Worrying over an increasingly emotional pregnant Maki, getting closer and closer to the delivery day, EVERYONE giving both of them advice on what to expect, calling at all hours, dropping off presents. Nico was grateful, but Nico was becoming an introvert, unwilling to leave the side of her pregnant wife. But Maki had the oddest cravings and while Nico was happy to cook, Nico couldn't cook very American brands of ice cream or duplicate the pineapple and anchovy topping Maki's favorite Italian bistro had created for her. So Nico punched in the passcode to the door, while balancing a cooler full of imported Creamalicious pints (Nico made a deal to perform in a series of ads for a konbini chain in exchange for setting up a supply chain when Maki threatened to have their child in the New York City brownstone so she could get delivery) on top of tonight's pizza.
"Nico-chan!"
Maki sounded in a good mood. Nico relaxed slightly. The lights were low.
"Ice cream and pizza delivery." Nico announced, turning into the kitchen.
While Nico was loading pints into the freezer, Maki came up behind her, sliding an arm around her waist, dropping a kiss on her hair, "Welcome home, Nico-chan."
"How are you feeling, Maki-chan?"
'Fine. Your Todaimon Takkanmari order is due in 5 minutes and I've got 9 Muses of Star Empire. I know you've been wanting to watch it."
"The dark side of the Idol industry."
"We can watch Analog Trip after."
Nico leaned in to Maki, feeling their daughter between them. It would take awhile to adjust to Maki being only one person sized again, but Nico was looking forward to it. And meeting their daughter.
"I thought you might want a mini vacation."
"A K-pop mini vacation." Nico giggled, "Maki-chan is cute."
"Give me that pizza."
"Ah, there's the Maki-chan I'm used to." Nico handed over the pizza box.
Maki inhaled, eyes closed, a dreamy look on her face. "Did you thank Taka-san for us."
"Of course." Ice cream put away, Nico headed for the media room, but Maki grabbed her sweater.
"Wait Nico-chan."
"What."
A shy blush on her face, Maki pointed up. She'd hung a misshapen clump of mistletoe on the kitchen door lintel.
"I thought you'd forgotten."
Maki shook her head.
"And before you tear into the pizza. Nico must be good."
"Just kiss me, Nico-chan."
Nico knew what to do when your pregnant wife demanded something. Be as thorough as possible.
"If that's what Maki-chan wants."
+1 Nearing Dia's Second Birthday
Dia's eyes got bigger with every tree they walked past on their downtown Tokyo stroll. This year Dia was old enough to appreciate Christmas and Maki had been overjoyed, doubling the stack of Christmas related books she'd read to Dia last year, setting up a Christmas tree on every floor and lights outside. Dia's room had its own Christmas tree as well; Nico had barely won the battle, keeping one of of their bedroom. Her argument had been Maki wouldn't want Santa thinking he should put the presents there and just walk in on them. Maki had blushed furiously and thrashed at a smirking Nico with a pillow, but no bedroom Christmas tree.
"Mom." Dia pulled on Nico's hand.
"Hi, bun." Nico smiled at her daughter.
"Tired. Carry Dia."
Nico glanced at the stroller Maki was pushing, now full of presents for all the Yazawas, who they were having dinner with. Dia would sleep through that, after a round of "Dia's so cute" greetings.
"Okay, Dia. Up you go." Nico picked up her daughter, the weight easy, Dia's arms going around her neck, and Nico sneaking a quick kiss on Dia's cheek.
"All I Want For Christmas Is You" played somewhere close by and Nico started singing, Dia joining in on the chorus. Maki had the biggest smile, her flaming red hair covered in a black beanie, watching both of them bop happily through downtown Tokyo, Nico, just another mom anonymous in the holiday shopping crowd. There had been too few moments like this, out in public, since Nico's first album had dominated the charts.
Something caught Maki's attention and excited, she pulled Nico toward the road.
"Hey, Maki-chan, be careful."
"Look, Nico-chan."
Maki was standing under a tree wrapped in white lights, but on one of the branches, someone had hung a twist of mistletoe.
"You never miss any mistletoe, do you."
"Nope."
"Does Nico not kiss you enough the rest of the year."
"Nope."
Maki could be so silly sometimes, and Christmas was most of those times. Nico loved it. She hoped her daughter would inherit it, but looking down at Dia, she saw a frown starting.
"Not Christmas tree." Dia said, pointing to the same thing Maki was.
"No, bun, that's mistletoe. Your Mama always looks for it this time of year."
"When I find it, Nico-chan gives me a prize." Maki stepped in, an irrepressible dare twinking in her eyes.
"Hang on a minute, Dia." Nico shifted Dia, to better lean in and kiss Maki.
Nico felt a small hand on her chin, pushing.
"Bzzzzt."
Dia's other hand was on Maki's chin, pushing her back.
"Go see Grandma." Dia demanded.
Nico sighed, "Yes, Dia, we're going to see your Grandma."
"Hurry."
"Hurry, she says, Maki-chan." Nico chuckled.
"No patience." Maki agreed.
"Patience," and here Nico hoped her voice was working on levels of subtext only adults could here, "gets rewarded."
"It better." Maki muttered, but any attempt to glare at Dia softened into amusement.
"You're the best, Maki-chan." Nico blew a kiss toward Maki.
"I know."
Nico knew where Dia got her command tones from.
A/N: Merry Christmas. It's been a tiring year for me, but I wanted to thank you for reading/commenting/caring. And offer you best wishes for 2023. Take care.