December 2
"Mom, the Christmas cards came in." Toya grunts, tossing the package on the dining table. A moment later, you hear the fridge door open and he rummages through its contents.
"Thank you, Toya." You focus on chopping vegetables and wait for the rice cooker to beep. "Do you know if your brothers are still with your father?"
"Yeah. I just came back from the park early because I didn't feel like hanging around. My Christmas present for Dad was supposed to be in today, but your cards were the only thing in the mail." He huffs.
"Aww, I'm sorry, honey. What did you get him?"
"It's the latest ultimate edition of Hero Hub. So we can study it together and work on some new moves!" Toya bounces on the soles of his feet as he munches on a spicy cucumber. "What did you get him?"
"Oh, you know, the typical workout gear, the new edition of his favorite book series, that sort of thing." You throw the newly cooked rice into a wok with your veggies. "Especially the workout gear. He burnt through one of his last pairs the other week."
"Hehe, he does that a lot, doesn't he?" Toya's array of red and white waves bristle as he moves closer to you. "Is that all you got 'im?"
"No, Toya, but I want some of it to be a surprise for him."
"C'mooonnn, Mom…" He bats those pretty blue eyes at you - eyes he inherited from his father and naturally makes you sigh.
"No, Toya. I want everyone to be surprised by this. Well, Fuyumi and Natsuo might not be impressed, but I know you will. It'll make your excitement all that much sweeter."
"Is it a hero thing?!"
"Yes, it's a hero thing."
"YES!" Toya whoops, pumping his fist in the air before you fill a large bowl with fried rice and vegetables.
"You can make a plate if you'd like, Toya. I'm going to see if I can't get started on making a list for Christmas cards." You turn off the burner.
In the dining room, you sit on the cushion while fighting with the package to open. Eventually, you dig through the plastic and open the box inside, a smile lighting up on your face as the pristine image of your happy family twinkles back at you.
"What do you think?" You ask, turning to show Toya the picture.
It takes him a moment as he makes a bowl of rice, before he leans in and shrugs.
"I guess we look nice." He grumbles.
"I'll take that as a compliment from you."
"Christmas cards have come in?" Enji's visage alights in the door, before four sets of footsteps tear through the entryway and into the kitchen.
Looking up gives you the welcome sight of Enji in a rare moment of softness. Anger and annoyance don't crease his skin. A smile even tickles the edges of his lips while he gazes upon you.
"Want to see, Enchan? You look quite handsome, if I do say so myself."
He takes the glossy card from your hand. Does he also see the tell-tale smirk tattooed into Toya's expression? Or maybe he recognizes the way Natsuo fails to hide his smile for the camera? There's no doubting the hope glittering on Fuyumi and Shoto's face as they both huddle around Tenko, who looks irritated by the attention.
And finally, there's you and Enji. Joy dresses you up nicely at the idea of having your family altogether for a Christmas picture. But Enji? Enji stands tall and proud of his family, his home, his reason for living – despite the neutral expression veiling it.
"It's lovely." He gives you a kiss on the cheek as he hands it back.
"Christmas looks good on the Todorokis, doesn't it?" You coo, fondling the scruff growing in on his chin.
"It does. I think this world could use more of this sort of cheer."