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It was a week before the human holiday ‘Christmas’ or so Byakuya had been told. Renji had insisted on trying to celebrate it with him this year. This was the second year of the two of them together, so Byakuya had acquiesced to Renji’s request. He’d not been interested right away, given the fact that it was not the normal traditions he followed, but for Renji? He’d try (almost) anything. So he’d given a wing of his home to Renji to decorate in spirit of this holiday.
What he hadn’t expected was to have his home invaded by not one, not two, but four different souls from the living realm invade his house at all odd hours of the day and night. (Was Ichigo really considered a living soul after everything he’d been through, and all the almost dying stuff? Byakuya wasn’t sure but he also wasn’t interested in being at the other end of Ichigo’s blade for the question, so he kept that to himself). They brought box upon box of various Christmas supplies, ranging from little bobbles(ornaments, or so Orihime had said when he’d asked her), to various pieces of plant, and even an entire tree.
Byakuya had no hand in any of it, often choosing to stand quietly in the corner and take his afternoon tea while he watched the group of living souls take over an entire wing of his home with their decorations. He would never admit out loud, but he found the little twinkling lights they’d somehow installed quite adorable.
After about a week of having all of these rather insane individuals in his home, they seemed to have finished their work. He assumed this given that the last thing they brought in appeared to be some kind of star. They’d basically harassed him until he had given in and had let them guide him in placing the item on the top of the tree. Standing back and admiring their work, they’d all gotten quite excited to know it would remain up for at least a couple weeks, before they’d flooded out of his home just like they’d come.
A few hours later, and Renji had returned home from his visit to the human world. He’d settled down beside Byakuya in Byakuya’s home office and had watched Byakuya work on paperwork for an hour or so before interrupting him.
“…what do you think of the Christmas decorations?” Renji had murmured softly, resting his head on his lover’s shoulder.
“They’re not as hard to look at as I had expected when I had agreed to let you put them up in my house, if that’s what your wondering. It is even… a little cute.” Byakuya returned, nuzzling his cheek against the top of Renji’s head, brushing his cheek against the soft texture of Renji’s well-maintained hair. “Those humans sure had fun invading my house for a week and looking around however they pleased. I was tempted to kick them out every day they were here.”
“So you like the decorations? I’m really glad. This was something Rukia introduced me to after her stay in the human world, and I had been quite taken with the idea. So… next is presents to put under the tree. Then we exchange them on Christmas Day.” Renji explained gently, sitting up so he could look at Byakuya.
“Ah… I was aware of that part of the tradition. I had some of the servants take the liberty of wrapping the presents I purchased for you, and they’re under the tree already. I obviously do not expect the same number from you, given the difference between our financial situation. However, if you would like more money to buy your friends gifts, I will be happy to give you as much as you might like.” Byakuya was quick to offer, gesturing vaguely with a dainty hand.
“Oh. Thanks Bya, that’s real generous of you. I wasn’t expecting that. Thanks. I should… probably finish my shopping then. I’ll be back by dinnner!” Byakuya watched with half-lidded eyes as Renji jumped to his feet and almost fled from Byakuya’s home office.
They didn’t see much of each other over the next few weeks, work keeping them busy even when they were sat in the same office. Most nights, they came home and fell straight asleep. Other nights, when they managed to stay awake, they engaged in some quaint lovemaking before falling asleep tangled closer than normal.
About four days before Christmas, he received a notice that his sister would be staying in the human world for a few days to celebrate the holiday season with Ichigo and his friends. Byakuya hadn’t even given it a second glance before summoning his head servant and telling her to tell all the servants that they would be off for Christmas Day, as he would prefer the house to just himself and Renji that day. She’d been quite excited, and had bowed before leaving quickly to inform the other servants of Byakuya’s message. He treated them well, but understood the excitement for a break.
When Renji got home that evening, he informed him of the fact that the two of them would be in the house entirely by themselves for the duration of Christmas Day. Though, that did mean they’d be preparing their own meals as well. Neither of them fund that they cared all that much, given that Renji was quite a good cook when he put his mind to the matter.
Slowly, Christmas approached, and Byakuya found himself worried. What if he fucked up this event for Renji? What if Renji decided that he would rather not spend the holiday with Byakuya because of how he treated the Holiday with such a disinterest. It wasn’t that he was disinterested at all, it was simply that he wasn’t quite sure what levels of excitement was appropriate for a holiday all about giving gifts, knowing that his lover came from a place where something like this probably caused immense amounts of stress.
Byakuya say this holiday as the chance to give Renji all the gifts he’d purchase over the year but had not found the right way to give them without coming across like an ass. He had accidentally come across as extremely over-spending when he had attempted(and failed ) to give Renji a large birthday. Renji had not appreciated the amount of money Byakuya had spent, though he had tried to pretend that he liked the gift. It wasn’t hard to tell that Renji wasn’t enjoying it though.
Byakuya had to do it right this time. If he fucked up another holiday, he was worried Renji might leave him. Leaving him over his money was quite a stupid thing to leave someone over, but Renji had been quite pissed off over it, or so it had seemed. It ate at Byakuya as the holiday had approached, and Byakuya found himself pacing his home office evenings when he found himself home alone.
Was this really something Renji might leave Byakuya over?
Finally, after about an hour of waiting, Renji arrived home. He smiled at
Byakuya as he stepped into the home, coming over to give him a kiss.
“I know it’s a little early, but I wanted you to open some of your gifts early, and I wanted you to see the state of gifts and your opinions.” Byakuya murmured, gently guiding Renji into the living area. He shows Renji the small pile of gifts under the tree. “I… hope that it’s alright.”
“Oh.. oh Byakuya this is lovely.” Renji murmured, turning to kiss Byakuya. Byakuya was momentarily surprised before he kissed back.
Clearly, Byakuya hadn’t failed this time, and it was a perfect Christmas… they’d have to do this again next year.