Archive of Our Own ^beta

A gentle wind blew snow outside the window, with dim lights being the only way Tomoe could see what she was doing. With her parents gone on a business trip as per usual, her little sister's Christmas was left in her hands.

Beneath the tree laid several presents, some from their parents, likely not even something Ako had asked for. The majority were all from Tomoe herself, having saved up money from her part time job to afford precious gifts for her sister. They were growing older, and although Ako didn't believe in Santa like she used to, the sisters would always look forward to this time of year. And Tomoe, as usual, would make it special for her younger sister.

She was arranging the presents, wrapped in christmas colors with immense amounts of red compared to green. Glancing at something that looked to be from her parents, Tomoe picks up a medium sized gift, giving it a gentle shake. It was probably a gift card, disguised as something cooler. But she sets it back down, remembering that she doesn't want this to be about her. It's all for her sister.

Tomoe had come to realize she didn't need to be perfectly cool for her sister. They were both their own people, and while Ako still relied on her older sister at times, she was growing, becoming her own cool self. It made the older girl sad, knowing her self proclaimed purpose was fading. But then again, watching her dear sister shine so bright, achieving dreams of her own... in some ways, it made her happy, too.

The drummer sighs, supporting herself as she stands up once more. Hands on her hips, she takes a good scan across the living room. Decorations were set accordingly, just like they always were. The same ornaments lined the tree, alongside new decorations they had collected along the years. And the gentle snowfall made for the perfect Christmas.

Suddenly, there's a creak, the obvious sign of someone using the staircase of the aging Udagawa residence. Tomoe froze, panicked. Did Ako somehow wake up? It wasn't like she believed in the magic of Santa any longer, but still, Tomoe wanted it to be a surprise. For Ako to wake up Christmas morning and truly feel happy. Tomoe turns around, assuming her cover was blown.

Until she realizes who's there.

"...Ran?"

"Uh... ho ho ho?" There he was, Mitake Ran, dressed like Santa Claus.

She burst into laughter at the sight, covering her mouth to hide the noise. "Ran, what the hell are you wearing?"

"Oh come on, I thought it would be... endearing?" He blushed, still quietly making his way towards his girlfriend. "Do you not like it?"

"I do, I do!" She smiled, wrapping her arms around his shoulders when he got close enough. "You just look like a total dork."

"At least I'm your dork, then." He nuzzled against her, yet his hands remained behind his back.

"What're you doin' up? You certainly weren't wearing that when you got here."

Ran pulls back, shifting his position. "Remember the bag I brought?"

"Ohhh... still, you coulda kept sleepin'." She glances back at her work, "I can handle myself, y'know."

"A helping hand is nice, too." He moved towards the tree, kneeling as he revealed two presents, placing them gently beneath. "Plus, I have my reasons."

"What're those...?"

"You'll see." Ran lifts the tag of one of the presents, reading it aloud. "This one is for Ako, and..." he turned around, looking lovingly at Tomoe, "This one's for a special drummer girl."

Even in the darkness, he could see how red Tomoe's cheeks had become.

"Th-that's... you really didn't have to, Ran."

"I know, Tomoe." He stood up, making his way back to her. "But someone has to treat you Udagawas right."

"Ran..." Tomoe sighed, as if she didn't already know how far Ran would go for her, for the people he loved most. And even then, people thought she was the selfless one. But here was her boyfriend, delivering gifts in a Santa suit.

"You can open my gift, if you want." Ran smiled at her. "I worked hard to get it."

"Ugh, I can't even imagine what you got me." she pretended to sound annoyed, "Everytime I even glance at something in a store, you always try to get it for me! But I think we can wait for tomorrow. Ako's gonna wanna see my reaction, too."

"But...!" it was Ran's turn to be flustered, even if it was by his own predictive imagination, "She's gonna say something about how the prince of darkness saved the queen of light, or some embarassing analogy..."

"I don't really mind. It's her way of saying she loves us, dude."

"Mmm, that's true." Ran adjusted his Santa hat, "This outfits kinda Loose. Maybe I should've stuck to my pajamas."

"Probably. But hey, you look pretty cool in it.
Dare I say, handsome?"

He crossed his arms. "Stop, there's no way you still think Santa's cool."

Tomoe smiled, giggling a little as well. "It's cool 'cause it's you, Ran. Always has been."

"Do I have to kiss you to make you be quiet?"

"Only if there's mistletoe!" Tomoe teased.

Ran sighed. "Nope, I'm kissing you now." And the couple laughed, with arms around each other as they leaned in to kiss.

Even with the way things would change, Christmas felt the same, just like always. And not far away, at the bottom of the staircase, sat Ako, watching the pair as they laughed and kissed.

"Woah... I saw big sis kissing Ranta Claus...!"