23^rd December

Kaoru frowned, his hand clutching his phone was already numb from the cold. Funny, why isn’t Toshiya home? He said he would be…If he was home, then why isn’t he answering the damn phone?!?!?! Kaoru fumed and switched off the phone.

***

Toshiya was just in time to grab the receiver only to hear the monotonous dialtone. He pouted. Could it be Kaoru that had called? If it was, why couldn’t he have just waited a while longer?! He began to sulk. And after all I’ve been doing just for him…! He…

Toshiya plopped down on his sofa and resumed his work.

***

24^th December

He was walking through the shopping mall, searching for a suitable gift for someone special. But he couldn’t make up his mind. Jewellery, clothes, flowers, make-up…what? All seemed too common for his beloved. Thinking about his love, he suddenly felt sat. Forlornly, he stared at his cell phone, hoping that the bassist gives him a call. But the phone kept silent.

I wonder what’s wrong? He never seems to call me anymore these few days…What’s happening? He appears to be very busy. He didn’t visit me either. Kaoru thought tearfully. Has he met someone else? His heart contracted in pain and fear.

No, it cannot be, the guitarist reasoned.

As he was caught in the web of his thought, something in a display window caught his eye.

***

Toshiya held up his handiwork proudly. Ideas running through his head, he decided to spray some perfume on it. Then he folded it and went to his drawer and took out two pieces of big mahjong paper and coloured pens. Sitting down on the table, he began to draw his design.

***

25^th December

It was finally Christmas. Kaoru now had an excuse to find Toshiya(well, he doesn’t need an excuse actually). Fixing his hair before the mirror, he also applied a layer of lip gloss. Then he studied his reflection.

I’m so good looking…he thought vainly.

His excitement built up along his way to Toshiya’s apartment. He glanced at his side where his present and a bouquet of blooming red roses sat side by side. He hoped Toshiya would like them. His heart was beating wildly by the time he was ascending to his home by the elevator.

He cleared his throat as he knocked on his lover’s door. He heard Toshiya asking him to wait and the loud noise of clumsy footsteps.

" Kaoru!!!" Toshiya exclaimed happily, crying tears of joy as he swung his arms around the guitarist’s neck. "I missed you so much!!!" He hugged him tightly.

" I miss you too…" Kaoru gave the taller man a kiss on his cheek then presented him the red roses. Toshiya gasped and received them with his eyes wide.

" They’re so beautiful!!" he said as he and Kaoru went into the living room. Almost bouncing he went to fetch a clear vase to put the flowers in. Arranging them, he put them by the phone next to the sofa and admired them. "Arigato, Kaoru!" Toshiya smiled shyly as he gave Kaoru’s lips a warm kiss.

Kaoru’s arms wrapped around his slim waist, pulling him close for a deeper kiss. Toshiya pushed him away giggling softly and blushing.

" I missed you! I wanted to hear your voice so much, wanted to see you, to kiss you…" He hugged the bassist tightly.

Toshiya smiled. "Me too…I’m so sorry…I’ve been so busy lately," he said.

" Poor old man Kaoru…so lonely…" he sniffled.

" Cut the act!" Toshiya slapped his arm playfully and got up. "I got a surprise for you," he winked as he quickly hid something behind his back.

" What is it?"

" Not telling you!" Toshiya stuck his tongue out at him. "Close your eyes!"

Kaoru frowned. "What?"

" Close your eyes!" Toshiya had begun to whine and Kaoru obediently shut his eyes. He felt something soft wrap around his neck and he opened his eyes. "Hm?"

" Merry Christmas, Kaoru!"

Kaoru looked down. It was a scarf, brown with little white patterns running along the ends. It felt warm and comfortable. "For me?"

" Just for you…I spent the last few days and nights knitting it…You don’t like it?" Toshiya bit his lips worriedly.

" You knitted this yourself?" Kaoru touched the warm scarf. "Of course I like it! It’s lovely!" he smiled and kissed Toshiya’s hand. "Thank you!"

Toshiya blushed hotly. "You think so? I thought it was a bit ugly…I don’t know how to knit but when Shinya suggested it, I thought it was a great idea…" He twiddled his thumbs nervously. "You really like it?"

" Yes!" Kaoru held the scarf to his face and kissed it. Toshiya laughed softly. "Hey, I’ve got something for you too…!" He gave Toshiya his gift, wrapped nicely with ribbons and all.

Toshiya held it in his hands and shook the box. There was no sound and it was light. What could it be. Impatiently, he unwrapped it. He gave an exclaimed gasp.

" It’s so cute, Kaoru!!!" He hugged the object.

" It reminded me of you," Kaoru said.

" I remind you of a rabbit?" Toshiya cuddled the soft furry soft toy against his chest. It was a grey rabbit, holding a carrot in its paws and looking all cute and cuddly. "Rabbit????!"

Kaoru laughed. "Yes, rabbit!" He wrapped his arms around Toshiya and kissed him. "My little usagi-chan!!!"

Shades of pink spread over Toshiya’s cheeks. He put the scarf nicely around Kaoru’s neck.

" Why did you give me a scarf?"

" To keep you warm," he answered.

" Aren’t you gonna keep me warm???" Kaoru pouted and stroked Toshiya’s hair.

" When you go back to Hyougo and leave me behind." Toshiya pouted too. "To keep you company during your visit back to your hometown for New Year."

" Who says I’m gonna leave you here?"

" You’re going to visit your parents, aren’t you?" Toshiya twirled Kaoru’s long hair on his index finger.

" I’m bringing you along."

Toshiya’s almond eyes blinked at him. "You’re bringing me?"

" Yes, to see my parents…and to keep me warm at night!" Kaoru’s voice turned husky.

Blushing profusely, Toshiya ducked and bit on his lips. Despite all, a small smile played at the corners of his lips. "I…Iie!!! Why would I want to meet your parents?!"

" You don’t want to go with me then?" The older man’s eyes turned sad. "Are you that cruel to let me sleep alone at night??? Or maybe I should bring someone else along to keep me warm eh?"

"You dare!" Toshiya glared at him.

" Then you’ll go with me?" Kaoru teased.

Toshiya averted his eyes, still red in the face. His features suddenly seemed sad. "But what would your parents think of me? I…I’m not a girl…" Tears wet his eyes. Kaoru’s parents would hate him, he thought, because they wouldn’t want their son to have a male lover like him. They would want him to marry a girl and have many, many grandchildren…but I can’t give all that to Kaoru, can I? Toshiya wept.

" What’s wrong, Toshiya-chan??" Kaoru worriedly held his chin and looked at his crying face.

" Your parents would hate me!" he bawled into the guitarist’s shirt.

Kaoru stared at his head in shock. "No! Why would they?! Just because you’re not a woman?"

Toshiya nodded meekly.

" Silly Toshiya! They already know…" Gently, Kaoru patted him on the back.

Toshiya’s eyes regarded his questioningly.

" I’ve told them about you…"

" What did…they say??"

" What do you think? They said they’re happy because I finally found…someone I really love…" Kaoru wiped his tears off. "…my soul mate."

" Hontou ni? They don’t mind?" Kaoru shook his head. Toshiya smiled happily and hugged him. They stayed like that for a long time. Then Toshiya straightened. Kaoru made a whining noise in protest. He tried to grab Toshiya’s hand. " I’m going to cook dinner!"

" Mou…" Kaoru pulled him down for a brief kiss. "Let me help you?"

" Sure ~!"

So Kaoru followed Toshiya to the kitchen and the evening grew into night with them preparing their Christmas dinner.