All We Want for Christmas Is You
Dec. 25th, 2013 11:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cosmic_bookThe tightly packed snow crunched under Kakyou’s feet as he walked up to the cabin. The roof and awning were covered with white. There were no other cabins around for miles, just the wide-open night sky and the evergreen trees and the snow that sparkled like diamonds in the starlight. There was a wreath on the outer-door of the cabin. Rather than being the usual Christmas wreath, it was made of red roses twined with white lilies. It was cold outside, cold enough for Kakyou to see his breath, but the smoke coming from the cabins chimney promised warmth. There were lights in the windows and the sound of laughter coming from inside. The key to the outer-door glistened in Kakyou’s hand.
The cold made Kakyou shiver but he ignored it for more important things. The laughter drew him more than the chimney smoke as he walked up to the door. One hand lifted to trace some of the flowers on the wreath as he smiled slightly. It was lovely, but more importantly; they were his and Aya's flowers. He slipped the key in the lock and turned it, then pushed the door open.
As soon as the door was open, the sounds of laughter and happy voices became more distinct, became voices Kakyou might recognize. There were six sets of boots: three pairs of men’s boots, two ladies boots, and one tiny pair of pink boots that could only belong to a little girl. On shelf in the entryway little scenes were displayed, as if set up for little dolls: an ice cream parlor, a horse drawn carriage in a park, and flower shop. There were two doors inside, one for the restroom and another for the main room. Twinkle lights surrounded the door to the main room. There was a window in the door made of frosted glass. It glowed with light. It was warmer here in the entryway, but still too cool. The heat was coming through the main door. That room promised warmth. That door was unlocked. It started to open just as Kakyou reached for it.
Kakyou only barely remembered to close the outer door behind him as the voices became more distinct. His small smile widened, and he began to hurry as he saw the sets of boots, shedding his own pair and not caring how they fell as he headed for the door. He paused when the door started to open, gaze expectant.
Aya stood in the doorway wearing his favorite soft orange sweater and the earring Kakyou had made for him. His smile was happy and unrestrained. He held the door open wide, standing to the side so Kakyou could pass. Kyoko and Aya-chan stopped hanging stockings to greet him with warm smiles. Aya-chan rushed to the door and tugged Kakyou inside. Ikelos lounged against a doorframe snipping something from a cup. He lifted at Kakyou as if to toast him. Emi sat on Koyasu’s lap at a table with a tray of gingerbread people in front of them. Most of the gingerbread people were quite creative: there was a Cyclopes, and a pair of conjoined twins, and other things that looked, well, tasty if not identifiable. Emi hopped off of Koyasu’s lap when she saw Kakyou, sending tiny candy decorations flying and rushed to throw her arms around Kakyou’s legs.
The room was filled with the scent of spiced cookies and the sounds of Johnny Mathis Christmas carols playing softly in the background. A large Christmas tree stood in one corner. There were multicolored twinkle lights on the tree, but no other decorations. The decorations sat beside the tree, waiting to be put on. The presents beneath the tree were also waiting, wrapped in many different colors and to far different levels of ability. A big white sofa and a large chair sat by the fire beside a chest stacked high with blankets.
Kakyou barely needed to be tugged, and he definitely wasn't going to just pass his lover. Especially not when he was smiling like that. He kept the kiss chaste in deference to Emi's presence before hugging Aya-chan tightly. His eyes were warm and happy, and he was smiling brightly. "This is wonderful. I..." Words didn't really feel sufficient. "Thank you. I'm so glad to see you all." Not at all sufficient. He paused when Emi attached herself to his legs, reaching down to pick her up so he could hug her, too.
Aya kissed back eagerly, but let his sister draw Kakyou away. He closed the door to keep the heat in.
Emi wiggled happily in Kakyou's arms, taking his face in her sticky fingers and kissing his cheek. "Big brother! You're here!"
Aya swallowed hard. "Merry Christmas, beloved."
Kyoko pinned Emi's stocking to fireplace and moved to hug Kakyou. She kissed Kakyou's cheek. "We're happy to be here."
Koyasu left the scattered decorations where they were and moved to follow his wife's example, briefly taking Kakyou in a one armed hug.
Ikelos picked up another cup from a tray and followed after them, but waited his turn. When it came, he wrapped both of his arms around Kakyou and Emi, making Emi giggle. Eyes just like Kakyou's own stared smiling into his. "No one deserves this more." He leaned close to kiss Kakyou's forehead. Then he held the fresh cup of eggnog out for Kakyou.
"Ah, careful," Aya whispered. The spice and the sweetness his most of the flavor of the alcohol.
Aya-chan giggled. She turned the stocking that she was holding so Kakyou could see his name embroidered in sparkling silver and gold on the stocking's white trim.
"I'm here," Kakyou agreed, his voice a little thick with emotion. He nuzzled his little sister affectionately, ignoring the sticky traces left on his face. He shifted her a little more to one side, freeing up an arm to try to return all the hugs with until he found it occupied by eggnog. He sipped it carefully, rolling the sip in his mouth at Aya's warning until he got a hint of the alcohol. Only a little eggnog, then. "It's beautiful," he told Aya-chan honestly when he saw the stocking. "Uncle, Koyasu, Kyoko..." Words were failing again. He held Emi a little closer and changed to addressing all of them. "I've missed you. I love you all."
"We love you too!" Aya-chan shouted, throwing her arms open wide.
"That's what all this is about," Ikelos chuckled.
Koyasu leaned in to whisper in Kakyou's ear, "There is a room upstairs for you and Ran." Whether he was concerned about Kakyou getting overwhelmed or … something else, was not clear.
Either way, it made Kakyou blush a little, the faint pink warming his cheeks. He nodded gratefully to Koyasu before leaning in to kiss Aya-chan's cheek. "It's perfect," he told Ikelos, told them all, sincerely.
"What would you like to first, son?" Kyoko asked. "Decorate the tree. Decorate cookies--"
"Eat cookies," Ikelos suggested. He lifted his own cup of eggnog. "Drink."
"Open presents! Open presents!" Aya-chan chanted. Emi took up the chant.
"Opening presents is last, Aya," Aya said.
Aya-chan pouted, but said, "Come on, Kakyou, decorate the tree so we can open presents sooner."
"I'm not drinking much," he informed his uncle, waving his cup at him in entirely faked scolding. "Alcohol disagrees with me." Rather, hangovers disagreed with him. He swung Emi a little before moving to put her down. "Are you going to help me decorate the tree?" he asked her.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Emi said. Her face fell as she remembered the cookies. She looked over at Koyasu and the mess she left. "Oh!"
"It's alright," Aya-chan said, hanging Kakyou's stocking between Kakyou's and one labeled Ran. "I'll help daddy finish."
Emi brightened again and rushed to the ornaments beside the tree.
Kakyou smiled softly and followed behind her. He took another sip of his eggnog before setting it down to examine the ornaments. He half turned to look back at Aya, holding a hand out to him invitingly. "What should we put on first?" he asked Emi with a warm smile.
Aya happily took his lover's hand. He watched his mother nuzzle his father as the picked up the spilled candies. Ikelos was "sneaking" Aya-chan a bit of his eggnog. Everyone looked happy. Emi peered at the ornaments and plucked out a bit of Styrofoam painted red to look like a strawberry. She grinned happily.
Kakyou tugged Aya close and lifted their joined hands to kiss Aya's knuckles. It felt good to see his family happy and together. His chest felt tight but in a good way. "Good choice. Where should it go?" Kakyou asked, his free hand reaching down to stroke Emi's hair.
Emi smiled brightly and pointed up. "There!" Mostly, she wanted to be picked up.
Kakyou suspected that ulterior motive there. He laughed softly and kissed Aya's hand again before letting go of it to pick his sister up.
Emi squealed as he lifted her up. She put the ornament on. Soon only the tree topper was left.
"Dad," Aya called.
Koyasu looked up from where he was standing beneath the mistletoe with Kyoko. "I think Kakyou should have the honor this year."
Kakyou flushed and ducked his head. He didn't ask if Koyasu was sure. He reached to take the topper carefully, turning it in his fingers. "....Thank you, Father," he said softly, almost shyly, before lifting his hands to settle the star on the tip of the tree.
Aya tugged Kakyou close and kissed him.
"Now presents!" Aya-chan said.
"Yeah!" Emi agreed. She picked up a Christmas gift sack from beneath the tree and rushed over to him with it. Beneath the tissue paper was her gift for Kakyou and, in an envelope, was Ikelos's gift.
Kakyou kissed back eagerly, stroking Aya's cheek lovingly. He hummed a little when he broke away for presents, only a little reluctantly. He knelt down to look in the sack, pulling the tissue paper out carefully. He'd get the envelope next.
Inside was a Christmas ornament. A red glass bulb painted with white snowmen. The snowmen were made from the imprints of Emi's fingers. The little girl beamed with pride.
Kakyou smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I thought the tree was finished but it looks like we missed one," he said laughingly, expression bright and open in a way that only happened rarely. He looked around for an open spot and ended up just shifting a couple of other ornaments to make one so that he could hang the bulb.
"It looks MUCH better now," Aya-chan praised, stroking the girl's hair. The little girl blushed and clinged to Kakyou's leg. Aya-chan laughed. There was still the envelope inside.
Kakyou reached down to stroke her cheek, agreeing "It does." He snagged the envelope to open it.
The stationary for the envelope looked like the nighttime sky lit with stars and the full moon in one corner. Inside were two tickets to Julius Caesar for the Delacorte Theater, Turtle Pond, Central Park for July --, 2000. "I do hope you and Aya can make it," Ikelos said smoothly. "Emi and I will almost certainly be there. We live only a train ride away."
Oh. Kakyou's eyes teared up a little at the words. He held the tickets -and the hope- close for a long moment. "We'll be there," he replied, his voice quiet but definite.
"Yes," Aya agreed. Sliding his arms around Kakyou's shoulders. He nuzzled Kakyou.
"Okay! Me next!" Aya-chan declared. The meticulously wrapped package was wrapped in the same shade of paper as Aya's eyes and tied with a gold bow. From the size and the shape, it was almost certainly a book.
Kakyou leaned into Aya's embrace, purring softly at the nuzzle. He took the package with a light chuckle at the color of the paper and bow. Aya-chan knew him, the look in amused golden eyes said. He unwrapped the present, not bothering to be careful.
It was a book, or more precisely, a handmade journal. It was also mostly violet and it looked like a galaxy of stars. The paper was gold. Inside was Aya-chan's handwriting. A lot of Aya-chan's handwriting. "It's us. Our story, for Sages of Chaos, our journals, and chat logs. It's everything my mun and I can find. She says you can have this book with you in the coma, and WHEN you're ready for a physical copy, it will be here." She picked up a safety deposit box hidden beneath the tree. "This will be at Clamp Academy. The book and all the other gifts you get tonight will be there until you are ready to come get them."
"The box was also Aya-chan's idea," Aya whispered.
"Oh, and I made the mun promise that you could find my dream -- at least sometimes," Aya-chan said shyly. She still wasn't sure her gifts were good enough.
Kakyou reached for her and pulled her into a tight hug. He pressed his cheek against her hair. His voice was a choked whisper as he said "Thank you. Thank you." The promise of visits to her dream alone was priceless. All of it together left him nearly unable to speak.
Aya-chan laughed, nearly going limp with relief, and held him tight. Aya watched over Kakyou's shoulder, smiling happily, eyes bright. Kyoko waited before brining up the last present beneath the tree. It was a long, thin rectangle. Although the shape was simple it was wrapped with much less skill but no less excitement. "This is from your dad and I." She winked at Aya-nii over Kakyou's shoulder. He smiled a bit more shyly.
Kakyou squeezed Aya-chan one more time before letting go of her to take the gift. He leaned forward to press a light, shy kiss to Kyoko's cheek before unwrapping it.
Within the wrapping was Ouija Board. Rather than a simple board painted with letters, this was cheerfully painted with the sun, moon, and stars. "You can reach us using that," Kyoko explained. "Like Aya's book, you can keep an image in your Dream and keep it in the box."
"The board comes with a promise," Koyasu elaborated.
"One time only, you can use with the guarantee that it will summon us," Kyoko finished. "Even if the muns wanted, they could not refuse."
Kakyou's fingers traced the lines and letters reverently. He set the board aside carefully and reached out to hug Kyoko. He pressed another kiss to her cheek before looking over to Koyasu to include him as he spoke. "Thank you. Thank you so much." His eyes moved to Aya-chan and Ikelos as well. "I can't think of any greater gifts than being able to be with the people I love."
"That was Ran's idea," Aya-chan murmured. Ikelos smiled at the girl. It was obvious that the siblings loved each other -- and Kakyou -- very much.
Kyoko kissed Kakyou again. Koyasu got up to draw Kakyou into a hug. He answered, "Thank you for becoming family."
Aya made a sound that suggested he was trying not to cry. He pressed his knuckles to his lips for a moment before shifting nervously. "There's one thing left." There was nothing left beneath the tree. Aya took something from his pocket and got down on one knee.
"I'll make sure to thank him properly," Kakyou said, his tone utterly void of innuendo. He pressed into Koyasu's hug, whispering "I'm grateful to be part of it." Kakyou turned at the sound Aya made, not worried but a reflexive impulse to check on his lover. He froze as he saw Aya kneel, eyes wide and lips faintly parted. That... This couldn't be anything other than what it looked like, because of how much that meant to them both. Here? Now? Kakyou stepped closer to Aya, his heartbeat speeding. It was hard to remember he had to actually let him ASK. He took a quick, sharp breath.
"More than anything, I wanted you to have this memory -- this moment with people who love and are loved by you. This moment is more than I can pass up," Aya said, staring up into Kakyou's eyes. "I've asked you to marry me so many times… And I will again. I cannot give you my heart. You own it already. You have for a long time. I also cannot give you a promise of marriage. You had that too. …but I can mark it." Aya opened the box. There were two silver ear cuffs, simple and delicate. "Please accept your mark and mine, our signs that we are for each other."
"Yes." God yes. Kakyou didn't need to think, didn't need to do anything but stop holding the word back. He dropped to his knees in front of Aya, both hands reaching out to hold Aya's face and pull him into a kiss, eager and passionate. "Please yes. I'm yours, have been, will be. My heart, my everything," he breathed out against Aya's mouth.
Aya slid his hand into Kakyou's hair, and kissed back joyfully. Ikelos picked the wide eyed Emi up off the floor. She was both quiet and still. She must have been stunned. Ikelos was smiling. So was the rest of the family. Aya stroked his fingers through Kakyou's hair, brushing it back. He placed the ear cuff on Kakyou's ear. Aya-chan was holding her parents hands. She squeezed them. They squeezed back.
Kakyou smiled, soft and sweet and loving. He nuzzled at his lover, no, his fiance, while he picked up the other ear cuff. His fingers were careful and tender as he slipped it into place on Aya's ear.
Aya shivered as Kakyou put it on. He felt like a part of him that had been missing his whole life was a little more complete.
Kakyou stroked his fingers delicately over the metal before kissing Aya again. It was slow and gentle, full of loving reverence. He didn't have words, really, for how he felt, but it was good and warm, joy and love so strong it took his breath away.
"Yes," Aya knew he didn't need to say it. He wanted to. "Thank you. I love you."
"Alright, boys, stand up and be hugged some more," Aya-chan urged impatiently.
Kakyou laughed softly at Aya-chan's impatience, the sound utterly joyful. He took Aya's hand as he stood, lacing their fingers together.
They fit. They always fit. Aya moved with Kakyou. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of his fiance's hand in his and the feeling of their family so close.
The cold made Kakyou shiver but he ignored it for more important things. The laughter drew him more than the chimney smoke as he walked up to the door. One hand lifted to trace some of the flowers on the wreath as he smiled slightly. It was lovely, but more importantly; they were his and Aya's flowers. He slipped the key in the lock and turned it, then pushed the door open.
As soon as the door was open, the sounds of laughter and happy voices became more distinct, became voices Kakyou might recognize. There were six sets of boots: three pairs of men’s boots, two ladies boots, and one tiny pair of pink boots that could only belong to a little girl. On shelf in the entryway little scenes were displayed, as if set up for little dolls: an ice cream parlor, a horse drawn carriage in a park, and flower shop. There were two doors inside, one for the restroom and another for the main room. Twinkle lights surrounded the door to the main room. There was a window in the door made of frosted glass. It glowed with light. It was warmer here in the entryway, but still too cool. The heat was coming through the main door. That room promised warmth. That door was unlocked. It started to open just as Kakyou reached for it.
Kakyou only barely remembered to close the outer door behind him as the voices became more distinct. His small smile widened, and he began to hurry as he saw the sets of boots, shedding his own pair and not caring how they fell as he headed for the door. He paused when the door started to open, gaze expectant.
Aya stood in the doorway wearing his favorite soft orange sweater and the earring Kakyou had made for him. His smile was happy and unrestrained. He held the door open wide, standing to the side so Kakyou could pass. Kyoko and Aya-chan stopped hanging stockings to greet him with warm smiles. Aya-chan rushed to the door and tugged Kakyou inside. Ikelos lounged against a doorframe snipping something from a cup. He lifted at Kakyou as if to toast him. Emi sat on Koyasu’s lap at a table with a tray of gingerbread people in front of them. Most of the gingerbread people were quite creative: there was a Cyclopes, and a pair of conjoined twins, and other things that looked, well, tasty if not identifiable. Emi hopped off of Koyasu’s lap when she saw Kakyou, sending tiny candy decorations flying and rushed to throw her arms around Kakyou’s legs.
The room was filled with the scent of spiced cookies and the sounds of Johnny Mathis Christmas carols playing softly in the background. A large Christmas tree stood in one corner. There were multicolored twinkle lights on the tree, but no other decorations. The decorations sat beside the tree, waiting to be put on. The presents beneath the tree were also waiting, wrapped in many different colors and to far different levels of ability. A big white sofa and a large chair sat by the fire beside a chest stacked high with blankets.
Kakyou barely needed to be tugged, and he definitely wasn't going to just pass his lover. Especially not when he was smiling like that. He kept the kiss chaste in deference to Emi's presence before hugging Aya-chan tightly. His eyes were warm and happy, and he was smiling brightly. "This is wonderful. I..." Words didn't really feel sufficient. "Thank you. I'm so glad to see you all." Not at all sufficient. He paused when Emi attached herself to his legs, reaching down to pick her up so he could hug her, too.
Aya kissed back eagerly, but let his sister draw Kakyou away. He closed the door to keep the heat in.
Emi wiggled happily in Kakyou's arms, taking his face in her sticky fingers and kissing his cheek. "Big brother! You're here!"
Aya swallowed hard. "Merry Christmas, beloved."
Kyoko pinned Emi's stocking to fireplace and moved to hug Kakyou. She kissed Kakyou's cheek. "We're happy to be here."
Koyasu left the scattered decorations where they were and moved to follow his wife's example, briefly taking Kakyou in a one armed hug.
Ikelos picked up another cup from a tray and followed after them, but waited his turn. When it came, he wrapped both of his arms around Kakyou and Emi, making Emi giggle. Eyes just like Kakyou's own stared smiling into his. "No one deserves this more." He leaned close to kiss Kakyou's forehead. Then he held the fresh cup of eggnog out for Kakyou.
"Ah, careful," Aya whispered. The spice and the sweetness his most of the flavor of the alcohol.
Aya-chan giggled. She turned the stocking that she was holding so Kakyou could see his name embroidered in sparkling silver and gold on the stocking's white trim.
"I'm here," Kakyou agreed, his voice a little thick with emotion. He nuzzled his little sister affectionately, ignoring the sticky traces left on his face. He shifted her a little more to one side, freeing up an arm to try to return all the hugs with until he found it occupied by eggnog. He sipped it carefully, rolling the sip in his mouth at Aya's warning until he got a hint of the alcohol. Only a little eggnog, then. "It's beautiful," he told Aya-chan honestly when he saw the stocking. "Uncle, Koyasu, Kyoko..." Words were failing again. He held Emi a little closer and changed to addressing all of them. "I've missed you. I love you all."
"We love you too!" Aya-chan shouted, throwing her arms open wide.
"That's what all this is about," Ikelos chuckled.
Koyasu leaned in to whisper in Kakyou's ear, "There is a room upstairs for you and Ran." Whether he was concerned about Kakyou getting overwhelmed or … something else, was not clear.
Either way, it made Kakyou blush a little, the faint pink warming his cheeks. He nodded gratefully to Koyasu before leaning in to kiss Aya-chan's cheek. "It's perfect," he told Ikelos, told them all, sincerely.
"What would you like to first, son?" Kyoko asked. "Decorate the tree. Decorate cookies--"
"Eat cookies," Ikelos suggested. He lifted his own cup of eggnog. "Drink."
"Open presents! Open presents!" Aya-chan chanted. Emi took up the chant.
"Opening presents is last, Aya," Aya said.
Aya-chan pouted, but said, "Come on, Kakyou, decorate the tree so we can open presents sooner."
"I'm not drinking much," he informed his uncle, waving his cup at him in entirely faked scolding. "Alcohol disagrees with me." Rather, hangovers disagreed with him. He swung Emi a little before moving to put her down. "Are you going to help me decorate the tree?" he asked her.
"Yes, yes, yes!" Emi said. Her face fell as she remembered the cookies. She looked over at Koyasu and the mess she left. "Oh!"
"It's alright," Aya-chan said, hanging Kakyou's stocking between Kakyou's and one labeled Ran. "I'll help daddy finish."
Emi brightened again and rushed to the ornaments beside the tree.
Kakyou smiled softly and followed behind her. He took another sip of his eggnog before setting it down to examine the ornaments. He half turned to look back at Aya, holding a hand out to him invitingly. "What should we put on first?" he asked Emi with a warm smile.
Aya happily took his lover's hand. He watched his mother nuzzle his father as the picked up the spilled candies. Ikelos was "sneaking" Aya-chan a bit of his eggnog. Everyone looked happy. Emi peered at the ornaments and plucked out a bit of Styrofoam painted red to look like a strawberry. She grinned happily.
Kakyou tugged Aya close and lifted their joined hands to kiss Aya's knuckles. It felt good to see his family happy and together. His chest felt tight but in a good way. "Good choice. Where should it go?" Kakyou asked, his free hand reaching down to stroke Emi's hair.
Emi smiled brightly and pointed up. "There!" Mostly, she wanted to be picked up.
Kakyou suspected that ulterior motive there. He laughed softly and kissed Aya's hand again before letting go of it to pick his sister up.
Emi squealed as he lifted her up. She put the ornament on. Soon only the tree topper was left.
"Dad," Aya called.
Koyasu looked up from where he was standing beneath the mistletoe with Kyoko. "I think Kakyou should have the honor this year."
Kakyou flushed and ducked his head. He didn't ask if Koyasu was sure. He reached to take the topper carefully, turning it in his fingers. "....Thank you, Father," he said softly, almost shyly, before lifting his hands to settle the star on the tip of the tree.
Aya tugged Kakyou close and kissed him.
"Now presents!" Aya-chan said.
"Yeah!" Emi agreed. She picked up a Christmas gift sack from beneath the tree and rushed over to him with it. Beneath the tissue paper was her gift for Kakyou and, in an envelope, was Ikelos's gift.
Kakyou kissed back eagerly, stroking Aya's cheek lovingly. He hummed a little when he broke away for presents, only a little reluctantly. He knelt down to look in the sack, pulling the tissue paper out carefully. He'd get the envelope next.
Inside was a Christmas ornament. A red glass bulb painted with white snowmen. The snowmen were made from the imprints of Emi's fingers. The little girl beamed with pride.
Kakyou smiled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "I thought the tree was finished but it looks like we missed one," he said laughingly, expression bright and open in a way that only happened rarely. He looked around for an open spot and ended up just shifting a couple of other ornaments to make one so that he could hang the bulb.
"It looks MUCH better now," Aya-chan praised, stroking the girl's hair. The little girl blushed and clinged to Kakyou's leg. Aya-chan laughed. There was still the envelope inside.
Kakyou reached down to stroke her cheek, agreeing "It does." He snagged the envelope to open it.
The stationary for the envelope looked like the nighttime sky lit with stars and the full moon in one corner. Inside were two tickets to Julius Caesar for the Delacorte Theater, Turtle Pond, Central Park for July --, 2000. "I do hope you and Aya can make it," Ikelos said smoothly. "Emi and I will almost certainly be there. We live only a train ride away."
Oh. Kakyou's eyes teared up a little at the words. He held the tickets -and the hope- close for a long moment. "We'll be there," he replied, his voice quiet but definite.
"Yes," Aya agreed. Sliding his arms around Kakyou's shoulders. He nuzzled Kakyou.
"Okay! Me next!" Aya-chan declared. The meticulously wrapped package was wrapped in the same shade of paper as Aya's eyes and tied with a gold bow. From the size and the shape, it was almost certainly a book.
Kakyou leaned into Aya's embrace, purring softly at the nuzzle. He took the package with a light chuckle at the color of the paper and bow. Aya-chan knew him, the look in amused golden eyes said. He unwrapped the present, not bothering to be careful.
It was a book, or more precisely, a handmade journal. It was also mostly violet and it looked like a galaxy of stars. The paper was gold. Inside was Aya-chan's handwriting. A lot of Aya-chan's handwriting. "It's us. Our story, for Sages of Chaos, our journals, and chat logs. It's everything my mun and I can find. She says you can have this book with you in the coma, and WHEN you're ready for a physical copy, it will be here." She picked up a safety deposit box hidden beneath the tree. "This will be at Clamp Academy. The book and all the other gifts you get tonight will be there until you are ready to come get them."
"The box was also Aya-chan's idea," Aya whispered.
"Oh, and I made the mun promise that you could find my dream -- at least sometimes," Aya-chan said shyly. She still wasn't sure her gifts were good enough.
Kakyou reached for her and pulled her into a tight hug. He pressed his cheek against her hair. His voice was a choked whisper as he said "Thank you. Thank you." The promise of visits to her dream alone was priceless. All of it together left him nearly unable to speak.
Aya-chan laughed, nearly going limp with relief, and held him tight. Aya watched over Kakyou's shoulder, smiling happily, eyes bright. Kyoko waited before brining up the last present beneath the tree. It was a long, thin rectangle. Although the shape was simple it was wrapped with much less skill but no less excitement. "This is from your dad and I." She winked at Aya-nii over Kakyou's shoulder. He smiled a bit more shyly.
Kakyou squeezed Aya-chan one more time before letting go of her to take the gift. He leaned forward to press a light, shy kiss to Kyoko's cheek before unwrapping it.
Within the wrapping was Ouija Board. Rather than a simple board painted with letters, this was cheerfully painted with the sun, moon, and stars. "You can reach us using that," Kyoko explained. "Like Aya's book, you can keep an image in your Dream and keep it in the box."
"The board comes with a promise," Koyasu elaborated.
"One time only, you can use with the guarantee that it will summon us," Kyoko finished. "Even if the muns wanted, they could not refuse."
Kakyou's fingers traced the lines and letters reverently. He set the board aside carefully and reached out to hug Kyoko. He pressed another kiss to her cheek before looking over to Koyasu to include him as he spoke. "Thank you. Thank you so much." His eyes moved to Aya-chan and Ikelos as well. "I can't think of any greater gifts than being able to be with the people I love."
"That was Ran's idea," Aya-chan murmured. Ikelos smiled at the girl. It was obvious that the siblings loved each other -- and Kakyou -- very much.
Kyoko kissed Kakyou again. Koyasu got up to draw Kakyou into a hug. He answered, "Thank you for becoming family."
Aya made a sound that suggested he was trying not to cry. He pressed his knuckles to his lips for a moment before shifting nervously. "There's one thing left." There was nothing left beneath the tree. Aya took something from his pocket and got down on one knee.
"I'll make sure to thank him properly," Kakyou said, his tone utterly void of innuendo. He pressed into Koyasu's hug, whispering "I'm grateful to be part of it." Kakyou turned at the sound Aya made, not worried but a reflexive impulse to check on his lover. He froze as he saw Aya kneel, eyes wide and lips faintly parted. That... This couldn't be anything other than what it looked like, because of how much that meant to them both. Here? Now? Kakyou stepped closer to Aya, his heartbeat speeding. It was hard to remember he had to actually let him ASK. He took a quick, sharp breath.
"More than anything, I wanted you to have this memory -- this moment with people who love and are loved by you. This moment is more than I can pass up," Aya said, staring up into Kakyou's eyes. "I've asked you to marry me so many times… And I will again. I cannot give you my heart. You own it already. You have for a long time. I also cannot give you a promise of marriage. You had that too. …but I can mark it." Aya opened the box. There were two silver ear cuffs, simple and delicate. "Please accept your mark and mine, our signs that we are for each other."
"Yes." God yes. Kakyou didn't need to think, didn't need to do anything but stop holding the word back. He dropped to his knees in front of Aya, both hands reaching out to hold Aya's face and pull him into a kiss, eager and passionate. "Please yes. I'm yours, have been, will be. My heart, my everything," he breathed out against Aya's mouth.
Aya slid his hand into Kakyou's hair, and kissed back joyfully. Ikelos picked the wide eyed Emi up off the floor. She was both quiet and still. She must have been stunned. Ikelos was smiling. So was the rest of the family. Aya stroked his fingers through Kakyou's hair, brushing it back. He placed the ear cuff on Kakyou's ear. Aya-chan was holding her parents hands. She squeezed them. They squeezed back.
Kakyou smiled, soft and sweet and loving. He nuzzled at his lover, no, his fiance, while he picked up the other ear cuff. His fingers were careful and tender as he slipped it into place on Aya's ear.
Aya shivered as Kakyou put it on. He felt like a part of him that had been missing his whole life was a little more complete.
Kakyou stroked his fingers delicately over the metal before kissing Aya again. It was slow and gentle, full of loving reverence. He didn't have words, really, for how he felt, but it was good and warm, joy and love so strong it took his breath away.
"Yes," Aya knew he didn't need to say it. He wanted to. "Thank you. I love you."
"Alright, boys, stand up and be hugged some more," Aya-chan urged impatiently.
Kakyou laughed softly at Aya-chan's impatience, the sound utterly joyful. He took Aya's hand as he stood, lacing their fingers together.
They fit. They always fit. Aya moved with Kakyou. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of his fiance's hand in his and the feeling of their family so close.
