Hiding behind cracked walls, sliding behind barriers while taking aim and firing, keeping ones breathing in control, mind completely focused- this was truly Ash’s element. It was a wonder anyone challenged him anymore. He can’t say the same for his men. A splatter of impact, followed by a dismayed cry, lets him know whenever he’s lost yet another of his own. How disappointing- he thought his men were better than this. It’s too late to worry about them now. For the past thirty minutes he’s hid amongst the freezing cold concrete and brick walls, making his way through alleyways, up and down slippery stairs, peeking around every corner. Each move could be life or death.
A small splash lands disconcertingly close to his head, and he lifts up his wool crimson scarf to better cover his mouth, shutting off access to the puffs of warm air.
“Aaaaaash! Come out and plaaaaaay!”
Shorter’s menacing tease rings throughout the abandoned building; a risky, revealing move that his best friend knows that he wouldn’t fall for in any other scenario. The moment he hears footsteps, he makes his own risky move and slides from one wall to the next, making way to the icy fire escape two stories up.
Snowballs fly en masse behind him, but he just manages to make it down in time, using a mix of masterful experience and pure adrenaline to go with the momentum of the ice, rather than slipping the way that anyone that wasn’t the notorious Ash Lynx surely would have. The moment his feet hit solid ground, he’s in the shadows and out of reach. Arrogantly, he chuckles at the fury in Shorter’s voice, listening to him curse the day he was born and promising vengeance.
Of all things, a snowball fight is not something Ash Lynx ever thought he’d be participating in. He’s been a part of too many real gang wars with deathly consequences to think that simulating it would ever be any type of fun. And yet, when Eiji had brought it up during a Chinatown visit, Shorter had taken to the idea like a playful Pitbull, and now they’re all being the children they rarely got to be. He had to admit, there was something cathartic about being able to play at the real thing, to sigh in relief when what hit you was just snow.
Ash is waiting to make his next move when freezing cold slush slides down his back, his resulting scream humiliatingly loud across the courtyard. When he turns his death glare on whoever dared to embarrass him like this, Eiji gives him a toothy grin.
“Got you. Game over now.”
Before Ash can demand to know what’s up, another snowball hits him in the chest. Shorter crows with victory, the last remaining out of the two teams. An audible sound of relief and cheer rumbles from across the courtyard. Sing, Kong, Bones, and some other members of both gangs, who were sitting around a fire pit designated as the space for those who are “out”, gather around their prospective leaders.
Ash swivels to Shorter in self righteous fury. “It doesn’t count! He’s on my team and he was out! It was friendly fire!”
Smirking, Shorter shrugs. “Sounds like you ought to watch who you have in your midst then, huh Lynx?”
Eiji holds out a hand to help Ash off of the ground, biting his lip to not laugh at Ash’s adorable pout. It said a lot about how much Ash trusted Eiji, how his footsteps were the only ones he felt no need to immediately turn toward in defense. Eiji was one of the first people out; he should have noticed something was up!
“If you wanted to go home, you could have just told me,” Ash mumbles. “It’s only been a half hour.”
Eiji dusts Ash off, buttoning up his coat. “It’s been a half hour of you two alone stalking each other. Everyone was freezing cold after the first fifteen minutes. Besides, the look on your face was so funny. Now- hot chocolate! I have some ingredients that I brought home earlier, and I think it’ll help you warm up.” Finished straightening him out, Eiji kisses Ash on the nose before patting the scarf back into place.
“There. All better.”
Ash is happy that the scarf hides his small smile, though his eyes still glow with his amusement. “I don’t need kisses from a traitor.”
“But you want them because you love me. Now, let’s go.”
Eiji’s hot chocolate is made special- milk, chocolate, a little coffee to balance out the sweetness, with a nutmeg whipped cream to top it off. Its warmth is perfect for finishing off a lighthearted sort of day, and Ash sighs with pleasure as he leans back into the couch.
“Well, I hope you’re proud of yourself. Shorter and his gang are never going to let go of the time they beat Ash Lynx and his gang in a snowball fight, all because his boyfriend wanted to go home.”
“To be fair, everyone wanted to go home. I said this earlier, and Sing told me so- you can ask him. It’s just that you and Shorter were caught up in battle, and no one else was willing to interrupt. Something about ‘letting the bosses do their thing’.” Eiji quietly places his mug down onto the table, fidgeting with the blanket.
“Are you actually upset with me?” he then asks softly. “Did I mess something up for you, really? Because I will apologize.”
His tone is sad, expression that of a puppy when it’s been chastised, and Ash quickly backtracks.
“Naw,” he placates, wrapping a comforting arm around Eiji’s waist and kissing his forehead. “It’ll take a lot more than that to actually bother me. It’s just a game- they all know I wouldn’t go down that easily in the real thing. If anything, Shorter didn’t even beat me, you did. I’m nursing a snake in my breast. Onii-chan, how could you hurt me so?”
Ash sprawls out across Eiji’s lap, dramatically tossing an arm over his head and heart, relishing in Eiji’s giggles.
“That scream certainly was worth it.”
Ash’s earlier howl comes to mind, and he shoves at pillow at Eiji. “Now that did hurt a little! Why’d you have to shove it down my back, you asshole!”
Eiji snorts, gasping as he tries to hold back his laughter. “It was going to be funny.”
“No one knows how much of a devious shit you are but me, huh?”
“I’ll go run you a bath,” Eiji replies, dodging the question. When he makes it to the end of the room, he turns around and sticks his tongue out, making sure Ash can see the goofy expression he’s making. Then he dashes away before Ash can catch him, slipping into the bathroom and locking the door just as Ash gets to it.
“You-”
“Nice boys knock, Ash.” The soft accented Ashu hides Eiji’s teasing intent behind the nonchalant words. Ash relaxes his face, leaning against the door frame and knocking lightly on the door. When it opens, Eiji matches the intensity of emerald eyes with faux innocent brown ones.
“Oh? What a kind-looking man! How can I help you?”
A foxlike grin spreads across Ash’s face as he slinks an arm around Eiji, sealing his laughing lips with a kiss, drawing him into the bathroom and kicking the door closed behind them.
Having a larger bathtub put into the master bathroom seemed like an unnecessary purchase at first. However, with millions to blow, and a boyfriend who loved to soak in too-hot water, Ash made the investment.
It had been the right move.
The water is soft and warm, smelling of jasmine and vanilla, the bubbles gleaming a mother of pearl sheen on the surface. The jets in the water are perfect for relaxing one’s muscles, and they churn the water at just right speed. He leans back against the pulsating jets and pulls Eiji closer to his chest, sighing almost imperceptibly as Eiji cuddles into his neck. This is his favorite part, as cuddling Eiji was almost an impossibility in a normal sized tub. Ash was six feet tall; it was hard enough getting himself in the damn thing. But in this one, he can feel Eiji’s warmth and softness from head to toe and he makes sure to take advantage whenever he has any down time.
“Are you going squeeze me any tighter, Ash?” Eiji’s amused voice cuts into his thoughts, and Ash shrugs.
“You’re so soft, Eiji. I’m sure that if I squeeze hard enough your plush stuffing will come out.”
Rolling his eyes, Eiji turns back in the water. “I know that you’re busy tomorrow, so I’m reminding you that I am going volunteering in the morning.”
Groaning, Ash hides his head in Eiji’s shoulder. “No work or work talk in the tub. That was your rule.”
“This is not work talk! I told Cain that I would meet him and his mother to help give away food. I just didn’t want you to forget.”
It had been the shock of both Ash and Cain’s life when, one day after a meeting, they’d come out to see Eiji and Cain’s mother Mrs. Angela chatting up a storm. Apparently, they’d met after being brought to the seedy location, both determined to speak to their person, and undaunted by any potential danger. It helped that they were both the most important person in Ash and Cain’s lives, but it had still been stressful for both gang leaders to be chastised in front of their peers. From that interaction a beautiful friendship was built, Eiji making sure to order from Mrs. Angela’s bakery once a week and discussing recipes. It almost guaranteed better gang relations between Black Sabbath and Ash’s gang, and Eiji was nothing if not chivalrous to the charming elder lady.
“Fine, fine. I’ll have Bones or Kong go with you.”
“No need! I invited Sing to help him with Chinatown’s standing- it’s three-some relationship building!”
Ash chokes and splashes a hand down in the water, causing Eiji to turn in concern, smacking his back to help him breathe.
“What?”
Gasping, Ash calms down just enough to hold out a finger to Eiji.
“What?”
“Eiji, that- that did not mean what you thought it meant. Just say you’re developing friendships with Black Sabbath and Chinatown.”
“Well, what did it mean?”
Biting his lip, Ash shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it. Just don’t say that out loud. And I’m still sending you with someone from my gang.” It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Sing- in fact, he’d go so far as to say that the boy had a little crush on Eiji the way he’d follow him like a duckling. Cain wasn’t a direct issue either; he was honorable, and wouldn’t dare cause problems with his mother in the mix. It just made Ash feel a little better to know that he’ll have a direct line there just in case anything pops off.
Eiji concedes with a pout; he knows that it’ll make Ash feel better. “All right. I promise I’ll be safe, okay?”
“You’d better be,” Ash finishes, kissing the back of Eiji’s hand.
Bring him back unharmed. If he doesn’t come back, you don’t come back.
Kong was one of his most trusted men, and yet Ash issued the subtle threat anyway. It wasn’t personal; he said near the same thing any time one of his gang chaperoned Eiji anywhere. Still, when his phone stayed un-texted over the morning, Ash almost felt petulant. The only message Eiji had sent was a picture of him, Kong, and Sing arriving at the community center, peace signs and bright eyes the only skin visible in their warm bundles.
“Boss, you okay?” He looked over at Alex, who was staring at him with a weird face.
“What’s that face for?” he growls, and Alex holds up his hands in defense.
“You just look a little stressed. I didn’t think the meeting with those rich bozos would upset you that much. You normally put on airs and shit when you talk to them.”
Ash smirks. “‘Airs’? How fancy. Who taught you that one?”
“Fuck you, man,” chuckles Alex. “You know what I mean.”
It’s a fair point. Ash is in full Christopher Winston regalia, glasses sharp and outfit sharper. He’s taken to giving Alex some clothes as well for these meetings, so his friend is unusually put together with his slicked back hair and full black outfit.
“I’m just hoping that Eiji’s volunteering goes okay.” He might as well be honest about it, since Alex has seen how he gets.
“That’s fair. It is pretty important- he’s basically an ambassador for the gang today. Who knew that us, Black Sabbath, and Chinatown would get together over giving away free meals and groceries?” Alex shrugs. “It’s better than the time we had to get you out of the military and mafia’s clutches, I guess.”
Alex might sound blasé, but Ash is fully aware of the dangers of the past. Chinatown was on unstable footing at the moment, with Shorter’s relationship with Yut-Lung tenuous at best and downright disrespectful at worse. His friend is a shrewd gang leader, jovial disposition hiding a ruthless interior. He can only hope that things don’t boil over again.
“Why don’t you just call him? We’re about done here; you can see what he’s doing.”
Ash doesn’t know why it didn’t register the first time. “Alex, you absolute genius.”
“Aren’t you the one with the genius IQ?”
“What does IQ stand for?”
“…Jackass.”
Smug, Ash waits until the ringing stops. Eiji’s picture morphs into his boyfriend’s cheerful face, nose bright red from the cold outside.
“Ash! Oh, and hello Alex!”
“Eiji, are you almost done?”
Alex squeezes into the frame. “Lover boy here misses you!” His face is quickly grabbed and aggressively tossed to the side.
Blushing happily, Eiji nods. “We’re just about done here and will be on our way back home in a few minutes. I’m getting Mrs. Angela’s recipe for chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles; she said that it was in exchange for ‘being such a sweetheart’. See, Ash? Everyone thinks I’m so sweet! Look!”
He moves to allow a cheerful black lady, with her large afro pulled into a pineapple and sporting large pink earmuffs, to squeeze into the camera. He tells her what he said, and she laughs jovially as she kisses him on the cheek.
“Sweet recipes for the second sweetest boy in New York!”
“Who’s the first?” Ash hears Sing mischievously ask over the call, followed by Kong’s cackling.
“¡Mi hijo hermoso!” she shouts proudly. “¿Dónde está mi hijo? ¡Aquí!” The camera pans over to show Cain being pulled down into a barrage of face kisses.
“Sing, damnit! Mama!” Cain pleads, trying not to disrespect his mother but clearly distraught. “Mis amigos están aquí!”
This only leads to more affectionate chastising. Everyone is laughing as Eiji flips the camera back to the front. “I’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Okay.”
With a small finger heart, Eiji hangs up.
“Awww. The look on your face- you are so whipped.”
Ash swivels at the smug tone, rising to leave the meeting place. “Shut up.”
They’ve safely made it inside the car when Alex finally speaks up again. “You know, I was taking my girl to see the lights tonight. You ought to take Eiji. I don’t think there was any time for any of that before.” His voice trails off toward the end, more subdued.
It’s true; Eiji had graciously spent a good chunk of his first holidays in New York inside, missing many if not all of the touristy things that the city had to offer. It wasn’t safe, and frankly, Ash has never had time for the sentimental shit, but… he’ll bring it up to Eiji when they get home.
“Was this your way of asking me for the night off?”
Alex gives him the double finger guns and a wink before pulling off.
Eiji is naturally delighted with the idea, immediately discussing all of the cool lights and decorations he saw on the TV.
“It’ll be better to go at night,” suggests Ash. “More magical.”
“Have you been before?”
Ash grimaces. “Not… in an official capacity. It’s kind of hard to focus on all the beauty of the holidays when you’re worried about the crowds and who might be hiding in them. Not to mention, it’s not exactly like Golzine made time to make sure I had a happy Christmas every year.”
“…Oh. I’m sorry.” When Ash doesn’t reply, just staring blankly at his laptop screen, Eiji walks over and sits on his lap. Mimicking Mrs. Angela, he plants kiss after kiss on Ash’s face until the stoic mask cracks, and Ash is laughing.
“Okay, okay! I get it!”
“I’m sorry that you had such painful experiences during a time that should have been wonderful for you. I would be honored if you would let me take you to see the Christmas decorations and the big tree downtown.”
Eiji looks so determined, and Ash raises an eyebrow. “I’m taking you to see this stuff.”
“Mm, no. Now I’m taking you. We’re both experiencing this first together.”
“You can’t take me to see things in my own city!”
“I can too! I’ll get you a cute stuffed toy and holiday treats and everything.”
Ash knows that Eiji is one stubborn bastard when he wants to be, and he adores that about him. So, he just shrugs it off, waiting to see how it plays out. That night, they make their way into magical lights of Times Square. Eiji brought along his camera to shoot professional pictures of every winter wonderland storefront display, cooing in awe at everything that moved or sparkled. True to his word, Eiji purchases hot chocolate, funnel fries, and gingerbread cookies for Ash to try (the cookies taste amazing, even more so when Eiji feeds it to him). However, it’s when he buys a nutmeg-colored bear with large sparkly green and red bow and shoves it into Ash’s surprised hands that Ash’s world stops for a moment.
“For you! Isn’t he handsome?”
The bear is pleasant and comforting, velvet fur soft enough to rub his face against. Ash smiles softly at the stuffed animal, before raising the expression to a flustered Eiji.
“I love him. Thank you, Eiji.” He looks down at the little bear once more and realizes why the familiar tan fur makes him feel so sentimental. “I think I’ll call him Griff.”
A small whimper lifts his eyes in alarm, but it’s just Eiji covering his mouth, eyes watering with emotion. Finally, he calms down enough to beam at Ash.
“I think it’s lovely to share our first real New York Christmastime with Griff.” Eiji seems to dwell on something, fidgeting with his camera. “Can I- if I could have your permission, can I take a picture of you and Griff?”
It’s a hard ask, Ash’s aversion to pictures well known to Eiji. However, he’s always been softer with Eiji about it, and in return Eiji has taken it upon himself to be more respectful and ask permission every time. Without a word, Ash subtly poses, smiling while holding the paw of the bear. Delighted, Eiji snaps a couple pictures and flips the camera to Ash.
It’s almost straight out of a Hallmark movie poster, the red, green, and gold lights in the background fuzzy orbs, while Ash and little bear Griff are in perfect focus. It’s clear that deep affection is held for whoever is behind the camera, and Ash blushes at the soft look on his face.
“Enough of me being your model for today.” He gently pushes the camera back into Eiji’s hands. “It’s your turn for pictures; you wanted some with the Rockefeller Tree, right? And to go ice skating?”
“Yes. I want to go buy some ornaments to hang up at home as well, so we’ll need to stop inside the stores! And dinner as well! I’m hoping they have some good soups around here; it’s kind of chilly.”
Ash adjusts Eiji’s coat. “It’s 25 degrees Fahrenheit; it’s more than chilly. But New Yorkers are a different breed, and tourists like you like to brave it for the aesthetic.”
“I am no longer a tourist, as long as I have been here!” Eiji squawks when Ash squeezes his nose.
“Whatever you say, Rudolph. You’re adorable, really.”
Eiji’s red nose quickly became a sign of a larger problem, painful hacking coughs a giveaway. Ash, who’d crept out for some business earlier in the morning, returned to a gigantic sweat spot in the bed, a shivering Eiji whimpering as he rolled around in his sleep.
“Eiji? Eiji, wake up.”
“Hmmm?”
“I ran you a bath. Come on, get up.”
He hauls a burning hot Eiji to the tub, making sure he was settled in enough to not drown momentarily while Ash changed the sheets. He’d only been teasing Eiji about the temperature, but he didn’t think that Eiji would actually succumb to the weather. It was probably his fault; he’d been so enamored of Eiji’s joy and his own new wonder at the festivities that they’d been out much longer than Ash had anticipated.
Once Eiji is dried off and placed into fresh covers, Ash pops a thermometer into his mouth.
“101. Ouch. I’ll grab you some medicine and tea, okay?”
“Kay.”
While he makes the Alka-Seltzer and steeps the lemon ginger tea, he lifts his phone to text Alex and Shorter.
at home today
E’s got a fever
Lmk what business comes up
Alex is seemingly to the point with his response, as always appreciated.
Got it
Will let relevant ppl know
Meanwhile, Shorter always makes time to be a dramatic bastard.
not my Eiji!
Did you give him some soup?
he loves soup!
Ill ask jiejie to make something
Im omw!
Then two minutes later-
Sings coming with
Theres no stoppin him
You let his MCM get sick?! The audacity!
Annoyed, Ash takes both cups into the room and places them on the side table.
“Drink.”
Eiji sits and obediently drinks the medicine, gagging at the taste of the dissolved pellets. Once he’s finished, Ash takes the cup and lays the back of his hand on Eiji’s forehead.
Eiji laughs. “You just took my temperature, Ash,” he rasps. “It’s not going to change in fifteen minutes.”
“I’m just checking! Unfortunately, you’re going to have some guests who can’t take a hint to leave us alone.” When Eiji cocks his head, Ash huffs. “Shorter and Sing are on their way. On the bright side, you’re probably going to get some of Nadia’s spicy chicken soup. If you’re stuffed up, you won’t be for long.”
“I don’t know if I can have much on my stomach,” Eiji replies softly, politely dodging the real issue, and it absolutely pulls at Ash’s heartstrings. He leans in, squeezing Eiji’s hand.
“If you want me to kick them out, just say the word. I won’t even let them in if you don’t want to see them.”
With a soft headbutt, Eiji confirms that he understands.
“I’ll get my mask. Could I get some more blankets? I’m freezing now.”
Fifteen minutes later, Shorter and Sing arrive like a tidal wave, blowing their way into a perfectly swaddled Eiji’s presence. With a scowl, Sing shoves the bag into Ash’s hands along with handwritten notes from Nadia on how to warm it up. Shorter’s immediately at Eiji’s bedside, teasingly demanding to know why Ash had ‘left him outside to freeze to death’. Ever the diplomat, Eiji fields all his questions.
Another knock on the door is revealed to be a worried Alex, Bones, and Kong, holding Walgreens bags with more medicine and Eiji’s favorite types of Pocky.
“Heard the lil’ guy was sick,” Bones explains, “so we brought him things he liked!”
Ash turns to Alex with a suspicious scowl, and Alex grins sheepishly.
“Sorry. They cared.” As if he wasn’t one of the ‘they’. “All business was handled first.”
Sighing, Ash moves out of the way and allows them to scoot inside. His damn bedroom is starting to sound like a party, and he’s sure this can’t be good for Eiji’s illness, but it always makes Eiji happy to see everyone so… a little while only.
He’s just got the soup ready to feed Eiji, and is about to kick everyone out, when his phone rings. Facetime? From Cain?
“What’s up?”
“Heard my boy Eiji was sick. Put him on.”
Ash places the phone on the tray and walks the whole thing into the bedroom. Demanding people get the hell out of his way, he puts the tray on Eiji’s lap and gently hands him the phone.
“Cain! Hello!”
For a couple minutes they all speak over the call, Cain saying something about buying Saltine crackers and ginger-ale for his weak stomach- Vernors, naturally, because Seagram’s and Canada Dry ‘are ass and won’t do a damn thing for you’. Everyone is laughing when Eiji begins to cough a little too hard for Ash’s taste.
“Okay, that’s enough- Eiji’s sick and tired, and so am I! Everybody get the fuck out of my house!” He sounds entirely too happy to do this (and he is, he’s got nothing to be ashamed of!) and Shorter specifically bemoans this fate as he’s literally hauled out the front door.
“Don’t let him get sick again,” Sing demands, narrowing his eyes at Ash before stomping out. Ash scoffs, ruffling Sing’s hair without a word. His own gang leaves easily, familiar with the tone he’s taking, and Cain hangs up on the call with a slick goodbye.
It’s only when Ash closes the bedroom door that both he and Eiji release a tired sigh.
“I told you to tell me when you wanted them out,” Ash says, laying on the bed next to Eiji.
“It was only a fifteen-minute visit. Shorter and Sing came so far, I wouldn’t send them away that quickly.”
Then they shouldn’t have come, Ash thinks possessively. “Eat your soup.”
Eiji only gets through half of the savory broth before he feels overly full, and Ash is quick to remove it. He’s hovering; he knows he is, but he can’t help it. He hates when Eiji doesn’t feel good- he gets this pale, sickly sheen to him, reminds Ash of a worse time in the hospital... His agitation is obvious, and Eiji patiently sighs.
“Come here, Aslan,” he softly commands. Pouting, Ash snuggles into Eiji’s arms. “You look so worried. I’m okay, it’s just a cold.”
“I’m not worried.”
“Mkay. Sure.”
“Just hurry up and get better so you can keep those idiots out of my house. You’ll probably get us all sick.”
“Mm, idiots can’t catch colds. You’ll all be fine.”
Offended, Ash lifts his head to glare down at Eiji, whose serenely closed eyes belie the mischievous curve to his lips. Before he can say anything, he watches in real time as that curve dips into true sleep, and he decides his revenge can wait, leaving a kiss on his forehead.
“Oh, onii-chan, I’m such an idiot. I can’t seem to crack these eggs open without getting shells in the mix!”
The teasing, sarcastic woe alongside the dramatic arm to forehead gets exactly the response Ash is looking for, as Eiji narrows his eyes and scoffs. At least three large eggs have been smashed directly onto the island counter, leaving the counter, Ash’s hand, and Eiji’s nerves a mess.
“You are petty!” Eiji cries, waving a wooden spoon for Ash to neatly dodge. “I made one statement, and it has been three days!”
Eiji’s fever had passed relatively quickly, so much that Ash had finally okayed him to get out of bed after a couple days. Elated, the first thing he wanted to do was put up all the pretty decorations he purchased. It was supposed to be romantic! However, he’d quickly concluded that Ash had a concussion or another sort of head injury the way he randomly dropped lights, plastic ornaments, and fake gift boxes. The clumsiness was so unlike him that Eiji even suggested that they go to urgent care. And that damned Ash, he’d let Eiji check all over his head and face for fear of bruising! But then, just as Ash had suavely deflected yet another of his worries, a knock on the door revealed that they’d been invited to a holiday party by their neighbor downstairs. It was timely, and Eiji was excited to work on the new cookie recipes.
And then, as he turned to Ash with the fun news, he watched a wicked, Grinch-like grin unfold on the blonde’s face.
Oh no. “Ash?”
Ash dramatically sighed, leaning against the couch.
“I just, I don’t know about helping you with the cookies. See, I’m such an idiot, onii-chan. You’ll have to be there for me to make sure I do things correctly.”
Eiji’s lips had stuttered before dropping with offense. “An ‘idiot’- that’s what this has been about? You ass!” He lightly chucks an empty cardboard box at Ash, who blithely sidesteps it. “I thought you had brain damage!”
Ash had cackled at his response, but then helped him decorate properly.
He thought Ash had let it go. He hadn’t. Now he wasn’t sure how long he was going to last- Ash was the king of the long game, and he a mere amateur.
“You’ll just have to crack the eggs for me. I can’t seem to manage.”
Pouting, Eiji snatches the oddly light egg carton away from Ash, only to see that all the necessary eggs have been removed. Blinking, he looks into the bowl to see eggs perfectly cracked into the butter, shortening, and sugar mixture. His eyes narrow even further in accusation, and Ash smirks to the side.
“I think you’re right, there’s an eggshell in there,” Eiji taunts, putting the eggs down. “I’ve made the mix for the flour, baking soda and salt. Please put in the cream of tartar in that mix, then turn on the mixer. That should be it for the snickerdoodle mix- Ash!”
Ash waves the bag of chocolate chips treacherously over the snickerdoodle mix, precise enough to tip a single morsel onto the side of the glass bowl.
“Are you sure this isn’t the chocolate chip mix?”
“I- it might not taste too awful, but- no!”
Shrugging nonchalantly, Ash puts down the bag, and lifts the single morsel to his lips. Eiji feels his skin sear as Ash stares right into his eyes and wraps his tongue around the chocolate, before going about his work. Eiji stands there and watches, before he takes the flour bag and starts pouring some onto a pan.
“You’re going to give me a heart attack,” he mutters petulantly, followed by a squeak when Ash quickly reaches a dough covered hand towards him. Things get worse when, in his surprise, he drops the heavy flour bag onto the sheet pan that had been halfway off of the counter.
Ash, the slick bastard, manages to step back just in time, expression horrified as a frozen Eiji is covered head to toe in flour. The pan clatters to the floor.
“…Eiji? Eiji? Are you all right?” The humor drains from Ash’s voice as fast as the blood from his face when Eiji stiffly turns to him and frostily smiles. Ash feels something slimy sliding down his apron; touching it, he realizes that it’s egg yolk.
“To fit your new attitude adjustment.” Eiji then turns and calmly breezes out the room, managing to ooze confidence and fury as flour dusts from his shoulders.
30-minute-long shower and new clothes later, Eiji has calmed down to the point of guilt. It wasn’t fair at all for him to get that upset at Ash; it wasn’t him who placed the pan so precariously on the counter. It was just some eggs and flour; all things that are easily replaceable and easy to clean. He’s just being too serious about things. All that earlier confidence and anger is gone as he creeps his way back toward the kitchen, the left-over embarrassment searing in the blood in his cheeks.
“Um… Ash? Are you okay? I’m sorry for earlier-”
He stops, stunned.
How?
A wave of warm vanilla sweetness from the oven hits him the moment he steps in the doorway, instantly calming. The kitchen has been cleaned, no sign of flour anywhere. Ash moves towards him, slowly yet openly, as if he’s approaching an angry animal. His eyes are downcast, cheeks flushed with exertion and nerves.
“Did… did you finish the cookies?” Eiji asks, eyes watering. Biting his lip, Ash nods jerkily. Delighted, Eiji rushes into his arms, squeezing tight.
“I’m sorry for getting upset with you, and I’m so sorry about throwing an egg at your face!” He can’t bow any lower in Ash’s arms, but he bows his head into Ash’s chest. “It wasn’t that serious, and I was wrong for taking my frustrations out on you. Thank you so much for finishing and cleaning up! I will do what I can to make up for this!”
Ash relaxes into Eiji’s arms. “Thank you for the apology. I’m assuming this idiot is all forgiven?”
“Yes. Please go back to my insufferably smart Ash, or I don’t know what I’ll do.”
“I don’t know either. I’ve seen some scary things, but seeing you melodramatically sweep out of the room like Elsa and her snow powers really struck a nerve.”
Eiji is going to give him that one and ‘let it go’, especially since that the cookies turn out delightful in the end.
“Eiji- Eiji, no, damnit, this- stop making me laugh, come this way!”
A tipsy, red-faced Eiji cackles as he lumbers ahead of Ash down the hall toward the stairs, the opposite direction of the elevator. Despite Ash’s shenanigans, the cookies turned out to be a hit with the party attendees, and in celebration, Eiji and Ash had been plied with alcoholic drinks. Ash refused most of them, nursing one glass of red wine most of the night. He might be relaxed enough these days to attend a harmless holiday party, but he’d never feel comfortable enough anywhere in public to get drunk.
Eiji, delighted, had politely accepted four drinks until Ash finally stepped in. It was hilarious really; as brave as his lover was in the face of danger, something as simple as refusing a drink from pushy housewives was too much for him.
“Eiji, I don’t trust you making it up the stairs. This way.”
“<So rude! I’m coming!>”
Eiji stumbles into Ash’s side, giggling as his hands grasp onto Ash’s cardigan. He manages to get Eiji all the way to and inside the elevator, pushing the floor one level up. It seems like things are going to be uneventful as Ash unlocks the door until Eiji pauses once more, leafing through his sweater.
“Oh shit- Eiji, please don’t undress outside the apartment,” Ash quickly yanks Eiji inside the dark apartment, flushing. “Geez, are you that drunk?” He was sporting two really bright red splotches on his cheeks, but he wasn’t showing any other signs beyond a buzz.
Eiji groans in frustration. “I’m not undressing, Ash. I am trying- trying to find- this!” Held aloft proudly like treasure from a video game, the fake sprig of mistletoe gleams from the small twinkling Christmas lights.
“All right?”
Smacking his lips, Eiji waves the mistletoe in the air impatiently. “They said that you stand under the mistletoe in the doorway for a kiss!”
Oh my god he’s so fucking cute. Biting his lip to squash his laughter, Ash wraps an arm around Eiji’s waist and pulls them flush. With the other arm, he brings the mistletoe a little over their heads.
“It doesn’t always have to be in the front doorway, they were just saying that it’s an easy place to hang it.”
“Ohhh. Hm.”
Smiling, Ash brings their lips close together, just enough for a tempting sweep of the tongue, and nothing more. “So, is there something you wanted?”
Standing on his tiptoes, Eiji snatches the mistletoe, moving further inside to lean against the couch. He places it over his head once more, eyes desirous.
“Whatever you are willing to give, Aslan.”
The thing is, Ash knows in spite of his amateur flirting, Eiji is one hundred percent genuine. If Ash were to say ‘no’, Eiji would toss the fake plant somewhere across the room never to be seen again. Knowing that he has the choice, even for something as silly as this, always leaves him feeling respected and important.
And also very, very willing.
Placing his hands on the couch, he locks Eiji in for a warm kiss. It’s slow, Ash languidly moving his tongue in ways that he knows Eiji likes, satisfied when the plant hits the floor as Eiji wraps his arms around his neck. The small bite to Eiji’s bottom lip elicits a small whimper, and he grins.
“More?” Ash croons, shifting his hips to pin a shuddering Eiji even more. Eiji, fighting to prevent lust and drink from clouding his judgment, looks to make sure Ash means it. “I’m okay, Eiji.”
“Okay,” Eiji sighs, assuaged. “Yes, more, <please>.”
The multi-colored lights from the Christmas tree glow around their outlines in the night-dark room as Ash lays Eiji down against the couch, kneeling over him to bring him into another intense kiss. His hands move feverishly as he pulls off Eiji’s shirt, moving down to lavish the tan skin with his tongue. Ash’s rush only slows when he reaches the small, round scar, and he thumbs over it gently. He leaves a small kiss as an offering, grateful for the blessing of Eiji’s life.
“Aslan?”
Shaking his head, Ash moves back and tosses his own shirt off, allowing Eiji access to his own near-fatal scar.
“<Beautiful>,” Eiji whispers, beaming. “I am so happy that you are here to accept my love.”
Overwhelmed with happiness, Ash leans down to suck at Eiji’s neck while trying to slide off Eiji’s soft cotton pants. It’s only when he’s chucking off his own jeans that he realizes what he’s missing. He pauses when two gold foil packets wave in front of his eyes. Astonished, Ash looks down at a pink faced Eiji, hickey already blooming beautifully at the crevice between the neck and collarbone.
“You’ve thought about this,” he teases, but he’s quick to tear the foil with his teeth and roll it onto himself. He hisses with the sensitivity.
“<Hurry up>,” Eiji moans, back arching as Ash runs a tempting finger from his groin to his tip. Ash complies with the command, rolling the condom on him and stroking for good measure.
“What else have you thought about,” he asks, now so lasciviously close in Eiji’s ear that Eiji squirms, wrapping his legs around Ash’s back. Eiji rolls his hips, drinking in Ash’s quiet, vulnerable moan to the sensation.
“<This>,” he breathes. “You. I don’t need anything else right now.”
A shower and some hot tea later, Ash joins Eiji next to the wide windows as he looks out to the falling snow.
“I got us a new blanket,” Ash teases gently. “Isn’t it so nice to be in a warm, non-sweat soaked blanket?”
Earlier, panting heavily from orgasm, Ash had begun to shiver. Ever considerate, Eiji had thrown the first blanket he could find onto Ash- the one that he’d sweat straight through.
“I was trying to help you.”
“It was like wearing a full body wet sock.”
“Well, if you didn’t want me to be sweaty, you should not have kept me in that position for so long,” Eiji retorts, flicking Ash in the nose.
“You say that like you didn’t beg. Oh, yes, Aslan,” Ash silkily purrs, wrapping an arm around Eiji’s waist. “Right there, fuck, hold me tighter-” He’s only teasing; if he doesn’t, he’ll have to admit that hearing his own damn name like that left him harder than a rock as he drove Eiji into the couch like a madman.
The vulgar reminder of his words is entirely too smooth, and an embarrassed Eiji places a hand over Ash’s mouth, scoffing when it’s kissed.
A couple quiet moments later, Eiji speaks. “I was actually thinking about something. Just down there, that was Golzine’s office.”
It’s not a pleasant train of thought, and Ash lays his head in the crook of Eiji’s neck. He doesn’t have to look to know exactly where Eiji was staring.
“No matter how many times I stared out these windows, I could never seem to forget that there was a threat nearby. And then, after Blanca, well- I didn’t feel very safe near them at all, but I didn’t want you to think that I was weak. So, I said nothing. But despite the vastness of these windows, this wide view, it still felt like a cage. And from in here, all I could do was worry about how everyone in the world was coming for you and I couldn’t do anything about it on my own.”
Guilt settles in Ash’s stomach, and he’s queasy as he goes to speak. “Eiji-”
“Hold on, please. I say all that to say, I don’t feel that way anymore. Look, Aslan- it’s our first Christmas where I can look out these windows and the only thing out there is the beautiful snow. There’s nothing trying to claw its way inside our safe place. I’m still here, you’re still here, and I’m really grateful for that.”
The snow blowing outside of the window is incredibly blurry to Ash, only alleviated when Eiji turns in his embrace to thumb away the tears in his eyes.
“Merry Christmas, Aslan. <I love you.>”
Eiji giggles when Ash shoves his head into his shoulder. But then he feels fast-paced speaking that he can’t quite understand.
“What?”
Ash lifts his head and pouts toward the window, face flushed. “IsaidIgotyouticketstoIzumo.”
Stunned, Eiji turns in Ash’s embrace. Flustered, Ash pulls away to grab a small, wrapped present, shoving it into his hands.
“Well,” continues Ash, flustered. “I figured you haven’t been home in a while, and so I just thought that maybe… maybe you’d want to go for Christmas. Your sister probably misses you a lot, too. I know if I had a home to go to for the holidays, and if you were somewhere where I wasn’t, I’d want to go.”
Tears welling up, Eiji holds Ash’s face in his hands. “You consider me home?”
“Yes, but- ah! Enough with that, that wasn’t the point! The tickets were the gift!” Ash wavers, biting his lip before inhaling deeply. “And, if you wanted… I’ll come with you.”
Beaming, Eiji draws Ash in for a slow kiss, and Ash obliges, knowing what he really wants to say is right there on the tip of his tongue.
“So, is there something you wanted?” Eiji whispers, gently bringing Ash’s gaze forward with his own words.
Unable to turn away from Eiji’s molten brown eyes, Ash exhales. “Yes. I’d like to come to Izumo with you.”
There’s something else he knows Eiji wants, more than anything else. Something he wants to give, more than anything else.
Ash can do this; he knows he can.
One more deep inhale.
“Eiji?”
“Yes?”
“I love you, Eiji. <I love you.>”