#just gotta settle for the mona-zenigata lisa omamori

[dnangelic]

@zenigatakeibu asked: “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!” Zenigata beams. He’s in rather high spirits, a rare sight these days, though that may just be the sake talking. Judging by the way he sways, it seems he’s already helped himself to more than his fair share… Not that anyone would blame him. A ‘little’ something to help take the edge off. An inspector’s work is never done after all, not even on holidays. “HA–!” He drops like a gymnast to Daisuke’s height– a squat so fast it’s a wonder he doesn’t collapse– holding a pochibukuro in front of his face. The envelope is bound in red and white mizuhiki cord; inside sits a generous ¥10,000. From uncle to nephew. “For you, kid,” Zenigata’s smile softens. He offers it out with both hands. “Don’t spend it all in one place, hm?”

' ah ! zeni-sa --- ack . augh ... ' wow , that was strong . the stench of alcohol hits him in a massive wave , and he can only shut his eyes and plug his nose for a moment . how many cups , bottles , and barrels did it take to get someone as huge as intimidating as zenigata drunk ? he tries not to imagine it , else he'd likewise start to worry about the inspector's liver , but it was new years after all --- wasn't it ?

if anything , it was nice to see the other looking so carefree . although he's managed to preserve the upturned corners of his smile for the other , the boy's just as unprepared for zenigata's earth-shaking , world-class squat . unsure of whether it was from the force of magnitude of the inspector's sheer bulk or his own typical skittishness , daisuke nevertheless swears that his feet have lifted into the air for just a single miraculous moment .

any more intense , and he'd think that the other had drunkenly mistaken him for a sumo wrestling opponent . instead --- a pochibukuro juts out into the space right in front of his nose , practically pushing him stiff backwards . eyes widen ; gleam and glimmer with innocent wonder at first sight of the gift , but if there's any gasp that audibly escapes him , he's quick to try to cover it .

' w-wait , for --- me ?! are you sure you don't have the wrong person ?! '

wasn't this just too much ? daisuke would have never wheedled the other for funds or personal fortune . it wasn't as if they were even blood related , and even then --- well , it might have been a little arrogant to even think , but he was sure that an inspector's mundane pay would never be able to match the wanton , burgled fortune of a phantom thief .

even so , that was nothing that he could ever confess --- and he couldn't possibly deprive zenigata of a considerate act like this either ! who could decline an envelope that had been so readily prepared and delivered ? just imagining the other's drunken smile potentially turning into a sobered-up frown would mean that he had left them both nothing more than broken hearts and a chilly night .

if anything , knowing the sorts of troubles that might have waited ahead of them ... daisuke desperately wanted to give them both a good start .

' u-um , well , i --- ! ' his head bows , and his body bends to double him over in an instant . he prays that the other can't see the guilty sweat and tremble of his palms as he timidly accepts . ' if you're sure , then ... t-thank you , zeni-san . you really didn't have to do this ... ' how much was in it ? hopefully not too much , right ?

at least there was some convenience to the instance . when his hands fumble through a pant-pocket , he hurriedly retrieves a new year's present of his own . ' actually , i was going to go out and find you ... ' it's a little ironic , being found first , but maybe that's just how things were meant to be . back straightens , and a hand rubs at the nape of his neck as he bashfully laughs a little . ' i really --- wanted to give you this . '

it's a wooden omamori , flat tied and and hand-painted by none other than the boy himself . on the front , the inspector had been carefully depicted : dashing and determined , broad-shouldered frame easily fitting into the edges of the charm . on the back , its presumable purpose : good health and protection .

' zeni-san , um ... i'm sure there are times where your job is dangerous , or stressful , but --- i think that you're always trying to keep people safe . i've always felt safe around you , and that's why ... um --- m-me too , i ... i want you to be safe . ' from the bottom of his heart : the burning lump starting to pound furiously , forcefully in his chest already . ' i know that i'm still young , and there probably isn't anything else that i could do for you , but i was still hoping that you'd accept it . '

it's a trade he tries to make quickly . tucking zenigata's envelope away , he presses his own gift into the other's grasp --- before dashing away , whether or not the other wanted him to wait for a return of gratitude . feeling the heat of his curse , quick to tuck himself away into someplace where he wouldn't be witnessed , or recognized ...

... as always , it was impossible to smother the force of his desire .

were it not for his curse and family inheritance --- he might have flung himself at the inspector in an instant , and clung to the man for as long a time as his thrumming heart felt necessary to express its care . instead , praying that zenigata didn't think of him any more poorly , or an outright rotten child for running , he'd settle for clutching at the man's gift envelope --- carefully considering both budget and every brand new , new year story to tell to make up for things .

forget touch ; he'd listen carefully .

soon enough , he'd share with the other how he had spent little by little in all sorts of places --- a happiness nurtured , and blissfully shared , for as long as zenigata too remained in good health and high spirits .

--- may both of their wishes have come true .