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merryfortune · 1 year ago

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Mistletoe Memento

Written for the Winter Holiday Bingo

Prompts provided by @sweetspicybingo

Prompt: Mistletoe

Title: Mistletoe Memento

Ship: Hotdogshipping | Shoichi/Yusaku

Fandom: Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

Rating: T

Word Count: 2,051

Warnings: None

Tags: Age Difference, Fluff, First Kiss, Christmas

“Oh, did you put that up?” Yusaku asked, blinking.

Normally, he would have started this conversation with a “Hello, how are you?” but seeing the teeny tiny anomaly pinned, with a shiny red ribbon, to Shoichi’s food truck was enough to shock out even Yusaku’s most common decencies.

“Kind of.” Shoichi replied as he leaned out over the counter to greet Yusaku. “I hung it up, yes, but I didn’t buy it or anything. Some girl from the visitor information centre was going around and handing out mistletoe as a tourist promotion. She was giving it out to any business who’d give her the time of day.”

“That’s… nice?” Yusaku guessed.

“Yeah.” Shoichi agreed, equally as half-heartedly. Then made more conversation as he pushed a damp rag over his counter, pretending to do work. “Honestly, I just said yes because I felt bad for her. I saw her get turned around from two different places across the plaza.”

“That’s nice of you.” Yusaku agreed.

“I try.” Shoichi guessed. “Like, I dunno if eating hot dogs is an overly romantic thing to do on a date but hey. It looks nice and in the spirit of things.”

“Yeah.” Yusaku murmured.

Then, with that, the usual course of their platitudes resumed. They asked each other about their day, half yelling at one another as Yusaku came around the side of the van. His shift was about to begin and it basically began as soon as he stowed his school bag to the side.

He put on his apron over his school uniform and that was that. They put all chatter aside in taking orders, of which they began to pick up. Lots of people were out and about despite the chilly, December weather. It was absolutely going to snow later, they could all feel it in the air and in their bones. There was simply that cool shimmer and a dark cloud that prophesied it.

Now, despite hot dogs not being the most romantic food to pair with a date, the mistletoe still attracted plenty of attention as Shoichi and Yusaku took their sales. It was oddly to see, between the singles and the fries, the occasional couple who saw the sprig of mistletoe conjoined to the truck and taking full advantage. It was truly in the mood of how much of a couples’ holiday Christmas was.

Even if Christmas wasn’t until tomorrow.

As the afternoon wore on, turning into the evening and then night, Yusaku was thoroughly exhausted by the end of it. Easily one of the busiest periods he had ever worked. He didn’t envy Shoichi who had been manning the stations all day by himself. The till was practically bursting at the seams and they were out of their most common toppings, too, like cheese and onions. It was impressive how much the crowd had eaten and that made the turn all the more jarring when a cast of thousands turned into a cast of none.

It was a bit after eleven when the crowd had thinned and didn’t seem likely to pick up again. Shoichi doubted that the clubs were going to be popping much on Christmas Eve and he could typically bet on drunk people wanting hot dogs after singing, dancing, and drinking the night away but probably not tonight. So, he gave the signal for him and Yusaku could pack it up.

“I’ll drive you home Yusaku.” Shoichi said.

“Thanks, Kusanagi-san.” Yusaku said.

They brought the awning down and turned the grille off. The weather, after so long of staying steady, began to powder just as Shoichi battened down the last hatch. He encouraged Yusaku into the front of the van where Shoichi blasted the heater and Yusaku sat happily in the front seat with him. They drove off and into a light, glittering snow, no less.

Shoichi drove safely through slow traffic. It was pretty congested and so, he and Yusaku got through quite a few songs on the radio together - and some adverts, too. It was the usual mix of top forty pop songs with some carols mixed in. The former was Shoichi’s jam, Yusaku wasn’t a music person but he liked to see Shoichi enjoy himself as he made like a dag and sang out loud to the radio, belting it out.

Cheerful company really did shorten the miles. Not that Yusaku’s apartment was all that far away to begin with. It was walking distance except when it snowed.

“We’re here.” Shoichi said.

He parked out front in the kerbside. A small pile of snow crunched underneath the wheel of the van. Outside Yusaku’s flat, Ai had turned on the porch light ahead of time. The light twinkled a soft yellow. Shoichi used the auto function in his console to open the door on the passenger side for Yusaku but used the handle for himself. They disembarked together.

“Brr, it's cold when the heater’s not on.” Yusaku complained as he stepped outside the van with Shoichi.

“You stay rugged up, yeah?” Shoichi said.

“I will. Promise.” Yusaku said.

They hovered awkwardly at the front of the van and something caught Yusaku’s eye. It was sleek and shiny and red. The ribbon. It was still plastered to the side of the van and Shoichi turned his head to meet where Yusaku was staring - albeit caught off guard.

“Oh, uh, the mistletoe. It's still there.” Shoichi said. “I’d forgotten all about it.”

He sounded like he was lying. Not out of malice, merely nonchalant. Like he was just trying to make things less awkward. Only thing was, it wasn’t working. They had both copped more than above average number of kisses today from different couples amid the sea of the general public. On the forehead, on the cheek, on the lips. The mistletoe had been a hit and it would be lying to say otherwise.

“And we’re both standing under it.” Yusaku pointed out.

“Next to it, more like.” Shoichi said.

“It's tradition, you know.” Yusaku said.

“Yes, Yusaku, I know.” Shoichi retorted.

He sounded huffy but that didn’t fetter Yusaku. His eyes were uniquely and unusually naive. Hopeful.

“Please.” Yusaku quietly insisted.

“Only because it's tradition.” Shoichi said.

Though only because it was tradition felt - and looked - like a whole lot more. They both knew that there was a budding, mutual attraction between each other. Like a spear and shield, like the best of friends, or even like tomato sauce on a frankfurter, they went together perfectly.

Yusaku placed one hand on Shoichi’s breast and his other was enveloped by Shoichi’s palm. It was guided to Shoichi’s hip and for a moment, they were in a pause like a position zero in a dance. It was awkward. Yet it was oh so sweet.

Yusaku had to go on his tip-toes, just slightly and Shoichi held his hand firmer. They were all on their lovely lonesome on the street corner, just the streetlamp and the mistletoe to observe as they inched closer and closer until finally. They kissed,

The cold swirled around them with the beautiful snowdrift. The light twinkled behind them and it was utterly cliche but it truly was magical. It was everything that they had both dreamed for longer than they should have that it would be. Neither could deny the mutual pining between them, soft and ever present but always unspoken.

Every wrong making a right as they kissed. He was too young, he was too old, they were just acquaintances brought together by something horrible and yet. The feelings that they had for one another that existed in the negative space between the sharp edges of their entwined pasts were precious and irreplaceable.

The feel of Yusaku's lips, the scratch of Shoichi’s beard. Little, tiny sensations by the thousands all built up to make six seconds feel like they could last an eternity. It was their first kiss, as a couple, not that they were but for now it felt as though were, and Yusaku’s first kiss as an individual and to him, what a wonderful kiss it was.

He relished every sensation. The feeling of Shoichi’s breath and the way his own hitched as he marvelled in these precious six seconds of the kiss. His heart didn’t race but Yusaku became all too aware of it as he felt the throb of Shoichi’s pulse in his lips as they shared in this mutual intimacy.

It was almost regretful but they did break it off. Tradition didn’t state how long the kiss had to last and they both knew that if it lasted any longer, it would be inadvisable. Yet, Shoichi didn’t let go of Yusaku’s hand that had been on his hip as it slipped back. So, together, they stood on the street’s corner holding hands.

“Sleep tight tonight, Yusaku.” Shoichi said. “Stay warm. And I’ll see you in the new year, yeah?”

“Yeah…” Yusaku murmured.

Shoichi squeezed Yusaku's hand and then finally let go. Yusaku nodded and he was already going to miss the sensation - the weight and the warmth - of Shoichi’s hand on his own. He stepped aside awkwardly and Shoichi glanced at the mistletoe.

“Do you want to keep it?” Shoichi asked as he reached for it.

His fingers grazed the shiny, red ribbon, he played with the dangles and traced along the shape of the tiny, white bulbs that made up the flower of the mistletoe. It looked cheap because of its mass-made origins and oddly out of place against the off-yellow of the truck’s outer shell but there was such fondness in his voice for it.

“Like a memento?” Yusaku asked.

“Yeah, like a memento.” Shoichi replied.

“I’d like that.” Yusaku said.

“I’m glad.” Shoichi murmured.

The mistletoe had been sticky-taped in place, of all things, with a scrunched up bundle behind the main head of the flower. He gently coaxed it off the truck and then tore off the sticky tape. Shoichi took these small actions purposefully and then met Yusaku’s eyes before entrusting him with the little souvenir of a tradition.

“Thanks.” Yusaku said as he covered it with his fingers, wanting to hide it and squirrel it away.

“You enjoy the holidays, yeah, enjoy some days off from school and work, you hear.” Shoichi said.

Yusaku nodded and made a small noise. He wasn’t sure how much enjoyment he would get from pining for Shoichi but they had different schedules. Different family commitments. That sort of thing.

“Okay, now get inside already, don’t wait for me and don’t catch your death either.” Shoichi worried for him.

“Alright, alright, see you later, Ku-Kusanagi-san.” Yusaku said and his voice cracked as he spoke his most valued companion’s name. Not in a bad way, just a teenage boy way.

Shoichi chuckled at his expense and the cold wind blew. It hurried them both along as the idea of lingering toyed with them. It was awkward and bittersweet but that’s just how saying goodbye - even temporarily - went as they turned their backs on one another.

Yusaku heard the kerchunk of the truck's door opening and his heart leapt to his throat. Now or never. It wasn't as good as an I love you or a confession but the words that got caught in his throat were just as good to release his feelings. His chest felt tight as his lips quirked into an unnatural position: a smile. A genuine and whole-hearted smile that was ear to ear and had his eyes crinkling.

Yusaku quickly twisted around and with a rosy face, he announced, "Merry Christmas, Shoichi. See you next year."

Shoichi smiled and gave him a signal through the glass that he had been heard loud and clear. That's all Yusaku needed to be happy. More than happy, even, beyond happy. He then faced forward and heard the engine rumble, he opened the door where Ai and Roboppi greeted him. Shoichi drove off so he could return home to Jin.

The tradition of the mistletoe was a secret for only them. He held onto the mistletoe a little tighter in secret, cherishing the feeling of the leaves and stem digging into his palm. But maybe next Christmas, when Yusaku was just that tiny bit older, it wouldn't be just tradition when they kissed by the mistletoe.

#yugioh #yugioh vrains #vrains #hotdogshipping #sweet and spicy bingo #writing tag #Christmas #Mistletoe Memento #fujiki yusaku #kusanagi shouichi #kusanagi shoichi #age gap cw #long post

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tarashima · 12 days ago

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I absolutely adored it, thank you thank you thank you. Please let this be the start of more Ina-fics, there's a severe lack of those in the world ❤️❤️❤️

The Neko Christmas Miracle

Pairing: Shoichi Kusanagi x Ryoken Kogami

Summary: It’s Christmas time and Kusanagi is taking Ryoken out on a very special date. He hopes things go as planned and that Ryoken will have a miraculous time with a couple of fluffy little helpers.

Merry Christmas @tarashima! I’m your Secret Santa in our Discord server.

I went all out on this present. It’s both art and a fanfic. This is the first time I made a fanfic so I hope you like it.

It was a cold day in Den City, with temperatures reaching freezing and snow blanketing the streets. Appropriate weather for Christmas time and to spend it with loved ones. Normally Kusanagi would spend his holidays with his younger brother Jin, but this year, he’s doing something different. Wanting Jin to get used to civilian life again after the ordeal with Bohman, Kusanagi arranged for Jin to spend time with Yusaku and Takeru for the holidays. It was for the best; Jin needed to create new joyful memories and the best way to do that was to spend time with friends and Kusanagi knows that Yusaku and Takeru are up to the task to make it happen. With Jin taken care of, Kusanagi can now focus on the person sitting right next to him in the passenger seat in his hotdog truck - Ryoken.

“Alright, where is this special place you wanted to show me,” Ryoken asked.

“You’ll see when we get there. If I told you now, that would ruin the surprise,” Kusanagi answered. Kusanagi was driving and he was close to the destination at hand.

“Hoh, a surprise you say? Now I’m really interested to see where we’re going,” Ryoken responded.

Kusanagi slightly shuddered when he hear Ryoken say that. He quickly calmed himself down when he realized he was still driving. At first, Kusanagi thought that Yusaku and the others were exaggerating about Ryoken’s voice having a certain hold on them, but after spending some time with the young man himself, Kusanagi too found himself enchanted by that voice.

As soon as he relaxed, Kusanagi quickly pulled into the parking lot of the establishment he wanted to take Ryoken to.

You can do this Shoichi. It’s now or never. Kusanagi thought.

This date had to go smoothly. With Yusaku’s help, Kusanagi asked Spectre various questions about what Ryoken liked and wanted feedback on ideas he thought would be best. Kusanagi always wondered why Spectre went by his avatar name and never hid real name, but from what Yusaku told him, that is something Spectre would reveal to only those who he felt he can truly trust. Since Yusaku has an understanding with Spectre on account of their shared past experiences, it was easy for him to act as a mediator for the two men, and eventually the plan for the date was established.

“Alright, we’re here,” Kusanagi said, “now let’s inside before the snow starts to pick up again and we end up like snowmen.”

“Was that an attempt at joking?” Ryoken asked. “It sounds a bit cheesy.”

“You’re right. Sorry about that. Hehehe.”

Kusanagi couldn’t help but laugh nervously. He was worried that he may made himself look foolish in front of Ryoken but then he heard a slight chuckle. That made his ears perk up and Kusanagi lifted his head up to see Ryoken trying to hold back his laughter.

“It’s fine. It might have been cheesy, but it was funny in a very sweet way,” Ryoken responded. “Now, can you lead the way to this special place you wanted to take me?”

Kusanagi was happy seeing Ryoken in good spirits and with seeing the man laugh, Kusanagi held out his hand and replied, “Take my hand and I’ll show you the way.”

Ryoken took Kusanagi’s hand, and the two of them walked towards their destination. It was a small western style building and it was crowded by a lot of people looking at the display windows. Ryoken was surprised to see so many people crowding the windows and wondered what has captured the attention of these people. When the two men got closer, that was when Ryoken saw what has ensnared the masses - cats. There were so many cats by the windows, some playing, some sleeping, and others basking in the attention of their human admirers.

Ryoken quickly turned his head towards Kusanagi and asked, “Is this a cat cafe? Is that where we’re going for our date?!”

Kusanagi felt the excitement in Ryoken’s voice and answered,” Correct. I heard from Yusaku and Spectre that you love cats, but you always had difficulty trying to play with them, so I figured you can try at this place. I’ve been here with Jin many times and the kitties here are super friendly. They always snuggle up to Jin whenever we come here.”

“I always loved cats. I find them so enchanting and I would try to play with them, but for some reason they never approach me,” Ryoken said. “I’m forced to watch them from afar, but I would love for the chance to hold them even for a moment.”

Ryoken felt a bit embarrassed admitting that fact to Kusanagi. For as long as he can remember, Ryoken adored cats and tried everything to get their attention, yet every attempt ended in disaster. He always needed Spectre’s assistance when it came to playing with the elusive felines, but they ended up playing with Spectre instead.

“Well, today may be your lucky day. These are the friendliest kitties in town, so you may get your wish. It’s Christmas time and usually there are always miracles going around. This may be your chance so take it,” Kusanagi said.

Ryoken couldn’t help but grin when he heard Kusanagi say that, so the two of them entered the cat cafe.

Inside the cat cafe, there were various tables and booths decorated with various Christmas ornaments. On the walls, there were a plethora of perches for the cats to lay down. Towards the end of the cafe, there were a few doors that led to additional interior rooms usually reserved for private sessions. In front was the hostess and serval maids greeting the patrons.

“Hello, welcome to Cafe Neko Carnival, home to the friendliest felines in all of Den City,” the hostess began. “Oh Kusanagi, welcome back. It’s been a while since you came last time. Isn’t Jin coming today?”

“Nice to see you again Kaya,” Kusanagi replied. “Not this time; Jin is spending time with some friends today. I’m here with my very special guest today. Did you receive my reservation with my requests?”

“Give me a moment to check,” Kaya answered while checking her tablet. “Ah yes, here it is, one private table with our sweetest cats. Right this way gentlemen.”

The hostess, Kaya, led the two men to one of the interior rooms in the back of the cafe. Kaya was dressed in a long, green maid kimono and her black hair was in a single braid. She opened the door to the back room and inside were several cats lounging around. As soon as the cats saw Kusanagi, they all darted towards him as if to greet him.

“Hi everyone, how have you been? It’s been a while hasn’t it,” Kusanagi asked the various felines approaching him. Most of the cats gave a few chirps or small meows as if to answer the man.

“It looks like they missed you Kusanagi,” Kaya said. “May I take your jackets while you make yourselves comfortable?”

“Sure thank you, Kaya,” Kusanagi answered as he handed her his brown jacket. “Ryoken, hand your jacket to Kaya. Uh, Ryoken?”

Kusanagi turned around when Ryoken didn’t answer and stopped to see the sight in front of him. Ryoken was crouching down with a look of adoration on his face. The man was entranced seeing the various cats staring to surround him. He hesitantly reached his hand out to see if any one of the cats would come near him, but most of them kept their distance. Ryoken started to look dejected when most of the cats started to walk away, and that made Kusanagi panic for a moment.

Oh no. This is bad. I took Ryoken out for a nice cafe date to meet the cats and it’s already falling apart. Is it over before it began? Kusanagi thought.

Just as Kusanagi was about to reach out to Ryoken, there was the sound of a little mew behind them. The two men turned around and saw a small, green eyed gray cat staring right at Ryoken. The cat’s eyes met Ryoken’s light blue eyes and they two stared at one another for what felt like an eternity. Soon the cat walked right up to Ryoken and attempted to paw at the man, as if to ask him to play with him. Ryoken’s eyes lit up and he flashed a warm smile as he held out his arms to embrace the cat, who happily jumped into the man’s arms. It was quite the sight to behold, and Kusanagi couldn’t help but smile seeing such a wholesome moment.

As much as he wanted to stare at Ryoken forever, Kusanagi remembered where they were and cleared his throat.

“Excuse me, Ryoken. The nice hostess would like to take our jackets. You don’t mind that, right,” Kusanagi asked.

“Oh, you’re right. Sorry, I got distracted. I couldn’t help but stare at these beauties before me and I’m just so happy right now,” Ryoken responded. “Umm, you wouldn’t mind holding this little one for me would you Kusanagi,” Ryoken asked while holding up the cat.

“Sure thing,” Kusanagi replied.

Ryoken handed his white jacket to Kaya while she sat the men at the table and handed them their menus. After handing the cat back to Ryoken, Kusanagi proceeded to order the holiday special for the two of them and the hostess took their orders and left the two alone with the cats.

Without the jackets, the two men saw what each of them were wearing.Ryoken was wearing a simple red sweater with black pants whereas Kusanagi was wearing a similar looking green sweater with blue pants.

“What are the odds that we would wear similar outfits,” Ryoken asked.

“Pretty hight actually. I asked Spectre for advice on what to wear for the occasion. I wanted to make sure everything went well and he gave me a ton of advice to make it happen,” Kusanagi answered.

“I see. You can always count on Spectre for planning anything perfectly. But how were you able to make plans with Spectre’s help? He rarely does that for anyone he isn’t that close with.”

“I admit I had a little help with Yusaku. He helped make the arrangements for us to make the plans. I’m amazed at how Yusaku and Spectre are able to get along whenever you are involved.”

“Hehe. Those two always go to great lengths for me. I’m lucky to have both of them in my life and especially lucky to have them help you too.”

The two men couldn’t help but smile as they talked about the people in their lives. In the meantime, the two of them were playing with the cats while waiting for their orders. The gray cat Ryoken met earlier stayed with him, perching herself upon his lap. Ryoken was petting and holding the little one’s paws the whole time, finally getting the opportunity to play with the elusive being he has admired for so long. A sweet smile appeared on the young man’s face, and Kusanagi stared the whole time at the lovely sight, while trying to play with all of the other cats that kept approaching him, especially the little orange one named Ritsuka that has made her way to his lap.

“Your orders are ready sirs,” a pink haired maid said as she approached the men with a dining cart. The maid was dressed in a long yellow maid kimono with her hair in two twin tails and she placed the orders in front of the men. It was two raspberry flavored coffees and a triple berry roll cake in the shape of a Yule log.

“Thank you for the order Aria,” Kusanagi said.

“My pleasure. It’s always nice having you visit us. The cats simply adore you and always try to play with you. All of that attention brings out a lot of customers that we had to set up these reservations now. The demand is that high to see our precious felines,” Aria responded.

Aria looked toward the man Kusanagi was with and she was surprised to see the little gray cat with Ryoken.

“Oh my, I’ve never seen Jeanne take such a liking to anyone before. She’s usually very shy and has difficulty approaching anyone. Sir, you must have that special something that had Jeanne appear to you. It’s a miracle to see Jeanne so happy,” Aria said.

“Are you serious,” Ryoken asked. “But she seemed so sweet when she got close to me.”

“It’s true sir, I’ve never seen Jeanne do that with anyone else before. I guess what they say about cats are true - you don’t pick the cat, the cat picks you,” Aria answered.

Once she finished setting the table, Aria left the room and the men started to enjoy their meal together. The coffee had a sweetness from the raspberries thar was balanced out by the coffee’s natural bitterness, making it a perfect blend of flavor. The roll cake was made out of vanilla but with the various berries used, the flavors went from simple to complex thanks to the rich buttercream used to fuse the ingredients together.

The two men finished their holiday treat and proceeded to play with the cats. Kusanagi was scratching the back of Ritsuka’s head whereas Ryoken was scratching Jeanne’s chin until she started purring. Hearing the sound of Jeanne purring made Ryoken’s heart skip a beat - it was the very first time a cat was genuinely happy with him and that filled him with so much joy.

“This is the most fun I had in ages,” Ryoken said.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I have a few other things planned for the afternoon. If we hurry, we can reach the next destination early,” Kusanagi said.

“If you don’t mind, can we stay a bit longer? I really want to get to know Jeanne here a bit more,” Ryoken asked.

Ryoken looked at Kusanagi with pleading eyes. He really wanted to spend more time with the cat in his arms.

Unable to say no to such a face, Kusanagi replied, “you know what, sure thing. Take your time and enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you so much, Shoichi!” Ryoken exclaimed.

There was a moment of silence between the two. After that Ryoken’s and Kusanagi’s faces turned bright red. Ryoken just called Kusanagi by his first name - it was something he never done before.

“Sorry!” Ryoken exclaimed. “Your name just came out! I won’t call you by that -“

“It’s fine! You just caught me by surprise! I didn’t mind it at all. In fact, I actually liked that you called me by my first name. It felt really nice,” Kusanagi blurted out.

“Really it’s okay?”

“It is. I mean we are dating now, so isn’t it natural we are on a first name basis?”

Ryoken’s eyes widened when Kusanagi asked that question. Dating? Right, that is what they are doing now. They’ve been close to each other for a while and started going out. So it’s not an issue that they call each other by their first names.

Ryoken let out a sigh of relief and then said, “you’re right, that is natural when dating. Thank you, Shoichi.”

“Anytime Ryoken,” Kusanagi responded. “Oh Ryoken, one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“Merry Christmas, love,” Kusanagi said in a sweet caring voice.

Hearing that, Ryoken simply replied, “Merry Christmas, Shoichi.”