Peppermint [Asahi Azumane]

~ playing chess ~

"Come over to my house for Christmas then."

"Huh?!"

"Come on, you can meet my sister and stuff. My mom already loves you, she wouldn't mind, I promise."

"Who knew you'd grow to be so bold, Asa-kun?" I bat my eyelashes, obviously teasing him with the nickname Yuki's graciously decided to give him.

"Oh my god y/n, please stop calling me that" he says, smiling at how happy he was just spending time with me.

"Whatever," I say with a playful roll of my eyes. "but um, yes."

"Yes?"

"If I'm allowed then why not? I'll bake something."

"You? Baking?"

"You? Stupid?" I mocked him and laughed at my stupid joke. "I'm full of surprises Asahi, and when a 12 year old is left to continue raising themselves in an empty house, they can't help but pick up a few hobbies." I shrug, still smiling.

"Are you okay though? Did you at least call your parents after they told you they can't come?"

"I call my mom almost every day, and she was the one who broke the news to me. I never call my dad, we were never close. You already knew that anyways." I look down and start holding my mug with both hands in an attempt to warm them up.

The hand opposite to the one holding the handle was lightly pried off by something much more comforting. His hands held mine gently; lovingly.

"It's okay to be upset y/n. I won't make you tell me anything unless you're ready to. I just want you to know I'm really happy we can spend Christmas together."

"You're such a sap." I mutter as you feel my face heating up from his touch.

"Y/n?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I kiss you?"

"No."

"What? O-oh my god, sorry, I just thought-"

I stifle a laugh, setting down the mug, placing my hand over his that are now only loosely clasped around mine. He raises a brow in confusion, slowly losing the tension in his shoulders as I look up at him while I rub my thumb against his palms.

I slowly lean in closer to his face,

"I'm joking. You don't have to ask. I won't turn you down Asahi, trust me."

Closing the gap, my hands moving to his stubbled jaw, locking lips in a kiss. This one felt a bit different than the other simple pecks and the one shared after his confession. His hand slid up my arms, travelling to my upper back before slowly sliding them further and further down, both of us feeling a pleasant spark once they're rested on the small of my back. I stand up, urging him to do the same as he stumbles a bit over his feet without breaking the kiss, both of us giggling into it. We break apart from each other after a few more moments.

"You're a good kisser Asahi." I tease thinking he'll get flustered.

Locking eyes for a brief moment as he turns pink, he presses my front flush against his body without saying a word, leaning in and continuing his gentle yet firm ministrations with his tongue softly, lovingly entwining with mine. My eyes widened, yet I was definitely not going to complain.

Oh how I loved those peppermint kisses.

- - - - - - - - - -

Knocking gently on his door, I wait impatiently with a mixed berry pie just baked that morning in hand. I had spent so much time on it, wanting this pie to actually look as good as it tastes. This wasn't something I'm used to, as my baking was always immediately eaten by me and only me. Who was I going to give desserts to? Yuki?

My heart was slamming against my chest, anxious for the evening to come, and is quickly silenced by the sight of a girl who looked about 12 years old looking at me in confusion.

This must be his sister from his dads side, I thought.

"Hey, um, I'm y/n, Asahi invited me today." I said, hoping my voice didn't crack.

"Whatcha holding?" she asks.

"Pie." I reply trying to keep my cool.

She takes a step to the side, ushering me to come in.

I had decided to go lighter on the eyeliner because I was used to doing that for whenever my parents came back for holidays. It was a noticeable change, but it was always refreshing switching up my look every now and then. Passing the pie to Asahis sister Haru, I take off my winter jacket and put it on a hanger in the closet. With my shoes already removed, I try starting casual conversation with Haru.

"Where's Asahi?" I say, trying to keep my voice from going too deep or from my tone giving off the wrong message. Despite having both parents, I still raised myself since they were almost never there. I was about Haru's age when I essentially started raising myself, and I never really knew how to talk to 12 year olds even back when I was still a 12 year old.

"He's been freaking out for a while to be honest. Now I know why."

I quirk an eyebrow in amusement. That was definitely something I was gonna tease him for soon.

"You seem pretty cool though. I thought you were supposed to be shorter and blonde and bubbly."

Ahhh so she knew about Yuki.

"Hopefully I'm not too disappointing." I let out the tiniest nervous laugh as I imagine yanking Asahis hair for putting me in this awkward situation. Just as Haru was about to respond, Asahis mom started walking down the stairs, welcoming me in with a big warm hug. She was oddly short in comparison to me and had a similar warmth to Asahi.

Nervously trailing behind was an anxious Asahi. He was wearing a burgundy button up and a pair of charcoal slacks. He looked at me in amusement as I separated from his mom and looked down seeing I was wearing the burgundy sweater I had been gifted by my mom as part of my Christmas present. Unlike at the party he invited me to three months ago, he was just fine with matching.

- - - - - - - -

Me and Haru were basically best friends by the time dinner was over and I absolutely demolished Asahi at chess, leading to me getting more comfortable in this foreign environment.

"Would any of you like a coffee, or tea maybe?" Asahis mom asks as I come down from the high of winning yet another match.

"A coffee would be nice actually. Thank you" I smile with the corners of my eyes crinkling up.

"Is peppermint mocha okay? Just trying to get into the Christmas mood."

"Yes of course. I love peppermint." I shoot a playful wink at Asahi, leading to me and Haru teasing him yet again for his flushed cheeks.

Asahi went to the kitchen to help out his mom, coming back out with the coffee and a piece of pie. Now I was getting nervous while everyone was shovelling a forkful into their mouths. Their eyes collectively widen at me, surprised it's so good. I start getting showered with compliments as I come to the conclusion that this is one of the best Christmas' I have ever had.