The Cat and the Crow

The Magic Of Christmas

[25 December - early afternoon, 2pm]

The four of them strolled around the mall, later that day, looking at all the Christmas decorations, and doing a little window shopping. They had come in from the main avenue, after enjoying the little festival outside. Children had been everywhere, and they were 'decorating' anyone who was willing to let them. So, naturally, Tetsuro and Bokuto were practically walking Christmas trees, while Kei and Akaashi were a bit more sedate. Everyone snapped pictures, and they were duly shared on all social media accounts.

As they walked along, they found a line of bamboo trees, potted and carefully pruned as part of the regular mall decor. But, little strips of brightly colored paper could be seen throughout the branches.

"Isn't Tanabata in July, though?" Bokuto asked, reaching up to gingerly touch one of the wishes.

"Yes, but who's to say you can't make a wish any other time of year?" Tetsu answered, winking at Kei. "Want to?"

Kei smiled. "Sure. Why not?"

"Good idea," Akaashi agreed.

Bokuto was already writing down his wish.

"What did you wish for?" Tetsu whispered in Kei's ear, causing him to shiver.

"It's not so much a wish, really. I already did that. But, here," and he showed what he'd written. It was nothing more than a simple "K" + "T," and quite a bit of leftover space at the bottom.

"Interesting. Here's mine," Tetsu said, sliding his paper over so Kei could see. It was almost the same, except the letters were reversed.

They looked at each other for the longest time, smiles playing on their lips, and then traded papers, writing "4ever" in the empty space. Tetsu then took the papers, tied them together with a red ribbon, and then attached them to one of the trees. Kei took a picture, and sent it to Tetsu.

After a little more time spent walking around, Tetsuro checked the time, and called out to stop everyone. "It's almost 4. We need to get ready for the party."

"Right!" Bokuto said excitedly. "I can't wait!" And he took off, with Akaashi only slightly behind.

"Get ready?" Kei asked as they followed at a slightly slower pace.

"Casual attire is great, but think more 'business casual,'" Tetsu said.

"For a party? At an ice rink?" Kei sounded skeptical.

"A special Christmas party," Tetsu reminded him. "We gotta look nice for the occasion."

Kei stared at him. "You're up to something."

"Of course I am! And I'm not telling you anything. Not yet."

"Come on, guys! We need to get home!" Akaashi called from the doors. "Bokuto is about halfway there already."

"Race you there?"

"Yeah, right."

"Would it help if I told you I have another gift for you?"

"Another one?"

"Yeah. And it's kinda sorta part of your surprise."

Kei stopped and looked at him. "Was that a hint?"

"Maybe. Race you home?"

"Fine," Kei eventually agreed. "But... we start now!" he cried as he took off. He heard Tetsu laughing as he started running after him.

[5pm - Ogawara Park Ice Rink]

They arrived just before the sun was setting. People were still skating, but it seemed the crowd was beginning to thin. Kei squeezed Tetsu's hand, feeling the promise ring around his love's left ring finger. It was both new and exciting to actually be wearing it, instead of on a necklace around his neck. He held his own hand out for the umpteenth time, a ridiculously happy smile appearing on his face. Again.

"Does it fit okay?" Tetsu asked, again.

"Yeah. I just... I love being able to wear it."

"I love seeing you wear it. I also love seeing that smile on your face."

They walked until they got to the rink. Bokuto and Akaashi had already put on their ice skates and were waiting for them to join. Kei sat down to put on his skates, while Tetsu went to rent a pair. While he waited, he looked around.

Lights of many colors twinkled in the fading light of the sun. Lanterns were strung up evenly around the rink, offering a slightly brighter light to see by, but not so bright to distract from the twinkling lights. Garlands of greenery were abundant, and even a few of the surrounding trees had been festively decorated. It was a pretty sight, though Kei thought snow would have made it beautiful.

"Come on, Tsuki! Let's skate!" Bokuto called out to him from the rink.

"I'm waiting for Tetsu..." he started to say, but Akaashi waved him over.

"The line seemed long, so he might be a while. Come on!"

Seeing no reason to just keep sitting there, Kei got up and entered the rink, getting used to skating again after a long time.

[Are you ready?]

[Yeah, Kuroo, we're ready.]

[Akaashi and Bokuto have him distracted. He's out on the rink]

[Okay. Guess it's time]

[Are you ready, Kuroo?]

[Nervous as hell, but I'm ready]

[Let's do this, then!]

[Let's go!]

The more Kei skated, the easier it became, and he could look at where he was going more than watching his feet. He tried to keep up with Bokuto and Akaashi, but it was obvious they were the better skaters. Where is Tetsu? He looked, as he skated, for that beloved face. While he didn't see Tetsu, he did start seeing other familiar faces; ones that didn't live anywhere near here. Some of them had already started skating as well.

First, Hinata flew by, followed shortly by Kageyama. And then, of course, Tanaka and Nishinoya flew by as well. It never changed, really. They were followed, at a slightly less frantic pace, by Kinoshita, Narita, and Ennoshita. It seemed all of the Karasuno team had come to this party. Even those who weren't skating made sure he saw them. All he could do was wave back.

To make things even stranger, there were more people he recognized standing around the outside wall of the rink. And most of them were from Tokyo. What's going on? There was Lev, Yaku and Kai. A little further down were Fukunaga and Inuoka.

"Having fun, yet?" Akaashi asked as he came up to skate beside him.

"Yeah, but..." he gestured at everyone. "What's going on?"

"I can't tell you."

"Wait. You knew this was going to happen?"

"Well... I did help plan it, so..." Kei was about to ask him more questions, but Akaashi shook his head. "I'm sworn to secrecy."

"Okay, but..."

"Look! There's Kuroo," Akaashi said and pointed further down the rink. "See you. I need to stop Bokuto from starting a racing competition." And he skated off, leaving Kei to make his way around to Tetsu, who had stepped out onto the rink and waited for him.

"Bet you're really curious right about now," Tetsu said into his ear, so he could be heard over the music.

"Not in the slightest."

"Your face says otherwise."

"Yeah, well..."

Tetsu laughed softly. "Just keep your eyes open for me, okay?"

"What does that mean?"

But this time, Tetsu simply smiled, skated ahead and turned so that he was skating backwards. He held his hands up in front of his face in the shape of a heart, and he looked so happy that Kei didn't ask any further questions.

The song that was playing ended, and there was nothing for a few minutes. It was like an audible cue for something to happen, and Kei's curiosity shot through the proverbial roof. To make matters even more confusing, most of everyone skating with them had left the rink, and seemed to be taking specific spots along the wall. The only ones left on the rink were Tetsu, Bokuto, Akaashi, and himself. The music started up again; one of their favorite songs. And that's when Kuroo's plans started for real.