No Place Like Home for the Holidays (Platonic Hawks and Tokoyami)

No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Despite what one may have expected, Tokoyami liked the holiday season. Sure, it was bright and loud, and he'd never actually had a pleasant Christmas while in the system, but he liked the idea. Family gatherings were something he had always secretly longed for, and if a month of bright lights, obnoxious music, and rampant consumerism made other people happy, then who was he to deny the people their happiness. There was a sort of charm about the whole season, and while Tokoyami himself preferred the old pagan holidays of Yule and the winter solstice, Christmas wasn't so bad.

Tokoyami thought highly enough of the holidays to even attend 1-A's Christmas party. Granted, he likely wouldn't have had much of a choice in attendance anyhow; if he had stayed in his room, then the absolute Christmas menaces that were Kirishima and Midoriya would've dragged him down into the common area like they did to Bakugou. So, to the class's early Christmas party he went, completely willingly and not at all out of obligation.

The party was, as expected with Momo in charge of decorations, absolutely gorgeous. The common area had been transformed into a holiday wonderland and had to it a festive brilliance. In the corner was a large evergreen tree, expertly decorated with sparkling glass baubles and silver tinsel. Colorful lights adorned every wall, they must've been connected to the speaker somehow; because they cheerily blinked to the jingling beat of the songs. The coffee table donned a festive tablecloth embroidered with holly leaves, and on top of it was an impressive spread of winterish snacks and hot drinks.

There were guests beyond the expected class 1-A, however. Kirishima, it seemed, had managed to coax the timid Amajiki into the celebration. That feat was likely managed, in part, by the fact that Togata was also in attendance. Aizawa was there, as expected, and he seemed slightly less tired than usual. Clung nervously to his side was a little girl with wavy silver hair and a horn. Eri, Tokoyami was fairly certain that was her name, seemed equal parts nervous and excited for the party as she skittered between Aizawa, Midoriya, and Togata.

Even with the unexpected guests, it had been a lovely party. The snacks, courtesy of Sato, had been delicious, the music, curated by Jirou, had been aptly festive, and there was an overall air of relaxed happiness amidst the small crowd. Even little Eri had a good time, she came out of her shell quickly and despite the ridiculousness of it, Tokoyami obliged her request for him to wear a Santa outfit. At least he wasn't alone in that last one; the little girl had suckered even Aizawa into donning festive apparel.

Overall, the party had been a success. A loud, energetic, bright, and tiring success. But alas, all good things must come to an end. While his classmates spent the rest of the following day packing their things for winter break, Tokoyami made his way to Hawks' agency. Holiday season or not, there was no rest for the wicked and thus no rest for those who thwarted the wicked. Hawks had, of course, officially given Tokoyami the week off, but if the hero was going to patrol over the holidays, and he was, then Tokoyami would join him. Tokoyami had no family to return to over the holidays anyways, so he might as well spend the time working alongside the closest thing to family he had.

The high-school student carefully cradled two wrapped boxes as he rode the subway to the agency. Even though he was working over the holidays, Tokoyami was no grinch; he had gotten Hawks gifts just as any good pseudo-sibling would have. Perhaps they weren't the most extravagant or expensive presents, but Tokoyami knew Hawks appreciated practical things more than costly trinkets.

The building was empty when Tokoyami arrived, which at any other time of year would have sent him into a state of vigilance, considering that all the sidekicks had taken time off, though the boy wasn't surprised. He didn't bother to turn on the lights as he walked through the empty halls; he didn't need them to see, and he wouldn't spend much time in the lower levels anyways. The elevator dinged as Tokoyami stepped inside, and the boy noted that Hawks had changed the elevator music to something more festive.