[WRITTEN]Aftermath- Suegiku

Five- Merry Christmas.

[ Christmas Eve- 6 months. Almost almost 7 months since Jōno's death ]

Tetchō sat in Jōno's apartment alone, watching the snow softly fall from the sky. The clouds white— painted across the azure sky—

Like the way Tetchō would paint his late lover.

Tetchō picks up his mug, taking a soft, slow sip of his hot chocolate.

He's a bit disheveled— hair extremely messy— dark circles worse than ever.

He's wearing sweatpants, fuzzy socks and a dark grey turtleneck, sleeves not rolled up this time.

That's really rare for him.

..he's also wearing Jōno's ring on his finger.

He puts it back every night on his altar, though, so it won't get lost.

What makes it worse is that he still doesn't remember the figure of Jōno's face and identity.

There's nothing much he can do about it, anyway.

It's Christmas Eve. The brunette had already set up the tree Jōno and Tetchō fought over picking (Jōno won) and it had been set up in its usual corner. The corner the two had also fought over (Jōno won because it was his apartment, and said since he paid for it he should choose. Tetchō agreed.)

The tree was a brilliant, vibrant dark green— a real one. Tetchō had always liked being connected to the outside, even if he was physically indoors.

The evergreen had that familiar smell of a hint of cinnamon, sugar, and dust. What do you expect out of a tree shoved away like that, anyway...?

The tree stood tall, the star touching the white ceiling of the room.

The lights had been plugged in.
Tetchō had done a magnificent job of decorating the tree with Jōno's favorite ornaments and lights they picked out together.

...

They did everything together.

The sun is setting.

Tetchō— to Teruko and Tachihara's suggestions to recover, had invited them over for Christmas.

And Tsuki, too. She said she was bringing her girlfriend— pink haired. Contrasting colors, he supposed..?

...

It had been what, two weeks since meeting that woman?

They were on good terms.

Acquaintances, maybe friends?

Tetchō's trying not to get too close to anyone new at the moment.

No matter their relationship status.
...

Tetchō sighs, pulling Jōno blanket off of him, standing up and setting the green mug onto the table.

He looks out the window, the lights and reflection of the ornaments shining onto it.

The snow is falling harder now.

.....

Those lights...

Remind him of Jōno's birthday....

....
[ 3 months ago... September 24th]

Tetchō bought Jōno's favorite flavor.
Just a simple, small, round, fluffy little cake.

Jōno always liked simpler flavors, so it wouldn't overpower his taste buds.

Tetchō knew that, despite Jōno's protests. He wanted to make him comforta—