Loving You on Christmas Eve
(Sequel to "The Last Day of Summer")
Poor Hitsugaya. He's been so busy with the mountains of unfinished paperwork, he forgot to get a Christmas present for his girlfriend (y/n). Can he still get one on the day of Christmas Eve?
(YouxHitsugaya)
[Late birthday/Christmas fic for Hitsugaya!]
‘Damn holiday paperwork.’
Hitsugaya’s eyebrow twitched irritably at the mountainous stacks of paperwork that lay before him, as if taunting him with their size in numbers.
At her own desk, Matsumoto groaned loudly as she stretched her arms over her head. Like her captain, her desk was covered with paperwork. “Taichou, do we really need to finish all this last-minute paperwork?” she whined.
“There wouldn’t be so much last-minute work if you hadn’t slacked off so much,” Hitsugaya hissed through gritted teeth.
She laughed sheepishly and rubbed the back of her head. “Guess you got me there, Taichou.”
He huffed, “Just shut up and get back to work. We’ve got lots to do.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she sighed. “No need to be so mean, Taichou. It is the holidays after all.”
“Which is exactly why I’d like to get done sometime soon. I really don’t feel like spending the holidays in the office.”
Matsumoto looked up from her desk, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Taichou, are you saying you have plans for this evening?”
Though the stacks of paperwork blocked her view of the captain’s face, she noticed the top of his spiky-haired head flinch. In a low voice, he replied, “So what if I do?”
Matsumoto beamed brightly. “No need to be so shy about it, Taichou. Is it another date with (y/n)?” She took his silence as a yes. “I knew it! You two make the most adorable couple, Taichou!”
Hitsugaya was grateful the stacks of papers shielded his face, because he could feel blood rushing to his cheeks. After that summer day when you became his girlfriend, Matsumoto never ceased to playfully tease him about finally gaining a social. And you made sure he had one, even going so far as to come to Seireitei just to drag him away from his continuous paperwork for a well-deserved vacation. Not that he complained about it. Sure, he would argue at first, but in the end you always knew how to make him see it your way. And surprisingly, he was okay with that.
He cleared his throat and said, “I believe my social life is none of your business, Matsumoto. Now shut up and get back to work.”
“Okay, okay, Taichou,” she chuckled.
They continued to work in shared silence, broken only by the scratching of pen against paper. After about a half hour, Matsumoto finally spoke up. “Did you hear something just now?”
Hitsugaya looked up with a raised eyebrow. “Are you trying to slack off again?”
“No, really. I think I hear something.”
Hitsugaya strained his ears, trying to catch whatever his vice-captain was claiming to hear. He was soon able to hear it too. It started out faint. But then it began to grow. As it did so, they were able to make out words flowing to a tune.
~Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Prospero año y felicidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Feliz Navidad!
Prospero año y felicidad!~
“Sounds like someone’s singing,” Matsumoto remarked.
Hitsugaya twitched as realization dawned on him. “Not again.”
Before he could voice his realization, the office door suddenly snapped open, followed by the continuation of the Christmas song heard earlier.
~I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
I wanna wish you a merry Christmas
From the bottom of my heart!
The corners of Hitsugaya’s lips twitched upward momentarily when he saw his girlfriend standing at the doorway singing Spanglish Christmas carols while clad in a female Santa suit.
“Hey there, (y/n),” she greeted cheerfully. “What brings you to Seireitei?”
“Hi, Rangiku,” you said right before glomping your adorable boyfriend. “Just wanted to drop by and say Merry Christmas.”
“Great. So now that you’ve said it, can you please stop suffocating me now?” Hitsugaya asked sardonically, his voice muffled in your arms.
You snickered and released him, after which he playfully glared at you. “What’s with the getup?” he asked.
“What, this? It’s just my Christmas outfit.” You grinned. “I’m just getting into the spirit of the holidays. That, and I pull off this look pretty nicely.” You then struck a pose. “What do you think?”
Hitsugaya looked you over once before he turned away with cheeks dusted red. “It’s all right,” he muttered.
You beamed and said, “Aw, you’re so sweet!” before giving him a kiss on the cheek, which caused him to heat up.
“So, (y/n),” said Matsumoto, right after she was done laughing at her captain’s expense, “are you staying around for the Christmas party tonight?”
You nodded. “I have to, since Ichigo and the others came, and they’re my ride home.” You looked at Hitsugaya and asked, “Toshiro, wanna be my date for the party tonight?”
He scoffed. “Do you have to ask every time you want to go somewhere together? It’s not like my answer changes.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” You hugged him tightly. “I’m planning on passing out my Christmas gifts to everyone at the party, so you’ll have to wait until tonight too, okay?”
At the mention of presents, Hitsugaya froze. But you paid no attention to it. Instead, you released him and turned your attention to Matsumoto. “Don’t worry, Rangiku, I got something for you too.”
She clapped her hands in glee. “Can’t wait to see it, (y/n).”
You nodded, and then glanced at your watch. “I gotta go. You guys probably have to finish all this paperwork while I need to help out with tonight’s party.” You gave Hitsugaya a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you guys later,” you said before exiting the office.
“Bye, (y/n)!” Matsumoto called after you. “Ah, Taichou, I just can’t get over how adorable you two are together. You two are so compatible!”
She glanced at her captain as she spoke. But then she stopped when she realized he wasn’t acting normally. He wasn’t glaring at her or growling like he usually did when she ranted about his social life. In fact, he was too preoccupied to even listen to her. His head was in his hands and he seemed to be sulking about something.
“Taichou, is something the matter?” Matsumoto asked.
He mumbled in reply.
“You’re gonna have to speak up, Taichou.”
“I…forgot to get (y/n) a present for Christmas.”
Silence…..then…
“You WHAT?!”
Hitsugaya let go of his head and let it drop on his desk. “All the stupid paperwork made me forget to get a present,” he muttered darkly.
“Taichou, do you realize how serious this is?!” Matsumoto exclaimed. “Tonight is Christmas Eve!”
“I know,” he growled. “I’m screwed.”
Matsumoto thought for a moment. Then she snapped her fingers and said, “No, you’re not.”
“What are you talking about, Matsumoto? The party’s in five hours. How am I going to finish all this paperwork AND find a gift for (y/n) in five hours?”
“Oh, you can just leave the paperwork to me,” she assured. “You need all the time you can get to find (y/n) the perfect Christmas gift.”
Hitsugaya shot her a suspicious look. “Me, trust you with the paperwork? I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Taichou! We are talking about (y/n), your girlfriend. She deserves the best after all she’s done to get you off your overworked butt and have some fun. It’s your job–no! It’s your DUTY as her boyfriend to repay her for all she’s sacrificed for your happiness!”
At this point, poor Hitsugaya was practically cowering under his vice-captain’s empowering stare, radiating with adrenaline. “Uh, Matsumoto,” he said in a small voice. “We’ve only been dating for four months.”
“And in the language of dating, that is merely the beginning of ETERNITY! So you’d better get out there and find the perfect present for (y/n), or else be doomed to face being dumped by what could be the greatest thing that’s ever happened to you!”
He fell out of his chair and scrambled for the door, all while Matsumoto badgered after him chanting, “Go! Go! Go! Go!” When he finally reached the door, he snapped it open and scurried out. Matsumoto watched as he raced to town in search of the nearest shopping center. As soon as he was out of sight, she turned around and gazed at the mountain of parchment bestowed upon her.
“This better be worth it,” she groaned before pulling back her sleeves and getting to work.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, you were busy helping out for the Shinigami Christmas party, along with all the others. You were helping Rukia decorate the tree. Chad, who was in charge of music, was busy sorting through Christmas CDs while setting up the CD player. Orihime was working on the party food in the kitchen. Uryuu was hanging stockings and holly on the walls. And Ichigo and Renji, unfortunately, were stuck with the job of untangling the Christmas lights.
“Give it to me! I got this!” Ichigo growled.
“You’re doing it wrong, idiot!” Renji protested.
“You’re the one doing it wrong, retard! Just let me do it!”
“No way! You’re just messing it up even more!”
“So, (y/n),” Rukia said, trying to avert your attention from the two bickering Shinigami, “what are you planning on giving Hitsugaya-taichou for Christmas?”
You climbed up the stepladder and hung a gingerbread man ornament on the tree. Then you replied, “I’ve got two things to give him, both secret until he opens them tonight.”
“Two?” Rukia asked, helping you wrap the tinsel around the tree. “Why two?”
“Because my adorable boyfriend didn’t tell me when his birthday was until after it past,” you put it bluntly. “So I’m making up for it. Most likely he’ll refuse it, but what kind of girlfriend would I be if I didn’t give him stuff on both occasions?”
Rukia laughed and handed you the star. “You’re really serious about this whole boyfriend-girlfriend thing, (y/n).”
You smiled down at her. “Of course. I don’t expect Toshiro to be serious about it, since he’s usually serious about everything else in the world.”
At the sound of a crash, you looked up and said, “Yo, guys. You finished with the lights yet?”
“We’re, uh, experiencing technical difficulties,” Ichigo muttered. He and Renji had somehow gotten tangled in the lights.
“I can see that, Itchy-go,” you said casually, smirking at the irritated twitch in his eye. “But is there a chance we’ll be able to use those lights before next Christmas?”
“Oh shut up,” Renji snarled.
“Whatever, Red. ‘Tis the season after all.”
“I told you not to call me Red! My name’s Renji!”
“Sure thing, Rojo.”
“…..What the frick is rojo?”
“It means ‘red’ in Spanish.”
“(Y/N)!”
~*~*~*~
It was like a reenactment of Moses parting the Red Sea. People just seemed to fly away from him like magnets with reversed polarities. And it really didn’t take very long for it to grate on his nerves.
‘Geez, you’d think they’d never seen a Gotei 13 captain go Christmas shopping,’ he thought right before cursing himself for even thinking such a thought. Of course they’ve never seen a Gotei 13 captain before. Gotei 13 members hardly ever visited the regular districts, and captains were practically urban legends. It was probably not a good idea to come to the district shopping center in his captain robes, thereby broadcasting to the entire Soul Society that the 10th Division captain was out doing last-minute shopping. But then again, he was in a hurry.
Anyway, as he marched down the street, avoiding eye contact with the awed passerby, he scanned the stands for anything he could get for you. Unfortunately, nothing seemed good enough, which isn’t saying much since we’re talking about the Rukongai, where it’s hard to trust any merchant trying to sell things.
‘Even years after, they still avoid me,’ he mentally remarked, referring to his childhood when everyone save for his grandmother and Hinamori avoided him because of his icy demeanor.
And speaking of his grandmother…
“My, my, if it isn’t Toshiro.”
Hitsugaya looked up and saw a small old lady standing before him. She had a shopping bag in her hand and a big smile on her face.
“…Granny?”
~*~*~*~
“It’s been awhile since you’ve come home, Toshiro,” Granny smiled. They were both sitting opposite each other, having tea in the sitting room of Hitsugaya’s old home. “Look how much you’ve grown since then.”
Hitsugaya smiled back, refusing to point out to his grandmother that he hadn’t grown that much over the years. “It’s good to see you too, Granny.”
She picked up her cup and took a sip. “10th Division Captain Hitsugaya, the youngest prodigy Seireitei’s ever had, eh?” She chuckled heartily. “You’ve made this old lady proud. Now then, tell me what brings you back? Surely not to visit an old crone like me.”
Hitsugaya looked down bashfully and rubbed the back of his neck. “Actually, I’m here to….find a Christmas gift for my…….girlfriend.”
There was a small pause that followed. Then he looked up to see the shine in Granny’s eyes. She began to laugh. “My, my! My grandson finally found a girlfriend? Oh, how the years have gone by! Seems like only yesterday that the only girl you’d talk to was Momo. So who’s the lucky girl?”
“(Y/n),” Hitsugaya mumbled, turning redder than a beet.
Granny laughed a bit more; then she got up and stepped out of the room. She returned a moment later with a small box in her hands. “Well, if she’s really that special, shouldn’t you give her a special gift?”
She opened the box and showed Hitsugaya its contents. His eyes widened. “I can’t give her that,” he protested.
“Sure you can,” Granny urged, pushing the box into his hands. “I’m too old to use a pretty thing like this. It needs to be put into good use.”
Hitsugaya stared down at the box and murmured, “Thanks, Granny.”
“It’s all right,” she said, giving him a hug. “Just promise you’ll introduce me to your little girlfriend someday soon.”
~*~*~*~
The rest of the day seemed to fly by. Before you knew it, it was time for the party. Almost everyone came, except for Byakuya, who wasn’t a party person, and Kurotsuchi, because he just plain creeps you out. Ichigo and Renji were pigging out at the refreshment table. Izuru and Shuuhei were drinking sake together. Uryuu and Chad were brooding by the music speakers, which were blaring out “Jingle Bell Rock.” And everyone else was either chatting, eating, or dancing on the dance floor.
As the speakers started to play “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” the partygoers began to hear a familiar voice singing along with the music.
~O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye
To Bethlehem!
Come and behold him
Born the king of angels~
Suddenly the door snapped open. Everyone turned to see you standing at the doorway, arm linked with a rather reluctant Hitsugaya. In a loud voice, you swung him around and sang,
~O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
O come let us adore him
Christ, the Lord!~
Everyone laughed at your antics, especially Matsumoto when she saw that you had put reindeer antlers on her captain’s head.
Hitsugaya pulled his arm from your grasp with a dark blush on his cheeks. You just grinned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before going off to socialize. After you left, Matsumoto took your place next to Hitsugaya and said, “So, did you take care of it?”
“Hn,” he replied. “Of course I did.”
She beamed and glomped him. “That’s good!”
“GET OFF ME, MATSUMOTO!”
She chuckled and released him. You took that moment to steal him away. “Come on, Toshiro. Let’s dance!”
“I don’t dance, (y/n)!”
~*~*~*~
It was after a few hours of partying that everyone decided to exchange gifts.
“AWWWWW!” Rukia exclaimed, clutching her new Chappy the Rabbit plushie. “It’s so cute! Thank you, (y/n)!”
“Yeah, (y/n), thanks!” said Orihime, flipping through the pages of the new cookbook you got her. (I had no idea what else to get her. Lol)
“What’s up with this shirt, (y/n)?” Renji demanded, flipping his shirt back and forth. On the front was the question, “How Do You Keep an Idiot Busy?” A caption underneath it said that the answer was on the back. Likewise, the back bore the same question, along with the caption claiming that the answer was on the front.
Everyone snickered at Renji, who looked up and cluelessly asked, “What?”
You laughed and looked down at some of your newly acquired stuff. Ichigo had bought you the complete set of Death Note manga volumes (great series!). Chad got you Guitar Hero 3 for Playstation 2. Rukia got you a Chappy the Rabbit stationary set. Renji got you nothing, since he sucks at shopping for gifts. (Bad Renji!) Uryuu gave you a brand new dress, beautifully handmade of course. Orihime gave you a box of assorted candy canes. And Matsumoto gave you an adorable picture she took of Hitsugaya sleeping at his desk. You gave her a huge hug for that.
As you scanned your gifts, you realized something. ‘I’m one short.’
Just as you were thinking that, you felt a tap on your shoulder. You turned to see Hitsugaya standing behind you. He jerked his head toward the door. You took his silence message and followed him outside.
After Hitsugaya shut the door behind you, he turned to see you holding out two gifts to him. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why are there two gifts?”
“Merry Christmas/Belated Birthday,” you replied.
“Belated birthday?”
“Yep.” You shoved the two gifts into his arms. “By the time I figured out when your birthday was, it already past. So I’m making up for it.”
He stared down at the gifts. One was wrapped in green wrapping paper and tied with red ribbon, which meant it was his Christmas present. The other one, which was obviously his birthday present, was similarly wrapped, except the paper was white and the ribbon was ice blue. “You didn’t have to–“
“I know,” you cut in. “But I wanted to. I am your girlfriend after all.”
He nodded numbly, not knowing what to say. You both sat on the stoop as he placed his Christmas present aside and started on his birthday one. He untied the blue ribbon and tore away at the white wrapping paper until he reached the thin package inside. It turned out to be a picture frame with a photo inside. The photo was one of you and him taken during your summer pool party. You were beaming at the camera while your arms were wrapped around him. He, however, refused to look at the camera. On the bottom of the frame bore the words “Still going strong…”
“Like it?” you asked. “I found the frame while I was Christmas shopping and thought it would go nice with the photo.”
“It’s great,” he murmured. He looked up and showed you the sincere smile on his face. “Really.”
You smiled widely. “Open your other present,” you urged. “You’ll like that even more.”
He placed the picture frame aside and picked up the other gift. Unlike the previous present, this one was bigger and heavier. He ripped the paper off and opened the box. What he saw inside caused his jaw to drop.
Inside was a perfect miniature glass replica of Hyourimaru’s dragon form. The glass was stained blue to give it an icy look. And to top it off, two rubies were set in the eye sockets.
Histugaya sat there, staring in amazement at the small statue. A small flash of light finally snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up and saw you grinning at him with a camera in your hand.
“That’s one for the albums,” you joked. “So I take that you like it, right?”
No answer.
“What? Too shocked for words?”
Still no answer.
“Oh come on, Toshiro. Give me at least some sign of recognition.”
“All right.”
In a swift motion, he placed the statue aside and planted his lips on yours, to which you were more than happy to oblige. You placed your hands behind his head and pulled him deeper into the liplock. As you did so, you felt him smirk smugly against your mouth.
You both stayed like that for a full minute before reluctantly separating at last. “So,” you panted, “was that my long-awaited Christmas gift?”
Histugaya playfully glared at you. “Feh. You need something other than something you get every chance you get.” From within his robe, he produced the small box topped with a red bow.
With a squeal, you snatched the box and ripped off the ribbon in excitement. As soon as you opened it and realized what was inside, you dropped everything except for the box and completely mentally shutdown.
Inside the box was a stunningly beautiful diamond snowflake on a silver chain. The detail of the snowflake was amazing, and in the light it shone with incredible radiance.
“I take that you like it, right?” Histugaya smirked.
“Let me put it this way,” you stated. “All those times I told you I loved you?”
“What about them?”
“I mean it even more now.”
He chuckled. “I figured you’d like it.”
“Like it?! I love this thing almost as much as I love you!” You threw your arms around him and added, “And just so you know, that’s a lot of love that increases every second,” right before kissing your awesome boyfriend yet again.
You were both so into eating face, it took you awhile to notice the snickering and guffawing in the background. Separating, you looked up to see the whole Christmas party enjoying the side show.
“Do you mind?!” you yelled at them. Both you and Hitsugaya were turning redder than the stripes on candy canes.
“Not really,” Renji sneered. “Don’t mind us. We’re just innocent bystanders.”
You glowered at him and packed some fallen snow into your hand. “¡Comes nieve, Rojo!” you exclaimed, throwing it with precise aim so that it hit him right in the eyes.
“Augh!” he yelled, clutching his face. “Freezer burn!”
He blinked out the icy water from his eyes and stared at you with vengeance burning in his eyes. He grabbed some snow and flung it at you. But due to his sucky aim, he ended up hitting your now pissed off boyfriend.
Before you knew it, the party turned into a full-blown snowball war. You laughed as you fired shot after shot, sometimes getting shot yourself. As you rotated between being hunter and the hunted, you turned to Hitsugaya and said, “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, (y/n).”
