CHAPTER 1

Teruo

As soon as December rolled around, Shinji became excited about getting a Christmas tree. Teruo had never bothered with decorations in the past, but this was their first Christmas together and he wanted it to be special. Magical. Since there wasn’t enough space in Shinji’s apartment for a tree, they had decided to decorate it at Teruo’s house, and spend time together until after New Year’s.

Because of work piling up, they postponed getting a tree until today, on Christmas Eve, when they finally bought an artificial tree, packed it up in the trunk, then headed home.

Teruo parked the car and looked at Shinji. On the road back, Shinji had dozed off, and now Teruo leaned over him, almost feeling sorry to wake him up. He gently cupped Shinji’s chin and placed a kiss on his cheek, then another of his lips.

“We’re home,” Teruo said.

Shinji opened his eyes and smiled before kissing Teruo back. “I fell asleep?” He unbuckled the seatbelt and stretched, his mouth opening with a huge yawn.

“Do you want to leave the tree for tomorrow?” Teruo asked with concern.

Shinji had been running from the TMPD to his jurisdiction in Musashino and back a lot these days in order to take care of ghosts. He had to be exhausted, but one thing Teruo learned was that Shinji rarely complained about it.

“Nope! I’m awake!” Shinji slapped his own cheeks, then hissed in pain. “Let’s decorate the tree.”

He stood and helped Teruo pull out the bag, then both carried it to the living room, setting it down by the windows where there was more space. After changing out of their suits and into comfortable t-shirts and sweatpants, they returned to the living room, where Mochi and Dango were sniffing the bag.

The branches stretched as they released the tree from the confines of the plastic bag, and Shinji settled the stand on the floor. They grabbed the first section, placed it into the stand, and fixed it in place before adding the next sections.

“I don’t think this tree will survive,” Teruo said, eyeing it up its length.

“Why not?”

“Uh…” Teruo pointed at Mochi and Dango. “Cats.” He pointed back to the tree. “Christmas tree.”

Shinji waved his hand. “Don’t worry. It’s why I bought this sturdy stand.” He tapped it with the tip of his slippers. “They won’t knock it off.”

“Have you seen the size of my cats?” Teruo raised a brow.

“Okay, if it falls, we’ll leave it there. Horizontal Christmas tree.”

“Right.”

Shinji had already started spreading out the compressed branches and fluffing up the tree, so Teruo mirrored him, still skeptical about the cats. Dango was rather disinterested, but Mochi was staring at the tree in a way that heavily suggested she was concocting a plan to climb it. She walked to it and pawed one branch, testing it out.

“Don’t even think about it,” Teruo warned.

Mochi looked up at him with her big round yellow eyes, and she was the cutest thing, but also the naughtiest, so Teruo wouldn’t fall for her charm. He kept a close watch on her as her long, bushy tail swept left and right on the floor while her gaze went up the tree’s length.

Then her body coiled as she readied herself to take the leap, and before Teruo had time to react, Mochi jumped straight into the middle of the tree, claws sinking into the trunk. The tree wobbled, and Shinji gasped, then burst into laughter, but continued to arrange the branches, not minding the adorable intruder.

“You’re a little monkey.” Shinji booped her nose before Mochi climbed further up. “Oh, look at her go. She’s a natural.”

Mochi made her way up the tree trunk until she perched herself on top, like the queen that she was.

“Oi, Mochi!” Teruo said. “Get your fluffy butt down from there, young lady.” He sighed as Mochi completely ignored him. “Of course she doesn’t give a fuck. She’s in paradise.”

Her eyes glinted with mischief while the tree tilted dangerously, but didn’t fall. The stand and the trunk of the tree were the real heroes, surviving under these harsh conditions.

“Come on, Mochi,” Teruo pleaded, though he couldn’t help but smile at how adorable she was. He pulled out his phone and took a few photos. Shinji saw the camera and stood closer, posing with her, beaming with happiness, and Teruo captured it all.

Of course, Dango realized she couldn’t possibly let her sister take all the attention and rose onto her hind legs, then climbed the tree.

“Not you, too…” Teruo chuckled and took pictures of her as well.

“It’s okay,” Shinji said. “Look, the tree is fine.”

“Not sure ‘fine’ is the right word. Under stress, but surviving? I think we’re gonna hear a crash in a few hours.”

Shinji snaked his hands around the branches to give Dango a few well-deserved chin rubs and then to Mochi as well. Teruo took more pictures because Shinji’s smile as he pet the cats was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

The tree wiggling left and right pulled Teruo out of his thoughts. “Okay, we’ll have to get the monkeys down.” He reached for Mochi and gently grabbed her. She let out a long, guttural meow of complaint. “Yes, I know, daddy is a party-pooper. But we need the tree to stay upright.”

“Do we?” Shinji said. “We can place the decorations even if it’s on the floor.”

Teruo shook his head. “You just like to watch the world burn, don’t you?”

“Yes.” He grinned.

Teruo tried to pull Mochi away, but she held onto the trunk with an attitude like ‘you’ll pry this tree only from my cold, dead paws’ . “Give me a hand, please.”

Shinji unclasped Mochi’s claws from the trunk, but then she grabbed onto the branches, so he carefully unclasped them from there as well. Finally, Teruo put her down on the floor, and trailed his hands through her silky fur.

“Don’t you dare climb again,” he warned before focusing on Dango, who had reached the top. The tree swayed, but stood its ground. “This is a brave Christmas tree.” Teruo took a hold of Dango, who was easier to pull away simply because she decided to climb Teruo’s shoulder instead. She made herself comfortable in his arms.

“She’s such a daddy’s girl,” Shinji said, petting her back. “Loves it when you hold her.”

“She was terrified when I first brought her home from the shelter, so I’d hold her in my arms and walk around the house to soothe her. I guess she remembers.” Teruo caressed Dango’s fur, and she tilted back until Teruo held her like a baby. He kissed the top of her head and scratched her underneath her chin.

Mochi rose on her hind legs, pawing at Shinji’s legs, and he picked her up. “Had some street cats in my neighborhood in Hiroshima, but they were small. You barely fit in my arms,” he told Mochi. “You’re long.” She stretched as if to prove him right, and Shinji chuckled. “Cute.”

“Shall we decorate the tree?” Teruo said.

“Yes, let’s.”

They put the cats back down and Teruo brought the bag containing ornaments. They started with the lights first, a simple string of golden lights which they wrapped around the branches, arranging them to cover the entire tree. Teruo had no clue about ornaments, so Shinji had chosen shiny red and silver globes, made of sturdy plastic, just in case the tree met its demise on the ground. They topped it with a few red and green bows, and the tree was done.

Shinji plugged the lights in, turned them on, and they both stepped back to check their work. “It looks great!” Shinji beamed with excitement toward Teruo. “Isn’t it great?”

“It is, yes,” Teruo said, feeling warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the twinkling lights.

This wasn’t just any Christmas tree—it was their first Christmas tree together. Teruo’s gaze lingered on Shinji, mesmerized by how gorgeous and happy he was. The lights of the tree made his eyes glint and there was a little bit of spiritual energy trailing from his body, shimmering and giving him that otherworldly look that always left Teruo in awe.

They settled on the sofa, Mochi and Dango sprawled around them, and relaxed, watching the tree twinkle in the living room’s dim lights. Shinji leaned back, resting against Teruo’s chest, and Teruo wrapped an arm around him, placing a kiss on his cheek. The smile Shinji gave him melted his heart.

“By the way, my request for our free days was approved,” Teruo said. “We can enjoy ourselves until the twenty-seventh.” The goal was to spend these days pampering Shinji, and the twenty-seventh—which was Shinji’s birthday—baking a cake for him.

But the smile fell from Shinji’s face, and he stared ahead with a blank gaze, wrangling his hands together like he didn’t know what to do with them. When he noticed Teruo’s concerned look, he put on a strained smile, so different from his earlier one.

“So…” Shinji started. “You’re not planning something for the twenty-seventh, are you?”

Ah, he’s nervous about his birthday. Teruo went for a light-hearted joke. “Don’t even know what’s on the twenty-seventh.”

“Oh, be serious,” Shinji huffed. “It’s my birthday and you’ve been tiptoeing around me and asking strange questions for the past three weeks. You’re planning something.” He shifted on the sofa to face Teruo. “I hope it’s not a surprise party with people. I am not fond of those.”

“When you say people, do you refer strictly to living people or—”

“Teruo.” The tone of Shinji’s voice shifted to a serious one and Teruo chastised himself for not realizing earlier that Shinji was feeling uncomfortable.

He cupped Shinji’s cheeks and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “No surprise party with living or dead people. I’m horrible at planning parties.”

“Good.”

“But,” Teruo said, running his palms over Shinji’s back, “I do have something in store for the next few days and I think you’ll like it.”

Shinji looked at him, unconvinced. “You really didn’t need to put any effort in. I’m easy to please. Even a half-hearted hand job makes me happy.”

“I would never give you a half-hearted hand job!” Teruo protested.

Shinji laughed. “I appreciate that.” His lips met Teruo’s again, and he slipped his tongue inside Teruo’s mouth, teasing slowly. He tasted of sweet snacks and a soda he drank earlier.

“So, what are you planning?” Shinji asked as he pulled away.

“You’ll see.” Teruo peppered Shinji’s jaw and neck with little kisses. “It’ll ruin the surprise if I tell you.”

“Give me a teaser.” Shinji’s hands squeezed his hips. “Surprises make me a bit anxious.”

Teruo’s eyes widened, and he felt a wave of worry wash over him. Shinji was carefully prodding Teruo for answers, and it seemed the reason he had avoided all those discussions about his birthday was because he felt anxious about it. And yet, Teruo had gone ahead and planned things without consulting him.

“I’m so sorry,” Teruo said. “If I crossed a line—”

“You didn’t.” Shinji leaned sideways into Teruo’s arms. “Just a little spoiler is good, so I know what to expect.”

“Well, I wanted to take you out. The winter lights are beautiful. Very romantic.” Teruo’s cheeks reddened a bit as he said it. “We’ll relax and eat fried chicken. And on the twenty-seventh, I want to bake you a birthday cake…” He trailed off, waiting for Shinji to reply.

Shinji was quiet for a few moments, his finger circling Teruo’s chest absentmindedly. “You really thought this through.” He swallowed hard, his gaze darting across the room before returning to Teruo. “I never had cake for my birthday,” he spoke in a low voice, but then he did a complete switch. “I look forward to it!” His lips stretched into the gorgeous smile that Teruo adored, and he placed a kiss on Teruo’s cheek.

Teruo hesitated, a little taken aback by Shinji’s reaction, then asked, “Never?”

“Nope. There was no reason to,” Shinji said, serenely.

That was a strange statement. He wondered if Shinji’s family couldn’t afford a cake. He wanted to inquire, but didn’t want to risk opening a discussion that could be too intrusive or awaken bad memories. However, Shinji was thirty, so that meant he never bothered celebrating or buying any cake, even as an adult.

“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” Teruo said.

“You didn’t, don’t worry.” Shinji waved his hands. “I just don’t really celebrate my birthday. I’ll tell you the sob story about why another time. We finally have some free time together. I don’t want it to be gloomy.”

Teruo let out a sad chuckle. “Sob story… don’t say that.” He took Shinji’s hands in his own, squeezing. “If you want to talk, I’m here for you.”

“I know,” Shinji said, and gave Teruo another long kiss on the lips that made him moan with pleasure. “How about you take me to the bedroom right now and show me a good time?”

Teruo felt a surge of desire fire through him at Shinji’s words. He took Shinji’s hand and led him to the bedroom, the anticipation building with each step they took. As they entered the room, Teruo left the lights dim, and pulled Shinji into another long kiss that left them breathless. Their clothes came off until they were both naked and hard with need. They tumbled into bed, pressing against each other, and Teruo moaned at the feel of Shinji’s skin.

Their hands roamed over each other, feeling every muscle and curve, not rushing, but taking the time to enjoy one another. Teruo kissed his way down Shinji’s body, to his abdomen, the side of Shinji’s hard cock brushing by his cheek. He pressed his lips to the tip of the head and down its length before nipping a little at the juncture of Shinji’s thigh, where he had a sensitive spot.

Shinji gasped, his hand rummaging through the nightstand’s drawer, probably to search for the lube. Instead of that, he pulled out a bottle of massage oil, and shook it curiously at Teruo, his mouth curved into a grin.

“My, my, chief. Did you buy it for an erotic massage? How scandalous.” Shinji wiggled his eyebrows.

Teruo’s cheeks flushed, and he bit his lip. “I bought it for you because you’re always working so much. I thought I’d give you a massage to relax you.”

“Well then, let’s not let it go to waste, yes? How about you give me that massage now?” Shinji passed Teruo the bottle, then settled on his belly. “Make it a full-body massage,” he added while raising his ass in the air a little, shaking it in a tantalizing way.

Teruo’s cock throbbed, and he barely held himself from pouncing on Shinji and fucking him into the mattress. But right now, he wanted to feel Shinji’s skin under his palms, to massage every muscle and make Shinji moan his name.

Rearing back on his knees, Teruo let his gaze roam over Shinji’s naked body, over the roll of his shoulders, the toned muscles of his back and the tight ass Teruo liked to lose himself into. He leaned down and placed a kiss on a buttock, then bit into the soft skin.

“Ah…” Shinji moaned, pushing his ass up for more.

Teruo bit the other buttock, then kissed his way up Shinji’s back until he reached the shoulders. He straddled Shinji’s legs and poured oil on his palms, just enough for his hands to slide nicely over Shinji’s skin.

Beginning at the base of Shinji’s neck, Teruo’s hands rubbed and kneaded, coaxing out the knots hidden beneath. Shinji’s muscles flexed, then relaxed, his breath coming slower and deeper with each pass. An occasional moan fell from Shinji’s lips, and Teruo savored it, loving the way Shinji responded to his touch.

“That’s so good,” Shinji murmured. “I don’t remember the last time I had a massage.”

Teruo smiled. “I’ll do this more often then.”

He worked his way down Shinji’s back, concentrating on the tight muscles of his shoulder blades, and then lower to the small of Shinji’s back. He kneaded slowly, running his thumbs in circles, and Shinji arched, shivering with pleasure. Teruo’s hands glided over the warm skin, and Shinji’s breath hitched when his palms caressed the curve of Shinji’s ass.

A low growl escaped Teruo as he took in the sight before him, every inch of Shinji’s skin glistening in the low light. When he felt Shinji thoroughly relaxed under him, Teruo settled his palms on Shinji’s buttocks, groping the muscles, and spreading his cheeks apart. As his gaze lingered on the enticing sight of Shinji’s tight entrance, longing to be inside him, but wanting to take his time.

“Like what you’re seeing?” Shinji raised his ass a little.

“Oh, you have no idea.” Teruo let the pad of his thumb brush over the puckered skin of Shinji’s hole, getting a long sultry moan in return.

“You’re teasing,” Shinji breathed. “Give me more.”

“That will be my pleasure,” Teruo said.

He poured more oil on his thumb and ran it over the rim in circles, pushing the pad of his finger just a little inside before retreating. Shinji arched up from the bed, pushing his ass up in a silent demand to be filled. Teruo stroked around one more time before switching fingers and putting the tip of his middle one inside, deliberately slow.

Shinji gasped and the ring of muscles tightened for a moment before he relaxed, groaning in pleasure. Teruo stroked in and out, pressing further inside as he did, and Shinji let out a soft whimper, his whole body quivering in anticipation. The way Shinji reacted to his touches was hot and delightful, and it filled Teruo with so much desire to give Shinji more pleasure.

He worked his finger deeper into Shinji’s tight channel, probing, exploring. feeling Shinji flex and clench around him. When he reached that sweet spot, Shinji sucked in a sharp breath and he let out a throaty moan.

“Oh, fuck, yes. There!”

Teruo grinned in satisfaction and curled his digit, gliding in and out with a steady rhythm, relishing the sound of Shinji’s whimpers and soft words of begging for more that filled the air. He twisted his finger a little, and pressed, massaging with firm movements, and waves of pleasure coursed through Shinji’s whole body, his hips bucking against the sensation.

Pushing up on his elbows, Shinji raised his ass more, moving in sync with Teruo’s fingers. “Oh god, this is amazing,” Shinji mumbled. “Please, don’t stop.”

“I don’t intend to,” Teruo said, his voice low and husky with lust. His dick was painfully hard from the visual stimulation of watching his finger dive inside Shinji and hearing Shinji’s sweet moans growing louder by the second.

But Teruo wasn’t done, and he used his free hand to pour just a little more oil on it before he ran it down Shinji’s cock, squeezing the head. Shinji gasped again, his toes curling into the sheets, and his whole body trembling as Teruo slipped a second finger inside, stretching him further.

“You’re so beautiful,” Teruo whispered, his voice thick with desire. “I want to touch you everywhere.”

Shinji looked at him over his shoulder, his eyes glazed, then he turned over onto his back, and spread his thighs, Teruo’s fingers still inside him. “Come here and touch me,” Shinji said with a sly smile, eyeing Teruo’s erection, which had been craving attention this entire time.

Teruo couldn’t resist anymore and slicked himself with oil before taking his fingers out and sliding his length inside Shinji. It went in smoothly and Teruo groaned as Shinji’s tight ass wrapped around his cock. His palms skimmed over Shinji’s thighs toward his hips, enjoying the feel of taut muscles. Teruo held on as he started to thrust, struggling not to come too early.

Shinji panted and writhed under him, being already overstimulated from the massage, and Teruo knew he was likely on the precipice of an orgasm. He leaned over Shinji, capturing his lips in an open-mouthed kiss. His hips kept an easy rhythm, and he ran one hand down Shinji’s chest, his fingers tracing over the ribs, until he reached between them. He grasped Shinji’s erection in his fist and stroked it in sync with their thrusts.

It only took a few more pumps to send Shinji over the edge. His body tensed before he cried out in pleasure as the waves of his climax washed over him, his release pouring out in Teruo’s hand. Teruo watched in satisfaction as Shinji shuddered beneath him before letting himself come, too. Another short round of thrusts and Teruo shot his load with a low groan, then let his body fall on top of Shinji, who wrapped his arms around him.

“That… was a great massage,” Shinji breathed, his palms caressing Teruo’s back. “We gotta do that again.”

Teruo chuckled and raised his head, placing kisses from Shinji’s sternum to his neck, then his cheek. “Oh, we will.” He topped it with a smack on the lips.

The bright and cheeky smile Shinji gave him made Teruo’s stomach flutter, and he held Shinji tight in his arms. Just when he was about to reach for another kiss, a loud noise of something crashing in the living room reached them. They stared-wide eyed at each other.

“That was the tree,” Shinji said.

“Yep. Definitely the tree.”