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Christmas isn’t a holiday Mozu is accustomed to. Actually, he’d never heard of such a thing until joining The Kingdom of Science. Through them, he had learned so much. To read and write is one thing he never thought would be so useful- but he’s not just muscle. He can analyze a battlefield in a seconds notice. Can deduce an opponents move and battle style the first time sparing with them.
Mozu is gifted in plenty of ways. So learning academics was a piece of cake. At least, that’s how it was at first.
“Christmas?” He squints at the words written in ink. Christmas. Is this some kind of tournament?
“Oh Mozu, you and the Islanders have never had a Christmas huh?” Ukyo asks from across the room. Mozu glances to him. Of course he would hear.
“What is the meaning of it?”
“Well, it stems from religion but… it’s a traditional thing for us modern timers.” He points at the words on the paper.
“Christmas festival, December 25th, noon.”
“Festival…” he hums in thought. He had heard of festivals before. Something the Master of the island had held in grand scales of celebration before. That had been a time when Mozu was too young to remember him.
“So you exchange gifts with everyone, it’s a lot of fun- it’s about family and togetherness, you should come since we’ll be in Japan until after the new year we’ll be able to celebrate with everyone.”
Mozu looks at him for a few moments before looking back to the announcement paper.
“I don’t have a family.” Mozu thinks aloud to him.
Ukyo laughs. “Sure you do, just look around… you’ll see.”
Mozu doesn’t understand. He thinks about it until the day itself. Yuzuriha had made him and the others winter clothes. Something he’s never really had before. When it used to snow on the island, he wore animal skins around his shoulders. Trained in the freezing waters for days. Mozu is a skilled warrior. But this… is nice.
He looks at the skillful sewing of his top. She even gave him a few holsters for weapons.
Children roam about the snow. Throwing snow balls at one another. Making sculptures and little shelters from the snow. There are lights strung across a tree that everyone seems to be centered around.
Merry Christmas.
Everyone is having such a jovial time. Usually Mozu observed everything. Observed how the children play, how the elderly pour water from metal spouts. Mozu had learned how to boil water in a kettle not long ago, but it’s still interesting to see.
He watches families gather and hold each other. Having photos taken with each other. Family. Mozu doesn’t have a family. Kirisame is as close as he’s gotten, and now she’s back at the island helping their new Master.
“Hyoga.” He looks up to see his mentor. Hyoga always wears a mask, but Mozu has picked up a lot on his expressions. He’s happy today. Enjoying himself. Even if he’s just doing what Mozu is doing- standing around.
Homura is with him. She’s skilled too. Cute, too. And he had laughed his head off when he tried to make a move on her. Hyoga had shut it down almost immediately. Mozu knew that Hyoga could never tell him that he didn’t have feelings for her again. Not when his spear was so close to his throat that day. Maybe he was actually a cold footed wimp when it came to those feelings. Spear so far up his ass that he’s never even thought about women in the forefront of his mind.
She’s handing him a small box with something inside. Mozu focuses on them, curious. Exchanging gifts with family. Those two did act like family- like a starting one at least. He didn’t have a gift for anyone. He didn’t have a gift from anyone.
“I carved it myself.”
A necklace with a wooden pendent? Mozu can see that it’s a crescent moon. Jewelry. Common in his birthplace, but usually not something he would wear without a purpose. Like the earpiece that spoke to him. For a moment, he believed Hyoga wouldn’t enjoy such a gift. But Hyoga has loosened up these days. It’s almost warming to see him graciously accept it, having her tie it around his neck.
To Mozu’s surprise, Hyoga has something for her as well. He looks away then. Somehow, he feels left out. He doesn’t know what this holiday is. They have barely explained it to him. Still, he’s jealous. Family…
He looks up to see people running into the original lab on the mainland. Now that he knew what a lab is, it’s not hard to identify one. Kids run out with toys and candy. It’s odd. What are they up to in there?
Mozu moves slowly, almost running into a child when he gets near. The little one looks up at him and runs away out of fear. Is he scowling? He tries to keep a calm expression.
When he passes the entrance cover he sees exactly what’s happened in here. There are presents and candy. A lot of them. Piled to the roof of the lab.
Senku is stood in there. Senku. No one else. Come to think of it, he doesn’t ever remember being alone with him for more than five seconds. Tsukasa sure did act like a shadow body guard when they sailed across the sea.
Has he always been this small compared to him? Of course he had…
His own winter outfit looks cozy. He can tell it’s not something Yuzuriha made though. Mozu realizes he’s been standing and staring for too long when Senku notices his presence. Jumping back in fright for a moment before sighing in relief.
“Are you just gonna stand there? I can take a picture if it’ll last longer for you.”
His voice is always so confident, clever snark in his voice as he’s always prepared to say any kind of quip. It used to piss Mozu off. But now, it’s kind of endearing. Not unlike himself.
“So what’s up? Something wrong?”
It’s not snarky. Senku does care about people, you can hear it in his voice.
“Hm, no, there’s nothing wrong.” Mozu turns his eyes back to the pile of presents and candies. It’s also warmer in here than outside- probably some science device that he hasn’t noticed making it that way. “Did you make presents for all the villagers?”
“Oh.”
Oh? Is that not what he expected?
Senku turns to the pile and laughs. “Me, Chrome, and the crafts team made all of them… a lot of the villagers and the children lost a lot of family some time ago…”
“So you went and made things for them, so they wouldn’t feel left out.”
“You could say that.”
If that’s not the direct reason, then what is? Mozu wonders.
“I just like people to have fun on Christmas, is that not enough?”
“Is there a reason you celebrate?”
“No reason, just like the holiday.”
Mozu can tell he’s getting on his nerves. It’s a cute pout Senku has, he thinks. He has liked that expression on him since the first day they met. A cute distinct pout- one that someone wouldn’t ordinarily call a pout. But on someone like Senku… that’s exactly what Mozu thinks it is. And it’s been awhile since they’ve been able to talk too. After all, what does a guard who almost killed him in the past have to do with the leader of The Kingdom of Science?
“But you don’t have a family.” Mozu puts it plainly. And then comes an expression he’s never seen on him. Surprise. Pure, jaw dropping surprise. Those red eyes are wide. Mozu is getting a kick out of it. “That is, your father is dead right?”
Maybe he’s stunned him too much. If Christmas is about family and togetherness like Ukyo said, then does it make sense that someone without a family celebrates?
“He’s… dead, yeah.”
Mozu wonders if Senku has ever said the words to himself before. It’s nothing to be afraid of, Mozu thinks. Still, he knew everyone had a different relationship with their father.
“I killed my father with my own two hands.” He finally steps further into the lab, glancing at all the glass and equipment. Until he’s in front of the present pile. “I don’t think he’d care for a holiday like this… but I don’t give a damn what that guy ever felt.”
“Is there a reason you’re giving me your autobiography here?”
Mozu looks at him quizzically.
“Your life story.”
He laughs at himself. He hates it when someone says a word he doesn’t understand. Makes him feel like a child.
“I’m only saying that we’re kind of alike… having dead parents and all.”
“I don’t see it that way, I didn’t want my father to die.”
“Not surprised there.” Mozu laughs. “He was probably a good guy… since he’s my ancestor, I guess I owe him a lot for my existence or whatever.” Mozu shrugs. Of course he was filled in with the tales of their true past in his classes.
“Sure.”
It’s getting kind of awkward in here. Mozu doesn’t really understand why he came into the lab either. Maybe he was tired of observing everyone outside. Maybe he was curious. Whatever it was… he’s looking now at Senku with sharp eyes.
“Do you want comfort or something? Feeling lonely cause you feel like you don’t have a family on Christmas? I don’t know if you know this, I’m not exactly the guy for that.”
“Lonely?” Mozu repeats it and thinks a moment. Maybe he was feeling a little left out. “I don’t think-“
“Mozu, there you are.” Hyoga comes in with Homura. Pendent around his neck.
Mozu glances to Senku. There’s definitely an unspoken awkwardness to being alone with three people who definitely tried to kill you once before.
“I hope you didn’t think you weren’t going to have to go through sparing practice just because of the holiday.”
“Ah, is it that time? Must’ve slipped my mind.” Mozu laughs it off as he’s suddenly being scolded by his mentor. He hasn’t had any time to slack off since being revived. Hell, he hasn’t even been able to fool around with any cute girls!
——
Senku is confused. It’s not the first time in his life that he’s been at a loss for words- but he’s pretty much at a loss for words here. He had just finished handing a group of kids some candy and presents then out of nowhere. Unwarranted. Mozu just stands there for no reason? Then talks about their similarities for having dead fathers?
When Hyoga —he’d never thought he’d feel so grateful to him— finally got him out of the lab, Senku just stands there stunned.
He looks to the presents. Maybe Senku doesn’t have a traditional family- he never really has. But everyone he sees everyday… Kohaku, Chrome, Ruri, Kinro, Ginro, even Kaseki… they’re all his…
“Senku-chan! You’re still in here? The kids want you to judge their snowmen… hey, you good?”
The facade of playful jester fades with his last words. True self coming to the forefront.
Senku sighs. “Yeah, just lost in thought I guess… Mozu came by and acted… weird.”
Gen laughs softly. “He’s been standing around watching everyone with a hard expression- I bet he just feels a little left out, since this is probably his first Christmas.”
First Christmas? Senku makes a noise before shrugging. “Alright, let’s go judge some snowmen.”
——
Mozu wipes sweat from his brow. The sun has set in the horizon, his training has finished for the evening, and now he’s resting near their large fire. Spear sat nearby and eyes fixed on some of the shiny ornaments hanging from the tree the village had decorated. It’s lit up like the stars had slithered themselves snug in the branches to make a home for themselves.
It’s beautiful, Mozu would admit. Like nothing he’d ever seen.
Suddenly, there’s a presence next to him. He looks over. Ah, Senku. That’s odd, he swore he had just seen him teasing one of their other generals near the lab.
“So this is your first Christmas huh? Guess it’s the same for your island.” He talks before Mozu can ask him what he’s doing.
“Yeah, guess it is.” He had heard the conversation of it a few weeks prior. The new Master, Soyuz, had said he wanted to bring presents and joy like Senku had before.
“Well, Christmas doesn’t feel right if you don’t have a present, even if you don’t think you have a family, so don’t look too much into this.”
Mozu doesn’t understand what he means until he stands up, leaving behind something covered in that paper stuff they had made before.
He watches him go. A present? Mozu had been gifted plenty before by women. Flowers, clothes, weapons even. He didn’t have a clue what business Senku has in giving him a present. On Christmas. Is it like Homura to Hyoga? He laughs at himself for thinking such. Senku is cute, but… wait- he’s cute?
Mozu shakes his head out of it before reaching for the gift.
He unwraps it. What is this? He holds it up. Two heavy spear heads attached to a tough and thick leather string? He scratches at the spear heads with his thumb. They’re dense. Good material.
Mozu isn’t really sure what to make of it until he holds each end out in front of him. Maybe they’re replacement spearheads? But why is the string so long?
“Ah!” He clicks his tongue and laughs. How practical a gift. He moves his arms to tie them around the rope he uses to hold his dreads back. They wrap around perfectly. It’s a reliable way of getting them around- and he could also use it as a weapon. Fitting, he thinks. Although, a better gift would have been a-
Mozu stops his thoughts.
He’s a man, Moz, that’s not…
He glances back to the fire and then the lights of the tree. Even if things have been different for a while… it hasn’t really set in. That the snowfall he watches blanket the forest used to be endless homes and villages. Homes lit up that those petrified people used to live in. It’s a lot to take in, that without such a catastrophe of human beings being nearly wiped out, that he would have never been born.
He moves his head, and one of the hanging arrowheads lightly touches the back of his neck. It pulls him from his thoughts.
“Well, if the world can be so different and change so much… it wouldn’t be far fetched for me to be able to change too.”
——
It’s late in the evening. Two hours to midnight. The fire is still going, the adults are the only ones awake now. Drinking wine and eating treats. Laughing and even having drunken fun with one another. The children have tired themselves to death through the day.
And Mozu, he had been thinking for hours. What could he give Senku in return for his first ever Christmas present? It will be one of the first times Mozu had ever given someone something without thought of some kind of boon. Although if he got something out of it, he wouldn’t complain.
Finally he had decided it. Change is natural for humans. So it couldn’t hurt.
“Hey, Senku.” Mozu knew he didn’t really fit in with his normal surrounding group. Kohaku is so trusting, but he can see her eyes sharpen when Mozu mentions him by name. It’s always adorable how she’s on guard for Senku. Like Tsukasa, she’s a loyal bodyguard- and one that has never been asked for.
Of course everyone else tries not to stare. They’re polite.
“Yeah? What’s up?” Senku’s holding a cup that’s steaming. Hot chocolate, Mozu thinks it’s called.
“Can you come with me for a second? I gotta tell you something.”
He tries to hold his laughter at Kohaku again. He can tell she’s thinking I don’t like this.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad, I wouldn’t dream of pulling a fast one this far into everything… besides, you know I’ve changed.”
Senku shrugs. “I wasn’t worried about it one millimeter.”
I wasn’t really talking about you.
“Lead the way.”
Mozu leads him to the outskirts of the light. Where the shadow of the trees mingle with the warmth of it all.
“So what did you need to tell me?” Senku crosses his arms, leaning against the cool bark of a tree.
Mozu chuckles. Even if Senku said he wasn’t worried about it, he can tell he’s a little cautious about being alone again with Mozu.
“The gift you gave me, I like it.” Mozu stands right in front of him. It’s painful how different they are in size. When it comes to height, it’s not like there is a stark difference. However, Senku is much scrawnier than himself. Small. Mozu always liked them with less muscle.
“Is that it?” Senku laughs. “I told you not to look too hard into-“
Mozu leans over him, hand pounding roughly into the bark beside his head. Snow jumps from the tree at the force.
Mozu chuckles softly. “I figured since you gave me my first ever Christmas present, I might need to repay you somehow…”
He’s never been so up close and personal with him this way. He can see Senku’s breath hitting his own skin. The dim light shows just enough that he can tell he’s getting embarrassed. Red crawling onto Senku’s face the longer they stay like this. And his eyes… well, that’s really what settles it for him. Senku’s eyes really are something from a fairytale. Something bright red and beautiful. Instead of sharp and methodical, they’re wide with surprise. As if of all the things in the world they could be doing, he never thought of this outcome.
Mozu doesn’t waste anymore breath about it. Instead, he closes the gap. Letting their lips touch one another- and to his satisfaction, Senku’s lips are both warm and soft. Mozu had kissed many women in the past. Long nights of mischief and fun with all the Master’s harem girls had been something Ibara always let him get away with. Never had he thought of kissing a guy. Like many things, though, he has changed.
“I thought what a better Christmas gift for a guy like you… then your first kiss.” Because surely he hasn’t had his, right?
It’s too adorable. Senku’s eyes are still wide. Lips apart as it seems any thought he had has come to a screeching halt.
“That wasn’t-“
“Well, with a guy then,” he holds his soft cheek against his rough palm, “or have you already had that too?”
“I…”
Mozu knew all of this heavy breath and intimacy would work on a woman back on his home island. It worked on the cute demure women who could never meet his own gaze. And now, it seems Senku is caught in his web too. The more he makes those expressions, the more Mozu wants to see.
“Yeah?”
He closes the gap again. This time, he watches the fight in Senku’s eyes. The thought that tells him to stop this versus the one that tells him to enjoy it. His eyes close. Mozu has won this time.
Again and again. The hot air between them grows. Steaming the night while Mozu becomes more and more comfortable to touch him. Feeling him up as if he were a woman. Touching his nape and feeling his shiver of anticipation. Senku’s hands ball into the fabric in the back of Mozu’s coat.
It’s electric. Mozu has never done anything like this with a man- but it seems Senku reacts kindly to all of his touches and desires. All his curiosities are met with more energy.
“What? You want more from my present?”
“Shit.” Senku is panting, head falling back to rest against the tree. “Mozu what-“
His neck is exposed, so of course Mozu is going to put his lips there too. Isn’t that what he wants?
“Hey-“ Senku touches his shoulder, then his hair.
“What is it?” He knows his voice is annoyed. There’s bite to his words, too swept up in the excitement to be bothered with stopping now.
“We should… go somewhere else…”
Ah. There’s a new expression Mozu wants to see more. Embarrassment. It’s so cute on Senku’s face. Mozu laughs under his breath. This escalated quickly, but he’s not complaining.
“Very well Senku… let’s go have a Merry Christmas, as you would say.”
“Yeah… lets.”
——
Mozu holds Senku close under the heavy blanket that covers them. The two had managed to sneak up into the observatory and fool around. Mozu was surprised that Senku had lubricant hidden away here. It’s amazing how well prepared he is for anything. Everything happened so fast.
Now he’s holding him close to his chest. It’s intimate and Mozu thinks he could stay like this for a long time.
They’re both spent, naked. The stars shine down on them.
“You’re a good teacher.” Mozu chuckles against Senku’s soft, fallen hair.
“You learn fast.” Senku mumbles against him. He looks tired from here.
They’re both quiet in the darkness. They can hear others outside.
“Mozu.” Senku’s voice is softer than usual. Mozu’s eyes fall downward to him. “You have a family, you know.”
“Yeah?” Mozu looks away. It feels sappy.
“Family isn’t just blood, thought a guy like you would know that.”
“Guy like me? What does that mean?” Mozu laughs. When he looks down at him, though, Senku’s eyes are closed. Breath becoming easy as he’s letting the world slip from him. Mozu laughs softly, only putting another strong arm around him.
“Merry Christmas, Senku.” He whispers. Hopefully no one would find them like this. And if they did, Mozu thinks he could convince them to keep it quiet. He couldn’t let his new family have a scandalous reputation just yet.