A Yuto Christmas Story:

Summary: Yuto is having a difficult time this Christmas, it's the first one without his farther and while his mother puts on a brave face, he knows she's hurting as much as him.

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The Christmas music sneaked through the cracks of the bedroom door. The young man in the bed wasn't asleep, in fact his was wide awake since 5am. A total of three hours he had been awake for. In this time, Yuto had browsed on line, looking a few gifts he could get for friends and close family. Though nothing stood out too much. It's 20th December, only 5 days left till Christmas. Leaving a mere four days to shop. He got a couple of things, like a new deck box for Yuya, some hair clips for Lulu. Small gifts that he knew were going to be appreciated.

Sighing, Yuto knew he should take the leap of faith and join his mother. He threw the blankets from his body and through his legs over the edge of the bed. Slipping on his slippers before heading to the kitchen. Heading down the stairs, he stopped at a photo. He gave a sad smile to the dark-haired man pictured. "Morning dad," He whispered, quickly moving from the photo before feeling the need to cry. As he entered the kitchen, he heard his mother humming and from the smell she was clearly baking. "Morning mom," he greeted.

His mother turned, a smile on her face, with some flour too. She placed the tray onto the countertop to greet Yuto properly with a kiss on the forehead. "Morning sweetheart," She said. "Did I wake you? I'd been up a while and figured I would make myself useful."

Yuto just smiled. His mother always was a keen baker around Christmas and with the schools closed for the holidays, she had some free time. "You didn't wake me," He assured. "I was up for a while. Do you want to do anything today? You know, besides make a hundred cookies?"

The pair laughed. "I've not thought to much through," His mother sighed. Just as she went to place the next batch of cookies in, Yuto's phone rang. "Well answer it."

Yuto laughed, turning to sit in the living area, attached to the kitchen. He looked at the caller I.D. Yuya? He was surprised Yuya was even up this early in the morning, particularly wanting to video chat. Without a second thought, he pressed accept. He nearly burst out lauging as he saw Yuya's tired appearance. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Mum is dragging me to the Christmas market," Yuya started. "Also, good morning. Anyway, do you and your mom want to go too?"

"What about your sister?" Yuto asked, though deep down, he was happy to be asked.

"She's off with her boyfriend and Zuzu is with Selena, so I'm all alone unless you join me," There was a slight tint of pink in his cheeks.

"Me and mom have nothing to do today," Yuto said making Yuya feel slightly giddy.

"Great, me and mom will pick you up and ten-thirty," The young male said before hanging up the phone. When Yuya hung up, it made Yuto wonder what his dad was doing? If Yuya was being pulled in by his mom. Perhaps his dad had work.

He shrugged of the thought, clearly thinking too much into it. When he told him mother the plan, she seemed like she wanted to cry, in fact he wanted to as well. They had good support in the Sakaki family. Especially since that day. "Well i better make myself look pretty," His mother chirped. "Can you clean up for me?"

----

After the Christmas market, it was back to the Rebellion house hold for hot chocolate and Christmas movies. Well, the moms would be watching the movies, Yuto took Yuya to his room to play video games. "How have you been?" Yuya asked nervously as he sat on the bed. Yuto remained silent knowing what Yuya meant. "I'm sorry to ask. It's just this is the most you've been out since school broke last week. I've been worried."

Yuto turned around, seeing Yuya spilling some tears. He sighed leaning over and hugging Yuya. "It's hard," Tears started to fall from his own face. "I miss him so much Yuya. Dad did always like Christmas."

"If you want, come spend Christmas with me," Yuto pulled back, a bit surprised by the offer Yuya had proposed. Yuya blushed deeply and began to stammer, "Y-you know, because it's just you and your mom. It would be nice for the two of you to be around others."

"Oh Yuya," Yuto sighed using his thumb to wipe a tear from the younger's cheek. "I would like that and I'm sure mom will too."

-----

The night of Christmas eve came quickly, Yuto and his mother were heading down to the street, carrying large gift bags to the Sakaki household. "It was awfully nice of Yoko and Yuusho to have us this Christmas," His mother spoke. "Your father would be happy, knowing we have such good friends."

Yuto nodded, the feeling of wanting to cry coming back to him. "I miss him so much," he was honest and brief with what he said.

"Oh Yuto," His mother hiccupped. She reached her hand over, taking her son's free hand. "I miss him too. He was much a good man and he was an excellent father, right?"

Yuto nodded. 'An excellent father' felt like an understatement to him. His father was the best man he knew and without him by his side, he felt like he was struggling. "I just wish I could talk to him, one last time."

"I know son."

The rest of the walk was quiet as they continued onto the house. As the got nearer, Yuto focused his eyes to look dead ahead. He let go of his mother's hand running to see Yuya waiting on the snowy wall. "Aren't you cold?" Yuto gasped.

Yuya winked before hugging Yuto's chest tightly. "If I do this, I'm nice and warm."

"You are a funny one Yuya," Yuto's mother laughed. "Let's get inside before we catch a chill."

That night, Yuto slept with Yuya in his room, the bed big enough for the two to sleep. Clearly two excited about the morning to come Yuya convinced Yuto to duel him and play silly games, in hopes of tiring him out, Yuto agreed.

Thud, thud.

Yuto's ears pricked up. "Did you hear that?" He asked. In a blind panic, Yuya quickly began to hid the evidence of them being awake. "What are you doing?"

Yuya held a finger to his lips, giving a small shush. "It might be Santa," He whispered, diving under the covered. He patted the pillow next to him. "If we don't go to sleep, we won't get presents."

Yuto laughed at Yuya's childlike antics but played along. As he laid down, he wondered if Santa could give him the gift he really wanted.

---

As morning broke, so did Yuto's ribs. Well nearly, as he was woken up Scotty, the dog Yuya's mother had recently rescued. If the dog hadn't broken a rib, Yuto was sure Yuya would have by the way he pulled him out the bed.

Half a sleep, the boys were greeted by their parents, in the living room, already beginning to sort the presents. Yuto'#s mother smiled, getting up and hugging her son tightly. "Mery Christmas Yuto."

Yuto hugged back, squeezing tightly. "Merry Christmas mom."

"Yuto," Yuto looked up, seeing Yuusho standing before him with a small gift. "Seems Santa left you a present. Good thing he knew you were here."

Confused, Yuto took the gift, sitting on the sofa and Yuya followed his actions. "Well open it!" Yuya encouraged.

With a gulp, Yuto tore into the paper and then into the box. After getting past the foam peanuts, he pulled out a tape. Yousho nodded, indicating that Yuto could play it. The tape was inserted and Yuto nearly burst into tears, it was his dad on the video. Looking well, which meant he must have made this before he fell terminally ill. Worried, Yuya leant over, grabbing Yuto's hand in his own. "Merry Christmas son," His father began. "Well it should be if you're veiwing this. I just wanted to leave you one last gift before I pass. I'm sorry I won't be there for you. I won't be there when you graduate high school or even get married. Well, not in person anyway. In spirit I definitely will be. If I know you, I know you're looking after your mother for me. She's a handful but believe me, you won't find another woman like her. If you do, I would marry her." Yuto gave a small laugh. "Anyway, I just wanted to leave this message for you son to tell you I love you. You and your mother were my world and always will be. I'm proud of the man you are becoming and I will always watch over you. I love you Yuto. Merry Christmas."

As the video cut out Yuto let loose the tears he was holding back. He felt his mother hug him from behind, her tears falling on his shoulder and Yuya jumped in on the hug. "I love you too dad," He whispered with a smile. He was happy, he guessed Santa knew just want he wanted and now he knew, his dad was and always will be proud of him.