"Are you sure you don't want to hang out?" Asahi asked in a concerned tone, his eyes falling onto his friend.

"No, I'm fine. Really Asahi, it's Christmas Eve. You should be with Noya and his family right now" Daichi chuckled as he clung onto his present more tightly.

"You're my friend, Daichi. It hurts seeing you alone, but... if you say so. I'll get going" Asahi sighed loudly before going in for another hug. Daichi set the gifts aside and pulled his bestfriend into a hug, the two stood for a minute or two, just enjoying each others warmth, but it was time for Asahi to go.

"If anything, just call me. Noya and I will come to you, seriously, don't be embarrassed to do that" Asahi smiled once more. Daichi simply nodded and watched as Asahi headed for the front door. After quite a few goodbyes, Daichi watched himself lock the door and head back into the living room.

Asahi had come by, he said he was on his way to Nishinoya's place, but left earlier on purpose. He wanted to visit Daichi before and invite him to the Christmas dinner, he expected him to decline the offer. It was obvious from the way Daichi welcomed him and what kind of atmosphere his apartment had.

When Daichi opened the door, his hair was messy, bags under his eyes showed distress and tiredness. He was wrapped up in a blanket Asahi had gifted him and the only two lights in his apartment were coming from a TV and a teeny tiny Christmas tree decoration, the only festive one.

He had told Asahi that he was struggling at work, not that it was all that hard, but it was simply stressing the hell out of him. He had broken up with his boyfriend a few months prior and it seemed like it was still affecting him a bit. Asahi never approved of his previous relationship, the guy was a jerk, trying to take Daichi away from his friends.

The two broke up, no, he broke up with Daichi because he just couldn't stand how stressed Daichi was. Imagine being this toxic. Imagine not supporting your significant other when they are having a hard time...

Asahi had told Daichi to start off 2020 without regrets and the other wanted to agree, before remembering that he has been harbouring his crush for a specific person for the longest time and this was just another year he would go and hide his feelings.

Sugawara Koushi. A coworker. Someone Daichi was really close to, someone that was there for him since he started working. A person, like an angel, helping Daichi in whatever way he can...

But it was pointless, everything at this moment of time was pointless.

Daichi peeked inside the gift bag, it was a cute gift set and a sweater, a very Asahi gift, but the only gift he has gotten this year. Wouldn't it be nice to spend this festive time with your family? No. Not for Daichi.

With intrusive depressing thoughts, Daichi flopped back onto the couch. Some christmas show was on TV, but Daichi couldn't care less. He closed his eyes and felt himself falling asleep, wrapped tightly in a cute blanket that Asahi had bought him.

Escaping to a dream world can help a person. It can make them happier.

Daichi dreamt of himself standing by the window. His apartment is only on the second floor, he stared into the empty street... wait, it wasn't empty. Who is that person walking down the street this late?
Daichi squinted his eyes at the figure, recognizing the silver hair peeking out of the black beanie. He struggled to open the window, "Suga!", he shouted gaining attention.

Sugawara stared at him wide-eyed, before rushing to the apartment building and towards Daichi's door, where he was already waiting. He invited Suga in with a hug, his cheeks were red from the cold outside, his hands felt like icicles, yet his beautiful golden eyes sparkled like a glittery Christmas ornament.

"Suga, what are you doing out this late?" He asked as he watched Sugawara take off his heavy coat. He was dressed plainly, as if he wasn't celebrating.

"Oh, I... I don't know. I'm just tired of people around me telling me what to do and who to love..." Sugawara sighed loudly, falling into Daichi's embrace once more.

"Well, you can crash here if you want" Daichi smiled at the man in his arms, tightening his grip, wishing for the dream to never end.

"Really? I'd... I'd love to! But I don't want to intrude into your celebration" Sugawara's worried tone, cut through Daichi's sadness like a hot knife cuts through butter.

"I'm not really celebrating with anyone. Just alone this year", Daichi invited Suga in, embarrassed of the messy couch and empty packs of chips under the table. He scrambled to clean it up, hearing Suga chuckle in the background.

"Well, that makes two of us. Let's spend this day together, then", ah... that smile. That beautiful smile which made the room seem much more brighter. Sugawara took a few graceful steps towards Daichi, who had frozen in his place, and placed his hand on Daichi's cheek. "Let's make some hot tea and enjoy this Christmas eve"

Daichi nodded frantically before diving into the kitchen, he exhaled the air that he was holding in, his cheeks now bright red, like the tip of his ears. His heart was out of control, you could probably power a city with the amount of force that it was beating with. Sugawara walked into the kitchen shortly, promptly opening opening the fridge and checking the ingredients inside. He didn't much, but just enough for a platter that they could enjoy with tea.

Daichi dug through his tea cabinet till he came across a box. It was Sugawara's favourite tea - cinnamon and orange flavour, perfect for a festive time like this.

The two buzzed in the kitchen for a few more moments before setting down the cups and the platter on the tea table in front of the couch. Daichi offered Sugawara his blanket, which the other gladly agreed to take.

And so, the two sat down next to eachother staring at the nonsense on the TV. It didn't take long for Sugawara to lower the volume and turn his attention back to Daichi.

"So... how come you're celebrating alone? Sorry if this question is intrusive...", he asked.

Daichi sighed, before taking a sip of his tea. "I've been celebrating alone since I moved out of my parents place. It's not a very welcome place. I have nothing against them, really. They simply invite the whole family and I have some nasty aunts and uncles, who despise the fact that I am gay..."

"Can relate here, except I left on my own accord this year. They kept trying to set me up with people. Like, I get it, my parents are old style, they like the arranged relationship stuff, but this year was the last straw..."

"What did they do?"

Daichi watched as Sugawara stared at his reflection in the cup of tea. "They invited a girl to our Christmas dinner. A girl I do not know. I thought she was like a niece or a cousin of some sorts that I haven't met before, but no, they brought her in to set us up, thought that I wouldn't refuse in front of the whole family, but I'm not weak like that. I just left... I left the house... and..."

Sugawara seemed hurt, his hands trembled slightly. Daichi quickly pulled him into a hug, whispering sweet things into his ear, telling Sugawara just how lovely and strong he was. Daichi felt confident in his dream, perhaps he could be confident like this in real life too.

The two stayed in eachothers arms for a while again, but Daichi never ran out of things to say. Compliments spilled out of his mouth, yet he failed notice the red tips of Sugawara's ears and how he tightened his grip.

After what seemed like hours the two finally pulled away. "I wish there was more people like you, Daichi", Sugawara said. Now that his face was so close to Daichi's, he felt an urge to lean in and place a soft kiss and Daichi's lips.

"I'm the only one, limited edition" Daichi chuckled slightly. His eyes met Suga's, they couldn't look away from each other.

"Yeah... you're right. And I'm glad you are. That's why I like you, after all...." Sugawara whispered the last sentence. Daichi's breathing hitched and he found himself at a loss for words. Suga must have taken it in a wrong way, Daichi wasn't mad, he was simply speechless, yet Sugawara pulled away. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to.. I'll  go.. I'm sorry..." he mumbled under his breath, but Daichi grabbed his hands and pulled him into his embrace.

"No...don't apologise. Stay..." Daichi said before leaning in and placing a kiss atop Sugawara's soft lips. It was a magical moment, as if the two melted into each other. Their hands wrapped around each other tightly, not wanting to let go.

It was at that moment that Daichi's clock striked twelve, but it didn't stop the two from kissing. Daichi's rougher lips found comfort is Sugawara's soft ones. His thumb stroked Sugawara's cheek lightly, while the other hand had gone missing somewhere underneath Suga's sweater.
The other kept tugging on Daichi's hair, craving more contact, more passion, more love.

It only seemed that after hours of kissing each other the two pulled away, lips swollen, cheeks red yet the smiles on their faces were priceless. After exchanging a few more words the two fell asleep...

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The morning alarm woke Daichi up almost instantly, he rubbed his eyes before shutting off his alarm. Through the slightly open curtains he could see snow falling.

Daichi sighed.

Dreams.. sometimes even worse than nightmares.

And yet, as he was about to get off the couch he heard a muffled sound, he looked to his left to see Sugawara, wrapped tightly in a blanket.

Dreams come true.

They really do.

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Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy winter solstice! Happy whatever you're celebrating.

Here is my gift this year for all of you my dear readers. I hope you enjoyed this short story.

As 2020 approaches I want to wish you all a happy year. I hope your dreams come true, much like Daichi's did.

Love you all,
Hatari.