Each year, they switch off on playing Santa. So far, their daughter hasn't caught on to the truth, and really — it's better that way. She's still young, just seven years strong, and she deserves to enjoy her childhood without being pushed to maturity.

At least, that was what Tsukasa thought, until he sees the carrots waiting for him by the tree and not a single cookie or sweet among them. Izumi had said he'd take care of things with her and for him not to worry about it, and Tsukasa had left them to it, but to think that this year this would be the result...

"Papa said Santa Claus needed to cut back on the sweets an' slim down," their daughter replies when asked in the morning, her hair decorated with plastic bows. Tsukasa sticks another one onto her as she finishes unwrapping another gift, giggling as she does so and raising the stuffed horse above her head. Behind her, Izumi smiles like he's won a war.

He has not. Tsukasa refuses to acknowledge it that far — a battle, he could concede, but not a war. If anything, he considers this a declaration of sorts, and sticks a bow onto his daughter's back with grim determination.

He still isn't sure how to do it. Next Christmas is very far away, and while playing the long game would be hilarious, he is not that patient; that patience lessens when Izumi rests his head in the crook of his neck, body warm and welcome in the chill December air on their balcony, and asks if Santa Claus liked his carrots.

"His reindeer appreciated the extra treats," Tsukasa replies stiffly, hoping his tone is just as cold as his poor, aching nose is. "But Santa would have appreciated something Sweeter."

"He can have sweeter," Izumi says with a chuckle against his skin; Tsukasa's breath hitches as the cold meets newly wettened skin, and he briefly reconsiders his plans for vengeance. That brief reconsideration goes longer as he feels Izumi's fingers alight on the ring on his left hand, rubbing it with gentle, idle strokes. "What do you say, Kasa-kun?"

Tsukasa hates how easy he is for Izumi's affection, even if it's easier to draw out now than it used to be, because he feels his quest for revenge slip away as Izumi's fingers slip between his, and he turns his face just enough to catch the kiss he knows is coming.