learashi

Title: Gingerbread Wars #2 (2021 Christmas Drabbles)
Pairing(s): Ninomiya Kazunari/Matsumoto Jun
Genres: Christmas fluff
Rating: PG
Summary: Jun has reservations about visiting Ohno’s exhibition, but Nino is there to support him.
Notes: This fic is a follow up to Picking Up The Pieces

Bad memories threatened to overwhelm Jun as he hesitated in the doorway of the gallery. Even though his breakup with Jin had happened months ago, his self-confidence still ebbed and flowed as regularly as the tide.

"You don't have to worry, the only dick you will be seeing tonight will be mine when we get home." Nino slipped his hand into Jun's and smirked reassuringly. "It's not going to be anything like the last time you were here."

"I was surprised when you accepted Ohno’s invitation. I didn’t think that you were a big fan of parties, or Christmas." Jun wrapped his fingers around Nino's smaller hand, enjoying the way it fitted together with his own.

"I may not be a fan of parties, and Christmas annoys the crap out of me, but I happen to be a huge fan of free food and booze, and Oh-chan promised plenty of both."

The warmth of Nino’s eyes stiffened Jun's spine, and after taking a deep breath he crossed the threshold. The place was seriously packed, but they managed to make their way through the throngs of chattering people to the exhibition space where Ohno’s piece was situated.

Ohno was nowhere to be seen, but his two metre long gingerbread sculpture was in pride of place. The theme of the exhibition was based on Christmas, but they hadn’t expected him to take it so literally.

Jun blinked a few times and tried to take it all in. “Is that a…?”

“Tuna wearing a santa hat?” Nino finished for him as they turned to each other in confusion.

“Why, yes it is,” Ohno said proudly. He materialised in front of them wearing a satisfied smile, and a hat which precisely matched the one on the tuna.

"It’s really cute." Aiba stepped into the room, carrying a tray full of drinks.

Jun smiled at the sight of the red tie which he had given to Aiba tied around his neck, with the festive addition of a flashing set of miniature Christmas lights pinned to it. "You don't have to serve the drinks, Aiba; you're here as a guest."

"Force of habit." Aiba smiled shyly, and held out the tray so that Nino and Jun could help themselves to the rum punch. "I'm not used to mixing with these artsy types."

“Neither am I,” Ohno sighed.

"Or me." Sho emerged from behind Ohno’s artwork, and snatched two drinks for himself.

Jun raised an eyebrow and asked sarcastically, "Only two?"

Sho looked utterly unrepentant as he took a swig of the first. “I am off duty from the hospital for three days, and am determined to make the most of it, before I have to start dealing with all of the usual idiotic Christmas accidents, which are mostly caused by people getting drunk and doing something stupid.”

Nino noted that Sho’s face was already flushed, and looked pointedly at the two glasses in Sho's hands. "Speaking of drunk…"

Sho shrugged expansively, propelling the liquid contents of the glasses into the air in a direct line with the sculpture.

To Jun, everything after that seemed to happen in slow motion.

Fearing that the rum punch was going to ruin Ohno's hard work, he tried to fling himself protectively in front of the fish. Unfortunately, Aiba had the same idea. They crashed together, collecting Nino as collateral damage, and the three of them landed in a heap on top of the gingerbread fish, which hit the floor and broke into dozens of scattered pieces.

The three of them exchanged shocked looks as Sho stood there with his mouth hanging open as he took in the damage.

"We're so sorry!" Jun watched Aiba desperately trying to join the pieces back together, and wondered whether Ohno, who hadn't spoken or moved, was in the midst of a breakdown.

"At least his head is intact," Aiba said cheerfully, as he held it up to show Ohno. The severed head had retained its little Santa hat, and looked almost cheerful.

Sho apparently decided that Aiba needed help, and drunkenly stumbled over to help. Unfortunately he tripped over Nino's flailing foot and banged against Aiba, knocking the head out of his hand.

This time there was no saving the tuna head as it parted company with its jaunty hat, and broke in half as Sho ended up face first on top of Jun, who pushed him away so that he could attempt to get some air back into his flattened lungs.

The stunned silence which followed, was broken by peals of laughter. It was Ohno, who flopped down in the debris which was all that remained of his hard work.

Aiba looked around worriedly. "Is he okay?"

Nino crawled over and peered at Ohno from close range. "Are. You. Okay?" He enunciated each word clearly and patted Ohno’s fluffy hair consolingly.

Ohno wiped a tear of mirth from his eye and picked up a piece of gingerbread. He didn't even bother to dust it off before popping it into his mouth and chewing with every sign of satisfaction. "This is what gingerbread is made for, and even if I do say so myself, it's pretty darn delicious. You should try some."

Sho picked up a chunk of the head, and took a huge bite. "Christmas never tasted so good," he slurred happily.

Aiba grabbed a smaller piece and after brushing it down, munched on it with a satisfied hum.

Nino and Jun shrugged and retrieved the remnants of their rum punch, using it to wash down a few morsels of gingerbread which hadn't hit the floor.

The gallery patrons burst into spontaneous applause.

"What a magnificent piece of performance art!"

Never one to miss an opportunity, Nino snatched up the tuna's santa hat from where it had fallen, and walked over to the crowd. He held it out with an appealing smile, which widened as it was quickly filled with coins and notes.

Jun's heart swelled as he watched the man whom he loved so very much, and who was still his best friend. It seemed that Nino had finally found a reason to enjoy Christmas.