Chapter Text
Sousuke is excessively annoying today. Rin feels it is intentional, the way he comes in the police station ten minutes late, puffing his chest in a manner that anyone would notice. Duties on Christmas Eve are absolutely worst, especially when Sousuke is annoyingly happy and late.
Prancing and maneuvering himself between the messy isles of the office, everybody notices something different about Sousuke. While on their usual winter police uniform, he dons an eye-catching blue sweater that has a line of dolphins on the chest area. Dolphins, for god’s sake. The women at the office coos at Sousuke, and Rin can’t help but feel grumpy about it. No one is allowed to be happy while on duty on Christmas Eve. No one.
“It brings out your eyes, Sousuke-kun.” Rin rolls his eyes at that.
“It looks hand-made. So adorable!” Nobody mentions how late he is. Of course
.
“Who made it for you, Sousuke-kun?”
This time, Sousuke replies, and he does it almost bashfully. He dips his head low and scratches his chin. That bastard.
“It’s from my boyfriend,” he says, trying to sound nonchalant about it when in fact he's very much excited to tell them all about it.
What?
He ignores the constant squealing and the little screams from the women in the office but faintly hears Sousuke telling them that his boyfriend has a whale shark print all to himself. Rin grumbles at how sickly sweet they’re being, even exchanging their signature fish creatures.
Call Rin sensitive, but he expected something from Haruka, even though he isn’t his boyfriend. Even as friends, you can make an effort, especially in the Christmas season, right?
He pulls out his phone and texts Makoto, as he wants to confirm something.
You (08:15): Mako, did Haru give you something for Christmas?
Sousuke now proceeds to show them pictures of him with Haruka, how they have matching sweaters and doing everything gross couples do on Christmas. Rin thinks they’re also decorating their Christmas Tree together, it’s the most domestic thing you can do in the yuletide.
He excused himself, Sousuke staring at him in concern, and locked himself in the bathroom. His phone rings once.
Mako(8:16): Yes, he gave me an orca-printed sweater. It’s cute right? ^^
Rin feels like he deflated at that. He comes out of the bathroom, to see that Sousuke standing outside, apparently waiting for him.
“Nice sweater you have there, Sou,” Rin says, playing it cool.
“Here, Rin.” Sousuke throws a manila parcel at him, and Rin catches it, although barely.
“Wha-?” He looks at it, confused. Curiously, he tears the package and sees a maroon sweater with printed sharks, and he looks at Sousuke misty-eyed.
“Haruka wanted to give it to you personally, but he’s extremely busy, with all the commissions he’s been having.”
“I thought Haruka didn’t give me one…”
“Haruka gave all of his few friends and his boyfriend sweaters for Christmas. Don’t be jealous, dumbass.”
Rin cries even before he tried the sweater on.