Chapter Text
Josuke wasn't expecting a gift, the small demon staring at the mountain of bright purple wrapping paper and glittering ribbon with awe. It wasn't his birthday, nor any other day, yet Joseph had called him into the tearoom where he'd seen the large offering. Tiny, dark feathered wings flutter as he looks at the massive package, the contents yet unknown to the demon. Temptation plucked at every fibre of his being to simply dig into the paper as he laid his small, clawed hands upon the mass. Violet eyes dart around the empty tearoom, looking for any sign of servants or his three parents, finding none in the sunlit room.
Minutes pass as Josuke sits in the tearoom; the small demon contemplating devouring the sweets laid upon the silver platter on the table to distract him from the towering present, yet knowing they would not satisfy his deepening curiosity. Biting his lip, Josuke digs in, claws sinking into paper just enough to feel but not fear, before a booming voice rings into the room, startling josuke into digging in with his hands. "Josuke, sorry to keep you waiting!"
Whipping his head around, he sees his father, the sight of the butler following close behind with a tea tray filled with more goodies. Claws still sunken into crinkling paper, he doesn't move from place, even as he hears the distinct sound of Joseph's heeled boots on mahogany floors. "You're always late."
"Am not." Joseph responded, kneeling beside his son, a large wing wrapping around the childlike demon's small frame. "Though I see you already found your gift."
"How could I not find it?" Josuke's clawed hand that's already sunken into the paper flexes, the wrinkling of paper filling his senses. "It's bigger than you are, and easily three times my size. Frankly I'd be amazed if you could hide it from anyone."
Joseph's chuckle shakes him as he lingers behind Josuke, before a large clawed hand rests on his shoulder. Joseph's hand alone is large enough to dwarf Josuke, the smaller demon small enough to easily be cradled by one hand alone. "It wasn't meant to be hidden, but to be given. Perhaps you should go ahead and open it before we take tea."
Violet eyes light up at the words, the smaller demon perking up at the fact he wasn't being punished for sinking his claws into the massive package already. Tomoko would have scolded him for such a thing, the angel stricter on such things than Joseph or Suzie Q ever were.
To say he was excited was an understatement as his tiny claws set to work on shredding every inch of the waxy purple paper. Small arms moved to pull the paper away as it's shredded, the sound of tearing paper and Joseph's hearty chuckle at his son's excitement. Soon the paper falls away, revealing a mass of chocolate colored velveteen fur and plush. Josuke stares in wonder at the massive teddy bear before him, his tiny clawed hands reaching out to tug at the green and yellow striped scarf wrapped around the bear's neck. Two glittering emerald green eyes stare down at Josuke, painted to look as real as his own eyes peering back, almost looked as if they would move at any moment. The little demon is enamoured, looking at his dad as he practically lays down upon the bulging belly of the bear, arms wrapped around the bear's neck. "I love him!"
"Good. Tomoko thought you were too old for such a childish toy." The older demon moved closer, the sound of the paper crinkling beneath his massive form as Joseph steps forward, causing Josuke to shiver. A large hand covers the bulk of his back, careful about his wings, reminding Josuke of just how tiny he was compared to his father. A thumb the width of Josuke's forearm strokes his side, the gentle affection making Josuke chirp in delight. "I told her you would like it though."
"To be fair to mom, she does generally know what I like more than you do." Josuke responds, promptly feeling a claw tickle him in response. "What it's true! Who usually does gift shopping for me?"
"Suzie Q." The response is blunt, but Josuke shuffles on the bear beneath his dad's hands, hips digging into plush as he squirms beneath his hand to look at his dad. Pouting, he meets his father's gaze.
"Really?" He asks, the signature pout still on his features as if he hopes that'll change his answer. Really though, he doesn't care who it is who gets his presents, but knowing who is responsible for them….well that was different.
"Yes really." Joseph's hand curls around his midsection, pulling him off the velvety plush surface of the toy and into his dad's arms. An arm that feels the size of a tree trunk holds him to his father's broad chest as he's adjusted. "For now, it's tea time. I'll have the servants take your present to your room for you to enjoy later."
"Awe come on!" Josuke whines, hands clutching at the scarf.
"Later. There's plenty of time for that later. For now, I do believe they've brewed your favorite chocolate tea for today."
Josuke relents, the ideas of his favorite tea and being able to play as much as he wanted too with the bear later being enticing enough to let him release the scarf in his clawed hands. Wings flutter against the firm chest behind him before he's settled down, a small army of servants silently entering to take the bear out of the room shortly after as he's served a cup of tea and a luxurious slice of devil's food cake.
Later that night, Josuke enters his room with the company of his personal servant, the bear is there upon his four poster bed. Despite it's massive size, there's still space for him, and he immediately rushes forward to tuck his head into the plush, much to the chagrin of his handler. Still he was happy, his face buried into soft fuzz as he sighs in contentment. Oh he wanted to play, but he had to wait just a little longer. At least until his company left him.