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It came to their attention once they had finished decorating the tree. The pine tree stood in the corner of the living room in all its glory.
Yato stepped back after placing the last sparkling ornament on its designated branch. He dusted off his hands and caught his red-tinted reflection staring back at him with pride in the tiny orb. The same liveliness of the Christmas lights lit his magnificently blue eyes.
"Looks great, right?" The god said over his shoulder to his two companions.
"Sure does!" The orange-eyed boy declared with accomplishment.
"It's lovely!" The half-Phantom grinned widely.
"It's beautiful~!" Another feminine voice sang from the doorway.
The pink goddess clasped her hands together in awe, taking in the wonderful sight of the Christmas tree.
"I told you to stay at least ten feet away!" Yato cried. "We already lost a whole box of ornaments 'cuz of you!"
Kofuku glanced down at the small cardboard box full of shattered decorations beside them. She puffed out her cheeks and crossed her arms.
"I'm just spectating!" She defended.
Suddenly, a mess of blonde hair disappeared from Yato's peripheral vision. He turned to find his Blessed Vessel exiting the room without a word.
"Ay!" He called to him. "Where're you going?"
Yukine paused in the doorway beside Kofuku and looked back at his master with a bright smile.
"I gotta start my Christmas list," he declared. "No time to talk!"
Without wasting time, he rushed off around the corner. They all heard his excited footsteps as he went.
Yato sighed and retired to a seat on the couch. "I hope that kid keeps it short n' sweet."
The goddess of poverty waved it off with a wide grin stretched across her face. "How bad could it be?"
"Famous last words," the delivery god scoffed.
Hiyori chuckled gently. "I'm sure it'll be fine," she reassured him. "Yukine-kun isn't greedy, and there will be plenty of other Christmases."
She was right.
Except for the fact that this was Yukine's first Christmas. It had to be memorable.
And maybe the only one pressuring him was himself, but he couldn't disappoint his kid. This was his chance to show his Regalia his absolute gratitude. And he intended to do exactly that.
If he didn't go big, he was going home.
. . . .
The delivery god stared down at the paper in his hand. He ran his hand through his dark locks and groaned in annoyance.
"I don't get it," he muttered to himself, "how can you believe in some magical dude who just delivers presents in the sky?"
"R-right…"
The deadpan expression written across Hiyori's face went unnoticed as Yato focused on the list in front of him.
Up until last year, she didn't even believe in ghosts and the supernatural. And now, here she was; sitting across from a god in another world most people couldn't see.
"Well," she began, "I suppose, as a delivery god, this is your chance to deliver."
Yato neglected her attempt at a joke and made a noise of agitation.
"Half of this stuff on here is either too expensive, or just unrealistic!" He gestured dramatically towards the list. "I mean - where the hell do I find a skateboard that lights up ?"
The young girl sighed, feeling defeated. She held her finger up to her chin in thought. As she did, her pink tail casually swished behind her.
It seemed to catch Yato's eye, and he sprang up from his seat. Hiyori leaned away in slight surprise, looking up at him. He gaped at her with brightened eyes, as if a light switch flipped in his head.
"I got it!" He cried victoriously. "A cat !"
"A cat…?" Hiyori echoed, blinking at him.
Then she seemed to consider the idea, glancing away to collect her thoughts. "Yeah, I guess Yukine-kun does like cats…" she mumbled aloud.
"That's perfect! There's plenty of cats just roaming the country!"
Hiyori chuckled weakly at the god's implications. Nervous sweat ran down her temple.
"Y-you can't just ' grab ' a cat from the streets…" Hiyori exclaimed in bewilderment.
Yato tilted his head and blinked, as if puzzled. "Why not? They're all free."
Hiyori shook her head. "Yukine-kun needs one of his own - one that is young, healthy and can bond with him."
Yato hummed aloud to himself thoughtfully, his eyes glazing over as he wondered.
"You'll figure something out," she supported him.
. . . .
The day arrived when all of them gathered around for the much-anticipated gift unwrapping. The tree twinkled, the fire burned and the hot chocolate was steaming.
Daikoku was already scooping up the wrapping paper off the floor and tossing it into the trash bag in his other hand. While everyone was busy being entertained by their new gifts, Hiyori turned to Yato and gave him the signal.
Yato noticed immediately. He nodded, and the girl continued to distract the blonde boy long enough for the god to slip out of the room unnoticed.
"Did you get what you were hoping for, Yukine-kun?" Hiyori asked curiously.
The young Regalia scanned the brand new sneakers in their box beside him. "I think so," he answered honestly. "I'm just thankful you guys went through all the trouble-"
A tiny mewl caught all of their ears, and they all turned their heads to witness the source of the sound.
Yato presented the animal in his grasp. And there it was; the smallest, most precious creature he'd ever laid his eyes on. With a red bow tied carefully around its neck.
Kofuku seemed to think so too. She leapt up, squealing with joy and rushed to be the first one to get a closer look.
"So cuuuute~!" She sang, hearts in her eyes.
Suddenly, Daikoku was holding her back. The goddess kicked and whined, but once she realized her resitisting was futile, she only crossed her arms and pouted.
"It's not for you, milady!" The tall man reprimanded.
Yato rolled his eyes and turned to his Blessed Vessel. "Yukine."
Yukine's eyes widened in surprise. He looked around at everyone else questioning them. They were all grinning warmly.
"F-for me?" The Regalia asked, taken aback.
Yato nodded, smiling from ear to ear. "She's all yours."
He knelt beside the boy, offering the little kitten to him. Yukine seemed hesitant at first, but he carefully reached out and retrieved it from him. He cradled it to his chest and examined it more.
She was an orange cat with a slim figure and pink paws. Her green eyes bore into the boy's sunny ones with the same affection. She sniffed him eagerly.
The kitten squirmed and shrieked with excitement at its new companion. She soon appeared to find a safe spot in between his neck and shoulder blade to rest as she settled there. Her purring comforted him.
Yukine lifted his head to catch Yato's gaze, amazed.
The god giggled softly. "She still needs a name."
"Ah - really??" Yukine gaped.
He looked down at his new kitten in his arms. She was snuggling up against his cheek.
The boy looked up again. He scanned the room, attempting to come up with any ideas. He scanned the room, passing glances with Daikoku, Kofuku and Hiyori.
But the person his sight fixated on was the person closest to him, with only a mere foot's length from where he sat. Yato.
And then it came to him.
"Ai."
Kofuku let out another gasp of enthusiasm. "That's adorable, Yukki~!"
"It's perfect." Hiyori smiled in agreement.
Yato laughed.
"What's so funny?" Yukine asked, clearly offended.
Yato shook his head and affectionately ruffled Yukine's shaggy blonde hair. "Nothing. It's a great name."
The boy swatted his hand away and fixed his hair. But then Yato saw the corners of his mouth lifted upwards, and the way his eyes sparkled.
"Merry Christmas, kiddo."