December 23rd
Stacks of papers slid into a neat pile. Sosuke brushed his palms together, watching the cleared surface like it was proof of progress. The lamplight caught the faint rings under his eyes.
"You finished that stuff early? For yesterday's case?" Klein leaned back in his chair, one brow raised. "Gotta hand it to ya, kid. You can work."
"It really wasn't that hard." Sosuke stretched, chair creaking under his weight. "I just wish I could get more important assignments."
Klein exhaled and unbuttoned his collar. "This whole thing just started. There isn't any big case yet. We've got no intel, no leads. There are no important assignments. Just go home."
Sosuke's gaze dropped to the polished surface of his desk. He nodded once. "Maybe."
He stood, tugging his sleeves down and slipping on his coat. The office smelled faintly of coffee and old paper. A thin winter light spilled through the blinds, cutting across the tiled floor. He made his way down the stairwell, each step echoing against the empty walls, until he reached the lobby.
"Mr. Estrella." The receptionist waved from behind the counter.
Sosuke blinked, surprised. "Hey."
"There's someone here for you."
He followed her glance.
Rin sat on a couch in the waiting area, her hands twisting together in her lap. She wore her usual dark coat, snowflakes melting in her hair, gaze anchored to the floor.
"Rin…" Sosuke stopped halfway across the lobby, voice lowering. "What are you doing here? How did you—"
"Gabriel told me about it." She rubbed her arm, eyes flickering up for only a moment. "I didn't ask. He just reached out."
"What are you doing here though?" Sosuke stepped closer.
Rin rose to her feet, straightening. "You should know. We've barely talked these last two weeks, and Christmas is almost here. I don't want to spend it like this."
The words hit him harder than he expected. Sosuke's mouth opened, then closed again. His eyes drifted away. "Yeah, I know." He took a quiet breath. "Can we do this outside?"
Rin nodded.
He pushed open the glass doors and held them for her. The cold air met them instantly, biting and sharp. Their breath showed white in the afternoon light as they walked down the snow-dusted sidewalk.
"I'm sorry, Rin," Sosuke said after a long silence. His voice sounded smaller out here. "I just…" The rest stuck in his throat.
"I know." She glanced his way, her expression soft. "If it's something you really need, then I support it. Even if I wish you didn't."
Their hands brushed once. Then again. Sosuke's chest tightened. He caught her hand gently, his thumb brushing her knuckles.
"I'm glad," he murmured.
Rin smiled faintly, a tiny curve of relief. "Yeah…" She looked forward again. "I sent a letter to everyone—asked them to come to my house for Christmas. I thought it'd be nice to see everyone together again."
Sosuke let out a quiet laugh, the sound fogging the air. "It's been weeks, huh? Feels strange not seeing the same people every day."
"Mhm." Her eyes stayed on the glowing streetlights ahead.
He watched her for a moment—the set of her jaw, the faint red at her cheeks from the cold—and looked away. The snow began to fall again, slow and silent. They kept walking.
⸻
December 24th
"Reid!"
Lyra tied her hair into a loose bun, glancing toward the dresser where a folded letter rested. The handwriting on the front was neat—Rin's.
Reid stepped into the doorway, still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes. "Yeah?"
"Are you almost ready or what?" Lyra turned, hands on her hips.
"Ready—?" His eyes snapped open. "Wait, that's today? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"
"Why do I have to? We're not kids." Lyra sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. She picked up the letter, scanning Rin's address. "Interesting."
"Okay, I'm ready!"
Lyra blinked. "How—"
"I'm a swift dresser, my dear sister." Reid wagged a finger and grinned. "Oversleeping will never fumble Reid Starrk."
She groaned. "Oh, shut up. Let's go."
They stepped out together, boots crunching against the thin frost blanketing the street.
"Are you sure it's fine to go without gifts?" Reid tilted his head, walking backward a few steps. "I'm starting to feel like a terrible guest."
Lyra smirked. "It's our first Christmas in years. We're celebrating freedom, not presents."
He muttered under his breath, "Not sure I'd call you free."
She shot him a look sharp enough to cut. "What was that?"
"Nothing. Didn't say anything."
"You're lying."
"What did I say, then?"
"You bastard."
Reid grinned, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. His laughter trailed behind them as they made their way toward the train station.
The ride north cut through the countryside, steel tracks winding between tall pines and open fields glazed with frost. The windows fogged slightly, blurring the view into soft blues and whites. Lyra sat still, chin resting against her hand, eyes following the tree line as it blurred by. The world outside looked untouched, quiet, endless.
For the first time in a long while, she felt it—peace.
Reid was asleep beside her, his head tilted at an awkward angle.
The train slowed, brakes squealing against the tracks.
Lyra nudged him. "Reid. Wake up."
He blinked hard. "We're here?!"
"Quiet down." She pinched his side.
"Ow! God…" He stood, stretching.
They stepped off the train together. The air smelled like pine and smoke from a nearby chimney. A dirt trail led from the station into the woods, the trees wrapped in snow.
Lyra adjusted her scarf and started walking. "Come on. We're already late."
——
A soft knock broke through the hum of chatter.
Rin wiped her hands on her apron and walked to the front door. When she opened it, cold air drifted in, carrying the faint scent of pine. "You guys actually came."
"What?" Reid blinked. "We weren't even that late."
Lyra elbowed him in the ribs with a smirk. "Thank you for inviting us. It's his fault, by the way."
Rin stepped aside, motioning them in. "Come on. Shoes off by the mat."
They entered the small living room, the air warm and thick with the scent of roasted chicken and herbs. A fire crackled lazily in the hearth, shadows dancing across the walls. Sosuke sat on the couch beside Ren, the two deep in their usual debate. Across from them, Arthur read with one hand resting on an open page, Elowen sitting close beside him, eyes wandering the room like she wasn't used to peace yet.
"I'd never go out of my way to eat a carrot," Sosuke said, one leg crossed over the other, expression deadly serious. "Potatoes, though? They're perfect. More versatile too."
"I disagree," Ren replied flatly, arms crossed.
"With what?"
"I just disagree."
"Huh?!" Sosuke leaned toward him. "That's not even an argument! You can't just lose and say you 'disagree.'"
"Hey guys!" Reid's grin appeared over the back of the couch. "What're we debating this time?"
Sosuke sighed and sank back, resting his chin on his palm. "Nothing anymore."
Reid slipped around and dropped himself between them, arm thrown over the couch. "Sorry I didn't bring a gift."
"No one did," Ren said without looking up.
Reid glanced at the Christmas tree tucked into the corner. Its lights twinkled, but the floor beneath it was bare. "She was right…" he muttered.
Rin walked in from the kitchen, the soft orange light behind her haloing her figure. She stopped near the fireplace and clapped once to get everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone's here. I think it's time to eat." She tried to sound firm, but her lips curved into a small smile. "Please enjoy the food—it took forever to make." Her eyes landed on Reid. "Especially you."
"Wha—" Reid pointed to himself, bewildered.
Everyone chuckled, getting up from their seats. Chairs scraped softly against the wood floor as they headed toward the dining room.
Rin stopped Sosuke before he could follow. "Could you get my dad? He's in the garden out back."
"W–what? Why me?" Sosuke's eyes widened.
Rin crossed her arms, one brow arched. "How are you still nervous around him? He's not going to bite."
He frowned. "You're only doing this so he'll like me more."
"Maybe." She tilted her head innocently.
Sosuke sighed and muttered something under his breath as he buttoned his coat. "Fine. But only because you said please."
He pushed open the back door and stepped into the cold. The snow had thickened since earlier, flakes drifting in a slow, peaceful fall. The sky had dimmed into a deep gray-blue, and the garden stretched across the yard like a patchwork of color trapped beneath frost.
Akio sat on the porch, cane resting across his knees, watching the snow land on his flowers.
"Ah, Sosuke." His voice carried that calm wisdom only age could earn. "She sent you to fetch me, didn't she?"
Sosuke smiled sheepishly. "Yes, sir. She did."
Akio brushed off the snow on a nearby chair. "Sit. It's rude to rush."
Sosuke hesitated, then took a seat beside him. "It's freezing out here. You're not cold?"
"Of course I am," Akio chuckled. "But I like watching the seasons change. The flowers, they remind me that life's worth tending to, even when it fades."
Sosuke looked out at the garden—neat rows of flowers somehow still holding color beneath the snow. "It's beautiful. I guess I get what you mean."
Akio smiled faintly, a man who had seen enough winters to understand patience. He stood slowly, leaning on his cane. "Now," he said with a small cough, "let's not let the food get cold."
They went back inside together, the warmth of the home swallowing the chill from their coats.
⸻
The table stretched from wall to wall, covered in steaming dishes. Candles flickered in the center, their light soft against the white plates. The sound of laughter and conversation filled the room.
"I missed this!" Reid said with a mouthful of chicken, nearly dropping his fork.
"Missed what exactly?" Sosuke raised an eyebrow. "It's not like we've ever done this before."
"You know what I meant," Reid snapped back, though a grin tugged at his lips. "You just don't get it."
Ren pointed at him with his fork. "That almost sounded like Lyra."
Lyra's eyes narrowed. "What do I even have to do with this conversation?!"
The night drifted on, warm and bright against the whisper of falling snow outside.
——
December 25th, 12:01 a.m.
"Merry Christmas!" Reid shouted, spinning in front of the fireplace like a child set free. "Come on, guys!"
"Hooray!" Elowen joined in, her voice cutting through the quiet.
Arthur nearly jumped from his seat, blinking in surprise. "You scared me…"
"Merry Christmas!" Sosuke followed after Reid, hands raised in mock celebration. "Where's the holiday spirit?"
"I think I lost it watching you two." Lyra leaned back in her chair, arms folded. "We don't even have presents. What exactly are we celebrating?"
Reid stopped right in front of her, grin wide. "Why do you have to be grumpy? Where's that smile?" He pressed his fingers to her cheeks and forced one.
A sharp smack filled the room. Reid hit the floor, motionless.
Lyra exhaled and sat back down, her glare daring anyone to comment.
Sosuke crouched beside Ren, keeping his voice low. "What's got her so worked up?"
Ren barely looked away from his drink. "I wouldn't know."
Sosuke stood, brushed his hands on his pants, and dropped himself onto the couch beside Lyra. "So, how's life been?"
She raised an eyebrow. "What kind of question is that?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm just trying to talk." Sosuke traced the edge of the couch with a finger. "You been busy?"
Lyra sighed, shoulders relaxing slightly. "Unfortunately, yes."
"Hm? With what?" Sosuke leaned back, his eyes wandering toward the fire.
"Stuff."
"Oh? Like?"
"Family stuff."
"Ah. Right. They got you running errands again?"
Lyra rested her head on her hand, gaze softening. "It's worse. You just wouldn't get it."
"I don't mean to pry." Sosuke gave a short whistle, glancing at her. "You should separate that 'work' from your personal life. It's the only way to keep any kind of peace."
"You're right. That's why I'm not talking about it."
"Fair point."
A long silence followed. The fire cracked, faint and steady.
"You know," Sosuke said, his voice quieter now, "I realize we don't talk one-on-one much."
"You don't say." Her reply was quick, dry.
"I uh…" He hesitated, the words failing before they even formed.
Lyra finally turned to him and sighed. "Sorry. It's just the stress."
"No, it's fine." Sosuke leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "I know you're busy. I'll give you space."
Lyra gave a small nod. Sosuke stood and stepped away, his expression unreadable in the flickering firelight.
He moved across the room, eyes drifting toward the window, where snow brushed against the glass in soft, aimless spirals.
It does seem like she's doing something important, he thought. I hate this. I really do care, but… I had to ask for other reasons. It was worth a try. I'll get the rest from Reid.
He walked past the quiet tree, its ornaments reflecting dim gold and red across the room, and disappeared down the hall.
The night carried on.