wrapping up

"Thank you for coming to help me, Komaki. I understand you're more comfortable when Mamoru is around, so I appreciate you giving me a chance." Asteodia carefully folded the wrapping paper around the box he was on and his ears twitched as he listened for Komaki's movements.

His third eye strained itself recently, so Asteodia was basically blind, but since Mamoru had gone out shopping, he relied on others through his recommendation for his gift wrapping. He handed everyone's gift from each person, aside from those who was helping him, "You do this every year, alone?"

"I'll get help from Mamoru once his shopping is over," Asteodia gently flattened the tape before handing Komaki the present, "he's a very gentle helper considering my limited sight."

"He is pretty great.." Asteodia smiled at the love in Komaki's voice but held his tongue, "I understand that you've known him for awhile, how did you meet?"

"It's funny, I ran down close to Christmas, and seeing a climber geared up scared me to death."

Asteodia laughed at the thought of a fully geared up Mamoru, he hadn't bought new gear in years, funnily enough after meeting Komaki, "It's funny how tough he looks, but then you realize he's a big softie inside."

"He lent me some of his gear when I started shivering, he really was something back then."

"What about now?" Asteodia opened his eye a little when Komaki grew silent and couldn't help but smile a little more when he saw the soft blush on his cheeks, "He's alright, still a very sweet man."

"He's busying himself too often to visit others, honestly.. Do you think you could get through to him?"

Komaki thought for a moment before nodding, "Just give me a little while, he's stubborn when he gets in a routine."

Asteodia hummed in agreement, "Now, lets get a little focused on the presents before he gets home."

The two kois spent hours wrapping and tapping up differently sized boxes before putting the ones for his home under the tree and the others in a nearby pile for Komaki to get home when he was getting ready to leave, "Who is getting the crystals?"

"That'd be my own."

"You wrap your own gifts?"

Asteodia nodded before gently applying the tape, "I can't see what kind this type, but usually I know exactly what I'm getting, despite everyone's pleas for me to see one as a surprise."

"I get both sides but I guess you can't please everyone."

Asteodia nodded in agreement before handing Komaki the last gift, "That'll be all for today and hopefully no last-minutes this year."

"How much does that happen?"

"More than I'd like to admit.." Asteodia sighed before standing up, "Could you lead me to my bed for now? I'll talk to Mamoru about his gift haul later."

"Thank you for doing so much for my friends."

"Please," Asteodia, gently held onto Komaki's arms, "I want to know people are happy than stressed during a holiday like this."