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[The Halloween decor had been cleared out not long after the holiday itself had passed. But Donnie's still making good on his word, and once December rolls around, he's been in and out of the esper's apartment, setting up the more subtler components of his gift. Things don't activate until the evening of the 24th because Donnie anticipates that Accelerator's Christmas plans probably largely consist of sleeping in.

There's no lightning, no creepy laughter, but the lights dim subtly, and along the edges of the ceiling of the main room trace bars of soft grayish-white light, beaming upwards so there's no harsh glare when someone looks up at them. There's other lighting installments around the room, nestled cleverly where they can throw off soft but at the same time jagged shadows reminiscent of Accelerator's favored zig-zag patterning, not everywhere thankfully, but thrown in here and there to break up the monotony.

The regular lighting of course still works and the mood lighting doesn't clash at all, but everything still switches off as needed. Donnie's not trying to annoy Accy here.

...although there is a tub full of fist-sized plushies that somehow look like his favorite coffee can drink.]

[Accelerator doesn't notice any changes, outside of the Halloween decor disappearing. He's never cared much about his residence (the sole exception the one day at Yomikawa's) and he isn't about to start now. Excluded from that indifference is the occasional bug check, due to the older Jason's paranoia and the issues the younger Jason had at the Descendant.

All that to say he's clueless right up until the new mood lighting actually starts. He had been indeed planning to sleep in for Christmas, maybe order some KFC since you apparently don't need to reserve it in advance in America, but that's all.

It's irritating when he sees it, because his response to most things is to be irritated. Unlike the Halloween stuff it isn't actually gaudy (it is, in fact, completely to his aesthetic), but he's annoyed Donnie went to all this effort when he could've spent it elsewhere for a more worthwhile return.

The plushies, meanwhile, do genuinely annoy him.

After an hour or so Donnie is receiving a text.]

I don't even celebrate the damn holiday, you bastard. And I'm throwing all those toys out.

Just because you don't doesn't mean I can't give you a gift.

[Also noting that Accy did not say a thing about the mood lighting, which he counts as a small victory.]

I feel like this is your goto response for things. At least donate them or something!

Doesn't it?

[He's keeping that mood lighting.]

Who the hell is going to want stuffed toys that look like cans of BOSS Coffee?

Not at all.

[And now he is going to laugh because that does sound pretty funny even if is true.]

Aw, who doesn't love coffee? Although maybe not as much as you, you do have a weird obsession.

Fucking hell, does this mean I have to get you something in return?

[Seems like he has to, since Donnie went to all this effort.

(And because they're friends and all).]

It's one of the most popular brands in Japan.

[Not that that makes it any less weird.]

Of course not!

[He's not really expecting any reciprocation. Weirdly enough, Donnie likes giving gifts. They may not always be appreciated but when he puts things together he genuinely hopes people like them.]

Hm. Well, I guess that would make it a pretty niche thing. Okay fine, I'll come over and we can figure something else to do with them.

You obviously celebrate the holiday, though.

[He's picturing Last Order somehow learning that he refused to do anything for Christmas, including gift giving. Even though the chances of that happening are infinitesimal, he isn't sure he wants to risk it.....]

Fine. I'm not doing anything right now.

Yes, I figured that has already been an established fact.

Oh good, I'm already en route. See you soon!

[Accelerator sighs and goes to unlock the front door before chilling on the couch (which is still kind of dried-bloody-mess, thanks Jason) with a can of coffee. He isn't sure if Donnie is going to come in through there or a window, so whatever.]

[Since Accelerator's said he's going to be home, Donnie opts for the door like a normal person. Besides, it makes it easier when he's got a bag full of actual canned coffee. He taps out a rhythm on the door that only makes sense to him before opening it to poke his head inside before he slips on in.]

Meeeerry Christmas!

[He isn't bothering to get up. At this point both turtles have free reign of the place, so he doesn't see any need to.]

You'd have better brought a trash bag for those fucking toys.

[That is his way of saying hi.]

Nice to see you too.

[Donnie walks over and sets the bag of coffee in Accelerator's lap so he can unsling his backpack and dig around in it.]

By the way, that's really gross and unhygienic, here.

[He'd hoped that mess wasn't what he'd thought it was, so of course he had to take samples and test- be thoroughly grossed out and then come up with some sort of cleaning solution.]

It probably won't work for a deep clean, I recommend burning the evidence with fire instead of leaving it in your apartment.

[Accelerator raises his eyebrows and peeks into the bag. Oh, coffee. On the one hand, that's another thing Donnie is giving him. On the other, free coffee, and the brand he's currently drinking.

He turns his attention from the coffee to the couch, shrugging.]

I can live with it. It's not like it was my blood.

...yeah, because that's totally reassuring.

Anyway I figured as much. [Accy's left enough blood samples everywhere as it is.]

Still gross, but know what, not going to ask.

[He starts towards the bathroom, returning with a small armful of coffee can plushies.]

Did you even give it a try?

[He takes another sip of his coffee, debating whether to explain the situation or not. How the hell do you explain one of my pseudo-parental figures was having a fight with himself and needed to get stitched up without it sounding completely crazy?

Besides, what the Jasons were doing was really personal. He told the younger one he wouldn't go around blabbing. It isn't really his right to talk about it.

He sighs a little, looking away from the very pathetic attempt he made at cleaning the couch up.]

Absolutely not. I already have a bed, and I like to be able to shower without worrying about breaking my neck on one of those things.

Edited 2023-12-22 02:03 (UTC)

[He is absolutely failing at trying to keep a straight face as he imagines Accelerator trying to lie in a pile of coffee can plushies. With a cough, he holds one of them up, giving it a squeeze.]

Fine, but I'm leaving at least one.

[He resists the urge to complain and placates himself with the idea of finding a dog that needs a new chew toy or something. Plus, it's just one. One isn't worth fighting over.]

Fine, do what you want. As far as I'm concerned all of them are yours.

[Excellent. Donnie looks at the one as though contemplating where to put it before a thought strikes him and he grins. It's a very slow and borderline evil grin as he looks down at the rest of the plushies in his arms.]

One it is!

[He starts squishing them all together, which is all well and good until they glow with a brief golden light. Instead of an armload of plushies, there's one large plush of a BOSS coffee can. Donnie beams as he gives it an experimental squish.]

Haha! Now you can use it as an actual pillow!

[Look, normally Accelerator would not be bothered, but that grin. He's seen that grin before. It's very ominous.

He's a little worried, and he has every right to be as he stares. Donnie is a technopath, and he has a certain about of weapon and technology creation using his ninjitsu. This is not that.

What. What just happened. Why does it feel like he was just pranked?]

... The fuck?

[Donnie looks vaguely amused at the esper's expression. He tosses the plush up and down in hand before walking over to hold it out to Accelerator.]

I know, right?

[Accelerator keeps on staring, his gaze going from Donnie to the giant plush coffee and back again. He refuses to take the damn thing.]

Do you want to explain this?

It's not like it's going to bite or something. Man, I might just make a bunch of giant ones from the others. These are so squishyyyy.

[Aw come oooon, he doesn't wanna put it on the bloody couch! Donnie rolls his eyes, sighing as he retracts the plush, giving it another squish between his hands.]

You know the whole fight thing with the Shining God..?

[From the skeptical look on Accelerator's face he isn't sure he believes that.]

Yes. What the fuck does that have to do with this? [He gestures at the plush.]

[Donnie hadn't figured Accelerator would be that weirded out about it, so now he can't help but feel a little self-conscious as he hugs the coffee can plush to himself. Well...okay, it's probably more than a little weird.]

I...ended up with some of her power.

Ho Ho Ho

Beautiful

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