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Christmas had never meant much, if anything, to a street thug like Rappa.
He had no family to celebrate it with, the gangs he shifted through quicker than a phonebook could hardly be called friends, and his only relationships were quick hook-ups in bars or fighting clubs when the adrenaline was pumping strong through his veins.
But now here he was with the sliver of a possibility for something out of the norm. The brawler had been free from prison for several months, finally being granted parole based on good behaviour and being able to provide inside information on the Shie Hassaikai, and for the first time in a long time he actually had the chance to go somewhere for Christmas.
Rappa had walked the familiar streets to the huge apartment block, specially designed for those with larger build quirks, before realising what day it actually when he'd caught it blaring at him in bright neon lights from a convenience store window. He'd only really looked when he thought about getting his usual big order of food to charm his way into his favourite hero's home, only to catch the date flashing 12/24. Christmas Eve.
The food he grabbed was whatever fried chicken the brawler could get his hands on at such short notice, along with a large order of takoyaki from the store with Fatgum's chibi-fied face on the sign. Mama Yanko always gave him twice the amount he ordered if he dropped the fat man's name into it.
Meal in hand, Rappa continued his path, a strange feeling in his chest just from noticing the date. Spending Christmas with someone else? It would be a first.
-
Christmas, to Fatgum, meant everything.
Sure, he wasn't about to go out for the night, or have a romantic meal with a loved one, but he certainly made a habit out of ensuring that every single person he knew got a present of some fashion. In the corner, his own pile of presents was enormous - proof that good work and generosity gained him more food than he ever knew what to do with - but the pile he was working on himself was even bigger still.
He'd been through several homes already, passing by those he cared about and those he had helped and those who saw him every single day as he patrolled the streets, but Fatgum’s work was far from done. Once his presents were open in the morning, he knew that he'd probably have another charity drive to donate a lot of the food items to, or have to prepare a big pot of stew for the soup kitchen. Already he was going through a list of the ingredients he'd purchased the night before, ready for the rush that Christmas Day would bring.
Christmas Eve, however...
Well, that was a time for finishing up his last minute wrapping, and spending alone. As he always did.
For a moment, his hands hesitated on a large scarf that he was about to pick up. A present for someone. Dark red with some lighter beige designs on it. Something that the intended recipient would not wear in a million years and yet here it was being wrapped up meticulously by the large hands of the pro hero.
Fatgum sighed. Why had he bought it? Rappa was hardly the sentimental sort. He'd probably laugh the hero out of whatever place he chose to exchange gifts. Yet...he'd get it anyway. Whether he liked it or not.
-
With his stomach growling from the smell of fresh fried food in the bag he carried, Rappa jogged up the few flights of stairs it took to get to Fatgum's apartment. Despite the building being of average size for an apartment complex, maybe one of the taller ones, there weren't many dwellings in it simply because of it being specially constructed for people who were of a larger size. And Fatgum was certainly 'large'.
At least Rappa hoped he'd be. He did have a thing for the hero being as close to his maximum weight as possible. It had stemmed from his own opinion on what he considered Fatgum's best fighting form, but it had devolved into something which probably would be best described as a kink by this point. A kink he hadn't had before he met the oversized man, but that didn't really bother him.
The brawler was at least polite enough to knock on the door instead of trying to break the lock like he had done in the past. He did used to have a key (which in all fairness he'd stolen) but Fatgum had confiscated it after a bad review on his last meeting with his parole officer. 'Only good boys get keys' he'd scolded him like a child, yet something about it was still hot as hell.
If Fatgum didn't answer within the short space of time Rappa was going to give him, he'd just break the lock again and go in himself.
Sure enough, within seconds there was a shifting and shuffling and the heavy sounds of footsteps padding across the floor. If the noise that resounded throughout the complex from behind the door was any indication of Fatgum's current size, then Rappa was probably in for a treat. Big hands fumbled for the keys in the door and then slowly the light from within started to creep out into the hallway. Just a slit of colour at first - a cautious glance.
"Rappa?" Whether Fatgum sounded pleased or surprised was anyone's guess. Certainly it could be hoped for it being either and being a good sign.
Within the widening gap, the pro hero was easily taking up most of the door, already standing at his full eight foot height and his wide girth filling a portion of the hallway within. "Issat you?"
"Y'got anyone else bringin' you food?" Rappa responded, gravel in his voice and a cheeky grin on his face, holding up the bags of fried treats as if they were a peace offering. "You want this or am I gonna have to eat it alone?"
The bag was only one of three he'd ended up purchasing. Fatgum lived up to his name, and Rappa could put away a fair few boxes himself if he was in the mood.
Silence for a moment.
Almost like Fatgum was weighing up his options. It would be a smart move if he did so. Then it was decided.
"Sure. C'mon in." That tone suggested hunger. Fatgum was always up for eating something. Very often he'd be caught up eating in the middle of a villain attack, and would be forced to conduct his hero duties whilst scarfing down whatever he happened to be devouring at the time. Alas, his stomach would be his greatest strength and his greatest weakness at the best and worst of times.
Today was no exception.
One sniff of the delicious treats and the door was opened wide enough for Rappa to get through and the BMI Hero was already retreating to the main room to clear away all of his wrapping evidence (including one small parcel he intended to forget the existence of).
"What brings you up this way? Not that I'm complainin'." Moving a few things out of the way, Fatgum cleared the table and proceeded to take plates out of cupboards for the delicious-smelling feast.
"I got bored." Rappa shrugged, following Fatgum inside and making his way over to the coffee table to deposit the bags of food. "It was either come pay you a visit or go find what bottom of the bucket scrappers and gangs are out playin' tonight. Considerin' I'm tryin' to be a good boy, I chose you."
He offered the other man a wide crooked grin before flopping down on the floor to get started pulling the trays of chicken and octopus balls out. "Forgot it was Christmas though. Explains why everywhere was advertisin' fried chicken. Don't worry, I actually paid for this shit this time. No threats I promise."
Another crooked grin, trying to look as innocent as possible.
Rappa couldn't look innocent for the world. Try as he might.
Fatgum shot him a look over his shoulder and then passed the other a plate. "Alright. I'll choose to believe ya. If only because you brought food. Now get up off the floor and sit at the table like a normal human being."
It looked very impressive. Already the smell was making the giant of a man salivate like a hungry dog. One hand eagerly picked up a set of chopsticks and snapped them neatly into their pair, eyeing up the fried chicken like it would escape at any minute. Truly the way to his heart was through his stomach. "You ever gonna tell me how you figured out my address?"
After seating himself at the dining table that Fatgum insisted they sit at, Rappa had stabbed one of the takoyaki balls with a single stick before shoving it into his mouth. "I followed ya. Plus it ain't hard to figure out you'd be livin' in one of these giant apartments. Can't imagine you tryin' to fit into a normal sized place like a damn clown car."
He spoke with his mouth full and chuckled lightly to himself at the mental image. "Remember when you showed me Mama Yanko's? Saw you there one time and guessed if you're that much of a regular you probably live close. And you do. See? I can be smart."
"Stop bein' a smartass." Honestly, Fatgum was surprised that Rappa went through so much effort to find out that information. He wasn't dumb by any stretch of the imagination, but he certainly wasn't a patient man at the best of times. Very often, that 'fighter-equals-stupid' stereotype was something the other hid behind until he was sure he had the advantage.
"I dunno. It just seems...unlike you, I guess. You're smart when you wanna be. I seen it." Without elaborating further, Fatgum tucked into his food and started to shovel down as much as he could.
Damn it was divine.
The takoyaki was perfect and warm, crispy yet doughy, and the fried chicken practically fell off the bone, not too greasy, fried to perfection. Fatgum practically radiated happiness with every bite.
Rappa shrugged, finding his actions to not be that big of a deal, but his mind often worked in far more black and white terms than Fatgum's need for reasoning and motive. Some would call him simple, but he just didn't have the patience for anything other than straight forward action. He wanted to know where Fatgum lived, so he found out. He wanted to come visit him, so he came and visited. He wanted food, so he brought food.
The food was also partly because he knew Fatgum could be sweetened by fatty goodies if he happened to annoy him, but also he just really loved to see the man eat. His eyes swept up and down the other's large form from under the shadow of his baseball cap, practically licking his lips, though he covered the action by licking the sauce off of his fingers instead.
"You got a problem with me bein' here? S'not like I broke in or anythin'." Despite how close he'd been to just breaking the lock.
"I don't mind ya bein' here, Rappa." The sigh that followed this statement was almost affectionate. Swallowing a mouthful, the hero seemed more focused on the food than he was on immediately booting Rappa out onto his ass.
Before either of them had acknowledged it, Fatgum was already on his second tray of food, and was wolfing down fried chicken at an alarming pace. He seemed so happy and so content to simply eat; humming lightly as he moved from dish to dish, piling up his plate with as much food as it could take without making a mess. It was a good thing that Rappa had brought three bags full.
A part of Rappa was pleased that Fatgum enjoyed the food so much. There was a small childish part of him that took pleasure out of being able to make someone so happy with something so simple. Then there was the part of him which took something most definitely not childish out of it, the almost feral satisfaction of watching him eat. But that wouldn't be on the cards tonight.
It was Christmas, and something felt wrong about just bringing the fat man food so he could feel him up. He'd done it plenty of times before, it was almost foreplay by this point, yet Rappa kept thinking back to the time of year and the holiday and couldn't bring himself to get the motivation for his usual antics.
Scanning his eyes briefly around the room, Rappa spotted the packages and wrapping paper, bits and pieces of holiday cheer strewn about the floor in what was clearly Fatgum's effort to bring some happiness to the people in his life.
Ignoring the twinge of an unexplained emotion that caught him in his chest and throat, he shovelled more fried chicken into his mouth, noisily licking and sucking his fingers clean of grease.
Noticing his eyes darting round, but misunderstanding the intent, Fatgum motioned with his chopsticks, "Ah sorry about the mess. I always do charity shit on Christmas. I don't usually spend it with anyone. I use food related gifts I get for the charity food bank, and I wrap up things for the stalls around here. Just little things."
He neglected to inform Rappa that there was a present down the side of the sofa for him, but that was out of sheer embarrassment for the fact that the street fighter would probably strangle him to death with his own scarf if he was given it.
Fatgum still had no idea why he'd even bought it.
Within a few minutes, they are already starting on the last few dishes, and the pro hero was leaning back on his chair, sighing happily. One hand patted the enormous girth of his stomach, proudly. "Ahh. That was some tasty food. Thank you so much for this peace offering."
Fatgum had obviously eaten more than Rappa but that was to be expected. There was no complaint from him as he was finishing his own last plate, a good five or so boxes behind what the hero had devoured, once again messily wiping grease and sauce from his fingers by licking them clean and wiping them on his pants.
"You get that many gifts you gotta give 'em away?" Rappa raised an eyebrow at him, not that it could be seen under the mess of his hair and the bill of his cap. "Ain't that rude or somethin'?"
Not knowing much about supposed gift etiquette, the man was under the impression giving away gifts you'd received was just impolite, even if it was something you didn't like. It was a stupid idea to Rappa, because what was the point in keeping a gift if you didn't like it or had no need for it. But he wasn't one to talk when he didn't remember the last time he'd been given a legitimate gift (the 'gifts' from Overhole or any of the other yakuza didn't count in the slightest).
"Nah. It's assumed it'll go in my gut or to someone who needs it. At this point, everyone knows I do it. Some people deliberately send me too much because of it. I guess it's rude in some respects, but not if it's an expected thing." Shrugging, Fatgum started to clear the table, happily humming to himself, practically glowing with satisfaction gained from a meal. His smile never faltered. Throwing a few things in the trash, placing the plates in the sink for later, the larger male tended to the tidying.
"Hey, go sit on the sofa or somethin’, I'll be there in a moment. I'll just finish up here." Clattering about, the BMI Hero noisily moved around the large kitchen, "Feel free to relax. Want a beer?"
"Did I catch you in a good mood or is that just the effect of good food?" Rappa half joked, moving himself over to the oversized sofa and out of the way of the larger male. "I get offered a beer and everythin'. Can't say no to that."
Their.... interactions, if they could be called such, had so far mainly consisted of Rappa antagonising the hero and Fatgum responding in kind, escalating to just before the point where Rappa could break his parole terms by getting into a scrap with the hero, and on a couple of occasions a brawl on the streets faded to a tumble in the sheets in Rappa's incredibly run down apartment. They hadn't spoke about it, neither of them wanting to bring it up, but they'd gone from almost enemies to something almost like... friends?
"Something something, tis the season?" Came the response to Rappa's inquiries. Fatgum rummaged around in the kitchen, pulling out two cans of beer, and then placed two glasses of ice on the side. "Oh wait. I gotta get some snacks too. Hang on. I left a bag of them in my room."
The large hero bounded down the hallway to the bedroom, leaving Rappa alone in the sitting area, sounds of searching filtering down the hallway.
He took the moment alone to just scan around the room again. With the gifts in various states of being wrapped up, some in piles and some still open with pieces of paper and tape scattered around, it was hard to tell which were repurposed gifts and which were presents that Fatgum had actually bought. From the distance he was sat at, he could make out tags on some of the wrapped gifts to Kirishima and Amajiki, though he had to wrack his brain to remember who they were until it eventually clicked it was Lil Red and the Baby Octopus.
That odd feeling in his chest crept its way back again. Rappa wasn't sure what it was, but he didn't like it. It tightened his lungs, bubbling a small amount of annoyance and possible anger in his veins. But there was something else. Sadness? Jealousy maybe?
Rappa had lived his life rough and ready, always on the edge of an adrenaline fuelled fight, never satisfied until someone could fight him to near death. He hadn't given a second thought to things, so emotions like jealousy or even sadness were somewhat foreign to him. If something didn't make him happy or satisfy him, Rappa would react with anger or annoyance rather than anything else.
Sighing to himself, scrunching his nose and pulling a face at his own emotions, he slumped down over the arm of the sofa. In doing so, something else caught his eye. A gift had been pushed between the side table and the sofa, hidden from view but still fairly obvious once the shiny wrapping paper caught the light. Rappa pulled it out, not really looking at it, only thinking that maybe it had been shoved aside in Fatgum's attempt to tidy up, or maybe it had fallen off of the sofa and been forgotten about.
Definitely Fatgum's wrapping if any of the other presents in the room were anything to go by. There was a tag dangling from it - an obnoxious star shaped one - and the writing was definitely the pro hero's.It was a small package. Wrapped in silver and adorned with a blue ribbon that curled out from underneath the tag in an obnoxious manner. Not only small, but very squishy.
Eventually Rappa’s eyes did drift to the tag, frowning when he saw his name clearly written on it, before his eyes widened as the rest of it sunk in.
TO RAPPA (the tag read) IT IS LAME, I KNOW, BUT YOU WALK AROUND HALF NAKED ALL THE TIME AND I FIGURED THIS WOULD PREVENT A COLD HAHA! FROM FATS.
He rotated it in his hands, trying to figure out what it could be. There was the urge to just tear open the packaging because it was addressed to him, but it seemed kinda... rude?... to do it when Fatgum was in the other room. And why had it been shoved down the side of the sofa? Was that on purpose to hide it or had it just fallen there?
"Hey, Fats!" Rappa called out loud enough for his voice to carry to the other room. "What's this one you shoved to the side?"
"What?" There was the sound of moving packets and...something else in the vicinity of Fatgum's room. Was he tidying? Why? It wasn't like Rappa as going to see any of it. "You mean food or what? I thought I'd put most of my snacks away!"
"You wrote my name on it. It's all silver and... pretty... and....stuff." Rappa didn't really know how to describe it without sounding ridiculous. "Did you get me a gift or somethin'?"
It was very obviously a gift, but the logical part of his brain couldn't think why Fatgum would actually bother getting him one. It was one of the first times he'd been inside the hero's house, was he going to keep it on him and hope to run into him one day? Or invite him over at some point? Or was that why it was shoved to the side, unsure what to do with it, unsure when it would be given, if it would even be given at all.
Feeling were stupid and complicated.
There was a clattering sound - Like someone had just dropped everything they were carrying on the floor - followed by the rapid padding of bare feet on the wooden apartment floor. Fatgum's impressive bulk appeared in the doorway, his face redder than a beet, and a few bags of snacks clenched in his meaty hands. His eyes were locked on the present, sweat already heading on his brow.
Looking utterly embarrassed.
"That...present? Well it's like...I mean it's...it's a Christmas present. And yeah...it's for you. But like...I wasn't gonna give it to ya because I thought...well...you wouldn't want one and you'd think I was fucking patronising you or you'd...not...want...It?" Rambling and mumbling over a stream of explanations and excuses, Fatgum looked everywhere but at Rappa. Eventually, he settled on: "You...you can open it if ya like?"
Staring up at Fatgum's red blushing face, it was hard to choose between reacting with a laugh at how flushed and embarrassed the other looked, or to join him in being bashful because, well... no one had ever really given him a gift before.
"You... actually got me somethin'?" His choice of reaction was a mixture of the two, chuckling to hide the fact his own cheeks were a light shade of pink under the wild hair that framed his face. "S'not... patronisin'. If you wanna patronise me you just use your damn words, not wrappin' somethin' up all pretty like this."
He was almost hesitant to open it. Flipping it in his scarred hands again he saw the messy tape keeping the paper together (it must be hard for someone with hands that size to do any kind of wrapping with normal sized items). Did he tear into it or did he carefully open it? Would he rip whatever was inside if he roughly opened the packaging?
Going with his instinct, Rappa carefully tore open one edge of the gift.
Somehow, that slow and agonising wait for Rappa to just get the act over with made it ten times as nerve wracking for Fatgum. He stood looking as though he were ready to flee at a moments notice, like the convict on his couch was deactivating a bomb rather than pulling open a gift. Strange that such a simple act could cause so much stress...
From the corner that had been pulled aside, Rappa could see a flash of dark red and could run his thumb over soft wool. Fatgum could have chewed his way through his fingertips and the doorframe and the whole couch with how his own emotions were bubbling to the surface. He forced a smile in case Rappa went with the utterly humiliating route. "Haha. Yeah. Random ain't it? Just figured we all needs that holiday cheer, am I right?"
The scarf wasn't cheap. Cheap wool had an itchy feel, or was knitted with wide holes and gaps, or were so thin they would only last one season. This scarf wasn't any of those. It was thick, and soft, and a deep rich red colour. It wasn't the most expensive thing on the market, but it didn't feel like just a random purchase for the fun of it.
But Rappa didn't point any of that out. Fatgum was clearly already embarrassed and nervous about his reaction, and while he could've easily teased him and poked fun at him for caring so much to get him a gift, or getting worked up so much about what his reaction would be, that lack of motivation to do anything other than be nice and pleasant re-emerged.
"Uh... thanks." His voice was hesitant, low, but genuine. "No one's ever given me a gift before."
"If it's awful you can tell me." Fatgum's mouth moved at a mile a minute, snacks still in hand, "It was just a thought I had and it's really just a little something. Nothing to shout from the rooftops about. I just figured that a little gift might be nice and all, yanno? Er...what do you think?"
While Fatgum kept talking out of nerves, Rappa was uncharacteristically quiet. He could put the scarf on but the apartment was kept fairly warm and it would look ridiculous, even if it would show he did indeed like the gift. Deciding against it, he instead looked up at the fat hero and gave him a small yet very sincere smile, a far cry from his usual smug smirk.
"Thanks Fats. 's real nice." There was nothing but honesty in his voice, which was a first. No hint of mischief or sarcasm, no bravado, just quiet honesty.
Honestly, Fatgum was surprised. Rappa was a man who spat curses and insults, who challenged him at every little opportunity, and who openly mocked him in vain efforts to rile him up - this was unusual and unlike him to the point where Fatgum had utterly no idea how to react to such honesty. Red swarmed across his cheeks and threatened to invade his ears. His smile felt almost too wide for his face. Not false, but...too happy? Like he'd never experienced that level of excitement before?
The acceptance of the gift made Fatgum squirm and awkwardly laugh at the idea of them both gaining something other than fighting or rough sex out of this.
As though to save face, the pro hero moved forwards, dropping the snacks onto the coffee table, and scooped the other into a warm and oversized hug. "Ah. C'mere. You'll make me blush harder! It...It really was nothin'. I like to treat people. I mean...I can get you other things too if you like? I'm never sure when to quit. Heh."
The hug startled him, knocking his hat askew, as Rappa blinked owlishly for a moment. With a small chuckle, he eventually returned the hug, scarf still in hand, wrapping his thick arms around the squishy torso of the fat hero.
"I can fuckin' tell y'don't know when to quit ‘cause of this pile of shit takin' over your damn livin' room." Rappa joked with him, trying to push away the awkward edge of the conversation with a bit of their usual banter.
He was truly touched by the gesture of the scarf, even if he wasn't the type to wear them normally. They got in the way of fighting, easy to use as a weapon against the wearer, easy to use to blind them... But as he was supposed to be in the straight and narrow, being a 'good boy', maybe the scarf would be a small symbol of him trying to change his ways.
All because he didn't want to be without Fatgum.
Finally relinquishing his hold on the other, the taller male moved back to the bedroom to finish...whatever it was he was doing in there, and returned with a large bag of snacks. Once the beers were poured, and the cans discarded in the trash, the large hero sat down on the couch next to Rappa and grinned.
"Here's to...fuck If I know. Future presents?" Grinning, he raised the beer glass in a mock toast and drank it down.
"Next takoyaki I get ya will have a bow on it or somethin'. I don't know what else you like." Rappa chuckled, raising his own glass with the hero's before easily chugging the whole glass down. "Man, it's been a long time since I had one o' those."
"No beer in jail, huh? Well, you've been such a good boy all year." Another impossibly wide grin. Fatgum leaned against the back of the couch and allowed every muscle in his tired and oversized body to relax. It had been a busy day. Caught up in so much present wrapping that he'd forgotten to make time for himself.
Ironic that it had taken Rappa to remind himself of this.
They sat and drank beers in relative silence, a few strands of conversation between them, until the clock was slowly ticking down the minutes to midnight. Just as Fatgum was about to make another comment, his eyes were drawn to the bright windows of the balcony doors, and he smiled softly. "Huh. It's snowin'."
Eyes flicking over to the large window, Rappa saw the large flakes of white spiralling in the sky. The lights from the streets below illuminated them, and stars peaked out between the clouds that had caused the change in weather.
"Man, it's really comin' down quick." Rappa whistled lowly, distracted from his drink and their conversation, "Guess the scarf was a good idea, huh? ''s gonna be cold walkin' back."
"Huh? You think you're goin' out in that?" Fatgum gave him a look that spoke volumes. They were both going to be alone for the night. What better way to spend it than with each other? "Yeah - no. No chance. You'd freeze to death. Scarf or no."
Aside from the fact that Fatgum could easily lend him a jacket or a coat (in fact, he seemed to be deliberately skirting around that one), the most obvious solution to this issue was enjoying each other's company all night as far as the large male.was concerned. That grin never faltered. "Unless you wanna leave? In which case, I humbly apologise for gettin' ahead of myself"
"Fuck no, if you're offerin' me a chance to not have to go out in that pile of shit then I'm takin' it. My apartment gets fuckin' freezin' too. Piece of shit place don’t even have proper heatin’." Rappa scoffed, a grin playing on his face. He didn't feel like being alone, and the terrible heating and insulation of his 'home' didn't make the situation any more appealing. Here there was warmth and food, and a giant man he could cuddle up to.
... Did he really just think that?
In their casual flings at wherever they happened to be at the time, it was understandable that Rappa had gotten more than his fair share of Fatgum's large frame. Whether it was in fighting or in fucking, the underground fighter had traced his hands over bony hips and perfectly sculpted abs, palmed large masses of fat with his eager fingers, and had felt the warmth of that impressive girth time and time again. The more they did it, the more open to it Fatgum was.
In fact, sometimes it seemed he preferred it to fighting most of the time.
The only time he shied away from anything was when he was in his thinner form - although that didn't stop Rappa in the slightest.
"Well then. It's settled. We'll spend Christmas Eve together." With an air of finality, Fatgum patted his own large stomach with a hand, and swigged another beer. "And then in the morning you can help me prepare my stew for the soup kitchen."
Eyes flicking to the clock Rappa snorted. "Technically not Christmas eve anymore." He smirked in his usual smart ass way as he nodded to the time; 00:02.
It seemed to be a Christmas of firsts. First gift, first time not spending it alone, and first time really doing anything for the holiday at all. The twisted feeling Rappa had when he'd entered the apartment had vanished, replaced with a warm sense of ease, comfort, and satisfaction, as if it was simply meant to be.
"You're gonna make your guest cook? What kinda host are you?" He continued his teasing banter, everything feeling a little more normal between them.
"Hey, rent for booking with this hotel all evenin’." Fatgum shot back, adding with a wink, "Plus I figured you'd want an excuse to spend more time with me on Christmas Day. So what better way than to improve the world a little together?"
Strange how Fatgum could see the best in everyone. It showed with his choice of recruits at the agency. Anyone who could benefit from his unique brand of heroism was taken under his wing.
Rappa was no exception.
Looking so cosy on the edge of the sofa, Fatgum sighed and continued to watch the snow fall, liking the way it turned his balcony a bright white.
Rolling his eyes, the retort Rappa had died on his tongue when his attention was brought back to the swirling white outside. The late night was quiet, no cars outside, no noisy neighbours, just the two of them and a snowy view.
Rappa thought back to all of the cheesy Christmas movies he'd heard of where it always seemed to snow on Christmas Day. Having never paid attention to the date before, the brawler couldn't remember the last time it was a white Christmas, but it seemed to almost tease him for actually spending time with someone on the holiday.
"Kinda romantic, huh?" Rappa muttered after a moment or two of comfortable silence, leaning back against the sofa and sipping on his glass of beer. "'s like in those movies. All you're missin' is a fire."
To that, Fatgum didn't reply straight away, instead musing on the first part of the words.
Romantic. Huh.
Whatever he and Rappa had been doing these past couple of months had certainly not seemed like it had romance in mind at first. More like fighting with their bodies instead of their fists. Scratching and biting, clawing at flesh in a desperate attempt to dominate. Both of them using sex in the same way some might use a weapon to fight.
This was actually one of the few times that they'd properly sat and enjoyed company. Having a few beers and just...doing something normal. No fighting. Hell, they'd even done that weird gift opening thing. Had a meal. Shared each other's space on the sofa (although Fatgum knew anyone sitting on his sofa had no choice when it came to sharing his space due to his impressive size).
"Yeah." Came the reply at long last, Fatgum smiling around his glass, taking another hearty swig, "I guess it is. I don't even remember the last time it snowed here. Heh."
There was a TV in the apartment, but Rappa didn't feel like moving to turn it on and fill the silence. Besides, the quiet between them was comfortable, companionable, something that didn't need filling, just the right setting to watch the snow and turning the world white.
It was yet another first. Rappa didn't think he'd ever enjoyed snow. It usually meant cold streets and whinier opponents, people less likely to be outside and want to scuffle, warehouses too cold to draw the usual crowds no matter how many heaters people dragged in, layers piled on for warmth that dulled blows and didn't make punches nearly as satisfying. Not to mention he rarely ever stayed in a place that had intact windows, or a door that didn't let in a draft.
Sighing quietly in content, he stretched out, turning to lean his back against Fatgum's bulk and swing his legs over the arm of the chair. The scarf was carefully placed on the coffee table, ready to be worn whenever Rappa decided he wanted to leave the comfortable warmth of the hero's apartment. He'd not drank enough to be even tipsy, but there was definitely the fuzzy feeling of alcohol in his system, which he could always blame for his slightly more affectionate and 'mushy' actions.
"You make a good chair." He joked, looking over his shoulder at the other man and sticking his tongue out mischievously.
Again, Fatgum was struck with the illusion of choice. Simply accepting that he was to be used as Rappa's cosy seat for a while, or making some harsh jab that would have him rising to a challenge, or pointing out that this was not the sort of activity that heroes and villains often did together. An illusion. There was only one option that in his heart of hearts he truly wanted to take.
"Yeah I do. You just get yourself comfy. Seems like a good night for relaxing on the sofa." With another smile, the hero reached down with one hand and drew the man in close, shifting them both into a more comfortable position. Chuckling, he felt that weight of muscle against him, enjoying Rappa's warmth.
It felt kinda nice to not be alone for once.
Due to the nature of Fatgum's body, Rappa did sink an inch or two into the massive gut like he was sinking into a beanbag, which made him chuckle at the mental image as he leaned in a more comfortable position. He was a tall man, but the hero was taller, meaning his head was comfortably pillowed by Fatgum's chest without the need to slouch down.
Before he truly got comfortable, a thought entered his mind, and in true Rappa fashion he acted upon it immediately instead of dwelling on it. "C'mere." He said firmly, voice almost a low rumble in his throat as he yanked the front of Fatgum's shirt to pull him in for an awkwardly positioned kiss.
Of all the things that happened this evening, that had been the most unexpected.
Fatgum made a noise that was cut off before it could form words or become a protest. Instead the warmth of lips pressing firmly against his.
Not unfamiliar in any way or form - they'd kissed before during their previous encounters - but certainly gentler in its application. A cautious pressing of lips as though discovering each other for the first time - almost chaste. Fatgum found himself pulling the other closer still, caught in the feeling of the others kiss, almost needy in how he pulled Rappa atop himself.
The idea of lounging quickly forgotten, Rappa straightened up to position himself better, following where he was tugged and ending up almost in Fatgum's lap. The hand in his shirt trailed up the other's cheek, cupping the chubby face a moment before going further to tangle lightly in the mess of blonde hair.
It was still somewhat chaste, deep but no tongue, slow but not messy. It was a stark contrast to their usual way, which was full of energy and adrenaline.. This felt more vulnerable, emotional, something that made Rappa's heart pound hard in his ears and not because he'd been fighting just moments before.
In order to reach his lips, Rappa was forced to kneel up in Fatgum's lap; not because of a height difference, but rather because of the sheer size of the rotund male. Already he could feel a slight pressure on his stomach, Rappa crawling forwards to access his mouth, and both of his hands automatically curled around the other's waist to support him.
When they finally did pull away, Fatgum stumbled over his words, "That's...that was...uh...yeah..."
Without further comment, he pulled Rappa in for another kiss, enjoying the feel of him there.
Rappa shot him a slightly flushed grin and a chuckle. He ended up straddling the tops of the other's thighs, beer forgotten in the table, wrapping his arms around Fatgum's neck as he was pulled close for another.
This one deepened only slightly, open mouths moving against each other slowly, breathing deeply and carding his fingers through the hero's hair.
He felt warm and tingly all over, and not the kind that usually came with adrenaline or arousal. He wanted more, but also didn't want to rush what they were doing. It was just nice to indulge for once, instead of hurried encounters in alleyways or dragging the other to his apartment whilst trying to hide it was a hero he had with him.
"Fuck, this is nice..." Rappa mumbled against Fatgum's lips, large scarred hand cupping the man's face.
Leaning into the other's hand, Fatgum nuzzled the warmth softly. It felt...nice. Then again, Fatgum was not the sort of hero who had people tripping over to be in his bed. Usually the only contact he had with people was either a warm cuddle in the street with some of his fans or a full on brawl with the villains he fought. Rappa was...certainly something else.
When Fatgum had used up all of his defensive capabilities, then people tended to want his attention, but normally his priority was getting food inside himself as quickly as possible.
"Yeah. It is. Somethin' different..." Smiling, Fatgum stroked across the other's back gently.
Rappa loved how big Fatgum was. Big meant ready to fight at his best, full meant more energy to brawl, fat meant more ability to weather his blows and keep going until one of them stopped. It had been a while since they'd had a proper fight, being prevented by the terms of his parole (not that it didn't stop Fatgum indulging him in a scuffle or two), but the thoughts were still there left over from his obsession after they'd first met.
As if reacting on his memories, Rappa's free hand moved to grip the side of Fatgum's enormous belly, sinking into the fat and grabbing a good handful. And Rappa's hands were huge. It was the one thing on the brawler that was bigger than the hero's, a result of his own quirk and years of fighting.
Kiss broken, he rested his forehead against the other's, his hat being knocked askew again before Rappa simply let it fall aside, releasing the wild mess of his pale hair.
"Merry Christmas, big guy." Rappa's smile was crooked, voice full of gravel, but he bumped his broken nose against the others button one with a quiet affection.
"Merry Christmas to you too, Rappa." Smiling, Fatgum allowed their noses to touch gently, and then pulled him in for another tender kiss. He could feel the fighter’s massive hands clutching at his body, squeezing at the rolls of fat at his sides. Not that he minded. Rappa had a very one track mind when it came to his body and what size it was. If had been thin at present, they'd have ordered more food and he'd still be being force fed in an effort to fatten him up.
In a way, that was kinda nice too.
Rappa always wanted him at peak fighting condition.
"It's been nice spending time with ya. Gonna be nice spendin’ more time with ya tomorrow."
A grumble rumbled in Rappa's chest, face slightly wrinkling in annoyance at the thought of dealing with people he didn't know and didn't necessarily like, along with not really wanting to show Fatgum up by hanging around with a street thug.
"Can I just skip the charity part and go straight for the drinking?" A slow lop-sided grin settled on his face as he sat back on the man's large thighs, leaning his chin on his chest as he looked up at the hero. "I'd probably get kicked outta there anyway."
"You have more self control than you give yourself credit for." Fatgum huffed and patted the other on the head. His meaty hands stroked through Rappa's untamed hair, tender and somewhat loving. "You don't have to interact with people. It's just a little food drive. Poor and needy people yanno? You could help me cook something good."
Practically purring under his hand like a feral cat, Rappa leaned into his touch with a sigh. "Mmmnn, fine. Ain't much of a cook though, so they better not complain 'bout whatever they get."
"People who ain't got nothin' don't usually complain about getting somethin'. I'm sure y'all would know that." Smiling, Fatgum leaned back and closed his eyes, happy and content to relax with the other male lying atop him like he was the comfiest bed in the whole place. "Might do you some good."
"Wouldn't know, never been to one o' those places before. I just stole stuff if I needed it." Rappa shrugged, but there was no further complaint in his voice. He had resigned himself to going along with the large hero's idea, figuring even if he didn't want to go he'd probably be dragged along anyway.
And he'd get to spend Christmas with him. Even if the date didn't mean much to him, it felt special enough.
"It'd be nice. Really. I'd appreciate it." Part of Fatgum genuinely was looking forward to spending Christmas with someone. Even if it was just some drinking and relaxing as he always did.
"I'll come with ya, if you want me that badly." The smile on his face took a slightly lecherous twist, hinting at the innuendo in his words, and Rappa chuckled low in his throat.
He settled his head down on Fatgum's ample chest, going so far as to squeeze and nuzzle the fat that he adored so much. The hero certainly made a comfy bed, enough that he was feeling the edges of sleep creep over him.
Sighing, Fatgum shuffled down more, making sure that he was comfortable and supported on the sofa. One hand idly continued to play with Rappa's tangled mane, and the other slowly began to rub in circles on the other's shoulder.
Rappa almost looked adorable lay there. Nothing like the scrappy psychopath that he'd been when the yakuza had dug their claws into him. Sure, it was ideal for him, but Fatgum knew that there was so much more that fighters could do in life. Even if they were slightly sadistic and masochistic like Rappa was.
"You know I want you." It just came out. One minute he was relaxing and not really taking note of what he was saying and think It, and the next he was openly admitting that. "...Well...I mean...you know it'd be nice to have company."
It surprised him that Fatgum hadn't taken the bait and thrown something sexual back at him, or berated him for insinuating such a thing, but Rappa couldn't complain. The honesty, while jarring, was ... nice.
"You alone on Christmas that much you'd want company with a thug like me?" The light tone and humour was still in his voice, but it wasn't like Rappa to put himself down so much. He was just keenly aware of Fatgum's status as a lovable hero, and as much as he teased and tormented the fat man, he didn't really want to ruin his image or credibility just from being in the same company as someone he had previously sent to prison.
But company sounded pleasant, and if he'd get Fatgum and food out of it, Rappa considered it a good deal. Considering half of the things littered around the apartment seemed to be for charity, he figured the big guy could use a hand carrying most of it.
"Believe it or not. I don't do much. I spend my time helping people. You're better company than most." Smiling softly, the other closed his eyes once more.
"I actually enjoy this you know? Spending time with you. Why'd you think info it so much?"
"I dunno if you've noticed, but I'm kind of a criminal, and believe it or not even if I talk shit I don't wanna ruin your reputation." Rappa admitted, peering up at him through the shadows of his unruly bangs. "People have stupid opinions and the media is shit when it gets hold of gossip. Y' don't think people are gonna comment you got some thug followin' after ya?"
"Eh. The media don't bother me, trust me on that. I'm a hero round here. And yeah, I had somehow noticed you are a criminal." Opening one eye, Fatgum sighed, "Or at least you were. You've been on the straight and narrow. Unless this is confession time."
"Totally robbed a bank and three convenience stores so I could feed ya." Rappa retorted a little too quickly for it to be truthful, and coupled by the ever-present mischievous crooked grin he was very clearly lying.
Besides, he wouldn't do something stupid and lose the one thing he gave a damn about at the moment. He used to live to fight, and now he lived to fight Fatgum. Or... maybe it was turning into just... Fatgum.
That was a feeling to unpack later.
"Tch. Pain in my ass." Gently, Fatgum poked Rappa's nose with his fingertips, smiling warmly. "You're gonna be the death of me one day."
"Thought you loved when I was a pain in your ass?" Rappa stuck his tongue out playfully, leaning into the hand like a dog would, eyes crinkling with a quiet mirth.
"Yeah. But we both know ya prefer it when I'm stuck in yours." Fatgum laughed softly. Gazing down at the other, he sighed softly.
Rappa had become like all of his interns: a constant in Fatgum's life. This moment had only sealed that urge - that need - to have the other with him constantly.
"I'm a man with simple needs." Was all Rappa said before nestling close and practically using Fatgum like a bed, head resting on his chest, thick muscular arms wrapped around his torso. "And I needs me some fat."
They should probably move to the actual bed, but Rappa was far too comfortable to be the first one to move.
Besides, Fatgum didn't want to move him. It felt somewhat nice to have someone accept him for who he was and what he looked like all of the time.
Usually, women didn't enjoy his company until he was thin and muscular again. To him, that wasn't the real Fatgum. Not really Fatgum. He preferred feeling that warmth and that girth to his body. To be defended and strong. To be happy and jolly.
Rappa seemed to prefer him like this. Then again, Rappa also liked his smaller form, but in the sort of dominant protective way instead of being challenging or aggressive.
A yawn clicked Rappa's jaw and his eyes drifted closed, perfectly content to just sleep on top of the fat hero after a little bit of shuffling to truly get comfortable.
"This is nice..." He repeated, words a low mumble under the sleep that drifted into his voice. The combination of food, booze, warmth, and good company was now threatening to pull him into a satisfied coma.
"Yeah..." Fatgum also found himself drifting off, content and warm and oh so relaxed. Eventually his arm dropped to his side, his breathing steadied, and he fell into a deep and restful sleep.