It had been no small surprise when Virus and Trip appeared once again in Midorijima, nearly two years now since the fall of Toue Corporation and Platinum Jail. They’d returned once before now, to deliver Ren back home to Aoba safely before disappearing to who knows where. It had been a dangerous move, but one that Ren was eternally grateful for.
They’d appeared again about a week before Christmas, surprising Ren and Aoba at the junk shop before stealing Ren away for the day. Despite Aoba’s protests, their outing had been pleasantly uneventful, with most of the activities consisting of Virus and Trip just observing Ren’s behavior as he ate and walked around. They had bought him some new clothes, however, some of which he was wearing today. A multi-colored knit sweater with a colorful scarf, and bright red courderoy slacks to help accentuate Ren’s already long legs. It was a different look for Ren, for sure, but it wasn’t as though Aoba didn’t already select his clothes for him daily anyway.
He wore these clothes with purpose today, as he’d been invited out once again and hoped to impress his enigmatic suitor— just Virus this time, though Ren knew the pair well enough by now not to ask why one was present without the other.
With additional complaints and whining from Aoba, Ren had somehow convinced him to not only permit Ren to go, but also to help him with making a gift. They’d spent the day together baking cookies of various sorts, among Ren’s favorites were the gingersnaps that had been shaped into little dogs.
Bundled up and overly coddled by Aoba, Ren scurried off at the appointed time to meet Virus for a late lunch, buried in layers of sweater, coat, scarf, and mittens, and arms full of sweet treats. He’d sealed the cookies in an old cloth handkerchief with a floral print, tying off the top of the satchel with a deep red ribbon. It was a simpler gift that what Virus was likely accustomed to, but it was from the heart, and sincerity wasn’t a trait that Ren was ever lacking in.
Just in case it wasn’t enough, though, he’d managed to surreptitiously hide a sprig of misteltoe in his coat pocket as a bonus surprise gift.