Chapter Text
Chapter One: The last of fall and the Beginning of little winter
Life is once again back to normal. The moon is about to set and it's a full moon. It's the last day of fall. It's been a year since the void ended and things have calmed down. Rai and Konoe saved quite a bit of funds from their bounties. They now live in their own little home.
Konoe was looking through the window, while curled up in his tail relaxing on his favorite wooden chair. He just made him some hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream. His favorite mug is a beige cup with a lavender Kuim on it. Asato helped him make it. He still has contact with all his friends, including Tokino. Asato and Rai have gotten along a bit better, but they do sometimes still bicker every now and then. Making catty remarks... At least it hasn't gotten physical lately, anyway. Other than that it's been pretty relaxing.
He was really happy he had such good friends that helped him get through the hard times and that he is still around to this day. He just wanted to take a moment and relax. He really enjoyed moments like this.
Their days from bounty hunting were long from over, but as there were no new hunts it was nice to just relax and enjoy the little things in life. With a dark coffee brown journal made of leather and beige pages and a sharp pen in hand, Konoe wrote a few things that came to mind and just his day, happy things and stuff that was bothering him. He whispered to himself, "Won't Kuims-flavored hot chocolate be too weird?" He grimaced thinking about it but was curious nonetheless.
He thought that maybe he should ask Bardo about it, but then he couldn't help but chuckle at the thought. "I guess it couldn't hurt to try it at least once?" Konoe asked himself quietly. For a while now to not only improve Konoe's writing, he took up journaling to help with his emotions and empathy. He felt pretty awkward about his chicken scratch writing, but he was trying at least and it was helping him quite a bit. Konoe heard the front door open silently as he closed his journal. It was Rai, covered in snow. "Tch, Too much snow." Rai brushed off the snow from his cloak. And started sneezing. "Dammit, I stayed out too long trying to see if there was any work, but unfortunately nothing." Rai sighed and snorted.
"I'm wondering if I should retire, but I'm going to wait awhile first." Konoe looked up at Rai confused. "Is this a joke Rai?"
Rai chuckled. "Things have quieted down since we've defeated Leaks which I'm glad about don't get me wrong. I just miss the thrill of fighting. I mean, it's what I'm used to. Life changed so much and it takes time to get used to. I don't like to talk about it or think about it, but I've been having nightmares."
Konoe has been pretty concerned about Rai. Despite everything it has been hard trying to get through life, but they're doing the best that they can. Rai was still shivering. They had a fireplace to keep things warm, which Konoe is a bit iffy about but is slowly learning to process his emotions in a healthy way. Only Rai ever lit the fireplace for obvious reasons. It also had a guard on it so it was as safe as possible. Rai lightly lit a match for the fireplace.
Konoe backed away a bit but kept his composure. ".... Did you want some hot chocolate?" Konoe said softly while still being a bit uncomfortable."Sure, I'll take some of yours." "Pfft, no that's mine! Plus it's too hot for you!" Konoe chuckled while snatching his cup and running off to make some for Rai instead. "I'll be back in a moment! Since I still have a fresh batch!" Konoe scurried off. Rai clicked his tongue and snorted.
In a few moments, Konoe came back with a dark blue velvet mug that Konoe and Asato made for Rai a while back. It was one of Rai's favorite cups. The hot chocolate had some time to cool off a bit so it wasn't hot. Rai gently put the cup to his lips, It was a pretty good cup of cocoa. Rai gets up from the table. and sits on a warm couch to lie down a bit. "Ugh, I'm so tired." Konoe comes up to him purring giving him a head butt, while they curl up.