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The winter always calls for bigger fires.
The magic borders keep the camp at a comfortable temperature, though surprise snowfalls are still common enough that everyone has to wear jackets and steal blankets from the cabins.
Campfire singalongs are a godsend nowadays, if only to take full advantage of the blazing fire in the middle of the otherwise freezing amphitheater.
There’s a line to roast marshmallows. Everyone is taking their sweet time, trying to stay warm while preparing their traditional campfire desserts.
The wind picks up, blowing cold air through camp, and it leaves campers scurrying towards the fire.
Keiji takes this opportunity to scoot a little closer to Osamu. He’s wrapped in a blanket, bundled up well, but it pales in comparison to the warmth that Osamu radiates. Osamu glances at him, smiles lightly, and bumps their hips together as the line begins to move again, slowly pulling them closer to the s’mores bar and additional warmth.
Atsumu stands on the other side of his brother, talking adamantly to a couple of campers behind the three of them, just a few fans that have starry eyes for the Miya twins. They’re pretty enraptured in whatever bullshit he’s spinning for them today, probably some super long tale about a quest he’s completed.
But while Atsumu keeps them entertained, Osamu only gives them a smile in greeting. Keiji shouldn’t feel smug knowing that he’s keeping most of Osamu’s attention right now, but some things can't be helped. He considers this one of those times.
“Oh?” He tilts his head to catch a fading twinkle in Osamu’s eyes. He squints and carefully follows his gaze to where Kita and one of his siblings are trudging down the amphitheater’s trail to the hearth. Osamu leans in to gently press his mouth against Keiji’s ear. He wonders if he can feel just how hot his face is from here.
“Watch this,” Osamu whispers, before raising a hand in greeting towards the approaching boys. “Kita! Come join us!”
Golden eyes cast a glance in their direction, lighting up with something unrecognizable from this distance. And Kita comes, sending his brother off to where the rest of the Demeter cabin is gathering in line before making the short journey to where Keiji and the twins wait.
Osamu continues to wave him over, smiling wolfishly as Atsumu takes notice, stumbles over his story, and hastily begins brushing off imaginary lint, straightening out his jacket and bright orange camp shirt. Keiji puts it together rather easily, biting his tongue to smother the teasing smile and comment that’s begging to be said.
“Hello.” Kita greets once he’s standing with them, smiling pleasantly, an aura of tranquility surrounding him. He’s wrapped in a blanket as well, his five camp beads gleaming in the low light underneath the soft material. He looks comfy, holding a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and Keiji has the odd urge to share his blanket with Kita, as if their combined warmth would keep them cozy for the rest of the winter.
“Are you staying warm?” He asks instead, shooting Kita a shy smile as he tosses the silly idea aside.
“I am, thank you for asking. I’m sure you all are as well.”
“Ya like marshmallows, Kita?” Atsumu butts in, trying to be cool by leaning an arm on Osamu’s shoulder, using him as a shelf. Osamu shrugs him off and Atsumu nearly takes a face plant in the snow. How he manages to save himself, Keiji doesn’t know.
Osamu rolls his eyes. “Tsumu, that’s a stupid question. Everyone likes marshmallows, even Kita.”
It earns him a dirty look from his brother, and an even dirtier one from Keiji when Atsumu tries to start something.
Kita either doesn’t notice the exchange or chooses not to acknowledge it, instead nodding and taking a careful sip of his hot chocolate before answering. “I do. They’re sweet. It’s a warm snack for a cold day like today.”
“Yeah. Yeah, they are.” Atsumu’s smiling too widely for some reason, and Keiji shares a look with Osamu, both trying not to laugh.
The line moves quicker after that, either because of Atsumu’s bumbling, horribly obvious crush on Kita or because of the fact that everyone in front of them has decided that standing around the fire for extended periods of time isn’t that great after all. Either way, the four are basking in front of the hearth ten minutes later.
Atsumu and Kita stand side by side, a significant distance between the two compared to the way Osamu leans in, wraps an arm around Keiji’s shoulders, and squishes his cheek against the crown of Keiji’s head.
“Cold.” Is his mumbled excuse when he receives a questioning gaze. Keiji decides not to comment on the fact that they’re in front of a blazing fire, and drapes part of his blanket over Osamu’s broad shoulders instead.
They’re given sticks, marshmallows already prepped and ready to go, and they spend several minutes roasting the confectionaries. Cups of hot chocolate are handed to them as they wait, and Keiji sips from his while Osamu demonstrates how to roast the perfect marshmallow.
“Ya see, the key is to turn it slowly, to get that sticky golden-brown all around, but you don’t want to keep it under direct flame for too long, or else ya’ll burn it to a crisp.”
“But what if I like them burnt?” Osamu stops mid-explanation, gives him the most scandalous look he’s ever seen, and Keiji has to avert his eyes and hide behind his cup of cocoa to avoid the shame.
“Oh shit, my marshmallows.” Everyone turns to Atsumu, who looks absolutely devastated, the end of his stick nothing more than a goopy mess of charred marshmallow remains. What’s left of it falls off the stick in slow motion and lands into the blazing fire with a pitiful plop.
Osamu coughs and spits out his hot chocolate, letting out a howl of laughter. “That’s what ya get for sticking it in the fire too long!”
“Well, yer the one who was distracting me with that stupid story!”
“Like hell! I was showing Keiji how to roast a marshmallow. It was because ya were too busy making moon eyes at Kita again to pay attention to yer food.”
Atsumu sputters, going beet red, already throwing his stick into the fire and rearing up in preparation to challenge his brother. “Was not!”
“Was too.” Osamu retorts, springing up to meet him, leaving the majority of the blanket pooling around Keiji’s shoulders. He mourns the loss of extra warmth for a solid two seconds. “Just admit that you have a big, fat cru—”
He doesn’t get a chance to finish his sentence as Atsumu tackles him to the ground, the pair rolling a few feet away, wrestling for some severance of victory. Their voices rise in volume as both try to out-yell the other.
Keiji’s attention bounces back and forth between the bantering two, a smile creeping up at the corners of his mouth as the twins continue to shout and insult each other. The chatter of other campers behind them has died down, and he feels embarrassingly hot, knowing that everyone else is getting a kick out of the Miya twins fighting again.
But this is just another Tuesday night.
Someone’s giggling in the background, muffled but sweet in sound. It takes all three of them a moment to realize who it’s coming from, three heads turning simultaneously to blink owlishly at Kita, who’s smile is so bright as he throws back his head and laughs, looking absolutely radiant in the light of orange and red flames. There may as well be a gold laurel wreath encircling his head, shining as brilliantly as he is now.
Atsumu’s mouth drops open, any and all cognitive gears coming to a halt. Keiji can practically see the steam coming out of his ears from here, knowing full well that Kita’s pure laughter can and will render anyone speechless. Osamu takes this opportunity to shove Atsumu’s head into the snow, grumbling about ruining his date and perfectly good marshmallows.
It’s only then that Keiji remembers he’s been holding onto their sticks, and he doesn’t even try to hide his guilt when Osamu returns to blackened marshmallows.
“They taste sweeter when they’re burnt.” Keiji offers as a consolation. Osamu wordlessly puts his burnt marshmallows between chocolate and graham crackers and calls it a day.
Atsumu resurfaces, spitting out snow and small clumps of grass. His ears are tinged pink as he plods back to the bonfire, the snow melting instantly as he draws near.
Kita has since recovered, smiling softly as he places a perfectly cooked marshmallow on top of one square of chocolate and two perfect pieces of graham crackers. He takes a careful bite, munching quietly for a moment, savoring the taste.
“I enjoy spending time with you three. There’s never a dull moment.” He says it matter-of-factly, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world. He’s not looking at them when he says it. Well, more like, he’s not looking at Osamu and Keiji.
They share another knowing look.
Atsumu is the color of a tomato. Kita offers him one of his perfect s’mores. Osamu and Keiji high-five from the sidelines, once again sharing the blanket.