Work Text:
Things were surprisingly getting better. Lord of Ice became... less pushy? Of course, James was sent to do all kinds of tasks his master gave him on a daily basis and he accomplished them with a great toughness and accuracy as usual, but something felt really off. Maybe, the matter was in the way Arktos diligently avoided eye contact, though it remained his favourite method of making his henchmen shiver dreadfully and rush to do whatever he ordered, or, maybe, it was because of small things like sharing a seat to let James have a look through the telescope or an accidental order to make a batch of butler's favourite sardin ice cream.
Something warm bubbled in penguin's chest but he didn't dare to show it. At least, he was just curious why things had turned out exactly that way and what would happen next. It's no secret that to tolerate someone as impossible as Arktos for so long one needs extra reasons besides flat fear of being deep-frozen. And James had those. Some kind of sympathy for the snowman has always been living timidly in the depths of his mind and made him impenetrable to his master's constant insults and disregardings. But when the treatment changed lazily from one wrong word and i'll kill you to of course i'll take all credit but at least i'll genuinely listen to you that part of his mind began to gain size. James couldn't help but hid his face in his palms, shut his eyes tightly and allowed himself to think, to have a tiny thought about having actual feelings for that horrible-mannered piece of snow.
***
When they finally made their way to the Ice palace it was almost sunset. The air was pretty cold so James was able to scoop some snow from beneath and rebuild his master's body successfully. Now, looking more like a snowman, not a pile with a tophat (he didn't want to think about an occasion with the window, a whole new world to conquer and a snow blower. Nope), Arktos grumbled under his breath and pushed heavy icy doors open, entering the castle.
– Uuh! I can't believe it! – snowman's irritated voice echoed through the empty halls shallowly and faded away in a few moments – that stupid green lizard helped that stupid human to get out! Unfair! – hammering every word Arktos flopped down onto his throne and reluctantly peeked through the telescope to recoil in disgust. Greenlanders were still having their silly event and seemed overjoyed. It was the last drop and the Lord of Ice decided to go to bed immediately (even without having supper!) not to overstrain his nerves even more. James, who was standing there sheepishly all this time, was about to hesitate but then decided not to put his head in the lion's mouth and pattered after his master without a word.
***
Butler was awoken in the middle of the night by strange noises. He unfolded himself from the position he was curled up in right on the floor behind the snowman's throne. It was almost pitch dark, the moon was especially pale today and hardly lit the giant hall. The source of the sound was fidgeting on his seat and occasionally letting out muffled painful noises. Was it crying? It seemed that Arktos has been having a nightmare: he wiggled his arms in the air absentmindedly as if trying to defend from someone. James listened closer and observed that the snowman was mumbling weak sorrys and excuses.
...No... no, Mama, I will try better next time, I swear, I don't...
– Your Iciness?
...I'm so sorry please, let me... just...
– Your Ici- Arktos.
...they were... them... I couldn't...
– Shhh, it's okay. Just a bad dream.
Snowman appeared a bit startled because of the additional weight on his lap but didn't wake up. James just couldn't have stayed how miserable and upset his master looked so he had crawled closer to give him some reassurance. Burst of anger he was about to get didn't bother him right now, all James wanted was to stroke on his shoulders lightly murmuring sweet nothings to make him drift off in a peaceful sleep once again.
Arktos fell silent for some time (perhaps, the reason was in a low, quiet and immensely pacified voice which was calming his nerves) but then he knitted his brows together in an annoyed manner, grumbled "ugh, James, it's you, now get out of here!" and without opening his eyes tried to push his butler away. The spell was broken, but at the last moment he suddenly changed his mind and penguin was imprisoned between snowman's arms and pressed to his white chest.
Well, now a burst of anger from his leader did bother James but he decided to stay still and hope Arktos wasn't drawn out of his sleep completely so he could wait and then leave unnoticed.
– What. are. you. doing. here?
The voice that was absolutely clear and didn't have a hint of sleepiness gave him a whiplash. The following cloud of icy breath made a shiver run down his spine. James successfully concluded that he was a deadman.
– Y-your Chilliness, – his gaze met a pair of acid yellow eyes which were waiting for further explanation impatiently and penguin forgot how to speak, – you w-were having a nightmare... I was trying to help! – he finished in a high-pitched voice.
– I swear, James, one day I'll freeze you and it will be permanent, – Arktos' tone was more exhausted than irritated, – how do you, dumb bird, think stupid cuddles are supposed to help me? – he wasn't in the mood for killing tonight, that was a good sign.
– You will relax...
– Eww, I won't! I hate touching!
James checked if he was still squeezed in between gloved arms, answered to himself positively and kept his opinion to himself.
– Actually, I know one more way, your Chilliness...
That was the slippery slope. He should've stopped right there, apologized one hundred times and shrunk away. But he decided firmly to tempt fate in attempt to make things between them clearer.
– What way? Does it include touching? – the snowman looked sceptical but genuinely interested.
– Uh, you need to move a little closer – leaving the second question unanswered, James inhaled deeply and wondered in what corner of the Hall of Fame his frozen statue would be sitting.
Butler placed his hands on both sides of Arktos' head and pressed a small kiss to his cheek.
The emotional change on the snowman's face was worth watching. Impatience, (for a mere second) utter surprise, suspicion, and visible displeasure.
– What was that?! – he almost roared.
– A k-ki-i-s-s-s, s-sir... – it was the worst idea in his pathetic penguin life, honestly. Or it wasn't?
Arktos mused for a moment, then dodged his head in an oddly owlish manner and spoke.
– I liked that. Do it again, – he narrowed his eyes and poked his cheek with his finger.
– Oh... – James was on the verge of tears, he was so relieved.
It has exceeded all his expectations, he could've only dreamt about it! Unable to overcome a sudden wave of feelings, penguin hugged the snowman close, resting his beak on wide shoulder. Arktos rolled his eyes, struggling to suppress a sly but contented smile. He didn't say anything but butler read his mind, entered his heart and curled up in its most distanced and hidden corner. It was a silent confession. James felt his master's white skin becoming fluid under his palms, the whole snowman seemed to become limp and soft only for him.
– Iciness... are you okay? – butler had to pull out of the embrace. He touched wet snow on his snowman's forearm, concerned.
– It's all your fault, James, – without moving an inch further from the object wich could possibly melt him, Arktos replied, – You're stupid... and a ninny.
And squeezed him a bit tighter giving James a little encouragement to go back to kissing and touching and feeling and admiring his loved and loathed leader.
They fell asleep not much time later, James staying pressed to the snowman, with a deep pleasure painted on his face.
Late in the morning Arktos woke up on his throne alone. Sunshine made the hall wide and glittery sparkling. He felt terribly smitten for some reason and without thinking ran his fingertips across his cheeks, mouth and chin as if something had happened to them. James would pay for that indulgence, he totally would...
Then the last seconds of morning silence were thrown out of the window because of an annoyed shout.
– Ja-a-ames! You idle idiot! Do you know what time it is? Where's my breakfast?!
The sound of hurried footsteps echoing by the icy corridor was the reply.
Things were definitely getting better.