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With the nights growing longer and temperature getting colder, it is only a matter of time before people begin to bundle up in thicker jackets and warmer garments. Thankfully, under the roof of Night Raven College dorms and buildings, fire fairies glow and provide ample heat to the residents and staff.
Sometimes though, it's not enough for the ones who are especially affected by the cold.
"Myah! Why're your hands so cold?!" Grim flinched away from Yuu. In response to his shout, their hands stopped mid-air from picking him up, eyebrows high and eyes widened slightly. "I don't want your ice hands anywhere near me! Go near a fireplace or something to warm up!" He says as he clambers up the Prefect's arm and shoulder.
Yuu huffs in false annoyance as they stand up from their crouch to head to the cafeteria. If they notice him trying to subtly nuzzle into the warmth of the scarf on their neck, they don't comment on it.
"I can't attend school if I keep on having to be within arm's length of a fire, Grim."
"Well, the Great Grim doesn't want to be your palm warmer. Have you felt your hands?"
"They'll warm up after a few minutes of holding you. Your fur's thick and you're quite warm, you know."
"But that's the problem, I don't want you holding me until you make sure your hands are not ice cold anymore!"
Yuu sighs. "Grim..." The two Ramshackle Dorm residents were in one of the hallways of the main building, having just been in the cafeteria for the 3rd time of the day.
The Prefect furrows their brows, they wouldn't have thought Grim would be so affected by their naturally colder than normal hands. Usually, they had their black leather gloves on to give at least some semblance of warmth to their fingers, but they unfortunately went missing on the time where they were needed it most.
"What's the Prefect and Grim doing arguing in the halls? Classes are about to start any minute." Drawn from the ruckus in the hallway, a voice called out and successfully attracted the attention of the two.
"Jamil? We should be asking you the same question. Aren't the second year classrooms on the second floor?" Grim let his palms fall to his sides from their initial position prompted on his hips.
"Yes, well, I was just discussing a subject matter with the ghosts." He answered the question quickly, before shifting his gaze to Yuu. "I overheard something about ice cold hands?"
"Ah, that—"
"You're good at solving problems, right Jamil? We've got a huge one right here." The Scarabia Vice Housewarden deadpanned at Grim's nonchalant dumping of responsibility, but his face relaxed the moment he realized. "Yuu refuses to keep their hands warm before they hold me and it's shivering me to my bones!"
"Grim, I can't control the temperature of my limbs, plus it's impractical to be constantly running to the nearest fire." Yuu looked like they were about to raise a hand to massage their temple.
Jamil witnessed as Grim climbed up from his Housewarden's lowered bag, before settling on their shoulder. He resisted the urge to smile. "So from what I'm hearing, Grim's complaining because he's not getting his pets?" At his words, Grim reacted immediately, his cries growing more pitched when Yuu agreed to what he said.
"But, I do have a solution to your problem." The Ramshackle Dorm Prefect and their companion both looked at him at the same time, watching as he brought out a pair of red and green festive mittens. It looked soft and well-made, perfectly knitted, and specifically, warm. "I don't believe Kalim will be opposed to the idea of lending you his extra mittens."
Jamil opened his palm for Yuu to offer their hand, an act of habit from his terms of service, but when he realized what he did right after, he hides the smile that pulled at the edges of his lips.
Yuu hesitated before resting their right hand on his and Sevens was it cold. He wouldn't be surprised to see them sick the next day if they would continue to let their fingers freeze like this, despite wearing a thick jacket over a sweater. The main building isn't the warmest of places in the campus, but it's still warmer than the below freezing point temperature outside of the walls.
Jamil wrapped his own hand around their four fingers for a second, a silent wish for them to warm up quickly, before slipping on the mitten. It fit snugly. He did the same to their left hand, only this time, he didn't let go so soon.
Jamil stared at the gingerbread pattern knitted on the garment, giving their hand a light squeeze as if it would boost the fabric's ability to heat up their hand. "It's colder this time of the year, so make sure you keep warm."
He was about to say more, but Grim already started talking. "That looks so childish." This time, Jamil let his deadpan expression be, aimed directly at Grim. "Whatever, as long as it makes sure I don't flinch everytime my henchman touches my head. Let's go, Yuu!"
The Prefect bent their arm to hold Grim up before his movements sent him off their shoulder, feeling satisfied when he didn't complain when their hand rested on their fur. "Thank you, Vice Housewarden Jamil."
"Anytime, Prefect Yuu—"
"We'll be late, henchamn! I don't want another tardy on the Great Grim's record!"