Chapter Text
The snow had been falling thickly since the morning, quickly piling up all throughout the campus. Students venturing outside either bundled up tightly or dared each other to rush out without the proper layers and began to start impromptu snowball fights where no one was safe. Floyd had been seen carrying a much too large snowball over his head and chasing down a gaggle of freshmen who looked panicked in the face of their certain doom, only saved when one brave fool misfired their own snowball and hit Floyd, causing him to drop the snowball on top of his own head. The scattering was quick as Floyd shook the snow from his hair, trying to find his new target.
Elsewhere a small group had gathered to make a large snowman, the trio giggling as they fashioned sticks and a few leaves into feathers and a mask, creating a less than flattering depiction of the ever-so-gracious headmage of Night Raven College.
(when Crowley inevitably saw the creation he was moved to tears)
Leona, however, was not among the groups making merry and bright in the sudden winter wonderland. He shivered, wrapping his arms tighter around his chest, ears twitching in irritation. Beside him, Ruggie was bundled up not only his own coat, but another that was too big for him, no doubt swiped from some unsuspecting soul, as well as a hand-knitted scarf that was wrapped at least three times around his neck.
“You’d think they’d cancel classes for all of this.” the hyena huffed, breathing out into the cold air, watching his breath fog and rise. “No one wants to learn anything in this weather.” Leona gave a low grunt but didn’t really give much of a response. “Leona?” Ruggie turned to look at his housewarden, and frowned. “Are you okay?”
“M’fine,” Leona grumbled, hiking his shoulders up, trying to burrow himself deeper into his jacket as subtly as possible. Unfortunately, he had the subtlety of a trainwreck, judging from Ruggie’s snickering.
“Aw, are you that cold?” he teased, earning a hard glare. “You’re the one who willingly came out here, you know.” Leona turned to look away. He was only thankful for the cold because it made it harder to tell how much he was beginning to blush. “Why don’t we head back? You have a pile of warm pillows waiting for you.” Ruggie grinned wider, “Or, are you wanting to find someone else to keep you warm.”
“You’re talking a lot, right now, for someone in throttling range.” Leona growled, his ears pinning back as he felt his face begin to warm up more. Despite the threat, Ruggie only laughed more. “There’s a perfectly good snowbank right there I can punt you into.”
“Kingscholar?” Leona tensed, ears perking up, and not going unnoticed by Ruggie, who laughed again. Turning his head, Malleus stood before him, looking surprised and dressed warmly with a striking green scarf wrapped loosely around his shoulders. “I’m surprised to see you out here.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?” the beastman grumbled, keeping his arms tight across his body.
“Well, I seem to recall you, rather vocally, stating your dislike for this type of weather.” Malleus smiled, watching as Leona huffed more, pouting as he turned his head away. “You also seem ill equipped to be out in such conditions.”
Leona sniffed in response, his tail flicking in irritation. “M’fine.” he grumped.
“Of course you are.” Malleus chuckled, “That’s why your nose is so red.” He only laughed more when Leona growled low. “Now, now. It’s charming. I rather think it suits you.”
“Did you have a reason to come over here?” Leona huffed out, glaring up at the other man. “Or was it just to mock me?”
“Oh, I’d never come to mock you.” At that, Malleus looked truly hurt. “I merely was surprised to see you, as I stated previously. And I am a bit concerned for your wellbeing. As I said, you expressed a dislike for this weather, and judging from your appearance you’re not handling it well.”
Leona grumbled, ears twitching more, “I told you, I’m fine.” he insisted, though whether he was trying to convince Malleus or himself with the statement was anyone’s guess. Especially since it was followed by a sudden sneeze.
“Yes, you’re the epitome of fine.” Malleus sighed, allowing the beastman to grumble once more in irritation. “If you’re cold, you can always go back to your dorm. I would assume that it’s nice and temperate for you.”
“M’not cold.” Leona wasn’t sure who he was trying to convince with that, but he was nothing if not prideful.
“Of course not.” Naturally, Malleus did not sound convinced in the slightest. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I feel a bit chilled. I’ll be returning to my room.”
“Bye, then.” Leona grumbled, face turning into a pout once more.
“You’re welcome to join me. I plan to have some hot chocolate, and I assure you Lilia will not be around to… offer his assistance.” Malleus pressed on, watching as Leona tried to not look like he was shivering as badly as he was.
Leona made a noise, but didn’t respond. Malleus only smiled, “Well, the offer will remain, so feel free to drop by if you change your mind.”
Leona looked away, huffing. He watched as a group of students laughed, running around as they tossed snowballs at each other. He spotted the weird cat creature bounding through the snow, loudly declaring how cold he was until the prefect of the newly christened Ramshackle dorm lifted him up. The creature then made quick work of burrowing into the prefect’s coat for warmth as he was carried to catch up with the rest of their group.
He startled slightly when he felt something drape across his shoulders. Leona blinked and looked back over, watching as Malleus seemed focused on gently wrapping something around Leona, tucking it around his neck, and soon realized how warmer he felt. He also noticed the green scarf that Malleus had been wearing was now gone. When the other man drew back his hands, Leona glanced down and confirmed that the scarf had been wrapped around himself. “What,”
“Not that I think you’re cold,” Malleus cut him off, though his smirk told Leona otherwise, “but I daresay I wouldn’t want you to catch a cold, now.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, “You can return it to me later.”
And with that, he left, Leona standing and watching him leave, his face warming more by the second before he raised his hand towards the scarf. He fidgeted with it, opening it just enough to burrow his face deeper into the fabric, his ears perking as he realized how nicely it smelled of Malleus.
Beside him, Ruggie giggled, and Leona was made aware that the hyena hadn’t left and had, in fact, had front row seats to all of that. “Look at you all cozy warm.” he teased, laughing louder when Leona growled at him. The laughter turned into a yelp when Leona carefully shifted his body to properly kick up some snow at his vice-warden.
He left while Ruggie was complaining, his feet carrying him back into the school, his tail swaying in contentment. “Oi! Leona! Where are you going?”
“Inside,” Leona gruffed out a response. “I hate the cold.”
Hot chocolate did sound pretty nice, the more he thought about it.