Chapter Text
A hearty dusting of snow covered every available surface outside the Hakurei shrine, smothering the landscape with a foreboding and uninviting aura. While it was no longer snowing at present, dark clouds hung overhead, threatening to storm at any moment.
The sun tried its best to highlight the world with its warm, soothing rays, but the overcast sky prevented them from reaching the ground below.
The harsh winds had mostly subsided; but a sharp breeze still danced through the air, happy to nip at any exposed skin if given the chance.
Against this harsh weather, only a sliding door protected those inside the shrine from the cold. Though, they remained ignorant of its inhospitably at the moment.
Inside the shrine, a visitor was strewn haphazardly across two futons. One being his own, of course, and the other belonging to the Hakurei shrine maiden herself, Reimu Hakurei.
This visitor is Arle Nadja, a girl who has made himself a regular at the Hakurei Shrine.
At present, he found himself cuddling up into the other girl’s side in a half-asleep state. His uncovered shoulders were cold. His blankets had fallen far too low for someone as sleepy as he was to recover.
So, naturally, he decided to try to make up for it by taking some of her warmth instead.
Reimu, on the other hand, slept rather soundly. Her blanket was pulled up to her chin, keeping her nice and warm. Unfortunately, her guest had begun to intrude on her personal space even further. Wrapping his arms around her and nuzzling into her cheek. He had to make up for the lost warmth somehow, after all.
This elicits a long sigh from Reimu, who shifts and feebly tries to shove Arle off of her. While it was in vain, he certainly finds the attempt endearing. Smiling, he simply pulls her closer to him.
“Now, there’s no need to be like that…” Arle insists softly, laying his head on her chest. “I’m about to freeze to death. You wouldn’t let me freeze, would you?”
Reimu gives out a groan. She finally opens her eyes, only to narrow them.
“I would.”
That elicits a hushed gasp from him. “I know that’s not in your heart!” He exclaims, feigning shock.
“It is.”
“Oh yeah? Who's going to make you breakfast in the morning then?”
“...Aunn.”
“Aunn? Fat chance. I doubt that mutt even knows the difference between a pot and a pan.”
“.....Carbuncle.”
Upon hearing its name, said animal immediately perks up its ears and gives a drowsy “Guu?”
Arle can’t help but laugh. “You know Carby would leave you to starve, he only ever thinks about his own stomach.”
Instead of justifying that with a response, Reimu wordlessly starts pushing Arle away again.
Arle allows himself to be shoved away, only to come back with a vengeance. Lifting the edge of Reimu’s blanket, he slips under and sidles in next to her.
Despite the other girl's sour expression and heavy sigh, she lifts her arm and allows him to nestle up against her side. Once he’s settled, she puts it back down and rests it upon his back.
Giving a satisfied hum, he gives her an affectionate squeeze. He was more than happy to take advantage of such an opportunity.
As he lay with a newfound sense of contentment, a quiet and irritated “Guu…” Could be heard. This, alongside the scuffle of Carbuncle burrowing under the blanket to make itself comfortable in the bend of Arle’s knee once more.
They're content to lay like that for a while. As time passes, Arle dozes off again while Reimu lightly traces shapes into his back with the tips of her fingers.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Reimu’s internal clock is a well-oiled machine, and she is very particular about when she gets things done.
Shifting to prop herself up, she begins breaking free of his grasp.
“Alright Nadja, it’s time to get up.” She says gruffly, her tone leaving no room for argument.
While he knew it was coming eventually, he still can’t help but whine. “C’mon Reimu…Just a few more minutes?”
“No.”
“Not even one?”
“I feel as if we’ve had this conversation before.”
“Nuh uh…”
Arle scoots up, wrapping his arms around her once more.
“..can’t you spare a kiss at the very least?”
Reimu gives a heavy sigh, but she’s unable to hide the redness in her cheeks.
“Alright, alright…”
Delighted, Arle can’t help but grin as the other girl leans down. “Thanks, Mu-Mu.”
Reimu pauses, glowering. “I told you not to call me that.”
“Why noooot? You’re my little Mu-Cow!” Arle teases, attempting to appear as irreproachable as possible.
With a roll of her eyes, Reimu promptly gets up. “No, I’m not.”
With a sorrowful wail, Arle holds his arms out at the other girl. “Waiiiit, what about my good morning kiss?!”
“Too late for that now,” Reimu responds mercilessly, leaving for the bathroom with a playful shake of her head.
For a moment all Arle does is sit there with a disgruntled look on his face. He doesn’t have much time to wallow in his self-pity though, as it doesn't take long for Carbuncle to start scrabbling at his legs.
After attempting to ignore it, and being met with irritated gu’s, he finally heaves himself up.
“All right, all right. I’ll make you your breakfast, but we still need to freshen up first.”
Carbuncle seems to feel inconvenienced by this, but allows itself to be picked up as Arle crouches down to scoop it up.
"I know, I promise I'll make you some curry to make up for it."
Perking up, it gives an excited "Guu!"
With a small laugh, he takes it with him to wait for Reimu to finish using the bathroom.