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Your attention is captivated by the snow falling through the dark sky, obviously it won't stop anytime soon if you take into consideration the frigid wind howling around the edge of the rock formation. The storm that is pelting the mountain with the harshness of a god, who feels compelled to punish the transgressions of the mortal realm, makes Dragonspine's already chilly climate become considerably worse.
Your eyelashes close as you take pleasure in the caress of the frigid, stormy breeze. The temperature is different from what you are accustomed to. But still, it brings back fond memories of the land where you grew up, after the age of thirteen. Some of those you've learned to keep to yourself, because they hurt too much to share with anyone.
The only thing you need right now is a little bit of that familiar firewater, and you could feel like you're back on one of those quiet night patrols on Snezhnaya. Technically you’re on Sneznaya, especially if you take into consideration all the fatui camps around the perimeter at the base of the mountain.
Some months ago this would have been a nice little patrol, before the differences made you leave everything behind. Now you’re branded as a traitor to the Tsaritsa’s cause. It’s not like you supported her beliefs, but you really couldn’t say that to your father.
You are aware that you must fulfill your obligations to your parents, but the man makes this so difficult... when you already have an archon to serve.
– Damn it!
Your face turns to look over your shoulder at the bluenette, it's pretty curious to see a Cryo user that has such distaste for the very element he commands. Your lips curve into a gentle smile, as you stand up allowing yourself to approach the concentrated man, who seems to keep fighting with the uncooperative wind.
Your side presses against the jacket of Kaeya, both of your bodies are extremely cold, but you still can't feel the pain and numbness of the freezing temperature, which you both know can penetrate the very essence of your bones.
The barrier created by your silhouettes huddled together, allows the flames to finally ignite the meager bit of wood that you both have managed to scavenge, from the Hillichurl camps you both have been eliminating over the day.
Your breath fogs in front of your eyes, thanks to the clash of temperature inside the small cave. The fire tries to keep the freezing grasp of the climate from your bodies. While the silence becomes somewhat heavy at the moment, the reality of how dangerous the situation they are in, remains at the forefront of their thoughts.
Staying in this cave with so few resources is dangerous; although you are sure that you can guide Kaeya through the treacherous mountain between the darkness of the night, and the pressure of the horrible blizzard. There are also many other factors to take into consideration, such as the monsters accustomed to this climate.
Monsters, for whom two lonely knights in the middle of nowhere, would be excellent and easy prey. Your eyes are used to working in a climate even worse than this. Finding the creatures should not be a problem, the trouble falls on the risk involved in the dire situation of them becoming separated during a fight.
It is already difficult to survive this cold together, if by any chance they lose each other. The possibility of freezing to death would be a complete reality for both of them. Also, finding a heat source in this place would be practically impossible at this point.
Unless they were willing to invade Albedo's domain. But in this darkness, and with a storm of this wild magnitude, finding the cave could as well be like searching for a needle in a haystack... even for your adapted eyesight.
There is also the second problem, which in your opinion is the most dangerous of all. Your eyes remain fixed on the dancing flames, while the memory of the fatui in Mondstadt watching you with their not-subtle glares, ensures that you do not forget your transgression to their beloved archon.
You carry a huge target on your back, one that you are aware can cost you your life at any moment. But every warrior from Natlan knows that in this world, there is only the path of life or death. You refuse to live an entire existence at the service of an archon, who does not represent you in any way.
Is simply not an acceptable way to live, nor a worthy reason to give up your own life… at least not for a devoted daughter of the goddess of war. It would be different if it was Lady Murata, who demanded you to give away your life in battle; for something like that… you’re more than willing to sacrifice everything.
With a swift movement, you stand up and turn your body so your gaze is at the opening of the cave. Your hands unbutton your black coat allowing your arms to emerge from the warm material, while you take a seat as close as you can at the side of the blue haired man.
Kaeya’s gaze rests on your hand opening the coat as much as possible, you place the thick material over his shoulder farther away from you, in an attempt to share the warmth you have been able to accumulate during your trek to find shelter.
Your head rests against his arm, while you try to make your bodies stay as close as possible. This way you both can save up as much warmth as you can from the fire. When the moment comes for the flames to die because of the scarce wood, you’ll be able to share heat by being close to each other.
The whisper of the wood cracking under the flames and your quiet breathing, become the only constant in which Kaeya can concentrate. Even over the loud howling of the wind, and the silent dancing of the fire creating shadows around the small space of your refuge.
His cheek pressing against the crown on your head, speaks silently of something that he doesn’t know how to offer openly. Not, when he’s not sure of you being willing to accept it, with that adorable grin that you always throw in his direction after a mission concerning you both has gone well.
(¯ `v´¯ )
`.¸.´
Your eyes open slowly, while a little hum leaves your lips. Your eyebrows scrunch in confusion as you wonder, when was it that you fell asleep? The faint glow at your back proves that a few hours have gone by. The flame is slowly receding into the dying embers, getting ready to extinguish itself at any moment.
It’s just a matter of minutes until all that is left of your source of warmth will be a barely capable source of light, that won't help them to see much of the small cave. The sudden tickling of fur against your cheek, makes you blink with confusion so you turn your head, only to realize that a familiar jacket is covering your back and the captain’s front.
Kaeya has imitated your move while you were asleep, now that the fire is gone your jackets have become a little cocoon that traps all the warmth of your bodies. The feeling of your closeness is cozy, and way more enjoyable than any of your other solitary missions on Dragonspine.
Your cheek presses against his arm, the closeness is justifiable since you’re trying to keep the heat trapped within this little cocoon of yours. The fragrance of dandelion wine is faint, and you think it's more like Kaeya’s clothes have picked it up thanks to his surroundings, instead of him taking a drink before your mission started.
Or at least, that’s what you hope…
The smell mixes with a fresh and gentle essence, making you reminisce of water from a clear spring untouched by any kind of pollution. You can also perceive something sweet, like the sugar from the bread that you remember seeing him eat in the mornings, when Kaeya thinks no one is watching his pouty self grumbling; before he grasps his charming act for the world.
Everything becomes justifiable for any warrior, soldier, or knight if it's to survive and see another day after the danger. That's your justification, for not reacting to how Kaeya's arm curls on your side. Is that or either the reality, that your breath is trapped in your chest while your body is pulled even closer.
Your head now rests on his chest, where you can feel a steady beating heart against your ear. The lack of space allows the warmth to embrace you both, as your jackets interlap sealing the heat against your upper bodies. For a moment the thought that you fit together perfectly against each other, lurks in your mind while your heart starts beating at an accelerated tempo.
–We should stay close. Since we run at a lower temperature…
The hand that presses against your nape under the jackets, makes your skin bristle with goosebumps. Is it your imagination, or is it suddenly getting hotter? Your cheeks flush in embarrassment, this is different from hearing him flirt with the women of Mondstadt, or remembering his first tries to do the same with you at the tavern.
Of course, you can't forget either that time you got him to your house, while he was drunk…
The memory of that kiss shared on the couch still exists in your mind, something that sadly never got to repeat itself. Since neither of you has breached such conversation as if it had been some kind of unmentionable act to the world. Something only to be known by the two of you, and the darkness of that night as the sole witness.
–I don’t think so…
Your voice is barely a whisper against the howling of the wind, and yet it surprises you how Kaeya doesn’t miss your words. You can feel the weight of his gaze on your person, while your cheek stays pressed against his gently beating heart.
Your hand moves under the sanctuary created by your bodies, the jackets, and the warmth that comes from the barely hanging embers at your back. Your extremity fumbles blindly under the barrier, but almost as if guided by some kind of magnetic pull, your fingers find his own making sure to lace themselves gently in the spaces between his own.
–Maybe, we’re cold to those with other kinds of visions, and also to those who are visionless…
You say with a calm that hides the wild beating of your heart, your eyes find his periwinkle gaze. The embers make his skin glow faintly, making him appear like something ethereal. As if he were a shooting star, that you have managed to trap between your arms.
Your free hand rises to place your fingers against his cheek. You caress his skin with such tenderness, that Kaeya can't help but swallow the saliva on his mouth. This is just like that night months ago…
Where your lips met his own on that mind-blowing kiss. The one that has him fumbling like an idiot, every time you're lurking around with a mischievous look that isn’t directed at him. If you notice it, you show him mercy by not saying anything… especially since you don't consider his words as real.
How can it be that he can make all the women blush with his flirting, but you simply snort at his compliments? Because he is aware that when his words are directed at you, they're honest and sincere compliments, not simple-minded flirting. But you are just too stubborn to realize, or too prideful to accept his words.
He isn't sure which of the two is the truth…
–But to me, you feel really warm…
Your hand squeezes his own, as your lips curl in that smile that he believes to be the most beautiful thing in the whole of Teyvat. Forgive him dandelion wine… for he has strayed from the path. Even when he's sure your smile is more charming than the rest of the curves of your body.
Although, he won't deny he also likes those curves very much…
Your eyes sparkle like gems under the faint glow of the embers, but that doesn't diminish the clear honesty in your orbs. That tells him a story about something way deeper, than simple gratitude for keeping you warm.
Or maybe he's just too stubborn of a man, to realize that you reciprocate his feelings; because he's sure you just love toying with him…
Kaeya's fingers grasp your chin lifting your head, so you won't escape from his searching gaze. How long can you two play this game, until one breaks the sanctity of these kisses shared in the silence of the night? You don’t move, don’t reach for him with desperation, but you also don't move away from his gentle grasp.
Your eyes refuse to back down from the silent encounter with his own, there’s no need for words right at this moment. Not when your eyes scream that you want him, with the same need and desperation that he wants you.
There’s no time for any other thought as the cold disappears, once your lips meet without a care about the storm outside the refuge. The warmth of two bodies pressing together with passion is enough to make them remember the fact that even ice can ignite flames, with the right use and source of heat.
~Owari~