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Snow fell on the Northernmost reaches of the new land. The sun had gone down a short while ago, and Nia was finally released from her monarchical duties. She was making her way back to the stone-walled inn, holding her woolly shawl close to her body. Though she tried to walk with the elegance she had been taught from Brighid, trying not to tremble from ears to toes was difficult when that white, freezing snow was coming up to her knees.
Why, just why did that bloody material they needed for the Ark only exist in such a ridiculously cold place? And there was so much paperwork involved, a single visit would not be enough. She missed the time when she could beat her way out of things.
A hint of warmth finally reached her skin when she opened the door to the inn and a pleasant draft escaped from it. She bowed courtly to the innkeepers before heading further inside. A spacious VIP room at the end of the corridor was one of the perks of her position, though it was just right for the size of her family.
“Welcome back, Nia,” a cosy voice beckoned her in as she unlocked the door.
“Pyra! Just who I wanted to see.”
Pyra wore a red sweater and welcomed her with a smile on her face. Nia wasted no time getting rid of her boots and jumping at her. Her wife was almost toppled, but held her ground at the last minute.
“Now that's the stuff.” Nia dug her cold nose into the crook of Pyra’s neck, the warmer-than-average skin soothing her own. “Missed you, babe.”
“Did you miss me or the heat?” Pyra brought her hands around her.
“Both.” Nia pressed a kiss to her neck, her smile only widening at the shiver it brought forth. “Hmm, you smell nice.”
“Let me get–”
Pyra had started moving her hands away from Nia when she hastily grabbed them and placed them right back where they were.
“Nooo, let me rest a bit.”
“Of course!”
Still hugging each other, they made their way to a large, leather sofa. Though not without grumbling first, Nia let Pyra disentangle herself and sit down on the sofa, feet planted on the ground. Nia more like threw herself into it, legs kicking up onto the sofa and bringing her torso to cuddle up to Pyra in her lap. Embraced by a living and loving warm sheet, she purred low in her throat, head resting against soft bosom.
“How was your day?” Pyra asked.
“Tiring. Cold. Never want to see that chancellor again, and yet I'll have to see his ugly mug tomorrow.” Her body shook along Pyra’s giggle. “What about you? Where's everyone?”
“Things with the brog got… messy. We had to head back and take a bath. Rex was quick and already left, he had to report it and do some other stuff. Mythra’s probably just about–”
As if on cue, the door opened. Mythra brought along with her figure the fresh fragrance Nia had smelled on Pyra, though her annoyed gaze betrayed how relaxing her bath must have been.
“You're back already,” she said, her face brightening up once her eyes met Nia’s.
“Missed me, honey?”
“I wish I had time for that.”
“You want me to leave, then?”
“No, idiot, I was just too busy to even hear my own thoughts.” Mythra rolled her eyes and took off her boots and coat. “Also, you'd freeze your ears off out there.”
“Thankfully I got my own heater here.” Nia snuggled closer to Pyra and purred.
Pyra stroked behind Nia’s ears. Though she would not have expected it at first, Nia could be the calmest of her spouses. The two of them could spend hours in silence, each absorbed in their own activity, and, more often than not, with Pyra petting her soft hair. Though she loved the boisterousness of her family, she also treasured the rare moments of quiet. That is why it took all she had to gently tap Nia’s shoulder.
“Actually, I should really get up and start making dinner,” Pyra said. As she tried to move she was met with a hiss.
“I'm not hungry, just five more minutes,” Nia pleaded.
“Leave it to me then!” Mythra declared in triumph, rolling up her sleeves and already heading towards the kitchen.
“I'm good, I'm good!” Nia jumped up almost as high as the ceiling off of Pyra’s lap. “Why don't we help you, Pyra?”
The VIP room was big enough to afford a small kitchen besides the main room. The main room had a sofa and a table where they could just barely squeeze in, but the two beds put side by side were large enough that they could not complain. Though the three were in the kitchen, Pyra was having trouble seeing how that was supposed to be helping . Nia had just clung to her again, though she was gracious enough to offer one extra hand to help measure the ingredients. Mythra had shattered an egg against the counter when trying to crack it open, and was just finishing cleaning it up. The three crowded the kitchen, and even Pyra almost cut herself when trying to dice the onion.
“Actually, why don't you two start placing the silverware down?”
Though they groaned, they started moving the plates to the dining table. When Nia returned, she stuck to Pyra like gum. Mythra clicked her tongue and dragged her back to work. They took the utensils to the table. When they returned to grab the cups, Nia once again clung to Pyra. Mythra dug her nails into Nia’s clothes and yanked her out of the kitchen.
“Stop getting in Pyra’s way.” Mythra hissed.
“Pot, meet kettle.”
“I'm trying at least.” she crossed her arms.
“I am, too! But oh is the warmth way too seductive.” Nia squeezed the air with her hands, as if daydreaming. “No need to be that angry, I’m good now.”
“Suit yourself.” Mythra’s hair whipped when she turned back to the kitchen. “But I can make heat too, you know…” she added, louder than she intended too.
“ Oooh .” Nia giggled and her pupils contracted, like a cat that had just trapped a mouse. “I see what's happening. You're jealous.”
“I’m not–”
Nia pounced at Mythra, holding her in a tight embrace.
“Old fox Nia will give you as many hugs as you want,” she half-mocked, rubbing her face against Mythras’ collarbone.
“Get off! Ew!”
“Nope, you brought this on yourself. I’m still pretty cold, you know, you must be good and look after your queen.”
“I’m kicking you out into the snow!”
Mythra’s complaints died down as Nia planted kiss after kiss against her collar and then her neck. It was convenient that both her and Pyra had similar weak spots. By the end, Mythra was slowly petting Nia’s ear, whilst Nia’s pupils had all but covered the amber of her iris. Her fangs were grazing over soft, warm skin when they heard a call from the other room.
“I’m glad you’ve made up, but aren’t you forgetting something?”
From the kitchen, a delicious smell was starting to drift out into the main room. As if that was not enough, from outside their room, familiar heavy steps echoed as they headed towards their door.
“Oh!” Nia and Mythra disentangled and headed back to work.
Any barbs left between them were just for show. Even when their family was faced with the inevitable next step that had to be taken for the Ark, Mythra had been unable to completely let go of her walls. It was alright. At that point, the four had grown close enough to understand each other’s needs and offer support as required. Besides, it was not their first time facing an unknown tomorrow.
For today, they could finish any business they had left after dinner.