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You checked the illuminated sign situated mere feet from the bus stop.
200 WEST TOWN - 10 MIN
You checked your watch.
7:15 PM
All you could do was sigh.
You and Hippo sat on the chilly bench, the station offering little shield from the ruthless, bone chilling frost that had your hometown in a tight grip for weeks now. While you were at least used to cold spells like these, Hippo wasn’t. Additionally, you weren’t planning on being out this late either. Traffic had been particularly bad around the holiday season, and you just insisted on taking a day trip to shop for specific antiques you collected, which was, admittingly, not the brightest idea on your part. Consequently, You two had no choice but to arrive home later than you wished. You fiddled with the fringes of your scarf as you tried to think of what to say or do to make him feel better.
Your thoughts meandered to the weeks beforehand, just before they announced the cold front on the weather report.
Hippo would huff as you begged him to “please put some top on you’re gonna freeze to death if you don’t.” Eventually, you were able to convince him to at least wear a scarf. Even if it weren’t for the fact most clothing stores didn’t carry clothes his size, tops were always too restrictive for him, and with the sunny days on his native Hippo Island, he didn’t really need them either way. Even on formal events, at most he’d just wear a tie and some black slacks with dress shoes. And yes, even in the unrelenting frost, he still wore his crown, even if the rim gave him a borderline frostbite. He didn’t really care though that it did, nor that people gave him stares for it. People already looked weird at him all the time, so why not commit to being yourself?
Hippo, despite his jovial nature, was also a headstrong man when it came to self expression, which naturally clashed when facing the ruthless cold of your town. With this cold spell, he had no choice but to bundle up, which left him in a pique, seeing as how his body was his pride and joy. But not even his irritation was enough to keep him warm, a vicious cycle of the cold feeding his anger being the result.
It was going to be a while, you knew that much. You glanced over at him, and your eyes fell on the mitten part of his gloves. The mitten had a part that covered the palm of his hand, with the fingers part sewn on. Even well fitted gloves were a challenge to find for him. You figured he hated clothes shopping for that very reason. Thinking about how pushy you had been, you felt a pang of guilt, poor guy…
Nevertheless, you were going to make this up to him.
You turned your attention to him, and intertwined your fingers with his.
As smooth as you were warm right now, you said ‘’It’s cold out, isn’t it Hip Hip?’’
In a fit of slight petulance, he turned to face away from you, lips pursed. As if that wasn’t obvious. Normally, he was able to appreciate the many sights you showed him. Especially since the sights of your country were so different from his island life. However, the weather had done a real number on his mood. Right now, he just wanted to go home and warm up.
‘’Please don’t be mad. I know this weather isn’t easy on you.’’ You squeezed his hand. ‘’Least I can do is make it up to you. Somehow, anyway…’’
Hippo clenched his free fist and pinched his eyes shut for a brief moment. He hated how irritable he was sometimes. He absolutely did not want you to feel as he did, especially for trying to cheer him up. He turned back to face you.
“I’m sorry” he said, eyes cast downward.
‘’Don’t be, I shouldn’t have pushed you so much today…’’
Again, a silence, except a more pleasant one. You sighed. Your eyes wandered to the yellow lid houses in the distance. You could only imagine the warmth present there. Sitting by the fireplace, laughing and eating all kinds of filling winter goods. God, did you want nothing more than to wrap your beloved in a blanket and feed him some soup.
Hippo rolled his thumb over your mittens. A spark. You had an idea!
‘’You know, I was just thinking… since it’ll take a bit, why don’t I warm you up?’’ At that, Hippo’s heart skipped a beat. You chuckled as you saw his face color a slightly redder shade. That’s one part of the warming up process done.
‘’Nobody here to watch us anyway…’’ You grinned. Hippo leaned forward, ready to take your orders.
‘’Now.’’ You held out your hands in front of him. ‘’Give me your hands’’ you said with a lilt.
He raised a brow, only letting out a confused grunt in protest.
‘’Just trust me on this, okay?’’ you reassured him gently.
Hippo nodded and complied. His hands were clenched into fists.
‘’Okay, picture this…’’ you began. ‘’Two people walk along the white streets, but then…‘’ you started parting his fingers ‘’they see a house emitting a yellow light, amidst the blankets of snow, against the marine blue sky‘’ you said, rubbing his exposed fingers. Seeing the size of his hands, you had to use yours wholly to cover them entirely. You rubbed them vigorously, as if trying to make a fire using a bundle of sticks.
‘’Mmm… Cozy…’’ he hummed slowly between syllables.
You continued. ‘’I can’t wait ‘till we’re home…’’ you said, eyes fixated on his hands. “I wanna make you so much soup. Can you imagine it?” You once again formed his hands into fists. “Those good veggies and meats?“ you said, breathing down his fists, the clashing temperatures making him shiver.
“Gonna wrap you in blankets too, heh, you’ll be my little house Hippo…” You cooed. Hippo couldn’t resist a small chuckle. If anyone else had called him that, he’d protest, but he loved your cute little nicknames. Usually he’s seen as quite the intimidating guy, so the first time you ever called him cute, he was quite taken aback. Additionally, considering his title as king, he was used to being held to high esteem, on Hippo Island at least. Still, he wasn’t bothered by mushy nicknames. After all, he can be a cute king, can’t he?
As he reminisced and closed his eyes, a devious idea popped in your mind.
You snuck a hand to his abdomen and briefly tickled it. He let out a sound akin to an ‘’eep’’ and a roar. He whirled about, checking if no one saw him do that.
“Hehe, sorry, it was too easy.”
He raised his eyebrows as he narrowed his eyes, but he couldn’t resist a smile.
The warmer you became, the bolder. Hippo certainly wasn’t complaining. In fact, he liked it when people bloomed around him, which you certainly were an example of. Sure, he might have a royal title, but he disliked the exaggerated courteousness that sometimes came with it. Although he expected people to respect his title, he didn’t want anyone to feel intimidated by him.
‘’So… any warmer yet?’’ You continued stroking the mitten part of his hands.
‘’I am.‘’ He said. ‘’But… aren’t you cold?’’
“Well, maybe a little, but it’s ok. This isn’t about me, you deserve to get catered to every once in a while too, you know?”
Indeed, as king, he had a duty to his people. Not only did he have a title to uphold as representative of his people, but as a minor circuit champ of the world as well. Even in relationships, he carried over this feeling of owing you. You realized just how much pressure he was under. That’s why it was so important to you to be his rock, too.
He tilted his head, raising an eyebrow.
‘’I mean it, Hip hip, sometimes I don’t think you realize how much you do for everyone, and for me too…‘’ You said, drawing your head closer to his hands ‘’That’s what I like about you.‘’
‘’Mmm, well…’’ Hippo said. ‘’I think, what I like best about you, is that you’re just like a flower.‘
You looked at him quizzically, but intently ‘’Oh?’’
‘’Coming into full bloom… when you’re in your element.‘’
Your eyes twinkled.
‘’Like a sunflower, always looking toward the sun; me! Not to forget.’’ He guffawed.
The heat ran to your face as you giggled. You hid your face in his hand, still holding onto it. ‘’Heh, you’re such a goofball’’
Hippo smiled, once again closing his eyes.
‘’I lo-’’
HONK HOOOOOOOOOOONK!!!
You harshly squeezed Hippo’s hand as you shrieked and jumped. Hippo similarly let out a high pitched ‘’eep’’ noise. He did not expect you to have such a strong grip.
You both turned to your right where, as if magically, a bus now suddenly stood.
‘’If ya two love birds are done slobbering each other's claws, mind getting in?’’ the driver sneered. While some passengers shot the driver a judgemental look, a few others snickered.
Hippo grumbled to conceal his embarrassment. You hid your face with one hand while he took you by the other, moving yourselves all the way in the back of the bus. You stared out the window, abashed. Hippo meanwhile, stroked your back, before letting his (significantly warmer!) hand meander to yours and giving it a kiss, both a silent ‘’it’s okay’’ and a ‘’thank-you’’. If your face wasn’t already flushed from what happened prior, you’re sure you would’ve exploded.
Despite yourself, you rest your head on his shoulder for the remainder of the ride, your hands ever intertwined.