Chapter Text
The violent winds blowing across the frozen lands howled endlessly, a white haze caused by the relentless dance of snow and ice in the air. The frigid environment of Snezhnaya was something that could spell certain doom for any uninitiated travelers. The blinding white was so intense that any vision was reduced to mere feet. Two figures trudged through the biting cold despite the unwelcoming conditions.
The first figure - a harbinger that served the very god that these winds answered to - clicked her tongue as the cold managed to disturb her. Her veins burned with cursed flames, her vision was one born of pyro, and she had a specially layered coat bestowed to her by said god, but not even those could hold back the frosty puffs of air that escaped her lips. She cursed their luck for being caught in the severe elements, although she supposed that if others were in their situation, they would have already succumbed to the bitter frost of cryo.
She turned to the figure that walked alongside her. He was a traveler from beyond their stars and was a trustworthy ally. Unlike her though, his blood did not course with fire, nor did he even have a vision, and in spite of wearing a minimal coat and exposing his midriff to the cold elements, he braved the unrelenting storm with nary a concern. She had to admit that she was almost jealous as he continued to march alongside her. His golden hair shined brightly through the ashen expanse and his body seemed to radiate an unusual warmth.
A bit frustrated, she can’t help but call out to him, “I understand that you said the cold wouldn’t be a problem.” She pauses before continuing, both curious and slightly irritated, “but how are you not freezing Aether?”
The traveler, Aether, turns to her, his golden eyes seeming to glow in a way not too dissimilar to the warmth he emitted. “I did tell you before that I would be fine in the cold.” They continue to awkwardly shift through the snow. “My body can handle extreme temperatures.”
“Another oddity of your peculiar biology?”
He giggles at the frustrated tone of her voice as she says it. “I resent you calling it that, Peruere.” As the ice crunches beneath their feet, Aether's voice holds a faint curiosity, a touch of concern also being prominent. “I thought that your vision and coat would be enough for the weather, is it truly that cold?”
A particularly fierce gust of wind made her shiver involuntarily. Peruere cursed under her breath, hating how powerless she felt against the intangible forces in the air. “I can make do with these conditions. However… even I can feel the effects of the Tsaritsa’s winds.”
Aether watches her for a few moments, his concern fully evident now. “You should have said something earlier… why don’t we try and take shelter until the blizzard calms?”
“You know that we are on a tight schedule Aether, a delay in our journey could easily cause problems.” Peruere didn’t leave room for doubt, and both of them were aware of it.
He seems to want to argue with her judgment, but begrudgingly sighs. “I’m sorry,” he says, giving her an apologetic look. “I wish I could do more for you right now.”
Peruere isn’t sure why he takes such issue with her current predicament. Even if the winds they are experiencing are more violent than what she was ever used to previously in Snezhnaya, it wouldn’t be enough to kill her. She had far too much to live for before she’d allow herself to fall so easily to the world. Still, she supposed it was just in his nature to care about the well-being of others; and she appreciated his looking out for her.
After a moment of consideration, a question pops into her mind. “You said your body handles extreme temperatures,” Aether nods his head at her question. Peruere deliberates, before exposing her arm from her coat, extending it towards Aether. A rosy blush appears on his face as her hand approaches his cheek. When her hand rests against his cheek, it feels…
Warm… very warm…
"Come here," she commanded, her tone brusque. "You're wasting heat standing apart like that."
Before he could respond, she pulled him close, wrapping her large coat around both of them. Aether found himself pressed against her, his head poking out just below her chin and out of her coat. The warmth from his body seeped into her, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief despite her stern expression.
Aether looked up at her, his eyes wide with surprise and a hint of embarrassment. "Peruere..."
She shushed him, though not unkindly. "We need to conserve heat if we're going to make it through this blizzard." She can’t help the teasing smile that creeps its way onto her face. “Besides, this isn’t an undesirable way to travel, is it?”
He shook his head, his cheeks flushing a deep red, adding to the warmth he radiated. How odd that he gets warmer when he’s flushed… Peruere tightened her hold on him, feeling the heat spread through her body, combating the relentless cold. She rested her chin on the top of his head as the two looked forward.
They continued their journey, the harsh environment forcing them into a silent companionship. The blizzard raged around them, but within the web of Peruere's coat, she found the warmth she was feeling… satisfactory.
As they trudged forward, Peruere couldn't help but notice how Aether's cheeks had taken on a rosy hue, likely from the close proximity and the intimate nature of their situation. She smirked slightly, finding his shyness endearing, and giving him a gentle squeeze.
After the brief squeeze, she noticed how the area around them seemed to be getting brighter. She glanced down at Aether, and her eyes widened slightly. His face was not just flushed but glowing, a soft light emanating from his body. Peruere had no words to describe her bewilderment.
”…”
Aether's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red, the glow intensifying as he shrinks into her coat.
“…Star biology truly is incomprehensible…”
At least their vision in the blizzard has greatly expanded…