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Aramaki hated winter. He always had, but it became even worse since he ate his Devil Fruit several years ago. It wasn’t just the cold either. The weak winter sun made him lethargic; since he became a Plant Logia, he didn’t bother eating food anymore for sustenance, he could just photosynthesize (and the occasional drink for water and micro-nutrients. Or the occasional pirate). A lot of plants relied on their winter roots and bulbs buried safely in the soil to survive and as much as he wished he could hibernate too, he still had his job to do.
Considering his grumpy mood, Aramaki was glad that it made people avoid him. Only those of similar rank or above were willing to bother him for this or that. But then, he was an Admiral. He didn’t care that people sent him disapproving glances when he fell asleep in a meeting or accidentally grew roots into the floor; unless Sakazuki-san was there, of course. Then even the woes of winter couldn’t stop him from having 110% of his attention on the Fleet Admiral (god, he wished the man would tell him ‘good job’ already. Or ‘good boy’.)
It was during a particularly chill morning that Aramaki was trudging through the upper ranks’ barracks at New Marineford. He’d had to go supervise some early morning drills, making him even grumpier and more tired and all he wanted was to crawl into bed, curl up and wake up in spring. But suddenly something primal in his brain went ‘ping!’ Like a flower chasing the sun, he found himself drawn into a room that had such delightful heat to it. There was the crunch of tatami mats under his feet.
“Take off your shoes,” a stern voice suddenly said, pulling Aramaki instantly out of his torpor state. He started taking off his shoes in reflex before he even realised there was only one man able to make him do that.
“Sakazuki-san! I mean- boss- I mean… Sir!” Aramaki stumbled over his words and kicked himself mentally. Even his brain seemed to run slower due to this hell-damned cold.
“It’s fine, you can join me,” Sakazuki said, glancing at the Admiral over his shoulder for a moment before returning his attention to in front of him. There was a pot of tea with some cups placed on a tray in the middle of the table along with a bowl full of oranges. In front of the Fleet Admiral was one of his lovely bonsai trees, which he was meticulously trimming. The poor thing was suffering from the cold as well, but his careful administrations would mean it could grow just right in spring.
A thought crossed Aramaki’s mind that he wished he could feel Sakazuki-san’s hands on his body like that, and his cheeks dusted with a blush. Would Sakazuki-san notice a new bonsai tree among his collection? Maybe he could give him one as a gift, yes, that made sense…
Aramaki was pulled out of his thoughts as he found himself sitting down next to his superior. The table had a curious blanket around it and seeing Sakazuki had his legs crossed underneath it, he pulled up the blanket to mimic his position. He gasped softly, it was warm underneath! Ohh, so the blanket was meant to trap the heat. What a great idea! ‘Sakazuki-san is so amazing,’ he thought.
Oblivious to Aramaki’s gushing thoughts, Sakazuki reached over to the tea pot. He appeared to deem it too cold so he placed his hands either side of the pot while Aramaki watched, fascinated and curious. There was a faint red glow and the pot started to steam. Appearing to be satisfied with the temperature now, the Fleet Admiral poured out the tea in two cups and offered one to Aramaki.
The Admiral hoped that the blush on his cheeks could be blamed on the cold as he took the cup with a bashful ‘Thanks’. He sipped from it and hummed in delight as the liquid warmed him up on the inside. “Perfect temperature…” he muttered and was happy to see Sakazuki-san gave him a pleased look.
Sakazuki resumed his work on the bonsai tree while Aramaki relaxed with the warm tea in hand. Subconsciously, Aramaki shuffled closer and closer to the glorious source of heat in the room. It just happened to be the Magma Logia user. “What are you doing?” Sakazuki suddenly asked, making Aramaki jump and realise he was sitting flush against Sakazuki’s side, practically… well, practically snuggled into him. But his tone was confused rather than reproachful, the Admiral noted.
“I- I’m sorry, sir, it’s just- it’s so cold and you’re so warm…” Aramaki started to explain, but felt so reluctant to move away.
Sakazuki studied him for a moment. Then he glanced at the bonsai tree, which looked sad without its leaves now that it was winter, and then back at Aramaki. Realisation dawned on him. “The winter season really affects you, doesn’t it?” he asked.
Aramaki blushed and looked down. “It’s a weakness I am aware of and am working on, sir. I can still do my job just fine!”
“I know you can,” Sakazuki replied. After all, he could see his reports. “But you’re having to work a lot harder to do so, hm.” He sighed and glanced up at Aramaki, making the Admiral’s breath catch in his throat. “Very well. If this helps you recharge, then you can stay like that.”
“T-Thank you, sir,” Aramaki replied, hoping he didn’t sound too gushing. He was probably still smiling like an idiot but he didn’t care right now, as he settled in against the warm body of Sakazuki-san. Feeling the heat he radiated directly against his body felt so good! It was like Sakazuki-san was his personal sun in this miserable season.
Aramaki must have dozed off enveloped in this pure feeling of delightful warmth and comfort. Because all of a sudden, Sakazuki spoke up again, “Now what are you doing here?” He sounded more exasperated, but he was talking to someone else. Aramaki blinked and leaned forward to see Issho sitting against Sakazuki-san’s other side.
“You two looked so cosy, I couldn’t resist!” Issho replied cheerfully.
“You can’t even see-“ Sakazuki started before sighing. “Aramaki needs the heat because he is a Plant man, so why are you pressed against me like that?”
“Hoho, I’m just a poor old man suffering in this cold, wet weather. This heat is doing wonders for my aching joints,” the other Admiral commented while reaching a hand for the tea pot. “Mhmm, that smells good, is it chamomile?”
“Hrm… fine,” Sakazuki grumbled as he reached over to grab the pot for him before the blind man could push it over accidentally. He reheated it before pouring out cups. Then he froze. “What the hell?” Sakazuki exclaimed suddenly and both he and Aramaki stared back at Borsalino, who had draped himself bodily over the Fleet Admiral’s back. “Borsalino, you can radiate your own damn heat!”
“Awww~ But you all looked so cooo-oosy,” The other Admiral drawled, to which Issho chirped in with a ‘Right!?’ “I just didn’t want to be left ooouuut, Saaaakaaa!”
Aramaki bristled at Borsalino’s audacity at how he addressed their superior while Sakazuki gritted his teeth, but then he appeared to, just… accept it. Huh. They all seemed to wordlessly agree on letting this, whatever this was, happen and settled in. Sure, Aramaki could wish to have Sakazuki-san to himself, but… he didn’t actually mind his fellow Admirals that much, and after all, their body heat only added to the warm feeling overall. Aramaki felt… good. He found himself hoping that they could do this more often. Perhaps winter wasn’t so bad after all.
“Saa-aay, Saka-kun, did that bonsai have flowers before?”