Chapter Text
1.
The first snow fell in early November. That hasn’t happened in years.
Badboyhalo stood on his porch, watching the flakes fall with an odd sense of calm. Memories of his childhood, living in a much colder climate, floating through his head. His brothers and him would be out there in the garden now, building the first snowman of the year, promising many to come after. It was always his favourite time. His mornings were brighter, with white snow reflecting what little light shone over the mountain. It was an end to the dark autumn, an end to the rainy and windy season. It was when he could finally enjoy the outdoors again, cladded in thick boots, insulated pants, waterproof gloves and the thickest coat he had hanging in his closet. It was warmth and cold at the same time, comfortable yet uninviting. He wasn’t even sure where the comfort lied. In spending time with his brothers, conquering the freezing outside? Or in coming back inside, warming up by the chimney, greeted with welcoming hugs and steaming cups of hot cocoa?
Closing his eyes, breathing in the cool air, listening to rushing water of the river, the light breeze grazing along his skin, sending shivers down his arms, it was all so reminiscent of home.
Oh, what he would give to return to that.
Alas, he opened his eyes. His backyard staring back at him, by now covered in a thin layer of frozen water. It didn’t need to be more than that. Bad had moved away from that home a long time ago. And he was content. It meant leaving things behind, both good and bad. Things he missed dearly, and the things that made him leave. He was grateful for all the new that it brought into his life as well. That home could stay in his memories.
For all the snowflakes and burning fires he missed from his childhood was an equal now in his adulthood. For every snowman he built with his brothers, he now spent hanging out with his friends. For every minute he sat at the kitchen table, his parents helping him with his homework, he now spent working on his passion, his business, that he built himself, from the ground up. For everyday it didn’t snow, was a day filled with more sunshine. For every tear he shed, crying alone in his room, was now a smile and laughter. It was easy, to remember only the good. He wants to remember the good. While knowing that leaving was the best choice. His best decision. It didn’t need to be more than that.
Cause for every person he would never reconnect with…
“Geez, Bad, it’s freezing out here!”
…was a new face.
He felt the corners of his mouth tug upwards uncontrollably. Turning around, he found the one person that had made it all worth it.
“It’s not that cold, ‘Geppy. The snow will have melted again come noon.”
“Dude, you are literally standing there in your Pajamas, the least you could do is put on some socks.” The younger firmly remained next to the glass door, still technically standing inside. He was dressed more appropriately, a thick hoodie with an undershirt and jeans with probably leg warmers underneath. Although, something about the outfit looked familiar. Bad lifted an eyebrow, leaning back against the railing, fully facing his roommate now.
“Isn’t that my sweater?” Skeppy shrugged back, unashamed.
“My Hoodies are all in the wash, so yours will have to do.” He walked further into the house, making his way towards the kitchen, leaving the slide door open for Bad to follow him. The older did so, while rolling his eyes.
“I told you it would be cold a week ago. Pray tell why you didn’t do your laundry any earlier?” He closed the door behind him, turning the heater back up. Skeppy’s response came with the muffled sound of the coffee machine heating up.
“How was I supposed to know that you were being seriousgosh... He remembers those seemingly endless fights. Whatever small thing they could disagree on, they did disagree on. Their friends called it a miracle whenever they found something they didn’t have differing opinions on. He remembers questioning if it was the right choice.
He knows the answer to that by now.
Finally taking a sip from his beverage, he heard Skeppy fall into the seat beside him, a tired sigh leaving his lips. Sparing a glance at the clock, he found it to be just past 7am. Admittedly, way too early for a sunday. He just couldn’t help himself when he had woken up to the first snowfall of the year. Jumped out of bed without looking at the time. He must have woken up the younger on accident.
“So,” The mentioned man started, “oh wise weather-man, any idea what the clouds are looking like on tuesday?” Bad snorted at the nickname, placing his cup down quickly, not wanting to choke on his drink.
“Skeppy, you know how to read the forecast. Why? What’s so special on tuesday?” Skeppy took that opportunity to down his coffee in one go, Bad cringing inwardly at the display. That couldn’t have been very far from boiling. He’s seen the younger do worse, though. Treating his coffee like a shot was rather tame in comparison. He has begged him before to just change to an actual shot of espresso, Skeppy refusing vehemently. Saying it was too late to change up his routine, or something along those lines. Bad accepted defeat. At least that was his only source of caffeine per day.
After swallowing, he answered: “They are opening up an ice rink near city hall, figured we could check it out.” Bad pondered that for a moment.
“Goodness, first sign of snow and they immediately act like winter is here full force.” He chuckled, slowly sipping away on his beverage. Skeppy lifted his cup back up to his face, despite it being empty, pointedly looking in the other direction. “It was just an idea…” He mumbled, almost sounding bashful. That disappeared quickly as a new teasing smirk glazed over his lips.”Besides, you’re the one who said it will be cold!”
Bad hummed in contemplation. “It is a nice idea. I don’t think we’ve ever been ice skating together, have we?” Skeppy stood up with a noise of agreement, discarding his cup by the sink.
“So it’s a date?” Bad nodded absentmindedly, reminiscing of the last time he had gone skating. “Great!” Skeppy slapped his shoulder in good faith, effectively getting the olders full attention back on him. “I’m going back to bed.”
Bad shook his head in disapproval. “Skeppy, you just downed a cup of coffee:” He lectured the retreating figure of his best friend.
“And you still haven’t put on a pair of socks!” was the levelled reply.
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