Work Text:
Yakumo was used to last-minute shopping.
He’s done it before in the past, grabbing any ingredients that he would need for a last minute dish that he wanted to make. In fact, he had done it quite recently. Aster hosted a party at the manor last week, and had requested that the serpentine man make some sweets for their guests. Without missing a beat, Yakumo was happy to assist. He couldn’t believe that someone wanted his help with food for such a large event. Or that it would be a hit between the attendees.
That was one thing, however. Last minute runs for ingredients weren’t unheard of for Yakumo.
Or as stressful as what he was coming back home from.
Tonight, Yakumo had finally finished shopping in his last shop for the night. Two bags were carried in his hands. Large ones at that. They dangled from his hands, swaying lightly in the light, winter breeze that wooshed through the late night skies.
With eyes glanced down at the bags in hand. He could see various items within them. Books, outfits, scientific material, toys – and that was only naming a few of them.
Who knew that last minute Kleinmas shopping had been so stressful? He hardly had to have done that before; The last time he had run into stores like that was years ago. And now, he had done so again. Buying presents for his many partners and grandparents for the same day was something Yakumo only had to worry about once a year. And yet, looking for the specific things that he knew that some of them wanted was a hassle.
After weeks of slowly completing his shopping list, the brunette man had finished his shopping for the holiday.
A soft sigh rang from the serpent’s lips, a small, tired smile lifting at the corners of his mouth. “Haah. That should… be everything.” He murmured to himself, his hands lifting up the bags in his hands higher so that they didn’t touch the snow-covered ground.
Without a second thought, the brunette began to walk back over to the manor. Quite frankly, it would be a trek. The building was a little way’s away – yet, for a colder night, the scenery was quite beautiful. Street lamps illuminated the way back like a quest path, as if they were leading the way back home. Distant chatter could be heard, along with the chorus of carolers singing about in the town square.
Winter was beautiful at this time. As joy and music were abundant in late-night Klein, Yakumo felt himself grow more serene. He was at peace with the festive setting, and the almost tranquil nature of the town. It felt like a story that he had read to Garu once; one about holy, Kleinmas nights that promised miracles and presents to all. Tales that told of love and romance between two lovers on a winter night.
Such cliches were loved by many, young and old. The tropes seemed to age well, and were favoured among the people of the many territories in the country.
As he walked on, Yakumo couldn’t help but agree.
The colours of strung-up lights painted the nearby houses beautiful hues of green and red. Among his stroll, he could even spot home-made and storebought decor. Candy canes that lined up along the pathways of houses, as if they were inviting elves inside. Posters and stickers of reindeer were stuck up against windows.
Yakumo was even sure that he saw a flag of a Kleinmas tree waving about on the top of someone’s home.
Such decorations were positively adorable. In his opinion, anyway. The serpent loved how other citizens would decorate their homes in the name of holiday spirit. Most times they often looked stunning. He swore that they were practically hypnotizing to look at. Once someone looked at one house, they simply had to look at another to see how they set up their homes.
It reminded Yakumo of home. How he would spend time drawing Kleinmas trees to tape up against his grandparents’ place. Or, how he and his grandmother struggled to put their own tree together at times. Pieces would be all tangled up from the previous year’s lights, or branches would be tangled within one another.
He never forgot how he was allowed to put the star on the tree for the most part. His grandfather would lift him up, providing the once youthful serpent the chance to place the centerpiece on the tip-top of the three.
And. as he got older – and taller –, he would help his grandfather lift his grandmother up to place the star on top.
The change of roles was an emotional one. Even just thinking about it now had made Yakumo’s smile widen a bit. Tears wanted to water within his eyes. How times had changed - and for the better, too. Yakumo got the time to grow and learn, as well as surround himself with the most loving people in his life. Well, loving in their own ways, of course.
Before tears could even threaten to spill from Yakumo’s eyes (let alone soak them), his ears picked up the sound of something incredibly familiar. Something that he had heard almost daily. That he adored thoroughly.
The bubbly tune of someone humming came from behind the taller man, along with snow crunching beneath one’s boots almost rhythmically. Ad-libbed words of “La~ Di~ Da~” sang aloud into the quiet atmosphere without a care in the world. It sounded so free. Like a bird whose heart was full of song, and not a warble more.
Yakumo’s head turned over to see where the cheery humming was coming from. For something so familiar, he didn’t expect to hear it now of all things. Let alone, at this later hour.
As his head shifted right, he caught sight of what was trilling so joyously into the calm, Kleinmas air.
It was Blade, skipping along the snow covered pavement. His left hand was holding two medium sized bags, which spun like a pinwheel as the e-droid twirled happily down the sidewalk. His ever-present smile was huge! Blade was beaming as he trailed along down the path with items in tow.
Just watching the white-haired man felt like watching someone who let the world fall away without a second thought.
Yakumo’s eyes widened at the sight. Not in fear, or any disdain. Oh no, not at all! In fact, the young serpent looked moreso surprised by seeing Blade outside at this hour. He was more than sure that the e-droid would be back at the manor, helping leave out cookies for Santa alongside Aster. Or, that he would be making his own little Darling ornaments to decorate their shared tree with.
He didn’t even notice the other man leaving the manor earlier today, nor was he told anything.
His mouth opened to speak, to greet the bubbly man nearby. His feet began to shuffle a few steps in order to go over and talk to Blade himself.
Yet, his greeting wasn’t exactly needed. Instead of coming over to greet the other himself, it seemed that the e-droid had taken notice of Yakumo’s presence himself.
“Little Yakumo!” The dual-haired man exclaimed, having taken a small break from his joyous stroll down the sidewalk. He had frozen mid-twirl upon seeing his boyfriend, as his smile seemed to grow wider upon noticing the more introverted man. Eagerly, Blade sprinted over to the bag-wielding man. “Little Yakumo! What are you doing out here?”
A soft bout of chuckles bubbled from Yakumo’s lips, his own smile growing upon seeing the ever-contagious excitement that Blade had over seeing him in the evening. “Ah, Blade! Good evening.” He greeted the other as the e-droid ran over to him. His gaze softened upon the other’s closer proximity, as his arms lowered themselves just a little bit. “I’ve finished some last minute shopping for everyone..! I was trying to buy some stuff earlier, b-but they didn’t have any of these things until right now..”
His words trailed off as he glanced down at the bag in his right arm. Aside from the decorative tissue paper inside to conceal its contents, it held a heavy microscope and a few trinkets that he felt would be appealing. Namely, these gifts were for Rei and Kuya. He was more than sure that the two would enjoy them.
Even if the weight of the gifts were weighing down his arm enough to hurt. It shouldn’t have been too bad; the manor wasn’t too far from here.
With a gasp, Blade seemingly lit up even more. If it were possible, Yakumo swore that the other was shining as bright as the Kleinmas lights that he had seen earlier. “You too?! We should’ve gone together~!” The e-droid chirped, “Ahh, a shopping date with Little Yakumo~. How romantic!”
Yakumo’s cheeks burned a bright red at the comment. The hand that had been carrying the heavier bag lowered a bit more, as if the impact of the innocent sounding remark made the bag heavier. This time, it felt like the bag was heavy with love rather than presents. With his other hand, he waved frantically. “I-I’m sorry, I should’ve told you! I didn’t mean to let you g-go alone..!” He tried to apologize, “We can always go out somewhere bef-before–”
“Is that bag heavy, Little Yakumo?”
Yakumo’s apology was put to an abrupt halt after Blade asked his question. His wide-eyed gaze on the other shifted down to his hand, which was lower than before. The bag was barely grazing the ground at this point, dangling by a few centimetres off of the snow-covered pavement.
“Ah! No, n-no it’s not!” He attempted to respond. To deflect the state of the bag’s actual weight. The last thing that he wanted to do was shove the job of carrying the bag onto Blade. That wouldn’t be fair! He just caught up with his boyfriend, and now he’s curious about the bag’s weight? Yakumo was more than sure that he could carry it!
With a light pull, Yakumo tried to lift the bag higher from it’s current level.
His arm, on the other hand, wanted to put the heavy load down on the ground.
In the blink of an eye, Blade reached out his hand and grabbed the handle. Gently, he pulled the tote away from Yakumo’s grasp. “A-yup~!” He vocalized, only to giggle softly afterward. “You don’t need to worry, Little Yakumo! It feels as if it’s… forty pounds?” Blade lifted the bag up higher, his head turning to look the bag up and down.
If Yakumo didn’t know better, he was sure the e-droid was scanning the contents’ collective weight. Even in his retreating form, standing up naturally, he couldn’t help but find the aspect cute.
“Anyways~, it’s heavy! I don’t want you to wear yourself out. And besides–!” Blade continued on, slipping the handle of the tote bag upon his arm. It dangled comfortably on the e-droid’s limb. Given any other scenario, it would make a stylish purse on the dual-haired man.
Blade would look lovely with a purse, in Yakumo’s opinion. Oh, how it would fit so perfectly over his shoulders. And think of the little figurines that he could fit in there, along with little things he’d find cute! It was an endearing thought. Something that consumed the serpentine’s mind for a moment before—
“Here, Little Yakumo!” Blade chirped. His grin had seemingly grown larger. The brunette was sure that he could see almost each sharp, shark-like tooth that the e-droid had. Such a toothy, giddy grin made Yakumo’s heart slam within his chest. As his eyes shifted down once more, he caught sight of Blade’s hand - outstretched, opening and closing as if he was beckoning the snake over. “We can hold hands now! I want to walk home with you~!”
If his cheeks could get any redder, Yakumo swore that his cheeks would be as red as a stop sign. Or, as red as Rudolph’s nose. Words blathered nonsensically from his lips as he tried to find the words to say something. Anything. Good God of Klein, how could this e-droid be so cute?
“Awawa– We can?” The question slipped from Yakumo’s lips without thinking.
What was he asking? Why was he asking that? That didn’t make sense. With a shake of his head, Yakumo took Blade’s hand. “We–We can! I, I would really like to hold hands with you, Blade” He answered his own question, the serpentine man smiling back at his already beaming lover. His lover, who was bouncing on his toes at the reciprocation. Shyly, Yakumo giggled at his boyfriend’s excitement. “I… Would love that, actually.”
With a bubbly, puppy-like cheer, Blade’s head leaned back in pure, uncontained joy. “Yay~! Let’s hold hands all the way home, Little Yakumo!”
He gently tugged the taller man’s hand a few times, then began to walk along the snow covered path. Yakumo followed without hesitation, his stride catching up with the e-droid’s return of buoyant skips during the sidewalk that they began to walk upon once more. Their hands swung, with the bag that was hanging from Blade’s arm swinging along with them like a third wheel.
As if it was all on cue, snowflakes began to dance from the sky. It was like a reward for holding hands with Blade. Or, for reciprocating the affection in the first place.
Both men's’ gazes shifted up towards the sky as the snowflakes fell, a couple of soft gasps falling from each of their lips at the sight before them.
The tender, gentle look on Yakumo’s face returned. A sense of peacefulness had washed over him once more. No, it wasn’t peaceful. Not entirely. Maybe it was harmonious? Harmonious, how their contrasting natures looked perfect underneath the falling snow. A bouncing, lively e-droid and a timid, more introverted serpent. Perhaps the universe was delivering them the present of this beautiful setting.
Blade squeezed his hand once, warm and eager despite the icy wind cutting through the street. “It’s so pretty, right?” he asked, tilting his head back a little more, letting flakes land on the mismatched strands of his hair. “It feels like the world is glittering!”
Looking over at the other, Yakumo watched as a couple of snowflakes caught on Blade’s lashes like tiny glass beads, glinting every time he blinked. Yakumo watched one melt against the e-droid’s cheek, trailing down like a silvery tear that had no sadness in it at all. Just cold. Just winter. Just him.
Humming softly, Yakumo nodded his head. His blush died down, as a more serene expression replaced his previous flustered expression. He couldn’t help the soft, dreamy breath that came from him. In the serpent’s eyes, the snowfall absolutely suited Blade. It coated his hair beautifully like a crown made for him alone. His lively behaviour and utter joy fit the scenery as well. Blade was like those quirky protagonists, or love interests in a classic love story. One where they won over the person that they’re interested in without regrets.
Yakumo felt like that person. That very lucky person who was more than happy to call Blade his. Even if the serpent was more flustered by romantic affections brought towards him.
“It- It really does! Like the world is giving us its own ornaments. Or– Or accessories.” Words trickled on from Yakumo like second nature. The falling snow, the hand holding, and Blade’s energy – It felt comfortable to the brown haired man. Shyly, he added, “Or.. Like a story. One of the ones Olivine likes to read.”
“A story! I love-love that!” Blade chimed happily, nodding along with his lover’s comment. “Does that make us the main characters?”
Pink dusted along Yakumo’s cheeks at the mere thought. Him and Blade as the main pairing of a story. He could think about that until Kleinmas came again next year. Maybe even longer than that.
“I– Maybe..! It feels like that, doesn’t it?” The question grew softer with each passing word, as if Yakumo was asking himself that rather than the e-droid beside him.
Blade’s fingers squeezed his hand again—once, twice, like a quiet affirmation. His humming returned, softer than before, something warm that rolled from his chest like steam rising from a teacup.
While they continued walking, Yakumo felt the creeping cold beneath his sleeves. His fingers, even in Blade’s hand, trembled faintly. He tried to hide it, of course. Tried to curl his shoulders inwards so the shiver wouldn’t travel through his frame like a tremor. His breath spilled in front of him in shaky wisps, fogging the already frigid air.
It hadn’t been this cold earlier, had it? Yakumo hadn’t felt the bite of winter’s frigid grasp during the entire time he was outside. For the late afternoon, it was quite warm. Yakumo didn’t have to wear a snow coat today, and opted for one of his heavier sweaters instead.
Then again, it wasn't late afternoon anymore. It was dark out, the sky mostly clear from above. Any previous warmth that the day had was now gone. It was time for winter’s cold weather to come back once more.
Yakumo shivered lightly under the freezing touch against his body. He wouldn’t have minded the chill earlier, when he was just leaving the manor. That way, he would’ve gone back in to prepare himself.
Now, here he was, in a sweater with nothing else to keep himself warm. As another gust of wind swooped by, Yakumo shivered from the feeling of winter’s breath against his barren neck.
Unsurprisingly, it only took a few seconds for Blade to notice.
The e-droid slowed his steps, then stopped entirely. His head tilted, sharp and birdlike, as if he had caught a sound no one else could hear. “Little Yakumo,” he murmured, his eyes behind his bangs narrowing in concern. “You’re shivering! Are you getting cold?” He asked with a soft frown. With another light breeze, his bangs danced within the small gust of wind.
For a second or two, Yakumo got a glance at the e-droid’s purple eyes. He could see the soft, concerned gaze that they held. Something that would not go away until Yakumo responded somehow. Some way.
“A-Ah—no, no, really, it’s just the air… the snow…” He tightened Blade’s hand in his, as if that proved something. “It’s not that bad—”
The e-droid didn’t seem to buy that at all. “It is that bad!” Blade insisted, a dramatic pout forming on his lips. “You’re doing the tiny shiver.”
Yakumo blinked once. Twice. “Th-The… tiny shiver?”
“Yeah! You know, the tiny shiver!” Blade repeated, leaning close as if he was about to share a secret only the two of them could know. “You only do that when you’re super cold! Or, when I kiss your cheek! But, this isn't a cheek-kissing moment.”
Yakumo’s cheeks burst into the fiery flames of flusteredness once more. He hadn’t expected Blade to notice those small reactions he had when in such cold environments. Or, when the other kissed his cheeks. That last part made the serpent want to coil up into a shy ball. “Bl-Blade–!” He tried to say more. To comment on how embarrassing it was. And yet, Yakumo could only look down at the ground.
The dual-haired man didn’t respond to the call of his name, nor point out the flustered state of his lover. Instead, he carefully pulled his hand away from the other man’s. The bags in his arms slipped cautiously onto the ground with a light thump.
By the time Yakumo looked up at Blade once more to see what he was doing, the e-droid was already taking off his coat. His puffy, light blue winter coat that had suited him wonderfully. Underneath was a long sleeved shirt. His typical, periwinkle shirt that showed off his gemstone, and the cleavage of the man’s chest.
In a normal circumstance, Yakumo would be painfully more flustered by looking at Blade’s chest. No matter how much he was used to the sight, it still made him blush like no other.
Yet, this wasn’t exactly a ’normal’ circumstance. Blade clearly was taking off his jacket for him. For Yakumo to stay warm.
The realization struck him with the weight of something gentle. Like a feather landing, then sinking straight into his chest. The serpent’s breath caught as the e-droid shook the coat once, snowflakes scattering from it like tiny crystals, and stepped closer. He bunched the plush fabric in both hands, and extended it forward to the serpent.
“Here, Little Yakumo,” Blade murmured, voice dipping into something soft enough to melt the snow beneath their feet. His smile came back onto his face almost immediately from the gesture. “This is for you!”
Yakumo blinked at him, then at the coat. His eyes were wide, and shimmering beneath the streetlamp’s glow. Was he allowed to take this? What if the other got cold himself? He didn’t want to sacrifice Blade’s comfort for his own. “Bu-But Blade— you’ll… won’t you freeze? Isn’t it too co-cold for you not to—”
“Nuh-uh,” Blade interrupted immediately, a sharp, exaggerated shake of his head making his dual-colored hair bounce. His smile warmed, bright even without the coat framing him.” Cold weather doesn’t bother me. My systems stay warm-warm all winter long~!” The e-droid explained to his serpentine lover. “I don’t like seeing Little Yakumo all cold and shivery. You’ll catch a cold!”
Yakumo let out a small, wobbly breath - half laugh, half exhale of overwhelmed affection. Even with Blade being the affectionate person he was, Yakumo could never seem to react “normally”, like how Eiden or Aster did. Then again, wasn’t this a similar reaction to some of his other boyfriends had as well? Yakumo was sure that he’s seen numerous flustered faces over Blade’s innocently romantic advances before. Or, his overall affection.
Before he could find another reason to protest, Blade lifted the coat and slid it around his shoulders with the kind of care that felt almost ceremonial. The fabric fell around him in a gentle, cloudlike envelope, with the sound of the zipper zipping up the teeth, feeling as if the serpent was able to be sent off into the mail, and sealed with a kiss.
Warmth cocooned him instantly. It was rich. Cozy. Blade’s warmth, something faintly electrical and sweet, lingered inside the lining. It brushed against Yakumo’s neck like a soft kiss. The sleeves nearly swallowed his hands once he slipped them in, making him look even smaller against the backdrop of softly falling snow.
“Perfect!” Blade chirped, eyes sparkling with pure pride. “It looks so comfy on you! Like you’re a cute, uh…” He paused, tapping his chin. “A marshmallow snake! All puffy and warm!”
Yakumo let out a flustered squeak at that. It was small and high, a noise he hadn’t meant to make at all. “A-A marshmallow—? Blade! Th-That’s—!”
“It’s a compliment!” Blade added quickly, scooping up the bags again with ease. “A very good one!”
Yakumo tried to hide his face in the tall collar of the coat, but the warmth only made his blush spread further. The serpent couldn’t help the small shy smile that curled at the corners of his mouth. He tugged the coat closer around himself, letting his fingers sink into the soft cushion of the sleeves.
Before he could even try to avoid the e-droid’s gaze once more, Blade laid his hand out for Yakumo to take. “C’mon, Little Yakumo! We’re almost there!” He cheered, his fingers opening and closing once more while he waited for the serpent to take his hands once again.
A confused look washed along Yakumo’s face for a moment. Had the two walked so far beforehand? He turned his head over his left shoulder to see where they were.
The manor in the near distance smiled back at them. It was almost taunting how close it was. And quite frankly, Yakumo wanted to wrap his presents soon. Before prying eyes would wake up, or try and sneak a glance as to what he had bought for some of his boyfriends’ presents.
Looking back at Blade, Yakumo hummed and smiled wider at him. A charming little chuckle chirped from his lips as he took Blade’s hand once more. “S-So we are..!” He mused, his hand squeezing the dual-haired man’s gently as he spoke. “We could… wrap presents together once we get inside.” He suggested after, only to backtrack as quickly as he offered it. “If – If you’d like! I-I don’t want to force you–”
Blade’s eyes lit up so bright they almost rivaled the manor’s distant lights. “Little Yakumo, I wanna do everything with you!” He declared, squeezing the serpent’s hand with a happy little bounce that sent a cluster of snowflakes tumbling from his hair. “Wrapping presents together sounds super-duper fun!”
Yakumo’s breath puffed out in a soft, startled laugh. It felt like warm steam against the cold air, disappearing quickly, yet leaving something lingering in the space between them. The serpent ducked his head shyly, letting the tall collar of the borrowed coat hide half his cheeks. “I-I’m glad…” He murmured, “I’d really like that.”
Blade’s excited little bounce in response sent another sprinkle of snow fluttering off his hair, the flakes scattering in the air like tiny, drifting stars.
With their hands once again intertwined, the two continued toward the manor, their footsteps crunching over the fresh blanket of white. The lanterns lining the long path flickered softly as if bowing them onward, their amber light reflecting upon the snow in warm, circular halos.
The two of them passed many more houses, each furtherly decorated for Kleinmas. There were inflatable reindeer, and floating balloon-like Santas tied up in front of citizens’ houses. Their lights flickered in showy patterns across rooftops and walls outside of their homes, shining brightly amidst the various other light shows dancing upon their front yards.
At times, Blade would stop walking to admire the various decorations. Behind his bangs, Yakumo was more than sure that his lover’s eyes were as large as the finest amethyst from how enthralled and amazed by how far people had come to make these displays of decorations.
And each time, Yakumo couldn’t help the soft giggle or two slip at his boyfriend’s awe of the decor. There was that naivety and pure joy that had him hooked. How each small thing, regardless of how ‘normal’ it seemed to others, had Blade completely immersed and amazed. Regardless as to if it was common sense at times, there was still a soft, tender part of Yakumo that wanted those expressions and instances to last forever.
The nearer that the two drew to the manor gates, the clearer the melody from the courtyard became. Soft voices - gentle, steady, perfectly harmonized - floated on the crisp night air. Their song wasn’t loud; it wasn’t bold or triumphant. Instead, it drifted like a lullaby through the snowflakes. The sound was calm and almost wistful. Bells chimed faintly behind the voices, each note ringing like a single snowflake catching light.
Yakumo’s face visibly softened upon hearing their angelic, pure melody. From ahead, he could see a small group of people standing outside of the manor’s front doors. And inside, the brunette was more than sure that he could make out a few figures.
Eiden was in the middle, with Aster and Morvay on either side of him. Over his shoulder, he swore that Kuya was watching them, keeping his distance from the group. Possibly, the fox yokai was passing by the carolers at the door.
The brunette’s pace slowed, He didn’t say anything at first; he simply listened. The cold air brushing his cheeks, the warmth of Blade’s coat hugging his shoulders, Blade’s hand warm in his own. That warmth grounded him. Anchored him. Guided him.
Blade slowed too, his head tilting to the side like a curious bird. “Ooh…! It’s the slow song!” He whispered, his voice dropping into an excited hush. “The one that goes all ‘doo~ doo~ da-da~’!” He hummed the vague tune, clearly delighted with himself, even if it sounded nothing like what the carolers were singing.
Yakumo let out a soft laugh—small, airy, tender. “That’s… not the melody at all.” He murmured warmly, the serpent’s gaze shifting over to Blade momentarily, the back over to the carolers.
Blade’s humming continued anyway, completely unbothered by being wrong. If anything, he only hummed louder, as if confident sheer enthusiasm could bend the melody into matching his own version. The sight alone made Yakumo’s chest tighten with fondness. How could someone be so unabashedly joyful? It only made him love the e-droid even more.
As Yakumo continued to listen to the song that was being sung in the near distance, he began to lightly sway along. He hadn’t heard this specific carol in a while. The slow tempo, and lyrics promising a tender type of Kleinmas joy that was shared between loved ones were familiar.
He remembered that his grandparents used to sing it many years ago. Yakumo recalled that the people in his village would gather around a tree, hold hands, and join in song on Kleinmas Eve.
He wondered if they were still doing that tonight. Basking in the comfort of each other, and the shared camaraderie between the small community. Maybe his grandfather even led the ceremony this year, too. Like he often did.
The serpent was far too caught up in his thoughts to notice Blade right away. He didn’t watch as the dual-haired man placed the shopping bags down once more. How he had done so carefully, as if they were sleeping kittens he didn’t want to disturb. He didn’t even notice that Blade had turned toward Yakumo completely.
While the carolers continued their soft, wistful hymn, Blade lightly tapped the shoulder of the taller serpent. With a soft gasp, Yakumo looked over at his partner. His partner, and the cheery smile on his face.
And his hand extended towards him. This time, there was no grabbing motion with his fingers. Instead, it stuck out patiently, like he was offering Yakumo the first snowflake of winter.
Snowflakes drifted between the lanternlight, weaving slow spirals around the two of them. Under that dim glow, Blade’s pale and dark hair strands both glittered with frost.
Yakumo swore that if angels existed, then Blade looked like the living version of one.
For a moment, the serpent didn’t move. He merely blinked at the outstretched hand - soft, steady, open. A hand that never demanded, only offered.
The cold nipped at his cheeks and nose, yet somehow, standing before Blade made the world warmer.
“Blade..?” Yakumo breathed, the single word rising like a puff of mist in the chilled air.
The e-droid’s smile softened further. It wasn’t the blinding, bubbly grin he often wore, but a gentler version. Smaller. More intimate.
“Dance with me, Little Yakumo?” He asked, voice so calm that even the drifting snowflakes seemed to slow to listen.
Yakumo felt his pulse flutter in his chest like a trapped sparrow. Dance? Here? In front of the manor gates, with carolers singing and lanterns glowing and snow spiraling down around them? His face burned instantly, heat blooming under Blade’s puffy coat. He couldn’t tell if he wanted to curl up or melt.
But Blade’s hand didn’t waver. It remained extended. Patient.
And Yakumo - overwhelmed, shy, and hopelessly in love - placed his hand into it.
Blade’s fingers curled around his carefully, as if Yakumo were something fragile. Something precious. A soft laugh left the e-droid’s lips, warm enough to fog the cold air between them.
He pulled himself over to Yakumo, his form filling up any previous personal space that the two once had. Instead, his other arm wrapped around Yakumo’s waist gently.
And then, the dual-haired lover began to sway slowly.
Yakumo mirrored his actions, careful to follow the slow temple of the song.
Sheepishly, his own arm found itself to wrap around the upper section of Blade’s torso. He pulled their bodies closer, shuffling them so that they were able to touch chest-to-chest.
And so that he could see his lover’s smiling face up close.
While the close proximity made the serpent’s cheeks flush once more, the last thing he wanted to do was pull away. Rather, Yakumo would love to stay in this moment forever. Within Blade’s arms, and gently swaying to the hymn behind them.
As the snow fell from the skies above, it felt as if the two of them were in their own personal snowglobe.
Snowflakes gently landed on their heads. Their bodies swayed perfectly in time to the song being performed nearby. And they looked so happily, perfectly in love.
If tonight had been a holiday romance novel, then he was happy where he was now.
In the arms of someone who complemented his meek demeanour so, goddamn perfectly. Looking lovingly at one another as they swayed from side to side.
To Yakumo, Blade - and the rest of their poly-clan - was his happily ever after.
He wouldn’t trade this for anything else in the world.