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People of Veritas and Aventurine's status don't often get paid time off. Well, Veritas was able to apply for it more freely but he'd rather spend his time working. Aventurine on the other hand, could only hope in his dreams he could take a single day to himself.
So when an email popped into his inbox a week ago, he was shocked to see that Jade had approved him to be able to take a week off for the holidays. It was her gift to the couple to have time together. Aventurine stared at that email for what seemed like hours wondering if he was trapped in another memoria fueled dream. When his senses kicked back in he quickly replied with a professional thank you, and immediately called his boyfriend to excitedly share the good news.
While the time off was welcomed, having only a week to plan something while the cosmos was in full swing for the inter-astral holidays was nearly impossible. It left the couple scrambling to find a vacation spot that hadn't been fully booked months in advance. The only request Aventurine had was it had to bee a snowy planet, or at least one experiencing its winter season.
"Is there a particular reason why you want a snowy planet?" Veritas had asked after an unsuccessful first night of searching.
"Well, I haven't actually experienced winter. I've been to planets during their winters, but it was always for meetings. Most being an in-and-out negotiation. Even with the Jarilo-IV situation I stayed in the ship above the planet, I never went down." Growing up on a desert planet, snow was basically a myth to him until he had left his home. To think there were places cold enough to make frozen water fall from the sky was beyond the miracle of rain on Sigonia. Snow itself was always just out of reach for him despite the dozens of planets he's visited.
Even Pier Point was disappointing. The artificial planet had systematic seasons set on a schedule, always set at the perfect temperature for each one. Winter was the worst offender in his opinion. Synthetic snow was scheduled to fall every Saturday from nine to five, settling at a perfect five centimeters every time. It was nothing more than a decoration; covering the planet in a layer of soft white of fake snow that lasted the week and wouldn't get dirty from civilian activity.
Aventurine wanted the real deal, the full experience. He'd even subject himself to the horrors of frostbite if it meant he could stand under snowfall.
Even Jarilo-IV was considered until Aventurine found out his fellow Stoneheart was going to be there. He would rather not be in Topaz's domain —or presence for that matter— during his rare time off.
This had to be a fully, work free experience for the both of them. However it was becoming stressful trying to find a place to go. They had almost given up, half deciding to stay home, when Veritas had discovered a more isolated planet known for its beautiful snowy landscapes. It was out of the IPC's control, and offered many winter vacation activities. Aventurine never clicked a booking so quickly in his life.
The next day packing started, and Veritas got to watch his boyfriend excitedly gather all the winter clothes he rarely got to wear. They were only leaving for a week but the blond had at least a months worth of clothing shoved in his suitcase. When the day came for them to leave, they dropped their catcakes off at a pet hotel and hurried to their scheduled ship.
Two warps and a three hour flight later, the couple arrived on planet Eira. Right out the gate it looked like the perfect winter wonderland and Aventurine could barely contain his excitement. They went through the terminal, dragging their luggage behind them and made their way out of the landing station.
It was freezing outside, the wind blowing faint flurries of snow across their faces. Aventurine shivered, shuffling closer to Veritas and looping his arm through the others. The warmth of his personal heater made the walk more tolerable. By the time they made it to their rented cabin, Veritas was practically dragging Aventurine along with how plastered the man was to his side.
Once inside, the blond finally released the others arm and shook the melting snow from his hair. The cabin was quaint and warm. A fireplace was the focal point of the main room, surrounded by rustic couches and a hand carved coffee table. The rest of the cabin followed the same cozy-outdoorsy theme, down to the doily's covering nearly every table. It was inviting, homey and Aventurine already felt the hardships of over a decade of work without breaks slipping from his shoulders.
However, Aventurine couldn't wait to go back outside. He was inched towards the door again only to bee stopped by a hand on his shoulder.
"Gambler, I suggest putting on more layers first." Veritas' eyes were soft, paired perfectly with a small smile. Aventurine was expecting more of a lecture on settling in first, but it seems as though his loving boyfriend is indulging his whims. With an enthusiastic nod he scurried off to his suitcase.
Aventurine may have over packed, but you could never be too prepared. He pulled out a heavier coat, a fluffy scarf and his custom leather gloves he had prepared for such an occasion. Once the additional layers of warmth were on, both men walked back towards the door —though not before Veritas helped adjust the scarf around Aventurine's neck.
In the short time they were inside, a light snowfall had begun. Aventurine looked up at the cloud filled sky in wonder. The wind picked up for just a moment sending the fluffy snow into a flurry around them. A smile graced the blond's face as he stepped away from the cabin door and into the yard. Cold air bit at his nose but he didn't seem to notice or care. He cupped his hands in front of him, catching the snowflakes in his hands.
They melted against the heat of his glove, small droplets sliding down the leather. It was memorizing to see the small clumps melt right before his eyes. A single snowflake caught on the edge of his coat sleeve, not melting like the ones on his glove. He gasped at sight.
"Snowflakes actually have those shapes?" Aventurine lifted his arm closer to his face to study the tiny fractal of ice. "I assumed people just gave them a shape for aesthetics. Like they do with hearts."
Veritas hummed as he walked up behind his boyfriend, looking over the others shoulder at the single snowflake.
"They do, yes. The way water molecules freeze is always in a hexagonal structure. As a result the crystallized fractals fall through the atmosphere and branch out in various ways depending on humidity and temperature. It makes every flake unique. Consider yourself lucky to see such a temporary sight of natural beauty."
As if on cue, the snowflake finally succumbed to its fate and melted into the fur-lined fabric of Aventurine's coat. Arms wrapped around the blond's waist letting him relax into the warm embrace.
"Maybe I should read up on weather. Nature is far more interesting than I thought." Sure Aventurine has kept up on many topics, mostly economics and stocks, though he has dabbled into research that was related to whatever mission he was set off to do. "Sorry. I must sound like an idiot for not knowing something so simple."
"Not at all. As long as you're willing to learn, one will never be an idiot." Veritas pressed a quick kiss to Aventurine's cold cheek. "If you would like, I can lend you some material on meteorology and natural science. Something to dabble in during your free time."
Science isn't really Aventurine's strong suit, let alone the complexity of meteorology. He is good with math however, and what are fractals if not math? It should be easy for him. Maybe he'll even be able to spot math in nature by the time he's done; he'll give Veritas a run for his money when it comes to weather. Even so, he nodded enthusiastically.
"I'd like that. Who knows, maybe I'll become an expert in the field of snow." Aventurine smiled into his scarf. The thought was nice, but his place was in the IPC.
"Ah, how ironic. A man of desert origins becoming well versed in winter weather patterns. Quite the fascinating turn of events, dearest gambler." The light, teasing tone of the doctor made Aventurine huff in defiance.
"Oh don't make fun of me. Just let me enjoy the fantasy of what could have been."
"You know, you would have to get quit close with snow to fully understand and study it. And I know the perfect way to do so." There was a playful tone in Veritas' voice that made Aventurine wary, but he still tilted his head up to meet the others eyes.
"Is that so? And what would that be—" Suddenly the world tilted to the side and cold air stung Aventurine's cheek as he went down. The snow beneath him crunched under his weight and seeped through his coat. "What the hell? Doc, what are you doing? Let me go!"
Instead of biding the request, Veritas only tightened his hold on his boyfriend. Laughter filled the quiet winter afternoon as Aventurine tried — and failed — to squirm away. Veritas unwrapped one arm and just as Aventurine thought he could escape, a handful of snow hit him in the face. He sputtered, finally rolling away from his evil boyfriend, and wiped the melting snow away.
When he was finished, he lay there on the cold ground, hair tousled and covered in loose snow, his scarf loosened from the struggle and a guilty troublemaker beside him laughing at his misery. Aventurine turned his head towards the doctor a pout already formed on his face.
"That was quite rude of you, Veritas." His face was rosy from the cold, but to Veritas he looked cute. The doctor reached over and brushed some left over snow from Aventurine's hair with a smile.
"Perhaps, but was it really all that bad?" Veritas asked while he turned onto his side.
Aventurine sighed, looking up at the gray sky before letting out a chuckle of his own.
"I suppose not. It's not everyday I get to wrestle my boyfriend in the snow." He turned so he could face said boyfriend, and paused. Veritas Ratio was a man of undeniable beauty. Something that was emphasized in the snow covered environment. Indigo hair striking against the white background, eyes warm enough to melt a blizzard, and a smile so inviting Aventurine couldn't help but lean in and kiss those stupidly perfect lips. Veritas pulled him closer, no doubt savoring the moment as well.
Not even the snow melting against their cheeks could part them for the next few minutes. That is, until thee cold finally caught up to Aventurine and a shiver trailed up his spine.He broke their kiss and started to get up.
"Ready to go in?" Veritas asked, sitting up himself and adjusting his own scarf.
"Yeah, I think my nose is numb actually." Frowning, Aventurine touched his nose and sure enough, he could barely feel the smooth leather of his gloves. "I want to warm up and go to the shops in town later. What are you doing?"
Veritas stopped packing the handful of snow he was holding and looked up at Aventurine with a sly smile.
"What does it look like, my love?"
Aventurine backed away, turning to run to the door. He had only gotten up the first couple of steps before the snowball hit his back and he yelped. Scrambling up the rest of the stairs, he quickly gathered some snow from off the railing to form a lopsided snowball. He threw it at Veritas when the doctor got closer, screeching as another snowball flew past him. Aventurine wasted no time in opening the door after that.
Both of them stumbled into the cabin laughing, the heat immediately warming their cold bodies. Their vacation had only just started and it was already chaotic.
And the two lovebirds, now cuddled up on the couch, wouldn't have it any other way.