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Acheron’s gaze is fixated beyond the window, attention drawn to the white specks drifting down from the sky. Against the darkness of night they looked ethereal, even with the light pollution making it difficult to fully appreciate the sight. Acheron’s eyes widen in curiosity, watching as snowflakes litter the glass, studying the intricate patterns before they melted.
For the majority of the evening, the apartment was relatively quiet, only the gentle keys of a piano ballad setting the mood. Something Black Swan puts on from time to time. Whilst Acheron sits alone in the living room, Black Swan was off finishing off the laundry for the night. She tilts her head over where Acheron sits, her lip quirking. Tucking the empty basket away, she walks over into the living room, eyes fixed on Acheron the entirety of the way.
“Do you like the snow?” Black Swan chuckles softly, placing a hand on Acheron’s shoulder.
Acheron’s attention doesn’t move from the window, still in awe at the thick layer of white gathering on the balcony outside. Black Swan turns her gaze, deciding to see just what had Acheron so distracted.
The sun had almost finished setting, only a faint pink hue painted across the sky’s horizon remained, barely visible behind the towering buildings that marked Penacony’s landscape. Snow trickles down, covering the sleeping city. The scene was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. But something about winter-time always made Black Swan’s heart settle uncomfortably in her chest.
The holidays meant more time to herself, more time thinking about things that shouldn’t matter anymore in the present. She never had the childhood joy of waking up in the morning to gifts under her tree, spending quality time with her family and friends. But something about this time was different. She wasn’t alone anymore, she had… Acheron.
“I’ve never seen it before. In person, that is.” Acheron murmurs, “Izumo is known for its relatively warm weather. We’d get rain for weeks on end, nothing else.”
Black Swan looks back towards Acheron, a small smile growing on her face. She briefly steps away, off to fetch something for the both of them. Acheron’s attention finally detaches at the sound of shuffling beside her, turning over to look, only to be immediately buried by a heavy blanket. She winces as Black Swan wraps it around her, before nudging closer to cover herself as well.
“Well, you can stare at it all you want, but you need to stay warm too.” She smiles giddily, snuggling up beside Acheron.
Acheron is silent, but her heart churns in her chest upon feeling how warm Black Swan is against her. Black Swan was always just so warm, if not just literally. She had noticed this. How comfortable she was whenever the two were close, as if she were being engulfed by softness.
Contrastingly, Swan would describe her body as frighteningly cold, as in cold to the point she was concerned for her physical health. But Acheron was always fine.
“This is nice, isn’t it?”
Acheron pauses from her mental reflection, turning to glance over at Black Swan. This time, the latter’s attention was directed at the window before them, an almost solemn expression on her face.
“It is.”
“I’ve never done this, you know?” Black Swan’s voice is quiet.
“…Sit and watch the snow?” Acheron asks, oblivious to what she meant.
Black Swan slowly turns, a soft chuckle exiting her mouth. “Spend the holidays with a loved one.” She corrects her.
Acheron’s cheeks warm slightly at the confession, gaze darting elsewhere out of habit. The two sit in silence, watching as the layer of snow on the balcony rails continues to thicken. For a city so prosperous and desperate to fulfil every citizens’ wishes, there were only so many things they could control. Weather was not one of them.
But maybe that was something that Black Swan found comfort in, yet still couldn’t help but feel sorrow towards. How humans were never fully capable of controlling everything, but try anyway regardless of failure. Like control was something they needed in order to feel secure.
Snow slowly became a rare sight in Penacony, but Black Swan welcomes it nonetheless. How much more beautiful the night seemed with those delicate white flakes drifting ever so slowly down, whilst you stayed indoors sipping hot drinks and snuggling up together to stay warm.
“…Black Swan?”
She tilts her head at the sound of her name, listening to the soft thrums of Acheron’s mind. A curious woman she was still despite all the time they’ve spent with one another, her thoughts so quiet Black Swan could barely hear them over the heater in the distance.
“Yes, darling?”
Acheron lifts her gaze, staring deeply into Black Swan’s eyes. No matter the time or date, something about those gorgeous sunset hues were always so mesmerising to her, drawing her in like some enchanting spell that could cleanse her of all doubt in this world. She swallows, trying to scramble her words together before she makes a fool of herself.
“I just… wanted to thank you for this. For everything.”
“Hm?” Black Swan tilts her head, “Whatever do you mean?”
“It’s just… after everything that’s happened.” Acheron diverts her eyes, “It feels so different, being able to breathe freely for once.”
Black Swan stares at Acheron, silently acknowledging her words. Without speaking, she stands up, offering her hand out to Acheron. Oblivious as always, Acheron remains seated, the blanket slipping off her shoulders as she glances up. It seems that even after all this time, Black Swan still had to take the initiative.
She grabs hold of Acheron’s hand, tugging her upwards, to which she obliges. Acheron opens her mouth in an attempt to question just what they were about to do, but finds herself unable to as Black Swan pulls her forward into a kiss instead.
Her body stiffens as if on instinct, but she gradually melts into the softness of the gesture, eyes fluttering shut when she feels Black Swan place her arms on her shoulders, tugging her closer.
“You’re so cute when you’re clueless, you know that right?” Black Swan chuckles as she pulls back, pressing a kiss to Acheron’s cheek.
Acheron’s face scrunches up, not appreciating the jab. She watches as Black Swan places her hand on her own, squeezing it gently. “…Swan?”
“You didn’t think I’d let you lounge around all night, right?” Black Swan smirks, “Come on, it’s been forever since our last dance.”
Acheron doesn’t protest when Black Swan places her hand on her waist, her free hand grasping Acheron’s gently as they waltz through the space. Her eyes glance up, catching the soft expression on Black Swan’s face, the way she hums softly along to the music in the background.
Everything else seems to disappear as they dance around the space. Though, the apartment block wasn’t exactly spacious, making their movements awkward as they spin around. Despite this, Acheron can’t help but feel her heart tighten, watching as Black Swan smiles gently, as if the world was simply theirs to enjoy.
“…This feels silly.”
“You think so?” Black Swan spins Acheron around, voice soft but teasing, “Well, we can’t all look serious 24/7.”
Acheron frowns as Black Swan steps behind her, her hand on her waist, “Are you insulting me again?”
Black Swan hums, cupping Acheron’s cheek as she leans in, “Perhaps.”
Acheron’s cheeks flush hot when she realises how close Black Swan was getting, anticipating another kiss, but finds herself disappointed when Black Swan pulls away instead. She stumbles slightly in her movements as Black Swan wraps her arms around her abdomen. Black Swan presses a soft kiss to Acheron’s shoulder, feeling her skin shiver beneath her touch.
The piano continues in the background, their rhythm matching the pace of the song. The title? Acheron doesn’t quite remember despite how many times Black Swan has mentioned it. She would have to ask Black Swan again after they finished.
Fractured memory be damned, even after everything she still forgot the simplest of things. Acheron winces as the guilt settles in her stomach, faltering in her steps once more, something that doesn't go unnoticed by Black Swan.
Their dance slows down, Black Swan leaning forward one last time, kissing the tip of Acheron’s nose. At first, the taller woman doesn’t know how to respond, still holding Black Swan within her grasp as she stares down.
“Have I ever told you how enchanting you are?” Black Swan whispers, eyes growing hazy. Acheron shivers as Black Swan’s lips brush her neck, leaning backwards slightly.
“You may have mentioned it before…” Acheron murmurs, trying not to squirm as Black Swan only draws closer, peppering her skin with soft kisses that trail up her chin.
“Well… I mean it. Every single time.” Black Swan smiles to herself, pressing one final chaste kiss to Acheron’s lips.
She pulls back, finding satisfaction in seeing the pink flush across Acheron’s neck and cheeks. Acheron can’t help but turn her head, a hand lifting up to try and hide her embarrassment. The apartment dissolves back into silence, the final notes of the étude playing before the song ends. For a moment the two remain embraced, staring at each other, letting the moment linger for just a while longer. Black Swan leans closer, nuzzling into the crook of Acheron’s neck.
“Thank you… for being here with me.”
Acheron glances down at the head of lavender hair pressed up against her chest. She doesn’t know how to respond, only pulling the shorter woman closer, running her hands through soft locks. And the gesture is enough of an answer for Black Swan.
Outside, the world has frozen over. Streets are empty, citizens having already returned to the safety of their homes. Snow continues to fall, coating the streets, the buildings, leaving nothing untouched. Any other day, Black Swan would yearn for the sunlight to last just a little bit longer, to linger in that radiant warmth.
But now, being here with Acheron, winter feels just a little bit warmer.