Work Text:
A steady fire roared in Emmrich's fireplace, warming the den of his home on this cold morning. Marina sat in front of it in comfortable pajamas, the first of Emmrich's Satinalia gifts for her. The soft padding of footsteps alerted her to his presence, wearing the same sleep clothes as her: silk fabric in a lovely shade of plum, embroidered with delicate floral patterns throughout.
"Happy Satinalia!" She called out to him as he yawned and stretched his long arms over his head, the hem of his shirt lifting and showing a hint of dark gray and silvery hair, giving her ideas for another gift.
No. Presents first.
"Happy Satinalia, dearest," he smiled warmly as he walked over, bending down and kissing the top of her head. "Did you sleep well?"
"I slept alright, but someone was very excited about gifts this morning," Marina replied, looking over to Manfred, who was nearly vibrating in anticipation with his clumsily wrapped gifts.
"Pres-ent!" He hissed. "Happy pres-ent!"
Emmrich's face flashed with paternal affection. "Happy Satinalia, Manfred."
"Sa-ti-na-li-a," the wisp sounded out, far more complex than most words he knew.
"Or 'Feast Day'," Marina offered.
"Happy Feast Day!" He said, dropping his gifts to clap. She and Emmrich shared a look, full of love for each other and the life they'd found together.
This was the first Satinalia she had spent away from home in years. There was a small part of her that missed the prolonged festivities and indulgent merriment to be had, but there was a certain charm to a snowy, solitary Feast Day with two of her favorite people.
Emmrich sat next to her on the floor by the fireplace, wrapping his arm around her shoulder like the most natural thing in the world. She loved how affectionate he was with her, like his love for her simply couldn't be contained.
They gave Manfred his presents first, and were met with an insistent hiss that they were to open his gifts next. Bony fingers tugged ribbon and revealed the new book for his continued magical studies. He thanked Emmrich for the tome, then poked and prodded Marina's until the little wooden toy fell out.
"What's it?" He asked.
"'What is it'," Emmrich corrected. "But I can't say I know what it is, either." He gave Marina and curious look.
"It's a June's ladder," she explained, but was met with no familiarity. She picked it up and they both watched in awe as she turned the top block of wood and the rest click-clacked down. Wonder was mirrored on both their faces. "You just flip it and it falls into place. It seemed like something Manfred would enjoy."
"Awesome!" He cried out, reaching for the toy and holding it up. The pieces clicked down and he repeated the motion, over and over until Marina was certain their whole morning would be soundtracked by the noise.
"He's not even paying attention to the presents he wanted to give us," Emmrich lamented, holding the barely-covered stone meant for him in one hand and the Rivaini sand dollar for Marina in the other. "Manfred, my boy, weren't you looking forward to this?"
The wisp didn't even acknowledge Emmrich, so engrossed in his new favorite object.
"Maybe a top would've been smarter," Marina sighed, sheepish.
"Nonsense, he's absolutely thrilled." Emmrich gave her hand a tentative squeeze. "Well, since we have a moment to ourselves, perhaps we could exchange our own gifts?" He smiled, clearly excited to give her whatever lovely things he had found. She nodded.
He passed her two boxes, one rather small and square, and the other about the length of her forearm, excited smile on his face. "Open the long one first."
"I only got you the one present," Marina said, dejected. "I'm sorry."
"None of that, I'm sure it's absolutely perfect." He held her hand in his, and she relished the touch. "Besides, one is something of a gift for myself, in a way."
"Is that so? I wonder what it could be…" She lifted the box, gently shaking it and hearing a metallic thud.
"Open it and find out, darling. The anticipation has been overwhelming." He sat leaning forward, outwardly eager. "It's something I was hoping could be utilized today, in fact," he continued as Marina unwrapped the ribbon and lifted the lid to see two long blades, curved and shaped like—
"Ice skates?" She asked, picking one up and watching the firelight glint off of it.
"Yes! The Minanter is frozen and I've been waiting for the perfect time to go skating, it's been years. I just know you'll do wonderfully. So graceful, and agile, exactly what you need to skate like a natural."
"I've never been," she said, suddenly even more nervous. "What if I fall?"
"I'll be right beside you, my dear, don't worry. Helping you practice will bring me such joy." The brightness in his eyes was able to assuage the worry she knew was in her own.
"Okay, fine, we'll go after breakfast. It's your turn now," she relented, pushing his gift into his hands once more. "You are a nightmare to shop for. I had to take some liberties," she warned. She knew Emmrich could use a new tool to use for foraging specimens and other delicate things, and had had a Crow-preferred blacksmith forge it. The star of the show was the grip, done in reclaimed leathers and stamped with tessellated hexagons. She hoped he would like it, but she had to make so many decisions without his input that she wasn't sure if it was closer to his sensibilities or her own.
He was careful, trying not to tear the tissue paper she wrapped it in. Lifting the lid, he gasped. "A mushroom knife! I've been in dire need of a new one, darling, thank you." He picked it up, examining it more closely. "This is artfully crafted, and the grip! Did you design this yourself?"
"Sí," A blush crept up her cheeks at his obvious enjoyment. "Do you like it?"
"It's utterly perfect, Marina, thank you," he said, leaning over and kissing her forehead. Emmrich held the mushroom knife between his fingers, gently tracing the different details. "I doubt my other gift for you could compare."
"I'm sure it will be perfect, amor," she reassured him, undoing the smaller's box's ribbon tie. She lifted the hinged top to see a delicate gold necklace with a sparkling sapphire pendant. Her breath caught.
"I thought it was about time for you to own some grave gold, darling. I hope it's to your taste," Emmrich said, holding her hand and running his thumb across her fingers. "May I… may I put it on?"
"Please," she finally breathed, still shocked. He pulled it out of the box, unclasping it and wrapping the chain around her neck. It closed, but his fingers remained on her skin for a moment. Kissing the nape of her neck, she could feel his smile on her. She reached up to hold the pendant, watching the facets catch the light. "It's beautiful."
He sat back down, taking her in with soft, devoted eyes. "It looks even more lovely than I had imagined," he whispered.
"Thank you, Emmrich, I—"
Marina was interrupted by an ominous crash from the kitchen.
"Breakfast!" Manfred cried out, and the two of them hurried in to find whatever mess could have been made in a few moments.
Ice skating was an activity that ought to have come easily to Marina, graceful as she was. How different could it be to running across loose shingles or ziplining around Treviso's skyline?
Very much so, apparently. Each attempt to launch herself properly from one of the wooden benches that sat next to the frozen Minanter resulted in a painful fall and a long groan. However, she was determined to skate for longer than a few seconds at a time. If the toddlers and grandparents around them were able to skate without issues, why couldn't an accomplished Crow?
She watched Emmrich from that bench, blithely skating along, impressively smooth and steady in his movements. He even threw in a quick spin, the bastard. Fidgeting with her boots' laces, Marina didn't notice when Emmrich had returned to her side, scraping up a little spray of snow with his sudden stop.
"Are you ready to try again, dearest?" He offered a mittened hand to her, charming smile on his cold-bitten face.
"As long as you catch me, amor," she replied, taking his hand and taking a wobbly step onto the sparkling, skate-scribbled ice.
"Always," he promised, holding the small of her back to keep her standing. Marina kept her grip tight on his hand and arm, leaning into him. His wool coat was soft against her cheek as she stared at her feet, desperately trying to stay upright.
"Be careful, but trust yourself. You're very coordinated, I'm certain you will be able to master this by springtime."
Spring? They were going to do this until the seasons changed? "Maker have mercy," she grumbled.
Marina answered Emmrich's questioning hum with a smile and a dismissal of her hand as she slowly eeked forward. She disentangled her arm from his, standing still, wobbling just a little.
Completely in his element, agile and graceful as an Orlesian ballerina, Emmrich skated circles around her.
"How are you so good at this?" Marina felt her steadiness increasing as her steps grew less wary. She could do this.
"I've been skating since I was a boy. My parents would take me as soon as the river froze over every year," he replied, a wistful smile at the memories. "We'd skate until it was sunset, and then my mother would make us hot chocolate to enjoy by the fire. Winter was always my favorite season."
"Was?" She turned to watch him now, finally feeling ready to keep an eye on her surroundings over the ice immediately around her.
Emmrich smiled warmly, hazel eyes turning even sweeter. "I've found I'm rather partial to Antivan summers, now."
As she made to roll her eyes at his adorable flirting, her world tilted, falling face-first into a snowbank. Searing pain shot through her kneecaps as her senses were taken over by powdery, freezing snow. "Marina!" She heard Emmrich shout through muffled ears. Large hands were hurriedly pulling her out of the mound, giving her a chance to breathe properly. She hissed in pain as her weight settled on her aching knees.
"Dearest, are you alright? I am so sorry to have hindered your focus, I should not have encouraged conversation until you were a stronger skater. I am so, so very sorry, my love—" Emmrich rambled, sitting on the ice as he pulled her into his lap, letting her legs rest and stretch a little.
The soft, warm feeling of healing magic, made softer and warmer by his affection for her, traced over her body, probing for hurt until it found the source. It pulled and pulled, like a performer's seemingly endless ribbon until she could somewhat comfortably bend her legs again. Emmrich rubbed her knee through her winter trousers, and the faint soreness was far better than the intense pain from a moment before.
"Can you walk?" He asked, hand still on her leg. If she wasn't so discombobulated, she'd be able to appreciate his touch on her properly. She tried to stretch and move her legs and was met with a faint stinging pain. A grunt left her lips before she could stop it, and Emmrich shook his head. "No matter, I'll bring you home, darling."
Before she could even begin to process, Marina was scooped up. Her lanky necromancer was stronger than he looked, she knew that, but cradled in his arms, she was able to experience it firsthand. Her hands clasped around his neck and scarf, relishing the warmth she found with cold fingertips.
He brought her to the lakeside bench and gently set her down. Emmrich made quick work of their skates so he could continue their trek home.
"I'm fine, cariño, I can walk—" Marina began as Emmrich hoisted her into his arms once more. Her giggle of surprise drew the attention of the other skaters.
"Nonsense, we are getting you back home and you are to rest for the remainder of the day. Healer's orders," he finished, with a quick kiss to quiet her protestations. Marina gave a resigned sigh and nodded, allowing herself to be cared for.
Once they got into Nevarra City proper, Marina was finally able to convince Emmrich to ease her back down onto much steadier ground. She bent her knees, gratefully finding the pain was almost entirely gone.
"Thank you, Papí," Marina winked, kissing his flushed cheek. "Much better." Before he could even respond, she spotted the vendor she'd been waiting for all winter behind him.
"Cioccolata calda!" She couldn't help her excited yell as she hurried across the square. The familiar, beloved scents of cinnamon and cocoa and cayenne wafted through the busy walkway, and she was determined to get a cup as soon as possible.
Emmrich followed close behind, able to find Marina amongst the crowd easily. His hand was gentle on her shoulder as he slotted in line alongside her.
"'Marguerite's Antivan Hot Chocolate'," Emmrich read the charming hand-painted sign. "I don't believe I've had it before."
"It's delicious! You'll love it, I promise." As they moved up to the front of the line of the little wooden stall, the scent only grew stronger and made Marina's mouth water even more.
The older, Antivan woman behind the counter, who Marina assumed to be Marguerite herself, had soft gray streaks in her inky hair, and warm silver eyes that sparkled in the overcast weather.
"Hello," she greeted them in accented Trade. "How many?"
"Dos, por favor. Gracias," Marina answered, holding up two fingers automatically as well. The vendor's eyes lit up.
"Ah, ¿así que tú también eres de Antiva, eh? Si no lo hubieras dicho, lo habría notado en tus ojos. ¿No hace demasiado frío para ti aquí?" She spoke quickly, a thin eyebrow arched in question.
"Hace frío, pero él me mantiene calientita," she smiled, leaning up to give Emmrich another peck on the cheek. Marguerite smiled warmly, pouring their cups.
"El mío también. Él hace que incluso el clima más frío merezca la pena." She handed them the toasty mugs, accepting Marina's coins in exchange. "¡Tenga un buen día!"
"¡Igualmente!" Marina handed Emmrich his drink, grinning as she waved Marguerite goodbye.
"Calientita?" He whispered, curious look on his flushed face.
"I was just telling her you keep me cozy," she explained, finding a set of chairs.
They sat and she watched him eagerly as he gave the drink an inquisitive sniff. "It's very… spiced," he commented, making Marina giggle.
"I'm certain it's been made with Nevarrans in mind, amor," she said, raising her cup to her face. The sweet, spicy comfort that awaited her was everything she could ask for. She had been right; it was less intense than what she might get in Treviso, but it was familiar nonetheless.
Emmrich followed suit, taking a much smaller sip. "Oh!" He took another. "Oh, this is fantastic!"
"I'm so happy you like it, cariño." Marina took a moment to stare at her lover, people and buildings and sky falling into the background so she could fully appreciate the sight before her. Willowy, gorgeous, his high cheeks and long nose bitten pink by the cold, a little line of chocolate under his mustache that she would simply have to kiss off.
Cold, snowy winter might not have been her favorite thing, but having Emmrich here with her definitely made it worth it.