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Shutting the library door closed, Ness stepped outside into the cool, crisp air. A refreshing difference, contrasting the stuffiness of the study room he had spent his afternoon in. As he walked further out, he enjoyed the chilly breeze as it brushed against his face, carrying with it a quiet calm that eased some of the tension in his chest.
It had been snowing for the past few days, but this morning had dawned cloudless, leaving a thick blanket of endless snowflakes glistening across campus. The sky was clear, the dry air washing it in an exceptional blue.
Ness has always loved the snow. Something about the beauty of it all has constantly intrigued him since he was a child. He remembers when he would spend countless mornings packing snow together, creating structures until his gloves are damp and his hands numb. He takes a deep breath and relishes the comfort that arrives every winter.
Pulling out his phone, he arrives at the spot where he and Kaiser were supposed to meet. Sending a quick message, he finds a spot shaded enough to feel comfortable waiting. Pocketing his phone, he stares ahead and watches as some members of the student council hang up festive decorations around campus.
He is reminded of the yearly holiday at that moment. Accompanying the snow also comes Christmas. It’s something Ness has never truly experienced. This year would be his first time experiencing the holidays away from home, where his family never believed in Christmas or even bothered to celebrate it. He just hopes Kaiser will be willing to join him in that aspect. He knows how unenthusiastic the boy was about those subjects, including his birthday.
As if on cue, Ness is snapped out of his thoughts when hears sudden footsteps approaching–crunching loudly behind him. He turns and faces Kaiser, his eyes brightening when he recognizes the blond. He smiles in greeting.
Kaiser nods in acknowledgement, breath clouding in the cold air. He was dressed casually yet warm enough for the weather. Nothing about him in that moment was particularly impressive, but he was always effortlessly put together. Ness had always found Kaiser undeniably attractive in that aspect.
As Kaiser stood beside the magenta-haired boy, he cast an eye toward him and noticed his cheeks were tinged pink from the cold. His sparkling eyes lingered, eager and lively as ever. Something uncomfortable sets in his stomach upon witnessing the boy’s keen expression. It has always been present when he's around Ness. An undesirable feeling he can't name that's bloomed since he first met the boy.
Kaiser averts his gaze and sniffs, moving forward before he can think too much on it. Ness follows, letting him take the lead towards their dorm building.
“My bad for the hold up, I got caught up in some assignments.” Kaiser says, tone casual, voice filling the previously silent air.
Ness offers a small shrug, not minding in the least. “It’s alright, I wasn’t waiting for long.”
As they walk side by side Ness’s gaze lingers on Kaiser’s face, a habit he’s had yet to break. There had always been something magnetic about the others' appearance–sharp blue eyes that seemed to catch every glint of light, complemented by hair the color of gold streaked with vivid blue, a job Ness had done himself. His features were striking and impassive. As much as Ness tries to hide it, his fascination eventually becomes obvious, his glances lingering longer until they transform into outright staring.
Kaiser takes notice of this and the uneasy sensation flutters in his gut once more. As often as it happens, he's still not accustomed to it.
Kaiser snaps his head towards him, furrowing his brows in irritation, slipping to his usual demeanor.
“Quit staring, unless you want me to leave you buried in the snow.”
Ness doesn't bother responding, used to Kaiser’s moods. He just rolls his eyes and stares straight ahead, feeling his cheeks warm slightly at getting caught.
Ness drifts into thoughts again, gazing over the fields of untouched snow. He takes in the view, knowing Kaiser is enjoying it too. Winter is both their favorite season as Ness recalled from one of their late night conversations.
He looks up to the clear winter sky, mesmerized by its endless expanse. In weather like this, he always feels as if he could fly. When he mentions this to Kaiser, the blond just scoffs in response.
“That’s dumb”
“It's not dumb! It would be awesome, just think about it!”
Kaiser raises an eyebrow in amusement. “Sure, I guess.”
“Don’t you like the winter too?” Ness huffs.
“Yeah, it suits someone like me. Though I'm not over here thinking I can fly.” he teases.
“Screw you.”
Kaiser keeps walking ahead while Ness trails behind, who eventually comes to a full stop. But before Kaiser can turn around, Ness grabs a chunk of snow and hurls it at him unexpectedly, the impact striking Kaiser’s back and making him freeze in place on the empty sidewalk.
While Ness attempts to stifle his chuckles, Kaiser slowly turns around–immediately silencing Ness's laughter. With a serious look on his face, Kaiser appears genuinely angry, his ominous gaze making Ness regret his actions at once, apologies already surfacing on his lips.
But before Ness can even apologize, Kaiser leans down and grabs his own handful of snow, and before Ness can even react, he’s hit right in the face with it.
Ness stumbles back, his face full of snow. There's a brief moment of silence before Kaiser erupts in laughter at him, while Ness wipes the snow from his face with his sleeve.
“Hey! I didn't even hit you near your face!” the magenta-haired boy exclaims in protest, his face wet and flushed from the impact.
Kaiser continues laughing, clutching at his stomach as the sight of the other only fuels his amusement.
Ness’ breath hitches seeing Kaiser's genuine laughter, a sight he rarely gets to see. Kaiser looks so beautiful like this Ness can’t even get upset, but he’s not about to let Kaiser get away with it. Determined, Ness leans down to scoop up some snow, shaping it into a snowball while giving Kaiser the most intimidating look he could muster.
Kaiser notices and his laughter falters slightly, amused by Ness’s expression. He unclutches his stomach, his chest heaving for air, before he turns and bolts down the sidewalk, laughter bubbling up again as he runs.
Ness doesn't let him escape that easily, chasing after the blond and hurling chunks of snow towards his torso. Kaiser retaliates, throwing his fair share of snowballs back. They dart around, caught in a full blown snowball fight, leaving a trail of footprints in the previously untouched snow. It’s just the two of them and their laughter, the world narrowing down to this shared moment.
Kaiser, however, keeps aiming precise shots towards Ness’s face, until ness can't keep up anymore–having to turn away, arms stretched out in frantic protest.
“Okay, stop!” he shouts, barely dodging another snowball aimed straight at his face. “I give up, you win!”
Kaiser smirks, letting out a chuckle as he discards the rest of his snow onto the ground. Ness shivers as the cold, damp snow seeps through his clothes. Kaiser dusts himself off, and they both stand there, panting and gradually calming down. Ness can’t help but feel a surge of happiness. Moments like these are really rare, since Kaiser hardly joins in on things like this with him. The other boy is usually so indifferent towards everything, so Ness decides to push his luck.
Ness perks up, eyes brightening, “Hey! Let's build a snowman!”
Kaiser stuffs his hands into his pockets and huffs, “I’m not going to do something so childish”
“It's not childish!” he retorts, tone offended. “Come on, it'll be fun! I know how to make one.” Ness insists, trying to coax Kaiser into joining him.
Kaiser rolls his eyes. “Of course you do,” he mutters, a ghost of a smile flickering on his lips before vanishing just as quickly.
He turns and walks away from ness, leaving the boy standing by himself. Ness assumes Kaiser is done, tired of playing along and ready to leave. He frowns, but before he even has a chance to feel disappointed, he spots Kaiser crouching down in a nearby patch of untouched snow, rolling some up in his hands–clearly looking for a better place to start building.
Ness brightens up immediately, a grin tugging at his lips despite his best efforts to keep quiet. He doesn’t dare speak, afraid that even a single word might make Kaiser reconsider. His heart beats faster, warmth blooming in his chest at the sight of Kaiser motioning for him to join. It feels like an unspoken invitation, a small but meaningful gesture that makes Ness feel seen, included, and wanted in a way he rarely ever does. For just a moment, the cold melts away, replaced by a quiet happiness he wishes could last forever.
They then get to work, piling and shaping the snow together. Kaiser lets Ness take the lead on how to build it–a round, medium-sized snowman, complete with a carefully shaped face and twig arms. Light laughter and playful bickering fill the air as they craft each detail. Ness’s magical creativity met Kaiser’s stubborn perfectionism, a combination which surprised Ness. When they finally step back, the snowman looked impressive. Ness couldn’t help but beam with pride.
Kaiser, on the other hand, tries to keep his satisfaction hidden, refusing to admit how much fun he’d had. Ness catches on and nudges him with a teasing grin. “Come on, you’ve got to admit it looks awesome,” he says.
The blond just shrugs, glancing away. “It’s cool, I guess,” he mutters, but Ness’s happiness is contagious. He grins even wider, practically glowing, and for a moment Kaiser can’t take his eyes off him. That familiar, restless feeling stirs in his chest, the one he’s tried to ignore, only growing stronger as he watches Ness’s joy.
Ness–without meaning to–starts describing just how happy he is, how this might be the best winter he’s ever had, and how grateful he feels to spend it with Kaiser, hoping he’s open to spending even Christmas together. Kaiser listens, fighting with emotions he doesn’t want to name. But as he catches Ness’s gaze, something shifts. For just a split second, everything seems to slow down. The truth hits him all at once—he’s in love with Ness. And for once, he doesn’t even try to deny it.
He stores the feeling away, holding it close like a secret. Maybe he’ll say something tomorrow, or maybe he won’t. For now, it’s enough to stand here with Ness, knowing that something had changed between them, and it felt right.