Archive of Our Own

On most days, it was sunny, warm, and nice enough weather to hang out with your friends. Today? The sun was too shy to come out, I suppose.

The wind had given very clear signs that it wasn’t going to be a nice day, yet Onyn still decided to go out to run some errands. Though he tried to ignore the storm brewing, he certainly couldn’t ignore the rain that would get him soaking wet.

The rain had been falling steadily for hours, a soft, persistent drizzle that turned the streets into a waterpark. Onyn tugged at his face, muttering under his breath, “Out of all days, of course it rains today… why wouldn’t it?”

With a sigh, he shifted the bag on his shoulder and tried to pick up his pace, trying to cover his glasses so he could at least see.

It was strange, really. When has there ever been a drizzle in this place?

A sudden shadow fell over him, followed by a cheerful voice.

“Hey! You look like the storms about to blow you away! Need some help?”

Onyn blinked. “Chikn?”

Chikn Nuggit was crouched slightly, holding a small, colorful umbrella that looked far too tiny for one person, let alone two. He grinned broadly, the kind of grin that made Onyn want to roll his eyes and melt at the same time.

Onyn hesitated, then stepped under the umbrella. It was a bit small, forcing them to stand shoulder to shoulder. Heat pricked at his chest immediately.

They started walking, splashing through shallow puddles. Chikn hummed a little tune, tilting the umbrella to avoid letting water drip on either of them.

“… So, what’re ya doing out in the rain?” Chikn asked. Onyn sighed, squinting while trying to wipe water off his glasses. “Honestly, I don’t even remember. All I remember is that halfway to where I needed to be.. this happened.” He said, pointing to the rain again.

“Ah. I see.”

The two continued to walk, the sound of the rain hitting the umbrella being the only thing they could focus on.

Onyn tried to keep conversation going, awkward conversations being one of the things he hates most.

“So.. have you seen the new bakery?” Onyn said, trying to distract himself from noticing Chikn’s antics, “they finally opened last week. I went by earlier . They’ve got these really weird buns…”

“They sound delicious!” Chikn said immediately. “Did you finish them? Maybe we could go by again so I could try them!”

“Uh, maybe not, I’m a bit… busy, lately.” A blatant lie, Onyn never had much to do.

“Hm.. then maybe we could make some of our own!” Chikn said. Onyn raised an eyebrow. “I don’t even know how to-?.”

Chikn only grinned wider. “Yes, but imagine making our own! Flour in our fur, sticky hands, totally worth it!”

Onyn didn’t respond. He didn’t know how to.

Noticing this, Chikn pressed a little. “Hm? You okay?”

“I’m fine,” “You sure? You seem irritated.”

Onyn groaned, a migraine starting to form. Chikn continued oblivious, wondering what was wrong and trying to find ways to help. Onyn kept telling him to stop asking, and eventually, he did. But, he decided to resort to other tactics.

When they reached a corner, Chikn hopped slightly to avoid a deep puddle, splashing water almost intentionally toward Onyn.

“Chikn!” Onyn exclaimed again, this time tripping slightly over the splash.

“Oops!” Chikn said, laughing.

Onyn groaned, brushing his boots, cheeks burning. “You’re–ugh, unbelievable. Why’d you do that?”
“C’mon, tell me what’s wrong!”

“Nothing is wrong, Chikn!”

There was another puddle up ahead, and Chikn grinned.

“You better not..” Onyn said. “I might! Should probably just tell me!”

With a groan, Onyn began, “This is honestly just annoying. Seriously, the ONE time I decide to go and explore a bit, this happens?” Onyn yelled, slightly stomping and splashing even more water onto himself. “I hate the rain.”

Chikn paused for a moment, processing.

“The rain isn’t all that bad!”

“How could it not be?” Onyn groaned, shoving his wet glasses up the bridge of his nose. “It’s cold, I’m wet, and I have absolutely no desire to look like a drowned rat!”

“You don’t look like a rat?”

“You get my point.”

Chikn paused, thinking for a moment. “Well.. think about it like this! What comes after rain?”
Onyn looked confused. “.. A rainbow?” “Exactly! The rainbow is the reward, so you just gotta make the most of the time before it shows up!”

“…That… kinda makes sense,” Onyn said slowly, a small smile tugging at his lips. He turned his head to hide the blush, but Chikn caught it anyway.

“Hah! I got you to smile!” Chikn said. Onyn rolled his eyes.

They stayed silent for another moment, enjoying the peaceful and warmth of each other’s presence.

“Look, I’ll give an example.” Chikn said, lowering the umbrella.

“Chikn-!” Before Onyn got a chance to speak, Chikn took his wing, pulling him back under the rain and twirling him around.

“Chikn?? What’re you- What’re you doing??” Onyn asked, rain once again getting on his glasses. Chikn let go of him.

He started to hop around, joyfully spinning as Onyn stood still, confused.

“I’m enjoying the rain!! Making the most out of it!”

“Chikn, I-“ Onyn paused. He hesitated for a moment, but seeing the demigod in front of him having such a grand time in the soaking rain, he let out a sigh.

Fine, he thought to himself.

Without thinking, he outstretched his wings to him. Taking the hint, the demigod took his wings in his own and let himself be led in the silent dance between the two of them.

Neither of them knew what they were doing, mostly just airballing it. To Onyn, it seemed very awkward. No music for them to dance to, just the sound of rain. Chikn had no problem with it though, seeming to be having an amazing time.

Onyn followed as Chikn’s movements, trying to keep up as best as he could.

Onyn Ring couldn’t believe he was dancing with the Demigod of Chaos right now.

. . .

No, not dancing with a demigod. He’s dancing with Chikn.

“Are you having fun?” Chikn asked, raising his voice loud enough to be heard over the rain.
Onyn nodded, a small grin breaking through. He spun around carefully and dipped Chikn slightly, who laughed in surprise before twirling him back.

“C’mon, let me spin you!” Chikn yelled.

“Alright, just don’t get me dizzy!”

Onyn laughed and let Chikn twirl him, not really focusing on the rain. It didn't seem to matter anymore.

"You're doing it wrong!" Chikn yelled.

"No, it's you! You're supposed to-"

Onyn had no idea what he was doing. Neither did Chikn.

The rain had lightened a little, but not much. And the two of them were dancing, in the rain. Neither of them had rhythm or knew what dance they were trying to do, but it was something, alright.

Chikn had his hands draped across Onyn’s shoulders and Onyn had his hands on Chikn’s sides. They kept stepping on each other's feet.

He let out a giggle. “This feels silly.” Chikn said. "I feel like we're in some cheesy romance movie, y'know?"

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Something like this was certainly not on any of their to-do lists.

Taking each other's hands once more, they gently swayed in unison, finally seeming to get some sense of rhythm. The rain landed on them in tiny droplets, finally letting up as they swayed to the beat of their own song.

Eventually, they slowed, swaying gently, breathing hard. Chikn had his hands on Onyn’s shoulders, and Onyn had his hands on Chikn’s sides. Neither of them said anything. The silence was comfortable, almost intimate.

Onyn’s gaze dropped to the puddles at their feet and then back to Chikn’s face, blinking as the warmth of the closeness hit him fully. And then, a quiet, almost shocking thought struck him.
He didn’t have to make it rain. He could’ve stopped it.

But he didn’t. He let it happen.

‘Why?’ he asked himself.

. . .

‘To spend time with.. me?’

The realization made his heart flutter in a way he hadn’t expected. A soft, helpless smile tugged at Onyn’s lips. He pressed a hand to his chest as his heart hammered. The rain continued softly outside, but for once… Onyn didn’t mind.

After the dance, they continued their walk in silence. But, it wasn’t awkward anymore.

Chikn finally tilted the umbrella down fully, letting Onyn step inside the doorway of his home. He lingered, humming quietly, a small grin on his face.

“Well…” Chikn said softly, looking up at Onyn. “This is your stop.”

Onyn nodded, cheeks hot, not trusting himself to speak. Chikn’s hand lingered a moment near the umbrella’s handle, and Onyn’s eyes flicked to it, heart skipping.

“See you… soon?” Chikn asked, still smiling, and with that, he stepped back slightly, letting the umbrella tip just enough that a few raindrops brushed Onyn’s hair.

Onyn froze, mind spinning. He could’ve stopped the rain. He could’ve kept me completely dry. And he didn’t.

Chikn waved, humming that little tune as he turned and walked down the street. Onyn watched him go, umbrella bobbing, cheerful and unaware of the storm of feelings he had left.

Finally, Onyn closed the door behind him, leaning against it with a deep breath. He pressed a hand to his chest again, trying to calm the rapid thumping of his heart. A tiny, helpless smile tugged at his lips. He couldn’t stop replaying the walk, the splash, the dance, the closeness. He realized he wouldn’t trade a single moment of it for anything, especially not for the sun to have come out.

And somewhere down the street, Chikn hummed, completely oblivious, leaving Onyn in the quiet glow of a soaked, perfect memory.

Maybe the rain wasn’t so bad after all.