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It was freezing outside.
Wind Archer looked out the window, teeth chattering. He was in a bit of a mood, having just gone outside for 12 hours to fulfill his duties.
Now he’s inside his cabin, staring at the trees blanketed in snow.
Cold, sad, and alone.
BANG!
“WINDY!”
Nevermind. Just cold and sad.
Fire Spirit barged into the wind guardian’s room, grinning ear-to-ear.
He simply sighed.
”What is it you need?”
Fire Spirit’s smirk grew wider, then held up a computer, jabbing a finger at the device.
“Movie.”
Oh.
Wind Archer felt a small smile of his own form on his face.
5 minutes later, the two were in the living room, both smothered in a ridiculously large pile of blankets and watching the movie intently. Well, Fire Spirit was watching the movie intently; Wind Archer was trying not to fall asleep. He had found comfort in Fire Spirit’s warmth, snuggling into the space under his head. One of his arms was on the flame’s chest, the other slung loosely around his shoulder. Distantly, he could hear Fire Spirit speak.
“You’re tired, aren’t you? Did you overwork yourself again?”
His only response was a quiet hum.
“Dammit, Windy, you’ve got to learn to relax! We’re gonna be on Earthbread our whole immortal lives, so really, there’s a lot of time to waste!”
The archer looked up with a bleary look, wrapping a leg around the flame’s waist and shutting his eyes.
“Mm..”
Fire Spirit’s eyes softened, and he tenderly cupped his Windy’s cheek, rubbing comforting circles around that area.
”Is the movie bothering you? I can turn it off if it’s too loud.”
“Warm…you’re warm…”
”Darn right I am, it’d be concerning if I wasn’t-”
A yawn from the other cut him off.
”Okay, we’re going to bed.”
Fire Spirit suddenly stood up, putting an arm under Wind Archer’s legs and hoisting him up, chuckling when his lover immediately rested his head on the crook of his shoulder. The blazing guardian floated over to the bedroom, and gently placed Wind Archer onto the sheets before getting in himself.
It was strange seeing Windy like this, Fire Spirit thought. Strange to see him without any walls up. Tentatively, he reached out and ruffled his hair, causing the corners of the archer’s lip to curl up as he clumsily clawed for his partner’s arm, hugging it tightly.
Wind Archer hummed, pushing his head further into what he registered as comfort. This, although adorable, wasn’t normal behaviour for the elemental, Fire Spirit quickly noticed. Usually, he was the first to fall asleep, and his partner would mumble about his unapologetic snoring the next day. As he looked closer, he realized that Wind Archer’s eyebags were more prominent than they were yesterday.
Wind Archer Cookie looked completely and utterly worn out.
”Windy? I have a question,”
Windy looked up, blinking groggily and with no intention to let go of Fire Spirit’s arm, shaking his head as a half-hearted attempt to fix his already tousled hair.
”Whatchu even do today? You look like you’re about to cough up ash,” he tilted his head, somewhat amused, though his brow was furrowed ever-so-slightly.
”Must I talk..?” Came the other’s reply, thick with exhaustion. “Js’ wanna sleep…”
”Okay, I’ll let you sleep.”
A beat of blissful silence.
”Actually, promise me one thing first.”
Wind Archer groaned, clearly annoyed by being roused yet again. Even through the sleepy haze, he managed to shoot Fire Spirit with a piercing look, which made the latter laugh.
”Just…don’t overdo it. I know you’re, uh, we’re doing our duties cuz Mils told us or whatever, but-” he sighed. “Just don’t burn yourself out. Promise?”
He glanced over at Wind Archer, who gave a soft smile and a stiff nod.
”Mm.. Fire?”
”Yes, Windy?”
”Thank you.”
What?
Fire Spirit was a bit confused.
”I- sorry?” His boisterous demeanor was now something less.
Wind Archer struggled to stay awake, practically burying himself into his Fire’s side.
“You make me feel like a-“ he cut himself off with a yawn- “-a person.”
With that, the Wind closed his eyes, and his head fell onto his Fire’s chest as he drifted into a well-deserved slumber.
Using his only free hand, the now-very-much-wide-awake cookie gently moved his boyfriend so he was snug by his ribcage, gently pulling the sheets over both their shoulders and planting a kiss on Wind Archer’s forehead.
”You do too.”
It was freezing outside.
The two couldn’t care less.