❄️snow❄️

Sae hates the winter.

Not because of the cold, not because of the gray sky— but because people get slower in the winter. Sloppier. Weaker.

He sits on the bench outside the training facility, arms folded, scarf perfectly wrapped around his neck like he's allergic to looking anything less than pristine. Snow falls lightly, dusting his red hair and shoulders like glitter.

He sighs.

"Japan really is the worst," he mutters.

A loud thud echoes behind him—then a laugh. A laugh so sharp and wild that even the snow seems to flinch.

"Oi, Sae!" Shidou Shidou explodes through the doors like he's trying to headbutt the season itself. Hair messy, coat half-buttoned, boot kicking the door shut behind him. "You runnin' from practice or somethin'? That's cold, man."

Sae looks at him. Blank. Unamused.

"I was waiting," he says. "You're late."

Shidou grins like the sun just punched the sky open. "Aw, you missed me~?"

"No," Sae replies instantly. A beat. "...I just don't like waiting."

"Pffft. Same thing."

Shidou plops down beside him, way too close, like a golden retriever with fangs. The bench creaks under the force of his enthusiasm. Sae pretends he doesn't notice how warm Shidou is radiating like a stupid human space heater.

Sae presses his lips into a thin line when he feels something cold and wet press against his cheek.

A snowball.

Shidou is holding it proudly. "Look! Snow!"

Sae stares at him. "...I can see that."

"Wanna build a snowman? Or, better, a snow-striker? With like, killer abs and fangs and maybe a chainsaw arm?—"

"No."

Shidou pouts dramatically. "You're no fun."

"I'm not here to entertain you."

"You are though." Shidou wiggles his eyebrows. "You just don't know it."

Sae considers leaving. But... Shidou looks inexplicably pleased just sitting here with him. Like Sae's presence alone is some kind of personal fireworks display.

Sae hates how that... doesn't annoy him today.

Suddenly—Shidou grabs Sae's hands.

Sae freezes. "What are you doing?"

Shidou frowns at the cold skin. "Your hands are freezing."

"It's winter," Sae says, dry as dust. "That happens."

Shidou brings Sae's hands between both of his like it's the most normal thing in the world. "I'll warm 'em."

Sae's heart definitely does not skip. He chalks the sensation up to shock. Or annoyance. Or... something else.

"You're ridiculous."

Shidou beams. "Yeah, but I'm your ridiculous."

Sae breathes in slowly through his nose, like he's swallowing every retort he has ever known.

"...Thank you," he murmurs, almost inaudible.

Shidou's eyes widen slightly. Not expecting that. Then he smirks—soft, not chaotic, not explosive. Just... happy.

"For you? Always."

They sit quietly. Snow drifting. Shidou humming something off-key, thumb brushing Sae's knuckles like it's a reflex.

Sae pretends he's looking at the sky. He's absolutely not.

"...Next time," Sae says, voice low, "don't be late."

Shidou laughs—bright, rough, alive.

"Next time, Sae-baby, I'll sprint here so fast the snow'll set on fire."

"Don't call me that."

"No promises~"

Sae squeezes his hand once—barely there, like a whispered secret.

And for the first time today, the cold doesn't bother him at all.

artist: https://x.com/kurery__