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Steamy breath rose into the air as Ryusui puffed into his mittens. His cheeks were lightly dusted in pink from the chill of the December wind. The few people that were out like him were all the same. Hurrying in their woollen scarves and hats, some with hot chocolate or coffee in take-out cups. Any open store seemed to be full of people either getting last minute shopping or simply trying to get out of the cold.
Ryusui looked up from the store windows seeing the sky blanketed in a dull white. A single crow stood out against the sky like a smudge of ink on a blank canvas. He nudged the man that walked beside him with his elbow.
"It's going to snow again. Can't you feel it too?"
His partner looked up and around before nodding with a sound of affirmation. He checked his phone before taking the blond's hand and gently tugging it into his coat pocket.
"We should get home before it gets too heavy."
As if on cue, snowflakes began to glide down towards them. Ryusui grinned at the other man before nodding and taking the lead. He gestures ahead of them with the shopping bag in his other hand.
"Ha, ha! Seems like our intuition was right, Kasa! Let's go or we'll be stranded in the street. I feel a snowstorm on the way."
---
Tsukasa unlocked the front door and walked inside, Ryusui close behind. The pair took off their outer garments and hung them up on the coat hooks. The blond stretched before taking the shopping into the kitchen to unpack. The brunet followed him shortly and helped with the other bags. Outside, the snow had gradually increased weight, with larger snowflakes than previously passing by the kitchen window. Got in just in time. Our intuition is as sharp as ever. A proud smile formed on the blond's lips before he clicked his fingers.
"This calls for celebration. Let us warm up with a good drink and open up that new ship model kit you bought me last month!"
Tsukasa tilted his head with a small smile. He kissed the other man's cheek.
"Only you would celebrate getting inside before a snowstorm. I'll make the drinks; you get the model."
Ryusui grinned with a wink as he walked out.
"Divide and conquer. I like it."
Tsukasa sighed before turning to the cupboards to get the various ingredients in Ryusui's perfect hot chocolate. It had to be made with cacao powder, hot milk, a teaspoon of sugar, exactly seven medium marshmallows and, of course, all mixed together in his favourite mug. The man wasn’t particularly fussy with his drinks but his hot chocolate just had to be made this way and Tsukasa took it terribly, terribly seriously.
---
Ryusui was on the floor by the coffee table and waved Tsukasa over when he finally entered with the two steaming mugs of hot chocolate. The ship's box had almost been ripped open; it's remains tossed to the side as the boat lay in contrastingly neat pieces. The brunet placed the mugs on the table as he sat on the sofa. He watched as his boyfriend counted his marshmallows, take a sip of his hot chocolate and slowly grin before leaning over the table and pecking him on the lips.
"Another perfect cup, my dear Kasa! I desire to drink your special hot chocolate every day!"
Tsukasa simply smiled and drank from his own cup, watching Ryusui get to work on his present. They already had two other ship models in the house but they were a little old now. He noticed how Ryusui had put the instructions aside, always one to try his own hand before reading. It was simply how he worked. It’s not that he couldn't follow instructions but he preferred to be in a position of leadership, much like a ship's captain. Unlike his boyfriend, Tsukasa didn't know much about ships. However, he always tried to listen when the blond got into one of his passionate rants about the various naval vessels that he was into on that particular day. Sometimes they'd be out shopping, other times at home snuggled up. But every time, Tsukasa did his best to pay attention to the things he was told.
"-and so that’s why Great Britain had such an advanced naval fleet. As an island all they could do was sail out into the unknown. Hence the majority of British colonies being accessible by the ocean! Isn't that just amazing to think about?"
Ryusui blabbered once again as he put together the model of the famous HMS Victory, hence the topic of his info dumping. Meanwhile, Tsukasa sat in a comfortable silence absorbing this knowledge to the best of his abilities, occasionally taking a look outside at the continuous snow.
After some time, Ryusui snapped his fingers in delight. The boat was mostly built, now all that was needed was the main mast. He looked up at Tsukasa who was snoozing on the sofa, unwilling to go to bed though he was tired. With a little poke, he was awake again and sitting up, ready for their little boat model tradition. He was always a light sleeper, much like a cat, so had an easy time waking up. Ryusui liked to think himself a fast waker but even he needs a minute in the morning.
"Want to put in the last piece, first mate?"
"Aye aye, Captain. It'd be an honour."
The man carefully slotted the largest mast into its hold, his partner giving a small cheer at another success. Mid-celebration he gave a yawn, looking at the clock. It was past midnight. They should get to bed.
Standing, the brunet offered his hand to the blond and helped him up off the rug. They could clean up tomorrow. The pair made their way upstairs to the bedroom. Somehow the snow was still falling this late into the night. Thankfully neither of them had plans the next few days so if they did get snowed in then there would be no problems. The two men changed into their bedclothes before climbing into bed and snuggling under the covers. Ryusui lay facing Tsukasa with a smile in the dark.
"Hey, Kasa?"
"Mm?."
"Think we could make a snow captain in the garden with all this snow? My intuition is telling me the snow should stop by tomorrow morning."
A moment of silence.
"We should go to the park instead. Our garden is not big enough for a snowman."
"Ha ha! I like your thinking! We could make a whole crew in the park!"
The blond shifted a little before taking his boyfriend's hand, kissing it. With a content sigh, he shut his eyes.
"Let's do that then."
"As you wish. See you in the morning."
---
Tsukasa was the first to wake, as usual. Sometime in the night, Ryusui had wormed his way into the man's arms, as usual. He looked over his partner's head and out the window. Ryu was right. It has stopped snowing. Despite that fact, the brunet mentally shook his head. He wanted to be selfish and cuddle the unlikely love of his life for a little longer. He knew that once the man was awake, he wouldn't stay still for long. So, the man closed his eyes once more and pulled the blond a little closer, like a lion would to its cub.
Unfortunately for him, his boyfriend was awoken by this movement. He popped his head up from between his boyfriend's strong arms and pecked him anywhere his sleepy motor skills allowed.
"Good morning, my dear."
He sloshed out as he slowly came back to consciousness.
"Mm. Morning"
Came the reply.
"did it stop snowing like I predicted?"
"Yep. Want to go out now?"
"I admire your enthusiasm but let a man wake up, Kasa."
Tsukasa nodded and loosened his arms, allowing Ryusui to roll away and stretch himself. The taller man was first out of bed. He left without a word but the blond knew that he was going to make breakfast. Not too long after the man had left, he was joined by Ryusui in the kitchen, the smell of eggs and bacon filling the room. Seeing this scene made the blond laugh internally every time. A tree-trunk of a man cooking breakfast for his slightly shorter boyfriend. Soon enough the food was done and dished up, both men digging in.
The food was great as usual. Ryusui was a terrible cook, only just managing food on a barbecue or open fire. That meant cooking naturally became Tsukasa's job allowing both men to happily live together without the risk of food poisoning. After they were done, Ryusui was already up and running, excited to build that snow captain and crew. Although he was a grown man, he had this childlike interest in all things naval. He'd loved it since he was young. And thanks to well off parents, he was able to pursue his hobbies. Though now he lives a simple life with his boyfriend, still rich but humble.
"Are you ready to go, Kasa? We have the whole day to show the rest of the neighbourhood how amazing our snow captain and crew are! Ha ha!"
Definitely humble. Tsukasa smiled to himself before nodding and grabbing his keys.
"Let’s go. We don't want to waste the day away."
---
It seemed a few people had come to the nearby park as well, each in their own sector building their own snowmen variations. Ryusui scouted out a spot and almost dragged Tsukasa with him once he found a suitable space, mittens grabbing at gloves. The brunet always wondered why his boyfriend preferred mittens over gloves but he never thought to ask. He decided to leave it and just go with the flow. Meanwhile the blond was rambling about the snowmen they were going to build that day, soon dropping Tsukasa's hand and getting to work.
After about an hour the first captain was done. Ryusui stood and admired his work before a ball of snow suddenly hit his back. He turned to find the attacker just to see a serious looking brunet studying the snow captain. Despite this, Ryusui wouldn't be fooled by such a poker face. He knew his boyfriend like the ocean's currents. There was a faint sparkle in his eyes that he had failed to hide. The blond bent down and scooped snow into his hands with a smirk. This was now war. Tsukasa's eyes flashed and he got ready for the attack.
Ryusui flung the snowball at Tsukasa who smoothly dodged with a raised eyebrow.
"Seems like you missed."
"Ha ha! You know I like a challenge. Give it everything you've got!"
He scooped up another ball and threw it again. Though Tsukasa was a built man, he had the grace of a wildcat. Due to his boxing career, he was able to expertly weave away from any projectiles flying in his direction. Seeing that Ryusui’s arms were empty, it was time for a counter attack. The retired boxer picked up his own handfuls of snow launching a multitude of snowballs at his partner. Ryusui ducked behind a tree, formulating a strategy against this formidable opponent. If he could land just one hit then he would win.
Gathering up as many snowballs as he could, he peeked around the tree. Tsukasa was standing still, arms crossed, watching the hiding place of the blond. The man took a deep breath before launching his attack. He threw his jacket to the right as a distraction before running at the brunet throwing his snowballs. This seemed like enough, Tsukasa was caught off guard sure but his recovery time was inhuman. In a matter of seconds after releasing a snowball towards the decoy he had turned to see Ryusui charging at him. The man changed his stance and hid behind the snow captain. He let out a chuckle and taunted the blond.
"Seems like your plan didn't work, Ryu. What are you going to do now?"
"A captain never reveals his tricks."
And with that, said "captain" ran at his boyfriend with snowballs in hand. However, he didn't throw them, he simply held them for now. As if catching onto this plan, Tsukasa went to run but slipped backwards on a patch of ice under the snow. He let out a breath as he lay in the snow unable to resist any longer. Ryusui grinned at his "foe" and raised his arm to throw a snowball before tripping over a grass knot, also under the snow, and falling right onto his boyfriend's chest causing them both to become winded.
The two lay there momentarily catching their breath. They hadn't had that much fun in a while. Ryusui leaned over and kissed the brunet, cold lips on cold lips. Steamy breath mixing with steamy breath. They wished they could stay like this forever but it was definitely time to go home. The blond rolled off and stood, brushing the snow from his clothes before offering his partner a hand.
"Shall we be off? I'm in need of another one of your specialty hot chocolates, dearest."
Tsukasa accepted the hand with a nod.
"We might have to buy another packet of marshmallows if you keep drinking like this."
"Don’t be like that, Tsukasa. I know you desire it too!"
The other man could only shake his head in disbelief. He looked up at the sky. It was snowing again.