Snow Meme

[leitstern]

❄ it's quiet
and the snow's beautiful tonight

snowfall;

stage i; none, streets are already blanketed in white.
stage ii; very light and intermittent.
stage iii; light - moderate. lasts longer periods.
stage iv; continuous, heavy snowfall.
stage v; the hardest of cores - blizzards, snowstorms, you name it.

scenarios;

① fuck the police, this is the best time for a walk. hope you've got a nice thick coat on.
② stranded in the buttcrack of nowheresville? weren't you watching the time? now you've gone and missed that last bus out of there. or maybe you're lost, somehow. what do?
③ literally chilling, in this weather, is quite easy to do. sitting around relaxing in it is a wee more difficult, but sometimes much more enjoyable, especially if shelter can be found. the snow is beautiful to watch, after all.
④ the weather's not going to stop you. your snow fort's packed full of ammo and ready to go. those aren't snow angels over there; they mark where the poor souls you've downed have fallen. be careful with that snowman's head!!
⑤ you're about fifty miles from civilization but there's a roof over your head, so never mind the chilly draught, right? right. you mightn't be the only one lucky enough to stumble upon this little shelter, though. remember to share the blanket.
⑥ everyone stuck outside should be jelly. you've got a fireplace and hot cocoa and damn if it isn't awesome. a heater's not quite so romantic, but it'd do. there'd better be a backup generator in case the power trips.
⑦ mix and match, or make up your own.

Comments

[standvastig]

[There is a faint grunt of complaint from Hendrik when he feels Jasper start to pull away, but it isn't given a chance to grow before Jasper seems to rethink his choices and instead tighten his hold. He squeezes his betrothed in return, one arm around his waist and the other at his shoulders as he kisses his hair.]

If this is not enough, we can attempt a fire before returning to sleep.

[It wouldn't be the first time he crawled out of bed to start a fire in the cold.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper begins encumbering Hendrik, transforming from a pleasant weight into a solid mass of cold annoyance. His presence is an unwelcome struggle for any man. This intimacy is not all he has known in life - and he recalls working diligantly to the point of resentment. His life given to service to not a man but a monster. In the end, he knows Hendrik will endure his moods and make him feel like the warm and friendly man he was before and could be once more.

It takes a while to shake out those insecure thoughts. His fingers scratch his neck before reclaiming a broad muscle. He exerts pressure, pinning his lover down to make his point.]

No. I will surely feel the cold until your return.

[Hendrik knows how he detests feeling uncomfortable.]

You will stay right here.

[standvastig]

[Another grunt leaves Hendrik at that, somewhat surprised but mostly amused by that show of insistence. He does his best to relax, giving Jasper a pat between the shoulder-blades.]

Very well. You are very convincing.

[leitstern]

[Scowling from his secure spot, Jasper wriggles atop his partner. This time, his pride overcomes his mind and he rolls his upper body; swinging back his right arm to swat that condescending hand patting between his shoulders. He can barely reach past his head let alone find Hendrik's thick set of fingers.]

And you are hardly convincing.

[Perhaps it says something that their banter distracts him from his mood - if only for this moment.]

[standvastig]

[That attempt at a swat draws a chuckle from Hendrik, and he reaches for Jasper's hand as he eases both of their hands into a comfortable hold at their sides. Thick as his fingers are, it's easier to squeeze than stroke Jasper's hand.]

Are you complaining that your partner is not as persuasive and compelling as you?

[leitstern]

[Jasper pulls his hands - once, twice, thrice - before relenting to grimace and glare. He settles his fingers and frowns, his nose pressing up against Hendrik's chest. Hendrik doesn't require sight to imagine his stern expression.]

Hardly! I am complaining that he is neglecting his duty to keep me warm.

[standvastig]

[That scolding, somewhat indignant tone just makes Hendrik smile, and he spends a moment pushing a leg between Jasper's two, providing another way of distributing body heat.]

I can only do so much. Sweating too much would only serve to make matters worse, I believe.

[leitstern]

Bit late to worry about perspiring, surely?

[Hips adjust. Legs move. His body repositions itself and he presses down against that leg between his own. Indignant even in comfort.]

You have already rubbed your stench against me.

[standvastig]

I recall you rubbing your nose into my chest, Jasper.

[The bed creaks a little as Hendrik adjusts himself again, one of his hands, reaching to pull the blankets close in the midst of their repositioning.]

One could draw conclusions from that.

[leitstern]

[Jasper growls and grumbles underneath his breath. He rolls his shoulders and jolts his back - turning his face in an effort to make his point.]

Would that be after the conclusion you are deliberately provoking me?

[standvastig]

[He purses his lips at that, wondering for a moment if he is in fact agitating Jasper. He decides to pay attention to any further tension he shows.]

Provoking you? We are having a conversation, Jasper.

[leitstern]

[Tense silence fills the room - interrupted intermittantly by howling wind. Jasper buries himself beneath an armful of silk and soon a hissing sigh resounds from his cover.]

How are we having a conversation? You are riling me and I am lying here taking it.

[It is the softer tone that follows that might clue his partner in on his mood. Less agitation, more posturing for his pride.]

Much as I often take you.

[standvastig]

[Well, his current behavior seems to point at things not being particularly bad, so Hendrik does not worry as he reaches over to pat the silk piled on top of Jasper.]

We do not have to talk. I thought you would prefer it if you could not go back to sleep.

[leitstern]

[Jasper refuses to scratch in anger but he does seethe. His theatrical change in mood much resembling a cat whose fur is rubbed the wrong way. His head stirs, shakes and moves to lie upon its opposite side.]

Am I that obvious?

[That is to say Hendrik is - once again - right.]

[standvastig]

You have been in a bad mood since you woke me up. I would have to be blind not to notice.

[But if they are going to attempt to address this issue a little more directly, he should not beat around the bush.]

Is there anything you would like me to do? ...Besides warm you up.

[leitstern]

[The question elicits a stillness that crashes and vanishes only with the rattling of the nearest window. There is a chill freezing the air. It keeps him under the covers, unwilling or unable to feel comfortable and warm. The loneliness of winter. The loss and heartache. He has learned not to keep them alone after these last ten years.

But this time he at least refuses to cry.]

I want you to tell me we shall weather this storm.

[That it shall vanish and disappear along with his mood.]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik lies quietly next to Jasper at that, an eventual hum rising out of him. Without dragging the other man to him, Hendrik takes him in his arms and rubs his hip.]

Weathering the storm... I suppose that makes sense, given the weather has not been this bad in years.

[He doesn't want to sound like he is giving thought to Jasper's discomfort now that he's spelled it out.]

I will be with you, Jasper. I assure you, even should the storm worsen, I will be right beside you.

[leitstern]

Hendrik, I...

[What can be said? Words shall never be enough in gratitude. This man set everything aside to bring him back into the fold. Back? Perhaps he had never left. He holds his breath for a moment before sharing two incredibly complicated words.]

Thank you.

[standvastig]

[The quiet gratitude is something of a surprise, and Hendrik finds himself unable to think of a reply. He manages to hold back his normal downplaying and dismissal of thanks, knowing that it's difficult as it is for Jasper to say something so sincere.

So he smiles and holds Jasper close for a long moment before finally landing on something to say.]

I could do no less for the man with whom I intend to spend my life.

[leitstern]

[Peace. Security. Understanding without words. His earlier mood dissolves into nothing and his temper settles; his emotions docile while his arms stir. Fingers claw into the bed and he pushes with his upper strength, hauling himself up the mattress, resting against that warm and comfortable chest.

It hardly matters that the windows rattle and the winds howl. He murmurs in thought and keeps his silence for a good while before also finding his words.]

Sentimental fool.

[His voice is warm as anything within the bed.]