Work Text:
The third of December… and no, Knight Helmet had not, in fact, dressed for the cold—let alone for snow.
He’d just gotten out of school not long ago, and now he sits next to Ace on that wooden table at the edge of the park. Woodchips and playsets surround them. His hands rest on the ridged tabletop, and he can feel the carvings left behind by other teenagers, other friends, other couples, other kids. The typical “letter + letter” hearts and profanities. He traces each little line and corner under his fingers, trying to make out what each carving said just by the feeling of it.
The snow had only just started. It covers the grass in frost, and soon, it’ll blanket everything, never quitting until it can leave everything cold and white. Speaking of cold…
Okay, yeah, Knight Helmet is freezing. He’s not saying anything; he doesn’t want to complain and ruin the moment! But he is so, so cold. His head rests against Ace’s shoulder. Yet, even leaning on and snuggling up to his friend (boyfriend), he can’t help the way his whole body shivers. He hugs himself, arms tight around his chest. It’s just about all he can do.
Despite that, though? He’s enjoying his time with Ace. He always does, whether they’re just sitting at the park in silence like they are now, or…
Suddenly, Ace is pulling away. Knight Helmet frowns at the loss of their touch and turns to face them, about to ask what was up until he sees them pulling off their sweater? The woolen top is already halfway off of them. One sleeve empty, the other getting pulled away—until they’re just sitting there, purple sweater in their hands, staring back at him. They only have a Gengar-themed graphic tee underneath.
Knight Helmet’s expression balks. “What are- it’s so freakin’ cold out! You need that-!”
Then they’re handing it to him. Then the sweater is in his hands. “...Oh.”
He looks down at the garment, feeling the wool between his fingers, then back up at Ace. They’re smiling at him; encouraging him. Knight Helmet can feel the blood pooling in his face as he awkwardly pulls it over his head, twisting about until it easily falls onto him, immediately providing some relief from the wintry air. It’s probably about three or four sizes too big for him. (After all, Ace had always liked their clothes a size too large.)
When he looks back up to his partner, there’s still an unnatural warmth in his face from his blood running hot. Blushing. Ace has an amused glint in their mismatched eyes, and he can’t tear himself away from it.
They laugh, “Looks better on you than it does me.”
“Huh- no way! There’s-” Knight Helmet sputters as he searches for the words to reply. “There’s no way. No. I mean, it’s purple- it’s your color, it’s your sweater, I mean-... really?”
Somehow, in the dimming, cloud-covered light, their smile is more beautiful than ever. “Yeah, doofus. Really.”
…Okay, so that’s doing nothing for Knight Helmet’s blushing problem. He’s frozen shock-still as Ace leans back against him, and he can feel their cheek rest on his head. Looks better on me? Really? That couldn’t possibly be true. Ace is downright the most gorgeous thing Knight Helmet has ever seen, and even taking into account his own beauty and impeccable fashion, nothing even comes close. It’s like a goddess looking you in the eye and telling you you’re prettier. That doesn’t just… happen! It doesn’t!
His muscles are tense as he remains unmoving. Then, his partner must have noticed, as they continue, “Hey, lighten up, man.” They’re still smiling—simpering—when he looks back to them, and they elbow him gently. “Watch the snow. Look at the sky. It’s barely 4:30 and already, it’s all pretty and pink and orange up there. The stars are gonna come out soon.”
His gaze drifts towards the sky, like he’s told. It’s not long until he’s looking back at his partner (the prettiest thing around).
They chuckle. “It’s a moment you’d regret not living in… incredible, yeah?”
Knight Helmet can only nod, loosening his muscles and letting his head fall back against Ace’s shoulder. Fall back into the moment…
And, taking it all in… he knows they’re right. It’s not difficult to see. How winter could be so depressing and yet so, so gorgeous at the same time is a secret he’ll never understand. The whole world is all white and lovely and pure, and even though the trees have died, they stand tall and reach up as if they’re trying to break into the heavens. Despite it all, leafless branches stay rigid against the wind, and Christmas lights glow brighter than the aurora borealis. It’s all a part of one big, imperturbable dance. The very meaning of serenity.
No, Knight Helmet can easily appreciate the beauty of winter—even if he prefers the green of summer all the same. It’s the year’s final kiss goodbye, cradling your heart in a warm fireplace amidst the frost, before it turns over to the new January. And, just like Ace said, the stars would be out so soon, now…
Wait. Waitwaitwaitwait. Ace. Ace gave him their sweater.
All of a sudden, Knight Helmet turns to his partner with a furrowed brow. “Dude, aren’t you cold? Don’t you need this?” He gestures towards himself; more specifically, the sweater in question. “It’s- it’s colder than a witch’s tit out here!”
“It’s-” Ace coughs and has to turn away, fist balled over their mouth. They sound almost like they’re choking. “It’s fucking what?”
“You heard me!” Knight Helmet replies, unable to help the grin crossing his face. “It’s. Cold! You need this.” He starts pulling at the sleeves, readjusting himself to pull it over his head, before Ace (gently) grabs at him.
“Wait! Wait,” they usher, effectively stopping him in his tracks. They’re struggling to sit up as they, still, are practically choking from laughter. “Dude. Here. Feel my hands.”
Knight Helmet eyes him suspiciously, though he pulls the sweater back down onto himself. “Why?”
“Just do it!”
He does. Once his arms are all the way back through the sleeves, Knight Helmet reaches forward, making a grabby-hands motion at Ace. They giggle softly before obliging, settling their hands in his, and holy shit he wants to melt into them completely. They’re. Warm? Somehow?? Like, warm warm??
Knight Helmet gapes at them, genuine concern and confusion plastered over his face. “How? Wh- Warm? How?”
Ace pulls their hands away to waggle their fingers, and he finds himself trying to follow, expression almost pouting at the loss of (warm) touch. They smirk down at him. “Magic.”
Sputtering, his gaze flickers back and forth between his partner’s eyes and their hands, yet to process the information. Then he’s giggling and falling back against his partner’s side. One hand stays held out for him, and he grabs onto it, interlocking fingers as he breathes in the renewed warmth of their skin. He can’t help slouching into their side and smiling. The stars are starting to glow in the dying purple, just like Ace said.
A contented hum. “I love spending time with you like this,” Knight Helmet sighs. It’s a picture-perfect moment the two are in, as lovely as a dream.
Ace chuckles back, soft and heavenly. They reply,
“I love you.”