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Rome paced the small cottage, his cloak wrapped tight around his brawny shoulders. He approached the fire, bending over to pick a log up, tossing it into the dwindling fire. Eyeing it, he prodded it with the tip of a nearby sword, nursing it back to a warm glow.
A sigh exhaled from the bed behind the man, its source a blonde man’s growing annoyance. “The fire is fine. Hurry up.” The blonde said shortly, picking up the large wool blanket as he crawled into the small bed.
“But Germania! It is just so cold here I don’t know how you stand it all the time your ice baths and all, it is simply barbaric! If the fire goes out I’ll freeze to death in minutes!” The roman rambled, making steps towards the bed, one might think he was about to lay down, before quickly turning on his heel and once again returning to his stand of prodding the fire with a sword.
The barbarian sighed once more, rolling his eyes at the man’s senseless rambling, a common occurrence. “You will be fine. Come to bed, I am tired of waiting.” Germania replied bluntly, sending an annoyed glance at the Roman’s turned back.
Rome, who was now bent down staring at the glowing fire questioningly, slowly turned his head over his left shoulder, pulling a particularly sad face. Very akin to an animal left out in the cold, begging for some sort of warmth, or shelter, or both.
“…Can I…” Rome asked, pulling his best puppy dog eyes yet.
Germania blinked, irritated, “What is it with the begging.”
“Can I lay close to you … to be warm …” Rome asked slowly, pronouncing his words slowly and sadly.
Germania stared, silent, about to deny the request when—
“Oh please Germania! I can’t bear the cold, frigid winters here I don’t know how you can It’s just so cold and It’s unproductive to sleep alone and—“
“Fine.” Germania barked, just wanting the Roman to stop his persistent begging.
Lifting one side of the wool blanket, Germania sighed, “Hurry up.”
Rome’s face lit up with joy, quickly dropping the cloak and bounding over to the bed, his once saddened expression long forgotten.
Rome crawled under the blanket, finding his spot and plopping down directly on top of the Blonde.
Germania grunted, surprised by the sudden weight, Rome was no light man after all. “Not this close, and not on top of me you Idiot!” The barbarian complained, still laying the blanket down atop the both of them.
“Aho~ I figured you must be cold too~” Rome sing songed, shifting slightly to the side so he could better wrap himself around Germania.
Feeling the warm embrace of the other man, combined with him being so … close … Germania turned his head, trying to hide the creeping blush across his cheeks.
Rome leaned up, nuzzling his face into the crook of Germania’s neck. Slowly, he rubbed his stubbly beard across the man’s neck, peppering light, gentle kisses here and there.
Germania’s muscles tightened at the sudden movement, the blush quickly growing to a full blown red hue. He truly loved the way Rome’s beard felt, the roughness of the man’s hairs just felt … right. Not to mentioned the fact he looked better than normal with it, not that Germania would ever admit this.
The roman reached up a hand, gently cupping the opposite side of Germania’s face to bring towards his own. He continued his rubbing with his beard, moving his chin and jaw in circles across the barbarians light skin.
“Germania..” Rome mumbled into the man’s jaw, peppering a small kiss.
“..Mm” Germania grunted quietly into acknowledgement, quiet as he normally was when he was flustered.
“I love you.” Rome said slowly, gently tugging Germania’s face to look him in the eyes.
Rome’s amber eyes met the light blue, icy lakes infront of him. The firelight casting shadows across the man’s face. The shadows across his defined jaw and cheekbones were cast wonderfully, Rome felt the weight of his statement grow with the mere sight of looking at the man beside him.
There was a small pause, Germania’s flustered, wordless expression staring back at the Roman’s love filled gaze.
Germania, surprisingly, moved his head forward, placing a gentle, hesitant kiss on the Roman’s lips. He pulled back slowly, looking into Romes surprised, amber eyes, glowing much like the fire itself.
The brunettes face glowed with joy, using his cupped hand to bring Germania’s face back in for another longer, deeper kiss.
When the two separated, a rare smiled had formed across Germania’s mouth. Seeing this, the roman gently stroked his thumb across the man’s cheek, nuzzled his beard one more time across the barbarians jaw before sinking into the crook of his neck, closing his eyes, both content and pleasantly warm.