Cold Nights
UntappedChaos
Winter was cold and wet and unforgiving. For that reason, Noriko suddenly felt a huge desire to immediately return to Japan— because just the thought of indoors with heaters and hot baths and easily accessible hot tea at that moment made her curse the elements, the outdoors, the seasons, whatever gods of this world ruled the seasons, and also the light blanket that had been perfectly fine up until now when the temperatures just decided to bottom out.
To be fair, Izark looked pretty miserable too. She saw him shiver and heave a little sigh as he finally settled down next to her, finding their meager lean-to in the best shape it was going to get—which didn't say much, since the wind was blowing something fierce and caulk currently didn't exist. He cast her a glance, and she must've seemed particularly glum since he immediately showed such sympathy as to scoot a little closer to her, sharing his blanket and laying his coat on top of the scant covers.
"Sorry. I'll make sure we get an inn tomorrow." He used simple phrases like this, so she wouldn't struggle to understand. It was too cold for language lessons tonight.
"Mm," she muttered, tucking her nose under the edge, sleepy despite herself. "Izark, cold?"
"I'll be alright." She cast him a glance, cocking a brow to indicate that was not the answer she was looking for. Body language— it did miracles. His eyes softened, lips quirking indulgently. "I have a pretty high body temperature, but it's really cold even for me."
She stumbled with the meanings, put filled in the blanks with context. Yuppers, he was cold too. He would've built a fire, but between the wind and the wet wood, it was impossible. The previous night had been a bit chilly, but nothing too bothersome; for that reason they had ignored the merchant harking blankets in the square of the last town. The turn of the weather had been so sudden it took them both by surprise, but Izark seemed to be sulking, as if he had neglected his responsibilities and was now reaping the consequences. He was a good man, taking these things so seriously. Noriko supposed that was one of the reasons she was able to trust him so easily, despite him being almost a complete stranger otherwise.
From the day she arrived in this odd world, he had been at her side. It was like he'd been waiting for her there, next to the nest of golden moss. It had been nearly two months now, and even contact like this was getting more familiar; it made her cringe to think about what her parents would say, sharing the same sleeping space with a boy like this. She turned to gaze at him, silhouette filled with sharp lights and shadows as moonlight filtered through the tree and windbreak overhead.
Then the wind blew and damn it was cold. She didn't think a lick before she snuggled up to him, taking refuge in Izark's impressively warm side.
The words "high body temperature" suddenly made sense, because warmth at last was the only thing she managed to think before it seeped in enough to send her into a hibernation-worthy sleep. Izark however, was frozen in shock and proceeded to while away his night wondering what he'd gotten himself into, and if it could just stay this way, just for winter at least.
AN: So yeah, I love Kanata Kara. And I really love picking at the thought of "When did Noriko get so comfortable sleeping next to Izark?" Just saying, but I'll probably revisit the idea at a later date. Yeah. Because it's just cute as hell. XD