holding hands
ryou/aigami
The weather had begun to take a cold turn. It had gone from a bearable breeze in the wind to snow could be falling from the sky any day now. All within a week. He was used to it, the cold, the dreary change in atmosphere. It was familiar, reminding him of his old home.
It meant bundling up, keeping warm. An excuse for having hot chocolate on more than one occasion, a reason to stay indoors without being asked bothersome questions. Playing in the snow, whenever it may fall, would be fun to.
Ryou liked this type of weather.
Aigami wasn't used to it.
He grew up in the desert, in the heat. He missed the sun's rays beating down upon him. He missed being able to see the clear skies above, the ones that were now covered by dark clouds. And it was cold, colder than how it was back home. Not even those rare chilly nights of the past could reduce him to this shivering mess.
He didn't like the reminder either, the memory of having to stay out in the cold on some nights with little protection. The thought of freezing wasn't pleasant and it was silly to think it'd happen to him now. He was free to make his own choices. And he should have made a better one by finding a way to keep warm.
It isn't hard to take notice of Aigami's shivering. Even with the extra coat that was thrown on to fight off the winter breeze, it somehow managed to slither it's way past the second layer of defense. Ryou had to wonder if a third layer would help or not.
And if he could do anything to help at all. Taking him out of the cold was one solution, but home was still a few blocks down. He could offer his own, but that would leave him vulnerable to the chilly winds.
(And he could already hear Aigami saying, "I can't accept it. You need it otherwise you'll fall ill. I'll be fine, Ryou, we're almost home anyway.")
A sigh escapes him and he could see the exhale of his breath, a small huff of smoke. It's getting colder. With a side glance over to Aigami, he can see the struggle, the way he's trying to desperately not hug himself and lose this battle to nature's freezing force. Doing so would make him look weak, unprepared. He'd rather huddle himself together when indoors, while out of the sight of others.
Ryou decides to bump his arm against Aigami's to catch his attention. When the golden eyed man's head turns, he could see just how cold he is. His cheeks are tinged with red and he could just see the movement of teeth chattering behind his lips. His head was shaking slightly and he really couldn't tell if it was from shivering, teeth chattering, or both.
The brown eyed man gives a warm smile. He's hoping that his little idea would ease his trembling. So, he holds out a hand. "It'll help." Is all he says. And Aigami gives him a confused look.
How would his hand help? He didn't need it, or so he believed. He wanted to protest and say that he could handle it. Home was approaching but oh, how he craved warmth and how could he ever turn a blind eye to that sweet smile of his?
His breath is let out and Aigami eyes the trail of smoke, watching it disappear right before his very eyes. It doesn't look as if he's responding to the offer, not immediately. But, a hand lifts and is placed within Ryou's. He didn't think he would see his smile widen from such a simple act. Nor did he think he could begin to feel warmth radiate with such a simple meeting of flesh.
Aigami begins to feel slender fingers wrap around his own. The other is gentle, careful, trying to envelop his whole hand with those fingers, trying to keep him warm. It sends a shiver down his spine, a good one. His own fingers begin to find their way to cling onto pale ones, an attempt at returning the favor.
Ryou hadn't expected the other's hands to be so warm. Fingertips were cold, but the rest of his hand was pleasant to the touch. Maybe he was imagining things, maybe he was only thinking and tricking himself into believing he could be holding onto such warm hands, ones that seemed to cease shaking.
It makes him wish they could take the long way home. He likes being able to feel something in his hand, something warm and living. It makes him realize that he's still here, they're both here.
He really doesn't want to let go of his hand and he's hopeful to the thought of intertwining fingers again.
(Ryou makes a mental note to hide any gloves that Aigami may be interested in using when it gets colder.)
(Aigami doesn't want to wear gloves, he finds that holding Ryou's hands to be the best for protecting his from the cold.)