A crisp wind sent shivers through the air, gently plucking a few leaves from the trees' orange and golden crowns. They fluttered through the air before settling on the path below, where they were soon flattened under a pair of blue sneakers. What a satisfying crunch. Date Masamune readjusted the scarf around his neck, quickening his pace a little as he headed towards school. Everyday, the sun set a little earlier, reminding him that Earth was shifting ever closer to winter. The city was alive with the colors and scents of fall.

And Masamune hated it.

Because it meant that winter was just around the corner.

For someone who grew up as far north as Sendai, he sure wasn't one for the cold. He had always been sensitive to it, the way it chapped his skin, the ache it left in his bones, the absolute lethargy of winter. It was so dark. Even the knowledge that the holiday season was on it's way couldn't make up for the cold.

A scowl showed above his scarf.

But not for long.

The tiger was there waiting for him just inside the school gates. His tiger. His Sanada Yukimura.

Yukimura broke into a cheerful wave as soon as he spotted the grouchy dragon. His joyful shout let a plume if vapor into the crisp air as he happily trotted over. Morning greetings rang from his lips like bells.

"Cold," was all Masamune managed in response.

Smiling all the more, Yukimura held his hands out in response. They were bare, even in this weather. It seemed as if it was too early for him to pull out his red mittens. Said mittens were the tackiest things Masamune had ever seen, crocheted together with yarn so red it offended the eyes, and held together with a long string, just like a child's. But, they were big. So on cold days like this, it was easy to slide his hands in next to Yukimura's, sapping away some of the young man's over abundant heat. But no mittens meant it was time for Plan B.

He quickly took his rival's hands in his own, and then, only after their fingers were carefully laced together, he shoved both sets into the depths of his coat pockets. The tiger's body followed. Their chests were all but flush, faces mere millimeters apart. Already, Masamune could feel the other's warmth radiating though his own clothes.

Yukimura eyes softened, and he nuzzled closer, gently pushing the tip of his nose against Masamune's. "Have you begun to defrost, Masamune-Dono?" The playful tone in his voice was unmistakable.

"A LITTLE. It would go a lot faster if I could have a bit more of your skin though." He grinned.

The tiger's cheeks bloomed into a bright red. His skin heated up as his mind futility tried to stop his imagination. He was practically a small heater like this. His eyes, which had looked away from his rival in embarrassment, darted back to that lone eye, before focusing on his own red sneakers. Masamune just smirked in response. But as always, Yukimura didn't leave him hanging for long. Straightening up a bit, he cleared his throat before making eye contact again.

"If you are in need of my services again, I should be more than capable of assisting you after club activities this evening."

It was Masamune's turn to blush. Nothing threw him off for long though, and in moments he was grinning again. Their lips met in a very quick, and very chaste kiss, but one that left them seething regardless.

There was a time when he had worried about people seeing them like this. What would they say? How many skulls would he have to crack?

But now, wrapped in the essence of his rival and partner, breathing in his scent, and absorbing his heat, he was content. This moment, short lived though it would be, was perfect. Simple. Pure. In this moment, he forgot about everything, and simply reveled in being alive.

He wasn't cold anymore.

-End

A/N: Everyone else enjoying the new anime? Because I sure am!