This was my secret santa gift to fellow akayona lover on tumblr and I hope you guys enjoy some Christmas cheer and have a Happy New Year!
(Really sorry I haven't updated in so long by the way, life has been beyond crazy for me and now I have time again.)
Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
-Victor Hugo
In the beginning, Time stood still.
The breeze, at some point, had stopped playing with the group, caressing their cheeks with her frigid fingers and releasing the snow to its final fate upon the beckoning ground, its icy journey over. Before them laid a hidden grove, unknown to the surrounding villages, a treasure obscure from unworthy eyes. Evergreens, Oaks, Furs, trees of all kinds circled the heavenly peace, their branches stretching to protect the land. Icicles, deadly with beauty, hung precariously like freshly shed tears, illuminated the grove in a soft palette of violets and ambers and crimsons when the morning sun shone through Mother Nature's wooden barricade like lanterns glowing in the twilight. Whether it had been in the snow storm last night or before, the white dust lay undisturbed, with bright holly berries peeking out with a tiny yet vibrant burst of color, dotting the otherwise cool colored area. It was all just like that of a painting, a mirage created from wandering the snow caped forest, just all so… unreal.
Never in a million years had Yoon ever thought such a surreal scene was more than just his imagination, more than just his mind weaving tapestries of written fiction into a brief vision of colour and creativity. The stunning landscape was something so breathtaking, so phenomenal, that if he wasn't traveling with the dragons himself, Yoon would be an instant believer in the legends without needing to reason anything. Perfection was too lacking a word, too simple for the spectacle that made his mind crash into a complete stop… and yet, something was terribly awry.
It was something of a sixth sense, a mother's intuition one of the others would fondly remark, within him that led the young caregiver of fifteen to realize that the situation at present was inherently odd. They were trekking across the frost covered mountains, the crisp winter air filling their lungs, in the usual formation the starving makeshift family had fallen into, the dominant Raijuu, walking a little too close to the energetic Princess in the front, where everyone had the entertaining view of watching snide remarks and furious comebacks fly back and forth in a pathetic display of flirting. Kind-hearted Kija and patient Shinha were usually next, with the white dragon trying to simultaneously explain the wonders of the world and search for bugs despite everyone's (except for Hak, the bastard) insistence that they were dead now while Shinha was content to merely listen and warm the small squirrel hiding in the white fur on the blue dragon's head. Jae-ha never actually had one specific spot in particular, instead flitting about from person to person, teasing and jesting and fighting (with Hak) and worrying, (he did actually care for his brothers but Hak would never hear that). Finally Zeno and Yoon headed up the back, with the elder watching, bliss and mirth radiating from his being while the genius next to him contemplated courses of action and attempted to read and walk at the same time.
However, this time no one was talking and even curiouser, no one seemed to notice. No sarcasm or insults were thrown, no questions inquired, not even Ao was chirping for food. But then again he supposed, who could even formulate a word and dared to disturb the masterpiece they were standing in.
And then Time pushed into action.
As if from the heavens above, a gust of wind broke through the wooden pillars, powerful enough to almost knock Yoon down, rocking the branches topped with snow and covering the others in a blanket of powder. Eyes widened, mouths twitched, and minds reeled back into reality. In that moment, everything crashed down, both literally and figuratively speaking. The moment had been ruined, the peace destroyed.
And then they laughed. Chortled. Snickered. Giggled like bumbling fools with joy leaping from their frozen bodies warming the moment, dancing cross the scene bringing life back the formerly cold beauty. Violet Starlings and sapphire Blue jays cawed back and forth in a war of banter like the innocent but fiery Sky Princess and the warm but stubborn Wind General, both with eyes matching the intense and natural colours of the proud birds respectively.
And then the two shared a look, one flickering several emotions at once, fondness, nostalgia, mischievousness, competition.
And then the rest of the family shared a look of their own, of rolling eyes and 'just kiss already's' and pure uncorrupted glee.
And then the fight broke out, obsidian and crimson hair tumbling into the white powder, tossing and turning, attempting to freeze the other in a childish and icy contest but mostly just flailing about in the midst of their strength zapping snorts while the others began to dance and jump and leap and soar and nothing else mattered.
And then the aloof healer decided it was okay to be free, and joined in the fray, not as the wizened medic, but as the young boy, with a head filled with scribed adventures and wistful dreams and surrounded by loving family and warm emotions.
…
And then Time grinned.