***Well, everyone, this is the final chapter to this story that I have come to grow and love as much as those reading it! It has been a wonderful story to write, and I can't thank you enough for all your kind comments, kudos, emails, support, and patience! I'm sorry this one took so long to update, but it's often challenging to end a story when you want to get it JUST right. I think I've done it, though.

***Warnings: Mild language, mild sexual talk/humor, romance and fluff, happy ending!

***Please read on and enjoy! 3

'Hearts call, Hearts fall

Swallowed in the rain

Who knows

Life grows

Hollow and serene'

-Winter's Light by Linda Ronstadt

Chapter 20: Winter's Light

Senku keeps Tsukasa's lion pelt tightly around him while using the large arms to keep himself from falling off of Stonehoof. Before they had left, Senku took Tsukasa to the hut where he was kept to one, scold the man and two, to pick up all the pieces of the necklace. Tsukasa explained that he had to remove Senku's clothing because they were of the Wolf Tribe and thus was customary for the victorious chief to strip the mate of enemy clothing. But Senku didn't see it the same way; not that he cared if a bunch of strangers saw him naked, it was the principle of the thing! Now they were riding back to the castle and Senku's rage towards Tsukasa's possessive actions had dwindled. They also brought Hyoga with them, as a prisoner. Senku reasoned with Tsukasa that it would be better to know where their enemy is at all times rather than end his life and potentially create new enemies. It took a bit of convincing, but in the end, Senku had won.

"How are your wrists?" Tsukasa asks.

"They still hurt, but I can bear it," Senku replied. "Are we nearing the castle soon?"

"It shouldn't be much longer," Tsukasa tells him. "In fact, I know we are close and I don't hear any sounds of battle, which is a good thing, don't you think?"

Senku smirked. "I knew Chrome and the others could handle it," He turns his head slightly upward to look at Tsukasa. "So, you're the Supreme Chief now, huh?"

Tsukasa nodded. "I am,"

"Titles are stupid,"

"We still need to think of yours,"

"Who said I was taking a title?" Senku reminded him. "Also, I never gave my full consent to marry you. We're still under the marriage contract."

Tsukasa smiled. "Well, I already made up my mind to marry you,"

"Doesn't matter. You need my consent and I haven't given it yet,"

"You will not accept me as a mate even though you helped protect me from Hyoga?"

Senku turned away. "That's correct."

"Senku, you have to be the most stubborn man I have ever crossed paths with,"

"Thanks for the compliment!"

They rode the rest of the way in silence, enjoying each other's company until they reached the road leading to the castle. There was evidence of a battle but no dead bodies lay in the field. Emerging from the woods, they hear a feasting horn signaling to all inside that they had returned.

Senku was relieved to see his home again and that it was still in one piece. He had faith in Chrome, but there was still that little nagging 'what if' voice plaguing his thoughts. He could rest easy now knowing that all is well; and when they entered the castle, everyone greeted them with cheers. Tsukasa slid off the horse first and then helped Senku down, making sure the cloak stayed on. Chrome, Gen, and the others rush over to them.

"Senku, are you alright?" Gen asks with gentle worry, looking him over.

"SENKUUUU!" Taiju came out of nowhere and crushed Senku in a bear hug hard enough to make the other's spine crack. "WE WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU! I'M SO HAPPY YOU'RE BACK!"

Senku's eyes felt as if they would pop out from his skull at the crushing hug. "LET...GO...BIG...OAF!"

Taiju does so while sobbing tears of joy while Senku attempts to catch his breath.

"Everything is fine," Tsukasa tells them. "Hyoga has been defeated, and we have him as a prisoner."

Gen smiled brightly. "Ah, then it is safe to say that YOU are the Supreme Chief?"

"I am," Tsukasa placed a hand on Senku's shoulder. "And soon, Senku will accept my offer of mating and marriage, and he will gain a title as well."

Senku brushed Tsukasa's hand away. "Before all that, I want a bath, and I need to tend to my wounds. Let your tribe folk handle Hyoga and all the other stuff."

"I guess the celebration can wait a bit longer," Gen chuckled. "We have quite the story to tell you of how we defended the castle."

Chrome gave him a thumbs up. "Yeah, and Gen's going to be the one to tell it!"

Senku smirked. "Then I'm sure we're in for a real treat," 'One good thing about being a leader is that I don't always have to be present for all this other stuff.' He thought while heading inside the castle with Tsukasa in tow. "Haven't I seen enough of you for a while?"

"You wound me, Senku," Tsukasa teased.

Senku let Tsukasa come with him to the bathing room. He was thrilled to take off the pelt and sink his aching body into the warm water, letting out a deep contented sigh. Though the bleeding had stopped, the warm water stings the wounds but it is a fleeting pain. He opened one eye when he hears Tsukasa stepping into the water to join him. Currently, he is sharing the bath with the new Supreme Chief of all the tribes. Hyoga is defeated, and the tribes can be in peace, but that didn't mean they were safe from others. There is still the kingdom to consider and if the king decides to view them as a threat. Nothing would happen during the winter, but they should have a negotiation plan prepared for when spring comes. They will keep with their plan of sharing the winter surplus with other surrounding villages. With some luck and faith in the human race, everyone will want to get along.

"Do you ever stop thinking?" Tsukasa asks him.

"Never," he dunks his head under the water and slicks back his hair. "I can have an empty mind when I'm dead."

"Oh, that reminds me…." Tsukasa was about to tell Senku of the trip he made to the shaman but quickly decided against it. It occurred to him that Senku would never take it willingly, so he would have to slip the mixture to Senku unnoticed. Thus, it will be a secret he must take to his grave. "Nothing."

Senku narrows his eyes suspiciously. "No, what were you going to say?"

"It's not important,"

"Tsukasa, tell me!" Senku demanded. "You can't start a sentence like that and then just END it!"

Tsukasa chuckled. "Does it bother you?"

"Immensely!"

"I was just thinking of how I shouldn't have left you. If I had been here, Hyoga wouldn't have captured you." It wasn't totally a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either. "I know how you feel about being protected by others,"

Senku sighed. "It would have happened whether or not you were here," he said. "Where did you go, anyway?"

"Would you believe me if I told you?"

Senku shrugs his shoulders. "Maybe."

"It was a...let's just say I went on a spiritual journey to become closer with the gods," Tsukasa ignores Senku's mock snoring. "For your information," another mock snore, "It was very enlightening."

Senku pretends to snort awake. "Huh? What? Oh, sorry, you must have been boring."

Tsukasa laughs. "You know, at the beginning of our relationship, that answer would have earned you a spanking."

Senku glares. "Don't you dare attempt to spank me!"

Tsukasa winked at him. "Who says a spanking must be punishment?" He quickly closed his eyes when Senku splashed water at him.

Then he reached out a hand to grab Senku by the wrist and pull the other into his lap, ignoring the protests. They hadn't had a chance to be alone together since the night before he left to see the shaman. Now that he has Senku back and no one was around, he can help awaken the passion inside the ever-stubborn male. His mate. His Senku. He knows better than to say that out loud to Senku, who would argue with him that he wasn't a possession. Tsukasa knows and understands that, but he still liked knowing Senku is his mate and his alone.

He keeps his arms around Senku's waist and smiles when the other relaxes against him. Tsukasa takes in Senku's smell and closes his eyes to bask in it, thinking of the happy family image again. They could make an army of intelligent and robust children that would rival all others. He would be the Supreme Chief, ruler of all, with a brilliant mate by his side and surrounded by children. However, Tsukasa knew that could never happen, and, for some reason, all those children turned into cats and dogs. Fur children? Is that their future? Unless they adopt children instead.

"Now who's thinking too much?" Senku counters.

"How can you tell?"

"Call it a sixth sense," Senku replied. "What are you thinking about?"

"Our future together,"

Senku rests his chin on Tsukasa's shoulder. "I'm still not ready," he says softly. "I want you to know and accept that without question."

"I understand,"

Senku lets his fingers twirl the red ribbon love knot in Tsukasa's hair. "I want us to be equals...but I don't think you're ready to accept that,"

Tsukasa strokes Senku's back. "It's not that I'm not ready, Senku," he said. "I'm just not used to it as it is not in my culture."

"And it's different in my culture," Senku countered. "We need to become equals, or we need to find a balance."

"Senku, I have given up a lot of my ways and morals, but you have not yielded anything to me. Are you afraid?"

Senku pulled back to look at him. "I'm not afraid of anything,"

"But you are," Tsukasa gently takes Senku's chin and turns the other back to face him. "I wish you would just talk to me so that I can understand better."

"Tsukasa...I guess...what I'm trying to say is...I don't want to lose myself by becoming an object of someone else. You'll want me to do all kinds of...primitive mate things that I find demeaning. I'm a scientist, not a husband. I'm a scholar, not a parent."

Tsukasa drops his hand from Senku's chin to trail a finger along the length of Senku's collarbone. "I didn't know I have that kind of power over you, Senku. I think you're afraid of admitting that you return my feelings because you think it will change you, but that's silly," Tsukasa smiles and adds, "Can't you look at your own feelings like the scientist you are? How would you know the long-term results of your actions? Don't you hypothesize before testing something out? Well, can you view your feelings for me as a science experiment?"

"Tsukasa-"

"Answer me truthfully, Senku," Tsukasa's tone held a bit of dominance in it. "You have no evidence stating that you will lose yourself if you commit to me. You've said yourself that science could take years to figure out, and we have many years ahead of us,"

Senku couldn't help but laugh whole-heartedly at Tsukasa's suggestion to treat their relationship as a science experiment. The same thought had crossed his mind multiple times, but it sounded different coming from Tsukasa. Maybe it's because Tsukasa agrees with him. Technically, Tsukasa isn't wrong, and treating the large man as an experiment would, in his opinion, keep him interested. Senku had wondered in the past if he would lose interest in Tsukasa and what trouble that could cause in the future. The same could be said for Tsukasa; he may lose interest in their relationship too. Time has a way of changing things, the same as science can evolve or stay the same. Should Tsukasa fall out of love with him down the line, they could circle back to where they started, at a siege.

"Senku?"

"Relationships don't always last forever," Senku tells him. "I don't want to end up back at the beginning."

Tsukasa tilts his head slightly. "What do you mean?"

Senku rests his chin on Tsukasa's shoulder and lazily embraces him. "They're called fairytales for a reason...and we're in real life. It's not a fairytale where things end happily ever after."

"They can," Tsukasa countered softly.

"Yes, but the likelihood is small."

"Is that what you're afraid of?" Tsukasa nuzzles his nose into Senku's hair, enjoying the little grunt of annoyance that he took to be the correct answer. "There's nothing for you to have to worry about, Senku. When a chief takes a mate, they take them for life, just like wolves and eagles. Unless you decide to kill me in my sleep? Only then will you be free of me."

"...can you put that in writing?"

They both share a chuckle, each knowing it was a joke.

"Hey, Tsukasa?"

"What is it?"

Senku pulls back to face him once again. "Again, I need more time for us to be together before I accept the full marriage contract. And even before that I want us to write up another contract. It will state things like what we will share, who is in charge of what, what happens if one dies, and so on. Can you agree to that?"

"Yes, I can,"

"Good."

"On ONE condition,"

"I knew it," he sneered. "What's this condition?"

"We split our cultures in half. So I will be half of yours, and you will be half of mine."

"Even if I don't believe in the gods?"

"Even if you don't believe in the gods," Tsukasa repeated, then he added (to himself only), 'I have a remedy for that little issue, anyway.'

Senku smirked and clasped Tsukasa's face in his hands, squishing it. "Ha! I knew you would come to see things my way!"

"Indeed," 'He will hate me so much in the afterlife when he learns the truth.'

"Why are you chuckling like you know something I don't?"

Tsukasa removes Senku's hands from his face and gives him a quick kiss. "I just like seeing and hearing this cheerful side of you,"

"What do you mean by 'hearing'?" Senku asked curiously.

"It's nice to hear something else coming out of your mouth that isn't science or sarcasm," he traced Senku's bottom lip with his thumb. "I would like to see what else this mouth can do,"

Senku's eyes flare with outrage. "It can act like a bear trap!"

"I meant to say that I would like to see your mouth say more agreeable things," he grinned at Senku's deep blush. "What in this world were YOU thinking of, Senku?"

"...I have no idea what you're talking about," he lied.

Tsukasa walked his fingers up Senku's spine. "I lied. That naughty thought of yours was correct."

He allowed Senku to dunk him under the water.

The next evening, the celebration of their victory began and Tsukasa sat with Senku on the dais overlooking the festivities. They had arrived late due to a longer-than-planned intimate session. Tsukasa wasn't complaining and neither was Senku. He could see that little smile on the corners of Senku's lips. It was becoming easier to read and recognize Senku's facial expressions as they can show one thing but mean another. Senku was also proudly wearing the mending necklace, which kept Tsukasa's chest swelled with pride.

Tsukasa wanted to ask Senku to dance but knew what the answer be, so he called for another cup of wine instead. He did not expect Taiju to jump onto the dais and pull Senku from the chair to bring the other into a dance. Senku was protesting verbally but not fighting to pull away. Tsukasa watched with some amusement as Taiju added Senku to his dance with Yuzuirha, forming a small group. Senku wasn't a coordinated dancer by any means and Tsukasa found it adorable, which he would use to tease his mate in the future.

The future. Tsukasa thought back to last night in the bath and Senku's request for more time and a second contract. He wished he knew exactly why Senku is hesitating for he obviously enjoys their time and intimate moments together. What else was there to wait for, Tsukasa kept wondering (other than Senku's stubbornness and pride). When he saw Suika come into the group to dance clumsily with Senku, Tsukasa imagined their alternate life again; sweet and dutiful Senku, his mate, performing everything domestic and he as the proud chief and papa. Although that is the lifemate he wished for, it's not the mate that he has fallen in love with. It was just a sweet fantasy and nothing more. Still, he wants to show the world that Senku is his mate and that can only be done through a marriage, or a noble wedding.

Tsukasa downed the rest of his wine and beckoned Gen to come over. If anyone could speed up Senku's hesitation, it's Gen.

"You have need of me, Chief Supreme?" Gen had taken to calling Tsukasa that by flipping the words of the title and it stuck with many others. "Do you wish to ask me for a dance?" He chuckles behind his sleeves.

"No, but I do have need of your skills and your talents with speaking to Senku."

Gen's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Oh?"

"He does want to marry me, but only on his time,"

"Ah, and you think he's stalling?"

"Something like that," Tsukasa replied. "But I think he is confusing his emotions with his brain, and his thoughts influence him much more than emotions. I am a patient man, but I do have a limit and I want the world to know that Senku is my chosen mate."

Gen let out a dreamy sigh. "I knew my plan would work from the beginning! And to think, our underhanded plan was to destroy you from the inside. How quickly things have changed."

"Yes, well, I had the same type of underhanded plan; to kill Senku under his own roof when he least expected it, but that's not the case now."

"Now you kill anyone who tries to harm him," Gen added. "Well, not kill, but you know what I mean."

Tsukasa nods. "Now, this is where you come in, Gen, since you were the one who began the process of marriage."

Gen twirled merrily. "I am quite the matchmaker, aren't I?"

"Make him accept our marriage contract sooner rather than later. Use whatever mage trickery of words you have in that mouth to speed things up."

"Oh, I see," Gen says. "You want me to persuade him, is that right? That certainly IS a challenge,"

"You got him to accept the contract in the beginning,"

Gen smirked darkly, "Only with the intention to bring about your downfall,"

"And yet that part of your plan failed,"

"Not 'failed,' just a bit unexpected," He grins impishly at Tsukasa. "Whether you were defeated or fell in love, I would win. In other words, my plan was flawless!"

"Just do as I asked," Tsukasa says with a sigh. "Senku is not only your leader but I am as well."

"Yes, yes, I'm well aware," Gen replied. "I will speak to him shortly."

"I'm grateful."

Senku pulls his cloak tighter around his shoulders, holding the top center with one hand while the other holds a mug of hot mulled cider. He was relieved to be outside with some fresh crisp air because the main hall was becoming too warm, or it was all the alcohol he is drinking. The mulled cider is perfect for standing outside in the chilly night air, though. He glances over at Gen as he sips the cider, waiting for the mage to say whatever it is he needs to since Gen is the one who called him out here. Judging by Gen's standard expression, whatever he has to talk about couldn't be bad nor was he scheming something.

"Well? Out with it,"

"You've spent a lot of time with Tsukasa since you came back," Gen starts. "Many are beginning to think you two are already secretly married."

Senku rolled his eyes. "Of course, people would think that. Did you start that rumor?"

Gen pretended to look hurt. "You know I didn't! Although, I am curious as to why you have not accepted the marriage contract in full yet. All you need to do is sign your name with Tsukasa's. Do you really want to keep waiting for six months? Or even a year?"

Senku takes another sip of the cider, his cheeks flushing slightly from the amount of alcohol he's been consuming. It's easier to talk about topics that make him uneasy when he's a little buzzed, and the best person to talk about this topic with is Gen.

"Why does everyone keep pushing me on this? There's no rush."

"You're right, there isn't," Gen agrees. "However, we want our dear Senku to be happy. Now that the tribes are at peace, the Kingdom of Science has become a powerhouse. Marrying Tsukasa will ensure that peace remains with us and the tribes."

"A powerhouse, you say?" He smirks. "That also means we're a threat,"

Gen cocks a brow. "A threat to whom?"

"The actual kingdom we live in," Senku says.

"Ah, I see. But the legally binding laws of marriage such as this one will show the king and the kingdom that you mean no harm. If anything, you, Senku, are not only the King of Science but also a bringer of peace. The kingdom has been fighting the tribes for decades, even more. The king should be very grateful to you for bringing peace without war," he smirks and adds, "And all by using 'this'," he gave Senku's rump a light tap. Gen ducked away from the swing of Senku's mug, some of the hot cider spilling on him.

"It wasn't that," Senku countered, tapping his temple with his free hand. "It was THIS, my head!"

Gen giggled behind his sleeves. "And the 'opposite end' helped things along!"

Senku opened his mouth to counter but couldn't find something to say, so he 'hmphed' instead.

"Senku, I was wrong at first,"

"Huh? Wrong about what?"

"When I told Tsukasa that you were a wild stallion he needed to tame, I believed it. But after seeing you with him, I find that it is quite the opposite; Tsukasa was the wild stallion, and you have him eating sugar straight out of your palm."

Senku went to take a sip of his cider only to find that it was empty from his earlier attempt to strike Gen. "I think Tsukasa would rather be labeled a lion, as it's in his title. I tamed the lion,"

"Yes, but it doesn't sound as floral as the stallion,"

"Whatever," He trails off.

A moment of silence passes between them.

"Senku? What's your biggest concern?"

"That it's just an infatuation that may fizzle out over time," Senku admitted. "Maybe him...maybe me. Most likely me, and that's not fair to Tsukasa."

Gen thinks for a moment, then moves to stand closer to Senku. "You say that, yet you have no proof of it. Why are you jumping to conclusions rather than...what's the word? Hypothesizing?"

"It's funny you said that because Tsukasa mentioned the same thing last night. I should treat our growing relationship like a science experiment."

Gen smiles. "No harm in that,"

"Yeah, I guess,"

"You know, Senku, I always say you tend to have bad luck, but when it comes to your relationship with Tsukasa, I think you have all the luck of the gods."

"What makes you say that?"

"When it comes to noble or royal marriages, it's not often two people get to marry for love. Marriage has always been a business arrangement and nothing more. Love can grow in time, but most remain neutral while others are hateful. With your marriage, you will have strength, power, loyalty, and love." He gives a soft, woeful sigh. "I'm actually quite jealous right now,"

Senku grinned and slapped Gen on the back, alarming the other. "I think I got it, Gen! I have my answer!"

"Oh? So, it's 'yes' to a speedy marriage?"

"No. BUT, I will give Tsukasa my honest answer in MY way, on the first snowfall of the season!"

"That's about a month or so away!"

"It's closer than six months or a year," he laughed and slapped Gen on the back again. "Come on, let's go back to the celebration. I'm sure everyone is wondering where we are," he puts his arm around Gen's shoulder. "I think I'll keep you around for a little longer."

Gen snorts and says, "This place would have fallen a long time ago if I wasn't here."

1 Month Later

Tsukasa woke up to an empty bed. He slides his hand along the sheets to Senku's spot, finding it to be cold. How early did Senku get up, he wondered. Tsukasa stretched before getting out of the bed, shivering a bit from the chill in the chamber. The fire was almost dying, so he put on his fur robes and tossed in a few logs then went to search for Senku. His mate wasn't in the lab, nor was he anywhere else in the chamber. Tsukasa then noticed a piece of parchment by the water basin written in Senku's hand. It read that he should meet Senku in the stables, and dress warmly. Tsukasa placed the paper down and went to the window to see that it had snowed overnight. The first snowfall of the year. Tsukasa let out a gasp.

'Senku will have his true answer for me today! He must have something special planned!'

Tsukasa quickly dressed for the wintery weather and skipped breakfast, heading straight to the stables as Senku instructed. His heart was pounding anxiously in his chest. Upon entering the stables, he sees that Stonehoof is saddled and ready with Senku standing beside the horse. Senku turns to look at him with a mischievous grin.

"It's about time you got up," he says to Tsukasa. "I've been waiting for a while,"

"You should have sent someone to wake me sooner," Tsukasa replies. "And just what do you have planned for today, on the first snowfall of the year?"

Senku smirked and holds up two pairs of skates. "Do you know how to ice skate?"

"I never have," Tsukasa answered. "I've only been on ice for ice fishing,"

"Well, I'm looking to have some winter fun, and I know the lake is a solid sheet of ice right now. I'll teach you how to skate."

Tsukasa nodded, wondering if Senku remembered his promise about having the marriage proposal answer on the first snowfall of the year. There is still time in the day, though, and Senku likes to tease about things sometimes. Perhaps Senku had a whole day planned that would lead up to his answer.

"Very well, let's ride to the lake then. Only us?"

"Only us,"

Tsukasa smiles and lifts Senku on the saddle and climbs on behind him. "Then let us be off."

They ride to the lake in companionable silence with Senku taking full advantage of Tsukasa's warmth and strong chest to rest against. As promised, he had his answer for Tsukasa and Gen had talked him into making it a memorable event. Senku thought Gen's suggestion of a romantic dinner was lame and too ordinary, so Senku thought of a different idea; make full use of the first snowfall and have fun. It's the least he can do after having kept Tsukasa waiting for this length of time.

There was just enough snow on the ground to blanket their world in white and the cold made for a great excuse to cuddle close. When they arrived at the lake it was a perfect slate of bright blue. Senku let Tsukasa help him down and they walk hand-in-hand to the bank of the lake. Sitting on some rocks, Senku shows Tsukasa how to strap the skate blades onto their boots.

"Alright, watch me," Senku says and steps onto the ice, taking a second to balance, and then glides a few meters back and forth. "You're not scared, are you?" He teases.

"Only of you possibly falling and getting hurt," Tsukasa replied, enjoying the blush that appeared on Senku's cheeks.

"Just stop talking and get on the ice," Senku snapped at him. "And I'll be sure to catch you if YOU fall!"

Tsukasa's brows rose with amusement then he says, "That doesn't give me much reassurance,"

Tsukasa places one foot on the ice, and then the other. He caught his balance when he felt himself sliding and picked up on the skill right away. But he pretended not to and let his arms pinwheel in the air before falling onto his rump, which had Senku laughing. Tsukasa loved it when Senku truly laughed, one that isn't taunting or discovering something in science; just a true, genuine laugh. So, Tsukasa gets up but lets himself fall again.

"I guess no one can be the best at everything!"

"Well now, I don't know about that," Tsukasa didn't want to let that one slide; he has his pride as a man and a chief, after all. With ease, he gets up from the ice and begins to glide, pushing out from side to side. "Hmm...I seem to still have more skill than you, Senku."

Senku turned an annoyed red and puffed out his cheeks. "Oh yeah? Well, let's see if you can keep up with MY speed!" He skates past Tsukasa and as he does, gives the man a firm slap on the ass.

Tsukasa's eyes widened in surprise at the slap but he enjoyed a playful Senku and took off after his mate. Senku was fast for sure, whipping and zigzagging around on the ice. But Tsukasa's legs are longer and his speed plus endurance rivals that of Senku in all ways and forms. Soon, he catches up with Senku and grabs him around the waist. Then, he lifts Senku into the air above his head while his mate demands to be placed back down.

"I won't put you down until I have my answer!" Tsukasa tells him.

"I'll give you your answer!" Senku replied. "But you need to put me down first!"

"If you're trying to trick me, I'll only pick you up again like this," Tsukasa places him back on the ice. "Well then? I'm waiting,"

Senku takes Tsukasa's hand and they skate back to the bank where he instructs them to take their skates off. Now he was getting a little nervous about doing what he planned to do with Tsukasa in providing an answer. Tsukasa waits patiently, though. Senku clears his throat, kicking the snow around with his boot anxiously. Tsukasa chuckles softly from above.

"I can stand here all day," Tsukasa says.

"Yeah, well, so can I!"

"You get cold too fast and too easily," Tsukasa reminds him. "I can withstand the-" he pauses when he sees Senku reaching into his winter jerkin pockets. 'Hm? What's he up to?'

Then, Tsukasa watches as Senku settles onto one knee before him. Tsukasa wondered why Senku was bowing to him, though he proudly shouldn't question it out loud. Senku has never knelt before him like this and Tsukasa has come to accept that when he took Senku for a mate. But Senku is holding something between his thumb and forefinger; a ring. Tsukasa curiously studies the silver-colored ring with an amber gem in the middle.

"What's this?" he asks Senku.

"It's my answer," Senku replies "But in the form of a question,"

"I'm afraid I don't understand?"

"In my land, this is how someone asks the person they want to spend their life with to marry them. One offers a ring to the other and waits for a 'yes' or 'no' answer."

"...but I asked you first," Tsukasa says.

Senku's face grew serious. "It doesn't matter. I already know your answer, so I'm giving you mine, which will cancel out your previous one. I'm wearing your necklace from your culture, so you are to accept this ring and wear it all the time to let others know that you are taken. Understand?"

Tsukasa did understand then, and the realization of what Senku was doing, he found humorous. Leave it to his Senku to try and gain the upper hand and have full control in any and all situations. So, instead of Senku simply saying 'yes' to him, Senku is turning the tables by being the one to ask HIM instead. Tsukasa really did find a stubborn, clever man.

"I'm truly speechless, Senku," Tsukasa says. "Of course, my answer is yes, and I will be honored to bear your ring. And after years and years have gone by, if they open my grave, they will find this ring still adorning my finger."

'A bit extreme...but I guess romantic, and it somehow suits him.' Senku stands back up and places the ring on Tsukasa's left ring finger. His heart beats a little faster in his chest as he did so, and he felt his chest and face growing warm.

"There, it's done," Senku says quickly. "I gave you my answer. Now let's go back and spread the word, I guess." As he turns to gather the skates, he is pulled into Tsukasa's crushing embrace. It was stronger than Taiju's!

"I will never leave your side, Senku," Tsukasa ignores Senku's various attempts at escape. "I will forever hold you in my arms every night, protect you from all harm, shelter you from storms,"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it!" Senku managed to squeeze the words out but not his body from Tsukasa's embrace.

"Now then, as you said, let us return to the castle and let everyone know of our union! Then, we will retreat to our chamber to make love all night,"

Senku began to struggle harder. "Never mind! I take it back! I take it all back!"

Tsukasa throws Senku over his shoulder. "Too late."

Senku eventually gives up and slumps in defeat, allowing Tsukasa to carry him through the snow. He lifts his head to place it lazily on his hand, purposefully shoving his elbow into Tsukasa's back. As if pondering, Senku says,

"Don't forget, we need to write up another contract and split everything down the middle."

"Of course," Tsukasa pats Senku's rump. "And we need a title for you as well,"

"High Chief Senku,"

Tsukasa paused just feet from Stonehoof. "High Chief Senku? That's a little too close to- ow." Senku's boney elbow managed to dig deeper into his back. "High Chief Senku it is, then."

"Good."

"Oh, and on our wedding day, I want us to have a special drink- one that is just ours, a mixture no one else can have."

Senku raised a brow. "That's an odd request?"

Tsukasa smirked. "Indeed." In the end, Tsukasa thought, he did have the final say in their relationship; but best let Senku think he had won.

As they rode back towards the castle, Senku thought about the original marriage contract he had signed with Tsukasa, and how it was only a few short months ago. Back then, they both had a secret plan to destroy the other using the engagement as a stepping stone. Senku never thought he would accept the full contract, expecting to have waited the whole year before telling Tsukasa 'no' or having already defeated him. How strange it had turned out differently than what he had planned or thought; which just shows that time is another form of science that didn't take a year and a day to come to a solid conclusion.

The End

***Thank you to everyone, old readers or binge readers, for taking the time to enjoy my TsukasaxSenku fic! It was a joy to write, and it may even have a sequel brewing!

***The song Winter's Light is the song I often had in my head while first brainstorming the fic as well as throughout my time writing it. You can find the whole song on youtube.

***Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me to chat, if you want. I'm part of the discord 'Kingdom of Shipping' as well as my own regular discord.