Chapter 7

The year was 1926. Japan was nearing the end of what would be later known as the Taisho era. That year, Fuyuki harbour was hit by a series of cold, frosty air from the sea, bringing in heavy snow and biting temperatures right during the time Emperor Yoshihito passed away. The national holiday to commemorate the late Emperor in December marked a powerful snowstorm that dragged on for a week with few intermittent breaks. People are holed in their homes for many days. Public transports were closed. The entire city suffered. The Tohsaka Manor was no exception.

It was a dark New Year's evening. The storm was still raging outside. It was as if the gods had took the harbour city and shook it thoroughly like a snow-globe. Powerful gales thundered through the empty streets, their howling palpable to the ears. The windows shuddered against the whipping hail, rattling against its bolt and hinges, curtains flailing wildly. Snows piled up on every sill, every car, every bench, everything that's exposed in the storm's path.

Thankfully, there were still lights inside the mansion.

Rin was wrapped up in her warmest clothes, a fresh steaming cup of tea between her chilly fingers to warm them up. She was curled in into herself in her chair in the Main Study Room. Its bright shades of crimson, amber and gold reminded her of flames, and the presence of her beloved books comforted her.

However, Rin was both cold and distracted. She had not left the house for more than a week, not once stepping outside. Unable to even walk in her own garden because of the raging storm. She was incredibly bored. There was only so much one could do within one's own home. Even reading the books she had no longer satisfied her. She thought if she wouldn't die of the cold, surely she would die of boredom.

Her eyes brightened when Archer entered the room, her spirits lifting against her intentions. He was the only servant left in the great mansion. The others, including Gina and Hide, the cook and the gardener, had returned to their hometowns in the countryside temporarily for the holidays. Rin had dreaded being alone in a large mansion with only Archer for the entire holiday. But as the storm and the days dragged on, she became more aware of the empty halls and the vacuous rooms. Even Archer's presence became less intolerable.

"We need more fuel for the heating." He announced to her, his tone as-a-matter-of-factly as ever. He was wearing a simple shirt and a cardigan that fitted like it was tailor-made. But it was far from adequate protection against the cold in her opinion.

"I'm going out. Try to keep warm until I come back." He took off the cardigan to put on a heavier coat.

Rin practically jumped out of her chair. "Wait. I'm going with you."

Archer was buttoning his coat when he turned and stared at her like she had suggested take a stroll by jumping out of a plane. "Are you mad, Master? Do you have any idea how cold it is outside?" He asked, almost angrily.

"If you think I'm going to let a blizzard stop me..."

"I'm just making sure you're alive by the time your father's back." He was close to yelling at her now, to which Rin smiled. This was so uncharacteristic of him. So different from her usual cool and confident butler.

"As much as I like being smothered by your concern, I think I'll die if I spend another minute in this mansion." She quickly waved off his concerns. She had been a prisoner in her own house for nine whole days. She'd be damned before she missed this opportunity to be anywhere else but here.

"Just amuse yourself and go scrub a pot or something." He told her crossly.

She didn't want to use this, but she supposed there was no quicker option to effectively make him listen to her. "Archer, as my butler, I order you to take me out."

This seemed to give him great displeasure, although he did not further his protests. He narrowed his eyes, as if chastising her with them. She just made a point to ignore it. Finally, giving up, he just turned to reach for the doorknob with a scowl and grumbled something unhappily.

"If you've decided you want to freeze to death, at least put on a scarf. Just make it quick, or I'm leaving in three minutes."

Shopping for fuel, this'll be fun.

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...

"On second thought, take me back." Rin said two minutes after the car left the driveway. If she had thought the mansion had been cold, outside and in the car it was utterly perishing. She had to clamp down on her mouth to prevent her teeth from clattering and making sounds she knew she would regret. She sank her neck into her shoulders, despite her heavy scarf. "My innards are frozen." She muttered.

"As much as I like complying to your every whims my lady," Archer said, mirroring her words from earlier. "we're unfortunately too far out to head back."

In the months since he first he first arrived, Archer had rid himself of calling her 'Master' out of his former habit. So now, when she was deliberately 'Master' instead of 'Rin', she knew he was losing patience. But when she was 'my lady', she knew he was pissed.

Funny how there was a time when her old butler would always address her as such, and the title had actually felt formal and even slightly pampering.

Rin quickly made it known that she returned his sentiment. "This is all your fault. Aren't you supposed to have some fuel reserves for emergencies like these?"

"I'm sorry. Clearly it's my fault all the stores are out of stock. And I suppose it's my fault too that it's the holidays when most shops are closed. And I guess I'll be generous enough to take the blame for this snowstorm as well." Archer said wryly.

"I'm blaming you if we freeze to death." She said accusingly, flaring up.

"We won't freeze to death. We still have some fuel left to go in the mansion." Archer said, a tad on the defensive.

"But you can't wait until the storm's passed to go outside?"

"The storm hasn't let off for a week! I might as well try now."

"I refuse to die alone with you." She snorted.

"I agree." He said, with a sarcastic lilt. "Such a prospect is definitely unappealing."

"Let's stop talking. It's sapping my energy." Rin crossed her arms and turned her body to face the side window in order to avoid having to see his irksome face.

"Fine." Came his cool reply.

As the air between them became unusually quiet, Rin started to feel her anger die down. As it did, any heat she physically felt from the argument died as well, and Rin nearly shuddered in the cold. Her breath fanned out white against the glass.

Despite his constant, insufferable teasing, it was hard to remain mad at Archer for long about almost anything. Rin's heart would always soften faster than she'd like to admit. As soon as they'd ceased arguing about whatever, Rin found that she'd already forgiven him for causing her great frustration.

The road was dark. Very few lamps were lit. All the houses they'd passed was nearly buried in snow. No pedestrian was in sight as far as Rin was aware. How different it all looked under heavy snow. The road had also become clogged with sleet, becoming slippery under the tires. But Archer was as expert as ever in his driving, that Rin nearly forgot they were travelling under serious weather conditions.

After a while, she could sense the temperature dropping in the car. She grew very still, not daring to move in order to conserve what little heat she had. It wasn't much. Her hands were wrapped around herself. In spite of trying to will herself in doing otherwise, her shoulders were shivering.

"Here. Put this on."

Something heavy landed on her. Glancing over, she saw that Archer's black wool coat was draped over her body. She looked at it hesitantly, averting her gaze back at him.

"What about you?" She asked, not quite able to keep her emotions out of her voice.

"I've survived in colder places." He gave her a steady reply, letting her know through his eyes that it was okay to have his coat. Careful examination made Rin realise he wasn't shivering like her, which made her feel better and worse at the same time. "Now be quiet and put it on. I need full concentration while driving."

His final words were spoken in a clipped tone, almost like he was embarrassed to speak to her. He turned his attention back to the road, his hands steady on the wheel. Rin, however, was skeptical. His dubious self-proclaimed high tolerance for the cold aside, Archer never had any qualms about speaking to her casually while driving, so confident was he in himself. She hadn't noticed any change in his performance because of the snow, so it must have been an excuse not to look at her.

This brought a small smile to her lips. Despite his over-confidence and his life-attachment to sarcasm, his calm exterior was far from impenetrable. So he's not above feeling a little embarrassed, huh... Trying to be a gentleman, what a troublesome guy.

...

...

"The heating system's broken down. Probably from overuse." Archer said from where he was inspecting it. He was bent on one knee, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his eyebrows scrunched together in deep thought.

Rin, sadly knowing very little about mechanics, could only nod slowly. She really didn't like feeling so helpless or ignorant, and so she quickly made a note for herself to read up on these things. But for now, she had to settle with listening to Archer.

She couldn't help a grimace on her face, for another reason. After two hours of driving around, they'd found that all the shops were closed. Not a single one was open and selling. Rin understood that the high demand for heating fuel in the winter had probably meant that supplies are bought up quickly, but it still left a disappointing feeling in her stomach. Archer only reassured her that they would substitute their fuel with fire wood if they ever ran out.

But in the mean time, the gods seemed determined to freeze them to death tonight. They'd worried that they would ran out of fuel. Turns out, the heating system broke before the fuel emptied.

"I'm going to try and fix it," Archer said. His patient and soothing voice every bit the contrast to Rin's inner frustration. But not wanting to show it or vent it out on her butler like she did before, Rin kept quiet and resolved to watch him while he worked - if not out of some self-obligation to provide unspoken support then out of curiosity. "... but I wouldn't be too hopeful. Anyway, this is going to be a long night."

...

...

"Did you fix it?" Rin asked, embarrassed at having fallen asleep on a chair while Archer was working. She didn't recall feeling so sleepy. Now that she'd woken up, she'd noticed that the pretty chilly room was her answer.

"I did what I could." Archer replied, wiping his hands dry on a towel. "If the storm passes, in the morning we can try again. Buy some fuel and maybe get someone to repair the boiler."

He took her back to the Main Study Room, and they both settled on the bridgewater sofa in silence. It wasn't late into the evening, but it was hard to tell without a clock and with only the dark weather outside.

They sat together, both trying not to feel so cold. The whole mansion suddenly felt larger to Rin, so large that she feared its echoing and deserted halls would swallow her up. She was suddenly afraid at the thought of being alone in this giant manor, especially on a winter's night - something she had clearly not felt for a long time and told herself she'd outgrown it for years. Archer's calm and steady presence beside her was the only thing that reminded her that right this moment, she was not alone.

When he saw she was shivering again, Archer got up and wordlessly left the room. Rin waited anxiously for him to return. When he did, he came with a great blanket and draped it over gently. She clutched it and brought her knees to her chest.

"It's...really...really cold." She whispered. Archer sat next to her and ran his hand over her back comfortingly.

"I know."

She felt really ashamed that he had to take care of her like this. She was Rin Tohsaka, daughter and heiress to one of the most distinguished noble families in the Meiji and Taisho period. She was supposed to be an untouchable figure, respected, admired by all as a model of propriety and elegance. She did not shiver like a little girl.

She looked over at Archer. He was still wearing too few layers of clothes. She didn't care if he was some sort of Arctic survivor, he must feel something. As her butler, he had few possessions, so maybe this was as much as he could afford. Yet, he never complained during the months that he had served her, nor had he ever held her many comforts against her. Even now, despite his flirting tongue, he kept a respectable distance from her, just enough to keep her company.

So Rin swallowed thickly and inched over. A look of utter surprise crossed his face when she raised her arm and draped the blanket over them both, snuggling close. Her face was flushed redder than her own jacket, positively burning despite of the numbing temperature. She quickly muttered an explanation about her being still too cold for comfort, and this way they could both get warmer. But her words came out incoherent. Even worse, Archer seemed to understand. His smile was half a smirk as he let her scoot closer to him. He had the mercy of not teasing her though.

After a while, Rin began to relax. This wasn't half as bad as she'd thought. Archer's side felt warm, strong and reassuring next to her. Rin had to fight a surprising urge to lean in against him. What's the matter with her?

In order to distract herself, Rin struck a conversation.

"Hey, Archer." She asked, uncertain at first.

"Hmm?" Came his nonchalant response.

Rin inhaled deeply. She would not let herself be talked out of this and back away now. "Do you have a wish?"

Archer seemed equally as surprised as she was that she'd pose such a question. "What's with the question? I don't recall tomorrow being my birthday."

"Can't I ask you a question?" She replied impatiently, annoyed that he had to evade the question. "After all, isn't it technically New Year's Eve? We're stuck with each other, so the least we can do is to make it count."

"Very well." Archer replied reluctantly after a few seconds.

"You're forgetting my question. Do you have a wish you'd like to see fulfilled?"

He shrugged. "Naturally. No man lives truly free of desire. The very basic of human nature is to desire, is it not?"

He wasn't giving her a full answer. Wishing not to be sidetracked into a whole other debate, she chose the straightforward route.

"Then tell me yours, what is your wish?"

Archer chuckled and whispered to her ear. "Maybe when you're older."

Rin resisted the urge to brutally shove him away. This man had a talent of turning an innocent thing into something naughty and perverted. And the way they were so close, his jaws brushing her hairline and right next to her ear made the blood rush to her cheeks even more furiously.

Eventually though, she just sighed to herself - Archer wasn't one to give up his secrets easily, is he? Her expression seemed to be the one Archer was expecting, so his smile only deepened. He had a satisfied look, didn't say anything, and was thoughtful.

"I want to be free." He finally said, after a long silence. His voice sounded truly wistful. It was so very distant, like the tone you use when speaking of an unspeakable dream. "I want to live a life that's my own, free of strife and free from people with glorified ideals. I want to travel without becoming involved in conflicts."

Rin thought it didn't sound like a bad dream. It somehow suited him very much. Suited his character, his manners, his words. She detected some bitterness in it - something from his past must have changed him greatly. She could tell his dream had not always been the same. Regardless, she realised he had wished for freedom. That, in itself could be considered a beautiful, even noble dream.

"Is that an indirect way of saying you want me to fire you?" She said, her eyes taking on a teasing gleam.

Archer snorted. "Like you can go without me to take care of you."

Her eyes abruptly turned to a glare. "Do you actually want to be sacked?" She said testily, in a heated tone which indicated that depending on his answer, she could easily grant him his wish right here and now.

Archer didn't seem to want to lose his job yet, so he quickly picked a different subject. "Hmph, I do believe it's your turn. You know of my wish, now you tell me yours."

"-have any." Rin said, not fully assuaged.

"What?"

"You heard. I don't really have one." Rin said again, instantly abandoning her previous flare in temper in favour of a new one.

"Don't be ridiculous. It's impossible to want for nothing." Archer said in a practical tone. He brought his palm to his forehead and muttered something to himself that sounded like beration.

"I'm born in one of the richest families in the country! It's not like I have anything to wish for that I don't already have." She was starting to feel stupid. Was she wrong to strike up this conversation with Archer of all people?

"Not even your father's affections?" Archer quirked a brow.

Rin nearly backtracked. "I don't care for my father's affections. My father hasn't been a part of my life for a long time," Her reply came automatically. Partly because it sounded so convincing, it was the explanation she had fed others countless times in situations like this.

But Archer, with his ever observant eyes was piercing her. "You're not being honest to me, Rin." He said slowly. "I wonder if you're even being honest to yourself."

She was getting riled up again (these flares seem to come in waves) "What would you know-?"

"Listen, it's natural to expect praise and attention from a parent. You've grown up without a mother, so of course you would want to be closer to your father. Blood ties aren't denied so easily, Rin. Is that not your wish?"

His words blew past all her defences. They rang so close, so close to the hidden truth. The truth she'd never admit. For a rare moment, Rin was rendered speechless.

"Since when did you claim to know so much about me?" She said finally, sounding a little disappointed. She thought she'd hidden her thoughts pretty well, but if Archer could read them (even the hidden ones) so easily, then what about others? Even now, her pride made her refuse to admit to anything he'd said.

"I'm wiser than you think." He said, giving her a devilish wink.

She elbowed him in the side. Her eyes avoided his. "Don't flatter yourself!"

They spent the rest of the night either taking about unimportant, irrelevant things or bathing in comfortable (and sometimes irritated fuming) silence. Soon, Rin's eyes grew weary. She passed into sleep without realising how tired she was. Archer, remaining awake, only smiled when he saw that she was asleep. He shook his head, gave a long sigh before gently lifting the girl into his arms to bring her upstairs. He thought he'd admonish her the next day about her habit of falling asleep in random places. But for now, he had been right - this was a long night.

The next morning Rin awoke not remembering half the conversation she'd had with Archer that night. The storm had finally let off. The sun was shining with such brilliance once again as to give life and beauty to the smallest, most mundane things. Under the warmth of the sun, the snow glittered, making the day even more radiant than it should have. The storm was finally over.

True to his words, Archer set out the next day to find a mechanic to look at the mansion's heating system. But there was no need, really. A few hours after Archer had left it last night, having thought that he could personally fix it no further, the house's heating system burst back into life. The night yesterday wasn't half as cold, now that the heating worked properly.

As soon as Rin had got over her 'morning uselessness' as Archer calls it, she quickly exacted her revenge on her butler for putting on such an infuriating act last night. In the form of a sneaky snowball to his back, of course. When Archer had recovered from his initial shock (which lasted about two seconds), he was instantly on her heels for his revenge too. Soon, the two of them were playfully covered in snow and were lying on their backs panting. Both stared into the blue sky with their faces flushed, but feeling lighter than either had been since forever. Rin laughed, Archer smirked. This was the way life was at the Tohsaka mansion.

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To all those who bother reading A/N:

So this is the long-awaited update. By now, you guys must be so used to my no-update apologies that I don't see a point in saying it again. You guys know the drill. Well, all I could say is that summer is finally here and I'm on a long-due break from my high school finals. I'm moving to university next year, so this is a crisis time in my life. My grandfather also got hospitalised. For a while, everyone thought he would die. I also have two troubling parental relationships to deal with, as well as some crazy and cranky relatives.

This is the longest chapter I've written so far for this story. It's literally 1AM, and my eyelids are heavy.

Now, for the real news. I'm already working on chapter 8 and 9 for the Butler's Tale at the moment. I'm not going so far as to promise a quick update, but I will at least promise a cameo of the other canon Fate servants in the next few upcoming chapters.

In the mean time, thanks so much for your support of this story. It means a lot to me. Every time I feel tired of writing a chapter, I go back to your reviews and they warm my heart immensely. Don't ever believe that reviews don't help with a story's update.

So what do you think about this chapter? Too much fluff? Review to let me know.

New update:

One of my guest reviewers was slightly surprised that at the 1926 bit at the beginning of this chapter. That's when it hit me that although I've always pictured this story in a historical setting - more specifically the Japanese post-war era or Taisho-Showa period, I haven't exactly made it clear...(*facepalms) Sorry for any confusion. I don't think there's any problem if you keep a modern setting in your mind when reading this story for now, although [mild spoiler alert] there'll be mention of the Great Depression in later chapters, as well as WW1.

The story genre is not primarily Historical, in any case. So the focus won't be clear until later chapters. Even so, it's still fiction, not pure history. So there's always an element of the imagination there. So I wouldn't mind too much if you guys thought this was a semi-modern story XD