Again, this one is later than usual, but it's also the longest one yet, so that should make up for it. Since we all need more Gay Pirate in our life, and since poor Sage still hasn't gotten a line in the series, I decided to do a Scarlet/Sage piece. Enjoy!

"Heads up!"

"Every man for himself!"

Scarlet let out a yelp before immediately hiding behind his partner, who took the brunt of the snowball assault. "We're being ambushed, Sage! What do we do?!"

"Jump," Sage advised, drawing his weapon.

Scarlet immediately obeyed, jumping as high as he could as the giant sword hit the ground, sending a shockwave through the surrounding area. There were cries as Sun and Neptune fell out of the trees they had been hiding in, followed by a large blanket of snow each.

A smirk found its way to Sage's face as he sheathed his sword and stooped to make a huge snowball. His smile widened a little at the adorable, excited laugh his partner let out. Both Sun and Neptune got vivid looks of terror on their faces before retreating further into the trees. "Not too far," he called out. "The swamplands are that way." He heard a definite change in direction from Neptune.

"Only you would keep acting like the Team Mom during a snow battle," Scarlet muttered, rolling his eyes and giving Sage an affectionate look.

"With those two, someone needs to," Sage pointed out. "I think Sun's closer. Try getting him over to that large oak over there."

"The one with all the snow on the branches?" The smaller boy grinned evilly.

"Exactly." Sage knew that Scarlet would understand his plan immediately. When on a team where the leader usually only paid attention to his partner, it was necessary to develop good communication between the other pair. Backing into a thicker patch of trees, he watched the oak while Scarlet ran off in the direction of Sun.

Scarlet couldn't stop grinning as he darted through the woods. This was the first time he had seen Sage smile in a few days. His partner tended to get moody during exams, so this was definitely a nice change. Basically anything that got Sage to smile was okay in his book, if he was going to be completely honest.

He heard a rustle above him and barely got out of the way before Sun pounced. Immediately, he bolted toward the oak. "It's another ambush, Sage," he called out, hoping that Sun would buy it. "Stop chasing Nep and help me!" He ran around the oak, Sun hot on his tail, before turning around and shooting at the branches with his pistol. He saw the most hilarious look of realization cross Sun's face before a huge sheet of snow fell on him. Unfortunately, Scarlet was still partially under the oak and ended up also getting covered.

As he tried to dislodge himself from the snow, he heard Neptune let out a girlish squeal that was quickly cut off. He stuck his head out just in time to see Sage walking over. "Did you get him?"

Sage nodded, giving Scarlet a fondly-exasperated look before pulling him from the mini snow pile. "You probably should have run further before doing that."

"Yeah, yeah," Scarlet muttered, dusting himself off as a sputtering Sun started digging his own way out of the snow. "You okay there, oh glorious leader?"

"Shut up," Sun grumbled as he got out of the snow before flashing a grudging smile. "That was pretty good. Tell me you didn't kill Neptune, though."

"He hit my FACE!" Neptune called from where he was lying.

"Walk it off," Sage shouted over his shoulder.

"Come on, Nep. Losers make the snacks for tonight's movie. We'd better get started," Sun said as he walked over to help his partner up. "See you guys later!"

"Go easy on the banana muffins," Scarlet called after his leader. "You're the only one who actually eats them." He then looked up at his partner. "I'm kinda tired. Carry me?"

Sage rolled his eyes. At the beginning of the year, Scarlet had gotten injured and had to be carried to the infirmary. A few days after that, he had jokingly asked to be carried again when his leg started aching. Sage had actually done so, and it was now a common occurrence.

"Aren't you worried that you'll get lazy if I keep doing this?" he asked as he stooped down to lift Scarlet up and hold him bridal-style. Despite his complaints, he never refused when Scarlet asked to be carried. In truth, he enjoyed holding his smaller partner like this, even when he was soaked with snow.

Scarlet looped his arms around Sage's neck and snuggled against his chest. "Nah. I'm just utilizing my resources." His fingers started their usual process of tracing the tattoos on his partner's neck.

Sage tried not to shiver at the sensation of Scarlet's cool fingertips touching his throat. It wasn't easy. He decided to keep walking near the woods rather than toward campus. Neither he nor Scarlet cared about what other people thought (and had already endured their share of annoying teasing), but he wanted some peace and quiet for a little while longer.

"Hey, Sage?" Scarlet asked, yawning a little at how warm his partner was.

So much for quiet, Sage thought. "Yes, Scarlet?"

"What if there are two snowflakes that look the same somewhere, but they're just on opposite sides of the planet or something? Do you think anyone will ever figure it out?"

"If there are, someone would probably find out randomly," Sage replied patiently. "By chance, two people on opposite sides of the world could photograph those exact snowflakes. Until then, no one can know."

Scarlet smiled a little as he ran his finger over the V symbol on Sage's neck. While Sun or Neptune would make fun of him for his random questions, Sage always tried to answer them. It was one of many things he loved about him. "Hey, Sage?"

"Yes, Scarlet?" He really needs to stop touching my neck before I go crazy…

"If it was the holiday season all the time, do you think the Grimm would just stay away because of how happy everyone gets?"

"Probably not," Sage replied. "People aren't always happy during the holidays. Some people don't have anyone to celebrate with. Then, there's the stress and commercialism that comes up each year. People would get exhausted and that would lead to more bad feelings, which would attract the Grimm. I think it's best that holidays only come occasionally. It makes them more special."

Scarlet nodded in agreement. "I get what you mean. Even I couldn't handle shopping that much." He leaned his head against Sage's chest. "Your present is amazing. I can't wait to give it to you!"

"You didn't have to." Sage hugged Scarlet a little closer, his face flushing.

"I wanted to." Scarlet smiled at the closer contact. "Besides, I saw your presents for all of us under your bed, so it's only right that you get something. I promise I didn't peek."

"I should probably hide them somewhere else," Sage muttered. "I know that Neptune would definitely peek if he found them."

"Probably." Scarlet was silent for a few minutes, enjoying the falling snow, the warmth of Sage's chest, and the steady rocking motion of his walking. He blamed his slight-drowsiness for what he asked next. "Hey, Sage?"

"Yes, Scarlet?"

"What would you do if I kissed you right now?" When Sage stopped walking entirely, Scarlet mentally smacked himself. Stupid, stupid! This is why Sun keeps telling you to keep your bloody mouth shut!

Sage's mind short-circuited for a few seconds. Was this really happening? Was he really being given this opportunity right now? Say something, idiot!

"Heh, sorry," Scarlet tried feebly to cover up. "I was just jok-"

"I'd probably blush like a fool," Sage mumbled, trying to keep his voice as level as possible. "Maybe stammer a bit before grinning like an idiot a few minutes later." He glanced hesitantly at his partner, who was currently just as red-faced as he felt.

Scarlet gaped for a moment before recovering. A sly grin came to his face. "I may need to test that theory." He placed his hands on Sage's shoulders to move himself up until they were eye level. He felt Sage's arms shift to accommodate this movement. He leaned closer, watching his partner's yellow eyes drift shut.

Sage felt his knees shake a little when Scarlet's lips first touched his, but thankfully managed to keep his head enough to remain standing. Standing and the feel of those cool, soft lips moving against his were the only things he could focus on at the moment. He returned the kiss, parting his lips slightly and feeling Scarlet's warm breath mingling with his.

Upon feeling his partner's lips opening, Scarlet immediately deepened the kiss, slipping his fingers through short hair while playfully flitting his tongue across the inside of Sage's mouth. Sage's response was timid, but willing as his tongue gently twined with Scarlet's.

Sage both felt and heard the happy noise that Scarlet made and his face flushed even deeper, if that was even possible at this point. After another minute, he ended the kiss, brushing his lips against the tattoo near Scarlet's left eye before drawing back completely.

Scarlet shivered and touched a quick kiss to the V on Sage's neck before smirking at him. "Looks like I've rendered you speechless. So much for the stammering. You are definitely blushing like a fool, though." He gently touched his partner's warm cheek.

Sage rolled his eyes, electing to say nothing as he simply hugged Scarlet closer and pecked his lips once more before starting toward the school. As he walked, he felt a bright, stupid grin spreading across his face, just as he had predicted.

Since we know so little about Scarlet and Sage, I took some liberties. The questions I had Scarlet ask are a reference to Gavin's tendency to ask random questions. Sage's relatively calm personality comes from his name and the fact that he was likely based off of Aesop, according to his wiki page. Let's hope that these guys get more freaking screentime soon! Peace out.