A spark, and from it, a flame. Raising up, the flame burns the cigarette's head and smoke emanates from it, a single flick disperses it as the lit head glows.
Kiritsugu inhales the cigarette, the toxic yet comforting fumes entering his being as he looks out the window, watching over the vast array of whitened trees.
Grey fog streams out of his lips.
How long has it been since he stayed at this place? Days? Months? Time always seems to be different from what he envisions, never always right, nor wrong. Always moving on regardless of the world.
As for him… he never minds it. A wanderer like him never found any reason to keep track of it due to his nature. Never finding it important.
That is until…
He glances down to the snow, and there he sees her.
A wave of white hair blending in with her coat and snow, a pure skin unblemished by anything as she dances along upon the ground, a smile on her lips while she twirls around without a care in the world.
Iri…
Ever since he agreed to be hired by the Einzbern to participate in the grail war, he was married to Iri, whom he thought nothing of during those first few days.
But, as time went by, he grew… more accustomed to her. Her personality, a carefree yet calm air circulating around her everywhere she goes, it is as though worries weren't a thing in her mind.
Most of all, she always tries to get him to open up, to smile more. Despite her efforts being wasted on him, each day, he feels as though a crack spreads further within him the longer he spends time with her.
Love… wasn't something he could say he was familiar with. Each time something akin to it manifests within him, tragedy always seems to strike at those very moments.
So he closed himself off. Not wanting to be burdened by that feeling ever again throughout his journey, and yet… something about Iri makes it seem as though it will be different.
Whether that's just the trick of the mind or his own naivete, he would never know.
What he does know is that Iri is a special kind of person.
He exhales the smoke as Iri dances upon the snowy surface, seemingly immersed in her own world until-
Their eyes meet and she stops. Black and red peer into each other's gaze, her face softening at the sight of him as she waved at him.
Then, she beckons him to come down to the field. A simple gesture, one that passed quickly as she resumed her dance.
He sighs out the remaining smoke from his lips as he stamps the cigarette, turning around and walking out the room before his sight falls upon the bed beside him. A single occupant laying on it.
He stops in his steps, his expression softening at the sight before him as he walks toward the bed with careful feet.
He sits down on the bed, looking over a porch of white strewn across the mattress, a gentle face adorned in slumber as she breathes softly, dreaming her own world unhindered by the outside.
He trails a finger across her face, swiping away a bang covering her lids.
"Illya…"
A whisper escapes his lips.
Looking at her brings about a sense of serenity in him. Bringing about a feeling he had not felt in so long that manifested in that exact moment where she- their daughter, was born.
But, it has also brought along a different feeling. Indescribable almost akin to happiness, yet, it feels as though it is more than that.
Is it fatherhood; a parent's instinct awakening within him that causes him to feel this sort of way?
He does not know.
He shakes away the thoughts. Taking a breath, he leans in and departs a kiss on Illya's forehead before stepping away, going down to the yard to meet his wife.
Unbeknownst to him, lids began to stir after his departure.
Snow crumbles beneath his feet as he walks out to the field, the prickling coldness enveloping him the moment he exposes himself to the outside world, the only protection against it being the black coat he keeps on his being at all times.
He glances around to see nothing but white surrounding him at every corner before settling his eyes at the one person who called him out here who in turn smiles at him, walking towards him.
"You should try to get out more instead of staying inside all the time."
"I have. That's why I'm out here."
"I said 'more', just one or two isn't enough you know?"
"It's enough for me."
"Kiri…"
Iri pouts. Taking a glance at his chest, she reaches out her hand.
"You should at least try to keep your tie neat."
She straightened his tie, a simple up-motion.
"Never found it necessary."
"Well you should find it necessary, you big grumpy."
She slaps his chest with a playful smile.
"Why did you call me out here, Iri?"
"Because… Well, I was hoping that you would dance with me."
"Dance? You know that I'm the furthest away from being a dancer."
"You never know if you don't try. Besides, aren't you always trying to learn things to your advantage?"
"That's different-"
"Dancing is a skill too, and that is an advantage in itself. Now dance with me."
Despite his efforts to object against it, he couldn't stop the stubbornness of this white fairy before him. He should've known, seeing that he has lived with her for a few years now.
Is it a bad thing? No.
He sighs. "Fine. But only for this time."
Iri lets out a cheer, pumping her fist into the air. "Yay! I knew you had it in you."
She then grabs hold of his hands, leading him to the middle of the yard with quick pace despite his cries for her to slow down, the snow crumbling from their steps as they stop. Just them together surrounded by the barriers of white trees.
"Are you ready, Kiri?"
He holds her hands in his own, feeling the softness and warmth within his palms as he steadies himself. Looking into Iri's crimson gaze as the sun's rays shine into her iris, making her eyes look as though they emit an ephemeral glow. A tinge of beauty further emphasised by her jovial personality.
"I'm ready."
Iri gives a simple smile in response, and so begins their dance.
It's a simple one, that doesn't require any kind of complex movements. And yet, he still struggles with it, stumbling and tripping within this methodical dance, his footwork not in sync with Iri's, who effortlessly makes up for every mistake he makes each time with a smile on her face. Not bothered by his lack of experience, only enjoying the moment being spent with each other.
As time passes, as their dance picks up pace, something within him starts to become attuned to her movements. With each step bringing about an experience, synching with Iri as their divergent rhythms merge into one. Their sense of the outside world fading away, breaking, reforming into a new dimension. One that only holds him and her together as they twist and twirl upon the crusty snow.
Time is lost to the void as they immerse themselves within this dimension, staring into each other's eyes; vibrant crimson and faded black peering into one another. A world of two different souls interconnected- bound by a single string of fate, one that will not be severed by anything, not even death itself.
It is as though nothing can stand in their way, that no tragedy, misery, nor wrong will manifest, pushed back by a barrier of respite; the reality of life unable to pierce through the idealistic world brought about by a simple happiness.
Only to be ended with a single misstep.
"Kiri-!"
Kiritsugu trips down into the snow, taking Iri with him, crashing onto the crusty terrain as the dimension breaks away, the real world forming back into their minds.
He takes a second to reorient himself, Iri laying upon him while snow covers his being, turning his coat into an amalgamation of black and white.
"Are you okay, Iri?"
"Hehehe."
Iri laughs. Pushing herself up, saddling his waist.
"That was fun. And you called yourself a terrible dancer."
"I was, the only reason I didn't fall until now was because of you."
"Don't discredit yourself that much Kiri, you were still good enough…"
Her words trails off, staring at his lips with an intensity never before seen.
Then, a wide gentle smile formed on her lips.
"What are you staring at, Iri?"
"I was right… A smile really suits you better."
"Smile…?"
After those words, he realises the strange tension in his lips, of the corners of his lips pulling upwards.
During the course of that dance, was he smiling all the way?
"Heh."
A soft chuckle escaped his lips. It seems she finally got him to open up after all.
It feels… nice.
"Looks like you got your wish, Iri."
"I did."
They stare at each other for a few moments, relishing in the comfort of one another.
Then, Iri cups his cheeks, leaning down while her hair cascades off her back. Her breath upon his lips, her movements relaying a single message.
And he responds with a kiss. Feeling her warmth on his lips as they detach, the kiss only lasting for a few seconds.
For him, that was enough.
"I love you, Iri."
"I love you too, Kiri."
"Mama! Papa!"
A high-pitched voice shouted out, interrupting their moment as they turn toward the source to see-
"Illya?"
Their daughter, bearing the same red eyes of her mother, stands a few feet away while wearing her favoured purple coat and hat. A pouted glare imprinted on her face.
"I have been looking for you!"
"My my, so sorry sweetie!"
Iri stands up and walks toward Illya while Kiritsugu follows her.
The little fairy puffs her cheeks and refuses every ounce of apology from Iri, angry over supposedly being forced to look for her parents and left alone.
How to get her out of this state…
Ah.
Going on one knee, he puts a hand over Illya's head as she glares at him as though she is a tiger. A tiger cub to be precise.
"Hey, sweetie. Do you want to play a game…?"
"...What game?"
"It's called the walnut game. Where we each have to find a walnut bud, and whoever finds the most wins."
"Walnut game…"
"Wanna play?"
Illya hums for a few moments before answering with a nod. Her usual joyful personality returns as she hugs both him and Iri.
Lifting her up on his shoulders, her laughter resounding in his ears, he walks off to begin their little game.
"Have fun, you two!"
As he walks further into the forest, Illya on his shoulders, a smile remains on his lips as a warmth resides within him.
And so, with the joy of his daughter and the love of his wife in his mind, he wonders if this happiness will endure even after the war.
Despite how naive it is, all he can do is hope.