[Chr24] Keep Me Warm?

 

It was that time of year again. The barracks were like a ghost town; what was normally filled with a squad of chaotic outlaws, now was just…Daishou. It always happened around this time of year when the others were able to get leave and go out, but he was different. Due to his criminal record, Daishou was always under house arrest unless he received special permission to leave. Those times were few and far between. His superiors were picky about when to give him some leeway on his leash, and even more picky if most of the squad was absent. 

 

Under the circumstances, it would have been incredibly lonely and depressing for the outlaw. Even though the barracks provided all the amenities he could need; a gaming lounge, a bar, pool, you name it, it could never fill that void of needing another body near him. Daishou was lucky enough that he was not alone though. He was naturally a very social buck, wanting to constantly make conversation with the rest of the outlaws in his squad that he considered to be his family. 

 

The large buck was lounging on a soft sofa, a gaming controller in hand. His elbows were resting on his knees while leaning forward, eyes focused on the task at hand. It was a new release and not his usual type of game, but one he was really enjoying. There was plenty of questing, cowboys, horses, and open exploring to do in Yellow Deceased Vindication. He was so focused that he did not notice the buck that sat next to him, plopping down onto the sofa.

 

“How’s the game?” 

 

Takeshi leaned back, arms behind his head, legs crossed as he watched his partner play the video game.

 

It took a moment for Daishou to process that Takeshi had said something to him, but eventually he received an answer with a quick glance and smile. “It’s addictive. Probably not a good thing since I have plenty of other games I need to finish. But it’s too good to put down. There’s a specific horse I really want and I…can’t believe I’m saying that out loud actually.” He laughed, pausing what he was doing and placed the controller down on the dark oak coffee table in front of him. 

 

He straightened up, stretching one of his arms before looking over at his partner. “Want to join?” Daishou and Takeshi frequently enjoyed playing games with one another. It was usually chaotic, with lots of shouting, cheering, and swearing. This was even more common when the other squad members were gone. Besides V, they like to keep their relationship on the downlow due to their careers, so they tried their damndest to keep it behind closed doors. When they were alone however, Takeshi opened up to Daishou in a way that he would not for anyone else. 

 

Takeshi shook his head. “Nah. I got something else planned for us.”

 

That caught Daishou’s attention. “ Ohhhh?” A coy grin spread across his lips. “What did you have in mind?”

 

“First, I got you some approved r and r from the top dogs. So we can get out of here together. Second, we’re going out to get some hot cocoa at a small shop I learned about recently. Not just any hot cocoa either. They put peppermint alcohol in it too.” He gave Daishou a knowing look.

 

Anything that let Daishou go outside was good enough for him. Involving alcoholic drinks was merely a bonus, AND he got to spend the day with his partner? Perfect. He opened his mouth as if to say something, then stopped himself, eyes squinting in suspicion at Takeshi. “Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ you’re about to add in?”

 

Takeshi sighed. “It’s uh. Really cold out. Like below freezing cold. But I figure the alcohol and cocoa could help with that. And the sun is out too.”

 

Daishou was perhaps the biggest and most dramatic man-child when it came to being cold. Even with a chill, he would be grumpy, nonverbal, miserable, and layered up as much as he could be. He rarely even had cold drinks since even the feeling of cold in his mouth was less than ideal.  Despite his distaste for the cold though, Daishou was willing to do anything if it meant he could spend one-on-one time with Takeshi. “Of course I’ll go with you. Let me just uh..prepare myself.” Mentally and physically, he thought to himself. 

 

While Daishou got up from the sofa, heading to his barracks bedroom, Takeshi took a hold of the controller and started testing out how he felt about the game himself while waiting. It didn't take long for him to yell an f-bomb, quickly dying to a group of raiders in the game that had ambushed him. He tossed the controller onto the sofa, yawning before getting up and going to check on Daishou. 

 

-x-         

 

 

Daishou was rummaging through his clothes, looking for the warmest layers he could possibly pile onto himself. The fur on his legs would keep him warm enough, so he merely threw on a pair of joggers for pants, nearly falling over as he placed each leg in. As for shirts, he grabbed a black thermal long-sleeve and tossed it on, followed by a short-sleeved white-t, a sports brand hoodie, a matching zip up. He then reached for the pull-over-

 

“You’re going to have so many layers, I'll have to feed the cocoa to you. I’ll be surprised if you can move your arms at all.” Daishou turned to see Takeshi at the doorway, leaning against the frame with an amused look and teasing sparkle in his eyes. “And you’re too tall for me to do that,” he added. "As amusing as it would be to see you walk like a penguin." 

 

Daishou sighed, stripping the many layers he just put on, off. This time he settled for the thermal undershirt, the white-t, and a tan and green knitted sweater. He grabbed everything else he needed, including throwing on a large dark-green coat with a fur lined hood, and a cream colored scarf. Indoors, the layers were almost too much, immediately making him sweat. There were about to head out though, so he was not particularly worried. 

 

Once he was ready, the outlaw went up to Takeshi and looked down at him, smiling. “Better?” he asked, doing a dramatic little twirl for the other outlaw. 

 

Takeshi grinned. “Much.”

 

Amused, Daishou leaned down, tilting his head to give his partner a quick peck on the lips. “Then let’s go. I could use some fresh air and a hot drink even if I have to brave the cold.” 

 

“And the snow,” Takeshi added.

 

“.....huh?”

 

“It’s uh. Snowing now too.”

 

Daishou pouted. “I thought you said the sun was out?” Snow was just as unwelcome as anything else that added to cold weather. Wind with it made it borderline unbearable for himself. 

 

“Well apparently mother nature had other plans instead.” Takeshi shrugged, clearly not bothered at all by the change in weather. 

 

The larger outlaw quickly grabbed a hat for himself. “Okay well, let’s go before there’s a blizzard out of nowhere too,” he stated, grabbing Takeshi’s clawed hand to start leading them out the barracks. Takeshi simply snickered in response.

 

-x-

 

 

Outside, it was around -5 degrees Celsius, just a little below freezing. Snow fell in large chunks, the sheer amount and size acting like a sound barrier to most things, giving the city a very peaceful and serene vibe. Daishou had his arms crossed, rubbing them as if it would help the coldness, while shoving his mouth behind his scarf. His shoulders were scrunched up, but he walked arm-in-arm with Takeshi. Every few steps he would grumble, wondering how it was that a short bastard like the buck beside him was able to be so convincing to go out WILLINGLY in awful weather. 

 

They mostly stayed in silence, which was not unusual for them in cold weather. Daishou was generally the talker, but with it being cold he was much more quiet. Regardless, they both merely enjoyed being able to bask in each other’s company rather than worrying about whether the silence was filled with conversation or not. They'd been together long enough where just being near each other was just what they needed. 

 

The walk to the coffee shop was not a long one, and Daishou let out a sigh of relief as they stepped into the small, locally-owned shop. “Crazy how this is just down the road and I didn’t even know,” he mentioned. Such was the way of things being stuck in the barracks all the time. He had been accepting of his fate though, long ago. Both of them walked up to the cashier, Daishou blowing warm air into his hands, rubbing them. 

 

Once their drinks were ready and paid for, the two went back outside. The warmth coming from the hot cocoa cup was very soothing to Daishou’s cold hands. He brought the drink up to his mouth, but hissed and immediately drew it away once the liquid made contact.

 

“Damn that’s hot as hell!”

 

Takeshi playfully rolled his eyes, shaking his head at Daishou’s rashness. He took a much more calculated and small sip of the drink, the liquid also slightly burning his tongue, but not to the same extent as the other outlaw.

 

As they continued their walk, Daishou’s head would swing to the left, then right, and back again as he took in all the sights and sounds, the people and shops. Even if he was cold, the snow was even beautiful in it's own way. It was all so familiar, like an old friend from before his house arrest. What a different life he would have lived had he not tried to get involved with local gangs. He had no regrets however. Without those events, he would have never have met Takeshi.

 

There was a park up ahead, the snow quickly covering the sidewalks and dead grass. No birds called in the air, even the sound of traffic was muffled from all the snow. There were very few people out and about due to the weather. There was a small pond as well, but it was frozen, the ice also being covered by the snow. 

Daishou was content to continue to walk as he was, enjoying his time with his partner, but there was something that caught his eye, causing them to widened. He reached over and grabbed Takeshi’s hand without any word, quickly leading him to the destination he had in mind. 

 

“Wha-” Takeshi managed to sputter before being dragged.

 

“You’ll see,” was all he got as a response. 

 

Daishou led the two of them to a bench, next to a small pit fire that was behind a wire cage. The warmth it radiated was very soothing, causing the large outlaw to slump on the bench, drink in hand. He attempted to take another sip that time and was able to not skald himself. The strong taste of liquor was mixed in, making his throat and chest warm as it flowed down into his stomach. Takeshi always had such great ideas and knew exactly what Daishou needed. Though he rarely showed the loneliness and slight bits of depression he felt from being stuck in the barracks, he knew that Takeshi was well aware of it and could sense it from time to time.

 

“This is nice,” he finally said, Takeshi taking a seat next to him, content. “It’s exactly what I needed.” He glanced over to the shorter outlaw. “Thank you.” Daishou grabbed Takeshi’s arm, tugging him up against Daishou’s body. He let his head fall to the side, resting it on the short outlaw’s head, closing his eyes briefly. 

 

“Keep me warm, yeah?”

 

Though he was good at keeping a neutral demeanor, Takeshi frequently broke it for Daishou. That was one of those moments, a smile curling in his lips. “Always,” he replied, leaning back against his partner.