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Winter in Hyrule is a time of coolness in the air and warmth in the hearts. That's what he understood. The time of giving, of welcoming. People loved this season. Blue didn't. He hated it. He counted down the days not for the new year, not for the celebrations. Rather for when it would be over.
Though, Red managed to convince him to appreciate the beauty of it-
In other words, it's the one season where Blue gets custody of the fire rod and while it doesn't work with him this stick is warm and keeping it on him meant guaranteed warmth.
Though, despite the warm magical artifact and hot drinks and everything-
Blue still couldn't bear the thought of being out there in the snow except for a little bit. He hated the shivering mess he'd turn into.
It's why he actually stuck by his bed watching out the window with a cup of chamomile tea. Watched the snow float down as he observed the people rushing up and down the street. Living in castletown was easier for them, being close to the castle and all. But he missed the wilderness of the forest. The memory of waking up to singing birds was more fond to him than the bells and calls of merchants.
Though this had its benefits as well.. just not that fond-
He yelped at the sudden cold, spilled the tea on his hand as he struggled to set it aside just to pull the cold hands off his face. Narrowed eyes as he glared up, the shade's laughter echoing as he floated away from his reach while looking down with that dumb smug smile.
"What is wrong with you! I could've burned my hand!" he yelled as he got off the bed, scowling at the stain on his bed as well as the shirt that he used to wipe his hand on.
Shadow, who decided the brilliant idea to startle him, grinned as he floated onto the desk and sat down. Legs crossed with one hand was on his knee and the other covered his mouth. Still grinning, still looking like a moron.
"Nuh uh, it wasn't boiling." he excused. "Besides not my fault you aren't as focused! You're losing your touch, eh Blue?" the shade continued, smug as ever as if that excuse was totally reasonable-
It was not!
Blue narrowed his gaze. "You're an idiot. Why would I be focused so much in my own room?" he retorted. Shadow hummed, tapped his chin for some good measure as if to act deep in thought.
" Well… " he started, "Maybe a monster snuck into your house and lived in your walls waiting for a chance to attack-"
"Why are you describing yourself." Blue cut him off only to continue with a smug grin. "I mean, at best you're just a minor inconvenience." he snickered, relishing in the shade's disappointed pout.
"Whatever , moron." he grumbled, "You're just giving me another reason to up my antics. I got a reputation to keep!" he huffed.
Blue scoffed, "Do that and I won't help you with your laundry." he mentioned bluntly.
"I- I can! Do it myself!... I just know you enjoy cleaning so I never bother to!" Shadow sputtered.
"... Okay fine then I won't do-" he didn't get to finish as the shade grabbed him by the shoulders, sharp nails dug in, and came way too close just to stare into his soul as he backtracked.
"I won't prank. Don't be hasty." Shadow said instead, eyes never blinking that Blue cringed as he grabbed his hands and carefully pulled them off. Then crossed his arms as he stepped back. "Stop that- fine. We have a deal- don't.. do that again-" he gestured vaguely.
"Do what?" Shadow tilted his head, never blinked once-
"The whole.. eye thing?" Blue explained with a cringe.
Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Eye..?" he repeated, clearly confused.
Blue frowned, stared at the dumbfounded shade. "You.. aren't doing it on purpose-" he concluded in surprise. "You didn't blink for a while." he pointed out.
"Oh.. yeah I do stare a lot- Vio said it was morbid so I kept doing it." he grinned, "Now it's a habit." he snickered.
"... You're so weird."
"There's weirder stuff! Did you know apparently my eyes are reflective?"
"Okay stop talking-" the hero cut him off, pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please. Just stop." he sighed only to see Shadow beaming with pride- as if he was proud of weirding him out.
How did the others just.. live with him? It was like living with a cryptid- okay maybe he sees the appeal now but still!
Blue cleared his throat, "Anyway.." he started awkwardly, due to the fact Shadow was back on the off-putting stare. "...Why are you here?" he asked.
"What?" Shadow gasped, voice laced with exaggeration as he acted offended. "I can't spend time with you without ulterior motives?" he hissed.
Blue stared for a moment, both unblinking until Shadow broke- and Blue knew he broke out of boredom than anything. Shadow wouldn't ever willingly lose a battle even if it was a simple staring contest!
"... Okay maybe there is- but it isn't malicious!" Shadow admitted only to quickly add the fact it lacked such malicious intent. Something Blue doubted.
"What is it, Shadow." Blue asked with a raised eyebrow.
Then something odd. Something new happened. Shadow showed genuine emotion despite the exasperation and flair. With an awkward vague gesture and averted gaze. ".. It's about this." Shadow started, for once not speaking his ear off.
"This?" Blue repeated and when Shadow decided to be a vague idiot, he continued his question. "What about this?" he asked, genuinely curious and bewildered about where this came from.
Until he realized why Shadow wasn't meeting his gaze, looking out the window. He could see a clear view of the frozen fountain that had a bunch of those string lights hung up and a bunch of decorations.
Then Shadow's next words confirmed what he realized. "Look everyone was looking forward to this month." he sighed as he snapped his eyes away from the window and to him. "Something about showing… appreciation and dumb stuff. Festival and all." he continued awkwardly, with a cringe as he forced himself to say 'appreciation' as if it pained him.
Shadow then gave a weak grin, "And I get to be included in it." he laughed, his smug smile came back as he put a hand on his chest. "Duh, cause who would say no to being acknowledged for existing? Hello? I'm winning!" he laughed.
Blue crossed his arms as he raised an eyebrow, waiting for the inevitable 'but…' comment. Starting off on a positive note on some concern he had? It was expected and he waited for the idiot to just get to the point.
Though he knew if he tried to rush it, Shadow would spitefully turn it to a long long rant. He had no time for that.
"... But I've realized my way of appreciation isn't.. the most lawful." Shadow eventually said, with a weak sheepish grin. He.. actually looked sheepish?! Him?! That stumped him more than the statement! Was that it?
Blue blinked twice, genuinely caught off guard. He frowned, eyebrows furrowed as he tried to figure the shade out.. only to give up and ask instead. "Explain..? I'm not following." he admitted with confusion only for Shadow to clarify it in a way that made Blue want to drop his head in his palms.
"I showed Vio I appreciated him by setting forests on fire and bragging about it." Shadow answered and it didn't help. He knew he had horrid ways to show appreciation! It was the sheepishness of it!
He had a mental image in his head of this shade. He was an uncontrollable force. He did what he wanted without an ounce of shame. He did everything with pride and confidence and whatever!
Yet here he was. Saying dumb things- was this a prank? It had to be. What was he trying to-
"Yeah, you can't do that anymore." Blue said instantly, to keep the conversation going and not show any of his confused doubts on his face.
Shadow snorted, then leaned forward as he rested his elbow on his knee and his hand was propped under his chin. "Clearly." he agreed before he moved with swift as he kicked himself off the desk to float too close to him that Blue actually jumped back while the shade kept floating close.
"Which is why! I'm hear to ask you about this dumb stuff." he claimed with a huge grin that reminded him of that stupid cheshire cat from Vio's stories.
No- it had to have ulterior motives, Shadow lied! He had to! Why else-
Blue squinted his eyes, searching for every indicator to prove Shadow is a lying scumbag. "Why..?" he asked after finding none- but that doesn't mean he couldn't question everything!
"Hm?"
The blond repeated, with crossed arms. "Why me? I don't really wanna spend time answering questions." he mentioned, acting irritated.
Shadow blew a raspberry. "Cause! Vio is too technical, he would give me a whole boring lecture about the history." he waved in dismissal then shook his head. "Red wouldn't shut up about the soft stuff. I want to hear it straightforwardly."
".. what's in it for me?"
Shadow sputtered, eyes wide at the question. "Wh- Blue it's the spirit of the season or whatever you guys claim! It'd be generous of you!" he tried to excuse with a frown.
Blue thought about it then groaned as he gave in, mostly cause he liked the idea he'd be called generous (which.. isn't so noble of him but who said he wanted to be noble when it came to this moron?)
"Ugh fine. Okay.." he groaned with an eye roll then he scowled at his 'companion'. "Well what do you like to do?"
"Huh..?"
"This festival got a lot of things to do. You can go out. You can go gift shopping or make things too. That's one part." he pointed out, the most popular part other than seeing friends and lovely holidays.
"Oh uh… I don't know..?"
Blue tilted his head, "Uh yeah.. you can buy things for others as a gift." he started though seeing the obvious discomfort from the other- right. He didn't know what qualified as a 'good' gift-
"Or.. or .. you can make things yourself? Like with your own hobbies?" Blue quickly added, a small grin on his face. "It'd be thoughtful..?" he sheepishly said, kind of quoting what was said to him.
Shadow stayed quiet though it wasn't the judgemental kind. The furrowed eyebrows and eyes glanced to the side, thoughts. He was thinking.
"You're sounding like Green.. ya know that?" Shadow pointed out and Blue froze.
What a creep- how could he pinpoint who said it?!
Blue gritted his teeth, "Yeah, yeah. What do you think about it- the so-called Green sounding advice?" he huffed.
Shadow hummed then repeated "The one with.. my… hobbies..?"
The hero nodded, then clarified it even further. "Yeah like what you enjoy making ..? Like Red loves playing with fire and actually made stuff for us through fire-" he hummed then a huge grin formed as he walked around Shadow to the shelf by his bed, the shade floating right over and hovering over his shoulder before he landed on the floor to look.
He reached up before he pulled out a blue-ish bottle. "Like see this bottle?" he showed Shadow, "He made it for me cause he knows I like having potions on me." he explained then rambled. "He made a glass pen for Vio, and a glass bird statue for Green."
"Oh.. makes sense." Shadow hummed, though looked slightly relieved. Who knew what that was about- if anything, it would've made sense to him if Shadow was disappointed. They all got some glass gift except for him.
Anyway, Shadow was still a mystery to him.
"Vio is more straightforward. He doesn't give you things you like, he gives you what you need." Blue snorted, an amused smile on his face as he set it back on the shelf and folded his arms behind his back. "It's how he shows his 'appreciation' or whatever. That's how I do it too." he grinned as he shrugged.
Though he did note how Shadow was nodding in attentiveness. All that did was reassure him that he was on the right track and Shadow was getting it.
"Green enjoys carving wood and art." Blue listed then his ears perked up as he mentioned a detail he noticed. "Did you know he enjoys painting with watercolors?"
That seemed to catch his interest, eyes wide and ears perked up. He nodded rapidly, with much more enthusiasm than earlier. "Oh.. I like painting too-" he admitted.
Blue's mouth turned to a small 'o' as his eyes widened. He didn't expect Shadow to be into art if he was being honest. He expected something less.. calming? Something more active and energetic?
"Really?"
Shadow grinned sheepishly. "Well, not really." Huh- contradiction? Why-
Blue tilted his head, watching the shade look nervous..? He bit back his amused grin, though his raised eyebrow was a telltale sign.
"I like another form of art."
Oh? Dancing- that seemed more active. Though would he?
"What? Music?" Blue asked, hoping he was right on either musician or dance or even singing.
…. He hoped it wasn't singing. He couldn't stand his voice, he won't be able to stand three minutes of his singing-
"No, idiot."
This lil-
"I like sketching like uh.. what do you call it? Pencil art? Charcoal? But also using those colorful sticks..?"
That's the same as painting! What's the difference! Agh… pretentious a-
"Oh Chalk?" he asked instead, though it was obvious he looked unamused due to how Shadow smirked back at him.
"Yeah! I like blending it with my fingers too." Shadow stuck his tongue out as if to provoke as he wiggled his fingers.
Blue rolled his eyes then nodded, "That's nice. You can do that."
Shadow's smirk faded to a pout as his ears bent down, quietly complaining. "Okay weird hearing that from you." he huffed.
"Shush-" the blond stuck his tongue out this time only to realize he mimicked the other's childish antic and shook his head. Hands on his hips. "Anyway.. what now?" he asked.
"Well.. I don't know." Shadow hummed.
What did- there were many things to do? He listed the obvious gift giving but there was more stuff to do? Like going up a hill and sliding down on the snow or whatever it was- he never got to go to remember what it was called. (Probably… sledding..? Who knew honestly-)
"You..? Don't..?" Blue repeated and Shadow nodded.
"Mhm.." he started as he floated back to the desk and sat on it, legs crossed and his arms were on his sides. Fingers drumming on the desk. "I mean this whole thing is new to me." he muttered as he glared down, a scowl on his face that didn't quite.. fit.
"How..? Wouldn't you.." he trailed off.
He knew he got on Shadow's nerves as much as Shadow did for him. They bicker and banter a lot to the point if the house was silent, something was wrong. Though clearly this wasn't their usual banter or bickering. He'd look even worse if he brought up the time he was just Link's shadow.
Luckily, Shadow brought it up anyway.
"Well I remember what Link used to do. Going out with the knights, celebrating with Zelda, playing and all that good stuff." he waved in dismissal though he could see the way his hat twisted in irritation. The spiky wisps were a telltale sign of Shadow's.
"Yeah..?"
Shadow gave a single nod before crossing his arms. "But when I was brought up, in the dark world. We didn't have this snowy of a season." he admitted and-
Somehow that sounded ideal..? He didn't like the snow afterall.
"Really? No snow?" he asked, curious.
Maybe he should plan a winter trip there once he was older. He already made plans for Gerudo and Death Mountain, he could definitely squeeze in the dark world too.
"Mhm, it was mostly rainy and windy but not snowy. At least not where I lived." Shadow admitted.
Okay less ideal but still.. he'd take cold rain over layers upon layers of snow. At least he sort of enjoyed the rain!
… okay lie, he really loved the rain. He just hated the aftermath of getting sick.
"So.. what did you do?" he continued asking one question after the other, curious to learn more. Though Shadow's amused smile made him self conscious. Arms crossed as he defensively hissed "What! A guy can't ask?!" to which pulled a snicker from the shade that had him scowling.
"No no, you can ask. I love it when I get attention." he teased, earned himself a groan from the hero and laughed when the hero sputtered only to resort to yanking his ear. "So violent! Can't take a tease?!"
"Yes." he hissed back to which Shadow rolled his eyes and rubbed his own red ear.
"Anyway, elaborate on what you mean."
Blue, who was still scowling with a red face, forced out through clenched teeth. "Your celebrations? What were they?"
Shadow blinked as he stopped taking care of his ear and lowered his hand. "Oh.. we didn't really celebrate anything?"
"Huh..?"
"Yeah- we had some celebrations but not during this weather?" Shadow shrugged, "We actually spent it mostly out. It rarely rained the whole year so we take joy during the rainy days." he grinned.
"That's…" sounded amazing? No expectations and just relaxing? Maybe he should go there then Gerudo Desert then Death Mountain- "That's alright. what do you do?"
"What, is this an interview? Why the curiosity?" Shadow teased again though this time it had some genuineness.
Blue froze then sent a glare on the side, mostly to avoid Shadow's knowing stare. "No- I'm just.. I don't know. I don't like winter that much."
"I could tell." Shadow hummed.
Okay that- what the hell no- He knew it was obvious but don't pick up on it!
"Huh?"
"Oh come on, moron. I'm your shadow. You think I won't pick up the details? The habits?" Shadow raised an eyebrow.
"I- well yeah? Why would you keep up?!"
"I like knowing my source." Shadow answered though he hated that answer. Especially with that stupid smug smirk, "You can hide it all you want, but I could tell your tolerance for the cold went from this." he raised his hand up to his head.
"To this." he lowered it down only to further stretch his arms abnormally until he reached the floor. An exaggeration though he gagged at seeing it. So weird! He was weird!!
"So you wear multiple sweaters and keep a heating pad and fire rod. I notice things." Shadow claimed, this time with pride before he added a quick jab, "Well.. more than you guys ever notice." he winked.
He hated that jab, his glare was back as he hissed. "Uh. I definitely notice things!"
The shade raised an eyebrow.
To which Blue took it as a challenge to prove himself, "I do! I'm perceptive."
Shadow snorted "Big word, ya learned it from Vio?"
"No."
… he learned it from Red actually.
"Anyway- back to the topic. I don't like winter, I like staying inside. What about you? Don't you enjoy the change and scenery?" Blue instantly switched back to the topic.
"Well I did .. but kinda homesick."
No don't say that! Now if he planned a trip there, he'd be forced to take him with him and it would be a nightmare! Maybe he could convince Green to join them- that would be nice….. Maybe not if Shadow pranks him… anyway-
"Homesick?" he tilted his head though curious.
"Hyrule is…" Shadow glanced to the window though.. for a change.. he actually had a faint smile. A sad one..?
"It's decent. I guess." he muttered, Blue watched him fold his arms and stare out. Though there wasn't the familiar spark of teasing and coy.. it was genuine.
He hated that- what does he do here? Pat pat? No way! Does he just walk out-
"I see why you guys tried so hard to protect it." Shadow smiled at him- did he just acknowledge them?!
"Woah hold on- who are you and what did you do to Shadow?" he asked horrified, to which he got a laugh from the shade. The same old high-pitched echo as he covered his mouth then smirked at him.
"Still me, what? You can't handle a bit of honesty?"
He could!
This was just heading to a vulnerable chat and he was not equipped for a vulnerable chat!!
Instead of waiting for his answer, Shadow continued. "And experiencing snow for the first time is nice and all. I love it." Shadow sighed as he placed a palm on his cheek and rambled about how fun snow was.
At least that made him happy.. he could disagree-
"But I miss my rainy days." Shadow continued, though this time… sadder? No.. bittersweet? "I miss when it gets that smell ya know? The one after rain?"
Blue nodded along, "The earthy kind?"
"Yeah!" Shadow grinned wide, he forgot how sharp his teeth were. They reminded him of sharks. "The smell of dirt." he agreed.
"Don't describe it like that." Blue scowled.
"Whatever man.." Shadow stuck his tongue out, "But yeah- After being summoned, when I get my free time. I'd go sit by the like.. I think castle barns? Ganon's palace was a mess.." he rambled though his tone shifted to a more.. bittersweet tone as he mentioned what he used to do.
"I'd go and sit there with Nebula- you met her, my dragon? I'd be with her and just have chai." he quietly mentioned though eyes were focused on his lap and his shoulders slumped.
Blue wanted to ask about the dragon though he knew it was a touchy subject. Last he heard they were searching for the missing dragon. It was clear from how the shade was acting.
"Oh? Chai?" he instead focused on, hoping to shift the conversation to a more comfortable topic that won't mess with the shade.
"Yeah- I think you guys would know it? It's called masala tea. I tried to get Vio to try it back then but he said it was too hot of a weather to drink warm tea." he rolled his eyes. "Too bad. We used to drink it in both cold and hot weathers." he stuck his tongue out.
Though clearly he lost that familiar spark. The mention of the dragon affected him way more than he let on.
And Blue cursed himself for picking that up. He'd feel even worse for not doing anything about it- but it's Shadow. They weren't-
Okay forget the internal whining. He knew he'd give in anyway.
"I wanna try it." he blurted out. Only to cringe at how he sounded- then tried to repeat it in a more calm manner. "I.. I wanna try it." he repeated slowly only to freeze at seeing the surprised look on Shadow's face. Not even amusement.
"Huh?"
Shoot- he shouldn't have tried! Why did he try!
"I mean.. I never got to?" he winced as he glared down.
"... Blue, you know I'm not an idiot." Shadow started as he got off the desk and crossed his arms. "What's the other reason-"
If this was a ship, he would've been the first to jump off and bail-
What does he do! He didn't wanna!
"Wh-.. what do you mean!" he laughed sheepishly, though he could feel himself sweat from the panic. He didn't know how to explain it! Arms crossed though his nails dug deep into his sleeves. "There is no other reason!"
Shadow stayed quiet and Blue avoided looking at him only to hear steps as Shadow circled him and pointed out every detail. "No eye contact, tense, and.. wait." he stopped before floating to his face, forcing him to meet his eyes as Shadow looked equally surprised. "Telltale signs of nerves. Are you nervous?" he concluded then asked in awe.
In an instant he shoved the shade's face, "What! No! I'm not!" he hissed with a weak glare.
"Red face-" Shadow started only for Blue to sputter and argue.
"From the cold!"
"Cracks in voice."
"From your stupid ideas! You think any sane person woul-" he choked as Shadow hit him with a genuine question and once again didn't blink a single time.
"Blue, are you embarrassed?"
"No!" Blue hissed, though grew disturbed from the non-blinking shade that continued to wait in expectation. Through a clenched jaw, "... only a tiny bit."
"Attaboy, now tell me the reason." Shadow beamed. Then repeated again, this time his tone was a bit more serious. "What's the other reason? Blue?"
Blue scowled, "Well I'm staying here. You're staying here. I want something warm, you like tea. I thought…"
"Oh!" Shadow's ears perked up. "Oh, you wanna spend time with me? How sweet! I thought it was pity, I was about to hit you with this by the way." Shadow blurted out as he pointed his index finger and summoned the same old lightning beam only tiny sparks. A faint reminder of their first meeting.
He didn't know which would've been better. Getting hit by lightning and hurting his pride… or fueling Shadow's ego with the idea Blue was nervously asking to hang out-
He did not. He wanted to cheer him up-
Actually that was worse. There's no winning. It was pity. The lightning would've been easier to take care of than this.
"You're an idiot." Blue muttered. "But.. I do wanna try it.. and hear more about it."
Shadow's teasing smile faltered, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at him with confusion. His hat had a subtle question mark that he never really noticed until now- honestly that was dorky. What the hell?
"You wanna hear more… about tea..?"
"No!" Blue groaned as he covered his face. "Shadow, I wanna know more about your winter. What's it like? I think it's way better than what we have." he admitted.
Which he tensed when he saw Shadow's wide eyes and parted mouth. Genuine surprise. Did he say something wro-
"What's wrong with your face?" Blue blurted out- so smooth and graceful.
"Nothing!" Shadow yelled back though a small grin formed. "Didn't realize it was that nice.. sounding? Especially hearing it from you! You don't even like me!" he rambled.
"I- well! I don't hate you exactly." Blue snapped back only to pause as he looked equally as surprised as the shade.
"You.. don't?" Shadow asked and Blue never did he wish for the earth to swallow him up until this damn moment. What does he say? How does he explain himself in a way that Shadow won't annoy him?!
Blue scowled, then crossed his arms. "No..? I just. You're a moron and I'd beat you up and call you names and all-" he started to ramble only for Shadow to cut him off.
"Real kind of you."
That earned the shade a glare followed by an eye-roll as Blue continued his rant. "But I don't think you're like.. the most annoying of companions.." he grumbled.
"...Oh..?"
Was that it..? Just it-
"I don't follow."
Blue blinked at that reaction. Not expecting it- Honestly the shade kept catching him more and more off guard- what is with these reactions?!
Though Shadow kept staring with those creepy unblinking eyes. As if he was waiting..?
Blue cringed at that, hoping he didn't have to stay it though with each passing second of awkward silence. He found himself shifting in place and looking anywhere but at the shade.
"W…well.." he cleared his throat, "Vio clearly knows your company is uh.. decent." he started with, barely meeting the shade's eyes though he could see the way the shade's ears perked up in attentiveness and his eyes were wide like a cat's. It was almost weird seeing those slit eyes now round and wide-
"And- you and Red always make the most boring things seem fun." he awkwardly continued.
"Arson is fun." Shadow chirped in.
"An- wait what?" Blue blinked, looked over at him in bewilderment. There's no way he heard it right- Red would never ..
Unless he did- that would explain why he set him on fire.
Blue shook his head as if to shake the thought away. No no, Red explained it was an accident . He wouldn't lie.
Instead, he continued to the last color. "... Green spoke highly of you." he sighed as he elaborated with closed eyes. "That your magic was impressive and you had his back on those quests- what the hell?! " he continued only to screech. After all what does he do when he opens his eyes and meets Shadow's face just a bit away from him?!
"He said that?" Shadow asked, too eager with those wide eyes and smile as if he was unbothered with the shrill shriek he pulled from Blue.
The hero looked at him bewildered then silently nodded. He cleared his throat, "Uh.. yeah..?" he muttered only to jump back when the shade tried to come closer.
"Did he say more things?" Shadow pressed, still eager. Still so stupid- did he not know what personal space was?!
"... later, I'll tell you?" he tried and that seemed to do the trick, the shade instantly stepped back with exasperation and arms thrown in the air.
"Ugh! Don't tease like that!" Shadow complained, "Gave me a tiny taste and took it away from me!"
"If you care so much, ask him." Blue pointed out bluntly when he saw the shade moments away from a tantrum.
"But yeah.. back to the topic…" Blue coughed, that seemed to distract the shade. "Everyone says good things about you. So I guess.. it's kinda difficult to stay convinced that you're some cursed cryptid when you're surrounded with good things." he admitted.
Shadow grinned, a huge smile with wide eyes. "Oh I'm so flattered!" he laughed. "Makes me feel like I'm part of the team, hah!" he snickered.
"More like it's feeding your ego." Blue grumbled.
"Isn't it the same thing?" Shadow hummed with a smirk.
Blue rolled his eyes then continued awkwardly, arms folded behind his back. "I just.. thought maybe. You could.. show me how you spend your winter? " he asked though his voice got lower and lower. Face cringed with his eyes squeezed shut and face unbelievably warm. Expecting a rejection or some laughter.
Instead he was met with silence, it was as if Shadow wasn't even in the room with how quiet it got.
Blue cracked an eye open only to meet Shadow's huge smile and lit up eyes. As if he was waiting for him to face him. Kind of cruel-
"I'd like that." Shadow finally answered.
Okay maybe not so cruel- it seemed he was waiting for him just to see his reaction at the agreement.
Blue's eyes widened as he sputtered, didn't expect the other to genuinely agree to spend winter with him. "Okay.. okay- uh… when?" he asked awkwardly only to jump as Shadow grabbed his arms and exclaimed
"Now! Let's go!" he started to sink to the floor, pulled him down with him except while Shadow turned to an intangible puddle of shade that seeped through, Blue just sat there solid as ever with an utterly lost look on his face. Especially with an echoing "Follow me!" and high pitched laugh.
"... I can't follow you like-" Blue started mumbling then groaned as he stood up and walked like any normal person.
"Oh whatever, showoff." he complained when he saw Shadow already in the kitchen causing a ruckus with getting the kettle out and preparing their tea.
The stupid laugh he started to tolerate as he looked over to see what Shadow was making before he started to help get the mugs out and some food to have with the tea. Quietly bickering as he set the table, with Blue threatening to eat Shadow's food that he got from the local bakery and then Shadow threatening to poison his tea if he committed such a heinous crime.
Though.. despite the bickering and threats. He found himself smiling- a faint smile that he would hide once he faced the shade. He knew that the shade's way of celebrating winter was the preferable one. To be able to stay inside and enjoy it from the warmth and comforts of his home? To sit back and enjoy warm tea? He enjoyed it more than he expected.
Not in a 'one is better than the other' way, rather it felt like he could do something that felt right for him. He couldn't spend too much time in the snow or out during this weather due to how quick he'd get sick and struggle. And everything about this season was celebrated with it and the day ended with everyone huddled around warmth.
It felt like he had to force himself to be out and risk getting sick just to be part of everything. Which he tried and regretted.
So, now..? Being shared this custom and being able to celebrate it indoors?
The aroma of the tea filled the room along with the warmth of their house? This quiet way to celebrate winter? Honestly that was a gift for him.
He snorted at the thought, and it clearly it got Shadow's attention.
"Why are you laughing, idiot?" Shadow huffed.
"Nothing, nothing." he grinned back at him, smug as ever. "You said you didn't know gift giving but honestly? I think you got it under control." he admitted.
To which Shadow tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Blue hummed as he sat on the chair, arms folded on top of the dining table as he leaned on it. "Well, this is nice to me. You shared something that makes me feel better about winter. So in a way, your dumb complaining made my winter ironically better." he snickered.
Though instead of a flustered shade like he hoped for- he got a moron with a huge smug smile that rivaled his own.
"Aw are you saying you love hanging out with me? I didn't know you were that easy to sway!" he teased and through that he wiped his smile off his face.
"Wh- no! Am not!" he argued.
"You just said-"
"No I did not! Shut up! Get the tea! Before I decide to leave!"
Okay maybe he appreciates this celebration being shared with him.
But he totally.
Did not.
Appreciate Shadow and his idiotic acts.
..
Okay maybe a little bit but that's cause he was entertaining- but that was it!