I was feeling pretty bad for the most part of today, so I wrote some self indulgent fluff.
Monika quickly got annoyed with snow. It was beautiful to look at, but there was always the annoyance of extra tasks tied with it, such as shoveling, being mindful of ice in the roads and sidewalks, and the annoying threat of getting sick if one stayed outside for just a bit too long. Gloves made things difficult at times, but she also much preferred being able to feel her hands.
Elias, on the other hand, adored the winter wonderland that was currently outside of their base. It had been his idea to lighten up and play in the snow, an idea that was met with a sly grin from Dominic, a curious tilt of the head from Marius, and a roll of the eyes from Monika.
“We are not children.”
“Clearly, you’ve never been one either, Monika.”
Elias wasn’t surprised that Monika and Dominic were already going at each other. Marius was content to simply watch, leaving Elias to step in again.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
Monika crossed her arms, turning her narrowed gaze to Elias.
“We could all end up horribly sick and in the medbay, restricted from our duties?”
Dominic crossed his arms, voice more monotone than normal. “Oh no, how horrible. We get a cold. It’s the apocalypse.”
“We won’t get sick, unless Dominic decides to shove snow in my shirt again.”
Marius turned to Dominic, who simply gave a grin. Elias shook his head with a thinly veiled smile.
“We can have a snowball fight, at the very least! Instead of fighting in here.”
Dominic shrugged, turning to grab a heavier coat.
“You can, I won’t. I’d rather not have a snowball with ice in the center be thrown at my face, Monika.”
“Stop being such a whiny little brat, Dominic.”
Elias shook his head. “We’ll find something to do that won’t end in disaster.” Elias could clearly see the way Marius’ eyebrows raised.
“What?”
“Nothing. Just that it’ll be a miracle for none of us to walk away without some embarrassing mark.”
Elias opened his mouth to say something, but quickly stopped. He knew better by now than to ask what Marius meant, especially with how close he and Dominic were. A recipe for trouble. He went to get a heavier coat, not keen on getting sick anytime soon on account of what was intending to be a fun day out.
They agreed to meet outside, in the expansive courtyard covered in a fluffy layer of thick snow. Marius and Dominic were already talking, and Monika had her arms crossed talking to them. Elias was quick to join them.
“Being the Ice Queen, you have a surprising hatred of the cold.’
“Why does everyone assume that the cold doesn’t bother me in the slightest?”
“Perhaps you should let it go.”
It took them all a moment to realize what Dominic was referencing with his deadpan tone, but Monika’s realization was the most obvious when she harshly pushed him into a snowbank. Marius couldn’t hold back loud laughter, which prompted Dominic to reach out of the snow and pull him in. Monika smirked at the undignified yelp Marius let out, leaving Elias to simply shake his head in amusement.
“That’s a new record, ja? Not even a minute and someone’s already on the ground.”
Dominic poked his head out from the snowbank, wiping snow away from his face.
“Not my fault the hellhounds’ owner can’t take a joke.”
“It isn’t my fault you are all insufferable idiots.”
“I haven’t even done anything, liebling!” Elias was quick to retort. Monika turned to say something back to Elias, before she was met with a face full of snow from a grinning Dominic and Marius. He’s too slow to stop Monika from grabbing armfuls of snow and dumping it on top of them, effectively burying Dominic and Marius in snow, but still picks her up before she can sit on top of the snowbank.
“Elias! Put me down!”
“Not a chance, kätzchen.”
“Elias!”
He simply laughed as Marius dug himself out of the snow hill, Dominic showing his head shortly after. Monika gives up trying to free herself from over Elias’ shoulder, letting out a sigh. Elias adjusted his grip, holding Monika bridal style now and grinning to her before letting himself fall back into another snowbank with a flurry of snow.
“Elias… Are you serious?”
“Of course! Isn’t this nice?”
“It’s cold.”
“It’s snow, liebling. It’s not supposed to be warm.”
She huffed, grabbing a handful of snow and shoving it into his face. He shook his head to get away from the cold, still laughing.
“Come on, Monika!”
He knew she was enjoying herself, and he was glad to take a face full of snow to get her to have fun with no intent to win or be the best. He wasn’t too sure how long they ended up outside in the snow, but he was more than happy to end it with a blanket wrapped around him and Monika in his lap. He wrapped his arms around his stomach to hold her close, lounging back in his bed and enjoying the warmth.