seen from Australia
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seen from United States
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seen from Canada
seen from Armenia
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seen from United Kingdom
seen from Malaysia
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'Winter White'
Watercolor on paper, 19.5 x 24.5cm. 2023.
This is a part of Winter Walks, a four part collection of petite paintings inspired by the ritual of wandering around Abbotsford, Richmond and Kew area. The rest of the works can be viewed via:
Christmas Cheer (Mitsunari/MC)
Mitsunari +11 ( I’m a barista and you keep making weird faces when you drink the “Christmas cheer in a cup” coffee I make, why do you keep ordering it?)
This is for darling @frywen-babbles I hope you like it! <3
Tagging: @han-pan and @dear-mrs-otome
The first time, I just shrugged it off. People often come into the shop, unsure of what to order, disappointment was not an uncommon thing.
So, when the rather serious, and seriously attractive, man came up to the counter, looking at the menu with an almost ferocious stare it didn’t raise a red flag.
In fact, I was just glad he ordered a drink.
This wasn’t the first time he’d come into the shop. The first few times he came in, he just sat in the corner, reading. Not that I minded, with that beauty mark and those glasses, he was the best eye-candy around.
I waited, he stared, I waited some more, wiping the counter. It was an odd time in the coffee shop, that period between mid-morning and the afternoon, where the place was mostly empty so he could take his time.
“I’ll take the…Christmas cheer.” Finally, he ordered, and I stood there a moment, taken aback. The Christmas cheer was my personal drink design and more of a spiced hot chocolate than coffee.
This guy definitely seemed like a strong coffee person.
“Well?” He spoke again, irritation evident.
“Oh, okay.” I managed, shaking myself from my shock. “One Christmas cheer, extra cheer, coming up.” I grinned at him, and his frown only deepened.
Just my luck. I quickly made his drink, doing my best to put as much cheer into it I could, before handing it back to him, almost ashamed of how anxious I was to see his reaction.
He took a sip, his frown transforming into…something else? A deeper frown perhaps.
I sighed, deflating instantly.
He just took the drink, retreating to his corner for the rest afternoon.
The second time, I was more confused.
He came in, same time as before (and all the previous times) strode up to the counter, and ordered.
“Christmas Cheer.” I swore he grimaced as he said it.
Still, I allowed it, after all, maybe the first time he tried it something was off. Maybe he was tasting it again to make sure?
This time, the shop was empty and I couldn’t help but try to make small talk, learning that he was a University student like me.
“But you work during the day.”
“I take some online classes, but most of my classes are in the afternoon and night.” I shrugged. “I have to afford an apartment somehow and school won’t pay for itself.”
He didn’t say anything to that, and when I handed him his drink he took a sip, the strange look from last time planted firmly on his face.
Before he retreated to his corner I managed one last effort.
“What about you? What’s your plan?”
“I don’t see why I would need to tell you that.” Well, he shut me down, didn’t he?
“Okay-“ I sighed. “What about your name then? So, I know who is always taking the corner spot.” Honestly, I’m not sure why I even bothered.
He rolled his eyes, mumbling something I assumed was rude under his breath.
“Mitsunari.”
This Mitsunari’s presence in the coffee shop became more frequent. Always at that time of day. If I was lucky and the place was empty, he’d even talk to me.
Slowly but surely, he talked to me. At first about nothing at all really, but as his visits became almost daily, more things. His mother, his school work – it turned out he was majoring in Library science – and his suitemate Hideyoshi.
He talked about Hideyoshi a lot.
More often than not, he’d tell me about whatever book he was reading, he seemed to bring a new one every day.
I would listen, almost entranced, until the lunch rush arrived and he slipped out of my life for the day, leaving an increasing hole in what remained.
Oh yes, I had it bad.
Still, every day he came in, and I expected that day would be the day he wouldn’t order Christmas cheer. And Every day I was wrong.
Wrong as his fingers brushed against mine, making me blush.
Wrong as the gazes I shot him grew longer, more yearning.
Wrong as I even went so far to write my number on a napkin, only to have him throw it away without looking.
He was going to be the death of me, I knew it.
He didn’t come in for the holidays. His presence as abruptly gone as it had been there. I hung garland, helped to put up a tree, decorated said tree, and everything.
We workers even put up our stockings.
And I waited.
Making Christmas cheer whenever I was asked to, but with less cheer than normal.
The thought of him not coming back into the shop made my heart hurt in a way I wasn’t used. I went so far as to ask around to see if maybe the beautiful guy who always sat in the corner had been coming in at other times.
All that got me was some not-so-gentle ribbing from my coworkers.
After all, how silly was I? To have a crush on a guy I barely knew, and be so torn up about it.
“What’ll you have?” I smiled at the brown-haired guy in front of me, noting the twinkle in his eye.
“Well, I’d like to have a chance to stand with you under that mistletoe.” He grinned even as I rolled my eyes.
“Slow down tiger.”
“Most people just call me a monkey.”
“Is that your given name?”
“You can call me Hideyoshi if you’d like.” Hideyoshi, eh? What were the odds?
“Well, Hideyoshi, what can I get you this Christmas Eve?” I was tired, the guy who was supposed to cover the evening shift had flaked at the last minute, meaning that I got to cover both your morning shift and his evening shift.
All on Christmas Eve, still a tip was a tip.
“Actually, I’m here for a friend.”
“Oh, really? What can I get your friend?”
“Well, he always is talking about this hot chocolate drink, it's very...festive, from what I’ve gathered.”
“Oh, the Christmas cheer.” I filled in for him.
“Yeah, that’s the one!”
“Is there a chance your friend is a very attractive, glasses-wearing, guy. Beauty mark right here?” I pointed to my face as Hideyoshi laughed.
“That depends, are you the Barista with the bad taste in literature?”
“That’s me.” I turned around, setting out to make the most cheerful drink you could imagine.
“Oh, well won’t he be disappointed.”
“Why d’you say that?” I said, half-listening.
“He made me come because he figured you wouldn’t be on shift.” I paused, a sort of flutter taking hold of me. Now, what did he mean by that?
“You don’t say.” I was glad my back was turned so he couldn’t see the blush on my face as I hastily scrawled something onto the cup.
“I do say.” He managed as I turned back to him, thrusting the drink into his waiting hands.
“It’s on the house.”
“Now-“
“Don’t start with me.” I wagged my finger at him. “Bring the coffee to him and let him know he’s been missed.”
“Can do!”
I finally, finally undid my apron, relishing that this event could only mean that I’d be headed home soon. The rest of the night had passed rather easily, but now, it was closing time.
Well, almost closing time.
Just as soon as I locked the door.
I stepped over to the door, reaching for it as it swung back, putting me face to face with-
“Mitsunari.” I blinked, his name slipping by my lips unknowingly.
Sure enough, there he was, looking down at me, that impassive face I think I was more than a little in love with.
“Your shop isn’t supposed to close for another two minutes.” He frowned. A frown that only deepened as I laughed.
“I’m- I’m sorry, I didn’t think I’d have any late nighters.”
“Why’d you write such a stupid question on this cup?” He held the offending object in his hand. “It’s a disgrace that you even had Hideyoshi deliver such a nonsensical thing to me.”
“Well, it got you here didn’t it? So I win either way.” My quick reply brought a redness to his cheeks he couldn’t hide. Stunning him to sullen silence.
“Do you have an answer? “
“To what?”
“To the question.”
“It isn’t obvious? You’re being a dullard.”
“Enlighten me, Oh great one.” I kept him at the door, I was serious about it being closing time.
“Because- Because” He was struggling, clearly.
“Because?”
“I like the drink because of the face you get when you make it!” Finally, the answer I sought was delivered, like a blow to the chest. I stared at him, wide-eyed, the blush on my face almost as dark as his.
“W-What?” I squeaked. He got it because of the face I made? What did that even mean?
“You look so…so…sickeningly cheerful.” He continued, biting the bullet.
“Just tell her she looks cute.” A voice cut in, making us both jump.
“Hideyoshi!” Mitsunari turned his head. “What are you doing-“
“You know what would fix both of your problems? Let me tell you. This would be so much easier if you both just…looked up.” His wide smile was almost unsettling as I looked up.
Oh.
Oh.
Mistletoe.
“Hideyoshi you cannot possibly expect-“ Oh nope, I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity. I cut him off halfway, pressing my lips to his, my hands clutching his jacket.
He was frozen for just a moment before his eyes fluttered shut and he tugged me closer to him.
Well, Merry Christmas to me, then.
*presses and holds the button and makes the door slam down and break into pieces*
Dumbass: hmm that's not good
Coworker: 😨😨🤬🤬🤬🤬
Locked Doors and Cookies (Saizo/MC)
For @ihavenotfallenyet
Saizo + 12 (12. We’re neighbors and I just got locked out of my apartment, I was baking cookies that will burn if I don’t get in there quick)
Tagging: @frywen-babbles @han-pan and @jemchew
“Umeko, No, no I can’t talk right now, seriously, I’ve got to get this cookie dough in the oven.” You sighed, pressing your ear closer to your shoulder to keep the phone in place. “If I don’t finish these, they won’t cool down in time for me to ice them before the party.”
“Oh, come on, are you serious?”
“Very serious. I’ll call you back later, okay?”
“Sounds good!” The phone clicked. Finally. You set it on the counter, returning to your task. Humming softly to yourself as you rolled out the sugar cookie dough.
You did love baking, especially this time of year, where the cold seeped in from the windows and the smell of your peppermint tea was so strong.
You sunk your cookie cutter into the dough, sliding the precious goods onto a pan until you had enough.
You were going to a Christmas party later tonight and this was your offering up to the host, homemade cookies, homemade frosting, the works.
There.
You set the timer on the oven and stepped back.
You were almost done, was there anything you were forgetting? Frosting? Check. Cute cookie platter? Check. Sprinkles?....Not check.
Wait, you had bought sprinkles, you were sure of it?
Maybe they were in your car?
You shook your head, cursing your absentmindedness, shutting the door behind you as you jogged out to your car. You shivered. Great, you’d forgotten your jacket. You reached for your keys.
Wait.
You forgot your keys.
You groaned, hurrying back up the stairs. This was just not your night, was it?
You reached your door, turning the handle.
Only to find that it would not turn. Your door was locked.
“You can’t be serious.” The words slipped out of your mouth as you looked at the door.
It was locked and your keys were securely inside.
So were your cookies, and your cell phone. You couldn’t even call the complex to let you back in. You pressed your head against the door.
“Damn it all-“
“Dear, oh dear.” The voice behind you made you jump, you turned on your heels. Seven hells, as if this night could get any more difficult. “What sort of predicament have we gotten ourselves into?”
“Saizo.” Saizo Kirigakure, your very attractive, very apathetic neighbor.
“That is my name, little lady.” You turned your face away, attempting to hide your blush. Why couldn’t he just use your name?
“Well, is there a particular reason you’re looking so morose?” he continued, unlocking the door to his apartment. “Did your door do something to you to deserve that look?”
“Actually, it did.” You stopped him, attempting your best at puppy eyes. “I’m locked out.”
“What a shame, you should call someone about that.” Just inside your apartment, you heard the timer go off. He stepped into his apartment, the door sliding
Oh no.
“My phone’s inside!” You hurried, hearing him sigh, watching him open his door back up. “And I was baking cookies.”
“Cookies?”
“Yes, and the timer’s just gone off.” You bit your lip, looking at him.
“What a sticky situation you’re in.” He shook his head, he didn’t look the least bit sympathetic.
“Can I-“ You sighed. “Can I borrow your phone?”
“To call maintenance?”
“Yes.”
“You could, little lady, but I doubt they’ll be here in time to save your cookies. “
“They could be here in time to save my apartment from catching on fire, though.” He rolled his eyes, stepping over to the door.
“Do you have a hairpin?”
“Me?”
“Who else is here in this hallway?”
“Right, yes.” You reached up, tugging one out. “Here.” He took it from you, and you stepped closer to him, watching with wide eyes as he produced a small metal rod and- and…
Picked your lock.
The door clicked and he swung it open. You stood there a moment, gaping at him.
“You know, your face will get stuck like that if you don’t watch out.” You blushed, looking away again.
“Thanks, for…that.” You mumbled, he only continued to look at you.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
“Your cookies.”
“Oh shit my cookies!” You gasped, running past him, nearly tripping as you shut your oven off, taking them out.
They were a little brown, but not burned. Not burned.
“Yes!” You took a breath of relief. “They’re still good!”
“Hmmm.” Saizo had followed you inside, his breath at your neck. You shivered, “Are they now?” he picked one up, popping it into his mouth.
“Oh! They’re still hot.”
“Mmm” He shut his eyes for a second, looking content. Looking...breathtakingly beautiful with a cookie shoved into his mouth.
“Anyway, how can I thank you for this? Also, how can I get you to teach me how to do that?”
“Do what?”
“Pick a lock.”
“I didn’t take you for a criminal in the making.”
“It just seems like a good skill to have.”
“Well.” He brushed crumbs off of his shirt, leaning down so that his mouth was at your ear.
“Make me dango, and I’ll see what I can do.” His lips brushed your ear as he pulled away and you shuddered. You could only stare at him, blushing and wide-eyed as he stepped out, closing your door and leaving you alone with a pounding heart.
You needed to find a dango recipe asap.
Christmas Wish (Saizo/MC)
Saizo +18 & 19 (You hate Christmas because you’ve never had a good one. So I go all out to make this the best Christmas for you + I was cold, so you gave me your jacket but now you’re cold too. So I suggest we hug instead) for a lovely anon <3 Let me just take a moment to talk to you about Saizo, my absolute bae, fave till the grave, haunter of my dreams. I love him. I ADORE him. I’m a shameless fangirl.
Tagging people I know who love Saizo as much as I do: @jemchew @han-pan @lexiiferr @you-mass-effect-my-dragon-age @frywen-babbles @tearscrime @nairil-daeris@honeybeelily @carolithe But feel free to tag as you want.
“Don’t you think you’ve been watching Christmas movies a little excessively, little lady?” Saizo’s voice cut through your well-deserved revere. You paused the Hallmark classic in front of you, unwilling to waste a moment of the movie, before you responded.
“Not really.” You turned to look at him, at the book that rested in his hands, the way his glasses sat on the bridge of his nose, a soft smile playing on your lips all the while. “After all, these movies only come around once a year.”
“Mmmhmm.” He responded, his gaze firmly planted on the pages in front of him. “I just can’t say I see the appeal.”
“Well, they are cheesy.” You conceded, shifting your body so that you could lay your head in his lap, effectively distracting him from his reading. “But my mom and I used to watch them every year as a child, these and the old stop-motion ones, you know?”
“Do I know?” He posed the question, his voice neutral. He brushed your hair back from your face with one hand, the other still holding the book. You couldn’t hide the surprise on your face.
“What- what did your family not watch Christmas movies?”
He sighed but didn’t respond, which only made you press further.
“What did you for Christmas every year?”
“I can’t say we did much.” He managed, keeping the bored look on his face, unfortunately for him. You had seen the flash of melancholy in his eyes in the moments before.
“Did you ever have a tree?”
“No.”
“A stocking?” He sighed, smoothing your hair with his hands, attempting to shush you.
“Dear, oh dear I’ve seemed to have said too much.” Those beautiful dried-copper eyes of his locked with yours. “There is no need for that look, your face is going to get stuck in that frown.”
But there was a need.
A need for you to talk to Yukimura, first.
“He’s never done Christmas? Your hushed whisper was stricken. “You’re serious, Yukimura?” The bright-eyed man nodded, his eyes solemn.
“He…uhm, he had a rough time of it when he was growing up, from what I’ve heard.” He managed. That was something you already knew, you just hadn’t even considered what that meant for holidays.
You couldn’t get the image out of your head, an image of a sad silver-haired boy sitting alone as the snow fell, copper eyes staring up into the emptiness of the night.
“We- We need to give him the best Christmas, then.” You nodded to yourself. “Who doesn’t love Christmas? Plus, if we go all out, I bet Sasuke will have a blast.”
“Right! That sounds like a great plan! What are we going to do?”
“That’s a good question.”
A question answered by a week of trying your best to sneak behind the back of your very perceptive boyfriend.
A week of you taking your lunch breaks to decorate, which was more of a dangerous activity than you previously imagined.
Between Yukimura almost setting fire to the tinsel, to you being nearly crushed under the weight of the tree you helped him carry up the stairs you ended up more than a little bruised and beat up.
Something that Saizo was sure to comment on once this was all over.
But at the end of the week, you were pretty sure you had turned Yukimura’s apartment into a veritable winter wonderland. Tinsel, garland, popcorn on a string, a tree that was just a little too big for the apartment, presents everywhere.
Somehow you even got Yukimura’s ancient fireplace to work.
With his TV set on one of those clay-animation Christmas classics, it was time.
You rocked on your heels, checking your phone for what felt like the 15th time.
You needed to have a talk with Sasuke’s soccer coach, having practice on Christmas Eve seemed a little much. The snow outside had turned from a gently drift to a swirling fall, you worried on your lip, a nervous habit.
The front door swung open, bringing the chill in with it. You scrambled forward, an excited smile on your face.
“Merry Christmas!” You surged forward, meeting a wide-eyed Sasuke with a hug. “You’re so cold! Come on let’s get you closer to the fireplace!” Sasuke tightened the hug as you back stepped him into the room, looking around at his surroundings in wonder. Just above his head, you made eye-contact with Saizo, noting the surprise in this gaze that faded into a softer look.
The kind of look you only caught every now and again.
Something you cherished completely, promised yourself to never forget.
“Well, well, is this what has been taking up all your time, little lady?”
“You could say that.” You managed.
“Sensei, this is amazing!” Sasuke grinned, looking up at Saizo and letting you go.
“That’s not even the best part!” Yukimura piped up, nearly quivering in excitement. “Look at the tree!”
Yes, the tree, the tree with all the presents underneath.
“Are- Are those mine?” Sasuke looked back at Yukimura, his puppy-dog eyes more than enough to melt anyone’s heart.
“Well, not all of them, at least one of them is Saizo’s.”
“And maybe even one for Yukimura, too.” You interjected, clasping Saizo’s hand and tugging him toward the tree. “Let’s take a look shall we?”
And look you did, sure, maybe you blew through your hard-earned Christmas budget (and maybe dipped into savings too, even with Yukimura’s help) but it was so, so worth it.
Even as you were sitting there, on the edge of the couch, as your three favorite boys played Mario Kart.
You smiled, taking a moment to step away, sliding the balcony door as quietly as you could as you slipped out.
It was still snowing, flurries falling into your hair, the wind whispering the chill into your bones. Still, it didn’t matter, you felt so warm from the moment inside, you just…needed some air. You leaned against the railing, ignoring your shivering.
“Watch out, Little Lady.” You jerked back at the warm touch on your arm.
“Saizo-“ You stifled your yelp as he shrugged his jacket off, placing it on your shoulders. “Oh.”
“You’re shivering.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Dear oh dear, whatever am I going to do with you?” The exasperated look on his face drew a laugh from your mouth.
“I could think of some things.” You responded, innocently enough. “If you think I’ve been too naughty.”
“Ah, the good girl gone bad, I see.” He stepped closer to you, breath hot in your ear as he leaned over. “Although after this little stunt, I think you’ve landed yourself on the nice list for many years to come.”
“Awww.” You pouted, grasping at his hand, feeling how the cold had seeped into it. “Not even if I ask nicely?” You released him, reaching up to pull his jacket off, using your close proximity to pull it around his shoulders.
“What-“
“Let’s share.” You wrapped your arms around his waist, snuggling against his chest. “Since I was the only one who didn’t get a present, I choose this.”
“This?”
“Well, I choose you to be my present this year.”
“You really have been watching too many of those movies.” He shook his head, but wrapped his arms around you just the same, pulling you closer to his warmth. “Not to mention, little lady, if you had given me a heads up on your little plot I could have brought your gift.”
“As if you didn’t know.” You wrinkled your nose and felt him chuckle.
“Next year, we should just cut out the middleman and do this at our apartment.”
Next year…
Your wide smile couldn’t stop the happiness from stealing a sniffle or two from you, but you didn’t cry, you were far too happy.
“Did you like it?”
“All this?”
“Mmmhmm.”
He pressed a kiss to your forehead, those beautiful eyes of his nearly glowing in the moonlight.
“Sure, little lady, the best Christmas I’ve ever had.”
Tonight (Kageie/MC)
Kageie + 1 (Mistletoe Kiss)
Soooo, I hope this is okay. I have more than one Kageie request in my inbox, so I’m glad voltage finally gave me some more information.
So anon, I hope you enjoy! Tagging: @han-pan @tinydadkanetsugu
but anyone feel free to tag someone who loves the berserker of the Uesugi clan!
“You should just tell him you like him.” Kagetsugu’s soft, if not a little deadpan voice, reached my ear. I turned, shrugging my shoulders in a helpless gesture.
“What good do you think it would do?”
“Well what harm could it do?” We were standing together, near the punch bowl, as the Christmas party went on around us.
It was often this way, Kagetsugu’s solemn, quiet manner providing a welcome respite from the chaos that was the Uesugi Corporation’s staff.
A rather rambunctious group of people if you asked me.
Still, that didn’t stop my eyes from wandering to the person we were talking about, his trademark look of boredom replaced with a competitive glint as he eyed Yoshichi.
“What exactly are they doing?”
“Dunno.”
“Poor Yoshichi.” I murmured, looking away.
“With Kageie making that face, I tend to agree.”
Kageie. I bit my lip. My feelings for him were…complicated. As was my romance. One heated one-night stand later and I was still in limbo.
As if I should have expected him to act any different.
Kagetsugu sighed, handing me a glass of punch.
“He’s not going to act any differently unless you tell him to, that’s just how he is.”
“It doesn’t make sense! He’s so calm.”
“That’s Kageie for you.”
“We slept together.”
“You’ll need to take charge, you know.”
“I-“ I sighed, taking a long sip of the punch. It burned. Kenshin wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to get us all drunk. “I know.”
“Kageie, you should learn to be more gentle.” I heard Kenshin admonish, looking down at Yoshichi, who held up his arm in defeat.
“Yeah.” Kageie huffed but nodded in agreement none-the-less.
I pursed my lips, Kenshin, that was someone who Kageie listened to. Maybe asking him?
No, bad idea. Kenshin was still my boss, maybe not directly, but at the end of the day, involving him in office affairs seemed…wrong.
“Is that it?” Kageie questioned. “No one else wants to play?” A chorus of drunken ‘No’s’ filled the air and his bored expression resumed.
Kageie loved a game, a competition. He loved winning, being occupied.
I nursed my drink sitting by the door. What a conundrum.
Or was it? My eyes widened as My gaze landed on the door above me.
Mistletoe.
Perfect!
Perfect if only I had a willing victim.
I frowned, rebuffed for what seemed like the 5th time.
I needed to be direct with him, but for some reason, I…I couldn’t.
“You can do better.” Kagetsugu piped up, and I let out a frustrated noise.
“Better how?”
“I mean, seriously. You could just ask him.”
“Please stop saying that.”
“What are you two doing?” Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Kageie’s voice was suspicious as he eyed the two of us. “You’ve been in the corner all night.”
“Not true, I’ve definitely tried to talk to you several times tonight.”
“But not really.” He continued unabashed. He seemed…upset, but it was barely there. More like discontent, just below the surface.
“We’re having a conversation.” Kagetsugu shrugged.
“About?”
“Ask her.”
“What are you two talking about?” Oh Kagetsugu, you traitor! I frowned. Fine. FINE.
I saw how it was.
“Kageie, come with me.” I grabbed his hand. He didn’t resist, only raised his eyebrow, the bored look replaced with a head tilt. Great, now he was adorable, too.
I dragged him to the door, holding him still.
“What-“ Before he could finish, I pushed my lips against his, my hands pressed against his chest. For a moment, nothing happened.
Fuck, dammit.
I went to pull away, only to have his arms wrap around me, holding me still.
The whistle from the crowd finally made me pull away.
I stared up at him, although there was a blush on his face, he still looked smug.
“Kageie…”
“If you wanted me to kiss you again, you just needed to ask.”
“There is more than that-“
“Didn’t I tell you before?” His whisper in my ear made me shiver. “Whatever you wanted, you just needed to ask. I thought I was pretty clear.”
“Well, I want you to kiss me again.”
“Tonight.” For the first time that night he grinned, and I blushed.
“Tonight.”
Snow Days (Yukimura/MC)
Yukimura + 8 (8. Snowman competition, the judges are a bunch of five-year-old kids)
for @batskee
Tagging: @han-pan
I took some liberties with the judges, but I hope you like it love!
“Wake up!” The cheery voice made you groan, rolling away from the sound. “Come on, it’s snowing!” You opened your eyes, glancing over at the noise. “Yukimura” You slurred, “It’s still time to be asleep.” You met the bright eyes of your lover with a pout. He reached over, brushing a strand of hair from your face, making a blush rise to your cheeks. His wide grin brought a smile to your own face.
He could play you like a fiddle, with just a look.
“I do love the snow.” You pushed yourself up. “I’ll get up, but you have to do something for me first.” You shot him a mischievous look.
“Anything.” He meant it, his gaze so serious it almost took your breath away.
“Give me a kiss.” You watched his cheeks redden like yours had just a moment ago, but he didn’t miss a beat, placing a knee onto the bed as he leaned over, mouth meeting yours. You felt him smile into the kiss as you pulled him closer to you. His hands tangled in your hair, the soft kiss turning into something a little more…wild.
“Yukimura!” A familiar voice outside had you both yanking away from one another.
“Sasuke’s here. “You managed, pressing your cool hands to your face. “I’ll get dressed and be down in a minute.”
“I’ll see you outside.” One more kiss, a brush against your forehead, before he was gone.
You hummed softly, closing your front door behind you. It really had snowed, at least two feet. Of course, the storm had died down, leaving only a few select flurries still falling from the sky.
You looked around, no sight of either Sasuke or Yukimura.
“Yukimura?” You turned around, a sort of dread filling you. You had a feeling, a-
A-
A snowball hit you right in your face.
Then another, sending you flailing backward, landing with a dull thump into the snow. You wiped your face, freeing the loosely packed snow.
Fine, if that was how it was going to be.
You opened your eyes, spotting at once Yukimura’s concerned face, peeking out from behind the bushes, you had a feeling Sasuke was with him.
You stood up and he drew back. Too late for all that love, you mused, he was already caught. You started a small snowball, humming softly as you made it larger, and then larger still, setting it down and rolling it up to the bushes.
It was dead silent. But you knew. You were not fooled.
You would only have a second.
You hoisted the ball up, looking over the bush to see the wide eyes of two people dear to you.
So dear.
“Found you.” You smirked, dropping the ball of snow.
Their shrieks as they scrambled to escape the mass of snow had you dissolving into a fit of giggles, made no better when Yukimura rounded the corner of the bushes and you met him with a snowball in your hand.
“No, No, Nonono!” He pled, turning on his heels and running.
“I’ll get you Sanada!” You shouted, taking off after him, well, attempting to at least, the snow was just deep enough that it was less running and more…prancing, his long legs were really an advantage.
And you gave chase…for quite a while, till you were huffing and puffing, your breath steamy in the frigid air of morning.
As always, he had remarkable stamina…
Well, that made you blush.
You stopped for a moment, eyes closed as you caught your breath. Well, at least until a familiar pair of arms hoisted you up.
“Y-Yukimura!” You gasped, the snowball falling uselessly out of your hand as he picked you up. “What are you doing?”
He held you so that your face was slightly above his, letting you look down at him.
“You looked like you could use a pick-me-up.” He grinned as you groaned, pressing your forehead against his.
“I did, you’re impressive. But-“ You gave him a peck on the cheek. “It looks like I still got you, Sanada.”
“You two are gross.” A familiar voice interrupted you.
“Yahiko.” You began, in warning.
“I’m just saying!” He laughed and you could hear Sasuke in the background.
“Later then.” You mumbled as Yukimura’s blush darkened.
“L-later what?” He set you down, and you grasped his hand.
“It sounds like you already know.”
It turned out it wasn’t just Yahiko, you had managed to kiss your boyfriend in front of most of the kids in the neighborhood.
“What’s this about, Yahiko?” You questioned your little brother, he was the oldest present, so he must be in charge of this little contingent.
“They’re just bored.”
“So, you brought them to our house?”
“Well, Sasuke suggested it.”
You leaned your head back, before nodding.
“Well, let’s build snowmen then.”
A small cheer from the crowd.
“Let’s make it a competition.” Sasuke interjected.
“A competition?” Yukimura’s eyes glinted with excitement. “Whoever has the best snowman wins…” Sasuke trailed off, frowning.
“Wins a meal cooked by my sister!” Yahiko finished for him. The children murmured in discontent. You frowned, you were a great cook after all.
“I’ll make you all the sweets you can carry home with you.” You added on. “But I’m competing too, so watch out.”
“It’s a deal then.”
You placed the carrot in the snowman’s nose, nodding to yourself, good. Good. He was done. As traditional as he could be, you finished him off by wrapping your scarf around his neck.
Around you, the chatter of Sasuke and Yukimura made you smile.
It had been a fun morning, even if your hands were freezing through their damp gloves.
“That’s it then.” Yahiko concluded, a grin on his face. “Let’s consult the judges.” The judges, ranging in age from around five to around ten, eyed the four snowmen with suspicion…and were far more serious than you’d expect. One girl in particular, with her hair in two pigtails, was actually taking notes on a yellow pad.
Well, if you remembered correctly her dad was a lawyer or something.
For a moment there was silence, then fast whispers as the kids discussed their ruling.
You sat back, Yukimura taking his spot next to you, holding your hand.
“I’ve had a great morning.” You grinned, scooting closer to him. “Thanks for waking me up.”
He laughed, rubbing his nose against yours affectionately.
“It’s been a blast, Sasuke looks like he’s about to fall asleep at any moment.”
“Lovebirds.” Yahiko interrupted, when had he gotten so good at that? “We have a verdict.”
The girl with the notepad stood up, looking as serious as you had ever seen an eight-year-old look.
“The jury picks Mr. Yukimura’s snowman.”
Yukimura’s snowman? You looked over at the lopsided creation, missing its eyes, but carrying what looked to be a wooden sword.
“It doesn’t even have eyes!” You cried, standing up.
“Sorry, sis.” Yahiko was laughing, clutching at his stomach. “They were unanimous.”
After everyone left, and you said your goodbyes to Yahiko, you stood in the kitchen, covered in flour.
So. Many. Donuts.
Well, at least it had been fun.
When your place of work is the bottom of the canal
When your place of work is the bottom of the canal
We are used to seeing the roads getting dug up and repaired and it should come as no surprise that the county’s waterways need the same kind of TLC. Anglian Waterways has issued a closure notice at Northampton Lock so it can be cleared and cleaned up. The notice runs from November 22 to December 19 and has seen the area around the lock, under the footbridge that leads to University of…
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