longer.blue

It all began one winter's morning. Ayume rose from slumber, seated in her bed with arms stretched upward over perky fox ears. She let out a yawn that almost sounded like a high-pitched whimper. She'd always disliked early mornings. Once she worked up the willpower to move, sluggish footsteps carried her to a circular window across the room to glimpse a stunning view of Koumiya, the city she calls home. And yet, she's never truly felt like one of its citizens. Having lived life as a shrine maiden, she spent most of it secluded atop the mountain Koumiya's Grand Shrine dwells upon. For as long as she can remember, she's routinely gazed upon the beloved city from her bedroom window. That morning, the city looked especially dazzling in the blush of dawn. Sunlight illuminated a blanket of pure white snow and danced across the icicles that clung to tree branches and various building tops. The first snowfall of the year. A sight that filled her chest with warmth and the familiar ache that followed. To think she'd have to miss out once again, but her duties must always come first. Ayume sighed, sounding more disgruntled now rather than groggy. She unwillingly pulled away from the window to begin preparing for the day. Normally, Yoshihiro would've greeted her with a morning cup of hot matcha and to help her dress for the day. Ayume was more than capable of handling those things herself, but Yoshihiro always insisted. Ayume had no one closer to a mother than her, and because of that, she never complained. Her absence that morning was unsettling. She'd just finished dressing herself when a knock came at the door. "Did you oversleep, Yoshi? That's unlike you," She called through the door, but received no answer. Puzzled, Ayume went to answer the door. "Yoshi, are you okay──?" She questioned, having no idea that her train of thought would be derailed the moment she opened the sliding door. She might as well have been met by a wall on the other side of the door. At eye level, all she could see was a broad build, dressed in multiple layers of black. There wasn't a trace of doubt in her mind about who might be standing in her way. 𝘠𝘦𝘦𝘴𝘩... 𝘏𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘥𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘦. "Yume. . ." He spoke, disrupting the silence between them. Some might say his voice booms with a message of caution. Like a mighty roar, echoing authority across the lands. But to her his words were a gentle breeze, like the calm following a raging storm. "You're as lovely as ever. . . but I'm not certain that your choice of clothing is best suited for our date." "Eh?" The calm was gone. "Date?! What do you mean date!? And you're one to talk, Takkun. You look like you're dressed for a funeral." Ayume spoke brashly while still processing everything. Meanwhile, Takii cupped his chin in thought before responding in such a way that made it difficult to tell if he was teasing or not, "Hm, you're right. Now we both must change." "Now hold on a minute, let's rewind here. I don't recall discussing a date. Especially first thing in the morning when I have work──." Her confusion was apparent and he sought to bring her at ease by cupping her cheek mid-sentence. "I can't have my Yume working on Christmas Eve. It's already been discussed beforehand with the other shrine maidens. So come with me down the mountain and I'll show you the Christmas magic you've been missing out on." Her breath caught. Christmas Eve. Down the mountain. With him. The crisp winter air drifted in, carrying the faint scent of pine and the sparkle of fresh snow. He could read her expression, that she was sold before a word could escape her lips. And then he smiled, that familiar, charming grin she’d never tire of. Blonde hair tipped with black, gold and blue heterochromatic eyes glinting like twin gems. "Go ahead and get changed. I’ll wait for you by the torii gate," he said, voice low but teasing. "And if I refuse?" she asked smugly. "Then I’ll simply wait until the snow melts," he replied smoothly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I see… the mighty tiger has a soft spot for a cunning fox after all," she said, arching an eyebrow. "Perhaps," he murmured. "But only for the fox clever enough to steal my heart." He left, and her breath slowly returned, mingling with the tingle of cold on her cheeks. Her amethyst eyes sparkled with anticipation. By the time she stepped outside, the world was a glittering tapestry of white and gold. Snow crunched beneath their boots as he led her down winding mountain paths, reminding her of their childhood and the times they ran down the same snowy path. He offered is scarf when the wind bit at her neck. "Here," he said, draping it over her shoulders. He let his fingers linger for a moment as he adjusted it, and she felt a warmth in the simple touch. At a narrow bridge along the mountain path, Ayume slipped slightly on a patch of ice. Instantly, Takii’s hands were around her waist, steadying her. "Careful," he murmured, an attentive gaze locking onto hers. "I’ve got you." "I could handle it myself, you know," she teased, fox ears twitching. "Perhaps," he said with a grin, "but watching you stumble would be far too cruel for my heart to bear." A hand patted her head reassuringly. At a small frozen fountain, Takii scooped up a handful of snow and let it fall gently on her glove. "Do you surrender yet, or shall I continue?" he asked, a playful gleam in his eyes. "Oh, the mighty tiger underestimates the cunning fox," she said, laughing, brushing his arm lightly as she dodged another handful of snow. He caught a stray flake on his tongue and bowed slightly. "Then allow me to retreat… gracefully. For now." They wandered through the market. The stalls packed with various holiday themed items for sale. She caught the scent of cinnamon as he bought a tiny gingerbread cookie for her. "Want a bite?" he asked, holding it out. "Trying to bribe me with sweets now?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "Only to see your smile," he replied, expression warm. He took her hand to steady her as she walked on a slick patch, letting their fingers entwine naturally. Then, Takii paused, his expression unusually serious. He reached into his coat pocket and held out a small, velvet box. "For you," he said softly. Ayume blinked, surprised, and carefully opened it. Inside rested a delicate silver promise ring, engraved with a tiny fox and tiger on the band. A sentimental gift. "It… it’s beautiful," she whispered, her chest tightening. "It’s more than that," he said, voice low and steady. "It’s a promise. That no matter where life takes us… I’ll always be by your side." Her fingers trembled as she accepted it, sliding it onto her own hand. "You always find a way to make a fox’s heart melt," she teased, though her voice betrayed her awe. "In that case," he said, brushing pink strands of hair from her face, "my work here is done. For now." He held her hand a little longer before letting go, and she felt the lingering warmth. A choir’s distant melody drifted through the streets, and Takii pulled her close to listen. Their shoulders brushed, and she leaned into him for a moment, resting her head lightly against his arm. Her fox ears twitched slightly, barely noticeable, and he gave a small, amused smile, the tiniest flick of his tiger ears betraying his quiet excitement. On a frozen pond, children skated around them. Takii took her hands, guiding her unsteady steps. "Easy there," he murmured, his tone protective. "I thought you said I’m the cunning fox," she replied with a sly grin, fox ears twitching. "And yet even a cunning fox requires a tiger’s guidance sometimes," he said, tightening his hold gently. When she stumbled slightly, he dipped closer, letting his body brush hers just enough to steady her. As they walked along a quiet street lined with lanterns, a sudden gust of wind blew snow toward her face. Instinctively, Takii shifted slightly, placing his arm around her and tilting his body to shield her. "Always watching out for me," she murmured, leaning into him. "Always," he said simply, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. Finally, they returned to the torii gate, the city lights shimmering like scattered gold across the snowy streets. Breaths mingled in the cold air, forming little clouds that dissolved between them. Their hands remained intertwined, fingers curling together as if neither wanted to let go. Takii’s gaze softened, lingering on her amethyst eyes framed by pink tresses. Snowflakes settled on the blackened tips of his hair. Slowly, he leaned forward. She felt the faint brush of his fingers against her cheek as he brushed the hair from her face once more. And then their lips met. Gentle at first, tasting of winter air and faint cinnamon from the gingerbread she’d eaten earlier. She wrapped her arms lightly around him, while he held her close, one hand cradling her waist. The kiss deepened just slightly, long enough to leave them both breathless when they finally pulled back, foreheads resting together. "Did you know," he murmured, voice low against her lips, "My heart has known yours longer than the years have counted snowfalls?" "Longer than that?" she teased, though her amethyst eyes glimmered with affection. "Longer," he said, gaze warm. "And I will love you even longer still." Her fox ears twitched slightly, his tiger ears flicked once, and in that simple, intimate moment, the mutual love they had harbored since childhood blossomed fully, like the magic of Christmas itself. Ayume realized the magic of Christmas wasn’t in the lights or the falling snow. It had been here all along, in shared laughter, lingering touches, gentle embraces, the promise ring on her finger, Takii’s constant attentiveness, his protective gestures, their teasing banter, and a kiss that finally said everything words never could.