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It was so strange for Langtree to be this quiet. Or this snowy. Supposedly it was alright for Kiwi, since it was always this cold where they came from.
Of course, it wasn’t like Miriam had never experienced a snowstorm before. Delphi had its own kind of winter weather, which usually had fluffy, dry snow, and the whole town was easily prepared for it, and even enjoyed it.
Here in Langtree, it would rain, then freeze overnight, and then snow. It made it really hard, if not impossible, to walk outside without slipping on ice. The Mayor was the only one who had a fireplace, so most everyone would usually visit her house just to warm up. And everyone in that town knew each other like family, so it was hardly ever awkward.
But Kiwi was the only one who never joined in. For one reason, they were the only Langtree citizen who didn’t grow up there, and for another, they already know what to do when it gets cold like this. And they knew they had to…
“Wear multiple layers, even when you’re inside! These houses aren’t very big. I’ve also boiled water to prevent static, I padded up the windows and doors, and I’ve got three blankets on my bed! It’s not much, but I know well this is what to do!”
Miriam had to listen to their chatter all afternoon. “...Thank you, Kiwi.” She didn’t mind it much anymore, having to hear their voice almost constantly. It was actually endearing how much energy they have. It was like they just radiated pure joy all the time, and they were the perfect foil to her cold disposition. “I think I have to go back home now. I don’t want to take up what little space you have in here.” She started towards the door.
Kiwi sprung up off of their bed. “Wait! It’s getting late, and when it gets dark, it’ll be even colder. I can’t let you freeze out there!”
“We’ve done things more dangerous than flying straight into a freezing wind.”
“Never underestimate the cold, Miriam. Wearing clothes made of the wrong material is enough to make you freeze to death!”
“Really?”
“Really! Let me see your scarf. What’s it made of?”
Miriam pulls on one end of her scarf. It’s in a pink and teal plaid pattern, and it’s soft to the touch. “It’s cotton flannel.”
“If it gets wet, you could still freeze!”
She rolled her eyes at them, and took off her scarf to toss it at them. “Ugh, fine. I’ll stay.”
Kiwi held her scarf after it dropped into their hands as if it was as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. “...Really?”
“Winter is something cruel, I’ll tell you what. Three months out of the year when everything is cold, dull, and gray, and I’m noticeably more irritable because of it.” She took her scarf out of Kiwi’s hands and hung it back up beside the door, where she took it off from. “And…Growing up in Chismest must have been awful for you. I get it that you wanted to move here. I’m sorry for being such a jerk about it before.”
Kiwi’s expression faded. “Hey, let’s talk about this in my room.”
Their house has only three rooms, all of them pretty small. With all the times Miriam came to visit, she couldn’t get over how cozy it was here, even now, despite the cold. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t thought about moving in with them once or twice.
“You can lay on my bed with me if you want.” Their voice had calmed down, though Miriam didn’t know why they still had a need to tell her this. They had been together for a year and a half, and that little bed basically belonged to both of them now. She still felt a little nervous when she got really close to them, though. Just like right now.
“What was that about Chismest?” They asked.
“I mean…I’m sorry if it sounds mean, but that town is just miserable.”
“Tell me about it!”
“And you were really struggling, but I was still giving you a hard time for it.”
“Don’t worry about it, Mim. That was a long time ago. We both grew and changed since then.”
Miriam crept her hand over to Kiwi’s own, and upon her touch, they turned over their palm so she could clasp her fingers with theirs.
“I suppose the saddest part about going back there was the fact that my dad was there in the factory the whole time, and I never knew. And I spoke to him and couldn’t even recognize his voice.”
“...Somehow, that’s even worse than my parents just leaving me with Saphy.”
Kiwi sighed. “At least we have each other.”
“I guess.”
“I’m just lucky that I had you then, and I have you now.”
How could they say that after all the times she’s been mean to them? It still ate away at her mind every time she met with them. She wished he had been so much kinder, and hated seeing them so upset. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that.” They let go of her hand to turn and face her, now closer than before. “Look how far we’ve come.” Their earthy brown eyes peered at Miriam like she was a precious jewel.
Miriam assumed the same position, and met Kiwi’s gaze. She spoke only two words to make them smile, “You’re wonderful.”
“Are you cold?” They asked.
“A little.”
“Then let’s get ready for bed. It’s a lot warmer under all those blankets.”
They both got up, just after Miriam gave Kiwi a little kiss on the cheek. She just couldn’t go a whole evening without giving them just one.
A little while later, they got under the covers in matching pajamas (and Kiwi’s insistence that they both wear layers even in bed). Miriam got comfortable really quick and almost instantly fell asleep, and would have if it weren’t for Kiwi snuggling into her just to whisper an “I love you.”
To which she replied, “I love you too.”
And for now, the outside world and all its deadly ice and wind didn’t matter to either of them. They were protected both from the elements, and from anything and anyone that would dare to upset their peaceful rest. All they had was each other, and for now, it really was enough.