InsaneJournal

Rhode firmly believed that this was the largest amount of snow she had ever seen at Mitsuboshi. It was drifting up the windowsills, working its way upward toward the glass in progressively stronger blasts of wind. The entire world was white outside the window, only the bare glow of red from the light on the porch visible from the panes of the front room.

The window seat of the family room was occupied by a sweater-wrapped Rhode, cocooned in blankets and practically attached to the glass. Tiki was in his armchair beside her, one foot resting on the edge of the window seat as he read a book with some brandy in hand. Watching snow was certainly fascinating for the girl, though he had no idea why.

Every so often she would bounce up and down in glee, summoning Tiki to look outside at the exact same mass of white that had been there ten minutes before, just in larger quantity. He had to wonder if he had ever been entertained so easily. Watching Rhode squeak as a large mass of snow came tumbling off the roof, he felt a soft smile come to his face, chocolate eyes shining with affection as she turned around to look at him.

“What’s so funny?” The question was entirely innocent, blue gaze sparkling as she watched him take a sip of golden alcohol. Tiki took his time before answering, setting the glass down on the end table and placing his book beside it as he rose to his feet. Rhode chirped as he picked her up beneath the arms, sitting on the window seat and settling her into his lap. He wrapped the blanket around them both, arms securely wrapped around her torso as he leaned against the wall of the niche. The house creaked with the force of the wind outside, a sigh from Rhode sending puffs of frost skittering over the surface of the windowpane.

“Look at all that snow,” Tiki remarked, voice whisper-soft beside Rhode’s ear. “I think the porch is all covered up by now.”

“It’s going to take ages for it all to melt!” She snuggled back against Tiki with a soft purr, closing her eyes happily. “Maybe we’ll be stuck here until after the New Year!”

Tiki didn’t answer for a long moment, staring out into the night with an unreadable expression as Rhode waited for a response. Finally, his smile returned, grip around the thin girl tightening as he spoke. “Maybe. Of course, we’ll have to get the twins locked outside sometime before I leave again…”