"Winter’s Gentle Embrace"

cr: SN(tg)

・。。・ ゚ ゚・。。・

Although Archaea was a wondrous world where representatives of different races sought to live in harmony, even it could not escape the arrival of winter. Snow covered the elegant houses, market stalls, cobblestone streets, and tree branches, giving the city a special atmosphere. And while this landscape was beautiful in its own way, the cold that pierced the skin left far from the most pleasant sensations. Your husband, Egrassel, always knew how to find beauty in everything, but seeing you shiver, stubbornly dressing lighter than you should, hugging yourself, and then quietly offering him your hands, asking him to warm them with his breath... There was undoubtedly something romantic in it. But at the same time, it carried an unbearable sharpness of emotion, as if icy needles were piercing straight into his heart. Egrassel was not just your husband—he was a respected figure in Archaea. The world knew him as the one who had given people a true miracle—skint. This gift had changed the lives of many, becoming a symbol of hope, progress, and belief in a bright future. But even the one who had brought a miracle to the world could not rid it of winter’s cold, and so, every time he saw you shivering, something clenched painfully inside him. Yet instead of staying in the warmth of your home, you had chosen to go for a walk with him. Egrassel dressed not only for the weather but with elegance: a brown coat with white fur harmonized perfectly with a ushanka of the same shades. His headwear covered his temple securely, but, alas, it did not protect his elven ears from the cold. You, though dressed warmly enough, still felt the piercing frost creeping beneath your clothes, making you shiver. And though you tried your best to hide how cold you were, the truth did not escape Egrassel’s watchful gaze. He suddenly stopped, catching your puzzled look, then gently pulled you closer. His fingers carefully tugged at the collar of your clothing, adjusting it to keep you warmer. — Are you sure you're not cold, my dear? — his quiet, warm voice carried a note of deep care.