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Raiden shivered as he pulled the blankets tighter around himself. He was in his room in the Wu Shi Academy, sitting in front of a small candle he managed to find while trying to stay warm.
Winter had hit the mountain the academy was on, and Raiden had forgotten how much he hated the cold. While the snow was beautiful, his body was sensitive to drops in temperature. He tried to find all the blankets he could but he couldn’t find anything else to keep him warm, save for the candle.
He sighed, watching as his breath turned into a cloud from how cold it was. He was supposed to train tomorrow morning, but he couldn’t get any sleep in this state. So instead, he decided to try to warm himself up with the candle, sitting in his night clothes and wrapped up in blankets.
Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door.
“Come in!” He called out, his voice wavering from how much he was shivering. He heard the heavy footsteps before he turned to look at his visitor.
“I’m surprised you’re awake.” Kuai Liang said, his rough yet gentle voice breaking the quiet of Raiden’s room.
“I could say the same for you.” Raiden joked, tucking his head into the blankets covering him. He glanced over at Kuai Liang and noticed that all the man had on was his Lin Kuei uniform, only he had taken off the yellow clothing and kept the red undershirt and black pants. How is he surviving right now?
“I couldn’t sleep. While the academy is pleasant, I’m afraid I couldn’t get comfortable enough.” Kuai Liang explained, sitting down next to the Earthrealm champion. Brown eyes glanced over at him, definitely looking at the mess of blankets Raiden has covered himself in. “Are you…cold?”
“That’s an understatement.” Raiden sighed. “I can’t sleep with this cold. I have three blankets on right now, and it’s still not enough.” He looked over at Kuai Liang. “How are you tolerating this weather so well?”
The assassin chuckled softly. “My pyromancy allows me to control my body temperature, so I can make myself warmer whenever I want. No blankets required.” He creates a small flame from his hands and holds it out towards Raiden, the farmer leaning in towards the welcoming heat.
“Lucky…” Raiden mumbles, and Kuai Liang laughs. He scoots closer to the pyromancer, the latter creating a bigger flame and holding it in his hands as Raiden is practically leaning against his arm. “My lightning powers usually make me feel warm enough, but I don’t like wearing my amulet to bed.”
“I understand. I’m fortunate to have this power naturally - Arctika is almost always going through a snowstorm or a blizzard.”
Raiden grimaced at the thought. “Respectfully, that sounds like a nightmare.”
“I imagine it would be for you, if even three blankets aren’t enough to keep you warm.” Kuai Liang said lightheartedly.
Silence fell over them for a moment before Kuai Liang asked, “Would you like me to keep you warm in bed?”
Raiden sputtered, jumping back from the pyromancer in a flustered mess. “I-I…Excuse me?”
“That came out wrong.” Kuai Liang extinguished the flame in his hand, rubbing his neck in embarrassment and looking away from Raiden. “I meant as in just…staying in your bed together and I can lay next to you and keep you warm. That’s all. Nothing else.”
Raiden could feel his heart race in his chest. That was a very… intimate thing for Kuai Liang to suggest, and yet Raiden wasn’t entirely opposed to it.
After a pause, Kuai Liang sighed and made to stand up. “Forgive me. That was too forward, I shouldn’t have asked. Let’s forget about this and-”
“No, no!” Raiden reached out and held the pyromancer’s hand, the warmth radiating from it making the champion yearn for more. “I’d…appreciate it. But what about you? This isn’t your bed, I don’t want to be the only one to get some rest.”
Kuai Liang turned away, seemingly contemplating what he should say next before he looked back, his cheeks tinged pink.
“If it’s with you, I would be comfortable.”
Raiden felt heat rise in his face at the confession. With him ? He tried not to think about it too much.
“O-Oh. If that’s the case then…I would like to? Sleep with you, I mean.”
Yeah, that doesn’t sound weird at all.
Kuai Liang seemed to hesitate. “Are you sure?” He asked shyly.
“Yes.” Raiden stood up, pulling the blankets with him and gently tugging at Kuai Liang’s arm to pull him to the bed. He tries to ignore his racing heart as he climbs in first, draping himself in the covers before leaving it open for Kuai Liang to get in.
The pyromancer seemed to hesitate, not moving even an inch from where he stood.
“I promise it’s alright.” Raiden said gently, and Kuai Liang sighed as he slid in under the covers.
They laid on their backs side by side, and even though Raiden felt warmer, he felt awkward . What was he supposed to do now? Look at him? Talk about their day? What else?
Before he could question himself more, he felt Kuai Liang turn toward him and hold his hand. Raiden turned his head to look at him.
“You can hold me if you want.” Kuai Liang whispered.
Raiden felt his breath hitch before gingerly turning to face Kuai Liang, reaching to hug him and pull him closer to his body. He could’ve sworn he heard a content sigh escape the other’s lips as he held him in his arms. The pyromancer’s warmth enveloped him, shielding him from the cold around them. Holding him felt so comforting, and he could actually feel himself start to become a bit drowsy. His racing thoughts slowed down as he felt Kuai Liang drape an arm across his body, returning the hug.
“Is this better?” Kuai Liang asked him. Raiden nodded sleepily.
“So much better…” He mumbled, feeling his eyes getting heavier.
Kuai Liang laughed softly. “I’m glad.”
Raiden wasn’t sure if it was because of his sleepiness or if it was real, but Kuai Liang’s warm brown eyes seemed to look at him with such adoration, it made his heart melt under his gaze.
“Thank you, Kuai Liang.” He murmured.
And just before he fell into a warm slumber, he could’ve sworn he heard Kuai Liang’s voice saying, “Always, just for you, Raiden.”