[PROMPT] Time of Togetherness

Balmy autumns quickly turned to frigid winters. Snow set in soon after, blanketing the outskirts in a soft white blanket. 

Swain hated this time of year, Tsubaki knew it. It was too cold, always making Swain’s arms get bumpy with goose skin. Either that or he complains about the way the chill feels against his horns. How it will give him headaches on bad enough days. Tsubaki joked about making him horn cozies, which Swain stuck his tongue out at the mere thought - said it would be uncomfortable, reminding him of the way wool would get caught on his calloused fingertips.

Though there was one good thing about this time of year. The weather was cool, cold, crisp. The kind of weather that made you seek out heat from your loved ones. Tsubaki loved it, thankful for it even. Yeah, shoveling wasn’t fun nor were the tarps on the wood pile giving out and soaking the supply but at the end of the day there was always something to look forward to. 

A very cold cowboy looking to get warm.

It happened like this each time - Swain would go out, do menial work around their cabin and come back in, freezing cold. Tsubaki loved it, it was great because that meant he could give his big, handsome man impup eyes and then boom! He got cuddles!

Today was no different too, Tsubaki was curled up on the couch, watching some movie on the television. Swain had come home from the cold throwing his boots off and shrugging slightly damp clothes away until he was down to his boxers. Of course, Tsubaki was staring - how could he not? Swain was the most handsome man in the world. And that’s when he noticed it, that smug smirk that tugged at Swain’s face the moment he caught him staring. “Hey, Sugar.” 

Tsubaki stiffened, face going red. “H-Hay is for mamoos.” 

“Ugh… you n’ yer bad jokes…” That joked pulled a groan from Swain, making Tsubaki giggle slightly. The partially nude cowboy made his way over to the couch, leaning down and pressing a kiss to his head. Again, making Tsubaki giggle. For someone who worked outside a lot, Swain had soft lips. “I’m gonna put on some jams.”

The moment Swain had started to walk away, Tsubaki whined. That seemed to catch Swain’s attention as he turned around.

“I’m cold—”

“— But you’re so hot!” Tsubaki cut him off before he could finish the sentence, voice a petulant whine. It seemed that Swain paid it no mind however, the sounds of opened drawers coming from down the hall.

Only two minutes pass before Swain emerges from the bedroom. Tsubaki had leaned over the couch to pout and reach out the now pajama clad cowboy. “Yeah, yeah. I'm comin’” Swain drawled as he walked slowly towards the couch. As Swain fell back into the couch, he was quick to scoop Tsubaki close and into his arms. “So, what’re ya watchin’, Sugar?” 

“Hm?” Tsubaki shrugged as Swain asked his question, instead he was more focused on trying to get more comfortable. He shifted his body around, twisting in Swain’s arms until he was all but draped over the pride bun’s large body. One leg was thrown over Swain’s lap while Tsubaki’s face was tucked into the crook of his neck. Things were comfortable like this, the only thing that made Winter worth it. His gaze returned to the television in front of them, some sort of generic superhero movie was playing - Tsubaki didn’t care too much about it. “I don’t know, I was just flipping channels while you were out.” He purred softly.

Swain just chuckled at that, a soft, yet deep rumble that reverberated through his whole chest. It made Tsubaki’s heart flutter. “I feel like you were just lookin’ fer an excuse fer some free cuddles, eh?”

“Is it really free cuddles if we pay for the cable?” Tsubaki joked back, leaning up and pressing a kiss to the underside of Swain’s jaw, enjoying the way the other’s beard tickled at his skin. 

The joke - and the kisses - earned another lighthearted groan from Swain who immediately wrapped both his arms around Tsubaki, trapping him in a tight embrace. “Yer a dork, ya know that?” The cowboy laughed, moving to press his lips to Tsubaki’s in a gentle kiss.

The kiss was slow, languid, as they took their time with each other. Tsubaki hummed, enjoying the soft affections from his lover. These moments were always the best, being allowed to let the world slow down around you and simply bask in the comforts of another. It didn’t last long, just a couple of seconds before they pulled back and pressed their foreheads together with a laugh.

A large hand came up to cup Tsubaki’s cheek and he leaned into the calloused palms almost on instinct. “Ya know, I don’t really say it enough Sugar but I’m glad yer around.” Swain mumbled, letting his thumb rub at Tsubaki’s cheek. “Before ya came along, the cabin was never really a home, but you changed that. I love, Tsuki. I really do.”

The confession got a bashful huff from Tsubaki, his cheeks turning pink as he gave Swain another peck on the cheek. His own hand came up to cover the larger one on his cheek. “I love you too, Swain. I don’t know what I would do without you.”