[For Anthony] Walking in a Winter Wonderland

[poetic_apostle]

When Julian had awoken in a cozy pine bed in a swiss chalet, he'd been rather confused, but the sight of snow drifting past the window in lazy swirls had transformed the confusion into delight. He'd slipped on the shoes, jacket and scarf he'd arrived in, not even bothering to change from the warm flannel pyjamas he'd awoken in; they were the

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[alittleofboth]

But while Anthony was likewise awake and dressed, he did not share Julian's joy and amusement. He had not been exactly surprised to awake on December first to find the ground once again covered in snow, but it had not particularly pleased him. Snow was cold and messy, and even if it were neither of those things, its presence was only yet another trick of the island, nothing more.

It wasn't real snow, just the absurdly magical sort.

He was now collecting what books of his he could to take inside before they suffered in the damp, but the cheerful shout made him pause and grimace just slightly. "Yes, Julian?"

[poetic_apostle]

Julian was too entranced by the wintry transformation to notice Anthony's mood, unfortunately. "Have you seen it?" he asked excitedly as he drew near to Anthony with a wide grin. "Snow!"

[alittleofboth]

Anthony looked briefly amused, then went back to stacking the books. "It is rather difficult to miss, yes," he observed dryly. "With any luck I can get these things inside before they are ruined entirely." He glanced at the painting propped up against the wall and grimaced. The same could not be said for that.

[poetic_apostle]

"Here, let me help," Julian said cheerfully, as he moved to Anthony's side and began gathering the books, still grinning and full of excitement. "You should see my house. It's been transformed. And everything looks changed, the island has been blanketed in stark white in contrast with all its usual colours--" he broke off, both his words and his actions, biting his lip as he tugged the notebook free to make a few quick notes.

[alittleofboth]

"Careful with those." The words came out more sharply than he had meant them, and after a beat he added more calmly, "I don't want them damp." He stacked the books more neatly and attempted patience as Julian scribbled. "It happened last year about the same time. Utterly mad, the lot of it."

[poetic_apostle]

It was tempting to do more, to actually compose, let the inspiration all but vibrating through him pour out onto the page--but he resisted the urge for once, closing the notebook with a sigh after he'd got enough down to remember for later. "I think it's marvellous," he sighed, grinning as he reached for Anthony. "We should go for a walk together--er. Once I've got some suitable clothes," he remarked sheepishly, glancing down at the pyjamas beneath his good jacket and silk scarf. He'd not even been noticing the cold.

[alittleofboth]

"I need to move these first," Anthony insisted pointedly, gesturing to the books. Julian's suggestion hadn't really registered. "We won't be able to stay here until the snow leaves." He sent another pained look at the painting, but that would have to stay. It was too large to move.

[poetic_apostle]

Julian let out a resigned sigh. "All right. Then we can go for a walk." He began working on the books again as he asked, "Where will you stay?"

[alittleofboth]

Anthony paused an arched his brow at the sigh, distinctly unimpressed. "If you insist," he returned coolly. He picked up one of the stacks of books and headed outside. "In the Compound, most likely. It's the logical option."

[poetic_apostle]

Julian frowned as his enthusiasm was dampened by Anthony's brusque attitude. A bit hurt by Anthony's continued coolness toward him, he spoke without thinking. "If you'd moved in with me, you'd have a warm, dry cottage to stay in," he pointed out as he followed with another stack of books.

[alittleofboth]

Anthony knew in the back of his mind that his annoyance against Julian's joy was his own fault, not the poet's, but growing irritation with the island at large was setting his teeth on edge. The as-yet unacknowledged tension in his relationship with Julian only added to his snappishness.

He snorted quietly. "Don't start that again, Julian."

[poetic_apostle]

"Why not? It's true. I don't see why you want to live in those bloody dark, unromantic caves in the first place," Julian grumbled. He was tired of holding his tongue, tired of feeling as if he was an annoyance more often than not. Lord knew he'd tried to be patient, but it had been a month since the disastrous events of Halloween, and if anything Anthony's mood seemed to worsen as time passed, rather than improving.

Even the most devoted man could reach the limit of his patience.

[alittleofboth]

Anthony made a sound of cool annoyance, not bothering to turn as he headed down the path to the Compound. "I do not see why it would matter to you one way or the other, as you are not the one living there."

He was being unfair, he knew well, but of late Julian's overenthusiastic attempts at comfort had only served to frustrate him further.

[poetic_apostle]

Julian faltered, feeling slapped in the face. "No, you've made it quite clear that was never an option," he replied coolly as he quickened his pace to catch up. "God forbid I want to be more than..." He couldn't say it. If he said it, Anthony might not disagree, and then the fragile remains of what they had might crumble completely.

[alittleofboth]

Anthony rolled his eyes. He had thought they were well past this, and why Julian insisted on bringing it up again now... He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes, pausing in the snow and turning to face Julian. "More than what?" he shot back, cool and warning.

He was not in the mood for games and half-accusations.

[poetic_apostle]

Julian faltered at the look Anthony shot him, but he'd started to say it, he couldn't very well wave it away now. He squared his shoulders, meeting Anthony's gaze bravely. "More than a convenient fuck," he retorted, spitting the last word almost as an accusation.