#(a.) nine

He had always been so bluntly honest --- so was Nine but his came with a bluntness that many would call cruel. Twelve, however was too endearing too sweet it melted the walls Nine had built.

He exhaled -- eyes closing briefly as the words settled deeply within. Stop he almost said, almost.

"You should be focused on your task instead of...." there was a pause.

@ofcrossroads

He was teasing him --- he knew that. Yet the relieve that swept over him eased the tension that had built within him. His approach came with hurried steps gathering Twelve with a single glance. He seemed fine -- well enough. Nine was not, sweat had formed at his temple cascading downward with breaths that had been short and quick before falling to their usual rhythm.

He couldn't summon the same enthusiasm as his better half. Just at the suggestion, his expression pulled taut. Stiff, with pursed lips and a line between his brows deepening as he contemplated on how to get out of this. Excuses threated to spill out, instant refusal came immediate.

No.

At least that's what he wanted to say --- yet his hopeful gaze had him melting like ice under a warm sun.

@ofsavior

It was the cold --- the sole reason why the roundness of cheeks were dusted with the lightest pink. Not the clasp of hands, not the fingers smoothly intertwining --- fitting ever so comfortably, so perfectly. And it was the bitterness of the wind that only painted his cheeks darker not the heat of his breath slowly warming his hands.

He wouldn't pull away --- couldn't bring himself to. He could only watch as lips formed to a pucker at each huff -- a pretty pink with a softness that beckoned to be pressed into.