#arthurstotle

The two travelling hero's –both carryin heavy backpacks, and neither being older than 22– had been searching for months already, and the snow that followed the cold, icy winter wasn't speeding things up. Still, the once stolen purple gem was finaly starting to seem within reach.

"Im just as suprised as you are, if im being honest. But unless we track the thief down before this blizard picks up too much we'll lose the signal!" The young axolotl was practically yelling to be heard over the storm, but optimistically added: "The gem's location hasn't changed since the last time I checked, wich was an hour ago. Im guessing our thief has found shelter and is waiting the storm out."

"Perhaps..," Arthur suggested, "..Perhaps we should do the same. This weather isn't getting better anytime soon, and the gem aint getting further away before that happens. With this low visibility I'd rather be safe than sorry." Aristotle briefly contemplated it, then shook their head. "If we hurry up now we can find them before the storm picks up too much. The faster we get that thing the faster we can get the hell out of here." "Come on Stotle, its not safe!" Despite Arthurs objections, Aristotle continued to follow the tracker's signal, and even speeding up a bit.

Having his pleas fall on deaf ears, Arthur had no choise but to follow. The two continued in silence for a while as more and more snow flew between them and the fuzzy white horizon. The grey goat was wiping the white powder off the white powder from his head and shoulders when he heard a sudden yelp from up ahead. As he reached where his companion had fallen, Arthur noticed Aristotle had started limping. "Thats it! We're not going anywhere untill untill the weather clears up." "Its just a sprain, Arthur, I'll be fine!" Aristotle tried to argue but Arthur had already starting building a snow shelter. They had to admit to themself that walking several meter above the actual ground did have a few perks, but didn't want to say that to Arthur.

With the help of Arthur’s, and to an extent Aristotle's, magic, digging out a shelter didn't take long. A short while later the two travellers where starting to warm themselves up as the storm outside still raged on. Arthur was making a pot of hot chocolate over a small burner, quickly heating the space up. "You know I value you far more than any magical artifact, right?" Aristotle silently nodded in response. For a moment –neither were sure how long exactly– nothing was said. Perhaps now was the time...

"There is something I have been meaning to tell you." Aristotle looked up from the tracker that by now showed nothing but static. After a short pauze they responed softly. "I've... also got something I'd like to get off my shoulders. But you go first." "No, no, you go first my love." "How about we both say our thing at the same time." "Allright." They both nod briefly.

...

"I'm intersex"

Aristotle and Arthur had a look of suprise, having said the exact same thing. "You too, Arthur?!" "Yea, klinefelter's. I used to be more honest about this stuff, but... I'm you get it. I spent such a long time terrified that you'd think I'm a freak if you ever found out, that I never even considered that you could have been fearing the same..." "I've felt the same. While I don't know if there's even a name for my variation, I know the fear of others being disgusted just by knowing it exists."

He sighed, before grabbing Arthur’s hand in silent support, knowing the latter felt the same as them. The smell of cocoa was soothing, a comfort they savoured for as long as their mugs lasted them. "Thank you for telling me stotle." "The same to you, dear." As the blizard above the snow was still going strong, the two cherished the moment of peace below it, knowing more about each other than they had thought possible.

They sat like that for a while. The quiet moment felt brief, but seemed to stretch out endlessly at the same time. Arthur took off his jacket and wrapped it around Aristotle. "You don't have to do that Arthur." "Nonsense dear. I have warm fur, and you don't. The temperature is only getting lower tonight, and I don't want you getting frostbite." He pulled the axolotl closer to him, wrapping them in a soft hug, and the two slowly drifted off to sleep.

When Arthur woke up, he found himself wrapped in his jacket and Aristotle already gone. Leaving the shelter himself he saw them standing on top of a snowbank, scanning the nearby area for the gem. "Looks like our thief hasn't left yet. We should find them about a kilometer and a half northeast from here. Shouldn't take more than an hour, even in this terain." They gestured for Arthur to follow them and added. "The sooner we get that gem, the sooner we're outside the reach of satan's minty breath."

As they continued over the cold mountainside, the sun barely being above the horizon and painting the landscape in warm reds and yellows, they couldn't help but admire the view. "Well.. this mightve been a dumb idea, but at least we get to look at the beauty of nature." "Oh please, like you never have stupid ideas Arthur. Need I remind you of–" "hey, we agreed Aristotle. What happens in Legas, stays in Legas. But I see your point. What can i say, adventure calls to me. It always has. And now dear, I get to share that adventure with you."