#frigid

Serving: Frigid

The thermometer in the hallway of Savanaclaw read a temperature that was, frankly, disrespectful.

Usually, the dorm was maintained at a balmy, desert-like heat. But the winter storm raging outside had managed to seep through the ancient stone walls, turning the air crisp and—dare you say it—frigid.

You walked into Leona’s room, carrying the textbooks he had supposedly requested (ordered) you to bring.

"Leona? I have the magical history notes. Ruggie said you were..."

You stopped. The room was dark. The curtains were drawn tight. And Leona Kingscholar was nowhere to be seen.

Instead, there was a massive, lumpy mountain of furs and quilts in the center of his bed.

"Leona?" you asked, stepping closer to the pile.

A low, vibrating growl emanated from the depths of the bedding.

"Go away," a muffled voice grumbled. "Or set the room on fire. Those are your options."

"It's not that cold," you laughed, setting the books on his desk. "It's just a little brisk. Come on, you have class in twenty minutes."

The mountain shifted. A single hand—dark-skinned, clawed, and looking searching—shot out from beneath the duvet. It grabbed your wrist with surprising speed and accuracy.

"Cold," Leona hissed, his head finally popping out from the nest. His hair was a mess, his ears were flattened against his head, and he looked genuinely miserable. "It is freezing. My blood is turning to slush. I am not going to class. I am going into hibernation."

"Leona, you're being dramatic. You're a lion, not a reptile."

"Shut up," he snapped, tugging on your arm. "You. You were outside. Are you cold?"

"A little, but—"

"Wrong," he interrupted. He tugged harder, effectively unbalancing you. You yelped as you tumbled onto the mattress. Before you could scramble up, Leona had flipped the heavy duvet over you, trapping you in the dark, warm cocoon with him.

"You," he grumbled, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you flush against his chest, "are warm. You walked here. You generated heat. I am claiming it."

He buried his face in the crook of your neck, letting out a long, contented sigh that rattled in his chest. His skin was burning hot—he was a furnace himself—but he acted as if he were freezing to death.

"Leona! I can't stay! I have things to do!" you protested, though you stopped struggling. It was incredibly warm in there.

"Cancel them," he mumbled against your skin. "It's a blizzard. Society has collapsed. We are prioritizing survival."

He threw a heavy leg over yours, effectively pinning you down. It was the Lion Trap. There was no escape.

"You're just using me as a hot water bottle," you accused, poking his arm in the dark.

"Yeah," he agreed shamelessly, his tail curling around your ankle under the covers. "And a pillow. You're multi-purpose. Now stop moving. You're letting the cold air in."

He squeezed you tighter, his breathing already slowing down as he drifted back to sleep.

"If you leave," he threatened sleepily, "I'll bite you."

You sighed, relaxing into his hold. The wind howled outside the window, battering the glass, but under the mountain of furs, pressed against the solid, steady warmth of the second prince, the frigid air couldn't touch you.

"Fine," you whispered. "Five minutes."

"Two hours," Leona corrected. "Wake me up when it's spring."

A "dish" served with heavy blankets and zero productivity! The kitchen is pleased to present this House Special.

You, he'd been unprepared for.

It'd happened at a gathering at Ice's place. Mav had dragged him along, even as Rooster had protested. While he'd always known who Ice was, he hadn't spent a lot of time in Admiral's close vicinity, and a family gathering didn't seem to be the right place. Little did he know that he'd be on the wrong end of a matchmaking attempt at both Mav's and Ice's hands.

You'd been a bit more aware of their machinations.

For the duration of the party, you stuck as close to Rooster's side as you could get away with. Not because you were necessarily interested in him. He wasn't so high on himself to think that about anyone. But because you genuinely seemed to hope this would put an end to their meddling in your private life. Something Rooster himself could get behind.

The fact the two of you even managed to hold a decent conversation throughout the party helped.

By the end of it, Rooster could even admit to himself that he genuinely liked you. He could even see why Ice and Mav had been so keen on getting you two together, but neither of you were in the best place for something deeper than an acquaintanceship. At least, that's what he'd been led to believe from the small bits of information you'd given him and he you in return.

While you hadn't exchanged numbers that evening, he thought about you on occasion, wondering how you were doing. He could well imagine Ice continued to try and find you someone. Mav had been doing the same with him. Not that he was all that interested. At least, that's what he kept telling himself anyway.

"So, do you know them or not?" Phoenix asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

"Yeah, I do."

"And…"

Rooster could feel the grin that slowly curved his lips. "I'd say Frigid's going to give Hangman a run for his money."

"Sooner than he might think." Phoenix motioned toward the front door of the Hard Deck where Hangman had just noticed the newest arrival.

Rooster couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for Hangman, who'd already moved through the crowd towards you. Hangman didn't stand a chance because your eyes had locked onto him. They didn't waver for a moment as you weaved through the crowd. You passed right by Hangman, who appeared quite dumbfounded.

Your careful yet confident movements held a grace that Rooster had grown to learn during Ice's gathering. It was something to behold, too. If not for the Navy's pilot uniform, he would've believed you were a dancer due your fluid motions. He really couldn't wait to see what you could do in a fighter jet. You'd surely be a sight to see.

"Hey," you shouted just above the din of the bar.

He smiled. "Hey. Long time, no see."

"Well, it seems we'll be rectifying that. I'm sure Ice is behind this somehow."

"I wouldn't discount Mav's involvement. He's been adamant I'd blown it with you after Ice's."

You shook your head even as your smile matched his. "Nah, I'd say you more than earned my respect that night. I get the feeling you're one of the good ones."

"Oh, he is," Phoenix offered before introducing herself.

He would be hearing more about this from Phoenix later if the look she sent him said anything. She wasn't going to let up, either, until she'd gotten all the details about you. Especially the ones on how Rooster knew you.

For now, though, he had no intention of passing up this second chance. A real chance to get to know you without either of your mentors watching your every move.

Because he had a feeling you were not only one of the good ones, too, but possibly the one.

And he couldn't wait to find out for sure.