Edda

Solstices allow for little miracles.

The snow had long coated the windows. Dima still didn’t understand how the weather worked in this strange whale carcass of a land, but mingling with the stars, the snowflakes looked like little bits of stardust. Now he stood in the town square, feeling the snow mingle and melt in his dark hair and eyelashes. The start of the festival had wrapped up and everyone had gone off to retire for the night.

All except…

Dima’s ear flicks. It’s only a slight shift in the aether, but it tells him enough that someone is trying to sneak around. They’re avoiding the crunchier snow, that creaky drainpipe, the lit windows… He knew that soft, careful thread.
Dima takes a deep breath. If Evike was going to surprise him, he didn’t want it to be out in the square. He’d just have to see where they were hiding exactly and phase there. He shifts his foot backwards and turns. The air ripples around him.

“Stop.”

A calloused thin hand slips around his wrist. Dima freezes, waiting until Evike is pressed up to his back. There is no knife to his heart. They long since had gotten used to laying their hand over it instead, despite the gap between their affections. “Evike,” Dima murmurs.

“I’m back, boss,” they whisper. They’re cold, and there’s frost on their fingertips. “I brought you something.”

Dima chuckles. “You haven’t even explained to me how you managed to outwit me this time. And-“ He turns. Finally he can look upon Evike’s blue, snow-coated face. “… We’ll warm you up first. You look miserable.”

“Always a charmer,” they drawl, a chuckle escaping them. They end up bunting their head against his chest. For the first time, Dima is allowed to hold them. “Bring me home,” they whisper.

“You’re already home,” Dima whispers in return. He begins to lead them towards his own dwelling.

*

“Are you sure you have enough blankets?” Dima stands practically bouncing next to Evike’s bed, three woven quilts in his arms. The color has returned to their face, but he’s worried about their sustained frostbite. “I mean, I can make you some tea, or-“

“When did you turn into such a fuss?” Evike’s voice is muffled beneath the duvet, their head stuck amongst a plethora of pillows and some plushie that belonged to Tisiphone at some point Dima can’t bring himself to throw away. “I’ll be fine. I’ve come back, haven't I?”

“You came back looking like a meat popsicle. When I said to come back soon I didn’t mean you’d fly back through a snowstorm,” Dima says. He lays the quilts on the end of the bed, shoving them aside immediately after so he can sit down. “What was so important that you would risk your limbs for that?”

Evike raises a hand to point at their bag. “It’s in there. Can’t miss it, it shines like nothing else.”

Dima, following their gesture, picks up the bag. There’s one dead egg in it. It wouldn’t be too difficult to revive it, but it still fills him with a sense of grief. However, below it is a shimmering gemshard, undoubtedly what Evike was speaking of. Dima holds it up in the light. “… It’s like my own heart.” It’s easy to hear his crystalline heart beat in his ears as he holds a shard of what might’ve belonged to something similar. “But it’s not from Ignis’ cult, is it?”

“See, I thought you’d find it interesting.” A chuckle escapes, woeful and quiet. “A hermit sold it to me for a story. Perhaps they’ll make their pilgrimage here before long.” They turn their hazy brown eyes towards Dima. “Now, in return, I want you to do something for me.”

Dima has to pull his gaze away from the shard. “… What is it? That makes it sound like you want something more than payment.” He tilts his head, taking a step forward to take Evike’s still outstretched hand. “Eve?”

“Just… Stay with me for the night. I think I would feel better not being alone,” they murmur. “Also, I don’t care what you say, I’m retiring. Find some other person to fly out the eggs and do your hunting.”

“Funny you should mention that-“ Dima moves around the bed to flop on down. “I was considering asking you to retire too. My poor heart can’t take seeing you hurt all the time.” He reaches out to cradle their face, that confidence and panache leaving him altogether. “I don’t think I will be sending my children away anymore. I can keep everyone safe here now.”

Evike swallows nervously. “Wait, are you certain? About… All of that?” They place their hands over Dima’s, their heartbeat slowing somewhat.

“I mean…” He blushes bright and hot. “I can’t exactly stop anyone that desires to forge positive bonds and I want my dearly beloved children to see this world, but-“ He chews on his lip. “Grandmother would want me to be proud and free. I am. But I also want to be loving.”

“I see.” The room falls into uncomfortable silence as Evike fails to find an immediate response. “… We will burn that bridge when we get there. And find out how to prepare for the hypothetical scenarios. But I support you no matter what. Does that make sense?”

“It does to me.” Dima’s face lights up with a smile. “Well, for old time’s sake, and since it’s the equinox, would you want to indulge me a little?”

“Is this indulgence like that happy little accident that happened which spawned-“ Evike starts, only to be stopped by Dima’s finger on their lips.

“Yes, this is exactly like Emery, Zerah, Eros and Yal.”