I'll cover you

Laughing the whole way, Sabriel ran up the snowy path that led from outside back to the school. It had snowed last night, leaving a foot of snow on the ground. Ever since he was little, he had loved playing in the snow, and as soon as he saw it when he had woken up that morning his whole day had been made. Of course, he had to bring January with him; it wouldn't have been any fun playing outside without him!

Out of breath from running, Sabriel turned around and looked over his shoulder, hunched over somewhat as he looked for his boyfriend. He had thrown one last snowball at him and started running, so he had no idea if he had gotten hit or not. He hoped he hadn't gotten him in the face or that any of the snow had gone down his shirt. That would have been cold and cruel, though perhaps unavoidable.

While he waited at the door to the lounge, leaving it closed so none of the potential students inside would get angry for making the place cold, Sabriel began to brush himself off. He shook his head and ran his fingers through his brown hair, trying to get all the snow out of it before it melted and made his hair wet. Though he was already damp, he didn't need to look like he had just fallen through the ice that was coating the lake. He brushed off his clothes next, looking down as he did so.

“You’re cold.”

Sabriel stopped brushing the snow off of him when January's hand rested on his shoulder. He looked at him, the corners of his mouth pulled up somewhat in a toothless smile. The two simple words rang in his ears as his lips brushed against his earlobe. A warm, satisfying pit was left in the teenager's stomach and he grinned, slowly nodding in agreement to the statement. "Yeah," he said.

“Let’s sit down.”

January had taken his hand and began to tug him toward the couch. Sabriel smiled and entered the building finally, closing the door behind him and not daring to remove his coat just yet. "Good idea." He wasn't warm at all, and was more numb than anything from being out in the cold for so long. Spotting a fireplace on the side wall and a couch right in front of it, Sabriel walked toward it, still holding on to January's much larger hand. He had been here for some time now, but it seemed to him like he hadn't changed at all. He was still puny, still cute, and still looked like a kid. Everyone else around him was growing up, it seemed, while he remained like that.

Once he reached the couch, Sabriel let go of January's hand and removed his fluffy white coat, and folded it in front of the floor near the fire. It would dry a bit faster there than if he was wearing it, and besides, it wouldn't get the couch wet there. He returned to the couch and sat down, exhaling and closing his eyes for a moment, a wide smile gracing his lips as he thought about that day and enjoyed the warmth from the fire. "That was fun..." he said, opening his eyes to look at January. "Thanks for going out there with me. You weren't too cold or bored, were you?" Concern flashed through the teenagers eyes, a bit of guilt filling him at the thought. Sure, it was winter, but that didn't mean he wanted January to freeze just because he still enjoyed going outside and playing.

Sabriel smiled, though he blushed a little, as January sat next to him and snuggled with him and breathed into his neck. He curled up into a ball next to the larger male, his legs tucked under himself and his upper body leaning against January. He could have fallen asleep there, with the warmth of another body next to him and the warmth of the fire and the relaxing atmosphere. But he didn't, since he wanted to stay awake to spend time with January.

“Aw, no…”

A smile graced his lips. He was glad to hear that. Maybe next time it snowed they could build a snowman or go ice skating. Too bad he didn't know how to ice skate; no one had ever taught him, surprisingly. "Good," he said. Even if he was January's master, he didn't want to force him to do anything he didn't want to. "I would have felt bad if you'd gotten frost bite because of me."

As he flinched, Sabriel blinked, looking at him with concern. "Are you all right?" he asked. January rested his forehead against his own, and Sabriel leaned forward just a bit and placed a kiss on his lips. Maybe that would make the flinching go away and make him feel better.

"Sing the happy birthday song."

An eyebrow rose a bit for two reasons. For one thing, Sabriel didn't sing — January should have known that. And second... who sang the happy birthday song randomly like this? Sabriel's golden eyes widened somewhat, since there was really only one conclusion to come to. He backed away a few inches, surprise written across his face. "Is today your birthday?!"

Now he felt bad. January knew his birthday, but Sabriel didn't know his. He had even gotten him a cell phone for his birthday... and Sabriel hadn't gotten him anything, since he hadn't known. His ears flattened down on his head and he frowned somewhat, a part of him hoping a little bit that the song was just stuck in his lover's head and he hadn't neglected to find out his birthday. But he had a feeling it was the birthday thing.

“I like spending time with you.”

Sabriel smiled. Well, he should have, for obvious reasons. "I like spending time with you too." But he was sure January knew that. If he didn't, Sabriel wouldn't invite him to go almost anywhere with him. To be honest, he would be sad when winter was over. That meant no more fuzzy, cute clothing, no more snowball fights, no more snuggling by a fire... winter always seemed so romantic. It didn't matter though; he was bound to have fun as long as January was around.

“I’m fine, don’ t worry.”

Don't worry? That made him chuckle and shake his head. "I always worry... " he said. Worrying and paranoia were part of his nature after that little 'incident' had happened. To not worry about January was like saying he didn't care, which was an absolute lie. "Especially about you."

“Just sing it.”

He hated singing; he wasn't very good at it at all. Sabriel was a better musician than anything, really. "But I'll make your ears bleed..." he protested, joking and being serious at the same time.

But as soon as he was given an Eskimo kiss, there was no way he could say no. It was what January wanted, so he had to just suck it up and get over it. He pushed himself up slightly so he was closer to January's ear; no one else needed to hear. "Happy birthday to youuuu, happy birthday to youuuu..." It was still odd that January was asking him to sing this without any reason. "Happy birthday dear January, happy birthday to you!"

Even if it wasn't his birthday, Sabriel still thought he should get a gift. January was always there for him, so he thought he should get him something as a way to say thank you. Now he just had to figure out what. "When is your birthday, anyway?"

“But I worry more, Masterrrr…”

Sabriel smiled as he was snuggled into again, even though there was hardly any room at all. He'd end up sitting on January if he came any closer! Not like he'd object to that, of course, although he wouldn't be able to look him in the eye or kiss him very well like that.

As the last word was drawn out in that tone, Sabriel merely looked at January, lowering his eyebrows with a bit of an alluring smirk. "Are you sure about that?" he asked, not being too serious, of course.

“Mm thanks.”

The fifteen-year-old returned the kiss that he was given, at least glad that the vocals were appreciated, however bad they had been. He wished he could have been a better singer for January's poor ears, but the fact that he was happy was all that mattered. "Anytime," he said as he pulled away.

“It’s…it was a week ago.”

A week ago?! Sabriel's ears stood up straight, his jaw hanging open before they rested flat against his head and his mouth closed, his head turned down. He should have asked a long time ago. That would have given him time to think, time to plot it over with Aunt Michelle and Roxanne — but he couldn't very well go home and get something within a day. Sheet music, maybe, for his guitar; but that would require him knowing what music January had and what music he didn't.

"No big deal, don't worry about it...I have you that's all I want."

Well, that made him feel a little better, even though he still felt guilty. "But..." Before he would protest any further, January was kissing him. Sabriel was caught off guard, but he closed his eyes quickly, returning the kiss with just as much force. His left hand moved up to January's head, resting on the back of his neck, his fingers getting tangled in his blonde hair, while his right hand found January's and held it, intertwining his fingers with his own.

“Absolutely a million times positive.”

Well, then Sabriel would accept that as fact. He didn't have to be better all the time... so January could win the battle over who cared more. In the end, he knew they felt equally about each other, so it didn't matter what they said. All that mattered was the real truth.

“I really, really don’t mind.”

"If you say so..." Sabriel said quietly. Maybe birthdays really weren't a big deal. He would just have to get January something bigger and better for the other holidays and his next birthday to make up for it. To tell the truth, he wouldn't mind that one bit. He wanted to spoil that man.

January broke the moment by pushing him back a little bit. He whimpered slightly, pushing his ears against his head and resting his forehead against January's. Sabriel hadn't really wanted the kiss to end, but he too needed air. Breathing was good... but kissing was better. Being suffocated by a kiss would be a nice way to die, he was sure.

“Mn. I suppose I love you beyond comprehension.”

Sabriel laughed and nodded, agreeing with that statement. "And I love you just that much, too," he said with that cute smile of his. He sighed in content, really just enjoying the moment. It was getting darker out, but he liked being here regardless. He liked being anywhere if it was with his boyfriend.

But something didn't seem right, and it was making a pit form in his stomach.

And, of course, those thoughts were confirmed when the door burst open, cold air blowing into the lounge. Sabriel's ears stuck up again and he looked at the figure in the door, gulping. He didn't exactly look friendly and filled with peaches. Biting his lip, he was a bit surprised January would know someone who looked so hostile.

"Who is that...?" he asked quietly, not taking his eyes off of Hollow.

“Die.”

Sabriel shrunk down somewhat. Die? What had he done to deserve that? This boy... he knew he wasn't good to be around. He swallowed, wishing he could just grab January and run out of there. But he was fifteen now, not a child, and running from things wasn't the best way to handle things. He looked to January, urging him with his eyes that they should get out of there.

“And…we will be leaving.”

Thank God! Sabriel willingly stood up, wrapping his arms around January's one, hesitantly looking back at Hollow. Just the mere sight of him was making him tremble. Really, he had a scary appearance. And the hostility that seemed to be all around him... it reminded him of... her.

“You’re insane... if you believe I’ll just let you leave.”

So he obviously had problems. Sabriel turned to him fully, moving his eyes around the room to make sure there were shadows in case he had to do something he didn't want to. But to tell them both to die and to say he wouldn't just leave them was wrong. Sabriel hadn't done anything to him, and he knew January hadn't either.

No, actually. He didn't know that. All he did was hope. "What's wrong with you...?" he asked, brows furrowed. It was a stupid question, and he was probably being stupid for even confronting Hollow, but he truly didn't understand. Maybe he was just naive, but he really didn't.

“Whose this? Your master? Your pet? Your girlfriend?”

He was mocking January, and Sabriel didn't want to put up with it. As his 'master', he couldn't let him get bullied like that. "Why does it even matter to you?" he asked. He was so much like her that it was scary. All Sabriel wanted to do was run, but in the past that hadn't worked on multiple occasions. He wasn't looking for a fight; he was looking to prevent one. "I... I don't think... he's the insane one here."

Ouch. He was probably going to regret saying that.

"So…I have something now.”

This was so confusing. First he was telling them to die, now he 'had' something? Sabriel just wanted to tell the guy to go screw himself, but that wouldn't be very nice and it might provoke him further. Remaining silent, Sabriel merely stared at Hollow, trying to hide the fact that he was trembling so much. Even if he was growing, he was still such a child.

“Sabriel, we’re leaving.”

"Good..." He wanted to leave. Sabriel didn't hesitate at all as January rushed them toward the door, noticing something was wrong with the air. However, he didn't really have a chance to figure it out because of the light that happened next. Though he wasn't in the center of it, he still caught sight of a little of it. With his golden eyes burning somewhat and seeing green and red spots, he blinked and walked with January, confused as ever.

Life was just a a big puzzle. He really didn't like it. Figure this out, figure that out, symbolism, people want to kill you, blah blah blah.

As soon as they were far away enough from the lounge, he thought it would be fine to ask in detail what was going on. "What did he want, January?" he asked, looking up at the blonde-haired man. "I... I don't understand... why was he being so mean?" Sabriel glanced back in the direction of the lounge, feeling helpless and lost. And the day had started off so well...

“It…it’s nothing. I owe him some money, that’s all.”

Wow. People went to great lengths to get money. It didn't surprise him at all, and with his whole trust in January, he simply nodded. It made sense, and besides, he had no reason to lie. With the added talent he had, there was no suspicion at all on Sabriel's part. "Oh, I see..." he said. He would have helped pay Hollow back, but his family probably didn't have enough money to do so. If his medication didn't cost so much, maybe he could have helped some how, but there really wasn't a way since Michelle insisted he take it. "I'd help if I could, but I don't think I can."

“Don’t worry. He’s always like that.”

"Always?" At least it seemed like January knew him. Maybe they were even friends, but Hollow was just angry that January hadn't paid him his money back yet. That made sense too! Good, so there was really no reason for Sabriel to worry. No friend of January's would hurt either of them, and as soon as the money was paid back, this would all be over and they could laugh about it afterward. "I think he needs a happy pill." He always seemed to become more simplistic as he got sleepier.

“Tonight…tonight I want you to dream of me.”

He laughed, and nodded. He hadn't really noticed he wasn't changed into his pajamas, but that was fine. He was comfortable sleeping in anything. "Okay," he said. Sabriel usually dreamed about him after days like this, when they had been together and laughed and had fun... it seemed to complete the day and get ready for the next. "And I want you to dream about me, too." Sabriel sat up, leaving a kiss on the top of January's nose. The fifteen-year-old was so happy this wouldn't be a huge, bad thing and that it could easily be taken care of. It put his mind at ease.

Sabriel smiled as he was nuzzled and January began to sing. He loved it when he sang, when he played guitar; he was so talented. His voice was perfect for falling asleep to, and as he rested back down on his bed and got under the covers, he curled into a ball, simply listening. One day, he was sure January was going to get his own record deal and become famous and have a lot of fans because of that talent. But Sabriel would always be first, through all the fans and the work...

So maybe it was doubtful, but Sabriel liked to dream about that kind of stuff into the future. It made him happy, and as he began to drift off, a small smile spread on his face. He'd always love January, even if he stopped feeling the same. That would never happen, though. This could go on forever if they wanted it to. Sabriel didn't know what he would do if it ever ended.

With the lights off in the room and with his eyes already closed and brown hair covering his face, it was, in fact, impossible for him to see the tear streaks on his face. Had he known what the silent plan was, he would have objected to it and begged for anything but that. He didn't, though, having been lied to to be kept ignorant.

“I love you.”

Sabriel smiled again, lifting his legs slightly so he was in even more of a ball. "Mm hrm mm hm..." he said, too tired to form actual words. But he was sure January would be able to figure it out. And, within a few seconds, the boy was asleep.