Cold to the Touch by An Angel Falls

It was cold. Ice formed on the windows, distorting the view of clouding skies and the flurry of snow.

Nothing new. It was a world of winter.

Celes.

Fai sighed as he stared out the window. Ashura had been locked inside his the library for five days now. Without him it was boring and there was absolutely nothing to do. There was no one for him to play with since he wasn't exactly the most favored person in the country. He had only Ashura. He couldn't go outside since the weather had gotten worse. That's why Ashura couldn't play. He was busy working to fix Celes. As time passed, Celes grew colder. The winds picked up and the snow became worse. If it weren't deadly cold, it would be beautiful. Fai sighed again and walked over to the door, grabbing his coat as he exited his bedroom. Right beside Ashura's, Fai's room was small and contained only a bed, desk, and dresser. It was very plain, probably because he didn't spend a lot of time in it. He was always with Ashura. Now that he had been in it for so long, it was driving him crazy. He put on his coat as he walked down the empty halls. Ashura had sent away everyone so that he could focus on fixing Celes. Most had left already because of the increasing cold. They had moved to warmer areas in the south, taking with them their families. The castle and village were dreary and quiet. It was nerve-racking and Fai intended to do something about it. He walked out into the freezing cold, wind piercing through him despite his coat. He made his way through the storm towards the dim light that shone on the other end of the courtyard. He hesitated once to think about what he was doing but continued to make his way towards the light. It grew closer and closer, drawing him in with it's warmth. He placed a gloved hand on the cold metal of the library's doorknob. Ashura had long ago sent away the guards he had posted away as well, knowing that Fai was the only one left. The only one who didn't leave. He made his way down the corridor to the midsection of the library. There he found Ashura surrounded by scrolls, books, and documents of all kind. He was engrossed in one of these books when Fai started to approach him.

"Fai. Stay where you are. I thought I made it clear that I didn't want to be disturbed." Fai put his hands on his hips.

"You've been in here for five days. Five days, Ashura-sama." Ashura looked over to where Fai stood. His blonde hair was wet from the melting snow.

"Drop the keigo." Fai shrugged.

"Whatever, Ashura. Stop for a little while. You can't do your people any good if you're so tired that you overlook what you're looking for." Ashura's stared at the book in his hands, not really looking at it, thinking over Fai's words. He set down the book, closing in slowly. He exhaled and let out a breath that sounded as if had been kept inside the entire five days.

"I have to do something, Fai. I just can't waste time. My people expect me to do something and I can't." He stared into space for a while. Fai was somewhat scared. He had never seen him like this before. He walked up behind the torn king and wrapped his arms around him.

"You've done enough for now. Take the time to think about what you've read so far. Recall some of the things your father said. Think of the past. It's the key to the future, ne?" Fai nuzzled his face in Ashura's hair and felt as he began to loosen up. Soon, Ashura slumped over in slumber. Fai laid him on a couch in the room. He sat on the floor beside it and leaned his head against the edge, taking one of Ashura's hands in his. They were freezing. Cold to the touch.