Title: Portraits of a Winter Night
Series: Homestuck
Pairing: John x Karkat
Theme: Tradition
Warnings: Fluff?

Washington was a state that tended to end up with multiple layers of snow in the winter time. Cold and wet, there were numerous places on Alternia that had such a setting. Yet nothing could transfix a troll like the falling of snow. There was a serene silence that fell across the landscape, like the world revered the fluffy flakes drifting down from the night sky. An occasional crunch of snow dropping from a weighed down branch broke said silence and yet nothing was more serene.

Well, actually there was. John was watching it from the doorway. There were two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands and a little smile on his face, blanket draped over his shoulders. From what he had learned over the last few years about his troll friends was that many had never actually witnessed the little miracle that was snow. John accredited the fact that Karkat had spent many waking hours researching Christmas and various winter holidays and activities for that very reason. Said troll was presently outside, arms draping over the porch rail. If John had the ability to paint, he would want to capture this moment forever with oils on a canvas. The light from Karkat’s cigarette placed a warm glow on features that he would love nothing more to take in his hands and kiss until the dawn’s light danced across the sky in hues of pink and orange. It was a nice contrast against the blues and grays of a cold Washington night.

Finally he pushed the door open, breaking the illusion that Karkat was alone with a creak. As if expecting him, Karkat pushed away from the railing to accept the still steaming mug in John’s extended grip. There was a slight tug at his lips, something John had come to adore over the last few years. The troll took one last drag before putting the cigarette out. Both made their way over to the glider, where John tossed the blanket on their laps. From there they would enjoy the quiet together, where Karkat would rest his head on John’s shoulder and take a drink of that hot chocolate. Karkat hummed, content with the sweet, warm concoction and pressed a kiss to John’s jaw.

John didn’t think there was anything particularly special about the snow or the cold. It was just a winter that would come and go like any other. What made it different was all of these little moments with Karkat. After the mugs were emptied and the snow had stopped its descent, the man knew he’d be the one carrying a sleepy troll back to their bed for the remainder of the night. That was how this little snippet in a day in their lives always finished and John would never complain for it. If there was one thing he liked about the snow, it was for this reason alone, even as Karkat was already drifting off. They were a predictable sort.

At least they were a predictable sort together.