Faster yet
Alarik asked if everything was a competition to Ashmedai. Was it? Not everything. Ashmedai leaned just a little into Alarik's space, a lopsided smile rising to his lips.
"Only if I'm pretty sure I can win," he remarked. Alarik ran off, gathering snow around his chest. No doubt he was trying to make a bigger, better snow cloud. No way. Ash ran over and started scooping snow onto Alarik, "You look like you need a little help, so I figured I'd give you a paw."
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![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
But then, Alarik had all his attention and energy focused on piling as much snow as possible onto his back. It was harder than it sounded. But fortunately, he had a friend to help him out, scooping snow onto him until he felt literally pounds heavier with all the snow his fur was holding. He grinned at Ashmedai from under the coat of white. "Thanks, pal," he said. This snow cloud was going to be so awesome.
"Don't thank me yet, buddy." Ashmedai retorted, packing some of the snow down onto Alarik. He stepped back to get more snow, dropping his forelegs and shuffling up to Alarik like a little furry bulldozer. There needed to be MORE snow.
![](http://i.imgur.com/ddfhzTp.png)
![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
But still, being the trusting man he was, he let the other male continue. Until his words gave Alarik pause. "Why not?" he asked, snorting with amusement as he dropped down the way Alarik had done earlier, making himself a snow bulldozer. "Ash, what are you doing?"
And only now was he beginning to get suspicious.
"Ash, what are you doing?" he asked.
Ashmedai giggled to himself, "I'm helping you make a big snow cloud, right?" Ashmedai's voice was not serious. He didn't bother to hide his intentions now.
"How much snow do you think it would take before you could stand?" he asked, adding, "Don't worry, buddy, I'll dig ya out... eventually."
Though he made the threat, there was no malice in his voice. He wouldn't let Alarik get hurt by any means. He just thought of something better than snow clouds. Besides, if Alarik couldn't make another snow cloud then Ash won by default, right?
![](http://i.imgur.com/ddfhzTp.png)
![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
"Or maybe I'll dig you out," he said with a mischievous grin as he shook off all the snow that he could, leaning his body to the side to have all the snow fall onto Ashmedai. It was his form of revenge.
And hopefully he would make a record-breaking snow cloud in the process.
"Why you little..." he stopped himself, half snorting out more snow and half laughing. He lunged forward, hoping to use his front paws to shove Alarik's face into the snow to doom him to a similar fate of snow snout.
"Take that you little troublemaker!"
![](http://i.imgur.com/ddfhzTp.png)
![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
But then Ashmedai recovered and tried to get revenge, lunging forward and using his paws to shove Alarik into the snow. And it worked, but Alarik knew what not to do if he wanted to avoid getting freezing cold snow up his nose. So when he resurfaced and shook the snow from his face, he made a point to exhale first and then inhale. He still felt the snow in his nose and in his mouth, and he coughed a bit as he leaned his head down and lifted his leg to help brush the excess snow from his fur. But he had fared a whole lot better than Ashmedai had, and to prove it he grinned at the larger male. "Thank you, that was refreshing," he said teasingly.
Ugh, well, his plan kind of worked, but not completely. Ashmedai didn't bother to hide his pout as Alarik breathed out, then in , completely avoiding the punishment of breathing in the snow. He thought about trying again, but that would be too predictable. What other way could he punish Alarik.
Alarik played it off all cool and Ashmedai gave him a sharp glare. He wasn't sure what to do, but he wanted to do something. Ashmedai looked around, but nothing came up to him. he was getting a little exhausted and he couldn't really make a mad dash for anything. Ashmedai continued to stare down Alarik, "I'm gonna think of some form of revenge- just haven't thought about what it's gonna be yet."
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![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
"Yes, of course," the young man said seriously. "Take your time. I'll wait." He thumped his tail lightly against the snow and looked at the wintery wonderland that was all around them. He really did miss the snow. Too bad he couldn't carry it with him somehow, to the warmer places. It would just melt.
What a shame. Wouldn't it be the ultimate prank to load himself up with snow again and carry it back to Celestial to dump it on his brother? He smirked at the thought.
Ashmedai grumbled, then flopped himself into the snow. Sometimes he wished that just for a moment he could let all the cold seep into his fur. He supposed he should be thankful that it didn't, though. He was hot tempered like his mother with all the beef and brawn to back it up. He needed more time to think.
"It's too bad it'll only last a few more days, huh?" Ashmedai asked, talking about the snow.
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![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
It seemed he had, at least for now. Alarik smiled a bit as the subject was changed, assumably to the snow. "Yeah, it is," he said in agreement. "But you know, there are some places up north where you can find snow year round." Those were the places Alarik loved to go, especially during the summer. He really, really wasn't a fan of summer.
"I know, but I always end up bored staying in one place," he admitted.
Really, he did love snow, but he didn't hate summer. It was his least favorite season, sure, but it still had its charm like fireflies and long sunsets. Spring was alright too. Everything was bright in spring and not too hot. Autumn was better. Ashmedai loved the crunchy leaves and vivid changing leaves. Winter, though, cold and devoid of color was Ashmedai's favorite.
"I'd get bored of snow to if it lasted forever, too, I think. I like swimming, and I like traveling. Traveling is a little harder in the winter and summer, though..." He was pretty tired now. Ash was just rambling as he cooled off in the snow.
![](http://i.imgur.com/ddfhzTp.png)
![](https://68.media.tumblr.com/bd28c4027abf6c43e49553232bef717f/tumblr_or21w17Vfv1wp78tjo1_500.gif)
in your wildest dreams
After that, it was pretty quiet, and Alarik let out a yawn. He was pretty tired from all the running around the two of them had done earlier. He nodded, smiling a bit when he thought of how much he enjoyed those things too. "Hey," he said suddenly, sitting up a bit more. "Why don't we go somewhere else? I mean, this snow has been great and everything, but we don't want to get bored with it, right?" As he said this, he playfully swatted at the snow so a bit of it sprayed in the direction of the other male.
"I've never been any farther west than this, but I've heard there's an island somewhere nearby." The male rose to his feet again and smiled. "Wanna go check it out?"
After a moment, Alarik asked him if he wanted to go somewhere else, saying they didn't wanna get bored with the snow. Ash offered a lazy smile and his tail brushed through the compact snow. Then Alarik said that he had heard of an island off a ways. Ashmedai's interest was piqued.
The large man stood, shaking off the extra snow from his coat. He took a moment to nibble the extra clumps that hung around the longer strands of fur. Once he was done, Ashmedai gave himself one more thorough shake.
"Well, what are ya waiting for? Let's go!"
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