Chapter 18
“It’s snowing,” Draco whispered softly as he sat on the edge of Kalevi's bed. It had been two days since August's memorial, Kalevi hadn't left his bed except to use the bathroom every once in a while, and Draco was growing increasingly concerned. The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the flickering candle on the nightstand. "It's the first snow of the year," Draco continued, his voice filled with a mixture of awe and sadness. He watched as the snowflakes gently fell outside the window, creating a serene blanket over the grounds of Hogwarts.
Draco reached out and gently brushed his fingertips against the glass, tracing the delicate patterns of the snowflakes. He knew that Kalevi loved the snow, and how it transformed everything into a winter wonderland. Kalevi slowly turned his head towards the window, his eyes red and puffy from crying. He stared at the snowflakes for a moment before a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Draco felt a glimmer of hope as he saw the faint smile on Kalevi's face. It was a small victory, but it meant that maybe, just maybe, Kalevi was beginning to find some solace amidst his grief. The two sat in silence for a while longer, watching as the snow continued to fall outside.
As the room filled with an ethereal glow from the moon reflecting off the snow-covered grounds.
"Can we go outside?" Kalevi whispered, his voice barely audible. Draco's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Kalevi's voice, so quiet yet filled with longing. He nodded and stood up, offering his hand to Kalevi.
"Of course," Draco replied softly. "Let's go."
Draco gently wrapped his coat around Kalevi's trembling shoulders, making sure he was well bundled up against the cold. He could feel the weight of Kalevi's sadness, but also a glimmer of hope in his eyes. They stepped outside into the crisp winter air, their breath forming small clouds in front of them.
The snowflakes fell softly on their faces as they walked hand in hand, leaving behind footprints in the untouched snow. Draco watched as Kalevi's expression transformed from sorrow to wonder, his eyes filled with childlike joy.
They wandered through the Hogwarts grounds, taking in the beauty of the winter landscape. Soon Kalevi stopped walking, staring up at the sky, he let himself fall backwards, laying in the snow.
Draco watched as Kalevi lay in the snow, his body creating an angelic imprint on the ground. He couldn't help but smile at the sight, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. Draco joined him, lying down beside Kalevi and looking up at the night sky.
"August and I used to do this when we were little," Kalevi mumbled. "though, Finland was always covered in snow,"
Draco listened intently as Kalevi reminisced about his childhood in Finland. He could hear the nostalgia in Kalevi's voice, and it made him long to bring back those happy memories for him. They lay there together, side by side, staring up at the night sky filled with twinkling stars and falling snow. Kalevi sighed, moving over and putting his head on Draco's chest.
Draco's heart skipped a beat as Kalevi rested his head on Draco's chest. He wrapped his arms around him, holding him close, feeling the rise and fall of Kalevi's breath against his own heartbeat. At that moment, everything felt right. They lay there in silence, finding comfort in each other's presence as they watched the snowflakes dance above them.
"We should go to Finland after we graduate," Kalevi mumbled.
"Maybe for our honeymoon," Draco responded, not thinking of the words coming out of his mouth.
Draco's words hung in the air, and for a moment, both he and Kalevi were taken aback by what had just been said. The idea of a future together, filled with love and happiness, seemed to fill the space between them. A smile spread across Kalevi's face as he looked up at Draco.
"You mean it?" he asked, his voice filled with hope.
Draco nodded, his own smile widening. "Yes," he replied softly. "I mean it."
As Kalevi lay in the snow, memories of his childhood in Finland flooded his mind. He couldn't help but reminisce about the times he and his brother, August, would sneak out in the night and play together in the snowy landscapes of their homeland. The joy they felt as they created angel imprints on the ground, the laughter that echoed through the winter air - those were moments filled with pure happiness.
"August and I would spend hours building snowmen, in the dark, just hanging out," Kalevi mumbled to himself, a wistful smile playing on his lips. The soft glow of the moon illuminated the memories in his mind, casting a nostalgic hue across the snowy landscape. He recalled how their small hands moulded the snow, shaping it into chubby forms with carrot noses and coal eyes. Together, they would create a whole snowman family, each with its own unique personality and story.
As the crisp winter air enveloped him, Kalevi's eyelids grew heavy, and exhaustion washed over him like a comforting blanket. He couldn't resist the allure of sleep any longer and succumbed to its gentle embrace. Gradually, his body settled against Draco's chest, finding solace in the warmth and steady rhythm of his heartbeat. The snowy landscape transformed into a dreamscape, where memories of his childhood intertwined with visions of a future filled with love and companionship.
Unbeknownst to Kalevi, Draco watched over him with a mix of concern and adoration. Gently cradling Kalevi's head on his chest, Draco marvelled at the serenity on his lover's face.
Draco carefully lifted Kalevi into his arms, feeling the weight of his slumbering form. With each step, he navigated through the snow-covered landscape, making his way back to their dorms. The cold air nipped at his skin, but Draco remained focused on his task.
Once inside, Draco gently laid Kalevi on his bed, ensuring his comfort. He removed Kalevi's wet clothes with the utmost care, mindful not to disturb his peaceful sleep. The sound of fabric rustling filled the room as Draco fetched warm and dry clothes from the closet.
With gentle precision, Draco dressed Kalevi in fresh attire, layering him up to ward off any lingering chill. He tucked him in snugly, covering him with a cosy blanket. As he did so, Draco couldn't help but admire the serene expression on Kalevi's face.
Satisfied that Kalevi was settled and warm, Draco leaned down and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. He lingered for a moment, silently expressing his love and concern. Then, with a final tender glance, Draco quietly left the room, allowing Kalevi to continue his peaceful slumber.
In the quiet solitude of their dorms, Draco reflected on the events of the night. The sight of Kalevi sleeping.