The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

29. The cloud's diamonds

'Too bad the cinnamon bun stand wasn't there today,' Benjamin said. 'They sold some delicious buns yesterday. I'm sorry I couldn't contain my appetite and ate yours too.'

The path the men walked on was covered with snow, like the rest of their surroundings. However, the snow on the path had been walked on more than once. The snow had condensed to something more similar to ice.

While watching their steps as not to slip and fall, Benjamin and Dante talked.

'It's okay,' Dante said. 'I might have done the same thing.'

'No, you wouldn't have. I know you longer than today.'

'It doesn't matter either way. You can't turn back time.'

Benjamin laughed. He was glad Dante forgave him. Wanting to avoid a possible silence between them, Benjamin switched topic.

'I love the snow. Don't you?' Benjamin asked.

'It's alright I guess.'

'You don't sound so sure of yourself.'

'I like the sight of it.'

'And the rest?'

'Not. I don't like the cold. I don't like having to watch where I put my feet. I don't like the potential fall every time I take a step.'

'Does the one pro outweigh the many cons for you?' Benjamin asked while laughing. 'Or would you rather not have snow at all?'

'I think I'd rather not.'

After that remark, Benjamin's effort to avoid another silence failed. The two walked side by side on the empty road. From a distance the sounds from the morning market traveled to their ears. People talking, things falling, and cows mooing.

From where they were, though, the wind and their footsteps were more present than the market.

'So...,' Dante started. 'You do like snow?'

Dante tried to get rid of the awkward silence. He wanted to be on Benjamin's good side; they still had who knows how long to go.

'I do,' Benjamin said.

'What do you like about it? Convince me.'

'Firstly, I don't like snow. I love snow. I also love everything that comes with it.'

When Benjamin didn't continue, Dante looked to his side. He made eye contact with him and wondered why he had stopped talking.

'What?' Dante asked.

'Are you ready for my speech?'

'Sure. Hit me with it.'

'Here it goes.'

Benjamin dramatically cleared his throat.

'Firstly, look around you. I love snow, because it's snow.'

Dante smiled to himself. To please Benjamin, he dramatically twisted his neck to observe their surroundings. Benjamin continued, also with a smile on his face.

'Everything gets covered by the cloud's diamonds, and- '

'Wouldn't hail be the cloud's diamonds?' Dante interrupted. 'Since it's both the hardest things on either earth or in the sky?'

Benjamin made eye contact with the man walking next to him and gave him a look.

'Sorry, go on.'

'Thank you. Like I was trying to say,' Benjamin continued, and he faced the road ahead of them again. 'Everything gets covered by the cloud's diamonds and looks magnificent.'