What makes history (Hijikata x OC)

13th month of 1867

So. If you've seen Hakuouki OAV from Hijikata's point of view, you'll find that adorable dango scene at the end. I wanted to include it in here, even though we're off when it comes to the timeline.

The first breath I took upon awakening was filled with Toshizō's gentle scent. I burrowed myself closer to his warm body, feeling how cold the air was outside the mess of covers and tangled limbs. It smelt like snow.

I smiled. Darkness still lingered in the compound, and time would come to check my assumption later in the day. For the moment, though, I would enjoy the feel of Toshizō's skin against my own. This was the only place I felt at peace. Sliding below the covers, I rolled into a ball and set my head upon his heart. He unconsciously adjusted his arms around me.

I had no idea if he was the type to enjoy physical closeness before I barged into his life, and claimed his body as mine. The truth was that he seemed to sleep heavily when I was there, and never pushed me away when I literally sprawled all over him. Now, I was almost afraid to ask; I'd be devastated if he found it bothersome. Most nights, I slid into his room when the compound settled and made my nest within his sheets. He didn't complain, so I surmised the arrangement suited him fine.

For a moment, everything was forgotten. The war, Masa's long march to Edo, my family, and even Sanan's demand. Nothing existed outside our little bubble of warmth, except for Toshizō's soft breath, and the delicious smell of his skin. A sigh left his lips and I relaxed in his embrace, allowing the soft thud of his heart to lull me to sleep again.

I awoke, some time later, when the warm body that had kept me secured tried to escape. I tightened my hold, and a rough chuckle reverberated in the chest that cushioned me.

"We really ought to get up, Kitsu," he breathed in my ear.

His low voice caused me to shiver; did that man realise how sensual his voice was? He probably didn't even mean to sound sexy, but damn... I dropped a kiss to his warm chest and yawned. He extricated himself from me in a deft move, and smirked when I glared at him.

"The cushion fled," I growled.

"The cushion is Vice Commander to a bunch of rowdy ronins."

The stern tone contrasted with the amusement flickering in his eyes. And so, as he piled up layer over layer with such habit that the knots seemed to magically appear upon juban, hakamashita and hakama, I stretched with another yawn. As I snatched my clothes in hopes of dressing under the covers, Hijikata gave me a puzzling look.

"What?", I asked.

"You really are a cat, Kitsuneko," he stated, his lips curling slightly. Then, he cocked his head aside and frowned. "It's too silent."

Worry immediately tensed his shoulders as I paused in my ruffling. Everything was so quiet, as if a blanket had fallen over the city. Typical of...

"I think it snowed."

Oh, snow! I loved snow, more than anything else. I pulled my tunic and pants faster than one could blink. Then, I rushed to the shōji, only to freeze at the last second; I couldn't open it like this. Hijikata would have to go out first, and I'd have to wear my mantle to give the impression I was just visiting. Meaning we had to put the futon away first. I rolled it up as Hijikata folded the covers, and stowed it in the appropriate cupboard. Then, he slid the shōji aside as I hid in the corner of the room.

A heavy layer of snow covered the courtyard, blanketing stone steps, rooftops and trees. Flakes still danced in the air, just a few sparkles that descended in the eerie silence. There were no prints outside, only a fresh layer coating every square foot in its icy clutches.