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“Makoto-san.”
Her voice comes out as a light murmur, shy and hesitant even to her own ears. He halts by the head of the stairs, one hand on the rail, and turns to regard her with a questioning gaze.
“I heard from Mitsuru-san that you were appointed to go to the grocery store,” she continues, straightening even as Koromaru waves his tail at her. “Would you mind if I accompany you?”
“Not at all,” he says, and Aigis is relieved to see a small smile quirk his lips at her request. “I will go get my jacket.”
He reappears no more than five minutes later, a dark muffler hung around his shoulders, his winter-jacket on and fully buttoned up. “Let’s go, Aigis.”
She smiles. “Yes.”
A cold gush of wind welcomes them as soon as they step out of the dorm, and Makoto sticks his hands deeper into his pockets. At his side, Aigis walks in her school uniform, all too aware of the curious looks her choice of clothing is attracting from those who walk past them.
“The temperature is of 8°C, but it will drop below 5°C by sunset,” Aigis announces, though it is data she collected well before leaving the dorms. “It would be in our best interest to be back by then since you didn't bring any gloves with you, Makoto-san.”
Makoto holds back a smile at that, she notices. The reason for his apparent amusement eludes her, but she doesn’t question it.
"What about you, then? You're wearing nothing but your school uniform."
She lowers her eyes. For some reason, the answer to his question fills her with something akin to shame.
"Oh, this clothing suits me just fine. My circuits are unharmed by low temperatures."
He gazes sidelong at her. “Is that so?”
“Yes. It is only natural, when you think about it. A weapon like me must be able to fight shadows at any given time, regardless of the environment.”
Even though it is such a plain, simple truth, stating it makes a weight settle in her chest. It is a weight she has begun to get more and more used to after returning from the Kirijo lab, yet it doesn’t seem to be becoming any easier to carry, nor any less displeasing to feel.
Aigis is still trying to put a name to it when something warm is placed around her shoulders. She looks down only to find Makoto’s scarf, and the finding leaves her equal parts confused and mortified. "Makoto-san, what are you doing?"
Makoto shrugs. “It’s only natural, right?” He asks, and Aigis recognizes her own wording in the question. "Everyone needs something to keep them warm."
Her frown only deepens, but he is no longer looking at her. "My circuits were built to endure low and high temperatures, Makoto-san. I do not require additional clothing." She removes the muffler, handing it back to him rather pointedly. "You may fall sick if you wear only your jacket in this temperature. Please, take it back.”
He does not even spare it a glance. "I will be fine."
"But—"
“No buts, Aigis." He fixes her with a look that makes her every complaint die on her tongue. "You're keeping the scarf until we get back to the dorm. If you don’t want me to catch a cold, then bring a jacket tomorrow. Okay?"
Aigis gazes at the muffler, hesitating still. “Understood,” she acquiesces despite herself, making no effort to wrap it around her neck.
She feels more than sees him looking at her from the corner of his eye.
"You're still worried I will get sick."
It's a statement rather than a question. Still, Aigis’ conflicted silence provides all the confirmation he needs.
“You've become really stubborn, Aigis." He sighs, reaching out for the scarf. “Whatever makes you happy, I guess….”
The disappointment comes as a surprise. Her fingers nearly refusing to give it up, as a shock. Aigis tries to collect her thoughts, to find her voice. Instead, Makoto’s fingers lightly brush her knuckles and her heart nearly goes into overdrive.
"Then, let's share it."
"Makoto-san…?"
She tries to search his stare, but he won't return her look.
“Let’s share it. If we do, you will have something to keep you warm and I won't get sick. You would be okay with that, wouldn't you?"
Aigis weights the offer for a moment, finding no apparent downsides to it. "That... seems like a fair compromise," she musters, feeling strangely flustered.
A smile touches Makoto's lips. "Good," he mutters, before stepping close to wrap the scarf around both their necks.
Aigis stares at his hands; the way they move, precise yet gentle, careful not to hurt her, even though both of them know such a thing cannot happen.
"We're lucky Bebe made it so long," he comments, gaze darting towards hers at last.
"I believe we are," Aigis agrees, returning his smile. "Though if I may, I would like to suggest he use thicker material next time. It seems this isn't quite enough to quell the cold, given the rosy color of your cheeks."
Makoto's hands halt for a moment, and then his smile is softening before her very eyes. "I guess," he mutters, and something in his voice feels warmer than any article of clothing she has ever worn.
"All done.” That smile widens ever so slightly. “Let's go, Aigis."
“...Thank you, Makoto-san.”
He accepts her gratitude with gracious silence, setting the pace of their walk. Aigis easily matches his steps with her own, careful to stay close, though not close enough to bump into him or let her temperature affect him. Still, Makoto’s left hand now hangs limply at his side, and the proximity makes it so it brushes her own every few steps.
And Aigis cannot help but wonder, as she looks at his peaceful profile from the corner of her eye, her fingers unexplainably itching to entwine with his own—
How could she not have realized how cold she was before?