Chapter Text
Disclaimer: I own neither the series nor the characters.
This fic treats the demons as somewhat more relatable beings. The author acknowledges this is not how demonscum is like in canon. This idealistic interpretation is as fictional as the author owning everything.
Also, characters who have yet to appear in the anime will have their chapter marked with an asterisk. Read at your own caution.
Quick thing but if curious you can look up the artist's 2021 NY art for the kimono design
https://twitter.com/abetsukasa/status/1344912358544576514?s=20
In the early morning cold air stood a single statue.
Just like the many others like it that was erected around every town, the statue reflected the image of the humanity’s most recent hero, Himmel. With a cape and a hero’s sword, he was the perfect image of a hope humanity could place their bets on even if the need to fight demons had long since passed.
However, upon further inspection, air made icy white by the winter wind breathed out of its mouth. This statue also did not wear the usual heroic garb but a simpler attire of winter clothing including a thick dark jacket, a light green scarf, and a grey beanie.
Also, statues surely did not need to wear small round glasses.
The only reason to confuse the clearly real man with a statue was how he had stood unmoving outside the cold morning air.
Many others passed by him but, besides the occasional glance, none stopped to greet the winter-garbed Hero. This snub did not bother the same man who had commissioned multiple statues of himself across the continent.
After all, that was the point in coming here in such a get-up anyways.
If people knew the Hero had come for a shrine visit, then it would not only inconvenience him but also the person he was waiting for.
“Anytime now…” Himmel muttered to himself as his eyes watched for a familiar shade of pale in the winter. Thankfully, it was still quite early and not as many people had arrived yet but, in a few hours, he knew a large crowd of people would soon arrive at the shrine.
It was the first day of the year, after all.
The New year’s shrine visit was a favorite custom of both the Kingdoms and the Empire. After all, it promoted the use of the local calendar, as well as acting as an annual celebration for another year for humanity’s survival. It helped that the Religion of the Goddess usually presided over the whole thing which helped with their believers.
Actually, it was Himmel’s first time participating as a visitor instead of helping behind the scenes. Usually, he’d offer to help out the shrine on their busiest day especially as one of his closest friends was now one of the priests in charge.
However, there was a single reason he was out here, waiting by the shrine’s steps, instead of hauling boxes up there.
Said reason just entered his field of vison, waddling her way over to the entrance of the shrine.
“Frieren!”
The statue finally moved from his perch as he made his way over to a yawning girl with bleary barely-open eyes. Misty green peeked out to spot the Hero approach her.
“Oh, Himmel. Were you waiting long?”
“Just a bit. The wait allowed me to unwind from the long ride here.” Himmel took to the girl’s side, giving her a glance over. “If I may say so myself, you look amazing.”
Frieren gave her attire a quick look over. As appropriate for a shrine visit, she wore the traditional Heavenly Robe, layers of thick robe decorated with intricate patterns wrapped together by a band.
Hers was a deep red with flowers scattering its lightened edges and an inner lavender pattern peeking out from the collar and within the long sleeves. A dark blue cloth wrapped the whole thing around her small body. Her hair flowed down like a pale waterfall, with some of it tied up at the top, all held together by a large intricate red flower hairpin.
But what was most surprising was…
“You’re…wearing make-up?”
“Is it that much of a surprise?”
“To be honest, it is.”
Indeed, when Frieren usually didn’t care for such things, now, there was a light blush over her cheeks, an inky shadow over her eyes, and a kiss of pink over her small lips.
If the regular Frieren held the beauty of a lone wildflower growing at the side of the mountain, today’s Frieren was a blood red lily that bloomed after careful cultivation and grooming.
“Being praised is nice. Thank you.” Frieren intensely stared at Himmel for a moment before a smirk grew on her lips. Any sleepiness in her eyes was gone and replaced with a spark of mischievous satisfaction. “Seeing your expression made waking up so early worth doing this then.”
Himmel recoiled at her words. He immediately tried to school his expression back but, due to Frieren’s more mature appearance, the fluster was worse than usual.
“It’s just as master said, you men are so simple. Now, let’s head to the shrine.” Frieren then made a very unladylike wide yawn, trying to shrink into her heavenly robe for warmth. She then wiped her eye with its long sleeve, smearing some of her make-up in its wake. “You look good too.”
“Naturally.” Himmel wanted to go on but the sight of Frieren just left him smiling in appreciation. It had been a while, but this was still the same elf who once acted as the stoic mage of the Hero party. “What about Flamme-san?”
“Oh, she’s not interested.” Frieren smiled wryly. “Honestly, even I’m still not used to the whole ceasefire situation, but I can at least ignore the whole thing. Master’s take is more complicated.”
As much as it was true Frieren’s teacher had issues with the current situation of Humanity, Himmel also liked to believe the smart woman could read the signs. After all, there was no way Frieren would be able to put on her make-up by herself.
Just for this sight alone, Himmel promised to commission more statues of the Great Sage for bestowing upon him the beauty before him.
“Maybe, there’s something else too.”
Frieren tilted her head in confusion. “Such as?”
Himmel coughed into a fist. “You know, perhaps your master was being considerate. I’m not sure how much you told her but considering what happened last time, I’m sure she has some idea of the situation.”
“Oh yeah.” Frieren nodded, as if finally remembering something. The elf then stepped closer to Himmel and moved her face close to his.
Their lips would have met if not for a single finger. Frieren stepped back, small frown directed at the blue haired-hero who stopped her display of affection.
“Himmel?”
“You can’t, Frieren.”
“But is that not what lovers do when they meet up?”
“It is! But it would ruin your make-up (more than it already was) so we can’t yet. Allow me to enjoy the sight a bit longer.”
“You say that but aren’t your eyes bleeding?”
“Don’t underestimate a hero’s tenacity! Weighing a hello kiss with the sight of you in make-up is one of the toughest choices I’ve had to make.”
“Being a lover is complicated. What about a hug.”
“That’s….fine.”
Immediately, Frieren was wrapped in Himmel’s warm embrace. She wanted to hug him back, but his arms were wrapped around her own which only allowed her to barely lift them to reach the sides of his broad back.
Just as Frieren was about to complain, a whisper reached one pointed ear.
“I missed you.”
“…yeah, me too.”
Frieren allowed Himmel to continue squeezing her, making sure her face didn’t rub any make-up on his chest. When he finally withdrew, his face carried a sparkling refreshed look.
“Let’s go?”
“Yes.”
Together, the two walked side by side to reach the steps that led to the entrance of the shrine. A small line had already formed as others started climbing the stairs but it was still early in the morning, so it was constantly moving.
This New Year’s visit had finally begun.