Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

“Is that a snowman, Talcott?” Kendall had meant to say it in a completely normal, non-judgemental way. It didn’t come out like that at all. It came out as though they were sneering at him, and they tried to backtrack a little, but they couldn’t think of anything to say. At least nothing that would make the situation more bearable and themself seem like less of an asshole.

Goddamn it, Kendall.

“It looks good,” Kendall said in the end. “The snowman, that is.”

“I know what you’re talking about,” Talcott nodded. He was wrapped in a white jacket, light grey scarf and gloves. The falling snow seemed to bother him only a little. He should’ve been camouflaged into the snow with his clothes, but the shock of his orange hair gave him away. Kendall was less stylish, but they were also functional. Their clothes kept the snow and the chill out, that was all.

“I’m sorry,” they said, “I didn’t mean anything bad by it. I like the, uh… the appendages. The little things.”

“Antennae,” Talcott deadpanned. “It’s Gleamstic antennae. I didn’t take anything you said badly.”

Kendall’s cheeks burned from the shame, even though Talcott didn’t seem to be taken aback by their awkward demeanour. He was friendly even when they were sharp and prickly and that made Kendall even more awkward because they didn’t want to be like that. It just came out of them without them meaning it.

The snowman they were making was Kendall’s idea. And even so, it seemed like it was just a snowman that Talcott was building while Kendall was supervising. This, however, came through no decision Kendall made. They were the one to extend the idea, to make the invitation and they even picked Talcott up from the house at the end of the crowded street he lived in. They’d even been the one to suggest the park. Talcott was the one to suggest that maybe Kendall should just sit back and make sure everything looked alright.

It was cute. The snowman, not the mortifying situation the two of them were in. It was clearly meant to be a Gleamstic, as evidenced by the branches Talcott stuck into its head to mimic the antennae, and they supposed he even tried to imitate the animal ears, though that point was doing rather poorly. One ear was appropriately pointy, but the other had already fallen off due to disbalance and the slight wind present. Talcott didn’t seem bothered by it, and he tried to fix it diligently. The rest of the snowman was a regular snowman. Nothing special about it, just some rolled, compact snowballs one atop the other. It even had a scarf. Kendall had had half the mind to bring one, so they weren’t completely useless.

“I invited you out because I liked spending time with you on Christmas,” Kendall said. They never saw the point of beating around the bush. It wasn’t comfortable, but it made things easier in the long run. “I meant for us both to have fun, and I’m sorry if I made everything awkward.”

Talcott stopped his snow shaping for a moment, then regarded them with an even look. He didn’t look put off yet.

“It wasn’t awkward,” he said as he fixed the ear on the snowman. “Actually, I’m having fun, but I also keep worrying that…” He made a slight pause, and then he did look a little uncomfortable. “I liked spending time with you too. And now I feel like you’re having a shit outing because I did everything on my own and accidentally told you not to participate. Sorry.”

“Oh, don’t feel bad about it,” Kendall snorted. “I hate this… winter idyll.”

“You suggested this!” Talcott's eyes were wide in shock, but a smile played on his face nonetheless.

“I did,” Kendall nodded along, “But only because Huizhong said you’d like it. He said you’re meticulous about winter holidays and such.” Then, Kendall approached him and took hold of his elbow. “And now we can follow my favourite tradition and stay indoors, with some tea or coffee or hot cocoa or whatever you want. And then we can both have fun. Come on!”

Talcott didn’t resist, but it was a few steps later that Kendall realized they’d never asked. They stopped and turned towards him, but before they could say anything, he beat them to it.

“Yes, I want to go with you, don’t act all shy now,” he said, “Come on, my nose is freezing.”