Afternoon settled slowly.
The snow didn't stop.
It softened.
Fell slower.
Quieter.
But it stayed.
Layer after layer.
Endless white stretching across the ground.
Leah stood outside.
Boots sinking slightly with every shift of her weight.
Her breath visible in the cold air.
Cheeks flushed.
Eyes bright.
Still carrying the excitement from the morning.
Still untouched by the cold in the way most people would be.
Izana stepped out behind her.
Door closing softly.
The warmth from inside fading instantly.
The cold settling in.
Sharp.
Clean.
His gaze found her immediately.
It always did.
She turned slightly.
Caught him watching.
A small smile forming.
"…You took too long."
"…You came out too early."
"…You said we'd come back."
"…And we did."
"…Eventually."
A pause.
Then—
"…You're impatient."
"…You're slow."
A faint smirk.
"…Careful."
"…Make me."
Silence.
Just for a second.
Then—
She bent down quickly.
Scooped up snow.
Packed it—poorly.
Too fast.
Too loose.
He saw it.
Didn't stop her.
She threw it.
It broke apart midair.
Still hit his shoulder.
Soft.
Messy.
Ineffective.
He looked down at the snow clinging to his coat.
Then back at her.
A slow pause.
"…That was an attack."
"…That was a warning."
"…Of what?"
Her smile widened.
"…Of what's coming."
Another pause.
Then—
He bent down.
Slower.
Deliberate.
Gathering snow properly this time.
Packing it tight.
Firm.
Precise.
She took a step back.
"…Iz—."
Too late.
He threw it.
Clean.
Direct.
It hit her arm.
Solid.
She gasped.
Then laughed.
Bright.
Unfiltered.
"…Okay—okay."
"…You started it."
"…I didn't think you'd take it seriously."
"…I take everything seriously."
"…Even this?"
"…Especially this."
She shook her head slightly.
Still smiling.
Then bent again.
Faster this time.
Less careful.
More determined.
Another throw.
Closer.
Brushing his chest.
"…Better," he murmured.
"…I'm improving."
"…Slightly."
"…That sounded insulting."
"…It was accurate."
She huffed softly.
"…You're annoying."
"…You're predictable."
"…You're about to lose."
"…You're about to try."
Another snowball.
Thrown faster.
He stepped aside.
Effortless.
It missed completely.
She stared at him.
"…You moved."
"…You aimed poorly."
"…You're impossible."
"…And you like that."
A pause.
Then—
"…Maybe."
He raised an eyebrow.
"…Maybe?"
"…Don't get used to it."
"…Too late."
She bent again.
Another handful of snow.
This one tighter.
Better.
She threw it.
It hit.
His shoulder again.
More solid this time.
He glanced down.
Then back at her.
A flicker of approval.
"…Better."
"…I told you."
"…You're learning."
"…Fast learner."
"…Still not enough."
He stepped forward.
She stepped back.
Matching him.
Then turned—
Running.
Snow kicking up behind her.
Uneven steps.
Unsteady.
But laughing.
"…Don't—."
He followed.
Not rushing at first.
Then faster.
Closing the distance easily.
"…You're slow."
"…I'm not—."
A snowball hit her back.
She stumbled slightly.
Still laughing.
"…That wasn't fair."
"…You ran."
"…That's part of the game."
"…Then run better."
"…I am running—."
Another step.
Then—
Her foot caught.
Something beneath the snow.
Hidden.
Solid.
She didn't see it.
Didn't react in time.
Her balance shifted.
A sharp inhale.
"…Iz—."
Too late.
She fell forward.
Soft.
Snow breaking the impact.
Still sudden.
Still real.
He moved instantly.
No hesitation.
Crossing the distance in seconds.
"…Li—."
Reaching for her—
And then—
His foot hit the same spot.
The same hidden edge beneath the snow.
His balance shifted.
Just slightly.
Enough.
He didn't stop it.
Didn't catch himself.
Falling forward.
Controlled.
But not entirely.
Landing over her.
One hand catching beside her head.
The other braced near her shoulder.
Snow shifting beneath them.
A quiet sound.
Then stillness.
Close.
Too close.
Leah blinked.
Breath caught.
Snow clinging to her hair.
To her sleeve.
To him.
Izana stilled.
Hovering above her.
Careful.
Always careful.
Not putting his weight on her.
Just there.
Holding himself up.
Their faces inches apart.
Her hands rested against his chest.
Not pushing.
Not pulling.
Just there.
He looked at her.
Really looked.
And didn't move.
Something shifted.
The laughter faded.
The playfulness softened.
Replaced by something quieter.
Deeper.
He didn't speak.
Didn't need to.
Her gaze held his.
Unwavering.
Her fingers curled slightly into his coat.
A small movement.
But enough.
"…You okay?"
Low.
Soft.
She nodded slightly.
"…I'm fine."
A pause.
"…You fell."
"…You did too."
A faint breath left him.
Almost a laugh.
"…Fair."
Silence again.
Closer now.
Their breath visible between them.
Warm against the cold air.
Her hand shifted slightly.
Not away.
Closer.
"…You tripped over the same thing."
"…I noticed."
"…Careless."
"…Distracted."
"…By what?"
A pause.
Then—
"…You."
Her breath caught slightly.
Just for a second.
Then steadied again.
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them looked away.
The world around them faded.
Snow still falling.
Quiet.
Soft.
Unnoticed now.
His gaze dropped.
Just briefly.
To her lips.
Then back to her eyes.
A silent question.
A moment stretched.
Longer than it should have been.
She didn't speak.
Didn't hesitate.
Her fingers tightened slightly.
Holding him there.
Answer enough.
He leaned down.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Giving her time.
Space to pull away.
To stop him.
She didn't.
Not even slightly.
Their lips met.
Soft.
Warm.
A contrast to everything around them.
She stilled.
Then melted into it.
Kissing him back.
Gentle at first.
Familiar.
Her hand sliding slightly higher along his chest.
Holding him there.
Keeping him close.
His arm adjusted.
Steadying himself.
Protective.
Careful.
The kiss lingered.
Unhurried.
Then—
They pulled back.
Barely.
Just enough to breathe.
Foreheads almost touching.
Red and blue eyes still locked.
Neither moving away.
Neither breaking it.
A second passed.
Then another.
Her breath soft.
His steady.
"I love you..."
"I love you more..."
Then—
He leaned in again.
This time without hesitation.
Without pause.
The kiss deeper now.
Stronger.
More certain.
Her breath caught.
Then softened.
Her hand tightening against him.
Pulling him closer.
Closing the space completely.
The cold disappeared.
Completely.
Snow forgotten.
Everything else gone.
The kiss deepened further.
No longer gentle.
No longer careful.
Certain.
Intentional.
And it didn't stop.