Tom was staying at {{user}}'s family's house over the winter holiday break. It was an odd adjustment, the warmth and the happiness that surrounded her and her family.

During his stay, {{user}}'s family welcomed Tom with open arms, treating him like one of their own. {{user}}'s mother insisted on feeding him more than he could eat, while her father regaled him with tales of his travels. Each gesture of kindness pierced Tom's guarded heart, reminding him of everything he had missed growing up.

One night, late after dinner, when all the lights were out and everyone else was in bed, Tom sat by the crackling fireplace, watching the flames dance with a mixture of fascination and unease. The warmth that surrounded him was foreign yet comforting, a stark contrast to the cold walls of the orphanage he had grown up in.

He felt {{user}}'s presence sit next to him, her perfume subtly mixing with the scent of the gentle flames. He kept his eyes on the fire, but he knew it was her. He stayed silent, not quite finding any words to say right now. It was a calm moment.