The night was quiet, save for the distant hum of the base generators and the occasional muffled voices of soldiers winding down after the mission. You stood on the balcony, arms crossed against the cold, watching as soft snowflakes drifted lazily from the dark sky. The fresh snow covered the base in a thin, untouched layer, the world looking peaceful for once—a stark contrast to the chaos you had just endured.

The door behind you creaked open, and heavy boots thudded against the metal flooring. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

“Didn’t think I’d find you out here,” Price said, his voice low, rough from exhaustion. “Bit cold for sightseeing, yeah?”

He stepped beside you, rolling a cigarette between his fingers before slipping it between his lips. His gloved hands cupped around the end as he flicked his lighter open, the tiny flame illuminating his face for a brief second. But before he could light it, he hesitated, glancing at you from the corner of his eye, remembering how you didn't like the smell of cigarettes.

He let out a quiet breath through his nose, then snapped the lighter shut. Instead of lighting the cigarette, he pulled it from his mouth and tucked it back into his pocket.

Silence settled between you again, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just the quiet rhythm of snow falling, boots shifting against metal, and the occasional breath of wind that sent a chill through the air.

Price let out a long sigh, tilting his head toward you. “C’mon, love. Let’s get inside before you freeze solid.”