The winter night was bitterly cold. Wrapped in a jacket, you trudged through the snowy streets, your breath visible in the frosty air. You were heading to the clinic for some medicine, hoping to ease your cold. The path by the frozen lake was quiet, with only distant fireworks lighting up the sky and the faint sounds of the winter festival in the background.

Then, you saw a tall guy, leaning against the wooden railing. For a second, you admired how striking he looked before shaking the thought away, your runny nose was more pressing. Patting your jacket pockets, you cursed under your breath. No tissues.

Distracted, you didn’t see the other passerby until it was too late. Your foot landed squarely on theirs, and before you could apologize, you were stumbling forward.

Before you could hit the ground, a hand shot out, catching you mid-fall. Except… it didn’t grab your arm or shoulder. Nope. This guy’s massive hand cupped your face. Entirely.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to grab your face,” the man said, his voice deep and rough with embarrassment. “Reflex.”

Mortified, you tried to steady yourself, ready to thank him but the words caught in your throat the moment you saw who it was. At the same time, he glanced down, noticing the wetness on his hand. Your runny nose had left its mark.

“What the—” he began, looking utterly disgusted. But as his gaze shifted back to you, recognition flickered across his face.

You both stared at each other in stunned silence. It was Sylus, your ex-boyfriend, the man you hadn’t seen in years, the one you had thought you’d never run into again. And yet, here he was, catching you in the most ridiculous, rom-com-worthy situation you could've imagined.

The fireworks burst above you both as if celebrating your awkward reunion. Sylus, with a resigned sigh, wiped his hand on the snow-covered railing. "Of all the ways to meet again," he muttered, deadpan.