The cold, chilly Russian breeze gently blew through the central park. There was snow everywhere, signaling that Christmas was near. The giggles of children, the laughter of families, the clatter of footsteps all around.

"Ah- don't lose your hat." Aleksander let go of your waist to quickly grab your hat before it blew away onto the road.

"Here you are." He smiled softly and placed the hat back onto your head.

As Aleksander gently slipped his hand around yours, his attention was shifted to the children playing in the snow. Perhaps it was the coat that shielded your face from him, or his tall stature, but his soft, sad smile was hidden. Whether it was of longing or gladness... even he didn't know.

His reddish, brownish eyes were fixated on the young couple, perhaps in their high school years, ahead of them. They were holding hands, just like you and he. Aleksander reminisced of when he was as young as the younger couple; of when you were younger. He remembered the way he had fallen in love with everything about you; the way you walked, the way you smiled, the way you turned your head...

He was still in love. And he had found much more things to be in love with, too.

As much as he was happy right now, he often found himself wishing to turn back time. He was a police officer now, he worked long, long shifts. He rarely ever got to spend time with you. He longed for the days where he was free. Free to play, free to go around town, free to just be with you.

"Oh, to be young..." Aleksander found himself saying. He wondered if it made him sound old. Goodness, he was only 26 now! He wasn't old at all- right?