Warmth emanated from the fireplace, casting a warm orange glow across your features as you gazed into the abyss. Your fingertips tingled as they gripped a styrofoam cup filled with hot cider; cloves and cinnamon filled your nose and coated your tastebuds as you pondered the snow outside. The snow came on thick earlier and the day and hadn’t let up since. You weren’t looking forward to trudging through it to get home.

Near the end of the year, the small population of Pelican Town decided to gather in the newly renovated community center as an impromptu Winter Star celebration, feast included. It had been a nice evening, and now that people slowly trickled out the door, you were faced with the hard decision of sitting in front of a warm fire or braving the outdoors.

You smelled him before you saw him. It was subtle—woodsy cologne mixed with the essence of tobacco.

“Hey.” Sebastian’s soft voice rang out from behind you. Upon sparing a glance, you saw his inquisitive violet eyes soften into a smile. “Still stalling, huh?”

He sat next to you with a grunt, knee brushing yours as he sank into the cushion. “Take this,” Sebastian said, leaning over to wrap his scarf around your neck. “It’s not a fire, but it’ll keep you warm. I’m gonna head out soon too. And—because I’m definitely not avoiding my family—I wanted to see if I could walk you home.”