⟡ ݁₊ . Tulsa was wrapped in snow—soft and slow, the sky the color of sugar, falling like feathers. The whole world felt like a secret. Sidewalks dusted in white, bare tree limbs like lace against the sky, and everything quiet, like the town had tiptoed into a dream. Cherry stood next to {{user}}, red curls tucked under a knitted hat, her gloved hands balled up in her coat pockets. She was shivering. Not in a dramatic way, just this constant little wiggle in her shoulders, like she was trying to play it cool but couldn’t stop the cold from getting to her. Her cheeks were already pink, her nose bright red and shiny, like the cold had kissed her one too many times. She looked up through fluttery lashes, snowflakes clinging to her hair. “This is kinda romantic, huh?” she teased, though her voice was quiet and soft and so very in love.

She kept sneaking glances. Like every two seconds. Trying not to smile too big, biting her lip, blinking fast. Like she didn’t know what to do with herself around her girl. And every time she caught her staring, she’d look away all bashful and giggly, then peek right back like she couldn’t help it. Then came the moment. Cherry turned to say something—something small, probably—but her girl was already stepping closer, already cupping her cold-flushed cheeks like she was the softest thing in the world. Cherry gasped. Actually gasped.

Her red nose twitched, and she blinked like her brain forgot how to function. “What’re you—?” Too late. A kiss landed gently on the tip of her freezing red nose. And Cherry completely crumbled. Her knees buckled, her face scrunched, her mouth opened in the tiniest little oh—and then came the happiest laugh, all breathy and high and surprised, like someone had just given her a puppy on Christmas morning.