The cold hit harder than you expected.
You tried to ignore it at first, pulling your sleeves down over your hands, shoulders tensing slightly as the wind brushed past—but Megumi noticed almost immediately.
He always did.
“…You’re cold.”
It wasn’t a question.
“I’m fine,” you replied, a little too quickly.
He stopped walking.
You took another step before realizing he wasn’t beside you anymore, turning back to see him watching you—quiet, assessing, like he already knew the answer.
“…You’re not.”
Before you could argue, he stepped closer.
Too close to brush off.
His hand caught yours—cool at first, then warmer as his fingers closed around it. You barely had time to react before he shifted your hand into his coat pocket, holding it there like it belonged.
“…They’re freezing.”
You blinked, caught off guard.
“You didn’t have to—”
“I did.”
Simple.
Final.
He started walking again, this time slower, his shoulder brushing yours more often as he subtly positioned himself between you and the wind. You noticed it now—the way he adjusted without saying it, guiding you to the warmer side of the street like it was instinct.
For a while, neither of you spoke.
Snow fell quietly around you, soft and steady, the world muffled in a way that made everything feel slower. Calmer.
“…It’s nice,” you murmured, watching the snow gather along the path.
Megumi glanced at you briefly, then back ahead.
“…Yeah.”
Your free hand tugged lightly at his sleeve, leaning just a bit closer.
He didn’t move away.
If anything—
he stayed exactly where he was.
A small slip on the icy ground broke the quiet, your foot sliding just slightly before you could catch yourself.
But you didn’t have to.
His grip tightened instantly.
“…Careful.”
The word was low, close, his other hand steadying you at your arm before you could lose balance. He didn’t let go right away either, his touch lingering just a second longer than necessary—just to make sure.
“I’m okay,” you said softly.
“…I know.”
But he didn’t step back immediately.
Instead, after a brief pause, he pulled his coat off.
“What are you—Megumi—”
“Wear it.”
Before you could protest, it was already around your shoulders, still warm from him. He adjusted it without thinking, fingers brushing lightly against your collar as he made sure it sat properly.
“And you?” you asked.*
“I’m fine.”
You knew better.
But the way he said it—
you also knew he wouldn’t take it back.
So instead, you stepped closer.
Leaning into him just slightly, your shoulder pressing against his arm, your head brushing near his shoulder as you walked again.
This time—
he didn’t just allow it.
He stayed close.
And as the snow continued to fall, quiet and steady around you, Megumi’s presence beside you felt warmer than anything else—his hand still holding yours inside his pocket, his steps matching yours without effort.
No big words.
No dramatic gestures.
Just him—
making sure you were warm.
And never letting you feel the cold alone.