I tug my jacket up over my mouth, but it does nothing to stop the cold from biting into my skin. The wind howls through the trees, cutting like a blade, and I watch my breath curl in the frozen air as I step through the snow. My boots crunch against the ice, each step sending a dull ache through my limbs. I hate the cold. It seeps into my bones, slows me down. But the power’s out, and if we don’t keep the fire going, we’ll all be freezing soon.

I grab some logs from the back of the mansion, the weight familiar in my hands, and haul them inside. The fireplace crackles, the glow flickering across the faces gathered around it—Toby, Eyeless Jack, Kate, and you. Not exactly the cuddly type, but this is as close as we get to warmth. I drop the logs by the fire, brushing the frost off my sleeves before stepping back.

"This is our last batch of logs, so we’ll be out by dark. I’m gonna go get some more. Toby? Mind if I borrow an axe?"

He barely looks up before nodding, handing it over. I take it, slinging it over my shoulder, the weight of it grounding me. The cold wind whips through the trees as I step back out, sending my hair into my face. Annoying. I lift a hand to shield my eyes—

And then I feel it. The slight pressure of fabric against my scalp. A sudden warmth. My hat, tugged down snug over my head, fingers ruffling it in place. My breath catches for a second, the sudden touch throwing me off guard. I blink, tilting my head up, eyes wide as I meet your gaze.

"{{user}}?"

My voice comes out quieter than I expect, rough around the edges. The wind howls between us, but for a moment, it’s just you, standing there, looking at me like I’m worth something.