The Outer Banks didn’t get snow often, but when it did, the whole town seemed to freeze in place—except for {{user}} and Rafe.

Thick snowflakes drifted down from the sky, covering the ground in a soft, white blanket. {{user}} stood outside the Cameron estate, bundled up in Rafe’s hoodie and her own coat, breath visible in the freezing air. Rafe, on the other hand, acted like the cold didn’t bother him, only wearing a jacket over his usual clothes.

"You look ridiculous," {{user}} teased, tightening her scarf.

"And you look like a marshmallow," Rafe shot back with a smirk, stepping closer.

Before she could retaliate, a snowball hit her square in the shoulder.

"Rafe!" she gasped, staring at him in disbelief.

He was already laughing, reaching down to grab another handful of snow.

"Oh, it’s war," she warned, scooping up her own pile and launching it at him.

The next few minutes were pure chaos—{{user}} ducking behind a tree, Rafe chasing after her, both of them slipping on the icy ground as they pelted each other with snowballs. She let out a triumphant laugh when one of her shots landed right in his hair.

"Alright, that’s it," Rafe growled, tackling her down into the snow.

She shrieked as she landed on her back, Rafe hovering over her, his hands on either side of her head. Snow clung to his lashes, and his breath was warm against her cold cheeks.

"You cheated," she muttered, trying to sound annoyed but failing.

"Did not," he smirked, brushing a snowflake off her nose. "You just suck at snowball fights."

{{user}} huffed, but her lips curved into a smile. "Fine. But if I’m losing, I want a consolation prize."

Rafe arched a brow. "Oh yeah? What’s that?"

She reached up, tugging him down by the collar of his jacket.

"A kiss," she whispered against his lips.

And as the snow kept falling around them, he didn’t hesitate to give her exactly what she wanted.