#december requests

It was December first and about time to start changing decorations into winter ones. 

"How was the night shift?" John asked, taking a tentative sip out of his coffee you'd placed a few minutes ago.

Coasters be damned.

"Busy," You snorted. "The fire department got caught up in two house fires, and we had to go for two heart attacks. I've got the next three days off though."

"Eat dinner yet? We can eat out tonight, heard a new fancy restaurant popped up on Lambretta Street," He smiled. "And thankfully Dorian is out too. It'll only be us, honey."

"It's cold outside," You whined. "Forecast saying we'll dip below freezing tonight."

"You think it'll snow? If it does we can pull out our heavy jackets and sweaters from the attic above. Maybe give it a clean too, maybe a little shitty and dusty after being there for  most of the year."

Your book flopped to the ground, face a look of horror. "You said the s word."

"What s word?" His brows furrowed at you. "Shit?"

You shook your head. 

"Sweater?"

Another shake.

"Snow?"

You covered your ears with both hands, as though that could make you unhear his words. 

"What's wrong with snow?"

"We don't say the s word here. It always comes when someone says it out loud. And last time the rain froze, there was too much," You explained, looking briefly out the windows.

He laughed. "Afraid of snow?"

"Oh don't you start laughing at me, mister," You stood up. "When the flakes come, it really comes."

Now three days later, you peeked out the front door, scowling up at the sky as white, fluffy snow drifted down. Soon, clear icicles formed on the edges of rooftops and windowsills, blanketing lawns, rooftops, and roads. Ice froze over highways and streets, demanding the constant use of salt and shoveling snow away. Bare trees groaned under the weight of fresh snow.

You shivered at the thought of going out, and quickly shut the door behind you. The heater was on and John had thrown in some firewood to bring a wonderful, warm feeling into the house. Of course, the brief burnt smell worried you, but eventually settled when the heater was used more often.

"It's too cold to go anywhere," You complained to your boyfriend, pouting at him as he finished washing dishes of the night. "Stay at home please?"

He eyed you. 

"Come on, Y/N. Can't keep staying at home all the time. Eventually, you'll have to face the weather," John groaned, ignoring your unhappy whines. "Besides, we can go window shopping like you've always wanted since mid November."

"Only if we stop by the little cafe before we go."

"Deal."

"I look like a snowman," You mumbled, zipping up your boots and wrapping the scarf around your neck. "Just missing the carrot."

"A cute snowman," He cheekly added, avoiding the glove you threw at his face. You glowered at him, ambling past to reach for it.

"Here, lemme help you with the scarf," Your boyfriend tightened the scarf. "How's this?"

"Looser."

A sly grin and a glint in his eyes appeared on his face, and you slapped his shoulder. 

"Not now John, later."

He barked out a chuckle. "Let's go before it gets too dark."

After a cup of hot cocoa and a white mocha, you walked alongside John. "I think it was a good idea for us to move in together this year."

"It suits us. Do you think we're moving too fast?"

"I think we're doing okay, not too fast, not too slow," You pointed at a shop. "Those stockings are really nice. We should get some."

"The little figures would be nice on top of the fireplace," He pointed at the townhouse and train. 

"Be a good collection," You agreed. "Let's go in. I can't feel my fingers anymore."

Twenty minutes later, your boyfriend sported three bags as you entered the cold reluctantly. "I told you the s word will come if you say it out loud."

"Then I wish that the snow keeps on coming."

"Yeah yeah, big man. Wait till you have to shovel the snow before work and tell me how your joints are stiff," You rolled your eyes.

Twinkling lights embroidered every gas light lamp, stop signs, and traffic lights. Every once in a while, horse drawn carriage rides, decked with its unique colors and christmas music, would clip clop in the middle of the street. 

 "John? Thank you," You spoke, finishing the last of your drink and throwing it into a nearby trash can. 

"For what?"

"This. It's a wonderful way for us to start our first Christmas living together, and make more memories like this hopefully for the years to come."

"That, babe, have nothing to thank me for," He held you, gently placing his forehead against yours. You smiled, ruffling the snow off his hair. "I'll make sure to warm you up to the idea of a white christmas."

You laughed, rubbing your gloved hands together in an effort to save heat. "You've got a long way to go for that to happen. No, Detective Kennex, you do not get to use your persuasion skills on me like you do in the police department."

"No promises."

As the taxi dropped you and John in front of your home, you took a moment to take in the peacefulness, the beauty of the snow. It only happened once a year, and perhaps maybe you'll enjoy the winter once more without the realities of life intruding.

"Y/N? Coming in, babe?"

"Yeah, I'm coming," You trudged back inside the front door, as the fog steamed up the glass. "If the snow is still there tomorrow, do you think we can build a snowman before you go to work?"

"Of course."

"John, if you hate your synthetic leg that much, could I borrow one of your boots to be used instead of the broom? We dont have anything for the snowmen to hold."

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