The pool party had been a riot of the Jackson brothers splashing and being idiotic; Randy doing cannonballs and hitting the water so hard that his mother, Katherine started yelling at him that he was getting water on the patio windows, Janet and Latoya peering out from behind her to see what all the racket was.

Tito had been grilling burgers for the whole family, that Jermaine insisted on seasoning with something he called “soul paprika.” When he pulled it out everyone started making disgruntled noises and tutting.

"'Maine, why you gotta be so pretentious?" Tito had asked, shaking his head. "My burgers are damn good without that nonsense"

You’d been pulled into the chaos of the pool as well, laughing as Jackie kept lifting you up in your floatie and throwing you. This made Michael laugh - his big, head back high cackle he did when he was really tickled, and swim to come save you.

It truly felt like summer. The blue skies, the vintage lawn furniture, the bassy speakers playing It Only Takes A Minute by the Tavares. It felt fitting. You were absolutely smitten with Michael and his crazy family.

At some point you ditched the floatie and Marlon challenged you to a breath-holding contest, and much to your dismay, you kept losing. Michael had joined in, whining that he didn’t want to be left out, and won every consecutive round, popping up from the crystal clear water with a massive smirk on his face. This would not last long because Jackie and Tito would then tag team trying to playfully drown him for being smug. You’d laughed so much your ribs hurt.

Michael had been a little sunbeam; smiling at you like you were his world all day. You had been dating for about 8 weeks at this point, and it still was incredibly tender. This was both of your first experiences in a relationship.

There was an element of frustration on your part as not much had… happened yet. Other girls would tell you of their boyfriends holding their hands and kissing you, touching you whenever they could. Tigerbeat magazine described boys as more wanting, impatient and crude. Michael wasn’t really like that. He was awfully shy, and wanted to be very gentle with everything in his life, including you. Michael's sister Janet told you not to worry, and if judging by their other brothers antics, Michael just needed to come out of his shell.

He shifted on the lounger, the plastic creaking under his weight. His fingers, delicate and long, tapped a nervous rhythm on his knee. 

You could see the decision hardening in his expression.

“I want to kiss you, properly” he said, the words rushing out like a secret he’d been holding underwater. 

“Not like before. Not just a… a peck.”

Your heart did a silly little flip. “Okay,” you breathed, because what else could you say?

He leaned in, eyes fluttering shut. You met him halfway, your lips parting expectantly. What followed was so far removed from the soft, cinematic meeting of mouths you’d imagined. What you’d seen in the movies.

It was a sudden, earnest mash; his front teeth clacked directly against yours with a dry, ceramic tock. You jerked back, eyes flying open.

Michael’s eyes were wide with alarm. “Oh! Did I—?”

“It’s okay,” you said quickly, though your gums tingled with pain. “Just… go a little to the left.”

“Right. The left.” He nodded, steeled himself, and dove in again. This time he aimed lower, but his enthusiasm overcorrected; his bottom lip smushed against your chin, his nose bumped yours, and in the adjustment, his teeth grazed your upper lip. It felt less like a kiss and more like a slightly aggressive greeting from a very beautiful bunny rabbit.

He pulled back, a faint blush rising on his cheeks. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It’s just… I’ve thought about this. A lot. In my head it’s smooth. Jackie told me ‘it just happens’.”

“Well, we can go slow,” you offered, your voice gentle.

“Slow. Yes.” He took a deep, theatrical breath, as if preparing for a high note. 

He cupped your face with both hands, his thumbs stroking your cheekbones—a gesture so tender it made your chest ache. 

He tilted your head, leaned in with meticulous care, and—

You got 2 seconds in and his teeth were there again.

Smacking against yours. A distinct, dull crunch that made you both wince in unison. 

You couldn’t help it, a snort of laughter escaped you, which you instantly tried to swallow into a cough.

Michael’s face fell into a look of such profound, comical dismay it was all you could do not to burst out laughing. 

“Why is this happening?” he asked the universe plaintively. “The angles are all wrong!”

“Maybe we just need practice,” you suggested, biting your own lip to keep a straight face.

“Practice. Right. Okay. From the top.” He was treating it like a choreography session. “On three. One… two…”

Before he could reach “three,” the sliding glass door from the house slid open. Marlon strode out, a fresh can of soda in hand, his swim trunks on from earlier. They had little yellow rubber ducks on them. 

He took in the scene: you and Michael, faces inches apart, Michael’s hands still framing your face preciously.

A huge, wicked grin split Marlon’s face. “Well, well. Look at Mikey, tryin’ to get his smooch on!” he crowed, his voice echoing in the quiet yard. “Sounded like two billiard balls kissin’!" He then started to laugh even more.

"Y’all are so sweet. Looks like a whole new interpretive style!”

Michael dropped his hands as if burned, shrinking into himself. “Marlon, don’t,” he said, but it came out more like a thin whine.

“Nah, come on—is this the new move? The lip-lock moonwalk?” Marlon demonstrated, launching into a ridiculous, stiff-legged shuffle toward you both, his arms swinging while he made exaggerated, silent kissing faces. “Pucker up, baby! Ooh-whee!”

“Marlon, please, be cool” Michael hissed, his embarrassment turning into something hotter. You saw his jaw tighten, a rare flash of frustration in his usually gentle eyes. 

“Aw, I’m just playin’!” Marlon laughed, taking a swig of his soda. “Don’t let me stop y’all. Though from the looks of it Mike, you’re more likely to chip a tooth than steal a kiss.”

That was the last straw. Michael stood up abruptly, the lounger scraping against the patio stones. 

He didn’t look at Marlon. He looked at you, his eyes blazing with a resolve that was both desperate and utterly serious. Without a word, he grabbed your hand, his grip surprisingly firm, and pulled you to your feet.

“Hey, where you goin’ all of a sudden?” Marlon called after them. “I was joking, giblets!!”

Michael didn’t answer. He was on a mission. He pulled you past the chuckling Marlon, through the sliding door into the cool, dim interior of Hayvenhurst. 

The house was quite quiet now, soft melodic sounds coming from the TV in the den. He didn’t pause in the plush living room with its gold records on the wall, didn’t even glance at the grand piano where you both spent a lot of time. 

He marched you down a hallway, past a confused-looking housekeeper, and straight into the large, spotless kitchen.

The overhead fluorescents were off, only the ambient glow from a digital clock on the oven and the moonlight through a window lit the space. He beelined for a heavy, polished wooden door near where the fridge sat; the pantry. 

He yanked it open, revealing a deep walk-in cupboard lined with shelves of canned goods, pasta boxes, and industrial-sized sacks of flour. It smelled of dried herbs and clean wood.

He tugged you inside, into the cozy, dark space, then turned and closed the door firmly behind you both.

Click.

Darkness, total and velvety, swallowed you whole. You could hear his breathing, a little quick and shallow, and your own heartbeat in your ears. You could barely make out the silhouette of his slender frame.

Then his voice came, low and close, tinged with that unique Michael-esque blend of vulnerability and absolute conviction. 

“Everyone’s watching,” he said, the words rushing out in the dark. “Out there… everyone’s eyes on me. God, even the animals. They were all watching me. I could feel them. And when I feel watched, my… well, I overthink when it comes to girls.”

You could hear him shift, his shoulder brushing against a shelf. “But in here,” he continued, and his voice gained a soft, triumphant confidence. “In the dark… it’s just my other senses. I can hear you breathing. I can smell your perfume; it’s like… gardenias and pool water. I can feel the heat of you from right here where I am standing. Just… me. And you.”

A hand found your waist in the darkness, his touch sure now. The other gently cradled the back of your head. His breath fanned your lips, warm and sweet, smelling faintly of the orange juice from the pool party.

“Its gonna work out this time” he whispered, and in the utter privacy of the pantry, with the world shut out, Michael finally, finally bridged the gap. 

His lips found yours—it wasn’t a clack of teeth, nor a mash, but a real, soft, searching kiss. It was a little clumsy still, over-eager, his nose nudging yours again, but it was right. It was warm and sincere, and when he tentatively moved his lips against yours, it sent a shiver straight down your spine.

He pulled back an inch, a soft, wondering sound escaping him. “Oh,” he breathed. “That’s what it’s supposed to feel like. I got butterflies”

Then he kissed you again, deeper this time, one hand moving to your cheek, his thumb stroking your skin as if memorizing its texture in the dark. You pushed him back to tease him a little;

“Practice makes perfect though, right?” you breathlessly laughed.

“Sure it does.” Michael agreed, his lips finding yours again in the dark of the pantry.

taglist:

The bright studio lights were hot against your skin.

Not unbearable, just annoying enough to make you shift slightly in your seat beside Michael while the host continued talking.

The interview had been fine at first.

Questions about the tour. The music. The charity work.

Normal things.

Then, somewhere along the way, the interviewer got comfortable.

Too comfortable.

“So,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a grin that immediately annoyed you, “the public is fascinated by this relationship.”

Beside you, Michael smiled politely.

You already knew that smile.

The media smile. The please don’t make this difficult smile.

“That’s understandable,” Michael answered softly.

“But people are especially curious,” the interviewer continued, “because Michael has always been considered… private.”

Your eyes squinted slightly.

“And now suddenly there’s this beautiful young woman attached to his hip everywhere he goes.”

Attached to his hip?

You blinked slowly.

“But what people really wanna know is...”

Oh brother.

“...what exactly is it about Michael that keeps you so attached to him?”

Your face flattened instantly.

Michael noticed immediately.

You didn’t even have to look at him to know he did.

The interviewer kept talking.

“He’s one of the busiest men in the world, constantly traveling, constantly surrounded by fans

“So tell me,” he said, turning toward you now, “what exactly happens behind closed doors that has this man so obsessed with you?”

Your eyes slowly lifted toward the ceiling.

Your face went completely blank.

Absolutely blank.

You looked back at the interviewer with the exact same expression people give toddlers after they said something ridiculous in public.

Michael let out a tiny laugh beside you.

Small.

Barely there.

Encouraged, the interviewer continued.

“I mean, people talk,” he shrugged dramatically. “You’re young, attractive… Michael’s clearly very taken with you…”

Your eyebrows lifted higher and higher the longer he spoke.

Michael’s shoulders started shaking beside you.

“You spend all this time together,” the interviewer continued. “Surely the chemistry isn’t just emotional.”

“Michael?” the interviewer asked. “Would you say the relationship is passionate sexually?”

Your jaw physically dropped.

Not dramatically.

Just in pure disbelief.

Michael folded immediately.

A loud laugh burst out of him before he covered his mouth with one hand, shoulders shaking hard enough to make the microphone pick it up.

The audience exploded into laughter and applause.

“Oh my God,” you muttered under your breath, staring at the interviewer like he had personally murdered your cat.

Michael leaned forward in his chair, laughing harder now.

Actually laughing.

Not the polite little giggles he gave reporters sometimes.

Real laughter.

The kind that made his eyes squeeze shut.

The interviewer looked mildly flustered. “I’m just asking what everyone wants to know.”

You turned toward Michael slowly.

Your expression somehow got worse.

Complete horror.

Michael made the mistake of looking at you again.

That was it.

He bent over laughing again, one hand gripping your arm while the other covered his face.

“You are terrible,” he whispered toward you, voice shaking.

“I haven’t even said anything,” you whispered back.

That only made him laugh harder.

Even the cameraman was shaking.

The interviewer cleared his throat.

“So who made the first move?”

You stared at him.

“Seriously?” you asked flatly.

“What?” he defended. “People are curious.”

“About our tax bracket, too, or just our business?”

A loud laugh burst out of him as he bent forward completely, one hand gripping your arm while the other covered his face.

The interview didn’t feel invasive anymore.

It didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Everyone in the room was witnessing a version of Michael they rarely got to see.

The interviewer cleared his throat awkwardly.

“So I’m assuming we’re not getting details about the bedroom anytime soon?”

Before Michael can even stop you, you shrug casually

“I mean… he’s good, really good.” "Michael, is that true?" “No comment,” he said immediately through a grin. This clip was definitely gonna follow him for the rest of his life.

the offices' local radio came through scratchy croon of bing cosby singing a holiday tune, giving the room an oddly cozy, old-fashioned atmosphere. you leaned against the edge fo your desk, speaking animatedly to cat, lois, and even jimmy. "i mean... really he's been everywhere these past few days. toy drives, shelters, the fire station this morning... and even stopped by leo's diner before the city woke up, made sure the tip jar was full. it's like he's everywhere, spreading cheer!" jimmy grinned, leaning forward. "sounds like superman's trying to earn extra brownie points for the holidays. i mean, the guy's basically a saint." his own big ear to eat smile brushing across his freckled face.

cat smirked, adjusting her glasses and giving you a pointed look. "oh, so you like him that much, huh?" her voice was playful, teasing but sharp enough to make your cheeks warm. lois, perched on the edge of her own desk, leaned back with her arms crossed and a mischievous glint in her eyes. "careful, clark might get jealous if he hears you gushing like that." you laughed softly, brushing the comment off, though a subtle fluster of warmth spread through you. "i'm just... noticing the good he's done, that's all. i appreciate it." from across the room, steve's plaful voice chimed in with a teasing drawl. "oh yeah, if you like that sort of thing, miss princess."

your smile faltered for just a moment, and you felt the faintest twinge of fluster rise in you chest. clark, who had been standing nearby pretemding to sort through a stack of papers, froze mid-motion. his glasses perched just so on the bridge of his nose, he adjusted them with the tip of his finger, though his eyes never left you. the office around you became background noise—the chatter, the clacking of keyboards, ringing of phones, it all seemed to blur into a soft hum as clark's gaze sharpened, observing every tiny inflection in your expression. you swallowed, suddenly very aware of him and his presence.

three months in, you still felt the little jolt that came whenever clark's attention was fully on you. and today, there was something more. something careful, watchful, protective. "clark." you whispered softly, almost to yourself. "i'm fine." he stepped slightly closer, the air between you contracting in the smallest, unspoken way. "i know." he said, voice low, calm and measured. "i just-i noticed." his jaw tightened ever so slightly, a subtle flash of possesiveness crossing his expression, though he quickly masked it behind the familiar, mild-mannered calm of clark kent. you glanced back at your co-workers, trying to laugh it off.

even cat's knowing smirk couldn't distract you from the tension humming quietly between you and clark. "i think she's fine." jimmy said, his obliviousness to to the silent battle of attention and sublte energy happening right next to him. "she's more than fine." clark murmured under his breath, just loud enough for you to hear. his shoulder brushed yours slightly, a movement so sublte it could have been accidental, but you knew better. your hand brushed briefly against his as you shifted your papers. clark's thumb moved instinctively to trcae a light circle on your wrist,possesive protective, but impossibly gentle.

your stomach fluttered at the touch, warmth spreading through you like the first sip of hot cocoa on a cold day. "clark..." your voice softlu murmured, trying to tease, trying to keep your voice casual. "you don't have to hover." he smiled softly, not enough to reach his eyes. "i'm not hovering." he said softly, a corner of his mouth twitched ina ghost of a smile. "i'm making sure you're comfortable, safe." a blush crept over your cheeks, and you leaned just a little closer, letting your shoulder brush against his. he didn't move away, in fact, he adjusted slightly, draping his arms over the back of your chair in a protective cocoon. it was sublte but deliberate.

the office seemed to melt around you, leaving only the two of you in a quiet bubble amid the christmas office bustle. cat, not missing a beat, tilted her head and quipped. "careful, clark. you're giving off serious santa-with-the-cookies vibes, and it's boderline threatening in the best way." lois, stifled a laugh behind her hand, eyes flickering between you and clark with an unmistakable curiosity. "i get it now." she murmured, just loud enough to be annoying. "you talk about superman like that, and suddenly kent's hovering like a guard dog." steve, completely oblivious, leaned against your desk with a grin. "yeah, it's kinda adorable.

big superhero crush, huh?" before you could even form a response, clark's chair scraped back, loud, sudden. "that's enough." the bullpen quited in an instant. steve blinked, caught off guard. lois' brows lifted, surprise flickering across her face. clark stood there, broad shoulders squared, jaw tight in a way you'd only seen a handful of times, the way it got when someone crossed a line. "you don't get to comment to her like that." clark said, voice firm, no stutter, no awkward kent softness like usual. "not as a joke, not ever." lois opened her mouth, jimmy's comment trying to ease the tension here.

"clark buddy, relax." his eyes snapped up to jimmy. "no!" he snapped himself, sharper now, eyes flashing. "you relax, olsen." a beat of stunned silence followed. jimmy's grin falters, as cat watches with open interest, lips pursed like she was filing this away for later. steve muttered something under his breath and backed-off, auddenly very interested in his monitor. perry's office door cracked open enough for his voice to carry. "kent." he warned, "bullpen." clark exhaled slowly, visibly reigning himself in. "sorry, cheif." the words were polite, the edge beneath them not so much. he sat back down, the chair creaking underneath his weight, but he didn't dare move away from you.

if anything, clark shifted closer to you. your pulse was loud in your ears as you leaned toward him, voice low. "clark..." you murmured, "you didn't have to-" his voice in a low murmur alike yours cuts you off gently, "yes, i did." his hand finds yours under the desk, fingers warm, steady and possessive. his thumb brushed your knuckles once, in a slow grounding way. "it's... complicated." you said quietly, more to fill the space than anything else. clark's gaze softened immediately when he looked at you. the tension drained from his shoulders, replaces by something private. something only you ever got to see. "it's not complicated..." his said under his breath "just mine."

and your breath hitched then, ever so quietly so no one lese could hear his voice, it came. "you know." he murmured, lips barley moving, "i could hear his heartbeat spike from acorss the room." your eyes widened, a mix of shock and heat flooding to your chest. "clark." you warned. "i could hear yours too." he added softly, a dangerous hintog a smile tugging at his mouth. "son't pretend you weren't affected." you swallow, your cheeks pinked. "your using thst agaisnt me." you stated squeezing his fingers. "only a little." he said his thumb pressing more firmly into your hand. "and only because you're safe with me."

outside, the snow had came to a gentle still, snowflakes drifiting lazily past the windows, blanketing into the snow on metropolis' streets in a quiet white field. the office lights had glowed warm and golden, but the heat curling through you had nothing to do with them. "you know..." you whispered, leaning into him just enough for your hair to brush his shoulder, "you're doing a very good job. even without your cape, superman." clark's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. "careful." he warned, teasingly. "you know i don't always leave it at home." you laughed softly, your cheek brushing his chest as you leaned closer.

he was solid, steady and unmistakably there. his arm shifted behind you, still protective without being obvious, his own version of restraint. cat smirked from her desk. "wow! someone's taking wprkplace loyalty very seriously." lois rolled her eyes, though there was a small smile tugging her lips there too. "she's glowing, kent. try not to scare the newsroom into thinking you've grown a backbone overnight." jimmy lifted a candy cane like a mircophone. "for the record, i', scared- but i'm also impressed." clark ignored them all, as his hand rose and brushed a strand of hair from your face. tucking it sweetly, behind your ear with deliberate care.

his breath was warm against your temple when he whispered, "i've got you." your fingers intertwined with his, natural as breathing. "for everything." he added quietly. "always, sweetheart." the bullpen noise faded once again, dissolving into a cozy background hum. foreheads brushed, with shared smiles passed between you two like secrects. snow silent as you looked into each other's eyes for the millionth time. bing crosby's voice crooned faintly still on the radio. clark adjusted your scarf once. his touch lingering just enough to make your heart stumble. "i've got you, sweetheart." he repeated, softer still. "and no one else needs to." you pressed into him closer, laughting warmly as a quiet glow formed inside your chest.

"i know." you whispered, "i wouldn't have it any other way, clark." and there, beneath twinking white and mutli coloured lights, surrounded by the smell of ink and stale coffee, with the printer wiring to life and cooling down. surrounded by the snow and frosty ice, with christmas warmth, you knew it was true. the world could be loud and dangerous but also unpredictable. but with your beau, clark kent. you were, protected, chosen, and most importantly his.

author's note cont.

thank you so much for reading this little cozy moment with clark. i had the softest time writing this, snow-outside-the-window energy and all, and i hope it felt like a gentle exhale for you too. thank you for being here, for supporting my writing, and for making this space feel so safe and special. thank you to my mutuals and readers and passer-byers who've been here, hyping me up, and making this whole kinkmas experience feel so warm and special. writing this felt like wrapping myself in a cpzy sweater and letting clark do what he does best: protect quietly but completely. all the love, lae 🍓

~*~ the strawberry patch ~*~

It began with silence.

Not the peaceful kind that settles at the end of a long day but the kind that fills the corners of a room like fog.

The kind that seeps into your thoughts and makes everything heavy.

Oscar had always been good at quiet. It was his armor.

But lately, it had stopped protecting him and started pressing against him instead.

The long hours, the scrutiny, the way the smallest mistake turned into a headline it all built until his smile began to fade into something polite and distant.

He stopped laughing so much in the motorhome.

Stopped staying to chat after debriefs.

Stopped looking up when people said his name.

And then one morning, something small changed.

There was a note.

Folded carefully and placed just where he’d find it by his helmet, tucked under the strap.

Plain paper. Black ink.

No name.

No explanation.

You don’t have to be perfect today. Just be you. That’s enough.

—🧡

He froze.

Read it once, twice, again.

The handwriting was small, slanted gentle somehow, as if whoever wrote it was afraid of being too loud.

He didn’t tell anyone.

He just kept it.

Folded it and slipped it into his pocket, like a secret he didn’t want to let go.

By the next day, there was another.

Breathe between the laps.

You drive better when you remember to be human first.

—🧡

He smiled at that one actually smiled.

For no reason other than the way it felt like someone had seen through all the noise and found him.

And every few days after that, another note appeared.

Always simple.

Always kind.

Sometimes tucked near his seat.

Sometimes on the wall of his driver’s room, taped where only he would notice.

Proud of you, even when the results don’t say it.

Eat something before FP2.

You get grumpy when you don’t.

You’re allowed to take up space in the world.

You belong here.

—🧡

He didn’t realize how much he’d needed those words until they became part of his routine until he started looking for them like a small piece of light.

He began noticing little things after that.

The way the paddock smelled faintly of rain on asphalt before sunrise.

The way the air in the garage felt softer when he was reading the notes.

The way his chest didn’t ache quite as much when he pulled on his gloves.

The others thought he was just finding his rhythm again.

No one knew about the letters the tiny world that existed quietly between him and a stranger with soft handwriting.

Sometimes, in the middle of a long debrief, his mind would drift.

Who were they?

A mechanic?

A fan who somehow got access?

Another driver?

The idea made him blush before he could even stop himself.

Ridiculous.

But somehow, he couldn’t shake it.

You watched from across the paddock, careful and unseen.

You didn’t mean for it to start this way.

The first note had been a small impulse, written on hotel stationery late one night when you’d seen how tired he looked on the broadcast replay.

You’d recognized that look the one that crept into every driver’s eyes when the noise outside got too loud.

You didn’t sign your name.

It wasn’t about you.

It was about giving him something soft to hold onto.

Something no telemetry data or media briefing could provide.

And when you saw him smiling more just the faintest, hesitant smile you couldn’t stop.

Every race, you found a new hiding spot. Sometimes near his drinks bottle.

Once on the back of his chair.

It became a secret rhythm:

practice, notes, race, repeat.

And maybe, in some quiet corner of your chest, you liked the idea of being a mystery.

Of being a whisper instead of a name.

But then, something new happened.

The next note you left a simple

Good luck today.

You’ve got more heart than you think.

came back with something tucked beneath it.

A scrap of paper.

Folded neatly.

His handwriting this time.

Thank you. For the words.

They help more than you know.

—🖋️

You stared at it for a long time.

Your pulse stumbled a little.

He’d written back.

After that, the notes became a conversation slow, careful, wordless in their passing.

You’d leave one.

He’d answer.

You’re doing better than you think. —🧡

→ I hope one day I believe that. —🖋️

Remember to breathe. —🧡

→ Trying to. Especially when I see your notes. —🖋️

You belong here. —🧡

→ It feels more true when you say it. —🖋️

Neither of you ever mentioned names or hints.

He never asked who you were.

You never told.

The mystery stayed sacred suspended between trust and distance.

But the notes couldn’t fix everything.

There were days the weight still found him.

Days when he sat alone in his driver’s room, staring at the floor, wondering if he’d already hit his ceiling.

On one of those days, after a rough qualifying session, he found another note waiting by the door.

Even stars get tired of shining.

Rest.

You’re still light, even when you’re dim.

—🧡

Something about that one made his throat close up.

He didn’t know why.

Maybe because it was the first one that didn’t tell him to keep going it just told him to be.

He pressed the paper flat in his palm, feeling the imprint of each letter.

Later, he left a reply on the same spot.

Thank you for seeing me, even when I don’t feel like much to see.

—🖋️

The next weekend, there was no note.

He checked his locker twice, then again.

Nothing.

The emptiness of that small absence felt ridiculous but it hit him harder than he expected.

He drove fine that day, maybe even well.

But when he stepped out of the car, it wasn’t satisfaction he felt.

It was something like longing.

Had they stopped?

Had they realized he didn’t deserve the kindness anymore?

The next morning, when he returned to the garage, there it was.

Folded on the steering wheel.

Sorry I missed a day.

You did great.

I saw the way you fought for that lap

I hope you’re proud of that too.

—🧡

And beneath it — his reply.

You came back.

That’s all I needed.

—🖋️

He laughed a quiet, shaky kind of laugh before tucking both notes into his pocket.

And for the rest of the day, he drove like someone who’d remembered how to breathe.

He never found out who it was.

Maybe he wasn’t meant to.

Maybe some people were only meant to exist in the spaces between words and wonder.

Maybe kindness didn’t need a name to matter.

But every time he walked into a new weekend now, he looked for the note.

And every time he found it, he smiled a real, gentle smile that reached his eyes.

Because somewhere out there in the noise and chaos, someone had cared enough to remind him that he was still human.

And sometimes, that was all anyone ever needed.

taglist yay!!

He’d lean in to help you with a locker jam and the soft press of his hand against your wrist lingered much longer than necessary. Neither of you protested the heightened awareness of each other’s nearness—if anything, you welcomed it.

Then came that unhurried summer, stretched out like golden honey. You spent afternoons poolside where the water’s chlorine tang clung to your skin, then drifted home to chase lightning bugs through cottony grass until dusk. One late night, you lie together on an old quilt in a neighbor’s field, the sky a riveted canopy of stars. The air was warm, heavy with the scent of hay and honeysuckle. You watched constellations unfold as he traced shapes with his finger, and somewhere between the Perseids and the distant hoot of an owl, you felt your breath catch.

He turned to you, moonlight pooling in his dark lashes. You saw each tiny flicker of warmth in his eyes and the curve of his smile. In the hush, you traded dreams—his plans to study journalism, your desire to travel the world—and every word was a thread weaving you closer. Then he reached up, fingertips ghosting across your cheek as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind your ear. A spark flared inside your chest, electric and undeniable.

“Have you ever thought about what it would be like if we were more than friends?” he whispered, voice low.

Your pulse thundered. “All the time,” you admitted, voice trembling.

In that exhale of a moment, the world tilted. Lips met in a kiss that felt like coming home, grounding and inevitable. From then on, you were inseparable—sharing milkshakes, sneaking into the homecoming dance, navigating the dizzying swing of first love with hearts racing in tandem.

But by your junior year of college, something shifted in him. You don’t remember exactly when his certainty cracked, only the hollow ache when he said he needed space, a pause you were powerless to argue away. He spoke with a calm conviction that startled you into agreement—because you’d always known you deserved someone who fought to stay.

After that, there were weeks of awkward silence, half-formed emails you never sent, and finally, a quiet unraveling. You walked away heartbroken, certain you’d never heal from the loss of Clark Kent.

Small towns are built on gossip, though, and you heard everything. You learned that he was dating Lois Lane, an up-and-coming reporter whose keen smile and quick wit seemed to brighten his eyes in the local paper. Each photo of them together; from awards ceremonies, charity drives, to triumphant case reveals, both comforted and tore at you. You were glad he was happy, and stunned by how swiftly he’d moved on.

Years passed. You caught wind of his breakup with Lois, then heard whispers that he’d returned to Smallville after nearly a decade in Metropolis. You heard tales of him helping neighbors fix roofs after storms, rescuing kittens from towering oaks, and offering a steady hand and friendly grin to anyone in need. Still, you balanced between relief and a naive hope you’d never have to see him again—hoping your memory of him might remain as pure as that star-strewn summer night.

Now you’re rooted in town, running your family’s cozy bakery with your mother since your father’s death. The smell of toasted almonds and melting butter is your new normal. It’s the week of the Christmas festival, and mother is juggling orders for ginger snaps, yule logs, peppermint brownies and everything needed for the festival—so she sends you on a last-minute errand for supplies.

You step out into a world dusted with frost. Streetlamps throw golden halos over slick patches of ice. You tug at one glove, teeth gritted, reciting the list in your mind: vanilla extract, sweetened condensed milk, almond flour, sugar.

Vanilla extract… condensed milk… almond flour… sugar…

Your gaze is fixed on the branch of a holly tree above you, red berries glinting, when your foot catches an invisible lip of ice. You lurch forward, glove half on, list tumbling away, and you collide with something solid, careening backwards. The world spins, the too-bright streetlights smear into streaks. Your palms slash the pavement, and your backside slams down hard, the air whooshing from your lungs in a burst of shock. Pain blossoms across your hands—raw, stinging—and you lie there for a second, your heart hammering.

Lifting your head, you blink through a haze of ringing in your ears and see a broad-shouldered man glaring down at you, with three other men behind him.

“Why don’t you watch where you’re going, you idiot?” And then to the people he was with, “Women don’t know how to do anything without a man.” Making his little entourage laugh.

“Well, that’s not in the holiday spirit, is it?” A familiar voice—warm and lightly amused—floats up from behind you.

You look up, and there he stands: Clark Kent, framed by garlands of holly and the gentle swirl of falling snow. His dark overcoat is dusted with flakes, and his sweater peeks from beneath his wool scarf. He offers a tense but polite smile to the three men who loiter before you, something protective lingering in his eyes. Then those clear blue eyes sweep back to yours, softening in a way that makes your heart flutter.

Before you can speak, he reaches out a steady hand. You gratefully accept it, letting him pull you to your feet. His fingers find the small of your back, resting just above your hip, grounding you.

Time seems to pause between you: the faint jingle of distant sleigh bells, the luminescent glow of lanterns dancing across his face, even the breathless whisper of falling snowflakes. A hushed “Hi,” passes between you, so tender it catches you off guard. His hand gives a gentle squeeze at your waist, and then, steeling himself, he pivots both of you toward the offenders, his eyes now steely with quiet authority.

“I believe you owe her an apology,” he says, voice calm but carrying across the square. “You were very rude, and she didn’t deserve that.”

A murmur ripples through the gathered townsfolk, their curiosity piqued by the unexpected confrontation. Your pulse quickens, not from fear but from the reassuring certainty that Clark won’t let those men harm you again.

You feel the townspeople’s gazes on your bundled shoulders—some indignant, some eagerly gossiping about what scandal might unfold beneath the holiday lights.

Sensing your tension, Clark gives your hip a reassuring squeeze. The tallest of the three men opens his mouth, bristles of defiance on his chin, but finds himself stalled by Clark’s unwavering stare. Finally he huffs, “Um, yeah, all right. Sorry, lady. Shouldn’t have said that.” He shoots Clark a sideways glance, seeking approval.

Clark shifts his weight, eyes flicking back to you, silently asking if that suffices. You nod almost imperceptibly. The three men hastily shuffle off the sidewalk, crossing the street to disappear into the dim glow of shop windows. With them go most of the onlookers, though a cluster of busybodies, primarily middle-aged women clutching shopping bags, lingers.

Clark’s arm drifts from your back. “Sorry about that. Are you all right?” he asks, concern softening his features. He notices your hands, cupped together against your coat, and swiftly lifts one to examine it. You see the tiny glints of gravel embedded in your palm.

“That looks painful,” he murmurs, thumb brushing away a stray pebble. “Here, let me—”

You pull your hand back and shake your head, cheeks feeling warm beneath your scarf. “Oh, no, it’s fine, Clark. Really.”

You clap your palms together, sending the rest of the grit clattering to the ground. “I’ll wash them when I get home, put on some ointment. Promise I’m okay.”

He nods, though a trace of worry still lingers in his gaze. An awkward hush falls, broken only by the distant clatter of a horse-drawn carriage and the soft crunch of snow underfoot.

“Thank you for stepping in,” you say, breath still uneven from the confrontation. You offer him a small, grateful smile. “I would’ve handled it, but… I appreciate your help.”

Clark exhales, a puff of warm air curling into the cold night. There’s a faint grin tugging at one corner of his mouth, the same half-smile you used to love. “I know you could’ve handled it,” he says gently. “But I couldn’t just stand there—especially once I realized it was you.”

Your pulse jumps, an involuntary rush of heat beneath the winter chill.

He rubs the back of his neck, a little sheepish now. “I was actually helping a couple figure out what size tree would fit their living room. They looked about ready to strap a ten-footer onto their Mini Cooper.” A soft laugh escapes him. “I was headed to grab a new measuring tape when I saw those guys bump into you. And… well.” His eyes slide to yours, softer now. “I wasn’t about to let that go.”

For a heartbeat, you can’t quite breathe. Something in the way he said you—quiet, intentional, like he’d felt the shock of seeing you just as deeply as you did seeing him—makes the snow seem to still around you.

You shake your head lightly, trying to ground yourself, fingers tightening around your shopping bags. “I’ve got errands to run,” you manage, though your voice wavers with something you hope he doesn’t hear. “But really… thank you again, Clark.”

He steps back just enough to let you pass, but not so far that you don’t feel the ghost of his warmth as you move by him. The lanterns cast golden halos on the snow around you, fading behind you with each step as you walk away.

Still, you can feel his gaze on your back—warm, familiar, almost hesitant.

And his words linger in the crisp evening air, echoing in your mind long after you’ve gone: Especially once I realized it was you.

The next morning, you were once again in town, this time at Perks & Pies, the trendy new coffee shop with exposed brick walls and the scent of cinnamon hanging in the air. Emily, your best friend, sat across from you, her auburn hair swept into a messy bun, fingers tapping against her steaming mug as you both finalized details for the activities booth.

"Alright, that's enough for today," Emily declared, closing her leather-bound planner with a satisfying snap. "We were plenty productive. Now tell me about you and Clark." Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

You hesitated, the warm latte suddenly bitter on your tongue. "What do you mean?"

Emily rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning forward until her chunky knit sweater nearly dipped into her coffee. "The entire town is buzzing about your 'romantic recoupling' with Clark. Mrs. Henderson at the post office practically cornered me for details."

Your cheeks burned hot as you opened your mouth to protest, but the words died in your throat as a horrific sound cut through the air. Tires screeching against ice, panicked shouts, followed by the sickening crunch of metal and wood splintering.

You and Emily locked eyes for a heartbeat before bolting outside into the biting December air. The town square, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and red ribbons, was now a scene of chaos. A blue sedan had skidded across the ice, plowing directly into the row of half-assembled stalls—including your family's booth, now reduced to a pile of broken planks and scattered decorations.

Your stomach dropped like a stone. Mom had mentioned going early to organize. You sprinted forward, boots slipping on patches of ice, the cold air burning your lungs as panic clawed up your throat and tears pricked hot behind your eyes.

"Over here!" The familiar deep voice cut through the commotion. You whipped around to see Clark waving frantically, his broad shoulders hunched protectively over your mother. She sat on an overturned crate, looking small and pale, a makeshift compress of snow wrapped in Clark's plaid scarf pressed against her arm as she waited for the paramedics, their sirens wailing in the distance.

You sprint across the distance towards your mother, heart hammering in your ears. You drop to your knees, hands trembling as you brush stray tufts of hair from her face. “Mom, are you all right? What happened? Are you hurt badly?” Your voice cracks with panic.

Next to you, Clark’s gaze follows every movement. You feel the weight of his concern before he shifts beside you. His hand settles on your shoulder, firm and reassuring. “I was helping set up the stalls,” he explains quietly, voice steady against the chaos. “I saw the car skid, managed to pull her clear just in time.”

Your mother grimaces but can’t resist a teasing jab at Clark’s expense: “Always playing hero,” she scolds through a weak smile. Clark arches an amused brow; the two of them exchange banter as if drawn back to years of friendly rivalry.

You share a quick laugh, even as flashing red lights and the sharp smell of antiseptic draw closer. Paramedics arrive, their uniforms crisp and efficient, and gently lift your mother onto a stretcher.

Before they wheel her away, you turn to Clark, gratitude shining in your eyes.

It’s like being twenty again—those days when you thought you knew him inside out, back when every glance held promise.

Clark presses your shoulder with a soft comfort, then snugly wraps your scarf around your neck as a committee member, Jeffery, bursts onto the scene, frantic.

“What are we going to do about the festival?” he wails, “It’s only days away, and now the stalls are ruined!” Jeffery stops to look at you, as if remembering the accident could have hurt people.

“Your mom, is she okay?”

You give him a slight smile, “I’m about to head to the hospital to find out. I’m sorry about the festival. I can help when I get back?”

Clark jumps in, shaking his head, calm but firm. “Don’t worry—this is my problem. You’ve got bigger things to handle right now.” You nod, relief and exhaustion mingling in your chest, unaware of the storm the committee plans to unleash.

Later that afternoon, the hospital corridor is hushed, fluorescent lights humming overhead. Your mother lies asleep, her wrist encased in a snug plaster cast, a small fracture the only serious damage from the crash. You sit beside her, fingers wrapped around her cool hand, when a soft knock stirs you.

Clark stands in the doorway, silhouetted against the hallway’s pale glow, cradling a bouquet of daisies and lavender. He steps forward, leaning close so you can hear his gentle whisper: “How is she?” He sets the flowers on the bedside table—vibrant petals against the stark white sheets.

“She has a small fracture,” you tell him, voice hushed. “No baking for six to eight weeks.”

He nods thoughtfully. A pause. “Well, I could help you bake the treats,” he offers, and his lips quirk into a hopeful grin. “I’m no master baker, but your mom always thought I did alright.”

“Oh, Clark—it’s really okay. I know you have the farm,” you begin, cheeks warming with gratitude and fond memories.

“It’s okay, I’ve hired some people who can take over it for the night. Let me help.”

Before you can refuse, your mother’s soft but firm voice cuts in: “Oh, what are you talking about? You can’t take on all that baking alone—Clark knows more than he lets on.” She lifts her arm to gesture, careful not to jostle her cast.

“We even planned to have Emily help just with packaging. You need every hand you can get.”

Her other hand finds yours on the bed, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I should’ve been more careful. I’m sorry for all this trouble.” Tears glint in her eyelashes.

You shake your head, brushing away a stray lock of hair. “Don’t apologize, Mom. Accidents happen—we just got lucky, everyone’s okay.”

She looks to you, hopeful. “So… Emily and Clark. Are they helping?”

You glance at Clark, whose eager smile lights up the room, then back at your mother and nod. Relief softens her features.

You settle back against the pillows, squeezing your mom’s hand once more.

In your mind, you can’t help but smile: Emily is never going to believe this.

You tie on your flour-speckled apron and set to work in your mother’s kitchen. The counters are piled high with mixing bowls—one heavy with butter and sugar, another with sifted flour dust drifting into the air like winter mist. Egg yolks glisten yellow in their glass bowl, vanilla beans perfume the room, and the hum of the oven feels almost like a lullaby. You whisk, you fold, you roll; the scent of cinnamon, nutmeg, and chocolate wafts up, and you hope it’ll all come together before the festival’s opening bell.

Emily slips in before sunset, carrying a steaming mug of coffee. She claims she’s “helping,” but until the cookie dough is shaped and waiting for its first bake, there’s little for her to do. She perches on a stool at the island, her hair loose around her shoulders. The mist from her breath curls in the chilly air drifting through the cracked-open window, as she listens to you tell her about the hospital and your mom.

“Wow,” she teases, stirring her own cocoa, “flowers for his mother-in-law? He’s really trying to charm the jury.”

You force a laugh as you level a rolling pin into your dough. “Shut up,” you mutter, though a warmth spreads in your chest. “He was just being kind. You know they’ve always adored each other—she practically treats him like her own.”

Emily’s eyes narrow playfully. “And you?” She sips her cocoa, then raises an eyebrow. “Word around town? You two looked mighty comfortable together.”

Your heart stutters, and you press a fingertip into a sugar mound, smoothing it. “Em, come on. It’s not— We broke up.” You pause, stirring your words like a stiff batter. “He asked for it.”

Her gaze sharpens, curiosity flickering in her green eyes. She leans forward, head tilted, studying your face as if reading tea leaves. Then she claps her hands, startling you. “So— you still love him, don’t you?”

Your spatula hovers mid-air. The kitchen seems to hold its breath. Before you can summon any denial, there’s a knock at the front door.

Relief blooms in your chest. You turn to Emily, dropping your guard. “I never stopped,” you confess softly, voice catching on an unspoken question. “But I’ve got questions, and I’m still hurt. Promise not to tell or act weird?”

Emily’s teasing smile softens into something sisterly. She rises and enfolds you in a hug, the cocoa fragrance clinging to her. “Of course. You’re my favorite person. And wanting someone is fine—just make sure this time it’s different. You deserve only the best.”

She releases you as another knock sounds. You squeeze her hand, then hurry to the door.

Clark stands there, cheeks pink with cold, his breath puffing in little clouds. In his hands is a grocery bag spilling with jars of homemade jam, extra chocolate chips, and a proud bundle of cranberries.

He ducks inside, shrugging off his coat to reveal the sweater fully. You can’t help but trace the memory of those late-night study sessions when he first slipped it on, cheeks lighting up.

“Hope it’s not weird, I still love this thing,” he says, untying his scarf. “It’s comfortable.”

You laugh, shaking your head. “Weird? No. Honestly, I’m shocked it’s survived this long.”

He glances down at the frayed cuffs, then back up at you with a softness that makes your breath stutter. “Well… things last when you take care of them.” His smile shifts, warmer.

“Some things are worth holding onto.”

The words land between you with surprising weight, drawing your eyes to his—and for a moment, everything stills. The cold outside, the bustle in the kitchen, the years since college… all of it blurs. It’s just him, looking at you like he means it.

A sharp beep-beep-beep from the kitchen shatters the moment. You blink, clearing your throat. “That’ll be Emily,” you say, stepping back and motioning for him to follow.

You lead Clark down the hall, and as soon as you push open the kitchen door, he spots Emily pulling trays of golden cookies out of the oven. She glances up, eyes bright.

“Oh! Hey, Clark!” she chirps.

“Hey, Em,” he replies, already rolling up his sleeves as if he’s been drafted into service before he even arrived. “How’s your grandma?”

It doesn’t take long for him to be swept into the rhythm of the room. You hand him a cooling rack, and he’s instantly sliding in beside you, moving with a quiet attentiveness that syncs effortlessly with your motions. Emily folds boxes, you pipe icing, and Clark dusts powdered sugar like he’s been part of this assembly line for years. The kitchen becomes its own little universe—warm, crowded, alive.

A few minutes in, while tying off a bag of gingerbread men, Emily declares, “You know what this needs? Christmas music. The holiday spirit has to infuse the cookies. It’s science. Don’t argue with me.”

You arch a skeptical eyebrow. “Emily, no part of that sentence was scientific.”

Out of the corner of your eye, you catch Clark nodding enthusiastically.

“Seriously?” you ask, turning toward him.

He gives you a sage, almost solemn nod. “It’s only proper,” he says, deadpan but with amusement tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Emily claps once, triumphant. “See? Overruled!” She’s already halfway across the kitchen, phone in hand, cueing up the first carol.

You groan, but Clark just laughs under his breath—and somehow, the kitchen feels even warmer.

Working next to Clark feels like slipping back into a favorite chair—comfortable, familiar, shaped perfectly to you. His arm brushes yours now and then, casual but warm. The kitchen smells like butter and cinnamon, and with every accidental-touch-that’s-not-really-accidental, you remember nights in college when you’d end up in his apartment baking at midnight, stealing bites of dough and swapping stories until sunrise.

“Okay,” Emily says, sliding over another tray, “I need someone strong to break apart this peppermint bark.”

Clark reaches for it at the same time you do. His hand lands over yours. Warm, large, and steady.

“Looks like you’ve got two volunteers,” he says with a grin.

You try not to stare at the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles.

“Please,” you scoff lightly. “Last time you tried to break bark, you shattered half the tray.”

He gasps dramatically. “Slander. You wound me. Also, I was 10, give me a pass.”

Emily snorts. “I was there, it was pretty bad.”

Clark’s eyes show his incredulity at the situation. “Unbelievable. Betrayed in my moment of generosity.”

“You’ll live,” you tell him, nudging him with your shoulder.

He nudges back, a little closer than necessary. “Only because you’re here to supervise.”

Emily groans, loud and theatrical. “Oh my god, just break the peppermint before I age a decade.”

You both laugh, but Clark keeps his gaze on you a second too long before finally turning to the bark—where he proceeds to break it perfectly clean down the middle.

You blink. “That was… shockingly competent.”

“Told you.” He smirks. “I’ve matured.”

“Debatable,” Emily mutters, but she’s hiding a grin.

Minutes blur into an hour, then two, then more—time slipping away as easily as flour dusting the counters. The three of you move in a rhythm that feels choreographed: Emily tying ribbons with flourish, you piping clean, practiced swirls of icing, Clark sneaking in to swipe finished cookies to the cooling rack. He hums along to the Christmas playlist Emily put on, and every so often, he leans in conspiratorially to comment on a song.

At one point he murmurs, “Remember when we tried to make peppermint mocha cookies freshman year and accidentally used salt instead of sugar?”

You groan. “Clark, I thought we swore never to speak of that.”

Emily pauses mid-wrap. “Hang on. You poisoned each other?”

“We didn’t poison—”

“It was one time—”

You speak in unison, then burst out laughing. Clark bumps his shoulder into yours, softer this time. “Still one of my favorite disasters.”

Your cheeks warm, looking away from his to focus on your task. “Only because you weren’t the one who ate a full cookie.”

“I would’ve, if you hadn’t beat me to it.”

His voice is low, teasing, but underneath is something tender, something familiar, something dangerous.

Emily watches the two of you with a knowing little smirk but doesn’t comment—just ties the next ribbon a little tighter.

The clock nudges towards nighttime when Emily finally dusts off her hands. “Okay,” she sighs, “I should go check on Grandma. She’ll try to climb a ladder to hang more decorations if I don’t watch her.”

She gathers her things, then turns to hug you first, squeezing tight. “You guys are a good team,” she says lightly, almost sing-song.

Clark steps in for his hug, and Emily pats his back twice. “Try not to burn the place down,” she warns.

“No promises,” he replies, and you elbow him.

Emily grins. “I can come back in a bit if you need more hands!”

“We’ll manage,” you assure her.

Clark nods. “We’ve got it covered.”

Emily’s eyes flick between the two of you—amused, a little knowing—before she heads out the door. It swings closed behind her with a soft thump, leaving you and Clark alone in the warm, flour-dusted kitchen.

The room suddenly feels quieter.

And warmer.

With Emily gone, the kitchen seems to inhale and go still, like even the walls know the atmosphere has changed. It’s suddenly quiet enough that you can hear the soft scrape of Clark’s breathing, the gentle click of the oven, the low hum of carols still looping from Emily’s phone.

Clark stands beside you at the counter, close—too close. Close enough that the warmth of him brushes the edge of your sweater, close enough to feel the ghost of what you used to be.

You’re both pretending to focus on the final batch of batter, but your hands keep reaching for the same spoon, the same bowl, the same scattering of cinnamon. Each accidental touch feels anything but accidental.

“You remember when we tried this recipe?” Clark asks quietly, his voice lower than before.

You glance up. He’s already looking at you.

You force a smile. “You mean when you doubled the nutmeg and we nearly died?”

He huffs a soft laugh, one that warms your ribs. “You said it tasted ‘chaotic.’”

“It did.” Your throat feels tight. “But it was… fun.”

The word hangs there, weighted.

Slowly, he nods. “Yeah. It was.”

There’s something unspoken beneath it—something that smells of regret and want and the years between now and then.

You scoop the last of the dough onto the sheet, your hand trembling just a bit, and slide the tray into the oven. When you straighten, Clark is right there. His fingers brush your waist to steady the tray. The touch lingers too long, his breath catching like he didn’t mean for it to.

You swallow. “Thanks.”

He murmurs, “Anytime,” but the word sounds like a confession.

You start cleaning to distract yourself, but it only pulls you closer. The sink splashes; your arms graze; his shoulder nudges yours. He hands you a dripping dish, and your fingers close around his. Warm. Solid. Familiar in a way that hurts.

He doesn’t pull away.

You don’t either.

“Feels like old times,” he says softly, almost as if confessing.

“It does,” you whisper—because denying it feels impossible.

Clark turns toward you fully. His hand hesitates near your cheek, close enough for you to feel the heat of it. His eyes flick to your mouth, as if he’s remembering exactly how it felt to kiss you.

Then—slowly, inexorably—he leans in.

Your breath stutters. You lean, too, drawn by gravity or memory or something you still haven’t shaken loose.

He’s only inches away when—

The lights flicker. Once. Twice. Then the room plunges into darkness.

You both jerk back, the spell shattering as completely as the light.

For a beat, all you can hear is your heartbeat thrumming in your ears.

“Perfect timing,” Clark mutters under his breath.

Your stomach twists—not with annoyance, but with the sting of something you were so close to having again.

You turn to the oven with your phone flashlight. When you open the door, the cookies stare back at you: pale, collapsing, very much not cookies.

“Oh come on,” you groan, pressing a hand to your forehead. “I cannot fail at this today.”

“Hey—”

“No,” you cut in, pacing. “I have seventy-two cookies to finish. I have people counting on me. I can’t—this can’t—”

“Hey.” His voice sharpens—gentle but firm. “Breathe.”

You try. It barely works.

Clark steps closer, the outline of him steady in the dim glow. “We’re not out of options. The kitchen at the tree farm is fully wired and equipped.”

You blink. “Equipped? Like… commercial?”

He nods. “I’ve been setting it up so I can start selling food next season. It has everything you need. We can finish the baking there.”

You hesitate, old wounds tugging at your ribs. “Are you sure?”

He meets your eyes, steady. “Yeah. I want to help.”

There’s sincerity in his voice—dangerously soft, dangerously familiar.

You exhale shakily. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Clark smiles faintly, a smile you feel in your chest more than you see.

And just like that, the two of you gather the dough, trays, and supplies, stepping into the cold night toward a farm full of history—and complications neither of you is done with.

The drive to Clark’s farm felt tight with unspoken things, the kind of silence that wasn’t empty at all but crowded—thick with the ghost of almost-kisses and years-old wounds neither of you ever really cleaned out. The truck’s heater hummed under the quiet, blowing warm air over your frozen fingers as you fidgeted with the zipper of your coat.

Outside, snowflakes drifted lazily through the headlights, each one tumbling like a tiny parachute before dissolving on the glass. You swallowed, throat tight.

“About what happened back there—” you began, voice uncertain.

Clark’s grip on the steering wheel tightened until his knuckles paled. He didn’t look at you when he said, low and ashamed, “It… probably shouldn’t have happened.”

A raw, involuntary scoff tore out of you—sharp, bitter, unmistakable.

Clark’s head whipped toward you, hurt flashing across his features before he turned back to the snowy road. “What was that for?” he asked as he turned into the long, snow-dusted driveway of the farm. Gravel crunched under the tires. He pulled the truck into park, the engine rumbling into stillness.

You stared at the dashboard because looking at him felt like peeling open an old wound.

“Just—” Your voice shook. “Just that you always seem to know what’s best for two people. As if you’re some omnipresent force who can see the future, so you get to decide everything. You did it when you said breaking up was ‘for my own good,’ and you’re doing it now.”

Your words hung between you like frost, forming on the cold air before either of you could breathe them away.

Clark blinked, stunned. “That’s not—”

But you didn’t let him finish. The air in the cab felt suffocating. You inhaled deeply, the sharp pine of his air freshener filling your lungs, grounding you just enough to move. You shoved open the truck door, and winter slapped your cheeks immediately—cold, biting, cleansing.

“I’ll stand by the tree farm entrance and call Em to pick me up,” you muttered, climbing out and grabbing your tote. Then, softer, cracking, “This was a bad idea.”

You slammed the door and trudged into the ankle-deep snow. Each footstep left a clean imprint behind you, the kind that would vanish with the next gust of wind—just like the future you’d once imagined with him.

The metallic clunk of Clark’s truck door echoed across the stillness. Snowflakes clung to your eyelashes as you kept walking, vision blurring with cold—or maybe not just cold.

“You think I wanted to let you go?” Clark called, voice carrying easily through the quiet, slicing straight into your spine. “You think any part of me wanted that?”

You stopped.

But you didn’t turn.

“You’re the only thing I’ve ever been certain about,” he said, each word cracking open something he had clearly tried to bury. “But I couldn’t live with myself if I held you back from the life you deserved.”

The world went silent. Even the snow seemed to fall more slowly.

Finally, you turned.

Moonlight spilled silver across the field, catching on the flakes tangled in his dark hair. His chest rose and fell hard, visible clouds of breath forming between you.

“Too late,” you said quietly, even though your heart thundered. “The life I wanted always had you in it. And you decided to take that away.”

The words landed like a blow.

Clark’s face crumpled—eyes shining, jaw tightening as though he was holding himself together by a thread. His shoulders sagged, all that stubborn self-control slipping for the first time tonight.

Snow gathered on his lashes as he whispered, voice breaking, “I thought I was doing the right thing.”

You took a slow step toward him, then another, the crisp snow crunching beneath your boots. Each step felt like crossing a distance far greater than the few feet between you—like closing the space carved by years of silence, heartbreak, and things left unsaid.

Clark stayed exactly where he was, not moving, not breathing, watching you with eyes that looked like they were bracing for impact.

A breath shuddered out of you, the cold burning your lungs as the truth rose unsteadily up your throat. “You know what I thought?” you whispered, stopping just in front of him. “I thought you didn’t want me anymore.” His eyes flickered, pained, but you pressed on. “You said it was for my own good, that letting me go was the right thing, and I… I believed you. I thought you’d already made peace with a future without me in it.”

Your voice trembled despite your best effort to steady it. “And I wasn’t going to be the woman who begged a man to stay. I wasn’t going to fight for someone who’d decided I wasn’t worth choosing.” The confession left you feeling stripped open, the winter air biting at the rawness between you.

For a heartbeat, Clark didn’t speak—didn’t move—just stood there looking wrecked, as if every word you’d said had carved itself straight into him. The silence between you was thick and fragile, and you suddenly realized you didn’t want it to be distance anymore. Not tonight. Not after everything you’d finally dared to say.

So you closed the space.

When you finally reached him, you lifted a gloved hand to his face. Snowflakes had gathered along his temple, tiny crystals catching the moonlight. You brushed them away, letting your fingers slide through the lock of hair that had fallen across his forehead.

The warmth of his skin seeped through the fabric, startling you with how familiar it felt.

“Why can’t you see how incredible you are?” you breathed, voice soft but trembling. “Why is that the one thing you’ve never understood?”

A shaky exhale escaped him—half laugh, half sob.

He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against yours. The touch was feather-light, almost reverent. His breath mingled with yours in the frigid night air, warm and unsteady. For a moment, the world narrowed to the two of you inside a fragile snow globe, flakes swirling around your bodies like the universe giving you one last quiet chance.

“I regretted it,” Clark whispered, voice cracking open like thin ice. “Every day. Every hour. I thought I was doing the right thing, letting you go. You talked about traveling the world, about going places I couldn’t follow.” His hands clenched and unclenched uselessly at his sides, aching for something he didn’t dare reach for. “I just… I loved you too much to let you resent me someday. To feel like I trapped you. To watch you look at me and see everything you didn’t get to do.”

His forehead pressed harder against yours, as if he were fighting himself, fighting the memory of every moment he’d told himself he had to let you go.

“I was terrified,” he confessed, voice breaking. “Terrified of holding you back.”

Your chest tightened, not with anger this time, but with something deep and bruised and aching. You lifted both hands to his face, cupping his jaw, feeling the roughness of his stubble beneath your palms. His lashes fluttered, breath stuttering, as though he couldn’t believe he was allowed to be this close again.

“Clark,” you whispered, throat thick, “you don’t get to decide what would’ve held me back. You don’t get to choose what my life should look like.” Your thumbs brushed along his cheekbones, gentle, grounding. “How about you let me decide what makes me happy?”

His eyes opened at that; blue, desperate, hopeful, wrecked.

Before he could speak, before fear or guilt or doubt could steal the moment again, you closed the remaining sliver of distance.

You pressed your lips to his.

It wasn’t hesitant. It wasn’t careful. It was a kiss full of years lost and years longed for, full of everything you’d both swallowed down since the day everything fell apart. He tasted like cold air and the warmth of old memories, like vanilla from the cookies you’d baked earlier, like every possibility you thought you’d never get back.

Clark let out a sound—quiet, broken—and his hands rose finally, finally, to your waist, pulling you in as though he’d been holding himself back for far too long.

And for a moment, the world stopped.

Just snow falling softly, breath mingling.

Just two people finding each other where they’d left off.

a/n: and we’ve started winter romance series!! i actually have another one written, i just need to edit it.

again, struggling with not holding onto them until i’m 100% happy, but these are suppose to be light and fluffy and romancey.

as always, likes, reblogs and comments are always appreciated. here’s a kiss from me to you for being so lovely 💋