#vasodeflor

It wasn’t like she hated snow. She actually loved seeing the white blanket covering everything, muting all the noises. It was calming and peaceful, particularly when the twins went out playing and left her alone (don’t misunderstand, she loved her sisters to the core; however everyone needed a break every now and then, especially with exhausting 8 years old children).

So, Thia liked the snow. The fact was, she didn’t exactly enjoy it; a perfect white Christmas for the young woman consisted of drinking hot chocolate and snuggling in warm blankets.

In simple terms the perfect day was with Thia inside her house and the snow outside. No contact, no problems: the white blanket’s pureness wouldn’t be ruined and she wouldn’t be cold. It was an advantageous compromise for everyone. 

Of course Jack had to butt in and manage to destroy her habits. Damn that charming smile and those stupid magnetic eyes- she didn’t even complete her thought because a snowball had to interrupt her. God. 

“Jackson Overland, do it another time and I’ll drown you in the Pacific Ocean.” 

The culprit only smiled. “Come on Toothsie, live a bit. You know, you can walk. It’s not like the snow will eat you.” 

“I’m doubtful” she deadpanned, not moving one inch from the spot where she had been for the last 15 minutes. 

It all started on Jack’s birthday, the 2nd of January. Tooth, with the help of Hiccup (Jack’s co-worker), Astrid (his girlfriend) and Edward (who miraculously didn’t murder ”frostbite” the first time he saw him after years), had thrown him a party and she had bought him a present she was sure he would love: a snowboard. The winter-loving boy had been so delighted that he almost cried and he glomped the tiny girl in a bear hug (and then she was delighted, too). Hadn’t Thia been so caught in the embrace (and in her daydreaming) she could have declined his kind offer; of course, he would have used one of his irresistible features (his pearly white teeth, for example) and convinced her anyway, but at least she would had known what was going to hit her later. Unfortunately, everything Jack did had the amazing power to turn her brain into a puddle. This was the main reason why, when he asked her “will you go snowboarding with me?” in a murmured voice, she promptly nodded without really comprehending what she had got herself into. 

After a week, there she was: the Appalachi Mountains around her were breathtaking and the wind was merciful. Still, it was freaking cold. 

“Are we going down together or do I have to make you?” asked her friend-and-maybe-something-more. He had the snowboard at his feet and he was giving her the “I’m a dork and you love me” look. That evil trickster. 

Thia’s gaze went down to her feet and the rented snowboard she was on. Go down with him? She would probably do something extremely stupid, like falling on her face or going against a tree. After her parents disappearance she had abandoned all the sports she had been playing to look after her sisters; the woman was fairly sure her athletic skills were long gone. 

“Come on, it’s easy: keep your knees bent and back straight, point your lead foot towards the slope and press it on the ground.”  

“Jack, I-“ 

“You’ll fall the first times but then it gets better, believe me-“ 

“Jack, listen. I’m really happy to be there with you – Jack’s heart made an happy somersault at that – but I’m not used to this. I’m the serious daughter… the boring one. I’m not fun, you are” 

She expected him to understand and go down alone. She hoped he would tell her it didn’t matter and then he would kiss her. 

He took her gloved hands into his instead (don’t panic Thia, don’t panic!) and whispered: “After this you may want to drown me for real”. Then he proceed to lift her up and make her slide towards the slope (and her death, probably). She shrieked while Jack laughed and she somewhat managed to keep her balance (those 9 years of ballet weren’t so useless after all). 

“Remember, it’s better to fall on your backside than on your wrists!” yelled her the stupid twit, still laughing. 

Forget it. She was going to behead him and then throw him in the Pacific Ocean.

____

“Was it so difficult?” 

They were both at the end of the track and Thia was (surprisingly) still alive. She wanted to rub off his smug grin from his face, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it: the downhill was enjoyable and she actually had fun. Of course, she had fallen (multiple times) but the boy had always been right behind her when she needed help. 

Jack was lying on the snow, making a snow angel, and she couldn’t help but stare. 

She had fallen in love with him long ago. 

At first she simply was attracted by his looks, but as she got to know him better she began to love his mischievous personality, the way his eyes lit up when he was speaking of his sister, how he looked concentrated while he cooked. She didn’t know what he thought of her; perhaps it was only her impression, but every now and then she had caught him staring at her, only to look away quickly. Perhaps she was mistaken, yet he seemed to blush harder every time she hugged him. 

Perhaps she was wrong, perhaps not. 

“Tooth, you okay?” he asked and his face was only centimeters away from hers, close enough to let the tip of their nose touch. A crazy idea came to her mind, an idea that could ruin their relationship. Or take it to a new level. 

Jack had taught her to let loose sometime and, listening to his eternal advice to “don’t think and live a little”, she closed her eyes and brought her mouth closer and closer, until it was on his. For a moment she assumed she had messed up everything and she tried to retract, turn around and run away; however, Jack didn’t seem to mind her choice and he cupped her cheeks with his hands, turning his head to kiss her better. 

Thia was surprised the snow around them hadn’t melted because she was burning. Thank God her complexion hided her enormous blush; she was pretty sure she would mimic the color of a tomato had her skin been a lighter color.

Like Jack’s, for example: his cheeks and nose were blazing red and a goofy grin was plastered on his face. 

“Is someone embarrassed?” she asked, stunned by her sudden courage. What was she going to do next, jump off a mountain? 

“It’s the cold” he muttered, his smile only increasing. 

 “Jack, you’re adorable”. Damn her mouth, always speaking by her account. Was it so difficult to keep it shut? 

“You’re cute” 

“Oh my god, you’re such a dork” 

As she smiled and ran her fingers through his unruly hairs, she decided that she would never need coffee again.