First Snow

The Smith estate was draped in a quiet serenity that came only with the late hour. Outside, a chill had begun to settle in, the crispness of winter creeping in as the trees swayed beneath a sky dotted with stars. Snowflakes had started to fall, lightly dusting the grounds in soft whites, hinting at the season's full arrival. The warmth of the indoors contrasted with the cool air outside, and within the house, the lights were dimmed, creating a cozy atmosphere that whispered of calm nights and deep thoughts.

Inside the kitchen, Alexander paced quietly, his eyes wandering over the half-open fridge door. He had been wandering purposelessly after hearing what his parents said about Leina, and something about the stillness of the house, paired with the faint sound of the wind outside, had pulled him from his bed. He hadn't expected to find anything—or anyone—on his little midnight wander, but the soft glow of the fridge light drew him in. It was faint but steady, casting a circle of light over the kitchen floor like a secret waiting to be discovered.

And then he saw her.

There, nestled against the fridge, was Leina, her legs tucked up underneath her, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Her back was straight, and her head was bent low over a book, the glow of the fridge illuminating her face like a soft halo. Her eyes, usually so confident and composed, were focused on the pages in front of her. She had always been someone who carried an air of mystery, but in this moment, the quiet vulnerability she wore was almost comforting.

Alexander stood still for a moment, unsure if he should disturb her. But there was something about the sight of her there, completely absorbed in her world, that made him want to stay just a little longer.

With a soft breath, he leaned against the doorframe, his voice barely a whisper, yet full of warmth. "You're reading… at this hour?"

Leina didn't jump, didn't flinch. Instead, her head tilted upward slowly, her eyes meeting his with that same cool intensity she always had, but now, there was something else there—an invitation. She raised an eyebrow, not even the slightest hint of embarrassment crossing her features. "It's quiet," she replied, her voice smooth and steady. "And something is calming about it. The light... it's peaceful."

Alexander smiled, an instinctive reaction. He didn't know why, but it was the kind of answer that made him feel like he could stand there forever, just watching her.

"Peaceful, huh?" he said, stepping into the kitchen, his hands slipping into the pockets of his pajamas. "I suppose that's one way to put it."

Leina closed her book gently, placing it on the ground beside her, her gaze unwavering. "What brings you here, Alexander?" she asked, the question gentle but with an edge of curiosity. She wasn't expecting him to admit anything personal, but something about the way she spoke made him want to tell her anyway.

Alexander shifted on his feet. "Couldn't sleep," he admitted, the words coming out more easily than he'd expected. He rarely talked about the nights that left him tossing and turning, but for some reason, with her, it felt natural. "I thought maybe a snack would help, but..." He gestured vaguely toward the fridge, unsure of how to finish the thought.

Her eyes softened, and for a moment, she regarded him thoughtfully. "Can't sleep... or don't want to?" Her tone was teasing, but it was laced with something deeper, a kind of knowing that made Alexander hesitate. Leina wasn't the type to push, yet in this moment, he felt like she could read him better than anyone else.

Alexander bit his lip, unsure how to respond. But then, before he could say anything else, Leina stood up, stretching her arms above her head before brushing her hands off as if to shake off any lingering thoughts. She was so graceful, even in the simplicity of the action, and it made his chest tighten in an unfamiliar way.

Leina tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, eyes still locked on him. "Winter's coming," she said, almost as an afterthought, her voice quiet but sharp. "The air smells like it already."

Alexander nodded, not entirely sure what to say to that. He hadn't noticed it yet, but now that she mentioned it, the chill outside seemed to creep into the room, making him feel more awake than before. He glanced out the window, seeing the gentle snowfall begin to thicken, the world outside turning a soft white.

"Maybe that's why I couldn't sleep," Alexander muttered, almost to himself. He rubbed the back of his neck, not quite meeting her eyes. "Feels like the season's changing too quickly."

Leina didn't answer right away. She bent down, picking up her book again, but before she opened it, she glanced at him. "There's something about the cold, isn't there?" she mused. "Makes you feel more alive, more aware."

It was a strange thing for her to say, but in the quiet of the kitchen, with only the faint hum of the fridge and the distant wind outside, it made perfect sense. The cold air outside, the way it pressed against the glass, reminded him of how things had felt earlier that evening—like something was on the verge of breaking, and they were the only two who could sense it.

He moved closer, pulling open the fridge door absentmindedly, just to keep himself from feeling too much. "Maybe you're right." His voice was low, quieter than usual, as if he was letting something unsaid hang between them.

Leina didn't seem to mind the silence. She studied him for a long moment before tilting her head. "You know, you always try to hide what you're thinking. Like you're afraid someone might figure it out."

Alexander's heart skipped a beat. It was the first time anyone had pointed that out, and it left him feeling slightly exposed. But instead of pulling away, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "I just... I'm not sure it's the right time to be thinking about it."

She stared at him for a long time, then offered him a small, understanding smile. "It never is, is it?" she said softly, almost as if she had read his mind.

He smiled back, that warmth blooming in his chest once more. There was something so easy about being with Leina, something that made the world outside feel quieter, softer. For a moment, nothing seemed to matter except the two of them in that room, with the flickering light of the fridge and the soft chill of winter settling around them.

Leina turned back to her book, the pages rustling softly. "You can stay for a while," she said, her voice still gentle but firm. "Just... don't interrupt me too much."

Alexander chuckled, the tension in his chest easing a little. "No promises," he teased, sitting down across from her, leaning against the counter, content to let the night unfold in its own time.

The two of them sat there for a while, neither of them speaking much. There was a quiet comfort between them, a shared understanding that didn't need words. The world outside had settled into winter, but here, in this moment, it felt like time had slowed just for them.

And as the hours passed, the soft sound of Leina turning the pages of her book was the only thing that filled the silence between them.