Description
You dashed down the school corridor, you had no clue club activities would take so long! You had to get home before it grew fearfully dark. However, since it was winter, the darkness of night seemed to creep up on the days sooner than you hoped.
No, you were not scared of the dark. It was simply because, it gets really, really, cold. If it wasn't for the coldness of night, and the occasional frights from cats and squawking birds, you would actually enjoy walking late at night more.
You hurriedly pulled your coat, woollen scarf, gloves and beanie hat out from your locker, and wore them as quickly as you could. At least they could help you battle winter chills for a bit.
~~~
Bracing yourself for the sudden gush of icy wind, you strode past the automatic school doors. The street lamps were on, and not many cars drove by. This was really surprising since it was only an hour or so after school.
You carefully descended down the slippery stone steps, your eyes meeting with a familiar pair of green orbs.
"Antonio?" You asked, surprised, "What are doing here?
"Hey, [Name]!" The Spaniard waved, grinning, "I was waiting for you!"
You hopped down the remaining steps, "Really? I thought your football training ends later."
He shrugged, sighing, "It was cancelled."
"Seriously?" You asked, worried, your mouth wide in shock. "Then, how long did you wait out here in the cold?"
"Not long, don't worry, I just got here!" He beamed, his pearly white teeth showing, "Well, since that's sorted out, can I accompany you on the way to your house?"
"Okay, sure, of course!" You laughed, catching his infective smile.
He took your gloved hand and smiled, "It's nice to take walks late at night, it's peaceful."
"Ah, but it's cold isn't it...?" You looked down at your boyfriend's hands, "Aren't your hands cold?"
Antonio chuckled, "They'll be fine!"
"Ah, you always say that." You sighed, taking one of your gloves off and handing him one. "Here you go! You can wear it."
"But..." He hesitantly began, but stopped. "Okay thanks! Now, our hands can be cold together!"
You held onto his bare hand with yours, "Yep. But, I find that its warmer like this..."
"That's true." Antonio chuckled, "For some reason, my hand holding yours is warmer than the other."
"Maybe I've got really warm hands?"
"Nah, wait, well that might be it. But holding your hand is warm and comfortable!"
You felt your cheeks heat up as a hot blush appeared, trying to make the situation less embarrassing to yourself by acting casual. "A-Ah, okay, I'll warm your hand then if you warm mine." Your mind went blank as you let those words escape your mouth. It wasn't like it was a lie though, his hands are actually comfortable to hold after all.
The two of you continued to walk down the streetlamp lit path home, chatting happily to each other about the day, feeling warmer as the seconds flew by.
~~~
You both strolled past the town square, seeing colourful Christmas lights already up.
"Hey, [Name]?" Antonio began, giving your hand a squeeze, "Where do some people go on cold nights like this, after they have a long day at work or at school, to get something soothing, cocoa-y, and warm?"
"A..." You thought for a second, "A café?"
"Yes!" Antonio laughed, tugging your hand, pointing at a local café. "Is it okay if we have a quick detour over there?"
"Ah, yes please, I'd love something to drink something warm right now!" You sighed in relief, "My throat has been hurting all day, and being cold isn't helping!"
"Let's go then!" Antonio cheered, "I'll buy some hot drinks for us, okay?"
The Spaniard opened the door for you, your heart fluttered as you glanced at a warm smile from your boyfriend, and the two of you found yourselves in the warmth of the café.
You suggested, "I think I should pay for little café snacks. I'll feel bad if you do all the paying, Antonio."
"Okay then." Antonio agreed, nodding, "Sounds good to me!"
You gazed at all the snacks prettily presented for display, and it was hard to choose one. In the end, the two of you both settled on hot chocolate and wafers to take out, and returned to the cold outdoors.
~~~
"Ah~ I love hot chocolate!" Antonio exclaimed happily, "These waffles are pretty good too, [Name]!"
You took another sip of your hot chocolate, "Yeah, ice-cream on a hot day and hot chocolate on a cold one! Perfect!"
"We're almost near your house, [Name]. Maybe I'll have to finish those waffles for you!" Antonio teased.
"No, no, no! I'm saving them for later, thank you very much!" You giggled, protectively patting your coat pocket where the wafers were hidden, "However, I'll have to take that glove of mine back soon."
Antonio and you strolled closer and closer to your house, and you couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that you will have to say 'Good Night' and 'Good-Bye' to your boyfriend sooner than you had hoped.
"[Name]?" Antonio asked, popping your deep thought bubble, "Can you please hold my hot chocolate?"
You wondered, snapping back to reality, "Hm? O-okay sure. What's up?"
"Just wanted to give you your glove back, [Name]." He replied, handing you the familiar woollen glove in exchange for the hot chocolate, mumbling, "Though I am going to be really, really cold on the way home..."
"Thanks!" Your eyes widened, "Wait, what?"
"The glove was one thing that kept me warm." He sipped his hot chocolate, pouting, "And my hot chocolate is finished which also kept me warm, is finished. And soon you'll be gone too... And you always are there to keep me warm..."
"Ah, great..." You mumbled, "Now I feel bad. Do you really want to have the waffles?"
"I do not." Antonio stated, a cheeky smile appearing, "Actually, if it's not too selfish, I want a kiss good night from you."
You were taken aback from his sudden statement, and you stammered, "W-wait what?"
"You have to give it to me, [Name]." Antonio explained, laughing, "Or I'll have to steal one off of you!"
You breathed in and out calmly, "Okay, fine then. Seriously, you're such a child."
Antonio leaned down towards you and, as agreed, you leaned forward and shared a warm kiss with your Spanish boyfriend. The kiss broke sooner than you hoped, and the cold rushed back in.
Antonio pinched his now slightly red ears, chuckling softly, "Wow, I knew it. You seriously are the only who can make me warm on winter days like this, [Name]!" You blinked, he was so nonchalant about it at first, but he looks flustered now!
You giggled, "Oh really? Well, you should go home now before it gets so dark you can't see anymore! I'll see you tomorrow, Antonio! I don't want you catching a cold now do, I?"
"Ah, do I have to?" Antonio whined, "Whoa, I sounded like a child there!"
You grinned, nodding, "Yes, and yes you did!"
You were about to just turn away, but your boyfriend swiftly placed a warm kiss on your cheek.
"Sorry, I couldn't help it." He apologised, a grin permanent on his face. He gave you a smile and a little chuckle, before waving goodbye and turning around to walk himself home.
You slipped off a glove and placed your bare hand on your cheek. It was warm. Like how you always felt when you were with Antonio. You were overjoyed and glad he felt the same about you too.
~~~
Stepping into your house, flicking through your mobile phone and finding a newly sent text from Antonio which said:
'Love you, [Name]. I think we should take more walks like that more often. It's a good way for me to hold your warm hand and kiss those warm lips of yours, right?'
You giggled to yourself, closing your eyes and holding the phone to your heart, "Ah, okay, maybe we should..."