Lariette's cheeks were flushed red when they finally pulled apart. Her moistened lips curved into a quiet smile, "Hmm~ I never thought winter and snow could feel this warm."
Ruediger chukled, amused by her remarks. He brushed his thumb along her jawline, "It's the company that makes it so."
They lingered under the tree until the snowfall slowed, talking softly about their shared memories.
She often brought stolen cookies and pancakes from her grandma's kitchen, eager to give them to him. They also wished to build a treehouse, but it never came to be.
Once, she played with him until sunset because the kidnappers were too drunk to notice her. It was one of his happiest moments.
The past no longer felt heavy between them as it was simply there, woven into who they were now.
As they walked back toward the truck, Lariette looked over her shoulder one last time. The tree stood silent under the pale sky, its skeletal branches moved as if waving farewell.
