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despite your heavy jacket, gloves, and the scarf around your neck, the cold still nipped at your skin as the snow drifted down around you. it was only a few days until christmas, and the lights that adorned the city made you smile, it was your favorite time of year, the beauty and the joy unmatched by any other holiday. as you walked along the sidewalk, you felt a sudden breeze beside you, and you flinched slightly, turning your head away from the burst of cold before a chuckle had you looking back up.
“john? oh my god, hey!” you said, unwrapping your arms from your body to hurry over and give him a hug.
“hey, there’s my favorite lady,” he said, wrapping one arm around you to hug you back.
“i was just on my way to see you, small world,” you said with a smile, and he shrugged one shoulder.
“well, i just happened to be in the area, and i figured i’d get you a little something special,” he said, extending his other hand to you. you looked over and smiled; he’d brought a travel carton with two hot drink cups from the local coffee shop. he smiled as you took one of the cups from him and took a small sip, and warmth flooded your body.
“hot chocolate, my favorite,” you said.
“with a hint of mint, just the way you like it,” he said, and you gave him another squeeze.
“thank you, john. you have no idea how much i needed this.”
“i could tell, though. you looked chilled to the bone. which is why i won’t be offering you fly you. you’ll freeze to death,” he said, taking the second drink out of the carton before discarding it. ignoring the stares from onlooking civilians, he set his arm around your shoulders and started down the sidewalk with you. you snuggled into his side as you sipped your hot cocoa, humming to yourself as the sound of holiday music filled the air. starlight’s version of ‘santa baby’ played as you walked by a toy store, and you glanced into the window.
“toys have really come a long way, huh? when i was a kid, a had a wooden pulley porcupine that i just dragged behind me everywhere,” you said, and he laughed.
“really? i don’t think i had that. lot of soldier boy action figures, though. got a new one every year,” he said.
“oh my god, i had a crimson countess doll!” you said, and his smile filled you with even more warmth.
“then this must be fate then, huh?” he asked.
“must be.”
you continued to walk in pleasant silence, the snow swirling around you and getting caught in your hair. as you walked under streetlights, you felt homelander’s hand squeeze your shoulder, and you hummed softly.
“yes?” you asked, glancing up at him before sipping your drink again.
“just wanted to tell you how beautiful you look in the snow, that’s all,” he said, leaning down to press a kiss to your temple.
“aw, you’re too sweet,” you said, snuggling into his side again.
“only for you,” he said, brushing a few snowflakes from your hair. you took a few more sips of your drink to finish it off, and he took the cup from you to throw out. with a smile, you wrapped an arm around his waist as you walked, and as you neared vought tower, he stopped, and pull you to his chest. you wrapped your arms around his neck, tucking yourself into him before he took off into the air.
“john, it’s chilly up here,” you said, and he squeezed you.
“i know, i know. but just take a look,” he whispered, urging you to tilt your head. you did so, and you gazed out over the city. the lights twinkled below, the snow drifted down, and the city had never looked more beautiful.
“oh wow. it’s beautiful,” you breathed, and he smiled.
“not as beautiful as you,” he whispered, tilting your head back to him. he leaned down and captured your lips in a gentle kiss, and you smiled before returning the kiss.
“thank you for sharing this with me,” you said softly as he brought you back to the ground.
“of course. i wanted you to see our own little winter wonderland,” he said, letting go of you to open the door to the tower, allowing you in before him. “but the view is just as nice from my penthouse.”
“i’ll bet it is. lead the way,” you said, and he grinned.
“with pleasure.”