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“Winter islands are my favourite.” You murmured as you slowly lowered yourself to sit on the edge of a ridge, legs dangling dangerously over the edge. You wouldn’t fall though, you were too careful than that, and you had Sabo right there beside you to make sure it wouldn’t happen.
“I hate them less than I used to.” Sabo replied, lifting his hand in front of you both as he sat beside you, letting it set ablaze just to make a point. Yeah, you supposed cold islands weren’t much of a problem when you were made of fire. Though, you couldn’t find it in yourself to be jealous. Not really.
It was quiet. The mission had been an easy one, mostly recon based, which meant you had a lot of time to just exist together that you wouldn’t usually get - the logpose needed time to set so you could get back home after all. You suspected Sabo had ‘forgotten’ the eternal logpose on purpose this time, just for that reason.
You were dancing around something unspoken, had been for a long time. It was easy to forget sometimes that you weren’t more than this, something else entirely. Or maybe you were, a secret third thing that only the two of you were able to define. It didn’t matter too much you supposed, because the both of you were happy, and you couldn’t ask for more than that.
A chilling breeze passed by, whipping agaist your cheeks as if it had a vendetta, sending shivers down your spine despite the warm layers you wore. Sabo took note of that, and reached over to take your hand in his. Aflame or not, he was the type of person whose body ran warm. It was comforting. You shuffled slightly closer, letting the lines of your bodies press together to absorb the warmth he gave off, letting that stave off the chill in the air. Neither of you said a word about it, you didn’t have to. It was easy like this, being together. A simple, quiet comfort.
“You know, I think you get prettier every time I look at you.” Sabo murmured, and if it weren’t for the fact that he was staring you in the eyes as he said it, you would’ve been sure that it had been intended to be an inside thought. You laughed softly, couldn’t help it really, and turned your attention back to the horizon ahead of you both.
“You’re such a charmer.” You teased lightly, and he laughed along with you, gently squeezing your hand in his. He didn’t reply, but he didn’t deny it either. Maybe charming you was exactly his plan.
Around you, the snow began to fall anew, settling across the ground and over your shoulders. Sabo took off his precious top hat, and rested it on your head instead of his own.
“Can’t let your hair get wet.” He said casually, as if there wasn’t a large emotional weight behind letting you wear that hat of his. The one he cared so much about, was so precious to him.
“Right.” You responded, choosing not to acknowledge that weight, even as it settled over you like a warm blanket. The knowledge that he not only cared about you, but trusted you enough to let you wear it. To share with you that piece of him.
Even then, neither of you moved. Why would you? You were warm with Sabo tucked close against your side, and your clothes were protecting you from the damp of the snow.
As the sun slowly set, its warm golden rays seemed to catch the delicate snowflakes, making them just lightly sparkle. The spot you’d chosen seemed to be perfect to absorb those final rays of light, letting it create a warmth that was entirely emotional, and settled just beneath your ribs where you suspected your heart sat with it. Around you, the wind continued to whistle and jostle the branches of the large pine trees, shaking small amounts of snow loose to fall around you. You said nothing when it all seemed to melt before it could make contact with you both. Sabo didn’t need his gesture to be acknowledged to know that it was appreciated.
“Koala would tease you if she knew how soft you were for me.” You pointed out a moment later, unable to entirely resist. Your relationship was built on that comfortable, familiar teasing after all.
“Yeah, well, I don’t think I mind. Not if it’s for you.” He said softly, eyes fixed on the sun as it dipped lower beneath the horizon, deep oranges and faint yellows reflecting off the ocean’s surface, rippling with the movements of the tide.
When he pressed a kiss to your temple, neither of you reacted.
When you turned your head to make eye contact, a question held in it, neither of you spoke.
When your lips made contact with his, the only sound that followed was the soft sigh of relief from your lips.
When you shared your first kiss on that snowy ridge, it felt oddly like coming home.