It was night. She was lying on the bed, facing away from him. They had a small fight earlier, so neither of them was talking.

He sat beside her on the bed, focused on his laptop, typing away.

She tried to sleep, but the cold wouldn’t let her. Her body ached from fever and her nose was stuffy.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, a faint smile curling on his lips. But when she caught him looking, he quickly turned back to his laptop as if nothing had happened.

With an annoyed tone, she said,

"I can’t sleep. Let me hug you. I’m feeling so cold."

Without waiting for his answer, she moved closer and wrapped her arms around him. But he shifted away, saying flatly,

"I’m not talking to you. Don’t touch me."

Her face fell. She turned her back to him again, curling under the blanket, still shivering. Time passed, her sneezing echoed in the quiet room.

Finally, he closed his laptop, switched off the light, and lay down beside her, a silent smile playing on his lips.

"Please… hug me," she whispered, looking at him. "The blanket isn’t enough."

He turned to her and smirked.

"Didn’t you tell me not to touch you earlier when I wanted to kiss you? Hmm? Let me kiss you first, then I’ll think about hugging you."

"You’re impossible!" she shot back. "I’m asking for a hug, not a kiss. There’s a difference!"

"Then I don’t know," he said, pretending to yawn. "I’m too sleepy. Good night."

He turned his back to her and faked sleep. She stared at the ceiling in frustration, tossing and turning.

"I hate you," she muttered, giving him a light punch on the back.

She sat up, drank some warm water, and placed the glass back on the table. Eventually, her tired body gave in and she fell asleep.

Morning

A soft ray of sunlight fell across her face. Still half asleep, she frowned. Why does it feel like an elephant is lying on me? I can’t even move.

Opening her eyes, she looked around—and froze. His arms were wrapped tightly around her. That’s why she couldn’t move.

He woke up and caught her staring. She said quickly,

"Why are you hugging me? I’m not going to kiss you, okay? It’s your choice to hug me."

He placed a hand gently over her mouth.

"Shh. Let me sleep some more with my pillow."

Her eyes widened. "Wait—did you just call me your pillow? No way!"

She wriggled, trying to escape his grasp. He smiled quietly.

"Do you want to go?" he asked softly.

"Yes, please let me go now," she sighed.

He loosened his arms and she got up, feeling like she had just been set free. But as she walked toward the bathroom, he grabbed her hand, pulling her down so she landed on top of him.

"Let me check your fever," he said, leaning in until their foreheads touched.

Her cheeks warmed instantly.

"Your fever’s gone," he said, his voice softer now.

"Okay, let me go," she muttered, trying to hide her blush.

"Fine," he teased, "but where’s my reward?"

Before she could answer, he turned her gently and laid her back on the bed, hovering above her.

"Give me my reward first, then you can go."

Her voice trembled. "Y-you’re too close to me… ah, let me go."

"Then I’ll take my reward and leave you," he said playfully, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I will never do anything without your permission, okay? Don’t you believe me, even a little?"

He lay down beside her again, pulling her into his arms.

She didn’t resist this time.

"You’re the only one, my princess," he murmured, rubbing her back gently. "How could I ever do anything without your permission?"

Her blush deepened.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too," she whispered.

They held each other close, their breaths steady, and slowly drifted back to sleep together.

...Completed...

The night air was sharp, biting at her skin as she hugged herself tighter. Her breath fogged faintly in the cold, each exhale dissolving into the darkness. She tried to ignore the chill, but a soft shiver betrayed her.

Without a word, he slipped his coat from his shoulders and draped it over her. The heavy fabric swallowed her whole, reaching down to her knees. She tugged it tighter around herself, warmth slowly spreading through her. When she looked up, he was smirking.

“What?” she asked, suspicion lacing her tone.

He tilted his head, lips twitching. “You look like a lost child. My coat is wearing you instead of you wearing it.”

Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?!” She tried rolling the sleeves up, but they fell back instantly, covering her hands completely like a child playing dress-up.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her struggle. “See? You’re practically drowning in it.”

Flustered, she shot him a glare. “It’s your fault—it’s too big!”

He leaned down, eyes glinting with mischief. “Or maybe…” His voice dropped into that teasing tone that always made her heart skip. “…you’re just too small.”

Her cheeks flamed hot. “S-shut up!” She tried to swat him, but he caught her wrist effortlessly. Instead of letting go, he laced his cold fingers through hers. The sudden contact made her breath hitch. His hand was icy, but the way his thumb brushed gently over her knuckles felt strangely tender.

“You’re warmer than I expected,” he murmured, his playful smirk softening.

She ducked her head, hiding her blush. “And you’re colder than I expected.”

That earned her a low chuckle. He leaned closer, his face hovering near hers, his breath brushing against her cheek. “Then maybe… we balance each other out.”

Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

Before she could reply, he tugged the oversized sleeve completely over her hand, trapping it like a mitten. “There. Now you can’t hit me anymore.”

She gasped, struggling to free her hand. “You’re impossible!”

His laughter echoed warmly into the quiet night.

He led her toward the car parked by the curb, opening the door for her with a little bow. “Your carriage, Princess.”

Rolling her eyes, she slid in, still buried in his coat. He shut the door and walked around to the driver’s side. Once inside, he started the engine, the heater humming softly.

The warmth filled the space quickly, but she kept the coat on, hugging it like a shield.

He glanced sideways, a sly grin tugging at his lips. “Careful. If you like my coat too much, I might never get it back.”

She looked out the window, refusing to meet his gaze. “Maybe I’ll just steal it. It suits me better.”

“Oh?” He leaned closer over the console, voice low. “Then I’ll have no choice but to take something of yours in return.”

Her eyes snapped back to him, wide. “Y-you wouldn’t dare.”

His smirk deepened. “Try me.”

Her blush returned full force. She yanked the coat tighter, shrinking into the seat. “You’re crazy.”

He chuckled, turning his eyes back to the road. “Maybe. But only for you.”

Silence stretched, filled only by the sound of the rain tapping against the car roof. She peeked at him—his profile sharp under the glow of passing streetlights, a faint smile still curving his lips.

She turned quickly away, but her lips betrayed her with a tiny smile of her own.

Outside, the world was cold and wet. Inside, the car was warm—not just from the heater, but from the unspoken words hanging between them, heavier than the night air.

And though she would never admit it out loud, being wrapped in his coat, with his laughter lingering in her ears, was the safest she had ever felt.