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₊❏❜ ⋮ ᶠᵒᵒˡ'ˢ ᵍᵒˡᵈ ⌒
𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗍𝗒
ʳᵉᵃˡ ˡⁱᶠᵉ
❝ smile, sunshine. ❞
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FOUR WEEKS LATER.
December is the month of snow, hot chocolate, and a long-awaited holiday. Bianca is finishing up packing clothes and other necessities in her duffel bag––the excitement has not stopped flowing through her veins since 8:30 this morning. Bianca's heart races with excitement as she anticipates her first Christmas in Massachusetts. It's a dream come true, a winter wonderland she's only seen in movies and on holiday cards. Growing up in the sun-drenched streets of Los Angeles, she never thought she'd have the chance to experience a white Christmas. But this year, everything is different. The very thought of snowflakes falling gently from the sky fills her with joy. She's heard stories about the soft crunch of snow underfoot, the serene beauty of trees draped in white, and the warmth of a crackling fireplace in a cozy, snow-covered cabin. For the first time in her life, she won't have to imagine it; she'll be living it. Bianca's childhood Christmases were bittersweet memories. Her mother, an honorable surgeon, would spend hours on end in the operating room, saving lives. While she admired her mother's dedication, it meant that young Bianca often spent the holiday alone, her only company being the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and the occasional phone call from her mother, assuring her of her love and promising to make it up next year.
This is undoubtedly healing her inner child, spending the holiday the way it is meant to: surrounded by loving people, and being blithesome. From the day Marylou queried her if she would like to tag along, there was nothing else in her mind aside from the holiday.
Bianca puts any last-minute items in her second duffel bag, mostly clothes that will keep her warm whilst up in the mountain. She could not sleep last night; the adrenaline was swimming all through her veins so intensely that she could not even keep her eyes closed for longer than two minutes. All night, she tossed and turned, creating scenarios in her mind about Christmas—just simply hoping it is exactly what she has seen in holiday movies.
"You have everything?" Natasha bursts through the door, a laundry basket against her hip whilst in her usual business attire. "Sweaters? Socks? Toothbrush? Deodorant?"
"Relax, Nat," Bianca chuckles, zipping up her bag. "I'm only gone for a week, not a whole year."
"I can't believe tomorrow is your first snowy Christmas ever, and with a boyfriend!" The redhead exclaims, a smile so wide it meets her eyes. Bianca playfully rolls her eyes, shaking her head whilst a smile tugs at her lips.
"Never mind that, are you sure you can't request a day off?"
Natasha waves her off like it is nothing. "It's fine, don't worry about me. There's always next Christmas. Besides, I'll be too busy in my office or the courthouse to even remember it's the holidays."
Bianca frowns, walking over to Natasha to give her a heartfelt embrace. She knows her aunt is a little disgruntled that she cannot spend the holiday with her two girls, but she values her occupation a lot that taking one day off is not even an option for her.
"I'll bring home some Blue Hills Ski Resort merch," the teenager murmurs, making Natasha break into a fit of laughter as she pulls away. The elation in her eyes is evident - she looks like a little kid who was told she could ride the ferris wheel at the carnival. Her sleepless night was accompanied by imagining what the holiday would be like. To a local Boston person, snow is ordinary. Howbeit, to a girl born and raised in Los Angeles, it is everything.
Repetitive knocks against her glass window catch her attention as she is about to sit at the foot of her bed. She walks over to the glass, opening it whilst resting her arms on the window stool, her hands lazily hanging out––her fingertips twitching at the frigid air that gust past her. Drifting her gaze down to the backyard, the grass buried with white powder that has indentations from the footsteps of the boy who is standing beside the tree, the same pebbles in his hands that he dug from the snow. Chris in an all-grey sweatsuit along with a beanie that he has been wearing a lot more than his baseball hat. Hands in his sweatpants pockets whilst looking up at Bianca with the cold air nipping at his scarlet tinted nose. Just like Bianca, he has not rested his eyes for hours. His mind was too occupied with creating a plethora of suggestions of what the week would be like between them. That is a long time of acting as a couple in front of his family.
"What's the point of me keeping my window unlocked if you're going to keep throwing pebbles?"
Chris rolls his eyes as he climbs the tree. He is surprised when he sees the path he walks on, be free of slippery ice––she must've cleared the way for him because she knows this is their thing. As Chris steps into Bianca's room, he is greeted by an immediate sensation of coziness that seems to wrap around him like a welcoming embrace as he takes off his shoes that are covered in flakes of snow. The transition from the biting cold of the snowy outdoors to the comforting haven of her room was nothing short of magical. Soft, amber-hued fairy lights adorned the walls, casting a warm and gentle glow that danced gracefully across the room. The air was scented with a delicate mixture of vanilla and lavender, the fragrance emanating from a cluster of neatly arranged candles on her nightstand. A plush, well-worn rug underfoot felt like a cloud beneath his sock-covered feet.
"It's more romantic that way, don't you think? And plus, I don't want to just barge in." He shrugs as he sits in the nook decorated with many square pillows, his back leaning against one as his eyes gaze at the brunette in front of him. Just like her, Chris was tossing and turning in bed all night, thinking about the week planned ahead of them. Things have been ill at ease between them for a while now, mostly on Bianca's part.
With her feelings for him growing each day like marigold flowers, being around him feels arduous. She stumbles on her words far more than usual, fiddles with the cross pendant of his necklace that she hasn't taken off whenever she would immerse herself in a casual conversation with him, avoids meeting his eyes at all cost as if staring right into them would turn her into stone. Her cheeks would drown in a rose flush whenever Chris' hand would touch the curve of her waist; goosebumps would decorate her arms and she has never been more grateful of the frigid air because her sweater would conceal them.
"You're excited to be with me in the mountains for a week, yeah?" Chris asks, a lopsided grin tugging the corner of his mouth.
Bianca turns around, walking to one of her duffel bags on her bed whilst pretending to fix the contents inside as her face turns crimson. She playfully scoffs, seeing his lazy grin grow wider from her peripheral vision. "You wish."
Chris leaves his seat as Bianca zips up her bag once more, her hands grasping the handles, only for Chris to snatch them from her gently; their fingertips faintly brushing, making Bianca's twitch slightly at the contact. The boy is taken back by the weight of one of her duffel bags, his eyes diverting to her silhouette in confusion. "What the hell did you pack that weighs this much?" The brunette flashes him a bashful smile, her fingers creeping up to her lips––a habit she had adapted to whenever she would grow sheepish.
"I bought you and your family each a present." Bianca chews on her inner cheek, fearing that Chris would find her peculiar for doing so, especially because she doesn't know them well enough. She did have a difficult time trying to find the perfect gift for each one of them, mostly Chris. Each time she found a potential present to get him, her conscience would tell her that he wouldn't be fond of it.
Meanwhile, Chris is gazing at her with those glimmering eyes of his, his heart swelling at her kind gesture; he knew being altruistic has always been in her nature, but this just proved to him just how gracious she truly is.
"You didn't have to, sunshine."
The girl shrugs. "I know, but I wanted to."
She heads for the bedroom door, opening it as it creaks slightly. They descend down the steps, saying their farewells to Natasha as she walks them out to the front door, telling them to be safe during the trip. Bianca steps out of her cozy, snow-dusted home and onto the winter wonderland that surrounds her. The street lay beneath a pristine, wintery veil, as if a celestial artist had gently brushed it with a canvas of purest white. Each flake, an individual masterpiece, had women itself seamlessly into a tapestry of shimmering diamonds that stretched as far as the eye could see. The street, once a thoroughfare for hurried commuters and bustling city life, now lay in quiet repose, wrapped in the serene hush of freshly fallen snow. Under the gentle weight of countless snowflakes, the asphalt of the street had disappeared, replaced by a soft, undulating landscape, like a frosted cake that beckoned the weary traveler to indulge in its icy sweetness. The snow, untouched by human intrusion, a vast expense of purity that stretched from one end of the street to the other. It is as if the world has taken a deep breath and held it, in reverence of this newfound stillness. The houses along the street wear their own white cloaks, rooftops sagging under the weight of snow, chimes exhaling plumes of smoke into the frigid air.
The flakes cling to every surface, from the branches of trees that bow beneath their burden to the rooftops that wear their snowy crowns with regal grace. The street lamps, usually stark sentinels of the night, now emitted a soft, diffused light that danced with the falling snowflakes, creating a mesmerizing interplay of shadow and illumination. The snow brought with it a hush that seemed to envelop everything. It is a silence so profound that even the faintest whisper of a passing breeze feels like a shot in the cathedral of snow. Bianca steps out into the brisk winter morning, the cold air kisses her cheeks and fills her lungs––each breath, a reminder of the crispness of the season. The snowflakes, delicate and intricate, land gently on her outstretched hand, and for a brief moment, she felt as though she had the very essence of winter in her palm.
A black trench coat, with its sleek silhouette, hugs her frame, and its buttons glimmer subtly in the soft daylight; it dances lightly around her ankles with each step, a testament to its timeless elegance. The cream-colored turtleneck nestles comfortably against her neck, providing a cozy refuge from the wintry winds. The soft, supple fabric clings to her torso, radiating comfort and adding a touch of rustic charm to her ensemble. Beneath the coat, Bianca dons wide-leg jeans that cascade gracefully from her waist, allowing her to move with a sense of freedom, a contrast to the season's often constricting layers. The ensemble is completed with her favorite pair of black ankle boots; their chunky heel provides a subtle elevation, lending her an air of confidence and poise. The boots echo the color of the trench coat creating a sense of continuity that ties her attire together seamlessly. Each footstep upon the snow is a testament to the transient nature of existence. The crunch of her boots against the snow is a melody, a symphony of winter's arrival.
"Are you driving us to the cabin?" Bianca wonders, glancing over at Chris as they head to his car; both taking steps so little in fear they will slip and make a fool of themselves. The boy shakes his head, opening the trunk of his car to place Bianca's belongings in before hurrying to the driver's seat as the frigid air sneaks up on his through his sweatshirt.
"Dad's going to drive." He pushes the button on his car to start the engine. "You're going to be stuck with me in an SUV for a few hours." Before pulling out of her driveway, he ensures Bianca has her seatbelt on; not once forgetting about that habit of hers of sitting in the passenger's seat without one secured over his upper body. No response comes from Bianca, causing him to steal a glance at her.
"Don't look too excited," he murmurs, his one hand steering the wheel to turn right; in the direction where his house is. Bianca blinks as if it erases the expression written on her face.
"N-no, I didn't mean to... I don't mind-" A nervous chuckle escapes her lips whilst she plays with the ends of her hair. Chris shuts the engine off, departing from the vehicle as he makes his way to the trunk to grab ahold of Bianca's belongings. The girl spots him carrying her bags in either hand, suddenly reaching forward to his right wrist; her fingertips bringing sudden warmth to his skin.
"Oh, I can carry..." Bianca's words trail off the longer her fingertips remain on his skin. The urge to interlock their hands grows, though she holds back. Her gaze travels from where her hand is to Chris' face, her cheeks suddenly being stained with a rose flush that she knows isn't from the chilling temperature surrounding them. "...this."
Their moment is interrupted by Nick with Trevor in his arms who would rather be playing in the snow that looks like mountains to him. "There you guys are!" He pivots slightly in the direction of the house, yelling: "Chris and Bia are here! Let's get goin'!" He must be so excited to go or he just wants to get this long drive over with. Nick slowly descends the snow-covered steps and to the family's black SUV parked in the shoveled driveway.
"We call dibs o-" Chris stars as he trails behind Nick with Bianca's baggages still in his hands despite the girl offering to carry her own belongings.
The eldest triplet interjects almost immediately without looking back. "Matt and I already called dibs on the middle seats!"
"The fuck? When?" The annoyance in Chris' voice is evident. He opens the trunk of the vehicle, setting the brown duffel bags gently atop a few other baggages; being careful with the heaviest one as it is filled with handpicked presents from the brunette standing mere inches from him.
"When you didn't call dibs on it before you left earlier, fucking loser."
Marylou is the last to leave the house, inserting the key into the hole to lock the front door before enthusiastically—yet carefully—descending the small flight of steps. Her eyes are filled with jocundity when she spots the teenage brunette standing close to Chris with her numb fingers thawing in the warmth of the pockets of her trench coat.
"I'm so glad you're coming along with us, sweetie." A toothy grin greets Bianca, her gaze shifting to the short woman engulfed in a thick winter jacket. The love she receives from Marylou fills the empty void in her heart that her own mother couldn't. The teenage girl returns the gesture, her arms absentmindedly wrapping around Marylou's shoulders as she greets her with a hug, wordlessly.
Chris couldn't help but direct his attention to them, the smallest smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He hasn't seen his mother this fond of a girlfriend of his before. Well, Amyra was his only other girlfriend back then and even though Marylou treated her with much respect and adoration, her bond with Bianca is something different.
"As much as I love to stand around here and freeze my ass off, we need to get going before we get stuck in traffic," Nick informs the rest of the family before climbing inside the SUV that's on and letting out the warmest air that makes you want to get comfortable in your seat and slumber the whole ride through.
╭──────────.★..─╮
fool's gold
╰─..★.──────────╯
Being trapped in the backseat with Chris isn't something Bianca was fully prepared for; despite mentally preparing herself as they will be in close proximity for a few hours. It has been two hours of being on the snow-covered road, and they have yet a few more hours to go. The SUV is silent, with the exception of Marylou and Jimmy talking amongst themselves quietly as Matt and Nick slumber peacefully with blankets drawn to themselves whilst their bodies are cutled in for more warmth.
Silently, Bianca peers through the tempered glass to her right with her wired earbuds softly playing the dulcet sound of Fade Into You into her ears. A blanket that was already in the backseat when she entered the vehicle a while ago rests on her lap, the back of her hands atop, feeling the soft velvet fabric on her skin. To her left is Chris with his eyes closed and temple rested on his closed fist without a blanket on him to keep him cozy. When Bianca attempted to give him the blanket earlier, he refused and insisted she have it to keep herself warm.
A seat-wide gap between them is drawn, both on either side as if being close to each other is forbidden. Each in their own world, neither dares to inch even a millimeter closer.
Maybe that's why Bianca still feels cold, despite having the blanket in her possession.
Something in her craves for the heat his body radiates.
Glancing at him, she takes in his presence. His chest rhythmically rises up and down, his right eyebrow twitches slightly at times, his lips aren't apart unlike most people who often sleep with their mouth slightly agape, and his beanie rests on his lap, leaving his shaggy brown hair out in the open. Even whilst he's asleep and his head is tilted to the side to a small degree, his unkempt hair is perfectly in place aside from loose strands that seem to have lives of their own.
The boy shifting in his seat to a more comfortable position brings Bianca back to earth, her eyes blinking as she swiftly returns her gaze to the window on her right; her elbow resting on the console by her side whilst she places her chin on the palm of her hand. Internally, she is hoping—no, praying—he didn't stir awake and catch her admiring him. Pretending she doesn't get butterflies every time he looks into her eyes or holds her hand is challenging enough for her.
For minutes, Bianca just stares out the window, fighting the strong urge to gaze at Chris once more. Keeping her eyes open suddenly feels like a battle she knows she will not win in. The sleep she didn't get to have last night is finally catching to her as her eyelids begin to lower every millisecond. Howbeit, with the way she is sat in such a small space, sleeping soundly is beyond the bounds of possibility. Ever so often, the somnolent girl fidgets in her seat like there are ants in her pants. So much so that Chris' slumber was cut short from her frequent movement just inches away from him.
With low, fatigued eyes, he glances at her whilst rubbing his left eye with the back of his hand. He notices how her temple is rested against her knuckles, mirroring the way he was sleeping just moments ago. Even with Bianca's eyes fluttered shut and trying to sit still and sleep, he could tell she was nowhere near unconscious.
His finger twitches faintly as he contemplates whether he should tap her shoulder or let her be. Howbeit, the way her head almost collided with the tempered glass as the car goes through a curved path, was enough for Chris to give in to his temptation. With a gentle touch on Bianca's shoulder, the girl slowly opens her eyes; her head pivoting to the boy's direction. Her cheeks bleed out a crimson color because of how he's looking at her.
Or maybe she's just being delusional.
Wordlessly, Chris gestures with his hand for her to come closer. At first, Bianca just stares at him with a questionable expression but her breath gets caught up in her throat when he places his hand gently on her waist, pulling her in to his side. It all happens so fast that Bianca couldn't even slip a word in to protest—though, it's not like she didn't want to be close to him. She's rather afraid he would feel the quickened rate of her heartbeat.
Subconsciously, Bianca's head meets Chris' shoulder. The boy adjusts the blanket that sits over her lap, hiking it up higher so even her upper body is met with warmth. Howbeit, it isn't the blanket that's diminishing the frigid air circulating around them nor is it the heater from the vehicle. The head from Chris' body is enough for the goosebumps underneath her sweater to disappear.
"Are you good?" He asks quietly, his arm still around her waist; neither of them acknowledging it. Bianca nods faintly, her hands adjusting the velvet fabric more that now, they both have it rested on top of their silhouettes.
Before fluttering her eyes shut once more, Bianca lifts her head up, taking one of her earbuds out of her ear and placing it in Chris'. She flashes him a soft, closed-lipped smile whilst gazing at him. As cliché as it may sound, Chris was sure he saw her eyes gleam and glisten.
The brunette returns her head atop his shoulder with her body now pivoted to face his side to a small degree, letting the tiredness wash over her after a restless night from overthinking. Meanwhile, Chris' thumb caresses the curve of her waist as he peers through the tempered glass. He feels the rhythmic pattern of her breath against his body—she's asleep. Though, it was no surprise to him. When he entered her room earlier to pick her up, it was evident in her slouched posture and heavy eyes that she didn't get much rest.
Chris takes it upon himself to remain still as stone whilst she sleeps. As for the music playing in one of his ear, he's not quite familiar with the melody but the sound of a woman angelically singing somehow eased him. He isn't the biggest enthusiast of alternative music, but being with Bianca constantly, she has exposed him to a new genre that is far from just rap.
You say you miss me,
I wanna say I miss you so much.
Somethin' keeps me really quiet,
I'm alive, I'm a hush.
Your love, your love, our love.
Slowly, Chris' eyes begin to feel heavy. He tries to fight it off, but his tiredness is far too strong. His head eventually drifts down on top of hers, and it feels just right.
I can see my baby swingin'
His Parliament's on fire and his hands are up
On the balcony and I'm singin'
Ooh, baby, ooh, baby, I'm in love
╭──────────.★..─╮
fool's gold
╰─..★.──────────╯
The feeling of the car stopping instinctively stirs Chris awake. He slowly open his eyes, squinting at the brightness from the snow outside. The heaviness that was once sitting on his shoulder is now on his chest; glancing down, he sees Bianca's head resting atop with her arm across his stomach. She looks so comfortable, to the point where he doesn't want to wake her up. He also notices how his arm remained around her frame throughout the roadtrip, not once did he move.
Aside from Chris and Bianca, the family begins to leave the car with sighs of relief escaping their life as they stretch outside for a moment. The boy carefully adjusts himself in his seat, thus his posture is straighter. For a few seconds, he just gazes at the sleeping girl on his chest, truly not wanting to disrupt her moment of peace.
"Bia..." He murmurs, the shortened version of her name escaping his lips subconsciously. He has never referred to her as Bia before, it's always been Bianca—nothing more, nothing less.
The girl stirs to a small degree, her head snuggling deeper on his chest whilst her arm tightens around him.
Chris tenses up a little; not used to this much affection from her, even if she's unconscious. Shifting his eyes down to her, his fingers reluctantly moves the strands of her chestnut brown hair away from face, tucking a few behind her ear so it would stop bothering her. This only makes Bianca grip onto him a lot more, as if she is afraid of him leaving her side.
"We're here, c'mon," Chris whispers, now sitting up straighter so Bianca can wake up as the cold air is catching up to him, especially with the doors and trunk open. His thumb brushes against her waist to and fro, hoping it would be enough to cause her to arise.
It took a few minutes of sitting still like stone and whispers of her name for Bianca to open her eyes slowly, scanning her surroundings—forgetting that they've been on a roadtrip this entire time. Lifting her head from his chest, Chris immediately feels a sudden wave of emptiness. Her head there felt so right that the absence of it is like having the last piece of the puzzle missing.
"Are we here?" Her voice hoarse from the extended period of not uttering a word. She answers her own question when she looks at the exterior of the cabin before her through the opened door and she is in awe.
Nestled amidst a pristine winter wonderland, the cabin stands like a sentinel of warmth and comfort against the backdrop of a frosted pine forest. Its wooden exterior, rich and robust, weathers the season's chill with stoic grace. The aged logs, their surfaces a tapestry of grainy stories, wear a cloak of snow like a soft, white shawl. Glistening icicles dangle from the eaves like fragile crystal chandeliers, reflecting the pale, wintry sun.
Chris pushes the seat in front of him, thus there's enough space for him to slip through. Bianca comes after, crouched down uncomfortably whilst her hand is on the shoulder of the seat for some stability. Though, shortly after, she feels a familiar hand grab ahold of hers and it almost made Bianca feel weak in the knees. She really has it bad for him.
He walks closer to her, wanting to make sure she doesn't fall over—even if the surface she'll land on is fresh packed powder of snow.
"Thanks," Bianca murmurs, not knowing where to go as she stands in place whilst Chris adjusts the seat behind her to its default position—all while his other hand is on her waist like it's no big deal. To him, it may not be.
To her? Oh, it's more than just a big deal. Her stomach is crowded with overly enthusiastic butterflies, enough to cause shivers down her spine.
Silently, she trails behind Chris towards the cabin, the excitement rushing back to her veins as the thought of spending the holiday here reappears once more. The cabin's interior beckons with the warmth of a thousand suns on this icy winter day. The fireplace, a crackling dragon, exhales its fiery breath, casting a tapestry of dancing flames and ember sprites upon the aged oak floor. Their shimmering waltz contrasts the snowflakes outside, which tap the windowpane in their delicate, fleeting ballet.
Cozy armchairs and a well-loved, overstuffed couch wear blankets of wool like knights in soft armor, inviting the brunette to sink into their comforting embrace. The ticking clock on the mantel is a conductor, orchestrating a symphony of creaking floorboards, muffled laughter from Nick.
Gentle shadows, shaped like old stories, crawl up the log walls, whispering secrets from ages past. The air hums with the mingling scents of woodsmoke and the comforting aroma of simmering stew. It's a haven of warmth and wonder, a sanctuary from winter's chill, where the world outside fades into the background, and the heart finds solace in the embrace of this rustic refuge.
In the living room, Nick and Jimmy are already settled comfortable on the couch, their eyes drawn to the television screen across from them, playing Home Alone whilst Matt and Marylou are by the stairs with everyone's baggages set on the wooden floor.
Bianca approaches Marylou, hands clasped in front of her. "Where's the guest room? So, uh, I can get my stuff out of the way." An awkward chuckle escapes her lips, her arms now crossed over her stomach.
"Oh, don't be silly. You and Chris can share his room! And actually, the other room will be for Justin—he's my eldest son, I don't think you've met him."
"O-oh," Bianca stammers on her words, her eyes slightly widening as the seven words repeat in her head, still processing that particular sentence.
You and Chris can share his room.
Matt, however, glances at the brunette subtly; finding her tense behavior odd, though he doesn't vocalize his thoughts.
Sure, they've slept on the same bed more than once but she was already asleep each time. They've never laid in his bed, both conscious and aware, before. Bianca swallows harshly, her lips curling into a tight smile to mask how nervous she really is deep within. Hesitantly, she pivots her head to Chris who remains unfazed—his face clear of any readable expression.
Little does she know, his heart was beating like a drum.
"Chris, honey, show Bianca where you'll be sleeping, will you?" Marylou requests her son politely, her stare trained to the baggages on the floor with the help of Matt.
Doing as told, he takes both of their things with the exception of one bag as Bianca insisted of carrying one at least. He walks up the stairs and down the familiar corridor leading to his room with Bianca trailing behind him merely steps away.
Inside, the room was less furnished than his actual room, but the interior makes up for it. A bed big enough for two displays itself in the middle with the wooden headboard against the wall. A golden glow hovers over the four walls. An unset fireplace is across from the bed with a few cut-down wood inside. The space smells like vanilla, surprisingly—she was expecting to have an aroma of nothing really.
She sets her bag on the floor by the foot of the bed with Chris mirroring her action. Glancing at him, she bites inner cheek to refrain from speaking—thought, Chris knows her well enough to know that her mind works day and night, coming up with an infinite number of questions.
"What is it, sunshine?" He asks, plopping down on the bed with a huff, sitting up as his back leans on the headboard whilst he stares at her.
She clears her throat. "Are you fine with this?" She gestures between them with her finger. Chris scrunches his eyebrows slightly, his head tilted.
"With what?"
"This, as in you and me sleeping on the same bed."
Chris shrugs as a lopsided grin tugs at his lips. "It's not something we haven't done before."
"No, I know but-"
"Look, I'll sleep on the floor if you really want me to."
"I didn't say that-"
"So, you're saying that you like sleeping next to me?"
"What? No-"
"Your red face says otherwise."
"Can you stop inte-"
"No," Chris smirks, doing so out of spite.
"Real mature," Bianca narrows her eyes at him.
Right as Chris was about to slip in another comment, both Matt and Nick enter their room whilst crashing on the bed comfortably. Chris pushes Matt from his legs, causing him to budge forward. Nick invites Bianca to sit as he notices her standing awkwardly by the foot of the bed, hands rested on the bed frame. The girl sits on the edge, not minding it at all whilst she watches the three brothers be in their own world.
For quite a while now, Chris has began showing more of his old self that both of his brothers have taken notice of. His smile appears often as well as his laugh—things that were locked in a vault after Amyra left him. All those months of Chris moping around and projecting his pain onto other people through silence or unnecessary attitude, it's nice to see him laugh at stupid things just like before.
"We're going snowboarding in a bit, by the way," Matt mentions.
╭──────────.★..─╮
fool's gold
╰─..★.──────────╯
Bianca has never been an active person. When she was younger, the only sport she's ever done was volleyball but even that, she loathed. She only did it because her old friends did, and she hated the thought of being left out—thus, she joined the volleyball team. Surprisingly enough, she wasn't so bad at the sport; it was like playing hot potato and the only rule was that you had to use your forearms and hands to keep it above the ground.
After minutes of recollecting herself, Bianca stands at the top of the snow-covered mountain alongside Chris; their breath visible in the crisp winter air. From the second they got on the chairlift after Nick and Matt, the brunette hasn't let go of Chris' arm in fear that something will happen to her, but it's just her being dramatic and anxious.
"Do I really have to do this?" Bianca murmurs, gulping as she stares at the snowy slope full of people, even kids, gliding down in either skis or snowboards.
"You're already up here, so might as well," Chris chuckles. He feels Bianca's grip tighten around his arm, her inching closer to him. She really didn't have to snowboard along with them, but knowing she rarely takes risks, Chris thought it would be a great idea to get her to experience something that can make her feel alive.
"Remember what I told you: lean forward to go faster and lean back if you want to slow down or stop," Chris reminds the tense girl. When he pulls away from her, Bianca subconsciously pulls him closer to her; afraid of falling and not being able to get up.
"Stop being all fucking lovey-dovey and get down there!" Nick yells at them, his goggles over his eyes as he waves them over. As he goes down the slope, he's steady at first but the second he straightened his posture, he falls over and lands on his bottom. This causes a loud laughter from Matt, a chuckle from Chris, and a quiet giggle from Bianca.
"C'mon, sunshine. It's your turn," Chris pats Bianca's hand with his free one, slowly pulling away from her once more. His glove-covered hands reaches for her goggles that sit on her helmet and placing them over her eyes before he holds onto the curve of her waist. He leans close to her ear as he fixes her posture, "It's all about balance, you hear me?" The girl nods, exhaling through her mouth as she looks at the steep slope she'll be sliding down on, asking herself how she agreed to this.
When Chris removes one of his hands from her waist, she immediately holds on the other one, squeezing it a few times and Chris reciprocating the gesture right after. He laughs at her nervousness, only for the girl to slap his hand for doing so.
"Relax, baby, I got you."
That damn nickname again. She hasn't heard him call her that in a while. The way it rolled off his tongue so naturally makes her want to squeal into a pillow. The butterflies are suddenly alive and flying around in her stomach, sending shivers down her spine. The blood rushes to her cheeks, tinting them scarlet but it can easily be mistaken to be from the frigid air nipping at her skin. He has this effect on her that is truly indescribable. Whenever he would hold her hand, she gets the desire of never letting his go; whenever he would climb up the tree and through her window, she feels as though they're in a 2000s rom-com film; whenever he makes sure she's okay, she feels a sense of security; whenever she's too bashful to speak her mind, he beats her to it as if he can read the exact words roaming around her head.
He knows her.
"Okay," Bianca exhales, finally gaining the courage to balance on her own. "I can do this."
"Atta girl." He lets go of her waist gradually, warily watching her in case she falls right away.
Bianca slowly goes down the tall hill, wobbly in the midst of it all. Her arms are stretched out on either side, but she's doing better than she expected. Howbeit, that moment of relief is disrupted by her fall to the snowy ground. Losing her balance completely as she tried to turn, Bianca stumbles and lands on her back, ending with a slight thud as she lays there.
From afar, she hears Chris' laugh. It's not the same laugh she's heard, which is just a chuckle. This one is his genuine one. The kind of laugh that has him leaning forward, eyes pinched shut and hands on his knees. It's a melodic song to her. She hopes to hear it more often—it's a song she would love to be carved on a vinyl and listen to it until it breaks.
She sits up, looking up at the hill where his silhouette stands. Taking out her glove, she flips him off. Chris shakes his head, putting his goggles on and sliding down the slow up to where she is, pivoting sharply to come to a halt. He reaches for her arms, gently pulling her up as a smile breaks out on his face.
"I hate you," she mumbles, removing the goggles from her honey eyes. She dusts off the snow from her hair that's sectioned into two braids before staring back at Chris. "You said to lean forward to stop!"
Chris laughs, shaking his head whilst removing one of his gloves and subconsciously takes a speck of snowflake from the tip of her nose with his finger. "No, I said lean back. You weren't listening."
"I was listening, and you didn't say that." Bianca argues back. Though in her defense, she was far too nervous up there to really comprehend the words that were flowing from his mouth. Chris stares her down until she lets out a sigh, holding onto to his arm once more as she almost loses her balance. "Shut up and let's just get to the bottom."
╭──────────.★..─╮
fool's gold
╰─..★.──────────╯
"What are you doing?"
Bianca tears her eyes from the viewfinder of her digital camera. "Taking a picture, duh."
After snowboarding, Matt and Nick decided to return to the cabin whilst Bianca and Chris stayed back to explore the village. Well, actually, Chris saw the joy in Bianca's eyes when she gazed at the village filled with Christmas decorations and little shops that had customers coming in and out. It didn't take long for him to realize that she hasn't experience this kind of getaway before. Seeing her eyes gleam and glisten at everything she looks at makes him subconsciously grin, even the slightest bit.
Chris, being three or so steps away from the girl, pivots to face her. She has the viewfinder close to her eye, the other pinched shut along with her nose crinkled as she focuses her attention to the moment she's about to capture. Chris bows his head to a small degree, shaking his head whilst his hands fix his hair. Whilst doing so, he hears a shutter sound along with a quick flash coming from Bianca's direction.
He looks up, eyebrows raised at her. She flashes him a sheepish smile, shrugging at him at the same time. "You were in the way." She walks up to him, extending her camera out. "Do you wanna see?" Her back is now facing him, their bodies just faintly touching.
"Sure," he shrugs, crouching slightly so his chin is almost on her shoulder. Together, they look at the image she just captured of him, their faces only centimeters apart.
She turns her head, her eyes flickering to his lips for a moment before looking up, gulping before speaking. "You... look nice."
"My face wasn't even showing," Chris chuckles. He grabs the camera from her grip, hearing protests from Bianca's lips; asking for him to return it to her but knowing him, he doesn't listen. With his hand on her waist, he guides her to take a few step back before standing in the original spot he was in. He fiddles with random buttons until he gets it to where he wants it, bringing the viewfinder to his right eye with the lens facing Bianca. "Smile, sunshine."
In defeat, Bianca smiles softly at the camera, her head tilted down to the right a little bit whilst she stares directly at the lens; trying not to blink during the flash.
Chris tears the camera away from his face, pressing a button to get a glimpse of what he just captured. Bianca approaches him, a hand on his to lower the device down thus she can see too. When they both see it, both of them smile but Bianca is unaware that Chris is doing so, even if it's the smallest curve of his lips. Though she was looking at the lens when he was taking her picture, she was fighting every urge in her body to not stare at him instead.
"Excuse me," a girl, possibly ten years old, calls out just steps away from the pair. In her white winter coat and black snow boots, she smiles at the two. "Would you like a picture together? I think you guys are really cute."
Bianca's face turn a crimson hue, refraining from smiling too wide by biting her inner cheek. Being fine with it, the brunette nods before glancing up at Chris to see what his answer would be—he, too, nods along with a shrug. He hands the camera to the young girl before standing beside Bianca once more. He isn't quite sure how to properly pose in front of the camera as he isn't the type to really be thrilled of getting his picture taken.
He places his hand on Bianca's waist, pulling her in a little closer to him as she naturally leans back to him; the top of her head against the crook of his neck. They both smile at the lens, the flash blinding them for a millisecond.
As the pair depart, the young girl stops them, her exclaim startling them both. "Wait! Um, you... guy," she points at Chris. "Kiss her on the cheek!"
With a tight-lipped smile, he leans down slightly to Bianca's cheek. His lips make contact with her delicate skin, feeling the warmth she radiates. So naturally, he holds onto the curves of her waist, squeezing them a few times which causes Bianca to burst into a wide smile, her eyes pinching shut as his gesture tickled her.
"Julianna!" A woman's voice makes the young girl spin her head around, a sheepish smile plastered on her face. The woman lets out a sigh as she approaches her daughter, almost as if her wandering off isn't something uncommon for the matriarch. "I told you not to bother people, sweetie." She sends an apologetic smile at the pair who are watching their dynamic. "I'm sorry, my daughter likes to wander off. I hope she didn't disturb you two."
"Mom," Julianna grumbles, rolling her eyes. "I was taking their picture! Aren't they cute?"
The mother nods in agreement whilst gently urging her daughter to come with her to not disrupt the pair any more. "They are, honey. Now c'mon, let's leave them alone." Julianna listens to her mother, returning the camera back to Chris. As Julianna walks away, she turns around to wave at them with a grin on her face.
The boy was already looking at the last two pictures that were just taken, liking them both. It's strange for him to see, really. When he was with Amyra, he rarely took pictures with her—he was always the one behind the camera. Glancing at the images of him and Bianca, he can't help but admit to himself that they look good together—in the pictures and then some.
"Well, she wasn't lying," he murmurs, smirking as he shows Bianca. "What do you think, sunshine?"
"I think..." she pauses, her gaze wandering off to the shops surrounding them. "...we should get some hot chocolate." Though she's afraid to admit it to him, she isn't when it comes to herself. She thinks they look beyond 'good' together. In the one with his lips on her cheek, they appeared to be an actual couple and that brews a strange feeling in her heart. The minuscule smile that tugged at his mouth whilst it was pressed on her cheek is something she noticed when observing the picture; maybe she's feeding into her delusions but it's there. Bianca takes his hand, dragging him towards a café she's been eyeing for some time, the smell of fresh coffee and oven-baked pastries roaming freely in the air, alluring her in.
˙⊹ ੈ✰ chat with gian! ✰ ੈ⊹˙
hello :)
it's been a little over a month, i've missed you 🫂 i hope you haven't forgotten about me or chris & bianca! my schedule has been crazy lately, there's not much free time for me to prioritize writing on here unlike before. i apologize for making you wait so long! i'm not sure when i'll update again but know i'm always writing whenever i can, even if it's just a few sentences a day.
ummmmmmm..... things will be all over the place next chapter, i already have something silly planned 😅 they'll still be in the cabin and stuff. it's a BIG deal that they're on a holiday together, i obv can't tell you why that'll ruin the surprise but it'll be worth it! you'll get THE chapter sooner than you think ☺️
this is the longest chapter i wrote methinks. 7.9k words full of bianca and chris yaaaaaay, i hope you liked it!
anyway, i just want to briefly say thank you for 147k reads 💌 this wouldn't be possible without your love and support. every day, it shocks me that people actually like and care about what i write :') thank you thank you thank you.
pov: bianca when chris
this is such a long author's note i'm just yapping fr anyway if you ever want to talk to me about literally anything, my dm is always open! :) i love making new friends
i love you, see you soon!
💌
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