Disclaimer: Don't own, never will. (pout)

Well, well, well. I can't say why I decided to try on a little Darren Shan saga oneshot at the moment, especially since I am working on an infinite number of oneshots for my Artemis Fowl fic, as well as two oneshots and a multichaptered fic for the Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy. …none of them are really going well, so why shouldn't I try something new yet again?

Set before the first book began, way before, when Steve and Darren are still children and human…and all. Lil bit of innocent fluff implied, but who can blame 'em? They're kids in this fic! Enjoy.

Winter's Allure

Winter had always managed to strike sunny days in spite of all its crystalline flurries. The sky would shine blue like the clearest of gems; maybe even more precious than those. Sun would glitter upon the fresh white snow, and this wasn't the powdery, flour-like snow that melted in street corners as soon as it came. This was the real snow, the beautiful aftereffects of a blizzard or snowstorm. It echoed peace when untouched, echoed chaos and laughter when trodden on.

"Steve! I found a spider!" called out a young voice, carrying over the snow on the deserted backyard.

Whirling around, features already broadcasting excitement and anticipation, Steve Leopard had perhaps a fraction of a second to see Darren's mischievous face before receiving a tightly-packed snowball to the face. Howling with glee, shaking his head like a dog, Steve tackled his friend blindly. Laughing, they both hit the ground, snow spraying all around them.

Despite the fact his nine-year-old best friend was currently on top of him, and that his winter coat was quickly getting soaked and covered in flakes, Darren couldn't stop laughing. "I gotcha! I gotcha!" he repeated over and over, a giddy smile overtaking his features.

Steve grabbed a fistful of loosely-packed snow and thrust it in Darren's face. The boy immediately began to shiver beneath him and Steve got off so Darren could wipe the snow from his eyes. Teeth chattering, the two stood up again, eyes sparkling with the excitement of having a whole afternoon to themselves while Darren's family was out. It was just a backyard; but for the next few hours, it would serve as a haven.

Grinning, Steve decided now would be a good time to get Darren back for that surprise snowball attack. Reaching down, he scooped a fistful of snow and chucked it at his friend, yelling, "Snowball fight!"

"Yeah!" Darren cheered, game for Steve's idea. For a while, the two chased each other, bending down whenever necessary to scoop up some snow. Eventually, the two tired out, and Darren threw himself at his best friend. They collapsed to the ground, wrestling and rolling over the snow. All this time, the giggles never stopped.

"I love…the winter…" Panting, Steve detangled himself from Darren and lay next to him on his side. He faced his friend, giving him a thumbs up.

"Me too…"

"Darren…"

"Stevie…" Darren teased.

The dark-haired boy growled lightly and frowned at his best friend. Within a few seconds, though, his face went back to normal and he smiled. "Think we'll be best friends forever, Darren?" he asked, voice high-pitched with innocence and youth.

It didn't take long for Darren to decide. "Of course, Stevie…I'll always be your best friend."

They hugged, still lying down on the snow, smiles flickering in between the two. Shared smiles, nothing held back. Best. Friends.

The snow fell all around them. Winter always had its charms.

End

Sorry it's so short, but more fics are (hopefully…) on the way since I loved writing this.