A soft grunt passes through a set of lips as a heavy log is lifted into the fire. Hands jerk back to shield a face with a semi-bored expression as the log falls, causing sparks and embers to fly into the air with a soft floof. The same hand lifts an iron poker and guides the log into a more secure position before withdrawing and replacing the grate. The male to which the hands belong rises and stretches, one arm straight up, the other bent behind his head.

The deep [e/c] eyes of a smiling girl watch him from the couch, a fleece blanket draped over her shoulders with many more across her lap. She watches the dark-eyed male return to his place beside her beneath the blankets as he speaks. "What a troublesome time for your power to go out, [name]."

"Oh, I don't mind it so much," [name] replies with a smile, lightly leaning against him. "It keeps you close."

Shikamaru gives her a half smirk and sighs. "Yes, well, I did have plans for you tonight. But seeing as I can't do a thing without power, they've all been tossed out the window right into that troublesome blizzard."

"Plans?" This piques [name]'s interest, as this is the first she has heard of his plans for tonight. "What plans?"

"Might as well tell you now, I suppose." He shifts and snuggles down, leaning against her arm, and his hand slides down until his fingers can weave through hers. "I know how much you like Christmas, so I was actually going to make cookies with you."

"Christmas cookies?!" [name]'s [e/c] eyes widen in surprise.

"Yes, cookies," he murmurs with a patient smile. "We were going to bake cookies and decorate some of them… although now that I think about it, the ingredients I brought are probably frozen solid by now."

[name] allows her eyes to shut as she leans her head against his, a smile gracing her lips. "Tell me more about these plans."

"I was actually going to help you make dinner." His free arm slides around her shoulders, drawing her closer, fingers trailing lightly through the [h/c] locks. "What's more, I was going to do most of the work."

"Oh, what a nice change!" She giggles at the thought of Shikamaru in an apron.

"Hey, don't laugh," he murmurs as a frown lightly creases his brow.

"I'm not laughing at you!" [name] smiles up at him.

"Then why are you laughing?"

"Oh, I just have a frilly flower apron and thought about you wearing it." The girl smothers a fit of giggles at the incredulous look on his face. With a light snort of amusement, he finally continues speaking.

"That was really about it… other than what we're doing now." He smiles a little as she gazes up at him.

"Well, other than your plans being spoiled by the snow, it sounds like the perfect evening, Shikamaru… a Christmas to remember." [name]'s eyes shine with the same warmth as her smile, which is something he has always enjoyed about her company.

"Oh, well… perhaps there was one thing more."

[name]'s eyes brighten with curiosity. "One more?"

Shikamaru's hand releases hers then surfaces from the blankets holding a small velvet box, open to reveal a delicate diamond ring sparkling in the firelight. "Yes, one more… will you marry me, [name]?"