Well...SHIT.

"Not gonna pull your back out are you?" A breathy chuckle, and the shovels hitting the layer of ice below the powdery snow in constant clanks before Reggie sighs, resting against it. She'd grown used to seeing him in things aside from the bulky sheriffs coat, nose red from the cold as he meets her gaze. "No promises. This ice just won't-" Another clank, ice cracking dully. "Go." She presses her cold hands inside her pockets with a low shiver, taking another step forward closer to the older akomish as he almost violently hits the ice. "Ever heard of salt."

"Out of it. Too slick to get more." A thoughtful nod as she watches him work. Two months. Two months since Augustine, since Delsin thought he was going to be the last Rowe. It's incredible how much had changed in such little time. Reggie was taking less time at on work, which overjoyed the smoke conduit because 'c'mon man, live a little, find someone to come home to.' Eugene was a bit more out of his shell, brighter smiles and hood up less often. Everyone was growing...eyes glance up at the officers face, a knowing smirk coming onto her face. Including them. Sadly she'd never figured out what exactly he meant on the hike; something brushed off in the past that really would make things more complicated than they already are between them, but it made her realize somethings about herself. About how she felt for the office.

She knew this much, he was attractive. He wasn't as much as a dick as she'd assumed.

And the feelings were mutual on some fucked up scale. Were either ready to move into that? That was a good question. They'd had moments of temptation to do something. What, she wasn't sure. Skirting glances, brief touches. Things they could get away with the more time the two conduits spent at the Rowe household. It was incredible Delsin hadn't caught on to them. They used to butt heads constantly. Now if they bickered, it was banter. Teasing, pushing their luck of humor. It was an oddly pleasant tension, but it made her wonder if things would ever expand. It was like they were circling around one another, waiting for the other to make a move. A negative or positive move. Just something to get them advancing, instead of the stagnant game of cat and mouse. It was a frustrating routine that made her want to just shake him screaming for answers. For a yes or no. Other times it was a silly thrill for her-to catch his gaze over Delsins shoulder when he welcomed her, to know he was there but not there. Not paying attention, and it makes her realize she's hyper aware of his presence. Of the sound of the truck when he comes home, or the thump of his boots around the house when they're hidden away in Delsins room playing something Eugene brought or lazing about.

It was like a crush, how they're suddenly everywhere you are. Of course it's hard to avoid him hanging around his house. The sound of the shovel cracking against the ice brings her from her inner monologue, Reggies face screwed in concentrating so damned hard to get a break in the frozen water. Green eyes catch the flash of his hands, uncovered and gripped around the shovel like it was leeching warmth. She frowns, souring her own expression and stepping forward to snatch the shovel. She gets a frown back, probably equally cold lips parting to complain before she takes his hands. "Hush your mouth." Her own warm from hiding her coat trying so hard to cover so hard to cover all of his larger hands. He's looking down, quiet as she rubs and forces him to flex his fingers, getting blood flowing until they feel somewhat decent to her. "Moron, not wearing gloves." She mutters, scrunching her shoulders at a gust of wind cutting against her face, whipping her fading pink hair. She needed to get it touched up, she just kept forgetting. He must huff, because she feels a small gust of warmer air on the top of her head as his hands separate from hers.

"I'll wear gloves if you wear a hat." She flinches just a bit when something warm comes onto her head, flaps covering her cold reddened cheeks and blocking the window from her face. She wants to objects, lightly punching his chest and not at all surprised when he hardly flinches. It was moments like this that temptation grew, to just ask him. Ask him what she meant to him, and either leaves hardened or..with someone that cared about her. But that was easier said than done, to open up to someone and let them dig in there and decide if they wanted what was there or not. Reggie was a good man, with morals and people that saw him as a man. A hero. She was just...a junkie. An angry conduit that killed her own brother, broken.

"Fetch." She lifts her head at his voice, wish she hadn't that very moment because he's doing it again. Stripping past her walls and reaching for that scared girl instead of the badass, asking for her. It's there also. That softness; a whole new type of warmth that makes her feel so cornered, defenseless against his silent assault.

"That's my name." The snark is hard to get out, glancing down and away from his gaze for a moment before she meets it again. She's expecting a remark, a grunt and a knock it off. But he doesn't, he's bowing his head towards her and it's one of those moments again, where they forget their boundaries, that they're not a thing but oh, it sure as hell feels like it sometimes. He's just so damn-good at breaking down her resolve and making her lose track of herself. She's getting on her toes, planning to meet him in the middle and how the hell is he warmer than her in this weather and she feels it, just a small brush of chill lips meeting before-

"Hey, Reg! You won't believe what I found!" A short curse leaves her and they're both flinching away, a sigh from the older Rowe leaving its mark in the freezing air.

"I hope it was an extra shovel, this is unbelievable." Delsin nearly barrels down the small few stairs in front of the house, slipping and flailing against the ice in spastic movements. A short careful leaves Reggie, instinct from years of caring for the smoke conduit. Once the beanie wearers feet slowed and steadied, he straightens himself up with that bright grin on his face, adjusting his green-how festive- beanie aopt his head.

"Even better, I found that old Santa suit dad used to wear." Reggie makes a face, and this time he gives a grunt.

"That things probably rags by now."

"Nah man it's in good shape! I was thinking you could-"

"Hell no." A pout now, Delsins lip jutting out dramatically.

"Aw c'mon man! It'd be great for the kids." Fetch glances between them, amusement eating at the quirk of her mouth. She notices something little, and it almost amazes her as she sees the tips of Reggie's ears redden deeper. too red to be from the cold.

Oh my god, he's blushing.

The amazement makes her zone out of the rest of the conversation, trying not gawk in sheer aw at the fact he fucking blushes from his ears, coming back when Delsin whines, taking his brothers arms and shaking. "C'mon! Please?!"

"No, Delsin!"

"You're just worried you'll be called fat." He groans, rubbing his face in exasperation at his brothers persistance. Of course, he wouldn't be Delsin without it.

"Fine. One day. Nothing more."

"Christmas day?"

"Oh for-fine." Delsin laughs, something almost evil and rushes away calling his thanks, more skip in his step as he heads up the houses' stairs. Fetch bites her lip, crossing her arms over her stomach as she watches his shoulders ease when he releases another sigh. It's entertaining, how different the two are. Night and Day. Yet so alike in different ways.

"So," She starts, kicking snow and Reggie's rolling his eyes, knowing what's coming. "Santa?"

"No pictures."

"Why so sore? I think you'll make a great Santa. All Jolly." She laughs and steps froward again, pausing before toying with a flap on his jacket. The moment of tension has gone away, easing her back into her place between wanting it all and not, between surrendering and fighting until the end. "Got the gut for it." He's pouting now, and she no longer fights the thought that it's cute, grinning brighter at his ears.

"Charming." A shrug, tugging him closer and he's fighting his own smile.

"Naturally." The kiss is surprisingly sweet, brief and he's pulling away again, picking up the shovel and turning to her.

"Well, you coming in?" Her grin grows, nudging him as they head back inside, nearly slipping on their asses on the ice.

There's time to figure things out, right? Why bother with it now?

So this chapter has been on my a03 a long time, and so has chapter 5. Life just got so ahead of me that I submitted to what felt easiest (bc lemme tell you, being a year or two away from FF kind of makes me realize I was a damn EXPERT before I slacked off. What I'm trying to say is, I'm terribly sorry about leaving this hanging. I was surprised to get an influx of reviews for it the last couple months, and it really lifted my spirits. So thank you, those who reviewed even though its a two year old, uncompleted story. You kicked me in my motivational rear.

I plan to update it both here and on AO3 from this point on, including (maybe) other projects I've done over my time gone. But since I'm in school, I can't guruntee they'll update at the EXACT same times.

So if you want to check out more of my stuff, hop over there! I'm Mad_Merry

And thank you all again so much for your never-ending feedback. It was, and still is a treat.