Saying it was cold would be an understatement. It was absolutely frigid. There was warmth underneath the covers, but Vanya knew that if she so much as peered over them then she'd freeze. She'd seen icicles were forming outside of the window for crying out loud! There was snow! It might be the middle of December, but it didn't have any right to be so cold inside the building.

The Hargreeves heating system seldom broke, but it appeared that that night was an exception. Of course, it could turn out to be one of Hargreeves's sick punishments. Heaven knew that that man had quite a few, and Hell probably knew about them too. Of course, if this was a punishment for her latest incitement of his wrath, then Vanya figured that it was pretty mild.

She was starting to wonder if it was a new kind of torture though. Instead of getting one really huge punishment, she'd have several stretched out over a few weeks. It was sort of like Chinese water torture, one little thing at a time. Well, she wouldn't crack, even though everything was mounting up against her.

Already she'd been grounded. Then she'd been all but locked into her room with almost everything taken away. Vanya was starting to feel like she was under some sort of house arrest. All of her contact with Kraken had been cut off, and she wasn't even allowed to speak to him if she did, by some odd twist of fate, manage to see him. She'd figured something of that sort would happen, but not to this extent.

At least Pogo came every now and then to talk or give her a book. He never broached the subject of why she was being punished in the first place though. Perhaps Hargreeves had told him not to. That must've been the reason. She doubted it was because he agreed with him. Still, even if Pogo did side with Hargreeves it wasn't going to change her mind.

Vanya snuggled deeper into the duvet as she thought about the meeting that had taken place three weeks ago. Things certainly had taken a turn for the more uncomfortable and dangerous lately. The word "Obviously" had ignited a hailstorm of consequences, ending in her all but imprisoned in her room. Now she had spent weeks in there. She'd be returning to the college campus the next day, so at least she knew when it would end. It had been a thoroughly miserable set of weeks though. All she could do was go through her room to the adjoining bathroom.

Yet, she was still unrepentant, so to speak. She refused to see that there was something wrong with what she had done. Now if only-

"Damn it's cold in here. Think it might actually be warmer outside if you get my drift."

Forgetting that the room could've been a freezer Vanya jerked the duvet back from over her head. Ignoring the blast of cold air she peered into the darkness. Despite the blackness she could make out two blue eyes and a mischievous look.

"Diego?"

"One and only," he grinned, closing the window behind him.

"Yeah," she said, drawing the blanket back again, "That sounds like you. It probably isn't a dream then. Just my luck."

"Come on," he said, kneeling on the bed next to her, "You sound almost as if you're not happy to see me."

"It's freezing," she snapped.

He looked at her speculatively for a moment. Then he grinned again.

"Move over."

"What?"

Instead of answering her he climbed onto the bed and started to get under the covers.

"You're freezing!" she exclaimed

"Hell," he snorted impatiently, "Of course I'm cold. I came through the window. Had to lower myself down from the roof. I actually scraped my hands on icicles."

There was an accusing subtext there that Vanya didn't miss. Kraken wasn't exactly subtle. The good old I've-come-all-this-way-to-see-you-and-now-you're-mad. Worked every time.

"I get it, I get it," she said, feigning reluctance but allowing him to wrap his arms around her.

"Now that's better," he murmured, laying a chaste kiss to the back of her neck.

He paused for a minute before pulling her a little closer, almost protectively.

"Heating's not out in the rest of the building," he said.

"Thought so," sighed Vanya.

She felt him breathe out against the back of her neck.

"I'm gonna kill that bastard."

"Nothing you can do."

"He's not allowed to hurt you."

"While I appreciate the sentiment I reiterate; there's nothing you can do."

"I should've known," Kraken muttered, "I should've known that Space would come looking for me. And I shouldn't have been…"

"It was a freak accident," Vanya said, "Don't beat yourself up about it."

His only response was silence. Sighing she rolled over she could face him, moving closer to him almost habitually. They'd done this many times before after all.

"It was bound to happen sooner or later," she said, "but we're still together, right?"

"Right," Kraken agreed, "Only thing is that now we've lost almost the entire break. He might not even let you back for the next one. Damn Hargreeves."

The idea of not coming back hurt. Yet, she managed to swallow her discomfort enough to say;

"It's not so bad. I'll see you again sometime."

She saw him shake his head.

"How the hell can you not be mad at me?" he asked.

"For what?"

"Getting caught. Not coming sooner. Pick your choice."

She laughed and hit him playfully.

"You just blame yourself too much," she said.

"And you don't blame me enough," he said.

Vanya laughed again, and then there was a slight pause. Kraken moved his face closer until she could feel his nose touching hers.

"How did I manage with you gone these past few months?" he murmured huskily, "I'm going to miss you like hell when you leave."

A sharp pain welled up in her chest.

"Me too," she whispered, "but I'll see you again. Just don't give up on me, okay?"

He lowered his head down so his lips were resting in the hollow of her throat. She could feel them whisper their promise against her skin as he said;

"Never. You're mine."

She tightened her hold on him and let one hand slide to the back of his head. Kraken sighed and she felt his hot breath move across her throat. Tracing her collarbone he left a burning trail of kisses. He stopped his kisses a few inches below her jaw as she slide her hands to his chest. Just when they were resting on his collarbone she felt his teeth skim her skin. She had to bite her lip to keep back a moan.

Using what was left of her coherent thoughts she slipped her hands under his shirt. Now it was his turn to stifle a moan. She gave a breathy laugh.

"Some send-off."

Kraken grinned before descending on her lips once more. After that, there was no more talking.