A/N: Okay, so this one is really kind of short. BUT, I was stuck driving around in snow today and hanging out with my family. Which isn't really much of an excuse, but still. And, it's late. D: Though only by twenty minutes. If I lived in Hawaii, it wouldn't be late... Okay, enough with excuses. I had the hardest time writing this, mostly because I haven't been able to play a lot of ToT, so I really have no idea what Tao's personality is supposed to be like. I hope I got it right, and I think that despite its shortness, most people will like this oneshot. I hope. So, NOYB, I hope you like this, since you requested this pairing. :) That said, I have no idea what I'm going to do for the next chapter, so if someone wants to request a pairing, I'm all ears.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon or any of its characters or plots. This fanfiction is merely for recreational purposes.

Winter Wonderland
December 19, 2008
Tao x Akari

It was well past noon, and Tao was nowhere to be found. Inside the Sundae Inn, that is. I was waiting patiently for him at one of the tables, downing glass after glass of water. I'd probably need to pee really bad in a bit. The laid-back fisherman was supposed to give me a fishing lesson that afternoon, even though it was snowing and below freezing.

"Fishing is a year-round hobby," he'd reminded me in his ever gentle voice. "Plus, you were the one that asked for lessons."

I sighed and looked around the Inn once more. Nope, still no sign of him. Maybe he forgot…?

I thanked Kathy for letting me stay for a while and walked out into Waffle Town. If he forgot, then he was going to get it. I hated being stood up. And dammit, I was not going to be stood up by Tao of all people. Beginning my search for Tao, I decided to stop by the pier and check the Fish Shop.

"Sorry. Tao hasn't come by today. He's probably off sitting at home or something," Ozzie said, sitting behind the counter with a fish in hand.

I nodded my thanks and set out for Tao's house. Oh, he was so going to get it.

Trudging into Maple Lake District, I was distracted for a moment by that lake that had recently been frozen over. Everything here looked beautiful; even the few weeds scattered along the ground were made pretty by frozen dew drops and a dusting of snow. It was truly a winter wonderland. As I took in everything around me, I noticed the large, towering poof of white that was known as Ben's Tree. I also noticed that there was something leaning against its trunk. Or someone.

Curiously, I walked towards the tree and paused when I realized who it was. It was Tao, sitting against the trunk, his head lolling off to the side. His fishing pole was in the snow next to him.

"Tao?" I started sprinting towards him, kicking up snow in my wake. I swiftly let go of my anger towards him as panic took over. He wasn't hurt, right? Oh goddess, please let him be okay.

"Tao!" I fell into the snow beside him on my knees and grabbed his shoulders. "Hey, come on, get up!" I shook him desperately, trying to hold back tears. After a minute, I gave up and dropped my hands from his shoulders. "Tao…"

"Eh, what?" I looked up in disbelief to see that he was drowsily opening his eyes and looking around confusedly.

"Tao!" In a moment of glee, I threw myself at the fisherman, wrapping my arms around him. "You're alive!"

"I… was taking a nap," he said slowly, probably wondering what in the world was going on.

"You dummy! Don't ever scare me like that again!" I tried to sound angry, but I was too relieved.

"Akari?"

"Yeah?"

"You can get off me, now."

"Oh, ah, right," I quickly stood up and held out a hand to help him up.

"Sorry for tackling you. I was just worried," I apologized, looking away to hide my blush.

After wiping off his clothes and picking up his fishing rod, Tao turned to face me. "It's okay. We all do weird things when we're in love," he said completely straight-faced. "Now, how about that fishing lesson?" He walked off towards the direction of the beach without waiting for me to say anything.

When… we're… in love? What?!

"HEY! GET BACK HERE!" I chased after Tao, shaking my fist in the air. "WHEN DID I EVER SAY I WAS IN LOVE WITH YOU?!"