Stepping outside from the Davis' home, Casey was immediately met by the pristine Canadian air. Casey stood on the porch for a moment to watch as snow began to lightly fall and add to the already snow-covered ground.

"Smerek!" Casey heard her step-sister squeal with laughter. "That doesn't go there!"

Casey turned her head to find both Marti and Derek in the later stages of making a snowman. Derek currently was placing the carrot on top of the snowman's head, instead of in the usual area where his nose should be.

"It's our snowman, we can do whatever we want," Derek proclaimed, trying to convince Marti to his inane accessory placement.

"But I don't want it there, Smerek," the young girl insisted.

"Where's your creativity, Smarti," the teenage boy asked, beginning to tickle Marti feverously. The young girl was protesting to her oldest brother to stop in-between all her laughter, but Derek seemed relentless.

A warm smile made its way across Casey's features as she watched the brother and sister interact. She had always had a weakness towards guys who were good with children, but with Derek, a certain flame flickered within her unlike any other.

It was in these moments that she couldn't refuse her attraction towards him. It was like when he finally put his shield down, it was easier for Casey to acknowledge his good traits.

A small smack was then felt against her abdomen, breaking her from her thoughts. Scrunching her eyebrows, Casey looked down at her coat to see remnants of a snowball still latched there.

"Hey, Spacey!" Derek called out with a smirk.

"Der-ek!" she yelled, realizing he had to be the one to throw the aforementioned snowball at her.

She marched down Emily's front steps and over to their front yard where Derek and Marti were standing. Getting closer, she reached down to pick up a small pile of snow and threw it in Derek's direction.

He dodged her attempt of revenge. "You're such a girl," he said, laughing delightfully at her miss.

"You're so infuriating," she yelled, stomping her foot down angrily. Derek's grin broadened.

"Casey, tell Smerek that the carrot is for the snowman's nose, not a horn!" the little girl spoke up, pointing to the snowman.

"I will, Marti," Casey told her, eyeing Derek. "But while I tell Derek, why don't you go inside and find a hat to put on the snowman," she suggested, giving the girl an animated smile.

Marti's eyes lit up and she quickly raced inside the house in search for a hat.

When Marti was fully in the house, Casey slowly walked closer to Derek and the snowman. "A horn? Really Derek? Why can't you just let her have the snowman the way she wants?"

Derek took the carrot out from atop the snowman's head. "Hey, you're lucky I gave him a horn instead of just making him horn-y," he explained, wiggling his eyebrows as he placed the carrot lower on the snowman's body.

"Der-ek!" she screeched, pushing him. "Take that out before Marti comes back!"

"Gosh, Case. Have a little humor."

"No," Casey refused, crossing her arms. "Now take out the carrot and put it where Marti wants it."

"Maybe she'll want it there," he said with a nonchalant shrug.

Casey practically growled at him. She then reached down to grab the carrot, but Derek grabbed her by the waist, spinning her around in an effort to keep her away from the snowman.

"Der-ek!" she yelled, trying to get past him after he put her down. "Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"Because it's entertaining," he stated simply with a sly smile as he successfully kept her from the snowman.

"You can't let your sister see Frosty so…corrupted!" she said, gesturing to it.

"It's corrupting to have a boner?" Derek asked over a laugh.

"When it involves a nine-year old's innocence and a children's holiday figure: YES!" she replied exasperatedly.

Derek snickered further, which increased Casey's irritation tenfold. She pushed Derek in hopes to finally get past him, but he caught her arms, holding them from any further hitting or shoving.

Casey struggled against him, trying to break free, but could not. "Derek let me go!"

"Why?" he said, still wrestling with her, "So you can mangle me? No way!"

"I wouldn't have to mangle you if you just let me go and take that damn carrot off the snowman!" she told him.

"But where's the fun in that?" he asked, smirking down at her playfully.

"Is this all just so you can get a rise out of me?"

Derek chuckled. "Pretty much," he admitted. "It's very easy to get you agitated, and over the littlest of things too." She could see the cool mist of his breath floating through the crisp air, and suddenly Casey was very aware of their proximity. Casey immediately stopped fighting against him.

"Why'd you stop?" he wondered, frowning slightly.

They were only a foot pace apart. Derek was still holding her, but his hands somehow had traveled to her upper arms in their squabble. A snowflake then fell onto one of his long eyelashes and Casey felt like she was suddenly under a spell. She was captivated by how long they were and by the eyes that lay further behind them, like two golden honey hues. His cheeks were flushed by the cold and his lips, oh his lips, looked so warm despite the freezing temperatures of winter.

"Case?" she saw his lips move around her name and she shivered. "Casey," he further called, shaking her this time.

Casey jumped lightly, finally breaking out of the trace she had been in. "Sorry," was all she said.

"You really are spacey," Derek told her, but from his tone it felt more affectionate than teasing. His arms rubbed up and down her arms.

She doesn't know if it was the warmth from his hands, the affectionate tone of his words, or the spell's lingering effects – maybe it was a bit of all three plus more – but something inside her made her take a step forward and kiss Derek.

Just like how she suspected moments before, his lips were somehow warm against her own. She felt his hands snake up her arms until they cupped her face. From there he tilted her face to a degree of his liking as he deepened it, showing off his expertise in this field tremendously. Casey held back a moan of pleasure from escaping as his tongue dipped into her mouth and tangled with hers.

After a minute, they parted. Derek rested his forehead on her own, both their breath labored. "What was that for?" Derek wondered, chuckling lightly under his words.

"I – I don't know," Casey stuttered. "I'm sorry," she continued, beginning to back away from his contact.

But Derek took the back of her head to keep her in place against him. "Don't be," he said, "if only this means you'll do that more often."

Casey laughed. "Really?"

"Mmhmm," Derek let out. Then, as if proving his point, he began to trail kisses along her face, starting with her forehead and ending with a chaste peck against her lips. "So what do you say?" he asked, whispering against her lips.

"I think we can work something out. Maybe starting with being nicer to me?" she propositioned, her fingers fingering the zipper of his winter coat.

Derek frowned, but sighed, giving in. "I guess…"

"You could start by taking out that carrot," Casey pointed out.

Derek looked back at the snowman and laughed. "You have to admit, it's hilarious," he said, turning back to Casey.

Casey couldn't fight the grin off her face. "Yes, it's funny, but not something Marti should -"

"Casey? Smerek? Do snowmans have pee-pees?" Marti exclaimed loudly, pointing at the carrot. "I want my snowman to have a pee-pee!" She giggled at the idea.

"…see…" Casey lamely finished, blushing, while Derek cackled beside her. Their parents were going to kill them.

A/N: So, this idea just sorta came out of nowhere today, but I have to say this is one of my favorites. Did you like it? I'd love to hear your thoughts! So, please review! As always, thanks for reading!