Breathing in then back out, he watched as his warm breath swirled against cold air, a dance of fog against an otherwise spotless night. The steam rose higher before evaporating completely, leaving him alone again in the quiet dawn. As one year slowly died and gave way to the next, he found solace in being able to watch the timeless winter of Ferox refuse to change in accordance to the season or year. It was comforting, knowing that there was at least this constant to root him, should he need to find some sort of anchor.

Though the air stung his eyes if he didn't blink quickly enough and brought a ruddy color to his cheeks, he staunchly refused to go back into the bowels of the castle until he was able to see the sun rise and cast its light over the hills of snow. There were a few things he thought were beautiful- the rugged coasts and salty air along the seas of Chon'sin, the unearthly ruins of temples and gods long gone that dotted Valentia, and the achingly sweet shades of pink to orange that a new years sunrise painted the otherwise monochrome Feroxi landscape. He could risk losing feeling in his hands and face for a bit if it meant he could indulge in this simple moment.

While he was ready to tank the cold, helped in part with the courtesy of fluffy clock Basilio had shoved upon him, he had a feeling that the person responsible for the small clinking noise as she approached might need some help. A pair of familiar arms wrapped themselves gracefully around his waist, and even between the layer of fur he could feel the slight tremor in Olivia's body as the winter air hit her.

"I didn't take you for a fool- Ending and starting your year with a cold is a foolish choice."

Chiding her roughly, he pivoted on his heel, looping behind her with a practiced ease that even a trained dancer would have thought particularly nimble. Cloak swirling as he turned, he brought Olivia under plush folds, wrapping his arms around hers to speed up the warming process. A more whimsical soul would have taken the time as the perfect chance to press their lips against her dainty face, but he was content with knowing she was close; and apparently willing to run out in the dead of night to find him.

Against his wind chapped cheek he felt warmth blossom, both from the set of lips against his skin and his own face coloring at the expected but nonetheless embarrassing show of affection. For as timid as Olivia made herself to be, there were instances like these that made one wonder if she was simply playing her cards to her favor.

Her hands sought to lightly grasp his, running warm fingers against those that were ice cold. As he slowly began thawing with the added help of her presence, Lon'qu's eyes drifted back towards the horizon, only glancing down briefly to make sure that the cloak had properly shielded Olivia from the cold.

His slightly worried gaze was caught by a teasing set of eyes, Olivia's smile mirthful enough to make the corners of her eyes crinkle in amusement.

"If I didn't bring my own furs I knew you'd take care of me. You're quite a gentleman when you want to be."

Leaning against him, she tilted her head up to peer at Lon'qu's face, thinking it cute how serious his expression was no matter what he was doing. Looking towards the horizon and the slight rays that broke the skyline, her melodic voice filled in the gaps of silence.

"What do you see? It's the same sunrise we look at every day, isn't it?"

The hum she got in response was deep enough to feel through his chest, and she shrugged to herself, figuring that was all the answer she would get. But hearing the hum drawl out into the next sentences made her cheeks tint not from cold but from embarrassment.

"I see a future. One where you and I walk side by side. The first year of many."

"You've already proposed to me you know. Don't tell me you forgot."

In response, she felt his fingers twisting the ring on her left hand, an absent minded gesture perhaps, but telling all the same.

"Would you mind it I did do it again? Propose, that is?"

It was her turn now, to twirl on her heel. An easy maneuver even with the tiny amount of space between Lon'qu and the edges of the fur keeping them warm. Facing him now, she could see that her blush was mirrored with his own, and her hands effortlessly slid into his, flingers looping together.

"Oh, there's hope for you yet; Who knew a bashful man like you could be so romantic?"

Giggling, she leaned up on her tiptoes, smiling when she saw him lean down to kiss her. It was brief, but being able to feel the way his lips curved into a smile made her heart flutter. The way the steadily rising sun cast a warm glow over his features certainly didn't hurt the overall image, and together they basked in the first light of the new year.

;;-

Happy new year! It's been a year since this got updated.