AN: And here's the next story in the aforementioned four seasons + napping series, involving Aoko and Kaito! Obviously the season of this one is winter. I hope everyone enjoys!

By the Fireplace

Characters: Aoko Nakamori, Kaito Kuroba

Summary: With a howling blizzard outside, a warm fireplace is the natural place to gather.

"Is there actually hot chocolate in there, or did you just fill up an entire mug with marshmallows?"

"Aoko can assure you, there's definitely hot chocolate in here." Puffing out her cheeks a little as she glanced up at her childhood friend, Aoko took a sip of her hot chocolate to prove it. "See?"

"Oh, you're right." With deft fingers and a cheeky grin, Kaito quickly reached out a hand, snatching one of the marshmallows that littered the surface of her mug, popping it in his mouth before Aoko could even protest. "Forgive me for ever doubting you, Aoko!"

"Geez, if you wanted some marshmallows, you could have just gotten some of your own." Aoko huffed, placing her mug out of Kaito's reach, sending him a challenging look, warning him about what would happen if he tried that again. Knowing better than to press his luck, Kaito simply slid around the sofa, plopping right down next to her.

With the fireplace merrily crackling in front of them, it was easy to forget the blizzard conditions outside. The storm was still howling, raging on, and the weather reports said that it would most likely keep up for the rest of the night. With any luck, however, the storm should clear up for his heist tomorrow night, and they should have clear weather, with a perfect view of the moon.

Kaito Kid hated to break his promises, but even he wasn't foolish enough to try and chance using his hang glider in the middle of a howling blizzard. He was in enough danger as it was from those shady guys, he didn't need to willingly risk his life by trying to pull off a heist in poor weather conditions on top of that. He was quite certain his fans would understand a reason for such a cancellation- and besides, if the moon wasn't out anyways, it wouldn't do him very much good to begin with.

Still, it looked like it wasn't going to end up that way, for which he was glad.

"But yours come pre-soaked with chocolate, and I don't even have to do any work myself! A win-win situation." Kaito lightly joked, even as Aoko shot him a dirty look. It's fierceness was somewhat dampened by the fact that she was curled up in a thick blanket, her legs pulled up underneath it, not even her toes peeking out. "Are you cold, Aoko?"

"A bit." Aoko admitted. "Honestly. So much for a fun skiing trip."

"Well, not that you can really sky anyways." Kaito teased, shrugging his shoulders.

"Aoko's gotten better!" Aoko insisted, puffing out her cheeks once more- which quickly seemed to deflate. "A little bit at least."

"Right, right, I'm sure you have." Kaito said, nodding his head. Well, there was only one place Aoko's skills could go, and that was up. That wasn't really saying much, however. If she just asked him, he'd be happy to teach her, but she was too stubborn to do something like that- and he was too stubborn to offer. "Well the news said the blizzard should die down by tomorrow."

"That's good news." Aoko noted, taking a sip of her hot chocolate again, shooting Kaito a suspicious look as he scooted a bit closer to her. "If dad got hurt trying to chase Kid in such weather, I'd never forgive that sneak thief!"

"Well, I don't think even Kid would try to do a heist in a blizzard." Kaito noted, resisting the urge to steal another one of Aoko's marshmallows. She had so many, surely she could spare a few!

"Well, Aoko supposes that's true." Aoko admitted after a moment, setting down her cup of hot chocolate for the moment, tucking her hands back in underneath her blanket. Just listening to the howling winds outside the lodge gave her the chills, and she could only hope her dad was alright at the location of the heist. He was trapped there for the moment, unable to leave, and she had decided that she was going to wait right here in the lobby until he got back safely.

Even if she was getting a little bit sleepy.

"You know they say it gets warmer when people combine their body heat!" Kaito lightly teased- something which was instantly met by a pillow to the face. As it dropped away from him, he narrowed his eyes, shooting her an accusatory look. "And here I was trying to help."

"Aoko doubts that was your real intention." Aoko huffed, picking up the pillow and putting it back where she had found it, before she darted her hands back underneath her blanket. "Honestly, Kaito."

"I'm sure your dad's fine." Kaito said after a moment, all but sensing her worries. "As long as he stays put where he is, no harm will come to him."

"Aoko knows that." Her voice barely breaking above a whisper, she turned her gaze towards the crackling fire. "But Aoko can't help but be worried anyways."

Kaito's gaze briefly dating down towards Aoko, huddled in her blankets, he couldn't help but frown a little. His own gaze trailing back towards the fire, he racked his brain for something to say, wondering what would be the best. Perhaps... perhaps if he told her everything was going to be alright, because he would stay by her side until her father got back? She wouldn't have to be lonely then.

Just as he opened his mouth to do so, he felt a soft sensation on his shoulder and blinked, glancing down. The fond smile crossed his face at the same time as his cheeks began to turn slightly red, realizing that she'd drifted off to sleep, resting her head on his shoulder. With careful hands, so as to not disturb her, he quickly placed a pillow in his lap, and carefully shifted her so that her head was resting on it.

"Sleep tight, Aoko." Kaito whispered, carefully making sure her blanket covered her up properly. "I'm sure your father will come back safe and sound."