A/N: So this is something I wrote for an assignment in my Creative Writing class... Granted, by the time I turn it in, I'll have changed the names and Bato will be a woman... But uh... yeah.

Incase you were wondering, the assignment gave us a very specific pattern to follow. A is having a conflict with values, setting, continue with conflict, view of person B, saying. B replies and does something. Etc, etc, etc.

Hakoda contemplated his upcoming marriage; he loved his betrothed dearly, but his heart belonged to another. The snow here melted off into the tide, revealing the smooth rocks underneath- this spot was isolated from his village. He had shared this place- his thinking place- only with his heart's desire. The crunching of snow behind him indicated another presence, he need not look to know who it was. "Weather is perfect for fishing, don't you think?"

"Perfect for a wedding as well…" Bato replied, sitting beside him on the snow dune.

A cool breeze whipped his hair into his face, stinging sharply when it struck. "Fate made me chief and it's my duty…" The breeze picked up, sending a chill down his spine, "…To marry her."

"I know that." A gloved hand rested on his shoulder. "And, unfortunately, I have to accept it."

The warm hand only escalated the chill coursing through his body. "And you know…"

"Tell me anyway." Voice wistful as he rested his head against Hakoda's shoulder.

"I'll always love you."

"And I will always be waiting."

A brief moment of silence accompanied by nuzzling. His heart melted like the snow in the tide.

"I'm sorry." Hakoda whispered, tilting his love's head up to meet his tender gaze.

"Be mine, if only for now… Please." Bato leaned forward to touch their foreheads together, lips parted, wanting, begging to be kissed.

"It'll only make the pain worse later…" He lifted a hand to run through thick locks.

Closing the distance between them, he placed a light kiss on wind-chapped lips. "I need you."

His arms wrapped around his secret lover. "Only for tonight, Bato."

"And tomorrow…"

"Tomorrow I will belong to her."

"Please make me forget that until then…"

Heat filled his groin as his partner straddled him. Melting snow soaked into the cloth of his pants, freezing the backsides of his thighs. Warm breath tickled his neck, his senses reeled. One last affair before his marriage, one last chance to enjoy this feeling. "Only for you."