Disclaimer: I don't own HM or their characters :)

Note: I just like writing about them :3

Winter had blown in full force this year. Icy gales turned the fruitful, plush landscape into a barren, snow-filled wonderland. Even the waves of the gulf sea sparkled like diamonds underneath the gaze of the muted sun. It was truly a beautiful season on the pristine island. I would have adored it if I could have hibernated inside my house, buried under a mountain of blankets with the wooden stove blazing. Alas, I was not so lucky.

I had told myself that I would set things straight with him the next day. However, before I knew it three days had passed bringing around the 8th of Winter. It wasn't that I was incredibly busy, winter was actually a pretty slow time for me, even when considering the flowers that flourished in the chilly atmosphere. I just never found the opportune moment to make the hike all they way up to the carpenter's shop. I hated that hike. Even with the shortcut that Luke had cleared earlier in the year it was a trip I tried to avoid. I'd make my rounds once or twice a season though, so I ended up there on occasion. Usually I'd fill a bag with vegetables leftover from the harvest, the ones not good enough to ship, and offer them to the folk that had been unusually kind to me when I was starting out. Of course, the primary person on that list (after the mayor, I suppose, after all he did arrange everything) was Dale. I feel like I owe him much more than vegetables for the initial house that he had built, but he says that the new business I bring in is payment enough. I guess that makes me an investment.

After the last encounter with his son I had decided to postpone my end-of-the-season rounds. I had pickled and jammed the last bit of the harvest to ship out, but still had a few things left that I myself wouldn't consume. I really hated seeing things go to waste, so with a 'harumph' I packed a canvas sack with the vegetables that I had preserved by keeping outside and set off, bracing myself for a long haul in freezing weather. This was a good plan. I could get rid of the crops and clear things up with Luke, if he happened to be there.

I really hated that hike. Uphill. In the snow. Both ways.

The bell over the door to Dale's Carpentry chimed as I rushed in the door, slamming it behind me before the wind had a chance to follow me in. I looked around the strangely hazy shop, inhaling the warmth along with a good portion of sawdust. Dale wasn't at his typical spot behind the counter, but i doubt he'd stray for long. Setting my bag down I entered further, following the cloud of dust that drifted out of the next room. I leaned against the frame that divided the room and peered in.

Luke.

I should have known. His back was towards me, hovering over whatever it was that was creating the haze of wood particles. The red t-shirt that stretched across his back had transitioned to rust, and the blue sheen of his hair dulled to a dark gray. His track jacket had been strewn haphazardly across the corner of the table, the neon green sleeves peeping out beneath hills of debri. It looked as if he had been there for hours, but I couldn't imagine him sitting still for that amount of time. I wondered briefly where his bandana was, but from what I could see the unbound, jagged locks suited him.

"Akari?" Dale called from the shop door, stomping his boots to free them from the snow before stepping inside. Bo tracked in behind him, mimicking his actions.

"Eh? Ah, Hey Dale, I just stopped by to..." THUD! All three of us froze.

"Arrrrrgh...!" Luke's voice growled, followed by lesser thuds, a crash, a drawer slamming, a wooshing noise, and a 'dude stop! just go!' from Bo, the only one to have gone to check and see what happened. Dale just grumbled and took up his usual spot at the counter, flipping through the pages of a now dusty account book. He sneezed.

"Didn't think you'd need an entire tree for that, boy!" he called over his shoulder.

"Pops!" Luke chided as he flew across the main room, stopped suddenly and... posed? His arm was propped up against the wall, supporting his weight, with the opposite hand on his hip. One leg crossed over the other in a rediculous contrapposto. It might have been attractive had he not been coated in sawdust, wearing his jacket inside out with his bandana tied around his head like a milkmaids'.

"Yo." He said, nonchalantly, but I wasn't buying it. The 'hey, thanks for coming, I was expecting you' smile was a nice touch though.

"yeah.." I murmured as I turned around to pick up the bag I had brought for Dale.

"Whoa!" Luke cried out behind me. goddess, what now? "How'd you know!" he grabbed the canvas bag from me and plopped it on the counter, golden eyes gleaming with excitement as he pulled out a head of spinach. "These are my favorite!" he exclaimed, his smile widening.

"They for me?"

I should have said no. I should have told him that i was just trying to show my appreciation to his father. I should have told him the truth. Should have, should have, should have, but I didn't. I had never met anyone who could get that excited over a vegetable before. So I shrugged helplessly, glancing at Dale, who shrugged back. Luke perceived this as confirmation that it was indeed a gift for him. Strike one...

"You rock, Akari!" he shouted, hoarding the rest of the spinach heads in his arms. "Arrrgh! This is so awesome!"

I sneezed. This was not going well, so i did the only thing I could think of: changed the subject.

"I'll stop by later to talk about the additions to the coop, Dale." I said, trying my best to ignore the leaves of spinach that were dancing in the air. "Would it be okay if you got started early next week?"

"Hmm" he opened the log and browsed down a list that he had made. "Should be fine, just let me know when you're ready"

"Hey! I get to work on your place next week? Awesome!" Luke chimed in, dropping the spinach. Mostly on the floor, though I'm certain that he was aiming for counter. Strike two... I needed to leave before I got myself into any more trouble.

"Great. I'll see you later then" I said towards Dale, I hoped the smile I was wearing hid how awkward I was feeling. I waved goodbye and let myself out, reluctant to deal with the weather but eager to be anywhere else. I groaned. That had not gone well at all. I was half-way to the blacksmith's shop when I heard a "Hey! Wait!" behind me. I paused and turned.

"Hey, you got plans for tomorrow?" Luke asked as he jogged up behind me.

"I'm working." I stated as I resumed my pace.

"Tuesday?"

"Working."

"Next week?"

"Working."

"Aww, come on! Just meet me for lunch!"

"no."

"Dinner?..."

"no."

His persistence continued until we were well past the entrance to Brownie Ranch. I had planned on meeting up with Kathy before heading home, but if he kept following me I'd have to skip it. Being caught on an afternoon stroll with Luke was the last thing I wanted and I probably would have agreed to most anything to avoid it.

"FINE!" Strike three...

"... really?"

"Arrrgh! Just... fine, okay! Now go away!" I kept walking.

"Yeaaaaah! How bout next week when I'm at your place?"

"Arrrgh!"

"Awesome! Man, I'm so stoked! Well, see ya later!"

Finally. I glanced over my shoulder to make sure he was really leaving. I saw him sprint down the lane at full speed, jumping once with his fist in the air before disappearing behind the boulder that marked the seperation of the districts.

"Great..." I grumbled turning back, tripping over Kathy. Now I was really cold. The road may have been cleared of all the snow, but it was still freezing.

"Just great..."

"What in the blazes was that about?" she asked, not bothering to offer her assistance just yet.

"I.. don't... know!" I whined at her polished cowboy boots.

"Sounds to me like..." she said, finally reaching out a hand to help me back up. "you..." she snickered "have a..." she snickered again "date?"

I glared at her.

"With Luke?"

I punched her arm.

"Okay, okay, just spill!" She led me over to the fences where she immediately hoisted herself up, notching a boot around the post.

So I explained piece by piece, still unable to comprehend how this all fit together in a sensible fashion, I leaned back against the fence, scratching my head.

"I think y'all are both idiots" she finally said, which didn't really help my predicament.

"You have any advice I could actually use?" I complained, which was probably a bad idea. She was at the perfect height to punch me in the skull. Which she did.

"Ow!" I screamed jumping away from the fence and rubbing my head... "Geez Kathy! What the heck!"

"Maybe you should give 'im a chance..." she mused quitely, unperturbed by the looks I was giving her.

"Are you serious?"

"Why not?" she shrugged "He's off his rocker and you're an idiot. Picture perfect"

"Ugh... why do I like you?"

"Beats me, but you better figure somethin' out." she jumped off the fence. "but hey, my shift starts soon, so I gotta get goin'. You headin' that way?"

"Yeah.." I said, and we left. The walk home was silent, except when Kathy got to the Inn. She invited me in, but I declined, not really in the mood to deal with Chase. I already had enough to brood over and I didn't want to risk adding anything.

I always thought the atmosphere in winter was a little eerie, especially at night. But for once I was really thankful for it. The silence was calming, the only sound coming from my boots against the dirt-packed earth. It made me feel like i was the only person in the world. It was refreshing, even if it was a little bit lonely and I didn't mind being alone.

Well, most of the time anyways...

Thanks for reading :D RnR please! (^_^)b