Gideon and Gary Green barely contained their excitement to celebrate their first year of their relationship. Sara Lance and Ava Sharpe, their co-captains, had scored them authorization papers for a leave of absence from their new employers. The prerequisite for this was to avoid screwing up the timeline, no matter how imposing. It wasn't an easy decision because Gideon was the Legends' time pilot. On the other hand, she wasn't the only one who could fly the Waverider. Furthermore, the captains understood that they would want the same privilege if it was them.
They had planned a two-day getaway in 2022 Colorado. The couple arrived at their destination in the jumpship. Gary peered through the side window. The grass down below was green (with a sporadic assortment of flowers) as the trees. The sky was clear blue with wispy cirrus clouds. The sun was shining brightly. "It looks marvelous," he commented.
"It definitely is," Gideon responded as she diligently navigated the smaller atmospheric vessel. She landed it near a one-story rental cabin house, which was where they would be staying. Once they exited with luggage in tow, something caught the corner of her eye. She walked to a particular tree and observed frost forming on a leaf's edges in marvel. "Gary, look." She plucked the leaf off the tree branch for her boyfriend to have a closer glimpse. "Isn't it lovely?"
"Beautiful," he replied. However, his eyes were not on the sample when he said that. He removed one of his navy-blue mittens and sensed the tiny ice crystals melt on his finger. "It really is mesmerizing. I wish there was more of this weather in Necria."
She looked at him curiously. "I know it has only two seasons: one that is like summer and the other with heavy smog. Does it ever rain?"
He reluctantly reflected on his memories of his home planet. With an occasional shrug, he replied, "Sometimes, but the downpour is not tolerable for earthly humans."
"Why is that?"
"Acidity."
"I see. Well then, this is going to be a new adventure for us." Uncovering the key under the mat on the porch, they entered the cabin and switched the lights on. The interior design was a mix of rustic and contemporary aesthetics. The walls were laminated throughout the house and the flooring was carpeted. The partners disrobed their long coats and mittens, revealing their warm outfits. Gary wore a soft charcoal crewcut sweater over his collared shirt and striped tie, black trousers, a pair of knee-high Beebo socks courtesy of his favorite aunt Stacy, and his black dress boots. Gideon donned a white pullover sweater, corduroy pants, and her beige knee-high boots. After an hour of unpacking their suitcases and inspecting the cabin, he questioned, "What do you wish to do first?"
"What if we explore the region before the sun sets?"
"Good idea." He examined the cabinets in the kitchen. Most of them, including the refrigerator, were noticeably scarce of provisions. "We'll also need to stock on food."
"I grabbed some from the ship. Check in there." She directed his sight to the duffel bag placed on the dining table. Unzipping it, he found a collection of rations, enough to last a day. He suddenly remembered that he secretly packed a picnic basket. "Wait, I left something on the jumpship. I'll be right back."
"All right," she responded as she began storing them in the cupboards. He quickly retrieved his plaid overcoat from the closet and dashed out the door. He returned to the diminutive aircraft and rummaged around for the wicker basket.
"Where is it," he wondered. "I hope I didn't leave it behind." Just as he was about to give up, he found it under the passenger seat. He retrieved it and carefully examined its contents. Everything appeared in order, especially a mystery package. As his back was facing the doorway, he didn't see his girlfriend coming. He was startled by the unexpected call of his name. He saw her holding her Polaroid camera. "Oh, are you... uh, finished already?"
She nodded affirmatively. "By the way, you left the door open." She eyed the basket and pointed at it. "What's that?"
He stood in front of it, trying to lessen her suspicions. "It's for tomorrow. I'll bring it inside, so we can still have time for our walk." He dodged past her with it in his tight grip. She looked on with a raised eyebrow.
The couple walked along a trail with their thumbs resting against each other. They stopped a few times, so they could take turns capturing each other on film. They visited the riverfront, where Gideon photographed Gary grinning at her with his hand forming a heart. She giggled at him in response. He took a photo of her doing the same at the woods.
After they reached the mountain pass, they took a breath. The cold air made their respiration visible. Amused at the spectacle, they voluntarily dispelled more wind. "This is unbelievably fascinating," she commented as they enjoyed the view.
"I'm guessing this means the temperature is dropping."
"Yes, even though we're in November, it might snow."
He looked at her with excitement. "You can do a lot on snow days."
"Like what," she curiously inquired.
"Like making snowmen, snow angels, snowball fights. You'll love it, Gideon." Those ideas excited her and raised her hopes of a snow day. To be honest, he shared the same desire. "Do you know what the neatest thing about snow is?"
"No, what?"
He whispered, "It takes after tiny speckles in the wind when it falls." Her grey eyes dazzled at the sound of that prospect. Gary's sweet description was enticing to conceive. "Hey, look at the sunset."
"We should probably return to the cabin," she told him.
"You're right," he responded, and they descended down the trail. In noticing the view, he forgot about his acrophobia.
"Gary, how were you able to stay calm while we're up there?"
His disposition instantly changed as he revealed, "I was panicking on the inside."
Nighttime at the cabin was serene as the pair had dinner in the dining room. She made meatloaf using some of the rations as ingredients. She had served him the first slice as a taste test. "This is... pretty good," he assessed. They continued eating until she observed him in reflection. "What is it?"
"Nothing. It's that I have imagined about you before Astra conjured you out of the Waverider's circuits."
She was stunned to learn this. "Really? When was this?"
"The Fates' invasion on the ship. I was trying to reactivate you, only to succeed in getting electrocuted and black out. I heard someone telling me to wake up. I did, and there was you, kneeling in front of me with a smile. You had red hair in a high bun. You sported a black headband with a small bow and wore a black jumpsuit. Personality-wise, I would say no change."
Gideon became more interested in this story. "What were we doing?"
"We worked together to retrieve those magical rings they were guarding. You created a diversion, while I got them."
"It sounded like we made a great team."
"We did except..." He paused before he disclosed, "I came to realize that I projected you on Gary Jr. II."
"Your emotional support bunny?" He nodded his head with his face totally flushed. She started giggling. "You really are astonishing." She sipped some water before she divulged, "I had actually incorporated you in Miss Tomaz's stimulation once. I made it into a time loop as an attempt to persuade her to stay and bond with the Legends."
"That's very brilliant. Where was I?"
Quickly comprehending how their earlier views about one another may be differed, she was unwilling to give her answer. "You were in the trash compactor."
He didn't understand the sense of it. "Why did you put me in there?"
"I thought it'd be funny at the time." This sent a pang of hurt in his bones. At face value, it let on that he was a clumsy goof and a perpetual butt of jokes in her eyes. It made him lose his appetite. "Gary, are you okay?"
"I think I'll turn in for the night." He sadly rose up and deserted her at the table. She wanted to say something, but she felt she caused enough damage. Clearing off the table, she failed to notice the escalated snowfall outside.