Disclaimer: I own nothing except the fact this story is now not dark no longer!

Ben's Note of Sheer Awesome: I have other fics I have to write too. So why do I keep coming back to this fic? Mostly because I miss KCL's quirky reviews too much to not want to add another chapter to this story. Plus, I wanted to stabilize the relationships that were shaken by the last few chapters. This'll take place about a month after the last events, and we are now in Winter. Mmkay?

Also, thanks KCL! :) Trust me, the day I get a mansion saying 'The Nameless Ben Community Mansion: Residence for Kittystair Shippers', you'll see it on the news. And you'll bring me cider and I'll write Kittystair. :). Also, it's doesn't really matter what the word cheese replaces. Make up your own definition and stick with it. (Mine switches meanings, from dancing goat, to spilling orange juice.) Also, thank you for hating on Headmaster Grimm. I meant to make him hateable in this fic. When we get more into Kitty's dad, you'll see him more. (Also, do I write like someone else you know? Is that what you meant?)

Prompt 26: Snow

Alistair had always loved the snow.

He was outside, laying down on the ground, looking up. Snow was gently falling to the ground and Alistair smiled as he embraced it. He was currently dressed in heavy snow gear so he was warm. He let the snow envelope him as he sighed.

He needed to relax with the month he had to endure.

It wasn't bad, per se. After Kitty's suicide attempt, Alistair and Maddie had taken turns making sure Kitty was safe. Kitty was broken for a long time, refusing to talk or hardly eat. It took a toll on Alistair's health too, not to mention his suffering grades since Headmaster Grimm wouldn't give him time off to look after his clearly suffering girlfriend.

About the start of the third week was when Kitty started to open up again. She was still weak and found it hard to look him in the eye, but she started eating more and began to walk around and do things. As Alistair's trust that Kitty wouldn't do anything rash, he started leaving Maddie with her more and more, since he felt that Maddie could sleep in the same room and not have Kitty leave. And his trust paid off. Kitty hadn't left her room.

At the fourth week, Kitty seemed to feel more comfortable. She didn't talk to Alistair about the event, nor had she mentioned it to Maddie. Alistair understood perfectly. If she ever wanted to talk about it, he'd be supportive and try to help her through it.

As of now, Kitty was attending classes again and catching up on the past month she missed. However, for caution, Alistair had Maddie go around and ask for volunteers to keep an eye on her throughout the day, just to make sure she was already. Kitty didn't protest at this, in fact, she seemed a little grateful.

Maddie succeeded in convincing Lizzie, Raven, and Cupid to watch her sometimes. Maddie watched her at lunchtime, and Alistair asked Bunny if she could take a shift during Kitty's study hall sessions in the library, which she agreed to do.

Alistair normally saw Kitty in the evenings. It seemed as though their relationship was strained, and Alistair knew full well Kitty blamed herself for it. He knew how much it meant to her in giving Alistair something in return, and she thought she was a burden. Alistair was determined not to give up on her.

"Hey," he heard Kitty's voice approach. He turned his head and smiled as Kitty lay down next to him, also wearing heavy clothing. He noticed a distance away that Cupid was making sure Kitty got to him. Alistair gave her a thumbs up and Cupid nodded and went about her own business.

"Hey Kitty. You had an ok day?" he asked her. Kitty gave him a slight nod and leaned into him. He gave her a small smile and put his arm around her. Kitty had a hard time talking to him too. He knew why, but he didn't feel the need to bring it up.

"Cupid and I talked today," she said absent mindedly. Alistair nodded, waiting for her to continue. He noticed she found it easier to talk to him if he wasn't there. It was easier for her to control herself and not break down crying. "She and Dexter got together. I was so happy for her…"

Silence enveloped them again. The snow continued to fall. Kitty and Alistair simply lay down with each other in the snow, not saying a word. "I wish I didn't screw up our relationship," Kitty said. Alistair raised an eyebrow, but knowing how Kitty worked now, he held his tongue for the moment. "I saw how happy Cupid was… and it reminded me how happy we were. It reminded me of the times we had that brightened my day. That you were always there."

Alistair noticed Kitty subconsciously rub the pendant on her necklace. The one he had given to her. He didn't realize she did that.

"I was stupid," she continued. "I wish… I wish we could have those moments again. Moments where we could both laugh, smile, have a good time. Just… be us. Teenagers. But we can't. Not after…"

She stopped talking, her voice shaking. Alistair doubted it was the cold. It was hard for her to remember that instance, forcing herself back to the moment she stepped off the roof. Alistair refused to think about it too. He almost lost her once…

"You're like the snow," Alistair said. Kitty went rigid at his voice. Alistair had a pained expression enter his face. He knew that Kitty was afraid that whenever she heard his voice, it would be a yell. Alistair never raised his voice… but Kitty still feared the day he would hurt her because of what she had done.

"H-h-h-how?" she stuttered.

"You have a tendency to be cold," he said. "You give yourself no credit and you don't think your life can ever be full of warmth and comfort again. But… your also unique. You are different than everyone, and you stand out against every other snowflake. And, most importantly… you'll melt. You'll forgive yourself one day. I've forgiven you Kitty, and I know you don't think I have. One day, though, when you recover from this mistake… you'll become warm again. Just hang in there for me, ok?"

Kitty didn't respond, but her eyes watered. Alistair brushed away her unformed tears and held her closer. He knew she was having a rough time coping. It just made him more sure that he could never melt from her side. Like snow… he had to stick to her like snow did when making a snow man. One day… she'd melt.

BN: *cries like a cheese ball* For the first recovery chapter (I'm thinking about having four or five more), I wanted to show that Kitty is starting to get back on her feet. She hasn't forgiving herself, and that's key, but it's also to show that Alistair hasn't given up on her. Despite Kitty being in the state she is, Alistair still loves her. The reason Alistair had to adapt to how Kitty acts now is because Kitty wants Alistair to love her and comfort her, but she's still afraid that he hasn't really gotten over what she almost did. And in a way, Alistair hasn't gotten over it. But that's because Kitty hasn't, and he'll cope along with her and make sure they recover both enough to be able to be happy together again.

There was also something else I wanted to show this chapter too. Alistair doesn't trust Kitty right now. Now, it's perfectly possible to love someone but not trust them. Kitty almost killed herself because she was emotionally unstable. After the attempt, she's still emotionally unstable because she's not having professional help that Alistair knows she needs. (But stupid Headmaster Grimm won't let her have.) Alistair doesn't trust Kitty alone anymore. It's why he set up a schedule for people to watch her when he or Maddie aren't around. Just because Alistair is still dedicated to Kitty doesn't mean he can always keep a close eye on her. He's only human and needs to satisfy his own natural needs as well.

After such a dark arc, I think this is exactly what the couple needs. A few more chapters like this, and we should be able to move onto the next arc.

Like? Hate? Meh? Let me know in a review! Or don't! Either works!