Winter Mornings

The faint light of early morning spilled into the room, highlighting the frost-covered windows of the small cabin Ash and Misty had rented for the weekend. Outside, snow blanketed the world in a pristine white, muffling every sound. Inside, the crackling of a dying fire was the only noise—until the clatter of something heavy breaking the silence.

Misty stirred, her lashes fluttering as she groggily lifted her head from the pillow. She squinted toward the dim figure fumbling near the kitchenette.

"Ash?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

"Uh, sorry, babe," came Ash's sheepish reply as he crouched down to pick up a fallen tin mug. "I was getting water. Didn't mean to wake you."

"You didn't wake me," Misty said, her tone tinged with sarcasm. "The sound of you wrestling with the kitchen did." She pulled the thick blanket closer around herself, but it didn't help much. The cabin was freezing, and she could already feel the bite of the morning chill on her exposed arms.

Ash, now successfully holding the water jug, turned to her with an apologetic grin. "I'm just trying to be helpful!"

Misty rolled her eyes, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "Well, if you really want to be helpful, come back to bed. It's freezing."

Ash tilted his head, his dark eyes softening as he looked at her. "But I already started the fire. Just give it a minute—"

"Not what I meant," Misty interrupted, sitting up and patting the mattress beside her. "Lose the shirt."

"What?"

"You're always so warm," Misty said matter-of-factly. "If you're shirtless, I'll warm up faster."

Ash crossed his arms, eyeing her with mock indignation. "No way, babe. I'll get cold too."

Misty raised a brow. "You? Cold? Mr. 'I train in the rain' and 'I camp in snowstorms' is suddenly afraid of a little chill?"

"That's different!" Ash protested, puffing out his chest. "That's training. This is, uh…" He paused, floundering for an excuse.

"Comfort?" Misty teased, pulling the blanket up to her chin dramatically. "Come on, Ash, don't make me beg."

Ash groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Fine! But only because I love you." He tugged his shirt off and tossed it aside, shivering theatrically as he climbed back into bed.

Misty immediately latched onto him, wrapping her arms around his torso and burying her face in his chest. "Mmm, see? Perfect."

"You're ridiculous," Ash muttered, though his arms instinctively circled her waist.

They lay in silence for a moment, the warmth of his skin slowly seeping into her chilled body. Misty sighed contentedly, but when a small shiver rippled through her again, Ash felt it.

"You're still cold," he said softly, his brow furrowing.

"It's fine," Misty replied, her voice muffled against him. "I'm warming up."

Ash pulled back slightly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I have an idea."

Before Misty could ask what he meant, Ash rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath his weight. His lips found her forehead, then her cheek, peppering her with kisses. He moved lower, his mouth brushing over her neck and collarbone, the heat of him igniting a pleasant warmth wherever he touched.

Misty broke into giggles, her hands pressing weakly against his shoulders. "Ash, stop! That tickles!"

"Nope," he said, his voice low and playful as he nuzzled her neck. "I'm warming you up. You're welcome."

"You're such a dork!" Misty laughed, though she made no real effort to push him away.

"And you love it," Ash countered, his grin widening as he pulled back to look at her flushed, smiling face.

Misty's laughter softened into a fond smile, her hands cupping his cheeks. "Yeah, I really do."