Previously I do not own Molly of Denali, or any of the characters contained within this story. Molly of Denali is the property of Kathy Waugh and Dorothea Gillim.

I look forward to the reviews and criticisms (I know there will be some). I hope you enjoy the story, and just like the cartoon on PBS Kids, I am trying to stay true to the characters as shown each and every day. I am also including real elements like they've done on the show (racism, environmental, life, and death, etc..). I hope you like this when I start to repost the chapters.

Please review all of my stories. Feedback would give me ideas I can use for not only this story but for future ones. Thank you for your time and happy reading.

My story takes place in 2021 when Molly is twelve, Tooey is twelve and Trini is nine.

Snowbound Bonding: Learning and Growing

As the days of being snowbound stretched on, Molly and Tooey found themselves daydreaming about all the things they wanted to do once Tooey was back on his feet. The house felt smaller with each passing day, but thinking about the future helped keep their spirits up.

"I can't wait to get back out on the ice," Tooey said, staring at the ceiling. "Just sitting in the quiet, watching the hole, feeling that first tug on the line…" He sighed. "I miss it."

Molly nodded. "Yeah. And the thrill of pulling up a fish, the way it flops around, trying to get free." She grinned. "I swear, next time, I'm catching the biggest fish of the season."

Tooey smirked. "You always say that."

"One of these days, it's gonna be true." Molly assured him snuggling closer to him on the couch.

However, I seem to remember that one of the last times we fought against each other when ice fishing, we tied." Molly told him pulling his hand under her chin, placing a kiss onto it.

With his other hand under her, he grabbed her shorts and pulled her closer, hugging her harder.

From the kitchen, Atsaq observed and chuckled, listening to them. "You two haven't changed a bit. I remember when you were little, sitting out there on the ice, bundled up so tight you could barely move. But it never stopped you."

Molly laughed. "Grandpa was the one who got me into ice fishing in the first place. He taught me how to tell when a fish was nibbling. All Tooey did was jump around like an idiot when we caught one."

"And you're the one who kept talking so loud all the fish swam away," Tooey teased.

Molly rolled her eyes. "Okay, once! I was seven. I am not even sure my yelling scared them away."

Tooey grinned. "Still happened."

Molly nudged him lightly. "Fine, then I take back all the times I pulled a fish up for you when your hands were too cold to grab the line."

Tooey held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I take it back."

Atsaq smiled at their banter but gave Tooey a knowing look. "I'm glad you're excited, Teekkone, but even after the braces come off, you need to take it slow. No pushing yourself too hard."

"I know, Mom," he sighed. "I won't overdo it."

Molly leaned in. "That means no racing me down the sledding hill first thing."

Tooey huffed. "I'm not making any promises."

Molly grinned. "Figures."

Atsaq shook her head, amused. "You know, when I was your age, Layla and I used to spend all winter planning things like this. We had our favorite fishing spots, our favorite sledding trails. If there was fresh snow, we were out in it."

Molly's eyes lit up at the mention of her mother. "Mom really loved winter that much?"

"Oh, she did," Atsaq said fondly. "She was fearless on a sled. I was more careful, but Layla? She'd find the steepest hill and go flying down it without a second thought. One time, we built a ramp at the bottom of the biggest hill in Qyah. Layla swore she could land it perfectly." Atsaq chuckled. "She didn't. She landed face-first in a snowdrift, laughing the whole time."

Tooey laughed. "Sounds about right."

Molly grinned. "I knew she had a daredevil streak."

Atsaq nodded. "She did. And I was the one trying to make sure she didn't break anything." She smiled at them. "You remind me of us, you know. The way you push each other, challenge each other, look out for each other."

Tooey and Molly exchanged a glance. They hugged each other again. They didn't have to say it—they both already knew.

Tooey pulled his out from around her and stretched his arms above his head, a determined look on his face. "Well, no matter what, as soon as I'm walking again, we're getting back out there. No more being stuck inside." He let him arms fall over Molly and Molly guided them where she wanted them, under her chin held in both hands.

Molly grinned. "Deal. And when we do, I'm definitely beating you down the hill."

Tooey smirked pulling her closer and placing a kiss on her head. "We'll see about that." Molly turned her head and met his mouth in a quick kiss. They both turned back to Atsaq. She was just shaking her head as she was smiling.

* Mumford Residence *

Trini spent the day curled up on the couch with her parents, watching old movies, the kind her dad loved quoting word for word. She laughed at the funny parts, groaned when her mom got teary-eyed at the emotional scenes, and ate more popcorn than she probably should have. But no matter how much she tried to focus on the screen, her mind kept drifting to Robbie.

She thought about their late-night video calls, the way his voice softened when he spoke about things that mattered, and how he always seemed hesitant to talk about himself too much. He was holding back—she could tell. And with his doctor's appointment coming up, she couldn't stop wondering what they would want him to talk about.

During a lull in the movie, she turned to her parents. "Hey… what do you think Robbie will have to talk about when he sees the doctor next week?"

Her dad muted the TV, exchanging a glance with her mom. "That depends," he said carefully. "Doctors aren't just there to check on physical injuries. After something traumatic happens, they want to make sure a person is healing in other ways too."

Her mom nodded. "He might have to talk about what happened when he fell under the ice. How he felt about it, what he remembers."

Trini frowned, shifting in her seat. "But what if he doesn't want to talk about it?"

Her dad sighed. "That's the thing about holding things in, sweetheart. Sometimes, people think that if they don't talk about something, it'll just go away. But it doesn't. It sits there, in the back of their mind, building up little by little. And eventually, it finds a way out—sometimes in ways they don't expect."

Trini bit her lip, thinking. "Like what?"

Her mom gave her a gentle look. "Like feeling on edge all the time, getting upset over little things, or not sleeping well. Sometimes, people start avoiding things that remind them of what happened, even if those things used to make them happy."

Trini's heart sank as she thought about Robbie. How he had barely talked about the accident, how he always changed the subject when she got too close to asking about it. Was he doing that? Holding everything inside, hoping it would go away?

She hesitated before asking, "Do you think my talks with him help? Like, could they help just as much as talking to a doctor?"

Her dad smiled. "They definitely help. Talking to a friend—especially someone who cares—can make a big difference."

Her mom nodded. "But doctors and therapists are trained to help people work through things in ways that friends and family might not know how to. They can help someone understand why they feel the way they do and teach them ways to deal with those feelings in a healthy way."

Trini nodded slowly, absorbing their words.

That night, when she and Robbie finally connected over video chat, she could tell right away that he wasn't in the best mood. He was quieter than usual, his responses shorter, and he kept fiddling with the sleeve of his hoodie.

After a bit of back-and-forth about their days, Trini finally asked, "Are you thinking about your appointment?"

Robbie hesitated, then exhaled. "Yeah."

"You nervous?"

He nodded. "I know they're gonna ask about… you know that day." His voice dropped, like he didn't even want to say it out loud. "I don't even know what to tell them. Half of it feels like a blur. And the parts I do remember…" He trailed off, shaking his head.

Trini hesitated. She wanted to help, but she didn't want to push. So instead, she did something she hadn't planned on—she opened up first.

"You know," she began, her voice softer now, "when I moved to Qyah, I felt really out of place. Like I didn't belong."

Robbie's eyes lifted to the screen, his expression shifting. "Really?"

"Yeah. I mean, I love it here now, but at first, everything was different. I missed Texas, I missed my friends. It felt like everyone already had their place, and I was just… extra."

Robbie was quiet for a moment before he admitted, "I get that. I feel like that all the time."

Trini tilted her head. "You do?"

He nodded. "Yeah. It's like… I don't fit anywhere. I move around so much, and even when I stay in one place for a while, I still feel like people forget about me." His voice dropped lower. "Like I'm just some passing face."

Trini's heart squeezed. "You're not."

He gave a small, skeptical smile. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She leaned a little closer to the screen, like it could make a difference. "You're not just some passing face, Robbie. You're my friend. And I don't forget my friends."

For the first time that night, his expression softened. "Thanks, Trini."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Trini hesitated. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah."

She picked at the hem of her sleeve. "Do you think talking to me helps? Like, really helps?"

Robbie was quiet, then nodded. "Yeah. I mean… it's easier talking to you than thinking about talking to some doctor I don't know." He hesitated. "But… maybe you're right. Maybe talking at all is what really matters."

Trini smiled. "I think so too."

They kept talking—about silly things, about childhood memories, about anything that made them feel a little less alone.

* Ookami Residence, The Next Day *

The storm had finally begun to ease, and with it came a sense of relief that settled over the village like a heavy sigh. Snow still covered everything in thick, untouched layers, but the howling wind had quieted, leaving behind an eerie, peaceful stillness.

Inside Tooey's house, Molly was determined to get them both outside, even if just for a little while. She crouched in front of Tooey, carefully helping him into his thick winter coat.

"Okay, arms up," she instructed.

Tooey's legs were injured, not his arms. Still, Molly wasn't about to let him get away with half-hearted effort when it came to bundling up properly.

"Okay, arms up," she instructed, crouching in front of him as she held out his thick winter coat.

Tooey arched an eyebrow. "You do remember I'm injured, right?"

Molly rolled her eyes. "Yes, and I also remember that you're perfectly capable of lifting your arms a little. So, c'mon—up!"

With a dramatic sigh, Tooey complied, raising his arms just enough for Molly to slide the coat on properly. She zipped it up halfway, patting the front of his chest with a satisfied nod before grabbing his gloves.

"Gloves next," she said, holding them out.

Tooey took one and pulled it on himself, proving her earlier point that his arms were working just fine. He wiggled his fingers in the thick fabric, flexing them with exaggerated movements. "This is ridiculous," he muttered.

"You're the one with two fractured legs," Molly reminded him, handing him the second glove. "I'm just making sure you don't freeze to death."

"I can put on my own gloves," he pointed out dryly, though he still accepted the help when she adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves to make sure no cold air could sneak in.

"Yeah, yeah," she said, standing up and grabbing her own coat and gloves. As she bundled herself up, she glanced at him, eyeing his layers one last time. "Alright. You're good to go."

Tooey smirked. "I feel like I'm about to waddle outside like a penguin."

Molly chuckled. "You do look a little puffy."

"Great. That's the look I was going for," he deadpanned.

Molly grinned as she moved behind his wheelchair and grabbed the handles. "Ready?"

He nodded, bracing himself as she maneuvered him toward the door. Atsaq had already helped clear the entryway earlier, making sure they wouldn't struggle to get outside. Even so, Molly moved carefully, not wanting to jostle him too much.

The moment she opened the door, a blast of crisp, cold air rushed in. The world beyond the porch was completely transformed, buried under a thick, pristine blanket of snow. The storm had finally begun to ease, leaving behind an almost eerie stillness.

Molly carefully pushed Tooey's chair onto the porch, stopping just at the front step. Beyond that, the snow was piled up way too high to go any farther.

"Wow," Tooey murmured, his breath visible in the freezing air.

Molly took in the sight with him. Snow clung to every rooftop, every tree branch, every fence post. The village was practically unrecognizable under the heavy drifts. Somewhere in the distance, they could hear the muffled sounds of people already starting to dig out, shovels scraping against wood and ice.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a little while longer," Tooey said.

Molly huffed. "Yup. No adventuring through the village just yet."

Tooey turned his gaze toward the sky, where the last of the storm clouds were finally starting to break apart, revealing slivers of pale blue. "Still… at least we're outside."

Molly nodded, leaning against the railing as she pulled out her phone. "I should check on Trini. I bet she's just as restless as we are."

As she started her call, Tooey simply sat back in his chair, taking in the fresh, cold air. They weren't completely free yet, but for the first time in days, it finally felt like they were getting there.

* Mumford Residence *

Across the village, Trini had been restless all morning, practically vibrating with anticipation. She had been dying to go outside, to breathe in fresh air instead of the stuffy warmth of the house. So, when her parents finally gave her the okay to step onto the front porch, she didn't waste a second.

She yanked on her coat and boots in record time, practically running to the front door. The moment she stepped out, the icy air hit her face, crisp and cold but invigorating.

She inhaled deeply, grinning as she took in the sight of her snow-covered home. The village was still buried, but people had already started the slow process of digging out. The distant sounds of shovels scraping against wood and muted voices filled the air.

Without hesitating, she pulled out her phone and called Robbie on video.

He picked up almost immediately. "Hey."

"You have to see this," she said excitedly, flipping her camera around. "Look at all this snow!"

Robbie let out a low chuckle. "Whoa."

"I know, right? I can't even go past the front step yet, but at least I'm outside." She turned the camera back to herself, grinning. "I missed fresh air."

He smiled faintly. "I bet."

Trini studied his face through the screen. "You okay?"

Robbie hesitated before shrugging. "Yeah. Just… tired."

She frowned. "You sure?"

Robbie exhaled, glancing away. "Just thinking."

Trini leaned against the doorframe. "Thinking about what?"

There was a pause before he admitted, "How weird it is… being stuck somewhere and not knowing when you'll get out."

She knew he wasn't just talking about her being snowed in.

"Yeah," she said softly. "It is weird."

They sat in silence for a moment before Trini spoke again. "Hey… do you think talking to me helps? Like, as much as talking to a doctor will?"

Robbie looked surprised by the question. His fingers fidgeted with the hem of his hoodie as he thought about it. "I don't know. Maybe."

Trini tilted her head. "What makes you nervous about talking to them?"

He sighed, leaning back against whatever surface he was sitting on. "I guess… I don't like feeling like a problem someone needs to fix. What if they think there's something else wrong with me?"

Trini's chest tightened. "Robbie, there's nothing wrong with you."

He let out a dry chuckle. "That's easy to say, but they don't see it that way. Remember, that's why I have to go to the doctor in the first place."

She thought about that for a moment. "You know… I used to feel really out of place when I first moved here. Like I didn't belong. Like I was… different."

He looked at her more closely now. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," she admitted. "It took a long time for me to stop thinking about it like that. But you know what helped?"

Robbie lifted an eyebrow. "What?"

"Talking," she said simply. "Not just to people who were supposed to help, like teachers or my parents, but to friends—people who wanted to listen."

Robbie was quiet again, his expression unreadable. Then, finally, he said, "I guess I just don't want them to tell me how I should feel."

Trini nodded. "Yeah. I get that."

He smirked slightly. "You know, for someone not officially a therapist, you ask a lot of deep questions."

She snorted. "What can I say? I am a great listener."

Robbie chuckled. "You are."

She smiled, tightening her grip on her phone. "Well, for what it's worth… talking to you helps me too."

The screen flickered slightly as Robbie shifted in his seat. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She looked back out at the snow-covered yard. "I guess it's just nice knowing I'm not alone in feeling stuck sometimes."

Robbie exhaled, his voice softer now. "Yeah. It is."

As they were talking, Trini felt the phone ring. Glancing at the screen she noticed that Molly was calling her. "Molly is calling. I'll call you back once I'm done, okay?" She asked.

Robbie smiled, "Sure, let them know I said hi, Talk to you later. Bye."

Trini waved, "Bye." Hanging up her currently call and answering Molly's

Trini stood on her snowed-in front porch, bundled up against the cold as she breathed in the crisp, fresh air. It felt amazing to be outside, even if she could only stand in one spot. After being stuck inside for days, she just needed this moment—to feel the cold bite at her cheeks, to hear the quiet stillness of the snow-covered village.

Thankfully, she was able to spend a few minutes talking to Robbie before Molly called her. Answering, she was greeted by the sight of both Molly and Tooey, wrapped in their winter gear on the front porch of Tooey's house.

"Hey, Trini," Molly greeted, her breath fogging up in the cold air.

"Hey! You finally made it outside too, huh?" Trini said, grinning.

"Yeah," Tooey replied, adjusting his gloves. "We had to. I was starting to feel like the walls were closing in on me."

"Same," Trini said with a sigh. "I was getting so restless. I don't think I've ever appreciated fresh air this much."

Molly nodded. "Tell me about it. I mean, I love being cozy inside, but not when it's because I have no other choice."

They all fell silent for a moment, just taking in the world outside their homes. The village was still buried in snow, but at least the storm had finally passed. The wind was gone, and in its place was a peaceful quiet, only broken by the distant sounds of people starting to dig out.

"I just want to go somewhere," Trini finally said, breaking the silence. "Walk down the street, go over to your place, something."

Tooey let out a small laugh. "I know, right? It's weird how we used to do that all the time and never thought twice about it. Now it feels like some far-off dream."

Molly sighed. "I miss hanging out. Like, all of us together. Not just video calls and waving from our porches."

Trini nodded. "Yeah. I miss sledding with you, I miss just being in the same place, not stuck behind a screen."

Tooey smirked. "Guess we're all feeling it, huh?"

"Big time," Trini said.

They sat there for a few more minutes, just enjoying each other's company the best they could. Even though they were still separated by all the snow, knowing they weren't alone in their frustration made it a little easier.

"Soon," Molly said after a moment. "Once they clear the roads, once we can actually move again—we're all getting together. No excuses."

Trini smiled. "Absolutely."

Tooey grinned. "Can't wait."

Molly smiled as Trini and Tooey were talking. She also noticed that Tooey shivered a few times while they had been talking. When he had finished she turned the phone towards herself. "

"Trini, I am loving this. The fresh air, and outdoors, but it's still cold. I need to get Tooey back in before we both freeze. We'll call you later around lunch or dinner, okay?"

"Sure thing. I'll call Robbie and we can all have a conversation. Talk to you later." Trini pressed the button turning off the phone. She watched as Four-Spots walked over to the piled-up snow and pawed it for a moment before changing his mind and going back inside.

"Good idea, boy. I like the warmth as well." She shivered once and retreated back inside. She walked to the kitchen and placed a pit of water for some hot chocolate.

* Ookami and Mumford Residences Later that Afternoon *

That evening, all four of them ended up on a group call, eager to finally talk without interruptions. The screen flickered as each of their faces popped into view, bundled up in hoodies or blankets, their houses still chilly from the storm.

"Okay," Trini said, shifting on her bed, "who's going first?"

Tooey smirked. "I think we all know exactly who should go first."

Robbie groaned. "Seriously?"

Molly and Tooey both nodded, grinning.

"Fine." Robbie sighed dramatically, rubbing his face before launching into his story.

Robbie's Story: The Boyfriend Bombshell

Robbie had barely gotten the words out before Molly and Tooey burst into laughter. Trini groaned loudly, flopping back against her pillows, and covering her face with both hands.

"Oh no," Tooey wheezed between chuckles. "I need details. What exactly happened?"

Robbie smirked. "Well, I called Trini like usual, just to check in, and the second she picks up, I hear her mom in the background—clear as day—going, 'Oh, Trini, your boyfriend is on the phone!'" He exaggerated the word boyfriend, dragging it out in a singsong voice that had Molly and Tooey laughing even harder.

Trini groaned again, her voice muffled. "I hate everything."

Molly wiped at her eyes. "This is amazing. Please tell me what happened next."

Trini peeked through her fingers before slowly sitting up. "What happened is that my traitor of a mother saw how mortified I was and doubled down on it."

"Oh no," Tooey said, grinning. "How bad?"

Trini sighed dramatically. "I looked at her—laughing, mind you— and asked her, 'I thought you loved me!' And do you know what she said?"

Molly shook her head, still giggling. "What?"

"She smirked—smirked, you—and went, 'Oh, I adore my little Trini Bear, but I have to tease you! I mean, first, you go and get yourself hurt just so you can end up in the hospital. Then, you get found nearly naked in a bathroom, and now, the same boy who found you is suddenly your boyfriend?'"

Molly choked on laughter, while Tooey clutched his stomach, gasping, "She did not say that!"

Trini scowled. "Oh, she absolutely did."

Robbie, who had been listening with an amused smirk, finally chimed in. "The best part? She wasn't wrong."

Trini turned her glare to him. "You are not helping."

Robbie just shrugged, still smirking. "Hey, I'm just saying… technically, everything she said was true."

Molly leaned forward eagerly. "Wait, wait, wait. Did she say this while Robbie was on the phone?"

"Yes!" Trini exclaimed, throwing her arms up. "He heard everything!"

Molly gasped, covering her mouth before breaking into uncontrollable giggles.

Tooey just shook his head. "Wow. Joy is next level. I respect it."

"You would," Trini muttered.

Robbie chuckled. "Honestly? It was kind of funny."

Trini turned her glare back to him. "Oh, kind of?"

He held up his hands. "Okay, fine. It was really funny."

Trini groaned again, slumping against her pillows. "This is my actual nightmare."

Molly grinned. "Trini, I love you, but this is hilarious."

Tooey nodded. "Agreed."

Trini sighed dramatically. "I cannot believe I'm friends with you people."

Robbie smirked. "Your boyfriend, you mean?"

Trini bolted upright. "Robbie!"

Molly and Tooey completely lost it, howling with laughter as Trini fumed.

Robbie just leaned back, looking far too pleased with himself. "Hey, I didn't say it. Your mom did."

Trini groaned again, covering her face. "I swear, I'm never going to live this down."

Tooey grinned. "Nope. Never."

Molly wiped at her eyes, still giggling. "This might be my new favorite story."

Trini just shook her head, resigned to her fate. If nothing else, at least she had friends to suffer through it with her—even if they were definitely going to tease her about it forever.

Trini's Story: Cabin Fever and Questionable Dancing

As the group's laughter from the boyfriend bombshell finally died down, Molly grinned. "Okay, so we've covered Trini's love life—"

"Stop," Trini groaned.

"—but what about the cabin fever part? You were losing it being stuck inside, right?"

Trini sighed dramatically. "Oh, you have no idea. I was going stir-crazy."

Tooey chuckled. "How bad are we talking?"

"Bad," Trini emphasized. "I tried everything to stay sane—reading, watching movies, doodling, but no matter what I did, I was still just… stuck."

Molly nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I get that. Tooey and I were starting to lose it, too."

Trini huffed. "Well, at least you had each other. I was stuck with only my parents, who—by the way—kept giving me looks every time I got restless, like they knew I was about to do something ridiculous."

Robbie raised an eyebrow. "And did you?"

Trini hesitated, then sighed. "Okay, maybe."

Tooey grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Trini rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the small smile forming on her lips. "Fine. I was feeling so restless that I had to move. But since I have staple in my chest, and my ribs are still healing, I couldn't just go flailing around like usual."

Robbie smirked. "That's probably for the best."

Trini ignored him. "So, I put on some music and slow danced with Four-Spots."

Silence.

Then—

Tooey blinked. "Wait. What?"

Trini crossed her arms. "You heard me."

Molly gasped. "You slow danced… with your dog?"

Trini huffed. "Yes! I was careful! I didn't twirl or anything crazy. I just needed to move around a little, so I held onto his paws and swayed with him. He's a great dance partner, by the way."

Tooey snorted. "Did he lead?"

Trini smirked. "Of course he did. He's a gentleman."

Robbie chuckled. "Okay, I'm actually impressed. I was expecting something way more chaotic."

"Oh, don't get me wrong," Trini admitted. "If I could have danced like a maniac, I would have. But trust me, even controlled dancing was necessary at that point."

Molly giggled. "I wish I could've seen that."

Tooey nodded. "Me too."

Trini shrugged. "You probably will one day. I mean, if I'm ever cooped up again, Four-Spots and I will definitely be waltzing again."

Molly smirked. "Next time, film it."

Trini rolled her eyes but laughed. "Yeah, yeah."

Robbie grinned. "I don't know, Trini. Between slow dancing with your dog and your mom calling me your boyfriend, I think I learned a lot about you today."

Trini groaned. "You're never going to let that go, are you?"

Robbie just smirked. "Nope."

Tooey chuckled. "Yeah, this is definitely staying with us forever."

Trini sighed, shaking her head. "Great. Just great."

But despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help but smile. Because even though she had been stuck inside, even though the storm had kept them all apart, she had never really been alone.

Molly & Tooey's Story: The Ultimate Winter Struggle

Molly leaned back against the porch railing, stretching her arms over her head as she exhaled dramatically. "You guys have no idea what I've been through these past few days. I have officially earned the title of Ultimate Winter Caretaker."

Tooey let out a groan. "Oh no…"

Trini raised an eyebrow. "Ultimate what?"

Molly grinned, eyes twinkling mischievously. "That's right. I am now an expert at dressing and undressing my boyfriend."

Robbie choked on air. "Wait—what?!"

Trini's eyes widened. "Molly—"

Tooey groaned louder. "Oh, come on—"

But Molly wasn't finished. She placed a hand over her heart and sighed dramatically. "Every single day, I have had the honor of helping Tooey out of his clothes, dressing him for bed, undressing him for his baths, and then getting him all bundled up again. I am the expert in layers now. Sweaters, pants, socks, braces—oh, and let's not forget about bathing suits for our shared bath times." She gave a playful wink.

Trini made a strangled noise. "Oh my gosh, Molly!"

Robbie looked equal parts stunned and impressed. "Wait, wait—back up. Bathing suits?"

Tooey slapped a hand over his face. "Molly, please."

But Molly only smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh no, Tooey, you don't get to act all shy now. You know I've been nothing but loving and caring with everything I do. I make sure your braces come off gently, I help you in and out of your clothes, I carefully ease you into the bath—"

Tooey's face burned. "Molly—"

Molly grinned wider. "And let's not forget that I also help you get all cozy before bed. I tuck you in and everything before I join you."

Trini buried her face in her hands. "I can't believe you're bragging about this."

Robbie, however, was trying so hard not to laugh. "I mean… someone's got to take care of him, right?"

Molly nodded firmly. "Exactly!"

Tooey sighed, looking both embarrassed and amused. "You just love making me suffer, don't you?"

Molly leaned in closer, smirking. "Oh, but you love me."

Tooey rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, yeah. I do."

Molly grinned, and before anyone could say another word, she cupped Tooey's face and kissed him.

Not just a quick peck—oh no. This was a full, passionate kiss, one meant to make a statement.

Trini and Robbie's reactions were instant.

"OH—OKAY—WOW—" Trini sputtered, turning bright red.

Robbie blinked, eyes wide. "Welp. That answers that question."

When Molly finally pulled away, she smirked at them both. "Just in case you were wondering how things were going between us."

Tooey, slightly dazed, just shook his head with a chuckle. "You're ridiculous."

Molly grinned. "And you love it."

Robbie snorted. "Yeah, Trini, I think it's safe to say they're doing just fine."

Trini groaned, waving her hands. "Alright, alright! I get it! You are all gross and in love! Moving on!"

Molly laughed, leaning against Tooey as he smiled fondly at her.

Even in the middle of all the snow, all the struggles, and all the teasing, one thing was clear—love and friendship were the warmest things of all.

* Ookami Residence, The Next Day *

The snowstorm had finally passed, leaving the village buried under a thick, glistening blanket of white. The quiet stillness of the morning was soon broken as Atsaq stepped into Tooey's room, her eyes landing on the lower bunk where Molly and Tooey were curled up together, fast asleep. The warmth of the room contrasted the chill outside, and for a brief moment, she hesitated, not wanting to wake them. But there was work to be done.

She cleared her throat and spoke firmly. "Molly, Tooey—time to wake up. The snow isn't going to clear itself."

Molly stirred first, blinking groggily as she stretched. Tooey shifted beside her, rubbing his eyes before registering Atsaq standing there.

"The storm's over?" he mumbled.

Atsaq nodded. "Yes, but now the real work begins. We need to clear the snow in front of the house and the shed, and the dogs need to be checked on."

Molly was the first to stir, her brows furrowing as she shifted beneath the blankets. She blinked sluggishly before stretching her arms, letting out a soft yawn. Beside her, Tooey groaned and rubbed his eyes, still half-asleep.

Molly sat up, pushing her hair out of her face. "Got it," she said, already mentally preparing for the labor ahead.

Tooey, however, didn't move. He simply lay there, staring at his legs and then to the desk where his braces were. A deep frustration welled up inside him, tightening his chest. This was his job—shoveling out the front, checking on the dogs, making sure everything was in order after a storm. He had done these things his whole life. But now, he couldn't do any of it.

His hands clenched into fists. "I should be out there too," he muttered.

Atsaq's expression softened. She had expected this reaction. "Tooey, you're still healing. You'll hurt yourself if you push too hard too soon."

"That doesn't make it any easier, Mom." he mumbled, his jaw tightening.

Molly turned to look at him, understanding his frustration completely. Tooey was always the type to take care of things himself—he hated feeling useless. And right now, she could tell that's exactly how he felt.

She reached for his hand, lacing their fingers together. "I know this sucks," she said softly. "But you're not useless, Tooey. You're just… on a different kind of job right now. Healing is your job." Atsaq nodded as she watched their exchange.

Tooey exhaled sharply, still struggling to accept it. "It just doesn't feel right. Everyone's going to be out there working, and I'm stuck in here doing nothing."

Molly gave his hand a squeeze. "You're not doing nothing. You're getting stronger, even if it doesn't feel like it."

Tooey glanced at her, his expression still tense but filled with gratitude. "I just hate sitting here while everyone else works. Molly, you have no idea what this feels like."

Molly nodded, understanding completely. "I know and I don't know like you said, but -" she murmured.

Atsaq let them have their moment before interrupting and then turning to leave. "Molly, get dressed and meet me outside when you're ready."

With that, she stepped out, leaving them alone.

As the blankets rustled and the warmth of the bed was disturbed, Tooey already felt the growing weight of frustration settle over him. The storm was finally over, and now everyone was getting back to work—everyone except him.

Molly stood beside the bed, stretching her arms above her head before grabbing the clothes she had set aside. Tooey watched her, his jaw tightening as she moved with an effortless ease that he no longer had. It wasn't fair.

She hooked her fingers under the hem of her pajama top and lifted it over her head, revealing the snug tank top she had on underneath. Tooey let out a slow breath through his nose, his eyes following the curves of her shoulders as she shook her hair back into place. She wasn't even thinking about what she was doing, but he was. He was thinking about everything—how easy it was for her to move, how she could do simple things like get dressed without struggling, without needing help.

She untied her pajama pants and slid them down her legs, stepping out of them one foot at a time, Tooey's hands curled into fists against his lap. She moved so naturally, so freely. Meanwhile, he needed help sometimes just to transfer from the bed to his wheelchair. It was infuriating.

Now standing in just her tank top and underwear, Molly caught the look on his face. She paused, tilting her head slightly. "Tooey…"

He tore his gaze away, muttering, "I'm fine."

She sighed, stepping closer until she was right in front of him. "You're definitely not fine, you're sulking."

"I am not sulking," he muttered, though even he didn't believe it.

She crouched down, resting her hands on his knees. "You're upset and I can see as well as hear it in your voice."

Tooey clenched his jaw, staring past her. "I just hate this. I hate sitting here while everyone else is out there doing things. I hate feeling useless."

Molly's expression softened. "Tooey, you're not useless. You're recovering."

"That's just another way of saying I can't do anything," he grumbled.

She gave his knees a squeeze, her warm hands making it hard for him to stay entirely focused on his self-pity. He then realized something else—her state of undress, her closeness, the way she was crouched in front of him. He could see down her shirt which was now hanging loosely on her. His body reacted before he could stop it, and he cursed inwardly as he felt a very distinct rush of warmth pooling in his lower half.

Molly, being as observant as ever, smirked when she noticed where his eyes had been and how he was reacting. "Well, well," she teased, leaning back on her heels. "I guess I should take this as a compliment."

Tooey groaned, covering his face with his hands but nothing else. "Molly…"

She giggled, clearly pleased with herself. "Hey, if you're gonna sulk, at least I know I can still make you feel something other than frustration."

He peeked at her through his fingers, his lips twitching. "You're the worst."

She grinned. "Nah, I'm the best."

Still smirking, she stood up and grabbed her jeans, stepping into them and pulling them up over her hips. Tooey let out a slow breath, trying to shake off the lingering feelings of excitement. He hadn't expected the morning to take that turn, but leave it to Molly to lighten the mood in the most unexpected way.

She tugged on her sneakers, making quick work of lacing them before slipping her arms into her Qaspeg. As Molly finished pulling on her Qaspeg, she glanced back at Tooey, her eyes flickering down to his legs. "Before I go, let's get your braces on," she said, moving toward the desk where they were placed. "Just in case you need to get to the bathroom while I'm gone."

Tooey sighed, already knowing she wasn't going to let this go without a fight. "Molly, I can do it myself."

She raised an eyebrow, carrying them over anyway. "Oh, really? Because I've been helping you with them for the last few days."

"That was different," he muttered. "I was still getting used to them."

"And now you're suddenly a pro?" she challenged, kneeling down in front of him.

Tooey set his jaw. "Yes."

Molly smirked, setting the braces down beside him. "Alright, big guy. Prove it."

He stared at her, realizing she wasn't going to move until he did something. With a determined huff, he leaned forward, carefully reaching for the first brace. Stopping he realized his first problem. He had to reach the bottom of his legs in order to roll them up. That was something he was not able to do yet.

He handed them to Molly. She accepted them and rolled them expertly before easing them onto his left leg, then his right leg. She gently rolled them over his knees and stopped.

He pulled them up the rest of the way before his fingers worked the straps he could reach, and Molly fastened the ones he couldn't reach. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he got both sets of straps in place. He leaned back after finishing. He looked like he had run a marathon.

She reached out, giving his knee a light pat. "I just worry, you know that Teekkone?"

Tooey's smirk softened into something more appreciative. "I know, Shaeeyaa."

She stood up, smoothing her hands over her Qaspeg. "But you're almost to the point where you can handle things, I guess you won't want me helping you anymore when you can. That's a good sign."

"Don't sound so surprised," he teased.

She rolled her eyes, then leaned down to press a soft kiss on his lips. "I'll be back soon. Try not to miss me too much."

Tooey scoffed yet smiled. "I make no promises, but I'll be looking forward to your return."

Molly chuckled, giving him one last look before heading out the door. As it closed behind her, Tooey glanced down at his legs. It wasn't much, but at least this was one thing he could still do for himself. And right now, even the little victories mattered.

He reached for the wheelchair and locked the wheels. He deftly managed to get in the chair without shifting his legs too much, "Part one accomplished, now part two, the bathroom." He whispered turning the chair for the door to the room.

* Mumford Residence *

As the morning light streamed through the windows, Trini awoke to find that the storm had finally passed. The world outside was blanketed in thick, untouched snow, and the sky was a crisp, clear blue. She sat up, stretching carefully to avoid pulling on the healing wound on her chest. The air inside the house buzzed with activity as her parents were already up, preparing for the long day of clearing snow and tending to the chicken coop.

Trini quickly got dressed and made her way into the main room, eager to help. "What's the plan? Where do you need me?" she asked enthusiastically.

Her mother, Joy, shot her a look as she pulled on her coat. "Oh no, young lady. You are not helping with anything. You're still healing."

"But I feel fine!" Trini protested. "I can do something small. Maybe shovel a little? Or check on the chickens?"

Her father, Daniel, shook his head as he grabbed his gloves. "Absolutely not. You're definitely in no condition for shoveling, and those chickens will be just fine without you for one more day."

Trini slumped her shoulders, sighing dramatically. "So, I just get to sit here and do nothing?"

Joy leaned over and ruffled her hair. "Exactly. Now, be good and find something to do inside."

Feeling disappointed, Trini huffed as her parents stepped outside, leaving her alone in the house. She hated being left out—especially when she was perfectly capable of helping. But as she sat on the couch, she thought about it for a moment. Maybe she couldn't help with shoveling, but she could still check in on her friends.

A new idea struck her, and she quickly got up, grabbing the family computer. She settled into a chair and called Molly, hoping she'd pick up. After a few rings, the screen flickered to life, revealing Molly, bundled up in her winter coat, her breath visible in the cold air. Behind her, Atsaq was shoveling a trail toward the shed, where the dogs were housed.

"Hey, Trini!" Molly greeted, smiling despite the obvious effort of working in the snow. "What's up?"

"I just woke up to find out I'm basically on house arrest while my parents do all the work," Trini grumbled. "What about you?"

Molly grinned. "I'm helping out. There's a ton of snow to clear, and the dogs need to be checked on." She adjusted her grip on the shovel before tilting her head. "Hey, since you're free, you should call Tooey. He's been feeling pretty down about not being able to help with any of this."

Trini's expression softened. "Yeah? I guess I can do that."

Molly nodded. "It'd probably do him some good. You know, lift his spirits a little."

Trini smirked. "Are you saying I have magical mood-lifting powers?"

"I'm saying you're Trini," Molly said with a wink. "That's pretty much the same thing."

Trini laughed, feeling a little better already. "Alright, I'll call him."

They said their goodbyes, and Trini immediately switched over to call Tooey. It took a few moments, but finally, he answered. He was back in his room, sitting at his desk, looking a little tired but relieved to see her.

"Hey," Trini greeted, leaning forward. "You doing okay?"

Tooey sighed. "Just finished in the bathroom. You know, the most exciting part of my day."

Trini smirked. "Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's a little sad."

"Tell me about it," Tooey muttered.

Trini's smile softened. "Hey… I was thinking about when we were stuck in that hole a couple of weeks ago."

Tooey raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"I was really proud of you," she admitted. "You and Molly worked so hard to get us rescued. I couldn't do anything but sit there and feel useless. And you—you kept me safe, you kept me calm, even when things got scary."

Tooey sat up a little straighter, looking at her seriously now.

"I guess what I'm trying to say," Trini continued, "is that right now, Molly and Atsaq are just trying to keep you safe. The same way you did for me."

Tooey was quiet for a moment before a small, knowing smile crept onto his face. "So, what you're saying is… the roles are reversed now?"

"Exactly." Trini grinned. "You took care of me. Now it's your turn to take it easy and let them take care of you."

Tooey exhaled, nodding slowly. "I guess that makes sense."

Trini smirked. "Of course, it makes sense. I said it."

That got a chuckle out of him. He looked at her, really looked at her, and then said, "You know, talking to you helps. A lot."

Trini shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Well, I do have magical mood-lifting powers. Molly said so."

Tooey chuckled again before his expression turned serious. "I mean it, Trini. I love you. And I love Molly. And my mom. You have all been doing so much for me… I don't know what I'd do without you."

Trini felt a warmth spread through her chest. "We love you too, Tooey. By the way, I have no idea what you'd do without us, but I know it would be funny to watch."

As their conversation settled into a comfortable silence, Tooey tilted his head slightly and smirked at Trini through the screen.

"So… are you gonna call Robbie too?" he asked, his tone teasing but curious.

Trini rolled her eyes playfully. "Why? You wanna say hi to my boyfriend?" she teased back, throwing his words right back at him.

Tooey chuckled. "I'm just saying, if you're calling me to cheer me up, maybe he could use some cheering up too."

Trini sighed, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah. I guess I could include him in our conversation. Since the grownups and Molly are busy outside, we've got time."

Without hesitation, she tapped at her screen, adding Robbie to the call. It took a few rings, but soon enough, Robbie's face popped onto the screen. He looked slightly out of breath, a towel slung over his shoulder.

"Hey," he greeted, wiping his forehead. "What's up?"

"Not much," Trini said. "Tooey and I were just talking. What about you? What are you doing?"

Robbie exhaled and leaned against the back of a chair. "Family's outside cleaning up the place, clearing some of the snow in front of the house. I got put in charge of cleaning the kitchen and living room."

Tooey smirked. "So basically, you got stuck with indoor duty."

"Pretty much," Robbie admitted with a small laugh. "But hey, at least I'm doing something."

Trini and Tooey exchanged a look, both of them thinking the same thing.

"See, Tooey? Robbie's able to help too," Trini pointed out.

Tooey sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. Rub it in."

Robbie chuckled. "Hey, at least you get to stay warm. I'd rather be stuck inside than freezing my butt off out there."

"True," Tooey admitted.

They chatted for a few more minutes, exchanging small updates and playful jabs, before Robbie glanced toward something off-screen. "Alright, I gotta get back to work before my mom yells at me. I'll talk to you all later."

"Later, Robbie," Tooey said.

"Bye," Trini added with a wave.

As the screen went dark, Tooey let out a small sigh. "Well, at least we know Robbie's suffering with chores too."

Trini laughed. "Yeah. And hey, we're all kind of in the same boat. Snowed in, stuck inside, but still making it work."

Tooey nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "Yeah. We are."

* Trading Post & Ookami Residence *

As Molly placed the snow shovel beside the front door, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled when she saw her parents' names on the screen.

"Hey, Mom! Hey, Dad!" she greeted, stepping inside as Atsaq followed, shutting the cold out behind them.

"Molly," Layla's voice came through the speaker, warm but tinged with longing. "We just wanted to check in on you. We miss you, sweetheart."

Walter chimed in. "Yeah, the house has been way too quiet without you. It almost feels like you've moved out for good."

Molly chuckled softly, kicking off her boots and stretching her arms. "I miss you guys too. And Suki! Give her extra belly rubs for me, okay?"

"Oh, don't worry," Walter said. "She's been sulking ever since you left. She keeps waiting by the door like you're just gonna walk back in any second."

Molly's chest tightened at that, but she smiled. "Aww, poor girl. I'll make it up to her with all the belly rubs when I get back."

Layla's voice softened. "How are you holding up? You're not overworking yourself, are you?"

Molly sighed but nodded, even though they couldn't see her. "I'm okay, Mom. Really. I mean, it's a lot—helping Tooey, keeping up with everything—but I'm doing my job, both as his friend and as his girlfriend."

There was a pause before Layla spoke again. "Can I talk to Atsaq for a moment?"

Molly glanced at Atsaq, who nodded and reached for the phone. "Layla," he greeted.

Layla's voice was warm but curious. "How's Molly been handling everything? I know she's strong, but is she really managing all right?"

Atsaq smiled. "She's been doing an incredible job. More than I expected, to be honest. She doesn't just help Tooey—she anticipates what he needs before he even asks. She's always making sure he's comfortable, helping him in and out of bed, making sure he's properly bundled up whenever he's near the front door, and keeping him entertained. She's got a routine down for helping him in the mornings, from getting him into his braces in case he needs to get to the bathroom, to helping him transfer in and out of his wheelchair.

"She even makes sure he keeps up with his physical therapy exercises. The first few days, he was reluctant—didn't want to push himself—but Molly wouldn't let him slack. She encouraged him without being forceful, making it fun. She'd challenge him to little games—like tossing a beanbag to improve his hand-eye coordination or seeing how long he could balance with her barely holding onto him. She keeps him laughing even when he's frustrated.

"And when they weren't focusing on his recovery, they were just… being kids. They played card games, watched movies, and even danced together. Well, Molly danced, and Tooey mostly sat there watching her. But you should've seen her, Layla—she made it fun, even when they were stuck inside with nothing to do. She did mention something about wishing Suki were here so they could dance since Tooey couldn't."

Atsaq chuckled. "And then there's their baths."

Layla hummed knowingly. "I was wondering how that was working."

"Well," Atsaq said, glancing at Molly with an amused look, "Molly handles it with complete care and respect. She joins him—clothed, of course. She wears swim shorts and a T-shirt, and Tooey is in his swim trunks. I know this because I keep finding their swim clothes in the dryer in the morning before I do a load of their laundry."

Molly snorted. "Busted."

Atsaq smirked and continued. "She makes sure the water is warm but not too hot, helps him into the tub, and washes his hair if he needs it. If he wants to handle things himself, she gives him space, but if he needs help, she's right there. She's careful around his injuries, making sure he never strains himself. She even finds ways to make it less awkward—like cracking jokes or just chatting like nothing is out of the ordinary. And when they're done, she makes sure he's warm and dry before getting herself changed."

"And their sleeping arrangement," Atsaq continued, "I know you were probably wondering about that. They share the lower bunk, but Molly is always mindful of his injuries. She sleeps curled up beside him, but never in a way that puts pressure on him.

Layla chuckled knowingly. "That's my girl. I'm not surprised their relationship is progressing this way. She's always been the nurturing type."

Atsaq hummed in agreement. "She truly loves him. It's easy to see."

Layla sighed. "If she ever feels like things are moving in a direction she's not ready for, she knows she can call me for advice, right?"

Atsaq nodded. "Absolutely. But I don't think you need to worry. Molly knows her own heart, and she's making her own choices with confidence."

Walter's voice suddenly came through. "Alright, enough of the mushy stuff. Molly, I hate to be that guy, but you know you've missed a few shifts at the Trading Post."

Molly winced. "Yeah… I figured as much."

Walter chuckled. "Don't worry, you're allowance / pay is here waiting for you. But when you get back, you'll have to make up for it. The storeroom needs some serious restocking, so that's your job when you return."

Molly let out a dramatic groan, but she was smiling. "Okay, okay, I'll be ready to work when I get back."

"That's my girl," Walter said. "Now, take care of yourself, alright?"

"I will, Dad," Molly promised.

"Love you, sweetheart," Layla added.

"Love you guys too," Molly said, her heart full as she ended the call.

Yupik Dictionary

Waquaa! – Hello

Aana – Mother

Tua-I-Ngunrituq – Goodbye

Tuntuvak – Moose

Quyana – Thank you

Gaarrufurendo – Girlfriend in Japanese

Watashi no Gaarrufurendo – My girlfriend in Japanese

Gwich'in Dictionary

Shgguya – My grandchild

Ti'yaa – My father

Dak Niighit – "She rises into the air" Layla Mabray's Native name.

Shchada'a – My grandfather

Dinjik – Moose

Khoh t'án - Rose

Shahnyaa – One who informs us – Molly's native name

Shaeeyaa - Shimmering Stars, comic book hero created by Molly.

Sha'oodèe- Boyfriend

Va'oodèe – Girlfriend

Qaspeg – Tunic length, (falling between hip and knees) hooded overshirt with a large front pocket