Chapter 205: Date Night with Christmas Vibes
Evaline:
Soft snowflakes drifted around us as we stepped out of a book store, arm in arm. We were like two lovers lost in our own winter wonderland.
Draven’s hand felt so natural entwined with mine, as if it belonged there forever. The streets of the human city were aglow with festive lights. The air was crisp and cold against our cheeks. Shops were displaying twinkling decor, their window counters were lined with gingerbread in family shapes, steaming cider, and soft fleece scarves. Everywhere we looked, Christmas was making its debut.
Draven paused outside a tiny stall offering free samples of hot chocolate. He handed me a cup warmed by steam. "For the chill... and us," he said, smiling. I sipped while smiling back. The rich sweetness instantly filled me with warmth.
Once we were done, ee wandered further, sampling cinnamon-dusted pastries - tiny puffs that melted on our tongues - and steaming mulled cider laced with cloves. Each bite and sip wrapped us further into the beautiful night.
He guided me down a street lined with craft-stall vendors, the kind that sold scented candles, knitted mittens, bespoke ornaments - the kind you would find in a film about Christmas. We stopped now and then.
At one stall, I found a fuzzy ornament shaped like a wolf pup. It looked really cute but I didn’t have a need to buy it, so we continued on our way. Next, we paused at a wooden stand selling miniature lanterns that were glowing with LED lights and smoky pine scent. This time I bought one to place on my bedside table.
As we strolled, we snapped a lot of selfies, just us - kissing with snow spiraling around, our breath warm against cold air. One especially perfect pose, with me laughing and him kissing my forehead as snow drifted down, I knew would be framed somewhere someday.
Eventually, we reached a vintage-style photo booth tucked between two cafés with glass-paneled facades. The queue was short, so we hopped in. Instantly, the air warmed as a string of tiny lights lit the cabin, and the machine whirred. We pressed close on the bench - him behind me with his arms around my waist.
The booth’s countdown flashed - 3... 2... 1...