The city glittered beneath a blanket of fresh snow, streets lined with holiday lights and decorated storefronts. The evening air carried a crisp chill, but inside the quaint café they had ducked into, the warmth was immediate and comforting.
Noah leaned back in the booth, his gloved hands wrapped around a steaming mug of cocoa. Aarush sat across from him, elbows resting on the table, eyes bright with a mix of amusement and affection. It was rare for them to be out in public like this, without cameras or reporters looming, and the privacy felt like a fragile gift.
“You know,” Noah said, voice playful but soft, “I think this might be my favorite way to spend a snowy evening. Hot chocolate, minimal people, and… you.”
Aarush raised an eyebrow, but the hint of a smile tugged at his lips. “I’
