Morning in Switzerland came soft and bright, painting the snow in sparkling white. The two strangers, still known to each other only as Mr. Hubby and Mr. Wifey has found themselves sharing breakfast at a tiny café tucked between mountains.
"Do you always eat this much chocolate in the morning?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as she dunked her fork into a towering slice of cake.
"Do you always act like you're my dad?" she shot back, smirking.
He laughed, a low, warm sound. "I'm not your dad. I'm your… oh, right, Mr. Hubby."
She rolled her eyes, but the smile that tugged at her lips betrayed her. "And I'm still your… very unwilling wife."
The day passed with small adventures. They explored cobblestone streets, wandered into tiny bookshops, and even attempted to ski, with disastrous yet hilarious results.
At one point, she slipped on the icy slope, and he grabbed her just in time. Their faces were inches apart, breath mixing in the cold air.
"Careful," he murmured, his hand still lightly on her waist.
She felt her cheeks flush but tried to keep her tone teasing. "Maybe I wanted to fall."
He smirked, playful but his eyes softened. "Then I'd catch you… every time."
Later, they found a quiet spot overlooking the lake, the water reflecting the mountains like a mirror. Snowflakes fell gently, dusting their hair and coats.
She laughed, trying to catch a falling flake on her tongue. He watched, silent for a moment, a small smile forming. Then he brushed the snow off her shoulder so gently it almost felt like a touch meant for more than warmth.
"You know," he said softly, "you're impossible."
"I know," she replied, eyes meeting his. "And you like it."
He hesitated, just slightly, before answering, "Maybe."
His friends, pretending to look for souvenirs, kept a careful distance. The young man noticed their glances but ignored them. But this time, the moment was his, hers, and entirely theirs.
By evening, they were back at their shared apartment, snow still clinging to the windows.
"Do you ever wonder why this feels… easy?" she asked, brushing her hair behind her ear.
"Easy?" He raised an eyebrow. "I've never felt anything easy in my life. But yes… this does feel like it could be."
She smiled softly. "Like we're… meant to be ridiculous together?"
He leaned a little closer, just enough that her breath caught. "Exactly like that."
For a few quiet seconds, the cold apartment felt warm. The playful nicknames, the teasing laughter, the small touches all of it built a strange, thrilling comfort neither had expected.
And in the back of their minds, both knew this was only the beginning.
The night settled outside, snowy and silent.
He thought, without telling her: I want more of this. More laughter, more moments, more… her.
She thought, without telling him: Why does he make my heart feel like it belongs somewhere it shouldn't?
Neither of them noticed the first hints of something deeper stirring, a feeling that would soon become impossible to ignore.