Cold Hands and Warm Lips - Janne Benner x Reader

Chapter One

It could be so fucking cold in Wind River.

Even in spring, when there was almost no snow and the animals were out hunting, the wind was cold.

So now, at the height of winter, you could barely get out from under the covers to pee at night.

Grunting through your teeth, you forced your legs beyond the frigid air of your bedroom, and headed into the bathroom, mentally cursing for having that extra cup of tea before you went to bed.

After relieving yourself, you almost fell over in fright when you heard a noise at your door.

"What the fuck?" You muttered confusedly, looking at the clock in the room across the hall. Three in the goddamn morning.

Another knock had you cursing before walking to open the door.

You were quite surprised to find Ben Shoyo, chief of the local police, on your doorstep.

"Good night, Y/N." He greeted with a smile as he hugged his arms, the icy cold seeping inward. "Sorry to show up like this, the vehicle broke down and it's starting to snow really hard."

"It's okay, Ben. Come on in." You said before stepping inside.

In the low heat of your kitchen, you poured some of the remaining tea while the man sat at the counter.

"How are things up here, kid? You haven't been to town in a while." Ben asked after taking a sip of his drink. You shrugged your shoulders.

"Honestly, Ben, it is not going very well." You confess. "Not after Natalie."

Ben clears his throat.

"I'm sorry, it was stupid of me to ask." He said with a guilty expression.

"No problem." You mumble wanting to change the subject quickly. "The blizzard should lessen in the next few hours, feel free to use the phone, the television or help yourself to food. I need to get some sleep before my shift tomorrow."

"Alright thanks again girl." Ben said before you left the room quickly.

Ben has known you long enough for you to trust him. So as soon as you get back to your room, you fall asleep.

When you wake up in the morning, he's gone. There's a note on the counter saying "I ate the rest of Aiyana's Succotash. Come to the police station and see me, I'll buy you lunch. You need to get out of the house."

You mentally cursed him. Aiyana was your neighbor. Well, you don't know what the distance limit is for someone to be considered a neighbor, but since almost all Wind River houses are isolated in small villages, you refer to Aiyana and her family as your neighbors, even if you have to drive twenty minutes by car or sledge to get to her house.

The point is that she makes the best native american meals, and because you spend a lot of time alone, she also sets some for you. It's been that way since your mother, who used to be Aiyana's best friend, passed away when you were a teenager.

Your shift as a forest ranger was reduced to part-time with homicide investigations into the dam area, so once you're done around mid-day, you drive your truck back through the city area, to the police station.

The place is not crowded, but as the locals recognize you, you greet them with shy nods and smiles before entering the building and heading to the reception.

"Good morning, Siu." You greet the police officer you've known since you're little with a smile.

"Wow, long time no see, stranger!" She comments amusedly, leaning on the reception counter in front of her. You laugh lightly. "How can I help you dear?"