Fire and Ice

Chapter 5

Jake had left Winter's house after a hug, and a few waves, but he came back a few weeks later. Winter was expecting him to come soon, but she waited almost a full month before he showed again. When Jake had come back and found her, she was sitting quietly on a snow-covered log. A frost-bitten sigh escaped the girl's lips, not realizing the man was there.
"Hey, babe..." Jake gave a short smile as he sat down next to her. Winter was thrilled he was back, but upset that he was gone for so long.
"H-hey..." She replied with out looking over at him. Jake sighed.
"Are you mad that I haven't been around?" Winter glanced away.
"A-a little..." She replied. The male released a breath and pulled her into a hug as he kissed the top of her head.
"I'm sorry... I'll never be gone that long again. I promise." Winter smiled gently at him. Jake thought about the battles he had encountered, and wondered if he should at least tell Winter. He then decided against it. He didn't want Winter to be harmed. Winter pondered in her mind why Jake was gone for so long, but to her, it didn't matter at the moment. She smiled lightly at him and pecked his cheek.
"I love you." Jake said to his girl. Winter blushed lightly.
"I-I love you t-too..." She told him softly. Jake pulled her close and planted a deep kiss against her cold lips. Winter blushed even more as she kissed him back. She felt his lips give a soft burn against her lips while butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Jake pulled back and looked into Winter's blue eyes.
"W-why were you g-gone so l-long...?" The female asked him first. Jake didn't want to tell her. He had to keep this from her. To protect her.
"I... I can't tell you. It's dangerous, babe, and I don't want you hurt." He held her arms with concern shining in his eyes.
"Oh.." was the only thing Winter's replied with as she gave a slow nod.
The sun slowly turned into fiery colors as it began to set. Winter yawned and rested against Jake as she started to drift into a slumber. Jake smiled thinly down at her, and soon fell asleep himself, in the snow.
Suddenly, Winter woke up to here a noise. It frightened her terribly.
"J-Jake!" She shook him awake. He groaned quietly at first.
"What is it?" He questioned her.
"I-I dunno... I-I heard a-a sound. D-do you think it w-was the hunters...?" She looked at him worriedly, so he lit his hand with fire and looked around. Winter watched him, then looked at the fire. Her memory clicked, and her eyes watered.
"G-get the fire a-away!" She backed up and cowered. The fire was no longer beautiful to her. It was horrifying.
"Whoa, babe, what's wrong?!" He clenched his fist in order to put out the fire. Tears began freezing to her face as they rolled down her cheeks.
"Th-there was a-a forest f-fire near by, a-and e-everything was f-familiar... I-I remember something..." Her eyes watered as she tried to wipe away the incoming tears. "M-my parents died I-in a fire...!" She finally explained. Jake shook his head sadly, and gave her a calming hug.
"I'm so sorry, Winter..." Jake cooed as the girl sniffled and clung to him.