Frozen Flames Of Burning Passion | Once Upon A December

5 | Now, tomorrow, and forever

A kaleidoscope of Christmas decorations painted the urban landscape with festive hues. Storefronts competed for attention with elaborate window displays, each vying to capture the season's spirit.

Elara strolled through the bustling city, enjoying the buzz of excitement. Streetlight poles were wrapped in garlands of evergreen, accented with bright red bows and glittering ornaments, green that paled in comparison to his eyes.

Elara's steps faltered, her heart and lungs momentarily halting all functions as her gaze collided with a pair of green orbs-lively and intense, like a sudden burst of energy amid her stillness.

When he approached her, each footfall sent a ripple through her entirety. A myriad of emotions surged within her.

"Hey," he whispered, removing his glove before extending his arm.

A sense of déjà vu washed over Elara, reminiscent of their initial meeting. A lump formed in her throat. Unable to speak, her lips formed a shaky smile as she reveled in the warmth of his hand. Her heart swelled when he didn't let go, entwining their fingers instead. Gently, he tugged her after him and she followed quietly.

The park was neither empty nor full as Kale guided them toward a bench and gestured for her to sit. Silence enveloped them. Her fingers fidgeted, aching for the sensation of his skin against hers once more.

"Are you ready now?" Having grappled enough with the void she'd created with her disappearance, his question hit the nail. When it came to her, Kale always knew what to say.

Elara struggled to get rid of the lump in her throat. She swallowed hard, managing a faint shrug.

"Is that a yes or no, Elara?"

She sank her teeth into her lower lip, chewing on it relentlessly until his thumb startled her as he released it.

"Use your voice, please. I've waited. I held back from going after you. Do you know how hard that was? I had to witness your sudden departure twice...I think I deserve a better answer than a simple shrug."

Kale never raised his voice. His calmness tore through her heart, sending her defenses crumbling down. Her head drooped in shame. She inhaled deeply. "I don't know."

"You don't know what exactly?"

"I don't know if I'm a good fit for you. You deserve better."

There was a pregnant pause before his cold tips brushed her tear-streaked cheek. "Says who? Don't you think I have a say in that?" He sighed, his thumb wiping away the slithering droplets. Then, he murmured, "Open your eyes, Elara."

Blinking the tears away, she sniffled, still evading his intense gaze that seemed to see right through her. The weight of his words hung in the air, and Elara wrestled with conflicting emotions. "I'm scared," she breathed out, her tone shaky and barely audible.

"Me too." Kale leaned forward, pressing his forehead to hers. "You depict me as this perfect being but, I'm human too and I make mistakes. Just because they're different than yours doesn't make you a bad person." He smiled. "I'm scared, Elara. But...I know what I'm signing up for. I'm ready for the long haul. Are you?"

"I'm scared you'll regret saying that."

"Then, you don't know me at all." He pulled back with a sigh. "I'm hurt you'd think so low of me."

Wide-eyed, Elara rushed for his hands, clasping them tight with her sweaty ones. "No, no, no, that's not what I mean!"

Squeezing her fingers back, he leaned against the bench. "No?"

There was another pause, longer this time. It was full of jumbled thoughts and nervous thump, thump, thumps. Elara wasn't used to voicing out her inner struggles. She was only familiar with putting herself down. "I'm scared of myself."