We Fell In Love In October - Wintumn Flufftober

First Kiss

Winter couldn't have imagined a better night. He and Autumn had barely spent a minute away from each other since their eyes locked at the staff Halloween party, but something about tonight felt different. Felt special.

Autumn had finally agreed to let Winter take her out on the kind of date that she deserved and it had been magical. The couple ended up closing down the restaurant Winter had picked as they just couldn't stop talking. The conversation flowed as freely as the wine; they talked about anything and everything, opening up to each other with stories they'd never told anyone before. In just these few hours he learned more about Autumn than he ever expected to know, he sat captivated as she told stories about traveling the world and learning new languages, about her younger days and setting fire to teacher's cars. Each story was more interesting than the last, Winter found himself wishing she would never stop talking. He wanted to know everything about her, her wanted to truly know her.

He couldn't believe how quickly his feelings had changed. He had gone from hating Autumn more than anyone; to thinking maybe, just maybe, there was more to her than meets the eye; to being unable to resist whatever force was bringing them together; to now driving her home from what he could only describe as the best date he had ever been on in his life in just a few months. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. A romance like this was one that belonged in books, he never would have expected to live something like this. But he wouldn't have had it any other way. 

In the back of his mind, though, he was still waiting for her to reject his advances. Winter would have been the first person to tell you he was punching up; the fact that he got a chance at all was shocking to him. The whole evening he was just waiting for her to take the bail out call or leave out the bathroom window. He kept telling himself that he needed to enjoy whatever time he was allowed to be around her because there was no way this was going to last forever.

That all changed when she held his hand across the table at dinner. She initiated it, she wanted to hold his hand. His nerves disappeared in an instant. Their hands touching felt...right. As their fingers intertwined they felt like they were made for this, like their hands were crafted just for each other. Winter felt like he had finally found what he had spent so long searching for, he felt at home.

On the way home, Winter decided to let his hand rest on Autumn's thigh as he drove. He didn't know what possessed him to do it, he knew that Autumn hated physical contact. She wouldn't even hug the children at the nursery if they asked. But she didn't pull away, she didn't even flinch. As his hand came to rest she seemed to relax, she even let out a contented sigh. At that moment Winter knew that he had nothing to worry about. The little voice in his head that was always telling him he wasn't good enough, wasn't manly enough, was silenced; instead all he could think was that she might just be feeling the same way. And when she put her hand on top of his he knew he was right.

When they finally pulled into Autumn's driveway his nerves came back stronger than before, but they were different this time. Mixed in with his fear was excitement, anticipation and...something else that he couldn't place, or at least wouldn't admit yet. They had been together plenty by this point, but tonight was going to be different. It was going to be special. 

They walked to the door hand-in-hand, not even letting go when Autumn unlocked it. Before she could walk inside; Winter pulled her back, taking her other hand in his.

"I had a wonderful time tonight, Autumn."

"So did I."

Autumn gave him a half smile, confused as to why they were still on her front step. Winter reached up to tuck a stray hair, his nerves threatening to boil over if he didn't act on them soon. Winter leaned in slowly; his hand still on her cheek as he captured her lips in a soft, passionate kiss. This was much sweeter, much slower than they had ever kissed each other before. There were no expectation behind this kiss; it was as explosive as ever, but there was no push for it to become anything more. There was no need for more, the kiss was perfect, it was beautiful, it was enough.

Winter felt like he finally came alive with this kiss. The world seemed clearer, brighter, happier; the movement of their lips conveyed their feelings better than any words ever could. If they had their way that kiss would have never broken, but unfortunately their need for air ruined the moment. When they finally broke apart their arms stayed wrapped around each other as they looked into each other's eyes. In them they saw so much. They saw respect and admiration; they saw a commitment yet to be spoken, but so clearly made; they saw their future. 

Finally Winter broke their silence, so simply expressing everything they both knew to be true.

"Wow."

Autumn couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. A laugh that set Winter's heart abuzz with excitement.

"Wow, indeed."

"So..." Winter backed away slightly offering a handshake to Autumn, causing her to laugh again. He knew then that he would spend the rest of his life chasing the high of hearing that sound. "I hope we can do it again sometime."

"I'd like that."

He kissed her hand gently before watching her slip into the house. He stood for a minute, completely wrapped up in the joy of the moment. Winter turned around to lean on the door for just a second to collect his thoughts, completely unaware that Autumn was just inside, leaning on the opposite side of the door, her knees weak from his touch. He started down the stairs, turning back for one last look just in time to see the door crack open.

"Winter! Where do you think you're going?"

"Home?"

Autumn reached her hand out to him, beckoning him to come inside.

"Then you're headed the wrong way."