wintumn: my love

chapter 1: halloween

Third person pov:

On a crisp Halloween night, the streets were alive with the sounds of laughter and the rustle of fallen leaves. Halloween parties dotted the neighborhood, but two friends, Autumn and Winter, decided to skip the crowded gatherings. Instead, they opted for a quieter night in Autumn's cozy apartment, nestled among the golden and fiery red leaves that adorned the trees outside.

They decorated the small space with flickering candles and carved pumpkins, their soft glow casting playful shadows on the walls. As they sipped on hot cider spiced with cinnamon, they shared stories of their childhood Halloween adventures, laughter echoing through the room. The warmth of the cider complemented the flickering candlelight, creating an intimate atmosphere.

As the night wore on, a comfortable tension hung in the air between them. Autumn, with her long, flowing hair and vibrant spirit, had always been the more adventurous of the two. Winter, with her calm demeanor and cool blue eyes, provided a grounding balance that Autumn had come to appreciate over the years. The chemistry between them was undeniable, yet neither had ever dared to cross that line.

Then, as the clock struck midnight, a playful dare slipped into the conversation. “What if we went out for a midnight stroll?” Autumn suggested, her eyes glinting mischievously. “Let’s scare ourselves a little!”

Winter raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You think we’ll find any ghosts out there?”

“Maybe. Or just some very spooky trees,” Autumn replied with a grin, her heart racing with excitement.

They bundled up in their warmest jackets, Autumn’s in a fiery red and Winter’s in cool blue. The streets were quieter now, the festive noise replaced by the rustling of leaves underfoot. As they wandered through the dimly lit park, shadows danced around them, and the moon cast a silver light, illuminating their path.

When they reached a small clearing, Autumn stopped, her breath visible in the chilly air. “What if we had a little fun?” she said, her eyes sparkling. “Let’s tell ghost stories.”

Winter laughed, feeling more at ease. “You know I’m terrible at those.”

“I’ll start,” Autumn said, her voice low and dramatic. She spun a tale of a haunted house, complete with mysterious noises and flickering lights. As she spoke, Winter felt her heart race—not from fear, but from the realization of how much she cherished these moments with Autumn.

After a few more stories, they fell into a comfortable silence. The air around them felt charged, and Winter could sense Autumn’s gaze lingering on her. “You know, we’ve been friends for a long time,” Winter said softly, breaking the quiet. “What if we explored something different?”

Autumn turned to her, surprise evident on her face. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

Winter took a deep breath, the chill of the air mingling with the warmth of her emotions. “I think we should stop pretending and see where this goes. I like you, Autumn.”

Autumn’s smile lit up the night. “I like you too, Winter. More than I’ve ever said.”

With that, a spark ignited between them. Winter reached for Autumn’s hand, their fingers intertwining naturally. The world around them faded as they leaned closer, their lips brushing together in a hesitant yet electric kiss. The connection felt deeper than anything they had experienced before—a melding of two seasons, warm and cool, creating a harmony neither had anticipated.

As they pulled away, both felt a rush of excitement and fear. “So, what now?” Autumn asked, her breath mingling with the crisp air.

“Now we see where this takes us,” Winter replied, her voice steady. “Let’s embrace it, no matter how scary it feels.”