We Fell In Love In October - Wintumn Flufftober

I don't even know...New Hobby?

A/N - This was supposed to be drunken confessions but it took a turn so we're gonna say it's one of the alternate prompts instead. It got a little waffle-y...like always... Enjoy?

"So Winter?" Dale, one of his best friends from university, sat next to Winter as they were all preparing for the night ahead. "Do we get to meet this mystery woman of yours tonight?"

Back in university Winter, James, Dale, and Matt bonded instantly over their shared love of improv and eventually started holding their own Who's Line night. It never drew a big crowd, but Dale's parents owned the pub where they performed so they got to use the space no matter how few people showed up. The bar regulars always showed up and were more than willing to give them very...interesting suggestions. They held monthly shows until they graduated college and every few years they would come back to the same pub and do it again. The crowds grew as their families did and it became something they all looked forward to. This year was even more special for Winter, because he finally had someone to share it with. Winter got a dopey grin on his face as he thought about Autumn sitting in the audience waiting for the show. He turned to answer but was cut off by James calling across the room.

"No, D, she'd have to be real for us to meet her."

All the men laughed, including Winter. He wasn't surprised to find out his friends didn't believe Autumn was real. He knew that she sounded too good to be true, because she kind of was. Nearly every day he would send a gushing text about her to their group chat; Dale was the first person Winter texted the very first night they were together saying that he'd met the woman he was going to marry; but because they all lived so far away, they'd never met her. And because neither he or Autumn were big social media users they hadn't even seen a picture of her. Of course they thought he was making it up.

"She is quite real, thank you." Winter laughed along with his friends. "She's here tonight right in the front row."

"Front row, aye?"

As much as they made fun of him they were all excited that he finally found someone who showed up for him. His old girlfriend had always been too embarrassed to attend the shows. They all knew it wasn't really the "event of the year" but it was important to them and after years of watching him hide how upset he was that his girlfriend was the only partner to not show up they were thrilled that he finally found the love and support they all had. Dale got up from his seat, signaling that it was time to take the stage. The three men shared a glance as they left the room, their plan already forming.

"We like her already."

As the four waited for the lights to dim, they all snuck a peek out at the crowd. It was easy to spot Autumn, she was the only person they had never seen before. Their jaws dropped as they saw the woman that Winter had brought with, sitting front and center just like he said. She was exactly how Winter had described, none of the men had been prepared for that. None of them thought Winter would even be able to talk to a woman like that, let alone date one.

"That's your girlfriend."

He peeked out the door, following their gaze; a smile crossed his lips as the perfect moment he'd been waiting for presented itself.

"No, don't be ridiculous." The lights started to dim behind him as he pulled his ring out of his pocket, casually slipping it on as he started out the door toward the stage. "That's my wife."

The men didn't even have time to respond to the news before the show began. They had to hold down their excitement for their friend until the end of the show, which became more and more difficult as they watched the couple "interact" during the performance. Winter was a professional, he never broke character, but between games was a different story. They watched his confidence grow every time Autumn let out a laugh at one of his jokes. They saw the winks he shot her as a scene ended and the loving glances as they reset the stage. It was clear their friend had found his one. After years with a woman who called his interests boring and embarrassing, Winter found someone who brought his spark back. His friends were seeing the old Winter again. The Winter that commanded the stage, who landed a punchline with ease. That Winter was back; and now, with his wife sitting front and center looking at him with so much love, it was clear he was better than ever.