wintumn: my love

chapter 5: i love you

Third person pov:

It was a cool Friday night when Autumn and Winter settled into her cozy apartment for a horror movie marathon. Cadaver, ever the skeptic, lounged on the armrest of the couch, half-heartedly watching the screen with his usual indifference. Autumn had chosen an assortment of classic horror films, but as the opening credits rolled for the first movie, she realized that both she and Winter were far more interested in each other than the onscreen terror.

As the film unfolded, the atmosphere was punctuated with the sound of jump scares and ominous music, yet neither Autumn nor Winter seemed fazed. They occasionally exchanged amused glances during the most ridiculous scenes, sharing whispers and chuckles that filled the room with warmth.

“Seriously,” Autumn said during a particularly over-the-top scare, “who actually believes they can run from a killer in stilettos?”

Winter laughed softly, leaning closer. “Clearly not the characters in this movie. But hey, if I ever find myself in that situation, I’ll make sure to wear sneakers.”

“Smart move,” she replied, a teasing smile on her lips. They settled into a comfortable silence, the only sounds coming from the flickering screen and Cadaver’s soft purring as he shifted positions.

As the movie reached its climax, Autumn found herself glancing at Winter more than the screen. The way he leaned forward, utterly absorbed, made her heart flutter. She had never anticipated that watching horror films could feel this cozy, and she relished the intimacy of the moment.

Suddenly, a particularly gruesome scene caused a loud scream to echo through the speakers. Autumn jumped slightly, and Winter chuckled, pulling her closer instinctively. She found comfort in his arm around her shoulders and let out a small, nervous laugh.

“Okay, that one got me,” she admitted, feeling slightly embarrassed.

Winter looked at her, his expression serious but gentle. “You know, I think I’ve figured something out tonight.”

Autumn turned her attention back to him, curiosity piquing. “Oh? What’s that?”

He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. “I’ve realized that horror movies are way more fun when you’re watching them with someone you care about.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “Yeah, I guess I can agree with that.”

Winter took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. “No, I mean it. I really care about you, Autumn. Like, a lot. And I think I’m falling in love with you.”

The world around them fell silent, the sounds of the movie fading into the background. Autumn’s heart raced as the weight of his words settled between them. She was taken aback, her mind swirling with emotions she hadn’t fully processed.

“Winter…” she began, her voice barely a whisper.

“I know it sounds crazy, especially after just a few weeks,” he continued, rushing to fill the silence. “But every time I’m with you, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly, but it did. I just had to say it.”

Autumn’s chest felt tight, and she couldn’t help but glance at Cadaver, who was now watching them with mild interest. She turned back to Winter, searching his face for any signs of uncertainty. But all she saw was sincerity, a warmth that made her heart ache.

“I didn’t expect this either,” she confessed, her voice trembling slightly. “But I feel the same way, just—I didn’t know how to say it.”

Winter’s expression softened, and he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch sending shivers down her spine. “Really?”