Formula 1 One-Shots (II)

Daniel Ricciardo [Snow Fight]

A/N Suggested by MoaWallentin.

WORDS: 901

PROMPT: "Don't you dare shove snow down my back!"
_____

The snow had fallen all night, blanketing the world in white. When I open the door to the outside this morning, I can feel the crisp air slightly cutting through the layers I am wearing. But it is a good kind of cold. One that makes my cheeks flush and my breath visible in the air. My boots crunch on the fresh snow when I step out, smiling at the soft morning light which makes the snow glitter.

"It is perfect." I say, looking over my shoulder to Daniel who just stepped out behind me. He wears one of these oversized winter coats, his breath coming out in clouds.

"It is beautiful." Daniel agrees, looking around at the endless amount of white. "But I don't know, maybe it is a bit too perfect like we are in a snow globe someone still needs to shake. Too good to be true." Daniel has the talent to make such dramatic philosophic statements that I just smile at him.

"Yeah, well. I am okay with that today." I reply. "Let's just make the most out of it."

Daniel grins at me. "Okay, let's go then. Race each other to the park?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Race? You do remember that I am faster than you, right?"

Daniel puts his hands on his hips. "Oh, is that so? Let's find out."

Before I can even react, Daniel sprints off, kicking up the powder snow with his boots. I let out a surprised laugh, before I followed him, breath coming out in sharp bursts. Feeling the warmth of competition rising in my chest, the cold air not able to suppress it.

We reach the park together, both breathing heavily, breath swirling through the air. The park is covered in snow as well, the playground looking like it is straight out of a Christmas movie. The branches of the trees were weighted down by the snow but looked magical at the same time.

I caught my breath, standing a few steps away from Daniel while I looked up to the sky, seeing the faint pink colour from the sunrise. "So, what do you want to do now?"

Daniel smiles playfully, still catching his breath. "Now? Well, I was thinking about a snowball fight."

I roll my eyes but still smile at him. "You are so predictable."

"What?" Daniel's eyes widen in surprise, and he feigns to be innocent. "It's just the perfect day for one."

"You just want an excuse to shower me with snow." I say but can't stop the grin. Never able to resist the fun of a snowball fight with Daniel.

The first snowball comes flying at me and I manage to duck just in time. The ball whizzed past me. With a laugh, I scoop up some snow and throw it at Daniel, but I miss him by a couple of meters. He grins and forms another snowball.

"Really love? I thought you were better than that." He teases and I need to laugh. "Shut up, I am just warming up."

The battle continues with a series of missed and narrowly avoided throws, but then when Daniel prepares his next one, I take the opportunity. With a swift throw, I manage to launch a snowball right against his chest.

Daniel stumbles back, laughing, but then his face turns into a mischievous one. "Okay, you're asking for it now."

"Oh no." I mumble, backing off. "Don't even..."

Daniel is quicker than I am but instead of aiming for my chest like all of the times before he throws one at my legs. "Daniel!" I yell when the cold water seeps through my jeans. Trying to get away from him, but Daniel just started.

"No mercy." He laughs, forming another snowball.

"Daniel, seriously. Stop." I laugh, trying to dodge the next one, but Daniel is quicker and before I know he has landed a hit on my stomach.

"Okay, okay. You win!" I plead and hold my hands up. Daniel grins, pleased with himself savouring his victory.

Just when I manage to finally catch my breath, I feel something cold on my back. "No, don't you dare!" I warn Daniel. But Daniel, of course, ignores me. He had this look in his eyes, the one he always has when he is about to push a joke just a bit too far.

"Daniel" I warn him again "Don't you dare shove snow down my back."

But it is already too late, with one movement Daniel scoops up some snow and shoves it down the back of my jacket. I shriek in protest, jumping forward, but Daniel just laughs.

"You can't catch me." He yells and runs off.

"I swear to god Daniel." I shout after him, laughing while running. The cold is unbearable, but Daniel's laughing makes it impossible to stay mad for long. Eventually, after some chasing and some more snowball attacks, I finally managed to catch him, tackle him and cover him in snow.

"I am going to get you back for this." I say, still laughing and trying to catch my breath.

"I'll be ready." Daniel promises.

We lay there together for a moment, watching new snow falling from the sky. The cold was forgotten for the moment, replaced by the warmth of the fight and the laughing as the world around us stayed still.

For a moment nothing else but us matters.