unaltered.

books and hot chocolate.

The four friends decidedly take off in different directions in hopes of finding the lost child. Every isle bustling with people as they frantically rush past. They just had to come to the grocery in the busiest time of the day. Charlotte was the most panicked by the child's disappearance; her aunt would kill her before she could even graduate. She saw flashes of her friends on the other side of the isles but focused on identifying a small blonde boy in a pink tutu. Charlotte rushes toward the candy section and –

A large hand gently pushed her forward and she felt a familiar body place itself betwixt her and the couch. She glanced up at the distraction. Hazel forgot about the giant man who made himself a steaming cup of hot chocolate. He nestled himself until he was comfortable with his legs at her sides. River's enormous stature never ceased to surprise her but she felt especially small with him crowding her like this. He returned her curious stare and motioned to the book; he wanted to read with her. She reopened the book on the page she left off and started reading but not before patting River's cheek.

Hazel continued with Charlotte's frantic search to the candy section. She felt almost too warm in River's cocoon and it was the middle of winter. She couldn't help but to be conscious of his breath never leaving her nape which in turn caused her to transform into a tomato. Knowing that her ears get the reddest when she's embarrassed, River smiled at the effect he had on her. He was so deeply in love with her that he couldn't help but tease her. Her ears remained the same blushed colour as he continued to read.

She had started the page earlier than River so she reveled in his warmth in wait for him to finish. His hand that wasn't occupied with a cup slid across her waist, started pressing circling motions with his fingers, and it was then that she knew that he was deeply concentrating in the words of the book. She found his habit of touching her while focused endearing and imagined that his brows furrowed as well. Hazel wanted so much to hold his hand but had to clutch the book and its pages or it would close. She was an affectionate person, always having to be with someone or hug them, while he wasn't so much at first but grew to copy her actions. Only with her. Hazel was secretly proud of the fact that he couldn't be affectionate with anyone but her. His mum and sister only got so much as a kiss on the forehead and Hazel got little defining touches every moment he could reach her. Of course, she wanted his family to be able to share intimacy so she couldn't monopolize his affection. She chose to keep her secret hidden from everyone but River already knew and strived to touch her whenever he could.

She was taken out of her trance when River took a sip from his cup. Hazel followed the motion and found that his eyes were looking into hers. He conveyed that he was done reading the page so she turned back and flipped the paper. She loved that they could talk in silence; it was kind of creepy but showed that their understanding of each other was undeniable.

Then both of them continued reading line by line, and when he sipped, she turned the page.