Page 104 of These Wicked Hearts

“Holy shit, it’s coming down.” He’s like a goddamn puppy. I watch him, nose practically pressed to the window. “Let’s go outside.”

We arrived at his house about an hour ago, just in time for the snow to start falling. His house is not what I expected at all. It’s small, for one, but warm and filled with pictures, knickknacks, and yes, a big bookshelf in the living room with some comics on it. There’s also a TV mounted on the wall and a big wraparound couch taking up the middle.

The room is just starting to warm up now that Atlas turned the heat on in the house. “Come on,” he whines.

“In the cold? Atlas, it’s like eight at night.” And freezing.

“Come on. There’s so much of it already. It’s coming down so hard now.” I look out the window, watching as fat flakes fall from the sky.

“Fine.” I get up. Atlas puts his winter coat on.

“Wait here.” Atlas disappears and returns again with a giant hat.

“No.”

“Oh, come on. Got to protect your ears.” He puts the fluffy hat on my head and pulls the ear flaps down.

“I look ridiculous.”

“You look fucking adorable.” Atlas grabs the stupid flaps of this fuzzy hat and pulls me toward him. “God you’re cute.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “So cute!”

“And pissed.”

“Makes you cuter.” He gives me a quick peck on the nose then opens the door to the freezing fucking cold. Fantastic. “It’s so pretty.”

Atlas steps outside and I follow him. The wind bites my face.

Okay fine, it is pretty, but I’ll keep that to myself. Atlas needs no encouragement. I watch him looking up at the sky. White dusts against his black hat, and the flannel coat he’s wearing does shit to me I’m not ready for. He looks so ridiculous.

And happy.

He’s always so happy. “Isn’t it pretty? Come on, Gage.”

“It’s just white powder.”

“God, you’re so dead inside.” He laughs.

“No, I was warm inside,” I correct. “And now I’m slowly freezing to death.” I tuck my hands into my pockets. “I could die.”

“You’re not going to die. You’re such a drama queen.”

Atlas sighs and I feel myself crumbling. How can I not when he looks like that. Bright eyes, so happy. He’s practically vibrating.

The cold brushes my face sharply, and Atlas walks over, his smile frozen with joy. “It’s so pretty.” He tugs my ear flaps again. “You’re so pretty.”

“You’re ridiculous.” Then his lips are on mine, and it all feels a lot less stupid.

“Are you okay? Too cold?”

“I’m fine.” Warmth soaks into me as he holds me here.

He looks up at the soft flakes falling peacefully around us. “I like how quiet it feels when it snows.” He grins. “I think that’s the part I miss about living here instead of in the cities. Everything feels so quiet.”

“It’s just frozen water.”

“You’re frozen water.”

“Do you always have to be the most ridiculous person?” He grins wide, all white teeth. Impressive for his line of work. I wonder if they’re all real. “Have you had any teeth knocked out?”