"Sometimes, we all need a distraction."

⛓

"I'm starting to wonder if Alberta actually has spring."

Skylar looks up from her book, finding her boyfriend staring through the window at the blizzard outside. She shrugs at his comment, not really having anything to say and returns to the pages.

The couple had sat down on the couch less than half an hour ago when the frozen particles started falling. At that point, the snow had been melting the second it touched the pavement, but now it blows around in thick clumps as though being shaken in a snow globe. They may not have had many nice days recently, but at least the weather hadn't been trying trap them inside like it is now.

"If it snows any harder, they're going to cancel class," Rae groans in annoyance, falling back against the couch cushions.

"Clearly, you underestimate our professors," the young woman states dully, sticking a bookmark in her pages and placing her book on the coffee table. "You forget that this Canada, Rae. This is normal. Especially for Alberta. It snows in the summer for goodness sake!"

He stares at her in bewilderment, struggling to take in this new information. It's adorable the way his astonishment forms in his expression, his brows furrowed and eyes wide, lips pressed in a thin line.

"Careful, sunshine. You'll blow a gasket if you continue staring like that," Skylar teases as she sits upright to swing her legs off the couch, missing his expression turn defiant.

A short squeak bursts from her as Rae grabs her ankles and pulls sharply, dragging her across the couch to rest closer to him. Then, before she can think about moving, he traps her between his arms, leaning over her smaller body in what can be seen as a predatory position. His hands slide beneath her as he rests on his elbows, tugging her even closer to his body.

Soft kisses pepper her nose and face, making her squeal and giggle from the unexpected assault. Her legs wrap loosely around his waist, pulling the two together despite the woman's resistance to the attack.

Halting for a mere moment, Rae looks her in the eyes, his own glassy with emotion and adoration. His voice comes out in a near purr, deep and resounding, lulling Skylar into serenity. "I don't mind blowing a gasket if it's you I'm looking at."

She blushes deeply, her breath caught in her throat. No matter how many times he compliments her, she'll always be flustered.

A deep chuckle leaves him, his chest vibrating with the beautiful sound. His white hair shakes as he ruffles it gently, lowering himself to be flush against the young woman. While she struggles to form full thoughts, he nuzzles her neck softly, feeling her tense involuntarily at the sensation his warm breath sends down her back.

A warm, yet mischievous smirk finds a place on his expression as he delicately presses his rough lips against her neck. He softly kisses her exposed skin, fully aware of her boundaries as he moves to her shoulder, having no intentions of pushing the interaction any further. It makes him chuckle how much his touch flusters her.

"You know—" his sentence breaks as he kisses her shoulder again, "—I'll be quite glad—" a final kiss finds its place on her jawline, just below her ear, "—if they cancel class. It means I can spoil you."

Gulping for lost breath, Skylar looks up at him with curiosity. "B-but we're snowed in—?"

Rae hums quietly, resting his head on his girlfriend's stomach, "I meant with affection."

Once again, her face bursts in a flush of colour, though not quite as hot as before. She's getting better at adjusting to his displays of affection.

Absentmindedly, she runs her fingers through his fluffy hair, the action making him shudder. She immediately pulls her hands away, second guessing herself.

"No," he murmurs into her belly, pouting at her hesitation. "Keep doing it."

Skylar rolls her eyes at his softness, returning her hands to his hair. As the strands move and ruffle through her fingers, Rae moans lightly in satisfaction, snuggling closer. He's truly adorable in her eyes.

When, however, her fingers rub the back of his head—a spot that makes him go almost limp—he instinctively grabs her, his hands jabbing forcefully into her sides.

A squeal of surprise and torment bursts forth from the woman's lips, her eyes going wide as she claps a hand over her mouth. She prays to everything and everyone holy as Rae slowly looks up from his snuggle position, an unrecognisable glint in his eyes.

"Did you just squeal?"

She shakes her head furiously, tiny tears collecting in the corners of her eyes.

A sly grin stretches across his lips, and his eyes gleam. His hands slowly take a position right below her ribs, fingers poised for attack.

"No!" Skylar cries out in desperation, trying to squirm out from under him.

"No, what?" He leans over her, nose nearly touching her own, that grin still there.

"No, don't do it!"

"Do what?" He runs his fingers down her sides, making her squirm as she bites her lip, "This?"

He does it again, his touch as light as a feather. His eyes gleam once again as she lets out an unwarranted giggle.

"Are you ticklish?" He asks, whispering into her ear.

"N-no!" Her plead turns into a scream as he pins her down, tickling her in all of her weak spots. "Ra-AE!"

He tuts teasingly, continuing his torture of his girlfriend. When she kicks him in reflex, he sits on her legs, pinning them to the couch.

"Rae! S-stop!" Skylar cries through breathless pants, smacking his chest and arms in a frantic attempt.

He halts his relentless attack for a moment, appearing thoughtful and considerate as he does. He hums quietly before leaning closer, "I think not."

In panic, Skylar jabs him in the sides, making him freeze instantly. The force of the blow sends him toppling off the couch, dragging his girlfriend down with him.

He lands with a thud, knocking the air from his lungs and winding him entirely when Skylar lands on top of him. His cheeks go red as he tries to suck in a breath, forgetting what just happened.

The young woman looks at him curiously, puzzle pieces slotting together as she watches him. Subtly, she straddles his waist, leaning over his chest with her hands on his diaphragm.

"Are you alright?" He nods stiffly, coughing slightly. He fails to notice his girlfriend leaning closer towards his neck, only drawing his eyes to her when she presses a soft kiss against his skin.

"What are you—" he frowns a little at her out of character actions, but properly shrieks as her hands jab into his sides.

His cheeks flush a red dark enough to rival the red wine hidden in the cupboard, and his breath becomes uneven as he looks away from his laughing partner. Every movement is jittery from his embarrassment and his face is incredibly hot.

"I didn't think you'd be ticklish," Skylar manages through barks of laughter.

"I'm not," Rae stubbornly denies, looking anywhere but her face.

"Are too," she chuckles, wiping away mirthful tears from her eyes. Seeing his humiliation, she guides his chin back towards her, making him look her in the eyes. With a gentle touch, she runs her hand down his jawline, feeling his chin with her thumb. She smiles warmly at him, and kisses the tip of his nose, "You're adorable."

He opens his mouth in protest, about to argue his point, when Skylar replaces his words with her warm lips. In an instant, his focus is on her, and he welcomes her sudden presence by pressing back. It becomes a sort of game—who can kiss the best while keeping it sweet—and Rae knows he's losing, lost in the taste of her lips. She tastes of cherry and fire, of wood polish and soil, a taste that is so uniquely her that he can't help but get more of it.

His hands grip her hips, thumbs tracing patterns on the skin just below her t-shirt. The heat between them does nothing to help, but they don't allow it to drag them under.

Skylar's fingers run through his white hair, stroking the back of his head in delicate touches. To her glee, it makes him softer than putty in her hands, and she uses the opportunity to pull him up into a sitting position in which she sits in his lap. She finds herself needing desperately to breathe, but can't bring herself to do it while she can taste Rae's lips. Like metal and chocolate, an unusual combination that couldn't be anything but him—a flavour that has become a shameless addiction.

Catching her struggles, Rae breaks away, seemingly with his breath intact, and adoringly watches his girlfriend gulp in greedy breaths. She's not even flustered. Strands of her hair have fallen out of her ponytail, framing her face in a messy, yet perfect way. Her eyes hardly leave his own, only glancing down to his lips on occasion.

"You're adorable," he states, gently cupping the back of her neck in his hand.

"It's not just me then," she chuckles, leaning back in with a weak smile.

"If that's the case, then you're certainly more so," Rae sweetly pecks her lips, forgetting his usual question in the moment. "But you definitely take the cake for the most unexpected."

She cocks her head slightly, a small crease between her eyebrows.

"For someone who gets flustered at the smallest acts of affection, you definitely are devious," he grins at her blush, kissing her forehead.

Skylar smacks his chest lightly, earning a proper laugh from him.

"Stop being so damn adorable!" They both freeze at the sound of their neighbour's voice shouting at them through the wall. "I can't focus on my homework!"

Skylar's the first to laugh, tears rolling her cheeks as she falls against Rae's shaking shoulder. He soon follows, hiding his bellowing laughter in his girlfriend's shirt.

Perhaps the snow could continue. Perhaps it should cover the city in a blanket of white 2 feet deep, if only to allow this moment—this couple—to be prolonged past time should allow.

⛓

Hello! Sorry for the wait!

It might be a little while before I update again, I want to finish a chapter of another book before the end of the month.

Hope you enjoyed, and I hope you continue to enjoy!