December 21st, 2016
Winnipeg, Canada
5:45 PM

Song: Let It Snow, cover by Lady Antebellum

"Hope, honey could you get the door please?" Mrs. Neufeld shouted from the kitchen as a soft knock rapped on the front door.

"Yeah ma." Hope called back, and slid over to the door, opening it to the snow outside. Standing outside her door was a short Asian man with dull brown, but hopeful eyes.

Hope closed the door in his face, her eyes wide in alarm. "ANNALISE! IT'S FOR YOU!" She shouted loud enough for the blonde to hear her in the other room.

Instead, her younger brother, Patrick, peered in. "Annalise has friends?" He teased with a mocking smile.

"Oh, be quiet." Annalise grumbled as she walked briskly past Patrick to the door. "Who is it?"

"It's Kiku." Hope said softly, so no one else in the house could hear.

Annalise's eyes widened. "What? Here?"

"Yes, outside this door." Hope breathed. "Mom and dad can't see him. You're gonna have a lot of trouble talking yourself out of this if they do."

"I know I know." Annalise muttered, opening the closet and throwing on a coat and some cute red and green Christmas earmuffs, as well as grabbing a scarf and gloves for Kiku, just incase he was without proper Winnipeg winter wear.

She opened the door and stepped outside, and a look of relief washed over Kiku's features.

"Thank goodness. I was beginning to think you were trying to avoid me." Japan sighed.

Annalise raised a brow. "Avoiding you?"

"Hai. You left France's house very abruptly. I very much liked living there with you, but without you?" He shuttered slightly. "France and I are... quite different."

Annalise frowned, her face flushing as she offered Kiku the scarf and gloves, which he took gratefully. "Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging, it's just... school's been rough." She admitted, placing her own earmuffs on.

Kiku frowned. "Would... you like to talk about it?"

Annalise smiled, looking to the snow swirling all around them from the darkening sky. "You wanna take a walk in this?"

Japan's face flushed, "Well, anything that will make you feel better."

"So, you don't mind the snow?" Annalise asked. They were about 30 minutes into their walk through the city, and their hair was now thoroughly covered in snow. The sun had already set west in the sky, but people still bustled about their day as if the sun was at high-noon.

"No. Japan can get cold enough to have snow, but it hasn't. I'm missing it this year. All precipitation is rain." Kiku explained, his eyes singling out a particular flake as he watched it float down in front of his face. "This is refreshing."

"Yeah. Winnipeg had some snow earlier this year, but lately it's just been super cold. It only just warmed up a couple days ago."  Annalise stated. "I'm glad it's snowing though. I love white Christmases."

She held out her hand, catching the flakes in her palm and watching them melt. "Oh the weather outside is frightful. But the fire is so delightful. And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" She sang with a smile.

Japan looked away, his lips trembling. Why did she have to be so beautiful? Her blonde hair looked so perfect with the white flakes caught within the strands. Her blue eyes popped against the pale surroundings... She wasn't the first blonde-with-blue-eyes girl Kiku had ever seen. But she was definitely the kindest, which made her all the more stunning.

"It doesn't show signs of stopping," the words left his lips before he fully comprehended the fact that he was singing along with her, "And I've brought some corn for popping," Annalise looked at him with a broad smile, and he was sure that any snow hitting his face was melting on the spot, "The lights are turned way down low. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

"When we finally kiss goodnight," Annalise sang as Japan paused, partially hiding his face in his scarf, "how I'll hate going out in the storm!"

"But if you really hold me tight, all the way home I'll be warm!" They sang. The pair was becoming increasingly aware that the other residents of the city were glancing at them singing, but only Annalise could tell that they didn't mind. Kiku, however, stared at his feet, his ears burning.

Annalise was once again singing by herself, "The fire is slowly dying," she seemed to notice this, and glanced at Kiku in concern, "and, my dear, we're still good-bying."

She jostled his shoulder gently, grabbing his gloved hand, "But as long as you love me so," Kiku's voice was very quiet compared to his counterpart. If he could get any redder, Romano himself might mistake him for tomato, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

Annalise paused, glancing over at the Japanese man with concern. "Kiku... Are you alright?"

"H-hai." He stuttered.

Annalise realized that they were holding hands in public, and she instantly let go, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Kiku. I overstepped. I'm-" However, before she could fully get her apology out, Kiku retook her hand in his without a word.

"For me there is no overstep for the one I love." He whispered, and Annalise's face became flushed as well.

"When we finally kiss goodnight, how I'll hate going out in the storm! But if you'll really hold me tight, all the way home I'll be warm! The fire is slowly dying, and my dear, we're still good-bying, but as long as you love me so, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"

"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." Japan sang on his own, squeezing Annalise's hand.

"I'm sorry I left you at Francis's house." She whispered.

"Waiting for you was worth it."