Connie stepped out of the shower, relishing in the hot water and soap suds cascading down her skin. As she dried off and changed into a soft knit sweater and well-loved jeans, she couldn't wait to explore the city with Steven. She grabbed her trusty blue beanie and slipped it onto her head, ready for whatever adventure awaited them outside the hotel walls. This was exactly what she needed.

Steven sauntered into the room, leaning nonchalantly against the doorway. He was dressed in a sleek black turtleneck with a bright pink star emblazoned on the chest, paired with fitted black jeans and vibrant pinkish red boots. His smile widened as he observed Connie from behind, two coats slung over his arm.

"Hey there, Snowberry," he greeted her warmly, stepping towards her. With one smooth motion, he draped a light blue snow jacket over her shoulders and pulled her into a gentle hug. "You're looking fantastic today."

A blush crept up Connie's cheeks at the compliment, but she couldn't help smiling back at Steven. He always knew how to make her feel special and appreciated. As he pulled away, she couldn't resist playfully poking his side.

"And you're not looking too bad yourself," she retorted with a smirk, gesturing towards his trendy outfit. "Thank you, Bisky, for the coat and the vacation."

"Perks of working at a mountain lodge, I can reserve a room or two. " He gave her a small nip behind her ear as he helped place the coat on her. "No cost...besides you deserve a nice winter break."

Connie giggled, a flush of warmth spreading on her cheeks. "I appreciate it, really. It's been too long since I've gotten to enjoy a break like this...and here of all places."

Steven chuckled, running a hand through his dark hair as he moved towards the room's exit. "Exams that rough, huh...well, I got something to shake of that post examination fatigue."

Connie raised an eyebrow, meeting Steven's gaze with a sense of familiarity and comfort. "Is that so?" Steven's eyes seemed to hold a certain depth that felt like home to Connie.

"Yeah, there's some festival going on," he continued, his hands wrapping around her waist and under her bust. He gave them a slight lift as he leaned in close to her ear. "Snowball fights, snowboarding, and a ball on the skating rink. I thought it sounded like fun... and I also heard there are some hidden places for couples."

Wrapped in his arms and enthralled by his velvety voice in her ear, Connie turned to adjust her winter jacket to fit snugly against her body. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

"You're quite in the know, Universe." Connie joked,"almost as if you planned this."

he smirked as he gave back of her ear a small suckling. "Oh, you have no idea," Steven replied with a twinkle in his eye. He let go of her, his hands returning to his pockets and his gaze shifting out the window. A world of pristine white snow was unfolding before them. "I've got some surprises in store for you, Snowberry," he promised, a hint of mischief dancing in his tone.

Connie chuckled, wrapping her scarf around her neck as she headed towards the door. "I'm looking forward to it, Bisky."

"nu-uh, ." Steven took her by the hand and led her out of their hotel room, holding the door for her" Allow me."

Connie couldn't suppress her laughter as her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Always the gentleman," she teased, receiving a playful hip pinch as she walked by. She flinched and playfully swatted at his chest, her cheeks puffing up in a mock pout to hold back her giggles. "Steven!"

"It's your own fault for being so cute, Snowberry."

"Oh, now it's my fault?" Connie retorted with a small smile, earning a tender kiss from Steven as he took her hand and led her to the elevator.

"So Ni', anything you especially excited for."

Connie hummed, tapping her chin, "burying you under a hail of snowballs and making you eat powder."

"Wow,mercilessly competitive." Steven laughed.

"You love it."

"I do." steven admitted with a grin.

"Hmm, well.. "She brushes up against him for a moment, realizing the elevator gives them a good thirty, forty seconds. "I'm also very looking forward to this elevator ride with you." She smiles at him, pressing a kiss to the corner of his mouth. "

"oh..well, it will be a good start." Steven breathed with a blush as the elevator opened while he returned her kiss before leading her in.. It was spacious and empty, and the walls were furnished in velvet. He led her in with a smile before smiling cheekily.

Keeping close, the woman looked up at him, her eyes a bit too excited to NOT tell him what she was thinking. "No one else is here.."

"everyone's either in their room or out and about, and i have a strange feeling,"As the door closed and the elevator began to slowly descend, Steven pressed the multitude of floor, "this ride between the 39th and ground floor Is gonna be bit longer than usual."

Connie giggled as he slipped his arms around her hips.

"Whatever shall we do?" Steven purred cooly in her ear.

Connie found herself in the habit of biting her lower lip. Clearing her throat, she turned to him, gently cupping the sides of his face in her hands. "W- well.."

"I like that look you got." Steven whispered, moving closer, and a loving look in his eyes, "The excitement in those onyx orbs of yours.." He gave her a light kiss before teasingly pulling back.

Eyes widening with a small bit of shock, Connie's trails off, cheeks burning, her heart beating in her chest. "I- I.. uhhh...."

Steven laughs as he gives her a deeper kiss. His hands stroked her cheek as he did.

"I missed him so much.' Connie mused as she Boldly she quickly wraps her arms around his neck, pressing closer, before slowing down a bit. " S- sorry, what am I doing, we're in an elevator-"

"A very slow-moving elevator. Where we may or may not get caught acting like teenagers... an elevator..with a view." Steven stepped behind her as the outside began to come in view.

Connie turned to look out at the slowly revealing winter wonderland that unfurled below them. Her breath hitched in her throat as she took in the beautiful sight. Snow-covered mountain cityscape glistened under the sunlight, children raced down snowy hills on their sleds, and festive lights twinkled in every direction.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the soft whir of the elevator."

Steven wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer against him. His breath was warm against the side of her neck, causing a shudder to run down her spine. "Not as beautiful as you," he murmured into her ear.

She couldn't help but blush at his words, turning to give him a playful smack on his chest. "You're such a tease, Steven."

Connie shivered slightly as Steven's warm breath ghosted over her ear again. "You see?" he whispered. "The entire world at our feet."

Her eyes widened further, taking in the breathtaking vista. "It's beautiful," she murmured again, "more so from this height... more so with you." She turned within his embrace, catching his lips in a tender kiss." When did you get so good at flirting?"

He chuckled softly, his fingers tracing idle circles on her stomach. "I practiced on a picture of you, only for you, Snowberry."

That's oddly charming of you, Biscuit," she replied with a chuckle, leaning back into his warmth. The city below was slowly receding as the elevator continued its descent, leaving a soft trail of twinkling lights in its wake. "how..did I miss this yesterday?"

"You did come through Lion's portal at 10:pm yesterday." he reminded her.

""Oh, right," she muttered, getting lost in thought. "I guess I was just too excited to finally see you again."

He smiled, brushing a lock of her hair back behind her ear. "And I was just as excited to see you, Snowberry. Every moment I spent away from you felt like a lifetime."

Connie couldn't help but smile at his words. She leaned in close, resting her head on his shoulder. "I missed you too, Biscuit. More than you know."

Still didn't expect to slide right in the room." Connie chuckled, kissing his temple " Did you plan that to happen?"

"Noo, of course not." Steven's eyes twinkled with mischief as he leaned in closer to whisper in her ear. "Though a little serendipity never hurt anyone," he murmured, his breath sending shivers down Connie's spine. "And it's all part of my master plan to sweep you off your feet."

She couldn't help but laugh at his audacity, shaking her head in amusement. "I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified, Bisky," she teased.

Suddenly, a resonating ding echoed through the elevator as it halted. They both looked up as the ride came to an end. The doors slid open to reveal a bustling lobby filled with lively chatter and echoing laughter.

Connie blinked against the sudden brightness of the grand entrance. She felt herself getting lost in the symphony of holiday cheer around them. Everywhere she looked, people were laughing, hugging, sharing stories around cups of steaming hot cocoa.

Steven released his hold on Connie, taking her hand, giving her a loving grin seeing her excited face, "ready to find out?"

Connie grinned as bright as the light as she latched on to his arm, excitingly leading him, more than ready to enjoy this snowy vacation with her precious Biscuit.