The snowstorm continued for a few more days, trapping the two in Sunshine Acres. Robin and Holly further discussed whether Robin should stay longer at Sunshine Acres or stay in town. With both coming to an agreement that it made the most sense for him to remain, as neither truly wanted him to leave. Robin doing his best in their time together to convince Holly's insecurities that the feelings he had for her were more than situational.

The cold days were filled with flirtation and keeping warm; a quick kiss here or there—with some quicker than others. The moments between the two of them making the cold feel less biting, and thier time together felt surrounded by a soft haze of warmth. Robin almost didn't want the storm to pass.

"Jo sent us a letter," Holly called from the kitchen table, interrupting Robin's thoughts as she read from a small piece of paper and nibbled on a pear. The nanahound lay snoozing on her lap to keep warm.

"Oh?" Robin replied, continuing rummaging through the pantry, frowning as he took stock of their dwindling food supplies.

Despite the enjoyment of the secluded snow days, the contents of their cupboards were rapidly depleting, and he was running out of meal ideas for the two of them.

"She says she hopes the winter isn't too bad, and Cookie gets enough attention while she's away. She also wants me to send her the instructions for the invisibility spell again," Holly said with a snort, setting the letter down.

"Is that all?" Robin asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"She's a kid, so I'm surprised she wrote me at all. Usually, the next time I hear from her is when she's yelling my name from the train, come the next spring."

Robin chuckled. "She must really need that invisibility spell."

"That's what I'm thinking," Holly laughed, shaking her head and setting the letter carefully on the table. "I just hope she's planning to use it wisely... but with that one, you never know."

"I thought you had confidence that your apprentice could handle herself," Robin teased, leaning his back against the kitchen counter and teasingly crossing his arms.

"Well... she might be able to handle herself if she gets into trouble, but I don't have confidence that Jo won't seek out trouble first."

Robin hummed in amusement, agreeing with Holly on that claim. Turning back to his task, Robin let out a defeated sigh. "I really need to go to the market today since the storm has let up. I think while I'm in town, I'll go help Doctor Don with those who got caught with frostbite, too. I'm sure he'll need the help.

"Okay," Holly sighed, her voice hinting at disappointment as she stood from her seat and followed him to the mudroom. Watching him carefully as he pulled on his boots and coat. "Do you want me to teleport you to town?"

"No need. I want to take the trolley so I can say hi to Kalavee, see how he has fared in the storm. But I'll be back to take you up on your offer if it's not running."

"O-Okay," Holly replied, her voice carrying a stronger trace of disappointment this time.

Robin tried to hide his smirk as he pulled up his coat's fur-lined hood, amused by her clinginess.

"Well," Holly said with a sigh, "just blow on your pendant if it starts storming again. I'll be there as soon as possible and bring you home." Holly offered, grabbing onto his coat sleeve and looking up at him with worry in her wide eyes.

"I know you will, Holly."

Robin reached over and cradled her face, bending down to give her a light kiss on the top of her head. The fur from his hood tickled her forehead, causing her to pull away with a giggle before tugging him down by the coat for a longer kiss. Holly's fingers carefully weaved through his hair as she pushed back his hood. Robin smiled against her lips, giving her one more quick kiss before pulling away. Grabbing her warm hands from his hair, and weaving his fingers into hers.

"I'll be back soon," he assured her, heading down the hall toward the front door. "Anything else I can get you in town? Need any more pears?"

Holly let out a small snort of amusement as she followed behind him, her hands still in his. "Maybe get us some apples. I think my pear collection is getting lonely."

"Can do, my lady," Robin said as he turned back around as he reached the door, kissing the back of her hands, before pulling his out necklace from under his coat, and kissing it too.

Holly smiled, reaching back up to kiss him farewell one last time while opening the door for him.

"Hurry back, Robin."

"I'll be back as fast as I am able-"

"Hah!"

A deep, masculine laugh was suddenly heard from beyond the door.

Robin spun around, startled.

"Leaving already? I just got here."

A familiar face stood at the bottom of the stairs, his arms crossed, and a suitcase on the snowy ground beside him. His eyes flicked from Robin to Holly, lingering on her just long enough to unsettle Robin before the man's attention returned to Robin, giving him a knowing smirk.

Telling himself he should be excited to see his brother, Robin gritted his teeth, pushing down the annoyance that had risen in his chest.

"Otto...It took you long enough."