"Why?"

Dark blue eyes stared out across the snow, watching as the other children played about in the soft fluffy white flakes.

"Why can't I play with them?"

His small shoulders sunk, staring at the snow-covered playground in front of them, his gaze narrowing on the pair sprinting around, their hands locked together in a tight grip. Skin brushed against skin, their fingers intertwined as they ducked under the cover of a snowy wall, narrowly avoiding the snowballs that pelted the area they'd stood only moments before.

"You're not like them, Aldrik." The man holding his gloved hand sighed, and the white-haired boy found himself wondering.

Wondering what it was like to touch someone's skin.

What it was like to run around and play with someone, without worrying what'd happen if he touched them bare-handed.

He stared at the couple sitting on the playground bench, watching all the while as they hugged each other without a care in the world.

"It must be nice..." He whispered, staring at the ground as his guardian tugged on his hand. His feet trudged through the snow, teeth biting into his lip as they walked away from the playground. "Do you think I'll ever find someone like me?"

"Maybe... one day... once you've grown up a bit." His guardian gave him a rare smile, opening the car door for him, soon sliding in behind him. "You might be able to make a friend... or a doll that way..."

"A doll?"

"Someone you'll love and cherish for the rest of your days..."

Aldrik blinked, dark blue eyes shining with hope, a warm feeling in his chest as he thought about the couple sitting on the bench. They'd looked happy... just like he wanted to be. "You really think I can find a doll like me?"

"Who knows?" A gloved hand ruffled his snowy locks.

"—and?" Icen scowled, interrupting him before he could continue—not that there was much left to say. "You're nothing like me, pig."

"I've hurt people with these hands, Icen." His voice was gentle. "I know what I's like to feel guilty about that... and I can only imagine yours must be ten times worse."

"You can say that again, mongrel."

Aldrik simply smiled—a bright one which seemed to lighten the room, even as they cuddled under the thick blankets... a cuddle Icen wasn't enjoying as much as her frosty-haired partner. "But I'll happily bear it with you..."

She stiffened, electric blue eyes peering up into the darker ones of the man holding her like she was his personal teddy bear—a role she was begrudgingly coming to terms with, if only due to the fact she couldn't escape him.

"After all... you can't hurt me..."

"Wanna bet, dog breath?"

"I can't hurt you either..." An odd smile crept onto his face, and Icen shuddered. "I can hold your hand... make you laugh..."

"I'd like to see you try, maggot."

"Is that an invitation?"

"Get out of my bed already, fleabag."

"Ours."

"What?"

"Our bed."

"No."

"Didn't Lake tell you?" He tilted his head, staring curiously down at her. "I'm staying at the Dollhouse until you're out of danger."

"I'm not in danger, and I can look after myself, pig."

"Sure... Just like you did earlier, eh?"

"Find your own room."

"I have, and it's right here. This bed is big enough for two... though it is smaller than what I'm used to..."

"Just get out already," Icen grumbled, thoroughly fed up of dealing with him. "I don't want you here! What don't you get about that?" Her voice cracked. "I'm fine on my own."

"But you don't have to be anymore," Aldrik whispered, his finger knotting through hers, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm here now."

But will you be forever?

The words left a bitter taste in her mouth, the question left unspoken as she closed her eyes, slowly growing aware of the odd sensations in her chest. Her stomach felt weird, the sound of her beating heart thudding through her ears as the icy walls she'd built around it finally started to crack, and Icen was left with the startling realisation that the annoying puppy in front of her was weaselling his way through her defences... leaving a chink in the armour she'd so carefully worn for years... and Icen wasn't sure if she liked it.

"This was a one-time thing!" The words burst out of her lips before she could help herself, and Aldrik smirked, letting her pull away from him finally.

"Of course."