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“Slow down, ge, you’ll slip!”
“But I need to see it now!”
“It’ll still be here tomorrow—and probably a long time after!”
But Xiao Zhan doesn’t care. He needs to be outside and is practically taking the steps two at a time as he rushes to the front doors. Wang Yibo is right behind him, a chuckle left behind as he rushes after him at the same pace.
He knows he’s being childish, but he simply can’t help it—it’s the first snow of winter, after all.
And to Xiao Zhan, that’s one of the most magical parts of the season.
The dark wood doors that separate them from the world outside are propped open, likely by the staff who had expected visitors to be jumping at the chance to get out into the snow. The resort makes most of its revenue at this time of year, with couples booking months in advance to experience the snowfall here. It’s a magical spot on its own, tucked between two now snow-capped mountains.
Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan were one of those couples, and as soon as someone had told Wang Yibo about this place, he’d booked their flights immediately. Xiao Zhan didn’t need to be convinced—didn’t need to be tempted with how beautiful the photos he could take would be. As soon as he’d seen that it was one of the top-rated locations to see the first snow, he’d been asking his parents if they’d be able to take them to the airport.
He usually tried to scale back his excitement, tried to be calm, cool, and collected, but Xiao Zhan truly couldn’t help himself. He simply loved to see the moment snow started to fall from the sky.
“Snow boots, ge!”
Only at those words does Xiao Zhan come to a halt, with nothing but the empty doorframe separating him from the winter wonderland. But Wang Yibo was right. The snowfall may have just started, but it was coming in hot. They’d be buried by morning, absolutely.
Xiao Zhan shoots his boyfriend a loving smile before turning to the employee at the front desk nearby, who’s already pulling out pairs of boots for them. He takes them with a polite nod and hands Wang Yibo his pair, before the two step to a nearby bench to change their shoes.
“You really need to slow down,” Wang Yibo chuckles, shaking his head as he slips off his slippers.
Xiao Zhan responds with a sheepish grin, cheeks tinted a dusty pink. “I know, I know. I just—“
“Can’t help it,” Wang Yibo finishes, standing up straight once his boots are on. “I get it. But I gotta keep you safe, okay?”
“Okay.”
Wang Yibo always looks after him like this, and it’s something that always makes Xiao Zhan’s heart so incredibly warm. Considering the fact that his lover is often in dangerous situations as a rock climber and has to keep safety on the mind constantly, it only makes sense. But it’s special for Xiao Zhan. Wang Yibo looks after him better than he looks out for himself, as if he’s the most precious thing in his world.
Xiao Zhan only understands because he feels the same.
“Boots on,” he nods, meeting Wang Yibo’s gaze with a bright grin. The other nods back and reaches out a hand, pulling Xiao Zhan up from the bench. He doesn’t let go as they step through the resort doors, where another employee waits to hand them small hand warmers. Wang Yibo accepts them both before Xiao Zhan drags him forward.
Neither can say a word as they step out into the world of eternal white.
If the area had been beautiful before, all lush and green and full of life, it was absolutely breathtaking now. A light blanket of pure white had been laid out, coating everything in a muted beauty. The trees were dyed a soft white, the ground looking like the dirt had been replaced with a rain of clear cotton.
And as the snow fell, it only became more beautiful.
Wasting no time, Xiao Zhan rushes forward, pulling Wang Yibo into what feels like their own little piece of wonder. Other couples litter the area, of course, but it’s easy for them to forget the others. They’re all they see anyway.
A giggle slips from Xiao Zhan’s lips as he twists from left to right, taking in as much as he can. Wang Yibo must feel that he’s itching to run around, as he’s quick to let go of his hand—not before passing him one of the hand warmers though.
And now that Xiao Zhan’s free to spin around in circles, he tips his head back and simply takes in the sight of the tiny specks of white falling from the night sky. They sprinkle across his face, his hair, his clothes, but none of that matters when he’s twirling around in the snow.
It’s one of his favorite moments of the year, and he’s going to enjoy it as much as he can.
“How are you not dizzy?” Wang Yibo whines from beside him, and when Xiao Zhan glances over, he can’t help but laugh.
Wang Yibo likes to pretend he’s cool, but he’s always such a big puppy dog boyfriend, especially in moments like this. He’d gotten dressed in his best winter gear, all sleek and fresh unlike Xiao Zhan’s heavily worn padded jacket, yet here he is spinning in circles, looking like Xiao Zhan had just thrown powdered sugar at him.
He had done that before—and that’s why he’s laughing. Because Wang Yibo’s long curly locks are bouncing around with a dust of snow attached to them. And it’s so cute that Xiao Zhan can’t help but skip over and reach out to cup his lover’s head. Wang Yibo simply gives him a look, but grins quickly as Xiao Zhan leans in to plant a chaste kiss on his lips.
It’s quick and sweet and after he pulls back, he takes a moment to ruffle the younger’s hair before laughing and bouncing off. Wang Yibo’s used to this, as they’ve experienced many first snows together, but he still shakes his head in disbelief.
The snow falls steadily through the night, and within the hour, there’s enough for them to scoop up and toss around. Not without proper attire of course—of course Wang Yibo grabs Xiao Zhan’s hands before he can bury them in the snow. He simply tsks before reaching into Xiao Zhan’s pocket to pull out his gloves. They’re just as worn as his jacket, but he refuses to replace them.
After all, the jacket and gloves were a gift from Wang Yibo the first winter they experienced the snow together. They were far too precious to Xiao Zhan to ever consider getting rid of.
“Can we make snow angels in the morning?”
Wang Yibo hums, crouching next to Xiao Zhan where he’s dragging a finger through the snow to spell out their names.
“Why bother? There’s already one here.”
“Huh?” Xiao Zhan perks up, a childish grin on his lips. “Where?”
When he turns his head, Wang Yibo is pointing right at him, and it takes everything inside Xiao Zhan to not push him into the snow pile next to them. He settles for slapping the other’s shoulder.
“Wang Yibo, you’re so ridiculous.”
“Am I wrong?”
“You—” Xiao Zhan pauses, then huffs. Then gets an idea, and starts sliding his hands around in the snow. “Whatever.”
Wang Yibo must take that as a win, because he drops it and starts writing in the snow too. Xiao Zhan peeks, of course, and can’t help the smile on his lips as he reads the other’s message.
Zhan-ge, didi loves you.
It’s sweet enough that Xiao Zhan almost considers rethinking his idea. Almost.
Taking advantage of Wang Yibo being absorbed in writing love confessions in the snow, he starts pulling as much snow together as he can while still being discreet. It’s not too hard, since the snowfall is only getting heavier, and soon Xiao Zhan has a nicely sized snowball between his gloves.
He stands up slowly and takes a couple steps back, the snowball held behind his back. Wang Yibo glances at him, but Xiao Zhan just looks up at the sky, pretending to be absorbed in the sight. (It’s hard not to be, but he’s on a mission. He’s got to stay focused.)
Once he manages to get a little bit of distance between them, Xiao Zhan holds up the snowball with a firm grip. A silly grin paints his lips as he then calls out his lover’s name.
“Wang Yibo!”
Said lover’s head whips around instantly, his eyes shining like an excited puppy being called by its owner. But before Wang Yibo can speak, can ask what’s up, Xiao Zhan launches the snowball with all the strength he can muster.
Perhaps too much strength—not because the snowball pegs Wang Yibo hard, but because he’d actually gripped it so hard that it ended up falling apart in the air, most of the snow flying out like powder tossed through the air. It still hits Wang Yibo though, and he simply stands there, now almost completely dusted over in a thick layer of white.
And Xiao Zhan can only laugh.
He’s laughing so hard he’s crouched down, clutching at his stomach, the corners of his eyes watering. Quick footsteps let him know that Wang Yibo is approaching, but he doesn’t pay him any attention. He’s simply too happy in this moment.
Watching the first snowfall of the year together, playing in the snow once it’s fallen from the sky. Knowing that after this, they have a warm place to snuggle up together.
Knowing that he’ll always have the safety and warmth of Wang Yibo’s arms, especially on the coldest days.
It all means so much to him that he can’t help but smile and laugh.
“Sorry,” he finally says when his laughter dies down, rubbing at the corners of his eyes. His face almost hurts from smiling so hard, and he cherishes the feeling. “I couldn’t help it.”
When he turns around, practically beaming up at his lover, Xiao Zhan is too happy to even take in the sight.
Standing right behind him is Wang Yibo, who is staring down at him with his hands raised in the air. Xiao Zhan’s gaze slowly moves upward, but before he can perceive what’s in the other’s hands, he’s caught on the warm, relenting grin on Wang Yibo’s lips. He almost looks like he’s given up on something, but before Xiao Zhan can ask, a large chunk of snow suddenly falls down on top of Wang Yibo’s head.
They both stay still, simply staring at each other for a long while.
And then Xiao Zhan’s giggling again, so hard that he falls back against the snow and simply lies there until his laughing fit comes to an end. Wang Yibo joins him quickly, throwing himself into the snow next to Xiao Zhan with a laughing fit of his own.
It’s one of Xiao Zhan’s favorite laughs—not that deep, knowing chuckle that he loves so much, but that childish giggle that Wang Yibo only lets out around those he’s truly comfortable with. He’d tried to present himself as more mature, as more of an adult since he’d gained recognition for his climbing, but Xiao Zhan would never stop loving the childish side of him.
“Ge, I really can’t with you.” Wang Yibo sighs, turning his head slightly in the snow to face him. Xiao Zhan mirrors the action, and they both simply smile at each other.
“Thanks for taking me here,” Xiao Zhan whispers, suddenly feeling like this moment is a secret for nobody but them to hear. Not the wind, not even the falling snow can brush against his voice—it’s solely for Wang Yibo in this little world of theirs.
“Of course, ge,” Wang Yibo responds, his gaze soft. “Anything to see your pretty smile.”
Xiao Zhan simply giggles, then silence falls between them again. And as he’s looking into his lover’s deep eyes, as he’s glancing up at the snow that continues to fall around them in this quiet, beautiful night, Xiao Zhan feels like he’s living inside a snow globe.
This little piece of wonder is small and contained, but just a little shake and it’s bursting with magic.
The thought has him reaching out to give Wang Yibo’s shoulder a little shake as well, a grin on his lips.
Wang Yibo raises a brow but smiles, reaching out to nudge Xiao Zhan’s shoulder in return.
And they lay like that for a long while, until the tip of Xiao Zhan’s nose is red and Wang Yibo’s ears look like they’re on fire.
“They’ve got hot cocoa in the lounge,” Wang Yibo whispers, not wanting to pop their little bubble of eternal white. “Let’s grab a cup before we head up.”
“Sounds great,” Xiao Zhan responds, but makes no move to get up. Neither does Wang Yibo, for that matter. And their stillness only makes Xiao Zhan giggle again.
If there wasn’t the possibility of turning into human popsicles, he’d surely want to stay like this forever.
With their names still faintly written in the snow between them, with various love confessions littering the snow beneath them, both Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo slide a hand out toward the other. And as their hands find each other, they know that that’s exactly where they belong.