FLASHBACK – starter for @hcnnxh-m.
it’s december 2017, and snowflakes are starting to sprinkle on the grounds of the rasmussen mansion. it’s the first christmas in a long time that he’s ever felt really happy and content, like everything makes sense. his mother is baking in the kitchen, his sister is dancing around the living room in her new slippers, his father is away on business, and nikolai is sitting on the window seat with a pile of books beside him, a half-finished cup of coffee still steaming and warming his fingertips. as he reads, he keeps glancing up out the window to see if she’s arrived, heart skipping every time he does. he stops mid-sentence every time a car passes by, anticipating her arrival.
finally, he looks up to see her emerging from a car and onto his front walk. he opens the window to look down at her, letting in bursts of cold air. flakes drift onto the windowsill and onto his bare arms. “first snowfall is a little late this year, isn’t it?” he laughs, looking down at her all bundled up. he can’t see hannah’s face, but he knows she’s smiling. he knows how much she’s always loved this time of year and he wants more than anything to make this feel special for her.
nikolai descends down the staircase to grab his goat, hat, and scarf before heading out the front door. he feels stupid and breathless, like a high schooler, sneaking out to meet a girl for the first time. but this is hannah and he’s seen her a million times – and it still feels like that. very little makes nikolai act this giddy. he goes to her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her gently.
“about time you showed up. thought you forgot about me,” he teased.
