Tine was caught in an internal battle with himself.

The memories of that night made him run away from every sight of his walking winter, while he wanted to know the reason behind that sudden coldness that was filling him and his hair... Why was it turning white!

He chewed his lips in the class while thinking about them all. He hadn't seen Sarawat after that day last week. It was still a mystery to him where exactly does he disappear all the time. The weather outside has deteriorated further— the City had been hit by a strong blizzard last Monday. Schools, colleges, offices, and shops were all closed by the government orders.

Tine could stay inside his room wrapped in the heaps of blankets as a plus point for suddenly he can feel cold like a normal human. Ally, Ayu, Ohm, and Fong were visiting him from time to time checking if he's alright and had not caught a fever for it was hella confusing to see their friend in jackets and mufflers for the first time. They have also teased Tine about his newly turned white hair strands that he is aging faster.

And whatever happens, Tine couldn't just brush away all the feelings that have been haunting his mind. He thinks something ominous has been waiting for in the due future and that might involve Sarawat too.

Starting of December wasn't an enjoyable one. The campus was filled with a thick blanket of snow and if you were to look outside from those stained windows you'll feel like somehow the Earth is about to go under the second Ice Age. The temperature has dropped to minus by the end of the first week.

And simultaneously, Tine's hair colour is now completely white with frost forming over his fingers. He has never felt this cold in his entire years of living. He was as if freezing from the very core. His sinews are freezing and shutting down with every passing day. He was so scared of his condition, he had refused to see any of his friends.

On the night before Christmas, a knock was heard on Tine's door.

He shuffled towards it, limping in the process. His internal strength was barely intact. As he opened the door, he froze at the sight.

It was Sarawat Guntithanon, shivering under his wet T-shirt, wet jeans, and wet hair. Crumbles of snow were clinging to his eyelashes, bangs, and clothes. His eyes were bloodshot red with waiting pools of tears to be shed. He looked completely distorted and broken. Tine wanted to hug him and console him, but he might not have much energy left within him.

"Sarawat", Tine mumbled slowly.

"I need to talk, Tine. I need you to hear me out. This winter is a curse. I need your help to thaw it!" He spoke, his voice trembling.

"Get inside, first", The latter spoke, before making way for his walking winter to enter.

Sarawat obliged albeit hesitantly.

"It's late and you are shivering. We will talk tomorrow. Let's sleep for now", The latter spoke.

"Tine—" he walked near the boy and took hold of his face. For the first time, Tine didn't feel the numb coldness from Sarawat's fingers. He saw how tears dropped from his eyes as he caressed his face and then his white hair. "It's all my fault", he sobbed, shaking violently.

"Sarawat. Look you need to listen to me", Tine forced his face up to look in his eyes, "you have some explanations to do... But we'll do that tomorrow. I am tired". He felt like he was going to die. He was about to fall into a deep slumber of death forever. And if he did die today, wouldn't it be great to die in the arms of the one you love? And if he doesn't die today and wake up to see tomorrow, he can ask all his doubts to Sarawat, and maybe as gibberish as it may sound, he could help Sarawat to thaw the winter?

"Tomorrow?" Sarawat asked, his face looked similar to a severely beaten puppy.

Tine just nodded in affirmation.

"Now remove your clothes and enter the blanket", Tine spoke before blushing faintly.

Sarawat stood frozen there.

"Uh— it's too cold... So we can do that body heat experiment. Besides your clothes are wet" Tine reasoned out.

Sarawat nodded reluctantly before peeling off his shirt. Tine should look away, but he didn't. He kept watching his well-formed abdomen muscles glistening under the lamplight.

Sarawat was practically presenting his vulnerable self in front of him. And that thought alone made his heart quiver.

When he opened the buttons of his jeans Tine's breath hitched under the intense gaze the latter was giving him.

All Tine could think about touching him now.

The faint church bells nearby rang breaking the pregnant spell Tine was under. He immediately ushered Sarawat into the blankets and joined him inside.

"W- what ar-ee yo-oouu doing?" His walking winter, whose back was now facing Tine, shrieked.

"Warmth. You're freezing", Tine reasoned out.

Hesitantly, he slide his hands over his torso and kept them on his stomach. Sarawat visibly tensed under his touch before relaxing. After a few silent minutes, he interweaved both their hands.

"You're warm", Sarawat spoke, "I seldom feel the warmth. Do you feel the warmth?"

Tine who was almost dozing off mumbled, "I feel it since I was born. It was a few days ago when I first felt the cold. Right now I feel cozy".

A few more minutes passed by.

"I didn't mean to scare you that day", he spoke, "I was scared that you got to know my secret".

I know, Tine replied in his mind, snuggling closer to him.

"What is your secret?"

"I carry the hereditary curse. I brought the Winter here and I froze your heart", Sarawat's words made Tine snap his eyes open. "But now I know how to thaw it, I just need your help. I love you, Tine".

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