lilmissdarlee

[lilmissdarlee]

"Ice thaws, but with you.. I melt." (OLBA)

PAIRING: Cove Holden (STEP 4) x Reader

WORD COUNT: 1901

SUMMARY: The infamous couple moved to Maine and it's their first Winter with proper snow (and married!!), and when you two go to the ice rink for inspiration, Cove struggles with the change of weather.

TAGS/NOTES: Hurt/Comfort, Reader uses they/them, Reader is also a writer, Cove and reader are married, vv minor angst, no use of Y/N

A/N: This was my entry for the Winter Community Contest and was originally written for my MC, but I decided to adapt it to be an x reader. Enjoyy!

Growing up with the sounds of the ocean crashing against the tides and instead relying on a white noise machine for relaxation was a huge shift. This was and still is hard on Cove, no matter how much he changed and grew. Some scars are still healing.

"Wow, I haven't seen icy lakes like this since... Well, last winter," You call out, your gaze captivated by the still ice rink that was left isolated, save for the couple. "No matter how many times we come here, I can never get used to this."

California was much too warm to see a glimpse of snow, but Maine was able to experience both the highs and lows of the chilly season, which you fell in love with, while Cove held his breath for the warmer seasons.

"Yeah... me neither," Cove chimes in, his response less enthusiastic. The pants he had to wear to not become a Cove-cycle were uncomfortably restricting his movement, hockey stick clutched in hand.

Cove, the ever-committed water-related athlete, was trying his hand at hockey. He never got much of a chance to play it while the two of you were young, and well, this is the closest he’ll get to the water at the moment.

"Thank you for coming out here with me, Cove," you turn to clasp his much bigger hands, blatant affection in your pretty eyes, a look Cove could never say no to. "I have been in a writing block as of late and well... This helps."

You were a small author, having a few books released and a sizable but dedicated following for your work online. You have come so far, from being so embarrassed about sharing your work with him during late nights to now being someone others looked up to for your creativity. He knew you could do it, and pride and love always flared like a fire inside him whenever you mentioned your work.

So, biting back the complaints on his tongue, Cove grins as he clenches your gloved hands, a contrast to the usually cool skin. Cove missed it but knew he was being silly.

After one last tender look, you let go to return to skating, focus going unfocused with ideas and thoughts. Cove wishes he was left alone with a hockey stick and cold feet. His gaze drops to the lone hockey puck on the ice, and he sighs, the hot air floating in the air before disappearing.

Cove didn't hate Maine, no, he loved it. He loved the friends they made there, the job he got within the ORCA branch that kept him close to where his heart beckoned for him - the sea. He especially loved the life he grew with you there, and their beloved dog and fish.

It's just... different.

He misses only having to wear a jacket or a long-sleeve to combat the cold, still being able to smell the salty air, walk on those sandy beaches, and not risk frostbite just to go outside. Cove and winter were never the right mix, and he dislikes how pouty he can become at odd moments like this.

So, when he went to take that shot, to take his inner turmoil out on something physical, it was oddly ironic how he missed, and that miss caused him to stumble, and as his arms tried to stabilize himself, he ended up looking wackier than he wants to.

Cove stumbles with a crash that resounds out on that quiet lake, and as he lands on his ass, Cove mutters out a quiet "Darn it", embarrassed that a small puck was able to take down the fumbling giant, and how worried his partner looked as they dashed over.

"Cove! Sweetheart, are you okay?" You call out, concern evident on their features as you skid to your knees, hands on his burning cheeks to assess his injuries. "That sounded like a nasty fall!"

Cove laughs weakly as he tries to find your eyes, only to realize how blurry they are. He squints, and with an embarrassed grin, he puts a hand on their wrist, leaning into your touch.

"I'm okay," he laughs, the sound awkward even to his ears. "Just... Where are my glasses?"

You dramatically gasp and dives for the offending red frames which slid to his left. Cove stops himself from smiling when you almost slip, and then goes back to him, looking like a clumsy deer. You hand him his glasses quickly, and Cove carefully takes them, taking the chance to fix his hair as well.

Silence comes, chilly and oddly awkward for the two, as Lumi crouches near him, trying to help, while Cove forces his eyes away, that bad nervous habit from when he was 18 coming back full swing.

Sadly, from knowing each other since they were 8, you clock the habit, and they frown, sitting on the cool ice slowly, ready for the long haul. Cove feels both relieved and frustrated, mostly at himself for making this about him.

"Sweetheart, is everything okay?" you ask slowly, keeping your eyes on the ice, knowing Cove needs a bit of time. "You have been off this entire afternoon. I let it go before, but I want to talk now... If you want to, of course."

Cove bites his lip, and runs a gloved hand through his tousled sea-foam green hair, shivering as the ice is chilly against the jeans of his pants. After a long moment, Cove cracks, like a fresh layer of frost against the slightest pressure.

"It's not you or anything like that," he says, quick to reassure you, "I just... Everything is different compared to California."

You stay silent, and Cove peeks at them through his lashes, seeing you look confused. His eyes return to the frozen lake, looking deeper into the frozen aquatic sea life below, how everything was just stuck... Like him.

"I am used to the warm weather, and sunny skies, and not having to wear thick coats and well... The concept of natural ice ponds is like this," Cove knocks against the thick ice, expression sombre. "I know it's a bit silly, but at times like this, I miss Sunset Bird, and the beach and well... The hill we met on, the warmth."

He takes a deep breath, a habit burned into his memory from all those times he made you do it yourself when you got upset and noticed how you followed his habit, causing a small smile.

"I love Maine, I do, and I don't want to up and move or something," he mutters, feeling his cheeks redden in slight shame. "But winter sucks, and well... Yeah."

It's quiet, as quiet as the first snowfall they witnessed just earlier this season. It was your first time seeing authentic snowfall, and you were so excited, acting like a small kid despite being an adult, even if he was 24. Cove returned that excitement, catching snowflakes on their tongues and running around as if they were catching fireflies.

Memories like that made him feel so warm, and happy, and he knew it didn't matter where they were, but the change still was fresh. It sucked, to be frank.

Finally, he feels a familiar headrest against his shoulder and a small sigh. He risks looking over, noting how pretty you looked with fresh snowflakes in your hair.  You think, expression thoughtful as you cuddle against him, and he pulled you in easily, the movement familiar.

"I know how you feel," you admit softly, which made Cove a little surprised. "I sort of miss not having to spend 10 minutes every morning dressing up to go outside, or the icy roads, or well... Frostbite."

You nuzzle closer to Cove, eyes falling closed as you enjoy his constant stream of warmth. Something else which was the same, no matter how many layers he was forced to bear.

"However, it's okay to feel upset about the change," you hums. "It's okay to not like it right away, Cove. It's so different than our normal, and well... I think that's the most exciting part."

"... Continue," Cove prompts them after a beat, and you giggle, making Cove's storm of emotion cool for a moment.

"I think it's... Wonderful we get to experience different things together," you explain, tone affectionate as you grasp his hand. "Like, we used to have to go and pay to go on fake ice, but now we have the real thing right here. We get to cuddle for warmth, and well... I get to have my pretty husband hold my hand as the snow falls."

Cove can't help as his cheeks warm and a dopey smile takes over his face. You catch it, and you return the smile, your eyes softening with fondness.

"It doesn't matter where we are, you are my muse," you remind him, getting on your knees to cup his face, gaze trying to find his teal ones. "You are the constant I will always have with me, no matter if it's the warm beaches or chilly ice rinks of Maine... You are what keeps me feeling warm, Cove."

Cove's cheeks were burning red now, and you laugh fully now, leaning forward to kiss his nose. Cove squeaked, but stopped them with a gentle hand to the back of their head. You look confused before he gives you a proper kiss on the lips, slow and sweet.

Now it's your turn to be embarrassed, gestures of affection always easily make you turn warm, no matter how many times it happens. Cove smiled fully now, the sweet words from earlier on repeated in his head as his lips still tingled.

"I can see why so many people love your writing, Lulu," he teases gently, knocking his forehead into yours softly. "You are too good with your words."

"... t-thanks..." you mutter out, and Cove's smile broadens further, now a grin.

If Cove was the summer, then you were like the winter, with cool, icey skin, and patience as thick as the deepest pine woods. You were kind and gentle, but if you took the chance to explore those wintery woods, your footprints would be left behind, leaving a fond memory in its wake. 

He was warm, and you were frosty to new people, but you balanced each other out. Maybe he liked winter a bit more now.

"You know I feel the same way," he says, with affection. "I love you, and Maine, and I am happy I can be here with you."

He kisses your forehead one last time before freeing you, allowing you to burrow into his chest instead. The ice was still cold, and his behind was freezing, but he ignored it for now to hold you close, happy to be cold later.

"Thanks for being patient with me," he finishes gently, and you laugh, the sound muffled by his coat.

"It comes with experience, space cadet," you return, making Cove chuckle as he held them.

Even as the scarf felt stuffy, or how his rear end hurt, or if the shine of their united wedding bands were hidden by the mitts, he still felt so warm. 

It was their first year in Maine, and it was different-- in both the good and the bad. But one thing would always remain a constant, no matter where they end up.

How much he needed you by his side.