The first snow came quietly.
It fell in soft, drifting flakes like a secret being whispered across rooftops.
By morning, the town of Halewood had turned white — rooftops dusted, tree branches painted silver, and the playground blanketed in gentle fluff.
Caelum stood at his window, watching the snow fall with calm, patient eyes.His mind, so full of timeless knowledge and ancient pain, was quiet today.
Because across the fence, in a house lit by warm yellow lamps, she was waiting.
An Invitation With Blushing Cheeks
That afternoon, as children built snowmen and tossed clumsy snowballs, Lysia tugged on his sleeve. Her cheeks were red—but not from the cold.
"Cael," she whispered, almost shy for the first time in days. "Um… would you maybe… want to… stay over tonight?"
Caelum blinked.
"A sleepover?" he asked, voice steady.
She nodded quickly, nearly slipping in the snow. "Y-Yeah! I asked Mama and she said yes! And I know your Mama likes the idea. We could build a pillow fort! And drink cocoa! And, um…" she looked away, "not be alone tonight…"
Caelum didn't hesitate.
"I'd like that," he said.
And she smiled like the snow had fallen just for them.
Preparing for the Sleepover
At sunset, he arrived with a small overnight bag—neatly packed, of course.Toothbrush. Extra socks. His favorite book.
Lysia greeted him in her soft blue pajamas with tiny stars on them.Her silver hair was brushed straight, tied in a loose side ponytail with a pink ribbon.
Inside, the house smelled like vanilla and hot chocolate.
"Welcome, Cael!" her mother said warmly, ruffling his hair. "The guest room's all yours… unless you two fall asleep in the fort again."
He tilted his head. "Again?"
Lysia blushed. "Mommm!"
Building the Fort
They built it together in the living room—pillows stolen from couches, blankets hung from chairs, and fairy lights snaked through the fabric like glowing constellations.
Inside, it was dim and warm, the floor cushioned with plushies and a sleeping bag they'd end up sharing anyway.
They crawled in, cocoa mugs in hand, cheeks red from laughter and heat.
Outside, the snow continued to fall.
Inside, time slowed to a heartbeat.
A Quiet Moment Between Heartbeats
"Cael," Lysia whispered, lying beside him on her stomach, chin propped on her hands.
"Yes?"
She looked at him carefully. "…Do you ever feel like you're remembering something you shouldn't be?"
He blinked. "…What do you mean?"
"Like… like when I saw the snow today, it felt familiar. But not this snow. A different one. A place with… really tall towers, and silver machines. It felt warm… but sad."
Caelum stared at her.
His immortal heart skipped a beat.
She didn't remember. Not yet.But something inside her did.
He reached out gently, brushing her bangs aside.
"…Maybe your heart remembers things your mind hasn't learned yet," he said softly.
She stared at him, eyes big and round. "Like a dream?"
He nodded.
"Then I want to dream it again," she whispered, snuggling closer. "Because I think you were in it too."
Midnight Whispers
Later that night, long after the lights went out, they lay side by side in the fort, curled under a thick blanket.
Lysia had one hand on his chest.Her tiny breaths tickled his collar.
"…Cael?"
"Yes?"
"Promise me you'll be there when I wake up."
His voice didn't shake—but something in his soul did.
"…Always."
System Alert — Soul Sync Resonance Detected
[GENESIS CORE SYSTEM — ACTIVE]— Soul Signature Detected: Subject [LYSIA GREY]— Match Confidence: 92%— Awakening Probability: 0.3% (rising…)— Protective Protocols: Reinforced
"Creator… her soul still remembers you."
Caelum closed his eyes.
And as he held her close, in a warm fort surrounded by snow and cocoa scent, he whispered a vow no god could undo:
"I won't let anyone take her from me again."