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Snowy powder erupts around her as Mio lands after a particularly daring spin, the flakes creating a glittering cloak around her for a moment before she speeds right through it. The flakes tickle her cheeks and she shakes her head with a laugh.
She never would have dared to do the move in real life, she probably would have landed wrong and broken her neck. But here in the simulation, she can’t help but show off a bit.
She beams in victory, and then wider still as she hears Zoe’s laughter behind her.
“You’re on fire, Mio!” the blonde calls out.
“You’re only saying that because you’re losing!” Mio taunts back. She leans forward and does a sharp turn to the right as the board hums with energy underneath her. The wind rushing past her ears is cold and exhilarating, stealing her breath as she leaves a trail of laughter behind her for Zoe to follow.
Behind her, she hears Zoe whoop, competitive and delighted all at once.
“Oh, you wish!” the older woman shouts. Mio dares a quick glance over her shoulder and grins as she sees the blonde gaining on her. She’s fast, but not fast enough, and Mio crosses the finish line with a triumphant laugh.
Her legs burn when she skids to stop in a spray of powder. She spins around to face the slope, arms already raised in triumph when Zoe barrels straight into her.
There’s a startled yelp (Mio’s not even sure which one of them makes it) and then the world tips sideways. Snow explodes around them as they collide, their boards tangling and gravity attacking with immediate glee. They tumble together in a blur of white and uncoordinated limbs, breathless laughter and yelps echoing through the air.
Mio’s forehead knocks gently at Zoe’s shoulder and she feels the blonde grab at her back before Zoe pulls her close, protective and firm (and shit, doesn’t Mio’s heart jump at that).
Finally they stop. Mio ends up sprawled on her back, staring up at the sky and feeling Zoe collapsed halfway on top of her. Unrestrained laughter bubbles out of her and it almost hurts, but not really, it’s just a lot - because when did Mio last have fun and laugh like this?
Zoe laughs with her, but then she shifts and sits up and Mio’s laughter fades as she realizes that the blonde is straddling her as she does. The older woman straddles Mio’s hips, knee on either side of them as she shakes snow out of her hair while beaming down at Mio. Sparkling snowflakes dust Zoe’s eyelashes and her cheeks are red from cold and exertion both.
She’s beautiful.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t expect you to stop so suddenly!” Zoe smiles and wipes tears of joy from the corners of her eyes.
“That’s okay…” Mio mumbles, and her hands flail for a moment before settling carefully on Zoe’s thighs. The blonde’s laugh softens and eases into quiet breaths as the moment stretches thin and delicate between them. And Mio’s never been so aware of anything as she is right now. The weight of Zoe on top of her, the way she radiates warmth even through their thick winter gear, the sound of her breathing, the way her eyes sparkle…
For once, Mio’s thoughts don't drift, don't spiral back to hospital rooms and hushed voices and the ever-present ache of fear. There’s no image of her dad, tired and pale on the hospital bed, and no pang of guilt for laughing, for feeling good.
There’s just this - just Zoe and the happiness that’s been slowly and cautiously blossoming inside Mio’s chest ever since she met the other woman.
God, she’s just so pretty. No, not just pretty. Radiant, in an effortless way that makes Mio feel lighter just looking at her.
Her thumbs shift slightly on Zoe’s thighs, a shy, barely-there touch. But Zoe’s smile softens and she tilts her head to the side slightly.
“Are you okay?” she asks and her voice lowers in the way it always does when she’s worried about Mio, and Mio just wants to reach up and grab her by her stupid collar and bring her pretty face down to Mio’s and -
“I’m good,” she croaks out instead. Zoe watches her for a moment longer and Mio gathers herself enough to smile up at her. “Really. I’m just… I’m having a good time,” she reassures her.
Zoe studies her for another heartbeat before she leans down and bops Mio’s nose.
“Good. Are you ready to head back to our babies?”
“I… probably wouldn’t use that word.”
“What do you mean?” Zoe shifts and gets off her. And shit, if Mio doesn’t already miss her warmth. But then Zoe reaches down and wiggles her fingers enticingly at Mio. The brunette casts one last look around, taking in the snow-covered scenery around them before looking back.
Zoe’s hand is still there and her green eyes meet Mio’s, gentle and caring.
Mio reaches up and takes her hand.