They stop. Suddenly. He ahead of her and partway down the path already, he turns to her and cups his hands over her ears. He exhales and she watches his breath slowly curling up over his face and disappearing into the cold november air. They stare at each other for a moment. She starts to turn away. He stops her. His hands still over her ears, he pulls her head towards his.

She doesn't resist.

He stops just short of kissing her. Their lips a breath apart, their eyes locked in a gaze that could last forever. And does. She feels the warmth of his hand cupping her head, blocking out the world around them. To her, he's all there is in the world.

Not by her choice.

He looks into her eyes. For so long. He's never felt this way before, and he doesn't want to lose her. He holds her there in the cold evening air, and focuses on her eyes, as they blink at him, as they speak to him.

He doesn't understand them.

And then the moment has passed.

He bends his head closer to hers. Their lips touch. For a moment.