Catharsis

They were dating, like actually dating now. Official. The kind that made people do a double take, like they’d skipped a few steps and gone straight to something that looked a lot like newlyweds.

There was an ease to them. Familiar, comfortable, like they’d been this way longer than they actually had.

They moved through the mall without really thinking about it, side by side, occasionally brushing hands, occasionally not bothering to let go at all.

At some point, they slowed down in front of a toy store.

It wasn’t planned. They just stopped.

Winter glanced inside first, curiosity flickering across her face and stepped in

“You love action figures, right? Specially this one.” Winter emphasized

He didn't expect she'll remember it after all this time, It wasn’t even something he talked about often. Just a passing comment, months ago, back when they were still figuring each other out.

And yet, she remembered.

That small, almost insignificant detail.

It made something in his chest shift.

“Yeah.” He answered, a smile forming before he could stop it.

He glanced at the figure in her hands, then back at her, a little quieter now. “I didn’t think you’d remember that.”

Winter shrugged lightly, like it wasn’t a big deal.

But it was.

And he knew it.

Then, without another word, she walked straight to the counter.

And bought it.

Just like that.

No discussion. No buildup.

He stood there for a second, watching the entire transaction happen like he wasn’t even part of the decision-making process.

By the time she came back and handed him the bag, he was still trying to catch up.

“You just bought it.” he said.

“Yes.” Winter replied simply.

He looked down at the bag in his hands.

Then back at her.

Then back at the bag.