The snow drifted down in thick, heavy flakes, settling over the world in a perfect hush. The windowpanes were fogged from the warmth inside, where a single candle flickered on the coffee table, its soft, golden light stretching across the room. The scent of vanilla and amber lingered in the air, wrapping around Elena and James like an invisible embrace.
 
They were tangled together on the couch, buried beneath three blankets—one draped over their shoulders, another tucked around their legs, and the third loosely thrown over both of them like a final, cozy seal. It was just enough to keep them warm without being stifling, but it also meant they had no choice but to stay close, limbs naturally tangled in shared heat.
 
The TV murmured in the background, playing a movie neither of them were watching. Instead, James held his phone between them, the cool glow of the screen competing with the candle’s warmth.
 
“Wait, go back,” Elena murmured, tugging at his sleeve. “I missed it.”
 
James smirked, swiping back up. “This part?”
 
She nodded, shifting so she could nestle in closer beneath the layers of blankets. The video played again, and within seconds, she let out a soft snort of laughter, pressing her face into his shoulder. The candlelight flickered, as if laughing along with them, shadows dancing gently on the walls.
 
James chuckled, adjusting the top blanket to tuck it snugly around her. “We’re so bad at movie nights.”
 
Elena peeked up at him, her gaze flickering between the phone and the candle’s glow. “Yeah, but this is better.”
 
Outside, the snow kept falling, soft and slow. Inside, wrapped in warmth, their laughter mixing with the flickering light, everything felt perfectly still—perfectly right.
 
THIS GEL WAX CANDLE WAS HAND CRAFTED FOR YOU BY - Joey of JOEY MADE THIS LLC