Snow continued to fall in soft, steady layers over the hidden bunker, blanketing the world above in white silence. Outside, the forest lay still, trees frozen, branches weighed down, and the usual distant movements of infected nowhere to be seen. It was an eerie kind of peace, one that felt almost unreal in a world that had long since collapsed into chaos.
Inside the bunker, however, warmth filled the space in a way that had nothing to do with temperature. For the first time in a long while, there was something close to normal.
It was New Year's Eve.
The main living area had been arranged differently that evening. The long table was cleared and reorganized, filled with what little they could spare from their stored supplies. It wasn't extravagant, not even close but it was enough. Carefully prepared dishes, preserved meats, simple soups, and a few small desserts Helen had insisted on making were laid out neatly.
Everyone was present.
Mia sat beside her parents, her posture relaxed in a way that was rare for her. Across from them sat Luis with Federick and Olivia, while Ruth occupied a seat slightly to the side, quietly observing the group with a soft, almost hesitant expression.
It had taken time for Ruth to feel comfortable in moments like this. But tonight, no one left her out. Helen was the first to break the quiet.
"This is nice," she said gently, looking around the table. "It feels… peaceful."
Michael gave a small nod. "It's been a long time since we've had something like this."
Olivia smiled faintly. "Even if it's simple, it still matters."
Federick leaned back slightly in his chair, arms crossed. "Stability is not measured by excess. It's measured by moments like this, when nothing is falling apart."
Luis let out a quiet breath, glancing briefly at Mia before speaking. "Then we should make sure we have more of these moments."
Mia met his gaze for a second, then looked away, though the faintest hint of a smile lingered on her lips.
Across the table, Ruth hesitated before speaking. "Thank you… for including me."
There was a brief pause.
Helen immediately shook her head. "You're part of this group now. There's no need to thank us."
Michael added calmly, "Everyone here has earned their place."
Ruth lowered her gaze slightly, but her expression softened.
The conversation continued naturally after that. It wasn't about strategies or infected patterns. It wasn't about survival plans or future threats. It was about small things.
Memories of life before everything changed.
Stories that felt distant now, but still real enough to bring quiet laughter to the table.
At one point, Olivia glanced at Luis. "You've been quieter than usual tonight."
Luis raised an eyebrow. "Have I?"
"You have," she replied lightly. "Usually you're the one keeping conversations moving."
Federick smirked faintly. "He's thinking."
Luis sighed. "I'm always thinking."
"That's exactly the problem," Olivia said with a small smile.
Mia let out a quiet laugh at that, surprising even herself.
Luis looked at her. "Something funny?"
She shook her head slightly. "Just… you."
That earned a small reaction from the table.
Not much but enough.
Time passed without anyone really noticing. The warmth of the room, the steady rhythm of conversation, and the rare sense of safety made it easy to forget everything outside.
Eventually, the food was cleared, and they remained seated together, simply talking.
Helen poured a small amount of alcohol into glasses, something they had carefully stored and rarely touched.
"Just a little," she said. "It's New Year's Eve."
Michael gave her a look but didn't object.
Glasses were passed around.
Even Mia accepted one.
Luis noticed immediately. "You don't usually drink."
"It's just a little," she replied calmly.
He didn't look convinced.
The group raised their glasses.
"To surviving another year," Michael said.
"To staying alive," Federick added.
"To family," Helen said softly.
"To… all of us," Olivia finished.
There was a quiet pause.
Then they drank.
The liquid burned slightly, unfamiliar but not unpleasant. For a moment, everything felt lighter. The conversations became a little easier, a little more relaxed. Even Mia, who rarely let her guard down, found herself leaning back slightly, her shoulders less tense.
Luis noticed.
Of course he did.
"Careful," he said quietly to her. "You're not used to it."
"I'm fine," she replied, though her voice carried a slight softness now.
"That's what people say before they're not fine."
She gave him a look. "You worry too much."
"And you don't worry enough."
"That's not true."
"It is."
She stared at him for a moment… then looked away again.
"…Maybe a little," she admitted.
The night went on. Eventually, one by one, the others began to retire. Helen insisted everyone rest early. Michael followed shortly after, his steps slow but steady.
Olivia gave Luis a knowing glance before leaving, one he chose to ignore. Federick simply nodded once before heading out.
Ruth lingered for a moment, quietly thanking Mia again before leaving as well and then there were only two people left in the room.
Mia and Luis.
The silence that followed was different from before. Not uncomfortable. Not tense.
Just… quiet.
Mia rested her elbow lightly on the table, her head leaning slightly against her hand. Luis watched her carefully.
"You should rest," he said.
"In a bit."
"You said that ten minutes ago."
She frowned slightly. "Did I?"
"Yes."
"…Oh."
That was enough to confirm it.
Luis sighed quietly. "You're not used to drinking."
"I told you I'm fine."
"You're not."
"I am."
"You're not."
She stared at him again, her eyes slightly unfocused this time.
"…You're repeating yourself."
"And you're proving my point."
She huffed softly, then leaned back further in her chair. For a moment, neither of them spoke and then,
"You know," Mia said suddenly.
Luis immediately felt something was coming.
"That tone means trouble."
She ignored him.
"You're… kind of annoying."
"I've been told."
"But…" she continued slowly, her words slightly less controlled now, "you're also… reliable."
He blinked.
"That's new."
"And…" she paused again, her gaze drifting toward him.
Luis waited.
"…You're attractive."
There was a full second of silence.
"What?"
Mia frowned slightly, as if confused by his reaction. "I said you're attractive."
"I heard you," he said quickly. "I just didn't expect you to say it out loud."
"Why not?"
"Because you don't say things like that."
She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
"…But it's true."
Luis looked away for a moment, clearly caught off guard.
"Well," he muttered, "that's… unexpected."
Mia leaned forward slightly now, resting her chin in her hand again.
"You have good features."
"…Features?"
"Yes."
"That's how you're describing it?"
She nodded seriously. "Sharp eyes. Good build. You're tall."
Luis stared at her.
"You're analyzing me."
"I analyze everything."
"That doesn't make it less strange."
She blinked slowly.
"…You don't like it?"
"That's not the problem."
"Then what is?"
He exhaled quietly. "The problem is that you're saying all of this like it's a report."
Mia paused.
Then,
"…You're attractive," she repeated, more directly this time.
Luis couldn't help it.
He laughed.
A quiet, genuine laugh.
"That's better," he said.
She frowned again. "You're laughing at me."
"I'm not laughing at you."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
She narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…You're still annoying."
"And you're still drunk."
"I'm not drunk."
"You just called me attractive twice."
"…That doesn't mean I'm drunk."
"It does when it comes from you."
She opened her mouth to argue—
Then stopped.
"…Maybe a little," she admitted.
Luis shook his head, still smiling faintly.
"You should rest."
"In a bit."
"Mia."
"Luis."
He sighed.
Then stood.
"Come on."
She looked at him. "Where?"
"To your room."
"I can walk."
"I know you can. I just don't trust you to walk straight."
She stood anyway.
And immediately swayed slightly.
Luis reached out without hesitation, steadying her.
"…I had it under control," she said.
"Clearly."
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she stayed close, closer than usual.
For a moment, neither of them moved then Mia looked up at him. Her expression was softer now. Less guarded. More honest.
"You're warm," she said quietly.
Luis froze for half a second.
"…That's because you're cold."
"Maybe."
Her hand rested lightly against his arm.
Not pushing, not pulling, just there. The moment stretched. Something unspoken lingered between them and then Mia leaned in slightly.
Luis didn't move.
Didn't step back.
Didn't interrupt.
And when her lips met his,
It was soft, unexpected but real. For a brief second, the world outside didn't exist.
No infected, no threats, no uncertainty, just them. Luis stilled at first, caught between surprise and something deeper he had been holding back for far too long. Then something in him shifted. His hand, still steady at her arm, tightened slightly before sliding more firmly to her waist, pulling her closer, just enough to close the distance she had left between them and he kissed her back. Not hesitantly, not lightly but with quiet certainty, warm, deep, and unrestrained in a way he had never allowed himself before.
The softness of her first touch melted into something stronger, something that carried every unspoken moment between them. His lips moved against hers with careful intensity, as if making sure she would pull away if she wanted to.
She didn't.
Instead, Mia leaned into him, her fingers curling lightly against his chest as if grounding herself. The faint surprise in her expression faded, replaced by something softer, something real and unguarded.
The kiss deepened naturally. Unhurried but full. Luis tilted his head slightly, his hold on her firm yet gentle, drawing her just a little closer. There was warmth in it, steady and consuming, nothing rushed, but nothing held back either.
For once, Mia didn't think, didn't calculate and didn't pull away. She simply stayed.
And for a moment that felt longer than it should have. Everything else disappeared.
When they finally parted, it wasn't abrupt. The distance between them lingered, their breaths uneven, their foreheads nearly touching.
Mia blinked once.
Then again.
"…Oh."
Luis exhaled softly.
"…Yeah."
There was a pause.
Then Mia looked away slightly.
"…That didn't happen."
Luis raised an eyebrow, a faint smile forming again. He said it definitely did.
She insisted it did not. He said it did. Back and forth again. She frowned, muttering that he was annoying. He replied that she just kissed him. She repeated that he was still annoying. He smiled faintly. Then, gently, he guided her toward the hallway. He told her they should get her to her room. This time, she did not argue. She let him lead. And as they walked away from the quiet room, the bunker settled once more into silence.
Outside, the snow continued to fall.
A new year had begun.
And for the first time in a long time,
it did not feel like something to fear.