In the future, when she looked back on the incident, Rapunzel would remember a blur that flew by too fast to see—bits and pieces of memories that consisted mostly of the emotions she'd been feeling, but no details.

But at the time it happened, it felt a lot more like the world was stuck in slow motion.

Everything was supposed to be perfect. The four of them had gone to a ski lodge for winter break. It was Jack's idea, obviously. Rapunzel wasn't much of a skier, so after having exactly one obligatory lesson from Jack and deciding she didn't want to risk breaking her neck, she'd been happy to stand out in the snow and watch her friends race each other down the hills.

Jack was completely in his element and having the time of his life snowboarding out in the cold mountain air every day. Merida and Hiccup seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. They were more company in the lodge than Jack, but when he came in at the end of the day with mussed up hair, rosy cheeks, and a bright smile, she didn't mind at all.

The best part of the trip was the third night they were there. It was a little past midnight and Rapunzel was just beginning to drift off to sleep. That's when she received a text from Jack that simply read, Meet me in the lounge.

Being careful not to wake Merida, she bundled herself up in the oversized sweatshirt she'd stolen from Jack and padded downstairs in her sock feet. The lodge was quiet except for a few night owls who hadn't gone to bed yet. A fire roared in the enormous fireplace that sat right in the middle of the lounge, and when she glanced out the window, she could see that it had begun to snow again.

"Punzie?"

The voice came from the fireplace. Jack stood from one of the leather chairs, a steaming mug in each hand.

Rapunzel caught her breath when she saw him. She would never forget the way he looked—nothing special, but for some reason the sight struck her. His coffee brown hair was just as messy and tousled as usual and flopped over his forehead in a way that made her want to push her hands through it. He wore a thin, long-sleeved cotton shirt that fit him just so she could see the well-developed muscles in his chest and arms and shoulders. But what struck her most were his eyes. They were comforting and warm, like the hot cocoa he was holding, and gleamed in the firelight. The way he gazed at her with them always made her want to melt.

She folded her arms and feigned a yawn. "What do you want, Jack? I was half asleep when you called me down here."

Jack stopped and looked down at the mugs in his hands. "Well, if you're too tired, I guess I'll just have to drink these all by myself."

Rapunzel smiled and huffed in fake annoyance. "Fine. I suppose I can help you out."

She accepted one of the mugs and followed him to the large chairs that sat before the fire. Stuffed deer and moose heads watched from their mounts high on the stone walls as the pair got settled in the cushy leather seats. Rapunzel folded her legs underneath her so she could rest her drink on her knees. Jack propped his bare feet up on the hearth. The fire was roaring, stretched out over three feet of grate and feeding on an enormous pile of thick logs. For a few moments, there was only the crackling and popping of the blaze and the ambient sounds of low conversation around the lodge.

Rapunzel sighed, feeling cozy and content. She took a tentative sip of the cocoa to find it wasn't scorching hot. It was also filled to the brim with whipped cream, just the way she liked it. For someone who was usually somewhat absentminded, Jack could be surprisingly thoughtful.

"So what did you really want?" she asked.

"I just wanted to spend some time with you." Her free arm was hanging over the side of the chair and he reached out to take it. Almost automatically, their fingers intertwined with each others.' "I know I've been out on the slopes a lot."

She gave his hand a squeeze. "That's okay. You look great out there. I like watching you."

"Thanks," he said, laughing lightly. "I miss you though. Are you having fun?"

"Of course I am! It's breathtaking out here. Have you been down any of the trails yet? Merida and I took a walk in the woods yesterday. They're beautiful with all the snow."

Jack smiled. "You'll have to take me then. I'd love to see them." He paused for a moment, thinking. "How about tomorrow? After lunch?"

Rapunzel beamed. "Okay."

"Promise?"

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Jack. I promise."

"Okay, then. It's a date." His eyes fell to her arm and he moved his hand to touch the fabric. "Is this my sweatshirt?"

Rapunzel felt her cheeks grow warm. "Uh…well…"

"Hey! I was wondering what happened to it."

She hid her face by taking another sip of her drink and laughed sheepishly into the mug. "Sorry. It's just so warm."

Jack laughed loudly. She felt him run his thumb over the back of her hand. "You keep it as long as you want then. Can't have you being cold."

Rapunzel pulled the mug away and grinned. "Thanks."

For a moment, he just stared at her, his chocolate eyes becoming lidded. She stared right back, enjoying the way the firelight danced across his features. Even after three years of knowing the boy, she still had not gotten tired of looking at him. She felt that familiar tugging inside—some inexplicable force that seemed to be drawing her to him, insisting that he should be nearer. The space between them created by the armchairs, which was really no more than a foot, suddenly felt like a yawning chasm that she needed to breach.

Jack laughed again. "Punzie, you got something right here." He motioned at his upper lip.

"Huh?"

"Hold on…" He set his drink down and leaned toward her, taking her face in both his hands, long fingers tangling themselves in her blonde hair. His voice became low and soft. "I got it."

Suddenly his mouth was on her mouth. Rapunzel squeaked in surprise, but then leaned right back into him. Her mind slipped into some sort of haze as they kissed. Sitting there, with only the fire and the snow falling in the dark night outside and his lips all to herself, they might as well have been the only two people in the world. She closed her eyes and breathed in the scents of mint and pine and cold mountain air that emanated from him. She gave into the temptation to run her fingers through his hair. Then, when they finally came up for air, she found herself giggling at the whipped cream smeared across his lip.

"Yeah, I think you got it," she whispered, breathing hard, and swiped it away with her thumb.

He laughed breathlessly and pulled her into his lap. Her arms circled around his neck as he kissed her again. This time it was deeper, but somehow gentler. It didn't feel desperate or hungry. It was just…loving. The simple act of enjoying the feel of each other's lips.

Rapunzel didn't remember falling asleep in his lap, but she must have. The next thing she was aware of was her body rocking back and forth in a strong pair of arms. She didn't open her eyes, but in its half-awake state her brain let her know that she was being carried to her room. She could smell Jack's cologne very well now that her head was resting on his shoulder. It had always been a calming smell to her. Soon she felt herself being laid down on a soft mattress. Blankets were drawn up to her chin and tucked in tenderly around her. And then a kiss was pressed affectionately to her forehead.

The last thing she heard before she fell asleep for good was a husky whisper saying, "Goodnight, Rapunzel. I love you."

When she woke up the next morning, she was dismayed to find it was already ten-thirty. Merida was in the lounge when she went down for breakfast and informed her that Jack and Hiccup had already left for the day.

"Aren't you going out today?" she asked the redhead as they drank coffee by the fire.

"Maybe later," she replied, sinking into the couch cushions. "Don't tell the boys, but my bum's a little sore from taking so many falls."

Rapunzel rolled her eyes. "And that's only because you keep trying dangerous jumps."

Merida shrugged. "What can I say? I can't let Frosty beat me. Then he'd only get cocky."

"Too late for that."

Merida chuckled. Then she suddenly gave her a sly look. "You were out late last night, weren't you?"

Rapunzel blushed as memories of the night before came rushing back to her. "Uh…well, yeah."

"And what, may I ask, were you doin'?"

"Things."

"Things?"

"Stuff."

"Ah." Merida tilted her head and batted her eyelids in a ridiculously seductive fashion. "Stuff. I see."

"No! It wasn't—I mean, we didn't—shut up!" Rapunzel's face grew even redder and she pushed her friend's shoulder. "We just talked. And drank hot chocolate. That's all."

"Pff," Merida spat, bobby pinning a stray lock of curly hair to the top of her head. "Okay, Punz. Whatever you say."

Rapunzel blew out a frustrated breath, sending up a tuft of blond hair that fell back down in her face. There was no arguing with Merida. So when she suggested they go outside to watch their boyfriends snowboard (or, Merida insisted, to watch Hiccup embarrass himself again), Rapunzel went along happily. She was eager for the afternoon to come so she and Jack could take that walk.

The air was colder than the day before. When they stepped outside and into the white world of the mountains, she pulled her coat tighter around her body and wished she'd remembered her hat.

The two girls spent the next half hour standing at the base of the steep slope the boys were racing each other down before they decided it was too cold to just stand around and watch. Jack looked fantastic, as usual, and Rapunzel was enthralled by his skills and agility and athletic figure, but there came a point when she couldn't feel her lips anymore. Her body begged for warmth. She suggested heading to the sauna for a little while, and Merida readily complied. It was a bit pricey, but it was one of the lodge's main features, so it had to be worth it.

"I don't know how they can stay out for so long in this cold," she mentioned as they walked back through the lodge's back door, stomping snow off of their boots.

"Frosty probably doesn't even notice it," Merida replied.

Rapunzel thought she was most likely right.

The sauna was wonderful and very lavish. It didn't take long for feeling to creep back into her extremities and drive out the cold. While Merida typically didn't participate in self-indulgent activities as much as Rapunzel, she obviously enjoyed it too. They left feeling warm and renewed.

Rapunzel just hoped she wouldn't be too cold to enjoy her walk with Jack later.

It was after they had changed into leggings and sweaters and went back to the lounge that the chaos erupted.

She had just gotten situated on an overly stuffed couch and opened a book when a young man she'd never seen before came barreling through the door, automatically capturing everyone's attention.

His eyes were wild and his chest was heaving with frantic breaths. "H-Hey! Call 9-1-1!" he shouted in a booming voice. "Somebody call 9-1-1! Hurry!"

Rapunzel instinctively closed her book. Merida sat bolt upright, making to stand.

A few people gathered around the man and started pulling out cell phones. The person closest to him shoved theirs into his hand and he pressed it to his ear, still trying to catch his breath.

"What happened?" a middle-aged woman asked earnestly.

"A kid wiped out on the slopes," he gasped hastily while the phone rang. "Busted his head open. It's bad. The patrollers are with him now but he needs an ambulance and their phones aren't working."

Rapunzel wasn't sure why, but her stomach did a somersault.

The man turned away to talk to the dispatcher, speaking in a low tone so she couldn't hear what he said. She rushed to the window with Merida by her side, but couldn't see anything from that vantage point.

Rapunzel gave her friend a worried look. "You don't think it's…?"

"No." Merida shook her head, sounding very sure of herself. "It can't be. Jack's too good and Hiccup's too careful. It's not them."

The blonde nodded. It seemed like solid logic. There were dozens of people out on the slopes besides her friends. It could be any one of them.

But as she comforted herself with these words, she saw something that made her stomach feel sick. A figure was running down from the mountain at breakneck speed. A very familiar figure. "Hiccup?"

"Hm?" Merida leaned toward the window to see better. Then her ocean-blue eyes widened. "Uh oh…he looks upset."

Rapunzel's heart jumped and started pounding against her chest. She turned away from the window, trying not to lose her composure. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no…"

"Punzie! Punzie, it's okay." Merida placed her hands on her shoulders. "That doesn't mean anythin'. Let's just wait for him to get here before we start jumping to conclusions, all right?"

She swallowed thickly and tried to nod, but it was a lame attempt. She knew Merida was right, but the panicky feeling that was making her limbs shake didn't lessen at all.

Something was wrong. Somehow, she knew it.

It took another minute or two for Hiccup to reach the lodge and come bursting into the room, bringing a flurry of snow with him. He looked completely frantic and disoriented as he turned in an unsteady circle, searching the room with wide, fear-crazed eyes.

Merida jumped up and ran to him. "Hiccup! What…what happened? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," the boy panted, doubling over to put his hands on his knees. "But…but…" He drew in several huge, ragged gasps and tried to continue, but didn't have enough breath to talk.

"Calm down, Hic," Merida murmured, rubbing her boyfriend's back. "Breathe."

Rapunzel was trembling uncontrollably. "We—we heard someone fell on the slopes. Do you know what happened?"

Hiccup looked up at them, his breathing just beginning to slow. The shock and the terror in his eyes gave away the answer before he spoke.

"It's Jack."