The Winter Club was buzzing with life that morning—warm light spilling from chandeliers, the sound of glasses clinking, laughter rising over soft music, and the scent of spiced drinks drifting through the air. The main character had barely finished shaking the sleep from his eyes when he stepped in, drawn by the promise of food and a little early fun.

But then, right in the middle of it all, he froze.

Across the room stood Hydra. In real life. For the first time.

Her long hair fell around her shoulders like silk, but it wasn't just her presence that caught him off guard—it was her outfit. A sleek, dark one-piece with bold cutouts, trimmed with soft fur near the chest. It wasn't something one expected to see in a cozy winter lodge, yet on her, it felt like the most natural thing in the world. Her curves commanded attention, her figure framed perfectly against the light as she scanned the room, clearly waiting for someone.

Their eyes met.

For a moment, it was as if the whole club faded into the background. Hydra's lips curved into a nervous smile, though her confidence quickly slipped back into place as she tilted her head, giving him that same playful look she used to give through her webcam during late-night streams. But this time, it was different. This was real—closer, warmer, almost overwhelming.

Hydra tilted her head toward an empty booth tucked near the windows, the frost outside glowing softly against the glass. Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed him by the wrist and guided him through the crowd with a quiet confidence that left him trailing just a step behind.

They sat, the low table between them lined with steaming mugs of hot cocoa, spiced cider, and a plate of warm pastries brought over by a smiling server. Hydra leaned back, crossing her legs, her outfit drawing more glances than she seemed to care about.

"So..." she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, "are you just going to keep staring at me, or are you finally going to say what's on your mind?"

He hesitated, caught between laughing it off and admitting how surreal this all felt. Hydra grinned, her eyes narrowing slightly as if she already knew.

"You didn't expect me to show up like this, huh?" she teased, running her fingers lightly over the fur-trim of her outfit. "Don't lie—I can see it on your face."

The room buzzed around them, but Hydra had a way of pulling all of his focus into their little corner. She sipped her drink, lips brushing the rim of the cup before setting it down slowly.

"Well," she continued, tone softening, "you're here now. And so am I. So tell me..." She leaned in slightly, her eyes locked on his. "...what do we do with the rest of this day?"