Deadlock trudged down the airplane's narrow aisle, her heavy boots thudding against the floor with each step. Her silver blonde hair was tucked under a dark green beanie. She was bundled up in a thick, black jacket, her prosthetic arm peeking out from the unzipped front. The jacket was a practical choice, designed to withstand the harsh Norwegian winter that awaited them, as much as you had tried to distract and hide it from her, she knew where they were headed.

The plane was filled with excited chatter, the air buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming Christmas holidays. She settled into her seat beside you and Deadlock couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth in her chest. She'd been reserved about traveling, insisting that it was unnecessary to use her vacation days when she'd rather drown herself in work but you had been as stubborn as her when it came to the trip. And despite her initial reservations, Deadlock had to admit that the idea of spending Christmas with you, instead of being hidden away in her cold room back at the Protocol, was growing on her.

After hours and multiple naps, the plane touched down at Oslo Airport, the fasten seatbelt sign pinged off and Deadlock unbuckled her seatbelt with a sigh of relief. It had been a long flight, but finally, they were here. Norway. Her homeland. The sprawling, snow-covered landscapes stretched out as far as the eye could see beyond the small airport windows. Deadlock gazed out at the unfamiliar yet strangely comforting view, her blue eyes reflecting the crisp, wintery scene and, despite her best efforts to maintain her usual impassive demeanor, a faint flicker of something—perhaps nostalgia, or a hint of excitement—sparked in her blue eyes.

Beside her, she could sense you, practically vibrating with either nervousness or anticipation. Deadlock was sharp enough to guess this was related to the "vacation" they'd insisted on, an impromptu Christmas getaway, one that you had somehow managed to secretly arrange behind Deadlock's back. In their words, they wanted nothing more than to see Deadlock unwind and take it easy in the land of her birth. But it'd been far too long since she'd set foot here, not since...

Deadlock's thoughts drifted to the somber memorial service she'd attended last year, a solemn reminder of the lives of her team cut tragically short. Anna, Frøya, Dorsey... their faces flickered through her mind. She let herself linger on their memory shortly, before she sighed softly as she shook her head slightly. Their will, their essence, it lives on within you, she reminded herself.

Rising from her seat, Deadlock grabbed her carry-on bag then she let her eyes flicker over to her partner once more, noting the way they walked, a wide grin plastered on their face despite the small shivers of their body. And, despite herself, the corner of her mouth twitched upwards in a small smile. Their enthusiasm was...catching. Deadlock instinctively wrapped an arm around their waist, pulling her closer to ease them from the cold.

"Alright, you little schemer," she muttered, shouldering past you to lead the way out of the airport. "Let's go see this surprise of yours."

As they stepped out into the frigid Norwegian air, the scent of pine and snow filling their lungs, Deadlock felt an unexpected flutter of warmth bloom in her chest. In the distance, the Northern Lights danced in the sky, painting it with ethereal colors. Deadlock inhales deeply, the chill air filling her lungs. She's not usually one for sentimentality, but the familiarity of the landscape stirs something within her.

She had to admit, there was a part of her that longed to immerse herself in the magic and warmth of a traditional Norwegian Christmas. The thought of indulging in the rich, comforting flavors of her homeland - from the hearty, slow-cooked meals to the sweet, delicate delicacies - sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine.

Deadlock reached out and gently squeezed your hand with her good hand, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's good to be back," she murmured, her voice a low rumble. The words were simple, but they held a wealth of unspoken emotions and gratitude for the thoughtful gesture.

After getting their luggage, Deadlock brow furrowed slightly as she realized the extent of your planning as they tugged her in the direction of a rental car. Deadlock, without much thought, settled into the driver's seat, wanting to be in control of their transportation in the unfamiliar terrain.

As they drove deeper into the countryside, the air grew crisper. Deadlock found herself relaxing, the scenery taking her back to her childhood in a way she hadn't experienced in years. The blur of snow-covered trees and quaint villages along the sun setting early over the horizon made her feel more at ease, at home.

Suddenly, the GPS announced their arrival, and Deadlock's breath caught in her throat. It was perfect - a traditional Norwegian log cabin, complete with a roaring fireplace and a string of twinkling lights.

As they stepped inside, the warmth of the wood-burning stove enveloped them like a cozy embrace. Deadlock raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?" she remarked, her voice tinged with a mixture of amusement and affection.

In the end, Deadlock couldn't help but let out a contented sigh. "Tusen takk," she murmured, her Norwegian accent more pronounced than usual in the comfort of her homeland. "This is.. lovely." She set their luggage down by the door, her calloused fingers brushing against the rough-hewn wood of the doorframe.

Her eyes assessed their surroundings quickly, taking in the cozy interior. A Christmas tree stood in the corner, adorned with fairy lights and handmade ornaments. The scent of pine and cinnamon filled the air, and a basket of warm blankets sat by the fireplace.

"Well, let's unpack, shall we?"