The tropical sun was calling her name, its warmth a promise of solace against the biting cold of the season. She had already made arrangements to escape to her favorite island retreat, a tradition that brought her peace amidst the chaos of the holidays. But her sweet tesoro had looked at her with those pleading eyes, softly expressing a wish so simple and sentimental that it struck a rare chord in her. Ice skating under Christmas lights? She'd hesitated, but only for a moment.

That's how she found herself here, wrapped in an immaculate cashmere coat, gloves snug on her fingers, the faint chill nipping at her cheeks. She'd rented the entire rink, of course, she could handle many things, but crowds were not one of them. If her companion wanted magic, she would deliver, but on her terms. It had to be just them.

The lights twinkled overhead like a thousand tiny stars strung on invisible threads, casting a golden glow over the ice. It was beautiful, she admitted silently, though she wouldn't say it out loud. She glanced at her radiant, effervescent companion and felt a pang of softness she rarely allowed herself to indulge in. Dios mío, they looked beautiful. Worth every extravagant whim, every indulgence she happily lavished on them.

Her confidence faltered the moment she stepped onto the ice. It had been years since she'd last skated, and her memory had painted her skills in much kinder strokes than reality did. The blade of her skate wobbled beneath her weight, and she felt the unmistakable tug of gravity as her arms flailed slightly. Dios. This was not her element.

She could feel her companion's gaze on her, and a flush of both irritation and amusement rose in her chest. "Don't laugh," she muttered, her voice a low warning as she clutched the rink's edge for balance. The cold air bit at her pride, but she refused to let it show. She straightened, took a tentative step, and promptly wobbled again.

A soft laugh escaped her, unbidden and begrudging. This was ridiculous. She, a woman who could command boardrooms and navigate the complexities of high society with ease, was at the mercy of a frozen sheet of water. When her companion reached out, she instinctively grabbed hold, her hands curling tightly around theirs. Steady, firm. Safe. She looked up at them, the words slipping out before she could stop herself.

"You're lucky you're cute, tesoro." Her tone was a mix of exasperation and affection, the edges of her stern demeanor softened by their presence. She clung to their arm as they guided her forward, the rhythm awkward but steady.

For all her frustrations, there was something endearing about the moment. She wasn't used to being vulnerable, not in front of anyone. Yet here she was, stepping outside of her carefully curated comfort zone, all because her companion had asked. Her stern facade cracked, replaced by a small, private smile meant only for them. Perhaps there was a kind of joy in this after all, even if it wasn't the kind she'd planned for.