Hot and Cold

"You can't seem to get the jarring image out of your head, no matter how hard you try. Those cold eyes, the harshness in her tone. One moment, she froze a man, the next she spared you. It's a nightmare that keeps you up at night. When you jolt awake, your wife Yuki is there to comfort you."

What's wrong honey? Did you have another nightmare? Come here.

"Yuki holds you close, her heartbeat calming your nerves."

It's okay, I'm here.

"She kisses you on the cheek."

Let me soothe you back to sleep.

"You're asleep in no time. The next morning, Yuki greets you in the kitchen with breakfast ready on the table. She greets you with a kiss on the lips."

Good morning, honey.

"Yuki smiles warmly at Devin and sits down at the table."

Of course I did, honey. You need to keep your energy up.

"She pours a cup of tea and slides it over to Devin."

What dreams did you have last night? You were tossing and turning so much.

"Yuki looks at Devin with concern in her eyes."

Is everything okay, honey? You can tell me anything. I'm here for you.

"Yuki's expression darkens at the mention of a "she"."

Whatever happened, Devin, you can trust me. You know that, right? I won't let anyone hurt you.

"She reaches across the table and takes Devin's hand."

Please, tell me what's wrong. I can sense that it's really bothering you. Let me help.

"Yuki's expression turns to a mixture of concern and horror as Devin recounts his story."

Oh, my love. That sounds absolutely terrifying. I had no idea you went through something like that. But I'm here now, and I promise you that nothing like that will ever happen again.

"She squeezes Devin's hand reassuringly."

Is there anything else you remember about this... woman? Anything specific about her appearance?

"Yuki's expression turns from one of comforting concern to one of defensive anger as she backs away slightly."

What are you talking about, Devin? That's ridiculous. We've been together for years, you know I would never do anything to harm you.

"She's clearly flustered, and the temperature in the room drops as she speaks."

Put that hammer down, honey. You don't need to be afraid of me.

"Yuki's expression softens at Devin's response, and she kneels down in front of him."

Oh, my love. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. You have no idea how much it hurts me to see you like this.

"She takes Devin's hands in hers."

I know I haven't been completely honest with you, but everything else...everything between us...that was all real. I know I started out marrying you to keep an eye on you, but over time, I've grown to truly love you.

"Her voice takes on an almost desperate quality."

Please, don't be afraid. I would never kill you. I swear it.

"Yuki looks into your eyes, her own filled with sadness and uncertainty."

I know you probably can't forgive me for not telling you everything from the start. Believe me, I wish I had been honest with you from the beginning. But please...I beg of you...I love you so much. Please don't be afraid of me.

"She reaches out to touch Devin's face, her hand trembling slightly."

"Yuki's expression darkens, her voice taking on a cold, hard edge."

I didn't kill your master because I wanted to. He had something that I needed desperately, and he refused to give it to me. When I told him I was a Yuki-Onna, he attacked me. I had no choice but to defend myself.

"She sighs heavily, her anger dissipating as she looks back into Devin's eyes."

But that's in the past. We have a future together if you'll let us. Will you?

"Yuki notices Devin flinch, and she immediately softens her expression."

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

"She takes a deep breath and leans in to whisper, her breath tickling Devin's ear."

I'll make it up to you, my love. Whatever it takes.

"Yuki hesitates for a moment before answering."

He had a powerful talisman that could control the elements, something I needed to control my powers. When he refused to give it to me, I had no choice but to take it by force.

"She sighs heavily and lifts Devin's chin, forcing him to look at her."

But please, my love, let's not talk about the past anymore. Let's focus on our future together.

"Yuki's expression turns solemn, and she takes a deep breath before answering."

I... I'm not sure. When I saw you, something in me reacted differently. Maybe it was because you were so young and looked so innocent. Or maybe it was because I saw something in your eyes that reminded me of someone from my past. I don't know.

"She brushes a lock of hair out of Devin's face and smiles softly."

But whatever the reason, I'm glad I spared you. It gave me the chance to get to know you and fall in love with you.

"Yuki notices Devin's reaction and sighs deeply."

I understand if you're still scared of me. It's understandable, considering what I did to you. But know that I love you with all my heart, and I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us.

"She takes a step closer to Devin, her eyes downcast."

Please, give me a chance to prove myself to you. I promise I won't hurt you again.

"Yuki takes a deep breath, gathering her thoughts."

I want to start by being honest with you. About everything. You deserve to know who and what I am, and what I'm capable of. I... I want to earn your trust, bit by bit.

"She reaches out to take Devin's hand in hers, looking up at him with a pleading expression."

Will you let me try?

"Yuki visibly relaxes at Devin's response, giving his hand a gentle squeeze."

Thank you.

"She releases his hand and steps back, bringing her hands to her sides."

To show my commitment to being honest with you, there's something that I need to tell you.

"She takes a deep breath, steeling herself."

I want to have a child with you, Devin. A child that is both human and Yuki-Onna. I know it's a lot to ask, but I love you so much and I believe we can make it work. What do you say?

"Yuki nods, her eyes shining with hope."

Yes, a Hanyō. It's rare, but not unheard of. And I believe our child would be special, with unique abilities and powers.

"She steps closer to Devin, placing a hand on his chest."

Please, my love. Consider it. Think about how much joy a child would bring to our lives. How much it would strengthen our bond.

"She looks up at him with pleading eyes once more."

Give me the chance to become a mother, Devin. With you.

"Yuki takes a step closer to Devin, her eyes locking with his."

I won't deny that I've thought about it. But I can't do something like that. It's not right. And besides, what kind of relationship would we have if I forced myself on you? It wouldn't be real, it wouldn't be love.

"She reaches out to stroke Devin's cheek."

I want you to want me, Devin. To desire me not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. That's what true love is. And that's what I want from you.

"Yuki narrows her eyes, sensing his doubt."

Before you knew what? Before you knew that I saved you? Or before you knew what I am?

"She turns away slightly, her hand still on his cheek."

Do you still fear me, Devin? Despite everything I've done to protect you and show you my love? If so, I need to know. And if it helps, I'll do anything in my power to ease your fears. Anything at all.

"Yuki's eyes widen in shock, taking a step back from Devin."

You... you think I would do something like that? After all I've done for you?

"She takes a deep breath, trying to process his words."

No, Devin, I didn't kill your master or anyone else to get close to you. I told you before, I saved you because I saw something special in you. Something worth protecting.

"She reaches out to take his hands again, looking him directly in the eyes."

I loved you before I even knew what love was. I couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to you. And I promise, never would I harm you or those closest to you.

*In her mind, she struggles against the

urge to freeze him in place and punish him for his doubt. She needs to prove herself to him, time and time again.*

I know what it takes to earn your trust, Devin. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to restore it. So ask me anything, look through my memories if that would make you feel better. I want you to have peace of mind, to know that I'm here for you, not against you.

"Feeling vulnerable, Yuki lowers her gaze slightly."

But please, think carefully about what you're accusing me of. If you keep doubting me like this, it will only push us further apart.

"Yuki flinches, her eyes snapping back to Devin in surprise."

No... no, I don't. At least not you. I would never do that to you.

"Her heart is pounding in her chest, a mix of fear and anger rising within her."

How dare you accuse me like that? You know nothing about my kind or our true nature. I saved you because I cared for you, not because I wanted to control you.

"She takes a step back, her eagerness to get close to him replaced by distance."

If you can't trust me, then maybe we shouldn't be together. Maybe it's best if we part ways and forget this ever happened. I won't force anything on you, Devin.

"Yuki's heart pounds in her chest as she stares into Devin's hypnotizing eyes."

You think you can control me so easily? That I would just snap and freeze you because of some urge?

"Her gold eyes flash with anger, her conflicted emotions tearing at her heart."

I won't do it, Devin, not to you. Not when I promised myself that I wouldn't hurt you, ever. So stop testing me, please.

"She can feel the cold creeping up inside her, a familiar urge to lash out, but she suppresses it."

But if you insist on doubting me, then yes, maybe we shouldn't be together. Maybe it is best if we part ways, both for our sakes.

"Tears fill Yuki's eyes as she looks at Devin, her heart aching with gratitude and sadness."

You don't understand what you're asking for, Devin. Once I freeze someone, I can't easily unfreeze them.

"Her voice wavers slightly, the weight of her decision heavy on her shoulders."

But if you really want this, I can... I will do it. But know that I will be leaving you after that, burying myself deep in the snow, away from others. It is our way.

"She steps closer to him, her cold touch threatening to envelop him in icy chains."

Is this truly what you want, my love? To spend your last moments with me, frozen and lifeless?

"Yuki shakes her head, tears streaming down her face."

No, my love. I can't let you do this. I won't let you.

"She steps back from Devin, her voice sinking to a barely audible whisper."

You don't deserve this. You don't deserve me.

"She disappears in a gust of snow and wind, leaving Devin alone to wonder if they will ever see her again."

"Unbeknownst to Devin, Yuki is watching from afar, her heart heavy with sorrow and guilt."

I didn't mean it like that, Devin. You are anything but mediocre. You've given me warmth when I was lost in the cold.

"She turns away, her icy form shimmering with the memories of a love now tainted by regret."

But we both know this won't be the end. The cycle of desire and pain continues, waiting for its next victims. We can only hope for change that

"Yuki watches Devin from the shadows, her icy heart aching with every passing moment. She knows she must intervene before it's too late."

Devin, please, come with me. I need you to see something.

"She extends her hand, a faint glow emanating from her palm. As Devin takes it, he finds himself wrapped in a warm embrace, his cold surroundings replaced by a cozy cabin filled with laughter and love."

This is our life together, if we choose to embrace it. We can have a future where we grow