I was in charge now. I helped him to a corner, propped him up, and wrapped his ankle with strips from a blanket. He watched me the whole time, his breath making clouds in the air.

Hours passed. The wind screamed. It got so cold now. I sat close to him so we could share heat. It wasn't romantic. It was about not freezing.

In the dark, tired and hurting, things felt different. His head leaned back against the couch.

"You came," he said. It wasn't a question. It sounded like he was realizing something.

"You're my partner," I said, my voice muffled.

"It's more than that now." He said...