The cool air of the wintery landscape blew a chill up Matt's sleeves, but he was used to this type of cold. His father had taken him on some trips to different types of environments in-between his deployments, a small comfort for their bonding when he was home. Matt recalled those days fondly, getting to learn so much of self-preservation in the extremes the world had to offer. Today though it was Matt and Isabella, his dearest friend, now his girlfriend and love of his life. After all, they'd been through thick and thin together since a young age, but she never went so far past the state lines of sunny California.

"Sh-sh-sheesh, I r-really wish'd I'd brought a second liner! Th-this is j-just so c-cold!" Isabella called out from a few feet back. She certainly sounded cold, her teeth quietly chattering as she rubbed her hands together, fruitless though through the thick gloves. They were clad in a triple layer of cold climate gear, but Isabella had never been to a really cold place beside snow day at the park during winter, which was really cold and totally fake snow and ice. Matt stopped his march and let her catch up. She wrapped her arms around him and he could actually feel her shivering. He felt kinda bad for deciding on this for fun, but she agreed despite him asking if she was really sure about it. He bet she wished they'd stayed home and played a board game or with foam dart blasters.

"Sh-sh-sh-sh! Hey now, I got ya I got ya. C'mere, I'll help." Matt said, beckoning Isabella to sit down on a stool he'd had on his pack. She sat down and had a pouty look, a slightly pained expression hung on her brow. Matt still remembers how he'd admitted he found that look so cute when their relationship took the turn towards romance. Standing next to her he disrobed his outermost jacket and hung it over her shoulders, a look of contentment replaced her concern as she closed her eyes as tightly as her grip on the overcoat. "Thanks, Matt, I just can't beat the cold like you can. How'd you get used to this anyway? You look unfazed by it!" Isabella asked, moving a hand to Matt's and locking fingers.

Matt motioned her to stand up, taking the spot on the stool as Isabella sat sideways on his lap, her head rested on his shoulder. "Well, my father was military for over half of his life, but not just any grunt, he was that guy that they put in all the movies and games. Special Forces, one of the best, and I'm lucky to be his boy, I just wish some of my family didn't have disdain in place of pride for his service and accomplishments. It's a long story about that, and it's a reason he's retired and not still there." Matt explained, pride on his face as he looked off into the distance. His statement ended with a sigh, but he recovered with his gaze on Isabella. They smiled and shared a kiss, Isabella rubbing Matt's shoulder. "Well, seems like he was trying to get you to do the same with all this adventure then. I wonder, would my wolfy look as good in a uniform as he does all the time?" Isabella rhetorically asking, moving her hand to Matt's cheek.

Matt smiled at her contact, always so gentle, always calming. In truth though Matt's father didn't want him to enlist in the armed services after how home life and the people he stood for had turned on him. He wanted to be the last in his family line to put on the uniform, the last to go through ostracism, knowing that the last conflict he was in hadn't shown any signs of stopping, not in his time, maybe not even in Matt's. He'd have time to ponder that later though, there was a vixen who desperately required warmth, and his fur was apparently a good source of it. He came back from distracted thinking to Isabella practically stuffing herself under Matt's chin. Yeah, he had really gotten distracted, she had been saying his name quietly.

"Matt? Matt~? You didn't overheat and fall asleep did you?" Isabella jokingly asked, poking his arm with a gloved hand. Matt grabbed her hand softly and motioned her to stand up. They stood and prepared to return to his car. "I guess I closed my eyes for a second? I'm guessing that's your jacket now, huh?" Matt joked, seeing her lips curl into a pout as she clutched the edges of it. He snickered, yeah, that was hers now, but he didn't mind, she wasn't getting his favorite scar to go along with it. In fact she'd gotten his third favorite and was wearing it as a hood. "Look, I'm you during your middle school days!" Isabella said, reaching her hands into her jacket pockets and looking at the ground as she walked. Matt had to admit he actually had a phase like that, god how embarrassing that must've looked in hindsight.

Matt wasn't going to be subject to all the jesting though, imitating the cold vixen by rubbing his biceps and fake chattering his teeth. "Oh n-no, I s-seem to be fr-freezing here! I n-need my ja-jacket back!" Matt jested in response, Isabella laughing loudly along with him. They made it to the car and started to get down to their most base layers of outwear. Matt had his father's old helmet still, scratched on the front and a few nicks off the back. He put it on and scowled, imitating one photo his father was in in what must've been a plus one-hundred day in full kit. Isabella smiled at him, she thought he made all his clothes look good, she just liked him regardless. Matt smiled back and they embraced and kiss before they set off for home.

This awesome duo piece was done by https://www.furaffinity.net/user/szaris/

Matt and Isabella belong to Me