A New Tradition (Broken Aether)

*No spoilers! And honestly I don't even know where this story fits in any kind of timeline, but it's fun Christmas stuff with Fin and Rena again sooo...
"I think I'm just going to need some time to get over my shock," Fin laughed as he sat on the bench beside Rena.

Rena crinkled her nose at him and punched his shoulder. "Oh, leave me alone. Everyone is allowed to have their thing."

"Well yes... but," Fin gestured out at the wintry scene in front of them, "this is the thing you won't do? Out of everything?"

"You have knives strapped to your feet!"

Fin laughed at Rena's indignant outburst. "They're ice skates, Rena. Not knives."

Rena sighed. She knew logically that Fin's point made sense, but... she was still not particularly keen on joining everyone else on the ice. They had made the trip out to the countryside with Professor Edwards and his family to visit his childhood ice skating spot. And while she was thrilled to be a part of the holiday season tradition and happy to watch his son and daughter whirl around on the ice, she was less enthusiastic about taking part in it. She wasn't exactly the most coordinated person, and she didn't feel that would mix well with the whole ice skating situation.

"Rena..." Fin prompted again, and Rena knew that if she looked up at those genuine brown eyes, any resistance she still had would melt away. So naturally, she didn't look at him. It didn't seem to discourage his efforts all that much. "You create miniature explosions like every day without a second thought."

"So?" Rena did look up at him then, unsure of where he was going with that line of thought. As anticipated, his eyes were gentle and smiling, and she was completely disarmed.

Fin raised his eyebrows. "And you fearlessly entered the most elite part of society in our city without a second thought."

She held up a finger to stop him. "There was actually quite a bit of fear involved in that, for the record."

"Fair enough," Fin smiled. "But you still did it. So... I think you should apply the same method to this experience and come skate with me, even if you are scared." Rena narrowed her eyes, knowing she would agree but wanting to hold out just a little longer. "I'll hold your hands," Fin pressed. "And we'll get hot chocolate from Aurora once we go back home."

Rena grinned. "Aurora's hot chocolate? You promise?" Fin nodded solemnly, and she finally gave in and stood. "Well then I can't possibly resist any longer."

With a wide smile, Fin took her hand and led her to the ice. Rena felt extremely unsteady on the skates, but as usual, Fin was her anchor. Funny how that worked out in the physical and metaphorical sense. But soon enough, they were gliding along the ice, and she wasn't crashing or falling or dying to the blades on the bottom of her feet. The sun glinted off the hillsides around them that glittered with snow, and the ice beneath their feet shone with blue and silver hues. Soft snowflakes drifted down like a snow globe. Rena laughed, feeling the rush of fun that she could have missed out on.

Fin tugged her closer, catching her with an arm around her waist. "Can I say I told you so?"

Rena smiled up at him. "Any time you like." And considering the way Fin always balanced her out, she meant it completely.