Advent Drabble - Day 1
Prompt: Scent Memory
From: droaerion
Series: N/A
A/N: Sorensha isn't actually my character. He belongs to Rishimsin. I just like to borrow him. ^^;
It was raining, a cold, slushy sort of rain that threatened to turn to snow with but a few more degrees lost. The kind that snaked down the back of one's neck in icy needles, sapping any hope of warmth that might have been. Shivering, Sorensha pulled his borrowed jacket tighter around him and pressed on. One more block, then he'd be dry.
At least he had somewhere to go, this year. Some years he wasn't so fortunate. He tried not to think about those years too closely. Better to think of what awaited him, only steps away now. Warmth, and shelter, and hot food, and-
He stumbled as he opened the door, a melody of scents washing over him as the warm air escaped into the cold day. Supper, and cookies baking, and-
"Hey, you okay?"
He looked up slowly, past the rain-soaked hair sticking to his face, to meet a pair of wide brown eyes. They softened, then a gloved hand was extended to him.
"C'mon, lets get you warmed up, hmm?"
Soren eyed the hand with some trepidation, but the glove beckoned, and somehow he found himself taking it, following the kind-eyed stranger to a place full of people, and warmth. A mug of hot liquid was shoved into his hands, and he breathed in the spicy aroma with a sense of numb amazement.
"Nice, isn't it?" his rescuer asked, smiling. "Jessie makes the best apple cider in the whole city. Just sit down and get warm, and I'll see if I can scrounge up a plate for you, okay?"
Silently, Soren nodded, cradling the mug to him as though afraid it would disappear. He cringed as the man patted his shoulder, but there were gloves, it should be safe as long as there were gloves, and then the man whisked away, leaving him alone with his cider.
"Soren? Are you all right?"
Sorensha looked up to see Tian looking at him strangely, and he managed a nod and a wan smile. Although the shapeshifter didn't look convinced, he had a kitchen demanding his attention, leaving Soren to hang up his dripping coat in solitude. He only managed to venture three steps into the cloud of holiday scents before warm arms wrapped around him, pulling him close against a broad chest and holding him tight like he was a precious gift.
"Welcome home," Shaial murmured softly, nose already half buried in the damp feathers of Soren's right ear.
In that moment, everything else melted away, leaving only a sense of contentment. Home. It wasn't a physical concept, at least not for him, but 'home' was a place where he felt like he belonged. And right now, Home was safe in Shaial's arms.
From: droaerion
Series: N/A
A/N: Sorensha isn't actually my character. He belongs to Rishimsin. I just like to borrow him. ^^;
It was raining, a cold, slushy sort of rain that threatened to turn to snow with but a few more degrees lost. The kind that snaked down the back of one's neck in icy needles, sapping any hope of warmth that might have been. Shivering, Sorensha pulled his borrowed jacket tighter around him and pressed on. One more block, then he'd be dry.
At least he had somewhere to go, this year. Some years he wasn't so fortunate. He tried not to think about those years too closely. Better to think of what awaited him, only steps away now. Warmth, and shelter, and hot food, and-
He stumbled as he opened the door, a melody of scents washing over him as the warm air escaped into the cold day. Supper, and cookies baking, and-
"Hey, you okay?"
He looked up slowly, past the rain-soaked hair sticking to his face, to meet a pair of wide brown eyes. They softened, then a gloved hand was extended to him.
"C'mon, lets get you warmed up, hmm?"
Soren eyed the hand with some trepidation, but the glove beckoned, and somehow he found himself taking it, following the kind-eyed stranger to a place full of people, and warmth. A mug of hot liquid was shoved into his hands, and he breathed in the spicy aroma with a sense of numb amazement.
"Nice, isn't it?" his rescuer asked, smiling. "Jessie makes the best apple cider in the whole city. Just sit down and get warm, and I'll see if I can scrounge up a plate for you, okay?"
Silently, Soren nodded, cradling the mug to him as though afraid it would disappear. He cringed as the man patted his shoulder, but there were gloves, it should be safe as long as there were gloves, and then the man whisked away, leaving him alone with his cider.
"Soren? Are you all right?"
Sorensha looked up to see Tian looking at him strangely, and he managed a nod and a wan smile. Although the shapeshifter didn't look convinced, he had a kitchen demanding his attention, leaving Soren to hang up his dripping coat in solitude. He only managed to venture three steps into the cloud of holiday scents before warm arms wrapped around him, pulling him close against a broad chest and holding him tight like he was a precious gift.
"Welcome home," Shaial murmured softly, nose already half buried in the damp feathers of Soren's right ear.
In that moment, everything else melted away, leaving only a sense of contentment. Home. It wasn't a physical concept, at least not for him, but 'home' was a place where he felt like he belonged. And right now, Home was safe in Shaial's arms.