Mid January…

The weather had taken a turn towards dreariness with a cold front rolling in,bringing with it clouds that lingered and a deep, grey nothingness. It was easy enough to keep it from dragging him down on most days, but on others he found himself longing for a ray of sunshine or something to bring a bit of brightness to his day. It was often easy enough to latch on to Lucien in those moments, but others…

He paused, shifting his coat collar up around his neck. He’d stayed on campus late for a study session, knowing that Luc was shooting a show downtown and was likely to have been late making it home himself. He’d thought about settling in with a movie or a book, but being around people had seemed like a much better idea. He couldn’t just call Luc home from a job every time he felt lonely.

This wasn’t just a usual loneliness, though. This was… Stars, it was so reminiscent of…Snowflakes, fairies,snowglobes... Always. Always around this time of year.

Arin reached up to shift his backpack, picking up his pace to carry on. Ie didn’t remember this feeling settling in last year. Was it really something that just skipped or was it something else? No matter what, he didn’t want to be outside in the cold just waiting to find out whether it would magically pass or if he could carry on his way to a warm apartment with warm blankets and a nice cup of something..

--

Lucien had been out a bit later than he’d expected, and a bit later than he intended, but was still surprised to find out that Arin wasn’t home yet. Arin had said he was staying late for a study class but he’d almost figured that his fiance would beat him home since the show had run a bit late. It had been good, an interesting project, and it had paid well. Maybe something he’d have to look into getting more gigs for if he wanted to do more creative photography.

Since he had made it home first he put away his gear before getting a quick shower and putting on something comfortable to lounge in. Once he was clean he sent a text to his lover.

[ Text to Arin ] Making some tea, don’t stay out in the cold too long.

He turned on the kettle once he’d send the text, going to fluff the blankets on the sofa so he could sit down and wait for the kettle to boil.

--


The buzz of his phone in his pocket caught him by surprise, stirring him out of whatever moment of melancholy had overtaken him. He straightened himself out, shaking it off as he reached into his pocket to draw out his phone. The tense expression on his face softened into a smile as his thumb slid over the screen to unlock it, revealing the message from his lover.

[ Text to Luc ] Little less than a block away from home. Should be there shortly. <3

That little bit of light chased the shadows back just far enough to put a spring back in his step, carrying him back towards the apartment before the chill could sink in any deeper. It was good to know that Luc was home, even if he had a feeling that meant it was later than he’d originally thought.


-----

He flipped over his phone when he heard it buzz, smiling at the message. He was glad Arin wasn’t far. Hopefully the kettle would boil in just enough time that he’d be able to get their tea steeping and have it waiting when his lover got home.

IT had been far too cold outside and he was looking forward being able to warm up in Arin’s arms before they headed to bed. This time of year always reminded him of strange things and he was looking forward to being able to ignore most of it in lieu of spending with Arin. Things always felt better with the other man next to him.

--


He patted himself down for his keys as he neared the apartment, letting himself into the building before taking to the stairs to their floor. By the time he reached the top of their flight his cheeks were slightly rosie, flushed from the combination of activity and cold. It had been enough to get him going and keep him motivated, glad to be home without even making it inside.

He unlocked the door and let himself in, shrugging his backpack off of his shoulders, letting it slide to the floor before shuffling out of his coat. “Thank whatever or whoever it’s warmer in here than it is outside. I’ll be glad when this weather passes over…. It’s been miserable.”

--

Lucien looked up from where he was putting a bit of honey into Arin’s mug, glad he’d timed things right. “That would be me. I turned the heater up when I got home so it would be toasty. Weather said it was going to be cold tonight.”

He leaned against the counter, smiling as he looked at Arin. “Sad for us we’ll have to get friendly if we want to keep warm.”

--

“I thought we were already friendly.” He leaned over, brushing a gentle kiss to Lucien’s cheek as he reached around the other man for his mug with a smile. He could still feel the traces of chill and the melancholy it had brought with it but he found it fading faster in the other man’s company; something that he was entirely grateful for in ways he wasn’t sure he entirely knew how to give voice to.

“At least… I assumed we were friendly, given you agreed to marry me. Now that we’re past the point in most timelines where arranged marriages for convenience are a thing.” He teased, leaning against the counter as he let the warmth from his mug slowly seep into his hands. “How did the show go tonight?”

--

“I thought you were the one who agreed to marry me?” He grinned, picking up his mug and blowing on it before taking a careful sip. “If I remember how that went correctly.” There were some days he still couldn't quite believe it had happened. Or that he'd messed it up the way he had. Knowing it was true though always left a spot of warmth in his chest.

“The show was really good. A bit longer than I expected but it went well and from the shots they looked at in the camera they seemed impressed.” It had been challenging but he'd enjoyed that aspect of it as well.

--

“Decided that marriage was a path you’d like to pursue with me. Is that better?” He laughed, letting go of the bug so that he could reach over to tuck a strand of hair away from Luc’s face. It always seemed to do its own thing when the other man was fresh from the shower once his hair started to dry and he hadn’t realized that it was starting to get longer. Time was going by too quickly and with both of them as busy as they had been it seemed like he wasn’t taking the time to linger on the little things -- at least not the positive ones.

He wanted to talk about the show more, to ask Luc about his work and his interests, to hear the other man go on about all of the little details about the lighting and the atmosphere. His mind had other ideas though, fueled by the overwhelming sads that had overtaken him on his walk home.

“What are your thoughts on a beach trip? I know we’ve got dinner reservations for your birthday, so what about the day before?”

--

He leaned his head toward the touch slightly, eyes on Arin’s face and a bit surprised by the question. He knew Arin had made plans for his birthday, one he was actually looking forward to for once in his life, but figured he’d either have school or something else to do the rest of the week.

“If we’re talking about a particular beach that would have pleasant weather this time of year …. I think we could do that.”

The only place he could think of that Arin meant that would be nice this time of year was Mag Mell. It always seemed to be the same temperature no matter when they went so they wouldn’t have to worry about bundling up to enjoy the beach.

“We could make a picnic?”

--

“I’d like that -- a little warmth and some sunshine to chase the melancholy away.” He leaned over, brushing a kiss to Luc’s temple before shifting away from the counter and the kitchen. “Let me go hop in the shower and warm up a little… Then we can sack out on the couch and you can tell me about the show? Sound like a good way to spend the rest of the night?”

--

“I’m sure the sunshine would do you some good, you don’t do all that well in the gray it has been lately.” Arin belonged more in the sunlight and for the last few weeks it had been dull and gray all day. It had been getting to him a little as well but not nearly as bad as it seemed to have been getting to Arin.

“Tea should stay warm so long as you dont take too long in the shower.” He nodded, picking up both cups so he could take them into the living room. “I’ll keep the blankets warm for you too.”