Warnings: AU, angst.
Pairings: Vaysh and Calanthe
Rating: PG for language
Summary: The cold of the season
brings back memories for Vaysh. Can
Cal
help?
Beta: nadda
Timeline: HA! Who needs a
timeline!
A/N: Every year, I do ficlets for
Advent up until and including Christmas. To me, they
are a symbol of the best things and the not so great
things for Christmas. Enjoy and please review!
It was one of the coldest days
that Cal had felt in a long time since he’d
arrived at Immanion a decade earlier and he had a
need for some hot mulled wine. He arrived at the
kitchen and was surprised to see Vaysh seated near
the fire, nursing what looked to be what
Cal
was looking for and looking to be lost in thought. “Vaysh?
Why are you here?” he asked as he poured himself a
cup of the mulled wine and sat down at the counter.
Glancing up slowly in surprise,
Vaysh blinked slightly in confusion before sighing
and looking away. “I was cold and didn’t want to go
out,” he muttered before sipping on his wine and
curling up just a bit more, looking more vulnerable
than Calanthe had ever seen him.
Swallowing the lump that had
unexpectedly formed in his throat,
Cal
quickly drank some of his mulled wine and winced as
he burned his tongue a bit. He cleared his throat
and looked over again. “So, what were you thinking
about?” he asked conversationally as he leaned on
the counter.
“None of your fucking business, Cal,” Vaysh retorted softly as he leaned his
cheek on his knee and stared into the fire.
Frowning darkly,
Cal
observed his chesnari’s advisor and noted the minute
tremors that were shaking the lithe frame. Upon
further inspection, he found that the other har was
almost skeletal, very pale, and looked to be near
death. “I think it is,” he said quietly before
standing and sitting next to the redhead on the
bench next to the fireplace. Vaysh tried to scoot
away, but could go no further, so he shot a glare in
retaliation. Leaning an elbow onto his knee, the
blond Tigron watched the shaking har and tried to
figure out was haunting his lover’s dearest friend.
“Want to talk about it?” he asked as he swirled his
goblet leisurely.
“S’none of your business, Cal. So
just go away,” Vaysh whispered hoarsely before
taking another gulp of his wine.
“It is my business. You’re
important to Pell, so I’m going to help you since
you obviously aren’t telling-“
“Shut up! Just shut the fuck up!
You and your stupid consort and perfect life! You’d
never understand, so just butt out!” Vaysh snarled,
cutting
Cal
off in shock as he turned on the blond.
Staring at the heaving har in
astonishment and rising concern,
Cal
put his wine aside. “Why wouldn’t I understand
loneliness?” he asked quietly, stopping the other
har tirade.
Vaysh stared at
Cal, appearing almost near tears and
Cal
began to wonder on how much the redhead had had
already to drink. “Do you know of loneliness so deep
and cold that you feel like ice even on the hottest
days?” the redhead inquired in a hushed voice as he
gazed at Cal and Cal felt his own chest ache in
sympathy as he saw the hidden pain deep within. He
reached for Vaysh, but the redhead brushed him off,
stood unsteadily, and finished his drink before
walking to the counter and placing his goblet down.
He turned to
Cal
and shook his head. “Just leave me alone, Cal. This
time of the year is the worst because it is a time
for family. I have none, so just leave me alone,” he
stated before turning unsteadily and leaving the
crestfallen Tigron staring after him in dismay.
“Oh Vaysh...don’t let the memories
destroy your spirit...” Calanthe murmured sadly as
he looked into his goblet. Some memories just could
never be forgotten.
The End.
