Storm Front - Two Ficlets
Charis Plunny does it again!
So I liked the pic and started a little storm tossed fic for it, but when I tried posting it LJ went skewy and in the interim minutes I then wrote another litte fic for this!
Yes, I know - stop smirking Charis - I'd better not find you've learnt how to break the interenets..
Anyhow, I wrote the second fic first. Then looked at the pic again and thought -waiting- so they weren't originally linked but I think the fics work together?
WAITING
words - 330
He went there night after night. A lonely figure every evening, standing there watching the tides as the light faded and night blanketed the land. The tide ebbed and flowed, sang of secrets and adventure, but they never brought what he craved.
People talked, as they always do. Sideways glances and knowing eyes. A few had ventured to the stone fortress to wait with him in clement seasons. Company was acknowledged, neither welcomed or discouraged. He went in all seasons. Stood sentary through rain, shine or hail. Standing as the moon rose from the ocean and raised in the sky. Standing watch when it was too dark for eyes to see then walking the stretch home blindly on feet that knew the way.
It was said he'd once been happy, a ready smile for all. The lonely patient figure who now waited. No one knew for what. There were whispers and older wiser folk hardened their lips, shook their heads in pity. Fruitless folly,loosing ones heart to the fair folk. Throwing wishes to the seas.
People busy with their own lives; with chores that needed doing, birthing and deaths and the living inbetween. It took time to note the difference. To note the watcher was no longer there every evening. That some evenings his cabin lights would dim to a flicker, a candle dancing behind cotton but the door would remain closed.
Whispers and questions filtered through to day. Because now at night when the winds whipped through the highlands and the sea sang it's loudest in the bays. Now there was another watcher. A new figure who stood staring at the seas secrets, never sharing what he learnt there. This watcher would turn with joy to clasp the one who waited. The message clear to any sceptic. The two would hurry home to the little cabin, the door slam hurried, but the laughter louder.
And the man. The man was no longer lonely. And the man, he smiled.
Together
words - 493
He stood at the edge of the world; the furthest point, where the great ocean started and the seas stretched out to meet the roiling skies. The low wall in front of him offered scant protection, waves surged ever nearer hungry for every inch of land, they swallowed the stone steps he'd sat on earlier today, crashing in impotent fury against the wide arched tide breaker built by ancient hands. Reaching for him, hungry for sacrifice. Millions of droplets rained down thrown by the seas, the spray cold against his face, leaving behind the taste of salt before nature sucked back the force, white fountains clearing the steps washing away debry and taking with it all his worries. Leaving a vacuum ready to be filled by the next wave.
The roar of the sea was tremendous it blocked all thought, drowning out any flicker. His heart beat in time, thumping in his chest, the power almost to much to bear. A poor reflection of the strength yet it consumed him. Closing his eyes he offered himself to the night. Swayed there buffeted by the wind and baptised by crashing waves. Arms reched around him and a body pressed against his back. He leaned back not resisting their whim. They tethered him to the earth. Calm strength that supported but never bound.
He let himself be led away from the prepitice, the storm behind him now, still loud and bleeding woes. From the stone fortress there was space, a long path winding over sand strewn grass, lights flickered in the distance. Near, yet far. They were alone on this path, the wild seas roaring behind them, the sky above streaked with jagged light and thundering back it's emotion. Turning he grinned. Wild and free in the faded day. Alive. Fiercely, joyously alive.
The arms that would hold him, let him go, a hand linking them pulling him and sharing his laughter as he swirled. Let the wind have him so he danced in play, hair long enough to smother his face the damp ends dripping salt. A moment ago he'd been alone, the last human staring at a power greater than himself. Here, now, he was not alone, would never be again. Here was someone to love. Love stronger than the elements. Love that grounded him and taught him joy.
Tiring of his dance he let himself be reeled in, returning the embrace and lifting his face to kisses, to the tongue that swiped away the taste of sea. Glorying in the laughter that the wind stole, in the deep chuckles pressed with cold lips into his chilled flesh, into his heart. They lost themselves in each other until the rain joined the chorus. Hard drops hitting down.
'Silly man' was shouted into his ear, the words a whisper on the winds 'Lets go home' half drowned, holding hands they ran laughing towards their cabin. Together, giddy and free and in love. And together.