This one comes from the anonymous prompt, "I love the way you smell when you're hugging me." Short and sweet; I love it. Cheers.
Cassandra stumbled through the Back Door and into the Annex looking for all the world like she'd been going nonstop for a week. She heaved a deep sigh as Jake, the only other person in the Annex just that moment, got out of his seat to approach her.
"You okay?" he asked, concerned. "Ya look like death warmed over, kid. What even happened?"
"Ugh, I'll tell you later," she moaned. "I'm exhausted." She seemed to sway on her feet and Jake stepped forward, letting her lean on his chest as he put his arms around her shoulders. She tossed her arms weakly around his back, letting out another long sigh as she rested against him for a moment.
He rubbed her back gently as she leaned on him for a few moments. Breathing slowly and deeply, she couldn't help noticing how good Jake smelled. Clean laundry, deodorant that smelled a little pine-esque (inasmuch as any deodorant managed to smell like pine), old books; a general, warm sense of Jakeness. She'd never been great at picking out the individual scents that added up to a person. What she did know, however, was that when her senses crossed a whole variety of things jumped to mind in association with Jake's smell.
Tiredly, she murmured, "You smell great."
"Hm?"
Cassandra shifted her face out of his chest a bit so he could hear her better. "You smell great," she repeated, louder.
"Oh. Thank you," he answered with a little smile. She leaned back into him, reluctant now to let go. He didn't hug her that often, but it was just so full of good feelings and memories that she didn't want it to end. After a few more moments, he teased gently, "You must be more tired than I realized. Should I get you to a sofa?"
Shaking her head against him, she said, "Don't wanna. Comfy here." Tongue loosened by fatigue and relief and the overall positive feelings she got when he held her, she continued, "You smell like waking up late after sleeping in on the weekend, and like pancakes for dinner in the Annex kitchen with the whole team. Like a whole day of quiet research on exciting personal projects, and curling up in a sunny reading room window seat with an old favourite book. Like eating chocolate on a rainy day. Cozy fireplaces and the warm colours of the brickwork lit by the flames. An old gramophone quietly playing The Waltz of the Flowers. Cinnamon toast."
"Oh," Jake repeated in surprise, resting his head on top of hers as he hugged her with renewed care. "Well. That must be the kindest description o' me I ever heard. I'll hug you anytime you like, Cassie." He felt her cheek move against his chest as she smiled.
He stared into space over her head for another few moments as he mulled over everything she'd said. That she had so many positive associations attached to him was overwhelmingly flattering. He didn't quite know what to do with the information. But for now, she was just about collapsing on him, and he could only stand there holding her up for so long. "What if I go with you to a sofa?" he asked slowly.
Cassandra nodded sleepily. "That sounds nice."
"Okay. Lemme grab my book."
