Cloudbank in the snow was beautiful - neatly encased in white that hugged its every surface and walkway. Like someone had draped it with a blanket.
In some areas most affected by the weather, piles of snow caked alleyways and sidewalks and roofs, where it perched precariously in heaped domes; an annoyance to the streaming passerby but an evident delight to the children.
The snow was tamer today than it had been for the last couple of days, behaving itself enough to provide less walking traffic for pedestrians. It fell lazily from the blotched sky - a deep combination of midnight blue adorned with a just a hint of clouds, so much so that it seemed like they blended into the sky itself. Yon-Dale had outdone herself today.
Red was humming as she sashayed slowly to the office from the hallway, absentmindedly shifting through stray papers from the table, which included notes from her songwriting. Her voice was drowned partially by the clattering in the kitchen and the drifting sound of the music in the living room that she had put on. It was an old vinyl she had owned back when she was at Traverson Hall - a gift from a friend.
Luna decided to spend her time gnawing at her tail on the mat outside the kitchen. She was banished from the living room for the time being after knocking over two glasses of wine, resulting in an ugly stain and a handful of shouts from her owners.
Red drifted into the kitchen, continuously humming to announce her presence. He had his back to her, busy preparing them steaming mugs of tea. She watched him as she leant on the counter and observed silently. He was wearing the usual white shirt - untucked and sans coat. The wide shoulders, his back muscles, his neck. His arms.
The light gave a warm glow to the apartment and somehow managed to make it seem smaller and cosier. It was just the three of them, and she suddenly felt content, a warm feeling sprouting in her stomach. The idea of curling up next to him with warm tea was enough to make this time of year bearable. It was a well-needed break from her busy lifestyle, and she was glad Sybil proposed it in the first place. She could be attending a lavish winter gala at the moment, but politely turned down the offer in favour of spending the time at home.
She noticed he finished and stood up to hug him from behind. Lips at the back of his neck left a trail to his ear and then down along his neck. He smiled.
"Hey, Red. Your favourite, as always." His was voice smooth and profound - something she loved; something she could spend all day listening to. He turned slightly to offer her the tea.
"Mm." She was preoccupied at the moment. The mug was lowered and she coaxed him to face her.
"..uh..the tea.."
She led him backwards by the lapels into the bedroom, lips hovering above his and he barely noticed when they flopped onto the bed. She breathed slowly onto his neck as her arms clasped his shoulders, eyes closed, cradling him close like she hadn't seen him in centuries. It felt good to be held like this.
A leg was hooked around his waist. She suddenly smirked and kissed him slowly, as if savouring something sweet. He didn't hesitate to return it, and after a couple of minutes she opened her eyes again, both of them breathless. This time she gave him a smile and a slight laugh - her lipstick was smeared across his mouth.
"Sorry about that, I got a bit carried away.."
He chuckled, his voice light and teasing. "Not the first time, Red. Seems like you can't get enough of me." Her neck was nuzzled.
She swatted him playfully. "Oh, shut up already - I didn't hear you complaining!" He laughed again and rolled off. She sat up to see him make his way out. "Hey, where are you going?"
"The kitchen, Red, the tea will get cold." She heard him coo at Luna in the hallway, before the door opened to the kitchen, and sighed, flopping back onto the bed.
"Ok, but hurry up - its cold in here." She turned to her side to settle into the pillow and tucked her knees closer to her chest.
He was rummaging through the cupboards. She knew that he loved a dash of sugar in his tea.
"Red, have you seen the-"
"At the top, to the right." She called, a little impatiently. All she wanted was to wrap herself around him and he was preoccupied with the sweetness of his drink. The damn tea. A drawer opening, more clinking and then the switch of a light. Finally they could spend some time together.
He came in two seconds later and kissed her across the bed before carefully putting down the mugs on the bedside table. She immediately wound her arms around his neck to pull him towards her, kissing him furiously. He broke off when she started unbuttoning his shirt, glancing at the steaming mugs next to the bed.
"Leave it."
