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Prompt #17: Winter - Snow made everything too quiet. Auggie hated it.

Words: 670

"Auggie?"

He blinked once, pulling off his headphones to show that he heard her. "What?"

"You're scowling again. What's the matter?"

"It's nothing," he said. And it really wasn't; just that his hopes for the weekend had been dashed by the weather reports. But he wasn't about to bring down her mood because he was a grouch in wintertime.

The clicking of heels and a wave of grapefruit scent told him she was coming closer. "I don't believe you," she announced. "Now come on, out with it. What's got you turning into a Grinch?"

"For your information, Walker, I happen to love Christmas."

That was true. Christmastime at the Anderson home had always been a raging party, and now that all the kids were grown with families of their own, it only got bigger and more insane than before. Auggie loved Christmas. It was just winter in general that had him turning grouchy.

He could almost hear Annie frowning at him. "C'mon Anderson, 'fess up."

"Why does this mean so much to you?"

He really didn't mean to snap, but then again, Annie always managed to find a way to burrow beneath his skin and wriggle into his heart, affecting his world in ways he hadn't anticipated anyone to ever do. Sometimes he appreciated it, even liked it, but at times like this, he wished she didn't have such a read on him.

Apparently this was National Don't Take Auggie's Crap Day, because Annie fired right back with, "I'm your friend, that's what it means to me! Your best friend, I'd be bold enough to stake. Now stop sulking like a child and tell me what's got you so irritated! What, you hate snow or something?"

Auggie's silent glower was answer enough. He waited for the gasp of realization, the hasty apology, and Annie's quick retreat.

He really ought to have known her better by now.

His desk groaned slightly, a sure sign that she was perching on it. He heard her power suit's fabric rustling as she crossed her arms. "Auggie?"

"It's not that big a deal," Auggie replied, shrugging casually. "I just don't care for it."

"Because of the quiet?"

That made him blink in shock. His head jerked to where he thought she was sitting. "How did you - "

"You always say that your other senses were heightened after the accident. But when snow falls, it always makes things real quiet, and you only smell ice and cold, and all you can feel is the cold air around you. It's like a silent bubble even for a sighted person."

With those words, she nailed every reason why he despised the winter weather. He gave an awkward smile. "You've certainly got a way of calling my bull, Annie."

"I've been gathering experience points." Her hand materialized on his shoulder, giving a reassuring squeeze. "Hey, you doing anything this weekend?"

"I've got no plans." Not anymore, he said to himself.

"Great!" Annie said brightly. "Then you're coming with us to the park."

Auggie blinked. "Say what now?"

"Chloe and Katia miss you, and they want to play in the snow this weekend. Your planless weekend means you've just volunteered for a day of fun in the snow." She giggled. "And just so you know, they demand a snowball fight."

"You're going to force the blind man to participate in a snowball fight?"

"Oh please, like you and I can't handle two little girls."

His eyebrow rose. "Are you saying we'll be on the same team, Annie?" he confirmed, feeling awfully warm in the cheeks and hoped he wasn't blushing.

"Well, duh." She laughed again. "Someone's gotta look after you."

Can't wait for the new season!

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