Theme: Snow
The nature of time between the worlds made it impossible to keep track of how long it had been since they left Clow and Sakura. While summer had been just on the horizon in the previous world, the current one was blanketed in snow, and each building was lined with tiny, twinkling bulbs. The overly decorated evergreen that sat in the corner of their current abode was in homage to the upcoming holiday.
But instead of curling by the fire, watching the lights dance on the tree, and trading stories and laughs with loved ones, Fai stood on the front steps under the light snowfall. The thick cloak he'd been given in Clow was slung around his shoulders and pulled tight to ward off the chill.
Snow had a very distinctive smell. People who grew up in areas that never frosted didn't realize that and never would have recognized it, but the scent filled his nostrils. The smell of something is one of the most powerful memory triggers of all the five senses, and his memory was certainly being triggered right now.
"Stop thinking so hard, mage." Kurogane was leaning in the doorway, studying him. "You're making my head hurt."
"It reminds me of home. Even after everything, I…." Fai shook his head to clear the cobwebs of the past. "On days like this, I truly miss it. But that doesn't matter. It's not as if I can ever go back. It's not as if I have anywhere to go back to." He crossed his arms tightly across his chest.
The drifts on the steps muffled Kurogane's footsteps, and Fai didn't realize he'd moved until his arms and cloak were around him.
"Damnit, mage." Kurogane grumbled into the back of his head. "How many times do I have to tell you? You have a home." After a pause, "It snows in Nihon, you know."
A true smile fixed itself firmly on Fai's face, no matter how hard he tried to fight it down. "Get inside, your arm's going to freeze."
OOOOOOOOOO
Set post-manga. If you've read the last chapter, Fai makes a comment about 'not having a home to go back to.' I've always assumed that Kurogane hauled him off the minute they got to the next world and beat the point into him.
^^ Ah fluff. I finally yanked myself away from picking on Kurogane...