Enemy Within: Pawprints in the Snow
Nothing is as pure as snow
Note: I do not own Power Rangers Jungle Fury or its characters. I'm just playing with them.
Prompt: First Winter (bigthingsinlife prompts)
Genre: General/Drama/Angst
Rating: T (Possibly language)
It is winter, and to my surprise, it began to snow. I have never seen snow before. I've never felt it on my skin. I walk out onto the porch and stand on the second step, which is out of the cover of the overhang. I'm standing shirtless and with bare feet in the middle of the first, light snow. RJ and Dom have their faces pressed against the window looking at me strangely. I don't care what they think, as a smile graces my lips. It brings me so much joy, something so simple. It's, of course, wet and cold but it doesn't matter, it's something…pure and gentle.
I hear the door behind me slide open and Kiran comes outside to me. She smiles at me, the light in her face is just as pure as the snow. She walks out onto the steps and gives my hand a squeeze as she heads out into the winters day. She is off to train with Swoop, she has moved on from Finn to Swoop. Today is a free day for me, and I may spend it just like this. RJ bounds out next and sprints across way, catching up to Kiran and walks with her. Dom comes out and stands there, he doesn't leave the porch and watches me.
"What?" I ask, not caring to alter my tone, as I would have had it been Kiran.
"Have you ever seen snow?" Dom asks, there is a bit of surprise in his voice.
"No," I smile at the tiny flakes as they touch my flesh.
"And you're not freezing your ass off without your shirt?"
"No. Well yeah, but not really."
"Give it a few minutes," Dom smiles at me and I can't help but smile back.
Unlike RJ there was no animosity between Dom and I, he had no reason for any. Dom…was interesting person. In my younger years, before the Academy, I had no friends at school but I did ghost around people to know what they were like. He wasn't like anyone I've met before. His only downfall was his lack of focus, and all considering right now he's bouncing about the kitchen as he waits. He's always been easier to approach than RJ, every time I'm near him, he remembers that why he hates me and ignores me again.
A shiver runs through me and I'm finally feeling the cold. Dom is already heading in and leaves the door open for me. He tosses a blanket into my face as I close the door, then heads for the kitchen. Knowing him, I can only assume he's making hot chocolate. After I untangle the blanket and wrap it around me like a cape I'm touched to see that there are two cups waiting on the heating water.
While he's putzing in the kitchen, I throw myself onto the couch and attempt to get warm. After covering every inch of my skin, a steaming mug pops into my view. I accept the cup and take a sip; relishing the warmth it gives me.
"Thanks," I tell him, genuinely meaning it. People don't do nice things for me, I'm used to being left out. Except for Kiran but she does that for everyone.
"I don't want to seem rude but why are you always standoff-ish. You are a member of this house, you can join us once in a while." That was like a slap in the face. It wasn't rude; I just didn't think he'd care. We weren't close but we did get along. I know Kiran cares, she's the only one who's voiced her feelings aloud. I don't know what to make of him at that moment. He's so sincere, like he wants me to be there, a part of this rag tag family they've created since we were children.
"I'm used to being alone," I tell him honestly, "Until I came here I was always alone. My parents never made time for me and I had no friends or siblings so I'm used to being by myself."
"But you're not alone."
"Doesn't matter, I'll end up that way regardless." Dom frowns.
"That's not a good way to look at things."
"It's all I know."
"I'm sorry for that." The sincerity in his voice makes me stop and look at him. He goes to open his mouth to say something but the door is thrown open and a snowball lands directly in his face. RJ's laughter is ringing from the outside as Dom whips off his face. "Excuse me, I'm going to go kick his ass." With that Dom sprints outside and I hear a loud "oofm" as I get up to see what's going on, Dom had tackled RJ into the snow. There is another loud shriek but this time, it's Kiran and she throws herself into the dogpile on the snow covered front lawn.
"OUCH! My spleen!"
"You're spleen is to the right! No! The other right!"
"HAHHAHA. Dumbasses."
Anyone else would be mildly alarmed at the scene unfolding in front of them but this is pretty normal. Kiran has untangled herself from the other two and ducks behind me. I'm happy to play her human shield as snowballs come flying at us. Usually I'd be angry but with the girl I love laughing behind me, causing chaos for the boys in front of me, I'm content.
For once I feel accepted. I feel like I belong, my laughter joins the group as we all end up pelting snow at one another. We carry on like this until Master Mao comes by to tell us that we're being too obnoxious and we need to go inside. Groaning we all shuffle in, then there is a race for my blanket. Kiran wins by elbowing RJ and Dom in the sides. Wrapping it about her shoulders, she opens her arms to me.
"Come on, cuddle up! No heat source is better than body heat!" she chirps and I wrap my arms around her and I'm mostly embraced by the blanket. RJ and Dom go off to get theirs as Kiran and I settle down. She's cuddled close to my bare chest, and partially in my lap when they come back. We all smile and settle down, without the air of tension hanging over us. It's a good feeling I know won't last.