It was SO hard to write a normal and 'nicer' Tom without him being a mean little boy...I tried my best but he ended up being ooc of course...but it's an AU so it's alright I guess? And come on, it's cute when he's a little nice and soft! :D

Insane House Challenge: Relationship – Lovers

365 Prompts Challenge: Action – Staying warm

Scavenger Hunt: Use the prompt set: (word) arrow, (word) herb, (item) ladder

Caffeine Awareness: Cappuccino – Write a story only using two characters

March Creativity Collection

Main Character: Tom Riddle

Side Character: Horace Slughorn

Relationship: Lovers

Sci-Fi AU: Futuristic!AU

It had been snowing for the last three days and they were cut off from the next big town. The computers had no internet, the games he played were boring and every other electricity was also broken, just like the heater. The snow and ice was the cause for the mess. He hated winter so much. Tom was desperately trying to stay warm but every attempt failed. The heating charms were not as strong as they used to be after using them for three days without a break. The orphan was beneath four blankets, a steaming mug filled with hot chocolate was next to him but to no avail. Nothing warmed him up. Well, nothing lifeless at least. His eyes wandered off to the clock again. His lover should be already back home again. When he heard the door Tom sat up and watched the door closely. Horace opened the door and chuckled when he saw the amount of blankets.

"You are late. Again."

Tom did not even greet him, his expressionless face was just as cold as the snow outside. Instead he complained about him being late again but his much older lover just smiled and put another blanket on top of the other four.

"I apologize, Tom, but I can explain myself. I borrowed a ladder from our neighbour to get off the snow from the roof."

He narrowed his eyes and turned aside. They were wizards, for merlins sake! They could use their wand! But no, this idiot wanted to do some things without magic. Just like...muggles. A sour expression appeared on his face.

"I do not want to live like a...muggle. I accepted the whole internet thing and everything but this is too much. We have wands and I refuse to continue to live like a muggle when I am not one!"

Tom pushed the blankets off of himself and stood up. As much as he would like to take his clothes and leave...he could not. He loved him, something he never experienced before. And it was cold outside but this was not the main reason. It was like getting shot with an arrow through the heart. And both knew that it was hard, not just with the age difference but also with their different interests. Horace sighed and decided that it was better to let him cool down again so he went outside again where he climbed up the ladder to solve the problem with the snow on the roof.

The orphan was back in his own private room where he continued to brew potions. The heat caused the room to get warmer and he enjoyed brewing. After all, Tom did not have anything else to do and sitting in the living room was annoying. He was currently working on a potion which would keep him warm for at least five hours. Tom threw some herb in his cauldron and began to stir it for five minutes before he added the next ingredients. It took some time but he finished it and drank it immediately. He felt how his hands got warmer and looked at the clock. It was already five in the afternoon and somehow...he felt sorry. Tom knew how he could be and that his former potions teacher refused this relationship for a long time until he gave in...

He sighed and went in the living room again. Horace was already back inside, sitting in his armchair and reading the daily prophet. He picked up one blanket and wrapped it around himself before he took the newspaper and put it on the table. His former professor watched him and smiled when Tom sat down in his lap without saying anything. He knew that this was his way to say sorry and he accepted it.

"Feeling better, Tom?"

Slughorn got a nod in return and chuckled. Tom never spoke much when they were like this, he just enjoyed the silence. He began to stroke his back, causing the younger boy to slowly falling asleep.