Sufin/Dennor one shots

Cabin in the Mountains

The sound of the wind could be heard, even though the window was shut tight. It was cold, almost unbearably so, in the small cottage nestled deep within the mountains. A sole fire was the only thing around to keep the occupant of the home warm. A fire, and a quilt that is. The quilt was handmade, and had taken several weeks to complete, though the man, Tino, was happy to have it. He had originally made it as a gift for his friend Berwald, but then Berwald had mysteriously vanished.

That was a year ago.

The lone man up in the mountains had waited for his friend to return, hunting and gathering, living off the land. He waited for months, trying to stay optimistic that the other man would come home.

Now here he was. Cold and tired. Ready to be done with his waiting. He had given up all hope of the only one he had cared about returning. He wanted to end the lonliness and pain, the hardship and struggle.

As he planned the way to end everything, he didn't notice a silent knock at the door. He scooted closer to the fire, and the knocking grew louder. His wide eyes scanned his surroundings before he realised someone must be at the door.

It couldn't be anyone he knew... he had no relatives, and no friends anymore. 'I bet it's a wild animal.' He concluded, grabbing his gun from the rack by the door. He loaded it up and pushed the door open, aiming into the night... to find that nobody was there.

With a sigh, he put the gun down and closed the door. He carried the gun with him back over by the fire, and sat down on the cold wood floor. The flames crackled and popped while the logs sizzled with fresh sap. It was quite calming to the man, and he soon fell asleep, gun forgotten.

When he awoke, the once blazing fire was merely embers. That, however, was not the first thing he noticed. The very first thing he was aware of, was a set of strong yet gentle arms wrapped around his waist. He was about to panic, when he smelled a familiar smell.

Everyone seems to have their own special 'scent' if that's what it is. Tino had memorized the scent that now greeted him. It was definitely Berwald's smell.

Nothing in the world smelled better, or at least Tino thought, than Berwald. Nothing could compare to how gentle he was, while still being so full of strength. Of course Tino knew he was in love with Berwald, but he had lost hope that fateful year ago. Besides, why would Berwald even want him? They were both men... and there was nothing wrong with that but still.

When the hope was gone, he had only the thought of simple friendship to spur him on through the cold days and nights. Once that was taken from him, he was simply done trying. Living had become a bore without his only friend.

But when Tino smelled the familiar scent –the best scent in the world, he knew everything would be okay again. Subconciously he touched one of Berwald's large hands, to make sure he was real and that it wasn't just an illusion. He was overjoyed to find that the one he cared for so much was alive, and hugging him. Not merely a dream, or his mind playing tricks on him.

"Berwald...? Is it really you?" Tino asked in a quiet voice, finally breaking the silence.

It was a few moments before Berwald responded. "It's me. I'm back. Please forgive me for leaving for so long." He begged, pulling Tino closer and burying his face in his soft hair. "I was captured by a group of rogues who took me captive in hopes of getting money. When they got none, they released me far from home and it took many months to even find someone to help me. Once I did that I got here as quickly as I could. When I saw you lying on the floor with a gun nearby..."

Berwald started to shake, as a few tears spilled from his eyes. Tino had never, in all the years he had known him, seen Berwald cry. It shocked and worried him slightly.

"It's alright, i'm okay see? I missed you so much, but you're here now and that's what matters." Tino responded, turning to face his friend. He wiped the tears from the usually-stoic man's eyes, and smiled at him.

They locked eyes, and Berwald cupped Tino's face in his hand. They never broke eye comtact, and Tino felt a flutter of hope swell up in his chest. "Ber, I was planning on ending my life tonight. I didn't want to live in a world without you in it. This life is so boring and painful without you here to remedy that. I want to be around you for the rest of my life." He said quietly, closing his violet eyes.

Berwald said nothing, taking in everything Tino had shared. He sighed, and drew the other man's face closer. In an instant, their lips were pressed together in a gentle kiss.

Tino felt his heart go all haywire, as he kissed back, letting his lips mingle with the other's. He felt so happy in that moment, that he regretted everything he had planned before Berwald showed up.

He knew that he had been wrong before. Nobody should ever do what Tino had planned to do. Because no matter how hard life can get, things will always get better.