Work Text:
Things had been quiet a while at the manor. No explosions or weird blue matter hiccups. Even the bots had been mellow, at least by comparison in the late fall.
Most of the garden work was done for the year, leaving Arborus with little to do. Not that it ever seemed to stop him from keeping busy. Once the gardens were covered and the leaves sent to mulch, Arborus was chopping wood for the seldom used fireplaces of the manor.
Which was where Butterfly found him, an old hoodie over her arm. Trimming back some branches that hung over his garden Arborus had managed to snip into the front of it. Leaving it mostly hanging open when he went to Butterfly for help. But now that it was fixed up, almost like new, she wanted to give it back. It was one of his favourites, she noticed. Seeing him still working, she smiled and shook her head. “Arborus! Why don’t you take a break? It’s already getting late!”
Looking up, Arborus waved and put the axe down, careful not to knick himself. “Hey! I suppose it’s late enough to call it.” There was plenty of wood, and it wasn’t like the manor had much need for it in California. Leaning the axe on the stump, he walked over and smiled when he saw his hoodie on her arm. “You work fast, Butterfly. Thank you.”
Beaming, she held up the mended piece for him to take. “Of course! I know how much you love it, didn’t want you to go without it. And it looks like I’m just in time.” She nodded to his dirty work shirt.
Arborus looked down at himself and sighed. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Give me a bit, and I’ll change.” Taking the shirt, he stepped inside to clean up and change.
And while he did that, Butterfly kept busy with the cats. Or she planned to. They seemed to be hiding somewhere. Looking in the bushes and in their normal nap spots, she pouted when they weren’t there. Giving up, she sat down on the wall of the garden to wait. Looking up, she watched the clouds roll by. They were dark and heavy. “Odd. I didn’t think it was supposed to rain today.” She couldn’t feel the chill in the air as the temperature dropped quickly.
Down in the labs, Six had made a grand breakthrough in an attempt to get a direct connection to Snornia. Not that he realized it yet. Though those that could feel the temperature were hurrying inside and looking for warmer clothes. It was absolutely freezing for them.
Butterfly turned her key and hummed along to her song while she waited. Still watching the clouds, she got confused when something fell from the sky. Holding out her hand, she caught a tiny snowflake in her hand. She’d never seen one in person before. But she’d seen movies. “Arborus!” She called getting up from the garden wall. She walked back to the cabin.
Still adjusting his shirt, Arborus stepped out to see what Butterfly was calling about. Seeing the snow, he briefly stalled. He didn’t think it could snow in San Diego. Especially not the large flakes that were falling. The ground was too warm to stick, but not for long if he had to guess. “Huh, wasn’t expecting to see snow down here.”
Butterfly looked up as more and more snow came down. “I’ve never seen real snow before.” Looking up, she giggled when a large flake landed on her nose. Crossing her eyes, she watched it melt.
Arborus covered his mouth and tried not to laugh at the face she made. “It doesn’t snow here often, does it?” He watched as Tish and Shadow dashed into the stable. It must have been getting cold. And he didn’t know if Butterfly was built for it. Reaching out, he offered a hand to her. “Come on. We should probably head in for a while. The cold might hurt you.”
Which was something she hadn’t given a thought to. She’d never been in the cold before. But she didn’t think it would, right? Or at least she couldn’t feel it. But Arborus knew more about cold than she did. “Okay.” Taking his hand, she followed him into the little cabin to sit at one of the chairs. It was always cozy there.
Luckily, Arborus kept the fireplace clean. Not that he ever thought he would get to use it here. Putting in a few logs, he started a small fire and slowly let it grow. Neither of them could feel it, but at least he wouldn’t have to worry if Butterfly would get damaged or stop working. Once the fire was burning brightly, he took another seat to see Butterfly was distracted.
Snow still falling, Butterfly leaned forward in her seat to watch it outside the windows. By now, it was just starting to stick and coming down heavier. She was mesmerized by how the snow fluttered slowly down compared to the rain she was so used to. She smiled softly and hummed her song.
Turning on his chair, Arborus watched with a vacant smile. Snow was nothing new for him, but he could still remember being younger and watching it fall with his momma. It looked like it wouldn’t be stopping any time soon. It was a good thing he chopped some of the wood to keep the others warm. “We might be here a while. I hope you’re alright with that.”
Butterfly looked at her friend and smiled warmly. “Of course! What’s better than watching snow fall with my friend?” Reaching behind her, she turned her key three times.
The fire crackled softly, keeping them safe and warm and lighting the small cabin as the sky got darker. The two sat and watched the snow humming along to her music box. A good way to enjoy a first snow, for both of them.