Chapter Text
A solemn figure crouched hidden amongst the trees of an ancient forest, their face obscured in the shadow cast by the white hooded cloak they wore. They watched over an old cabin that sat nestled in the middle of a sunlit clearing, as they so often did.
Once warm and filled with laughter and love, the cabin had stood empty for many years and had since become a site of sadness and loss.
However, the forest refused to allow its ever-creeping grasp to return this sad little house to nature. The bowed trees still weeping for the ones that had called this place their home.
Not even the animals ventured close, such was the overwhelming power of the grief that radiated from the simple wooden walls.
Only a figure clad in white would ever approach the lonely cabin. Though they would always freeze at the door, their hand hovering over the handle, never passing through.
Though this time, something was different.
Now, the cabin bustled with life once more. Two people moved about inside, busy settling into their new home, neither noticing the wide eyes watching them from the trees.
The figure watched as a short old man, the remains of his off-white hair kept stubbornly in a ponytail atop his head, walked down the steps from the front door. He settled, heavily, on the final one and lit a cigarette, puffing out the smoke with a long tired sigh. A moment later another person came bounding out the door, a tall teenage boy with fiery hair held back with a dark headband.
Pale eyes focused on the boy as he leaned down to speak with the old man, who simply gestured to the car parked nearby. Wandering over to it the boy began rummaging in the open boot, drawing back with a cry of triumph after he had found what he was searching for.
Unbidden, a smile pulled at the figure's lips as they watched the boy dash back into the house with his prize, narrowly avoiding an unenthusiastic swat to the leg from the old man. A tiny laugh escaped them in a breath as the two at the cabin had a brief, yet loud, argument before the boy disappeared inside.
It had been so long since the figure had felt anything other than sorrow and loneliness. For once it was replaced with warmth and hope.
With their eyes trained on the window they could now see the boy through, the figure didn't notice the old man glance over at their hiding spot. A small, amused smile formed on the man's face as he watched the faint, white glow, not quite hidden by the afternoon sun, shine ever so slightly brighter. Letting his gaze drift upward, the old man released the smoke from his mouth letting it cloud in the air before dispersing and watched the branches of the trees rustle joyfully despite the lack of wind.