Chapter Text
Cowrie stared out the window as the sky flashed and quietly rumbled with the threat of harsh thunder. It had already been raining, it was heavy, but after Coerie observed it for awhile, she thought it was safe. At least until the sky suddenly flashed and a sharp thunder clapped.
Cowrie swore her heart leapt out of her own mouth, and she stared at the sky from another room, as if she could see if another loud clap would sound. There was not another clap of thunder, but Cowrie wasn't taking the chance, and had went to hide in the bedroom where she could bury herself in the covers.
It realistically did nothing, but the feel of the sheets and the scent that lingered brought comfort to Cowrie nonetheless, and it muffled at least a little bit of the sound.
Now she stared out from the under the covers, wondering if the thunderstorm would grow or stop. She hoped it would stop, she hated the thunder, hated how it made her anxious and scared her if it was too loud.
It was ridiculous. She herself could summon storms far worse than this… But then again, in those moments, she was doing something to distract her. Her own voice that she used to summon storms and the focus of the moment distracted her from the loud thunder. But natural ones like these just for some reason scare her. It had no reason to.
Maybe she was being a coward, and she was fine. Any sudden noise would scare anyone after all. Yet, when the sky rumbled too loudly or the sky flashed, Cowrie shut her eyes tight and tried to brace herself for the dreaded sound.
It was too much. Too loud, too bright, too sharp.
Cowrie hated this. By the Seas she was a siren, a powerful creature of the sea who could sink and capsize ships, whose voice made people forgo everything they knew and love to obey. But here she was, trembling under a blanket, gripped by a strange anxiety that anticipated the worst clap of thunder and the brightest flash of lightning, even though it has yet to happen. Though that was the issue, wasn't it?
As Cowrie waited for the worst, blanketed hands covering her own ears, she felt a gentle hand on her back. A soft, soothing touch that stroked her back in comfort as an extra weight climbed onto the bed. Cowrie knew who it was, the scent of fresh baked bread and the sunlight was a clear giveaway.
She didn't even have to open her eyes as she turned and buried her face in the crook of Lady Custard's neck, her scent bringing a strange calm and ease to Cowrie. There was just something about it that calmed her, maybe it was the familiarity, maybe it was the fact that the love that she held for Lady Custard was stronger than her fear, or just the fact that she knew she was safe if Lady Custard was with her. She didn't know, she just knew that everything would be better with Lady Custard here.
Cowrie felt Lady Custard wrap her hands around her, rubbing circles on her back and gently hushing her, reassuring her that the storm would pass. She was safe. Nothing can hurt her.
Cowrie couldn't help but purr quietly as she felt Lady Custard's comforting touch, while it was partially done out of an attempt to relieve her stress, it mostly came from the comfort she felt in her lover's arms.
All of a sudden, there was another bright flash and a sharp clap of thunder.
Cowrie's body almost quite literally jumped, clawed fingers gripping her lover as her eyes shot open in shock. Suddenly, the fear had restarted, it was back and gripping Cowrie in its own claws.
But despite the sudden reaction, Lady Custard didn't push Cowrie away or shout at her. Instead she only drew Cowrie closer, gently repeating reassuring words, gently hushing her as her hands brushed Cowrie’s hair.
Cowrie looked at Lady Custard's golden hair to distract herself, taking in the beautiful curled hair, and the scent it carried alongside. Cowrie’s claws loosened their grip, thankfully having only poked into Lady Custard uncomfortably instead of making holes in her dress or her skin.
Pulling away just slightly, Cowrie’s silver eyes met Lady Custard's blue pair. Cowrie could see that despite everything, the bright blue eyes were gentle and understanding.
Lady Custard smiled and planted a kiss on Cowrie’s forehead, whispering that she was alright.
With her by Cowrie’s side, Cowrie knew she was. Cowrie knew that as long as Lady Custard was with her, she would be okay. Even if she had to wait out the storm, she would be able to get through it, just so long as Lady Custard is by her side.