Work Text:
It was odd, being here after so long.
The snow was deep, the air was cold, just as it should be at this time of year. And yet, somehow, it no longer felt like home.
Home was a beach house on the ocean, the waves crashing over the rocks. Home was Santa Anita and Hollywood Park and Del Mar.
And Julie.
But Julie was right here beside him, bundled up against the cold, the snowflakes falling on her eyelashes.
“It’s beautiful,” she told him, “Cold but beautiful.”
“So are you,” Alec replied, leaning in for a kiss, “Beautiful, not cold.”
She merely laughed in response as they walked on, hand in hand.
Alec had dreaded this trip. Too many memories of Sarah, so much pain and sorrow and grief that still cropped up at the oddest times. But having Julie here with him made it all more bearable.
As they approached the small house, Alec’s heart pounded in his chest. The last time he was here was when he was clearing it out after Sarah’s death. It had remained unoccupied since then, awaiting Alec’s return.
“This is it?” Julie asked.
“Yeah,” Alec replied, feeling his throat tighten, “this is it.”
Alec opened the door and they stepped inside. It was slightly chilly, and Alec shivered inside his coat. “Suppose I could start a fire if you wanted,” he offered.
“Up to you,” Julie answered as she looked around, “Were you planning on staying here long?”
“No,” Alec shook his head, “Nothing left for me here. Just…memories.”
Julie wrapped her arms around him. “It’s a lovely house.”
“She made it that way,” Alec responded roughly, brushing briefly at his eyes, “Sorry, don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Julie didn’t say a word, just held him close. That was all he needed.