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It was cold and wet. The trees were bare, a few crimson leaves clutching the branches. It was only a matter of time before winter crept into the city. Living up north was bitter and cold but Tom embraced it.
They lived in the suburbs of a small city, beyond the bustle of life. Harry was the one who suggested they live in a cottage near the sea. He wanted a small home with a garden overlooking the grey choppy waves. Tom bought the cottage the next day despite his husband’s protests. There wasn’t a thing he would not do for his Harry. His Harry.
He thought the gloom and fog might depress his husband but it did the opposite. Harry made their cottage a cosy home filling it with warmth, plants and candles. He spent his days tending to their garden, baking muffins and pies and taking walks by the forests nearby. Tom was beyond relieved that Harry settled into a routine, he was scared Harry would feel isolated living away from the world.
Tom opened the door with his key twisting it all the way in. His hands filled from holding paper bags of yarn. It was their little routine they had built over the years. Tom would come home everyday from work with a little something for Harry. In the beginning he would bring extravagant gifts, clothes and desserts from the finest places but Tom realised that Harry did not care for them. Instead Tom would micro analyse every word Harry mentioned and from their conversations he would bring him things. If Harry mentioned feeling tired that morning he would bring dinner from Harry’s favourite restaurant, sometimes Tom would bring him flowers or ingredients so he could bake to his heart’s content. His husband seemed to appreciate the small presents more than anything expensive.
Today his husband was not in their home. Tom started feeling jittery as he searched through the rooms. He hated feeling fear, it made him feel human but his Harry was human too. On the seldom occasions he felt fear he would try to not brush the feeling away and remind himself of the fact that Harry felt that way too and he was like his Harry.
Tom made his way out of the cottage not bothering to shut the door. He called out his husband’s name but after no answer he decided to check the woods nearby. It was twilight and Harry loved to walk in the woods as the sun set. Before he could leave, Tom spotted Harry’s silhouette by the rocks. He was facing the ocean with his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Tom felt his heart slow down a little but he wouldn’t feel relieved until his husband was in his arms by the fire warm and safe.
“Harry!” He called out, his voice getting muffled by the crashing waves.
But Harry didn’t turn around which only made Tom more anxious. He wasn’t sure why Harry was like this, he seemed cheerful in the morning, but his husband not responding was hurting his heart.
Tom wrapped his arms around Harry’s neck from behind. “What are you doing here, my soul?”
But his husband didn’t look at him, he only stared straight ahead into the distant waves.
“It’s getting cold, you should be in by the fire,” Tom murmured against his ear, “I’ll make you some cocoa.”
Tom felt irritation creep up his spine. Why wasn’t Harry responding to him?
He pressed his fingers against Harry’s jaw and angled his face towards him. Except nothing was right which made his heart stop for a moment. Harry’s green eyes were filled with tears and his cheeks were damp.
“What’s wrong, Harry?” Tom questioned frantically, paranoia evident in his voice, “Tell me.” He ordered after his husband didn’t respond.
After a few moments of silence Tom cooed and used the most gentle tone he could muster,” My soul, I despise seeing you cry.” He pressed Harry’s face into his chest and brushed his fingers through his hair.
This made Harry cry even more, his soft sobs turning into wails as he wrapped his arms around his husband. “Your shirt is ruined.”
Tom gently took Harry’s palms in his before asking again this time less patient, “Tell me what happened?”
Harry buried his neck into Tom’s chest before managing to wail out, “I’m so happy. I never thought I could be this happy.” He chocked out another sob before continuing,” You don’t understand, Tom, I never thought I could be this happy after all that happened during my childhood but you saved me. You taught me how to be happy. Because of you my soul feels warm even during the iciest days.”
Harry’s soft sobs turned into hiccups which made Tom chuckle. “And you, my soul, taught me love.”