Kand-Lei scrambled at the latch blocking him from the frigid night air, finally yanking open the door to the tiny balcony.
He gasped in air like a man drowning, red hands clutching the icy railing as tears streamed down his face.
He slowly sank to the ground, taking irregular breaths as his unfocused eyes swept the surroundings.
Unfamiliar.
He drew his trembling legs and bare feet closer to his chest. Shivering as he sat on the numbingly cold, gritty concrete. A small consolation was that snow was not actively falling on him, the building shielded him from that particular misfortune.
…
Darcy had woken up when Kand-Lei had thrown his arm off. He hesitated to follow him outside, unsure wether his presence was wanted.
When he heard shivering sobs echo back into the room he grabbed the unused jacket that had been delivered along with the other clothes.
Making his way to the balcony he shivered when the air from the open door hit him, how was Kand-Lei ok in this weather?!
He quickly made his way out, shutting the balcony door softly behind him.
He cursed softly when he saw Kand-Lei shivering and sobbing on the freezing ground, his feet and hands were already bright red and there was an unfocused look in his eyes.
There was a scent of rancid yeast in the air around him, probably his fear pheromones.
He hastily draped the coat around the other man's trembling form.
"Kelpie," Darcy called out softly, kneeling in front of him. "Kelpie what happened? What's wrong?"
The other just shook his head, burying his face in the jacket.
"If you don't want to talk about it that's fine." He murmured. Reaching out a tentative hand to rest on the other's shoulder, a grounding touch. "But don't let yourself freeze out here ok?"
He waited a moment for an answer.
Then, "Will you come inside?"
Another shake of the head.
"Ok."
Darcy stood up and returned inside.
Just when Kand-Lei thought he was gone for good, because why would anyone stay? A blanket was suddenly thrown over him.
Darcy settled into the space beside him, already feeling his butt go numb from the cold ground. He shivered as he pulled the blanket over himself as well.
"Then I guess we can freeze together. Much better than freezing alone." He shuffled a little closer to share some body heat, "I'm willing to listen if you want to talk, otherwise I'll just be here." He burrowed into the blanket a bit more so that it sat over the top of his nose, muffling his words a little. "I don't mind staying for a while."
Kand-Lei stared at him in disbelief. He was sure that Darcy was going to leave him out there alone and that he was going to sit, shivering until he was forced to go inside or risk frostbite. New tears tracked their way down his face, tears that had no clear emotion attached.
There was the residual fear from the nightmare that had been half memory, half his own brain's conjurations. There was the relief and gratefulness from the fact that Darcy had stayed and was willing to listen. There was the comfort that the coat and blanket provided which brought in and of itself a fresh wave of tears, such a simple act of kindness.
Darcy's scent, smelling like sunlight and tomatoes gradually suffused the space, mingling with what was now a much calmer vanilla scent. Not a whiff of rancid yeast anymore.
They both leaned towards each other as they watched the passing snowflakes. Dancing indifferently through the air, the heavy clouds sitting high above, equally unaware of the struggles of the mortals below.
Kand-Lei's breathing gradually became more and more even and steady. He gave a final sniff before banishing his tears, leaning his head gently against Darcy's shoulder.
"I think the cold is only just hitting me now." He whispered with a weak chuckle.
"Do you want to go in then?"
"A bit longer." A quiet plea.
Darcy said nothing, his hand reached out under the blanket to find Kand-Lei's.
Another few moments passed in silence and snow before Kand-Lei's soft voice once again broke the stillness.
"…It was a nightmare." He gripped Darcy's hand tighter. "About what happened before."
Darcy shifted closer, steadily and gently wrapping Kand-Lei in his embrace.
"I… didn't reveal everything over our dinner. How could I? You were just some strange omega offering a kind ear. But-" he hesitated a moment, long enough to sniff quietly, "I think I'm ready to share it now. If you're still willing to listen."
Darcy adjusted his arms around Kand-Lei's torso slightly, drawing him towards the warmth radiating from his heart.
"Of course." He murmured quietly, traces of sleep clinging to his voice. "I'm always ready to listen." He whispered, resting the side of his face against the top of Kand-Lei's head.