Goo and Rat -Elderberries-

Smoke drifted past, it curled and rolled as it rose lazily from the tip of the lit incense. The hiss of waves came from a computer sitting on a desk, with a person seated in front of it.

Goo held the glass bottle and inspected the opaque juice inside. It was such a deep shade of purple that it almost appeared black.  She closed her eyes, and took in the smell of cyprus and frankincense through her nose.

"Get on with it!" a slightly annoyed voice chimed in,  suddenly adding on, "And remember, sip it. Savor the flavor."

'I better, seeing as it's $4 a bottle.'

Rat started prattling on, trying to assure Goo. She lazily swatted at him; attempting to stop the babbling was drowning out the pleasing sounds of the waves. He took the hint, and retreated slightly.

She gave a small huff, giving the bottle a good shake and unscrewing the lid. She tilted the bottle back, taking a small sip. The first sip was mostly bubbles. The taste was strange, but not unpleasant. Another sip, letting it sit on her tongue. It tasted like grape skins; neither overly sweet, sour, nor bitter.

As she continued to nurse the bottle, she felt feelings of contentment and warmth seep from her subconscious familiar.

She made a small sound, asking for an explanation for the sudden wave of emotions. A head was suddenly rested on her shoulder.

"Can I share something with you?"

'Depends.'

"On?"

'You know perfectly well.'

He sniggered, a large cheeky grin split his face,  "You're no fun."

She gave him a look.

"Yeah yeah... This memory is naughty bit free."

'...give me a minute then.'

She took another drink and closed her eyes. As both mind and body relaxed, her breath slowed until it was in time with the sound of rolling waves.

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Two figures sat close together on the floor near a fireplace in a dark room. One had black hair cut very short, the other had hair that was brown, long, and wavy. Even while sitting, the man with longer hair was a good bit taller then the one next to him.

Adair. listened to the wind and rain outside the small cottage and took a sip of rose hip tea. He leaned reassuringly against the shoulder of the taller body next to him, offering him the soothing tea. Mungan muttered his thanks at the smaller man, then finished back the remainder in a few swift gulps. Setting the cup aside, he placed a woolen blanket around both of them. Mungan's arm lazily wrapped around Adair's middle and drew him as close has he could.
Suddenly, a bright flash pierced the night and the feeling of calm in the fire-lit room. Mungan's body went rigid and quickly lay on the floor, bracing himself for what was sure to follow. The loud rumble caused him to pull his love down next to him. He hated the fact he became a nervous wreck whenever a thunderstorm came around, but there was nothing to do but to ride it out.
Adair adjusted himself so that he was laying down facing Mungan,  and covered them with what part of the blanket that didn't happen to be pinned under them. He knew that light and sounds caused by thunder and lightning was a painful reminder of the time they had spent serving their country. Mungan spending more time on the front lines only intensified the feeling.
"I'm here, Jam," he whispered into the long hair, hoping the use of the now affectionate pet name would calm him a touch.
The larger of the two attempted to keep calm by taking deep breaths. He took one breath too deeply though, and it triggered a fit of coughing. While Mungan's body was being wracked by the exertion, Adair fumbled for the hip flask that had been set near the hearth. He quickly unscrewed the cap, and held it towards him. After catching his breath and smoothing his hair back, he took a few pulls of the warm liquid from the flask. It was thrust back in Adair's direction, who carefully replaced the cap and motioned back to the floor.
After he got Mugan settled back in, he quickly planted a kiss on his forehead. Despite himself, Mungan smiled slightly and ruffled the black hair tenderly, "You trying to kiss it all better, Rat?"
Adair felt his face warm slightly at the use of his pet name, only to have his face redden more as Mungan returned a gentle kiss to his lips. The taller man held the other protectively and pressed his ear to his beloved's chest to listen to his heartbeat.

Rat licked his lips slightly, enjoying the slight taste of elderberry wine that Jam left behind.

The storm continued outside. Adair idly started to hum a nameless tune as he stroked Mungan's long, curly hair.  Before long they both drifted off peacefully.

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Goo slowly felt her awareness return, she slowly opened her eyes and stretched.

Rat sighed contently, "That's all for now, Goo."

She gave him a pat on the head, 'Can I get back to reading, then?'

"Aye, as long as I can get cuddles!" He mumbled with his head still on her shoulder.

'You can as long as you're not distracting.' She replied absentmindedly as she grabbed her book and settled down in her desk chair.

The last thing she heard was a muffled happy noise and the feeling of arms around her waist.