Peter lay on a Turkish rug, the pattern barely visible. The rug was hidden amidst the flicker of flame and shadow as it danced in the stone fireplace. His face was likewise hidden, by layers of torn sweater and previously sturdy cotton from the arm flung over his eyes. Only the faint changes in respiration showed that he was still alive.
June set their instant hot chocolate—a recent kitchen accomplishment, even if it remained mildly lumpy—on the coffee table that loomed overhead, next to his computer glasses. “For a week off, this has been remarkably busy.”
A grunt from the body on the floor and the crackle of flames was the only response.
“I brought hot cocoa and marshmallows.”
The body masquerading as Peter began to sputter upward. Battered hands fumbled at the wood of the coffee table before grasping it.
“June, a ghrá,” he mumbled, still half-covering his eyes. A hand groped for the mug, exposing a bite mark on his arm as his slowly unraveling sweater caught on the edge of the table.
Finding the treat, he took a long sip. “Perhaps we could schedule magical disasters across the semester, to better coordinate with your teaching schedules. Three per day is a tad over the top, no?”
***
This week’s prompt about a busy week was from Leigh Kimmel – mine about a rooster went to Parrish Baker. Find them all, over at MOTE!
