Snowed In

Triton was slow to rouse himself, ‘but why’, he thought to himself, ‘should he? It’s White Star, dang it. If he wanted to sleep till past noon , who is going stop him?’ With that thought, fogged by sleep firmly in mind, he rolled over, and started dozing again, or at least tried to. Something was tickling his nose, dang annoyingly. Without opening his eyes, he took a half-hearted swat. Something behind him giggled softly. He paid the strange sound no heed.

But the tickling was back, and now it was an ear! Uttering a mild curse, he swatted it away again, and tried to go back to sleep. But the annoying bug won’t let itself stay squashed! A minute later it was about again, somewhere on his neck! That time he gave it a firm swat. He bolted up a second later, rubbing his neck and giving his new bride a very sour, very wide-awake glare.

She only looked back, innocence in her eyes, a mischievous smirk on her lips. “Why, sir, are you hitting yourself?” She asked, smugly.

He only glared. “Why am I awake?” he growled, dangerously if Oasis didn’t know better by now. “It isn’t even dawn!”

Oasis frowned herself, and looked around. “It is a trifle dark in here...” she agreed, though she felt very much awake. “But I think the fire needs…um, feeding? It’s getting cold.”

“Go feed it, then.” Triton grumbled, already buried under the blankets again.

“You’re the male.” She reminded him. “And it’s warmer here.” She teased.

“Then let’s stay here, and hang the fire.”

“Come on. I’ll fix that special meal you liked so much if you do...” She bribed, wrapping an arm around the lump that now was her Mate.

He groused, but got up anyway. Breakfast was sounding better than sleeping anyway, now that he was reminded of it. Muttering a sailor’s curse on all things winter, he staggered to the fireplace, and began to poke vigorously at the coals. Soon, sooner than he thought, a bright blaze was roaring, and Oasis glanced at it from the kitchen nook in appreciation.

She was busy herself, mixing batter for those flat cakes, the ones she brought from her home in the desert. He didn’t mind them at all, in fact in his mind, anything she makes is perfect. He only hopes there will be some sausage somewhere soon. Maybe some eggs. He was starting to feel ravenous.

To distract himself, and because the wood box was low, he dressed and headed for the door. When he opened it, however, he couldn't keep back a gasp of astonishment. The snow that threatened all yesterday came alright! He was staring at a tall wall of the stuff, nearly up to the door! “Oh, this is just great!” He groused, slamming it. “We’re trapped.”

“What?” Oasis called, not catching a word.

“We’re snowed in, that’s what!”

She blinked, and then opened the curtain to a window. After a moment, he heard her take a deep breath and call back hopefully. “Someone will get us out soon, I’m sure.”

“They better! Snow’s not my thing. Water is.” Triton grumbled. This was bad, and now that he knew, he had the uncomfortable feeling of being a bear locked in a cage. It was not very soothing at all.

She actually had the nerve to laugh at him. “At least I can feed you. You always get grumpy when you’re hungry.”

“Do not.” He snapped, wondering why he was the only one taking this seriously. “If I can get at my shovel, I can get us out. But that’s outside. How am I going to dig to it to dig out?! Makes no dang sense to me!”

“I know.” She agreed. He can practically hear the smile behind the words. “Poor Tri. Oh, whatever will he do.”

“Not funny!’ he shouted back, trying to hide the smile her teasing brought out.

“Right.” She called back, dryly.

“When’s that food anyway?!” He groused, after a moment.

“It will be ready in a minute.” She answered, and he felt her sneak behind him. “It needs to cook a bit, though.”

He felt her start to rub his back, and involuntarily leaned back into her hands. He didn’t know how she did it, but she always seemed to know just where the knots are, and smooth them away with those magic hands of hers.

“When you eat, you’ll feel better.” She said reassuringly, “And we’ll wait for someone to get us out. It seems warmer like this anyway, so buried in all this cold white. And, well, we will be able to be alone for a while, I bet. No interruptions…”

He only smiled, and, reaching up, pulled her down for a kiss