Petrichor

 Elly sat on the long couch in the teacher's dorm living room doing nothing but staring wistfully out the window. It was raining, a soft, spring rain that came steadily down while the sun was still peeking out.

Hizashi came by and glanced out the window. "Fox's wedding," he noted in passing before sitting down.

"Yeah," she sighed.

He raised an eyebrow. "What's up?"

"The weather is making me meloncholy."

Hizashi tilted his head to the side. "Why's that?"

"The sound is so soothing. Plus I guess, well, it reminds me of this silly daydream I have."

He leaned over, wiggling his eyebrows rapidly. "Ohhhhh? Is it a sexy one?"

"No." She stuck her tongue out at him. "It's really tame, actually. Plus, is that what you think I'm fantasizing about when I say 'daydream'?!"

"Is it about a guy?"

"Well, yeah, but..." She trailed off. "Not like <i>that</i>. It's more than just that."

"Sorry, I was being a turd." He leaned back, trying to look more serious. "You still wanna spill it?"

Elly shrugged. "I guess, if you want to hear? I mean, it's not interesting or anything." She looked out the window at the rain lightly pelting against the glass. "We're sitting on a porch quietly watching the weather. He's behind me on a bench, his strong arms around me and his body is warm even in the very slight chill of the breeze whipped up by the storm. I can feel his necklaces on my back and my hand is lightly resting on his wrist, toying with the bracelet he wears.

"I feel safe and comfortable and <i>happy</i> -" here her voice broke and she waved a hand in front of her face, trying to stave off tears. "I feel... um. It's nice," she finished in a hoarse voice. It was clear she'd cut off what she wanted to say but he caught the idea.

"Damn," he said, awed. "That sounds deep. Strong."

"Yeah, I can almost smell the rain." She paused, wrinkling her nose. "Of course today I actually do."

"Can I ask, well..." Hizashi fidgeted with his hands, folding and unfolding them on his rapidly shaking leg. He frowned. "Who is it?"

"I tried to tell you -"

"Oh," he cut her off. "But you didn't. I thought we were tight, yo. I'm sorry."

"Hizashi."

"Nuh uh, it's totally okay! I get why you don't want anyone knowing."

"No, Zashi, it's not that..." Elly shook her head. "Okay. I guess it's for the best." She reached out and gently squeezed his hands for a moment before standing. "Good night."

Hizashi stared stupidly after her and then his hands that she had touched, his mind racing. He knew he hadn't understood something important, but wasn't sure what. It was all he could do to fight back the irrational surge of jealousy anyway, and he had been proud of himself until now.

<i>The hell am I missing?</i>

He started to fidget again and his eyes happened to fall on the red beaded bracelet he was wearing. His brain slowly registered that he also wore a couple of necklaces as part of his casual outfit. "Oh, shit!" He exclaimed, jumping to his feet all at once. "Oh shit it's me? <i>It's me</i>!"

Hizashi rushed to her room in a panic, tapping on the panel with his heart beating rapidly, worried she wouldn't open.

But she did.

"Listen, I'm sorry I was so dense." He sighed in relief and rested his forehead on the door. "I was too busy tryin' not to look jealous that I didn't get who it actually was."

The door opened wider. "...you got jealous?"

"Batshit crazy jealous," he admitted solemnly. She giggled quietly and he raised his eyebrows. "So, uh... can I come in, baby?"

"Um, yeah." Elly blushed several shades harder and swung the door open. He walked in with a little swagger, his confidence boosted by her shyness.

"Hey," he crooned softly, catching her cheek in one hand. "D'ya wanna cuddle? The bed's close to the window, and we can listen to the rain. Might be a little corny, but I wanna make your dream come true."

She smiled and nodded.

They climbed onto the bed and he braced back against the headboard and pillows, helping her crawl onto his lap. When she was settled he carefully wrapped his arms around her.

"This is nice," Elly sighed.

"As good as you imagined?"

"Better," she said, snuggling closer. "This is real. And you smell so good."

He choked a little at that. "I do?"

"Uh huh. Like leather and sweet..." Her voice dropped off and she started to purr.

Hizashi's ears were already burning and he felt his cheeks flush as well. "Oh, hell," he muttered and leaned back, relaxing as he listened to the patter of drops on the window outside. 

<i>I want to do this again</i>, was his only thought before he fell asleep with a smile on his face.