Black Blood Chapter 10
Story by Rtlstien on SoFurry
Winter Wonderland?
Tom winced as he felt something cold land on his nose. His eyes narrowed and crossed as they focused on the small ice crystal slowly melting on his skin. He watched as its unique structure slowly faded until nothing was left but a small drop of water. Tom wiped his nose as he gazed up at the sky. It was faint, but he could just make out the snowflakes slowly drifting downwards. He'd been waiting for this for the past four days ever since his parents brought them to this hotel in the mountains four hours from home.
A nostalgic smile crept onto Tom's face. It had been years since he'd experience snow fall. The coast never received any snow even when those heavy grey clouds drifted overhead. All of it would always be dumped further inland. It was a shame for Tom his first winter without snow, but he got used to it. Seeing it now after all these years was like him finding one of his favorite childhood toys.
There was a small sneeze. Tom gazed to his right and saw his brother trudging his way through the calf-high snow. Tom smirked when he saw all of snowflakes that clung to his fur. All of them maintained their shape. Tom found it odd, though, as he watched his brother walk around wearing nothing but a black scarf around his neck. He was aware Ren, like most Hunds, generally disliked wearing clothes, but figured that he'd wear something if he was so cold. Instead Tom noticed that Ren's and the rest of his family's fur started growing slightly longer and thicker ever since they arrived. It seemed the fur of Hunds adjusted to the temperature. Tom couldn't help but laugh as he gazed down at all the clothing he had to wear so that he wouldn't freeze.
“What are you laughing about?" Ren asked with a heavy exhale which appeared like steam flowing out of his muzzle. Tom snickered, clenching his teeth as a burst of air pushed through the small gaps. Multiple streams of frozen vapor burst from his teeth. “Nothing…" Tom said with a smile.
Ren smirked as watched Tom breathe through his teeth. “Uh huh…" Ren said with a slight shake of his head. “Can't see how you can enjoy all of this…" Ren let out as groan as he gazed at his arms which were starting to be covered with snow flakes.
“It's your first time" Tom said as he reached out and wiped away the loose snow from Ren's arms. “You'll get used to it."
“I hope not…" Ren said as he gazed back at the hotel where their family and pretty much every other Hund had retreated to once it had started snowing. “I'll be glad when this weekend is over."
“Ah…" Tom sighed with disappointment as he was reminded this was the last weekend of winter break. He was sure that's not what Ren was referring to, but they did coincide. Tom gazed away from Ren and stared up the side of the mountain. Running all the way up was a pair of metal wires suspended by multiple steel pillars. “You know… I looked up this place online. This hotel used to be a popular ski resort before it closed down."
“Why'd it close?" Ren asked as he sat down, having given up pushing his legs further through the snow.
“Well…" Tom shrugged his shoulders. “Humans were the only ones who used the facilities. Apparently most Hunds don't like wearing any kind of footwear…" Tom smirked as he pointed at Ren's feet buried in the snow.
“It just feels unnatural" Ren said in response as he gazed down at the boots Tom was wearing which barely peaked above the surface of the snow. “I've never understood how you can stand encasing them in those."
“It would be rather painful if I didn't…" Tom said as he lifted his left foot out of the snow and wiggled it. “They kind of get cut and burned easily… remember?"
Ren shivered as he realized what Tom was talking about. Images of seeing Tom's feet after his solo walk to the beach so many years ago were hard to forget.
Tom sank his foot back into the snow. He looked around and noticed it was gradually starting to snow harder. The greatest indication was Ren trying to shake every new wave of snowflakes out of his fur. It soon got to the point where he just gave up and stared off into the distance with an irritated look.
“You could always head back to the hotel" Tom said as he stuck out his tongue to catch some flakes.
“It's too boring in there" Ren said with a sigh. “All anyone is doing in there is sitting around a fireplace."
“Doesn't seem like you're having a much better time out here…" Tom said as he reached down at the ground.
Ren shrugged his shoulders. “It's more interesting out here, at least."
“Oh?" Tom said with a smirk as he started rolling some snow in his hands. “Want to make it a little more interesting?" Tom didn't give Ren a chance to respond as he hurled the snowball right into the side of Ren's neck, eliciting a surprised yip from his brother.
“You're going to pay for that, you jerk!" Ren grinned as he quickly scooped up some snow and tossed it at Tom. It wasn't condensed into a snowball, however, and fell apart in midflight, hitting Tom softly on multiple parts of his body. Tom turned his head when he saw some of the snow flying at his face. When he turned back he noticed Ren wasn't there anymore. Suddenly he felt a soft impact on the back of his head. A shiver went down Tom's spine as some of the snow melted and rolled down his neck and back.
“Never took you for the sneaky type, Ren" Tom shouted as he quickly turned around and started charging towards Ren.
“I've learned from the best" Ren shouted back as he started running away from Tom. Tom quickly scooped up some snow and tossed it at Ren, but it flew over his shoulder. Ren's ears perked up when he saw the snowball fly past him and quickly leapt to the side and started running in a different direction.
“That's not fair…" Tom said softly as he watched Ren practically leaping through the snow. Despite how frustrated Ren had been just walking through the snow, he now seemed to be able navigate through it with ease now that he was running. Meanwhile, Tom was being weighed down by all the clothing and a pair of heavy boots.
Tom tried his best to keep up with Ren for a few more minutes, but eventually his breathing became heavier. He stopped and leaned forward trying to catch his breath. He was starting to feel a little light headed. He sat down before lying on his back. There was only silence as Tom gazed up the sky. To him, the snowflakes seemed to be falling sideways as his vision distorted. Tom closed his eyes and shook his head slightly. When he opened them again everything was normal except for the face staring down at him.
“You alright?" Ren asked as he stood over Tom.
“Yeah…" Tom sighed. “Just feeling a little lightheaded."
“Probably because the air is thinner here" Ren said as he knelt down beside his brother. “Should probably hold off on physical activity while we're here."
“Do you know how boring that sounds?" Tom smirked and he propped himself up. “You have to enjoy these things while you can. Who knows if or when we'll be able to do this again?"
“I'm sure we can come back next year" Ren noted. “Personally…" Ren shook his body to clear off the snow. “I'm in no rush to come back."
Tom chuckled. “Well… for me, I like to take advantage of an opportunity presented to me instead of hoping for it to come again." Tom stood up. “I've caught my breath, so how about we…" Tom's words were drowned out by a strong gust of wind. Tom's eyes widened when he felt as though the wind had passed right through his clothing like it wasn't even there. There was a pause before another gust passed by. “Well, I say we should head back inside."
Ren laughed as he fur fluttered wildly in the wind. “I thought you wanted to take advantage of this opportunity."
“My desire to not freeze takes priority" Tom said as he quickly made his way towards the hotel. Ren quickly caught up and acted as a barrier for Tom, shielding him from most of the wind.
The sound of wood crackling filled the room as Tom gazed out the window into the dark snow valley. The only thing that stood out now was the moonlight reflecting off the lake down hill. Tom let out a soft sigh as he thought about all the things that people used to do. He'd read about activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and various other activities this place had been known for when it was still a lodge, but now it was impossible to do any of that. He wondered how many years it had been since this place carried any of the gear necessary.
“Hey…" Sera said softly behind Tom. “What are you looking at?"
“Nothing…" Tom said.
Sera looked over Tom's head. “Nothing, huh?" She gazed out the window for a few more moments before she cleared her throat. “Why not join the rest of us at the fireplace?"
Tom turned around. He could see the rest of his family lying on thick rug near the fireplace. He wasn't sure if they were sleeping or not, but it looked comfortable nonetheless. “Sure" Tom said as he pushed himself away from the window. The room got warmer and warmer as he approached the center where everyone was gathered. Everyone had fallen asleep together on the rug the night prior and it seemed tonight was going to be a repeat. Not that Tom was complaining.
Tom took a seat in between Ren and Luna. Luna was lying on her stomach, her head on its side facing away from the fire. Ren was on his back, his feet resting near the stone mantel. He gazed lazily and contentedly at the ceiling, enjoying the warmth. Tom stretchedw out his legs and sighed as his feet felt warmer. He looked to his side to see his father lying on his side, already asleep.
Tom felt a tap on his left shoulder. He looked up to see his mother offering him a cup with steam rising from it. “Want some white tea?" she asked.
“Sure" Tom said as he carefully took the cup from his mother and held it close to his chest. He smiled as his hands warmed up. Raising the cup closer to his face, Tom blew on the liquid a couple times before cautiously taking a sip. It burnt his tongue slightly, but it felt good going down. “Thanks, mom"
Sera gave Tom a smile as she sat on the opposite side of Ren. “Have you been having fun?"
Tom nodded his head as he took another sip of his tea. “What are we doing tomorrow?"
“I don't know" Sera said with a smile. “What do you want to do tomorrow?"
“I don't know…" Tom shrugged his shoulders. “Kind of wish there was something else to do besides snowball fights and making snowhunds."
“Ah…" Sera said with a deflated sigh. “If your father or I had known we would have tried to find something beforehand. Sorry."
“Nah." Tom shook his head. “Just something to look forward to next year." Sera remained silent as she watched Tom take a larger sip of tea this time. As he held it to his lips Tom noticed his mother gazing at him with melancholy. “Mom? You alright?" His words didn't register in her mind. “I mean… if we can come back…" Tom said, looking away with slight embarrassment.
“We'll come back…" Sera said, forcing a smile on her face. “And we'll be prepared next time…"
Tom smiled before finishing off the rest of his tea. He let out a sigh of satisfaction as he felt his body growing warmer by the minute. He placed the cup aside on the wooden floor at the edge of the rug.
The two of them sat there in silence, their eyes focused on the fire illuminating the room. Tom began to feel his body starting to relax as he slowly shifted himself onto his back. Sera watched as Tom stared at the ceiling lazily. It only took a minute or two before he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep with the others. Sera just sat there for a few minutes, thinking. She slowly leaned over Ren and placed her muzzle near Tom's head. “We'll come again …" Sera whispered as she gently nuzzled Tom's forehead. “I promise."
The next morning Tom watched as Luna tried to navigate her way through the snow. The added snow from yesterday now came up to Tom's knees. For Luna the snow came up to her thighs, making it difficult to push herself through. “Need some help?" Tom asked as he walked up next to her. He gazed down. The white scarf she wore gave the illusion she was buried up to her neck in snow.
“Uh uh" Luna said with a quick shake of her head. She took a deep breath and tried jump forward, but instead she fell face-first into the snow, creating a deep hole in the shape of an overambitious Hund. Tom shook his head with a chuckle as he gazed down into the hole to see Luna staring back at him with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
Tom reached down and grabbed Luna by her sides. He lifted her in the air. She shook her body to dislodge some of the snow in her fur before she began to struggle. “Put me down!" she shouted playfully.
“Oh?" Tom smirked. “If you insist." Tom rotated his body and gently dropped Luna back into snow on her back. He looked into the new indentation in the snow. Luna stared back him with a small glare, her right ear twitching in frustration. “Not satisfied, I take it?" Tom asked with a grin as he slowly started walking away.
“You're going to pay for that, Tommy!" Luna shouted playfully as she got back on her feet and started chasing after Tom.
“Oh… I'm so scared…" Tom said with a chuckle as he walked away at his normal pace while Luna struggled to keep up. He approached the patio of the hotel where Ren was sitting and watching. “Is she still chasing me?" Tom asked Ren as he approached.
“Yep…" Ren said with a smile as Tom took a seat next to him. “I don't think she's going to give up." Tom turned around as he sat down and saw how far the gap between him and Luna had gotten. At the rate Luna was going it would take and another minute or two for her to reach them. “Finally bored of the snow?" Ren asked with a soft nudge to Tom's shoulder.
“I guess…" Tom said with a sigh. “I guess we can spend our last day here just being lazy."
“Sounds good to me" Ren said as he stretched his arms upward. “I think I've had enough snow for one year."
“Well that's too bad" Todd said as he stood behind Tom and Ren. The two of them looked over their shoulders to see their father and mother.
“Where've you been, dad?" Ren asked.
“Your mother and I have been asking around, but we finally found this" Todd said as he presented a wooden sled.
Tom immediately stood up and examined the sled. He recognized it from pictures he'd seen. “Where did you get it?"
“The hotel uses them to transport things over the snow" Sera said. “We convinced them to let us borrow one of them for a few hours."
As Ren watched Tom get excited he let out a defeated sigh, already knowing that today wasn't going to be a lazy day after all. “Hey, Ren" Tom said. “Want to try it out?"
“Sure…" Ren said with a chuckle as he stood up.
“Luna, want to go sledding?" Tom asked as he turned around just in time to see Luna finally arriving at the patio. Luna tiled her head to side and gave Tom a confused look. She had no idea what sledding was. “I'm sure you'll like it…"
Luna screamed with excitement as she, Tom and Ren sped down the hill. She rested her paws on the curved front of the sled while Tom sat behind her and behind him, Ren. Tom squinted as the cold air was forced into his eyes, but he managed to keep them open enough to see what was going on. All the while he kept a smile on his face and laughed with excitement whenever they hit a small bump which sent the sled airborne for a second or two. Ren kept a tight grip on Tom's shoulders as he kept his eyes closed during the descent. Despite his nervousness from going so fast, he couldn't help but open his mouth and let out his tongue as he felt the rushing air whistling through his teeth and flapping his cheeks.
Todd and Sera watched the kids grow smaller and smaller down the hill. Todd stood behind Sera with his arms wrapped her waist. “Feeling better now?" Todd said as he rested his head on her right shoulder.
“Yes" Sera smiled as she observed the sled starting to slow down near the bottom of the hill. “I didn't want him to be too disappointed from this trip."
“I think you've made this trip memorable for all three of them" Todd chuckled as he watched their children come to a stop.
Tom let out a sigh of satisfaction as the sled came to a full stop. Behind him, he felt the grip of Ren's paws on his shoulder weaken and disappear. Ren let out a sigh of relief. Luna, however, was giggling as her tail wagged with excitement. “Can we do that again!?" Luna turned towards her brothers expectantly. Her eyes were beaming with happiness with a hint of begging.
“Yeah!" Tom said as he stood up from the sled. He turned around just as Ren was straightening himself out. Tom looked up and let out a chuckle. “First we got to walk all the way back up…" Tom pointed up the hill. Ren and Luna's eyes followed to where Tom was pointing. It was hard to make out but they could see their parents waving at them in the distance. The three of them waved back weakly as they realized what they'd gotten themselves into. They got to enjoy a minute or so ride down the hill, but now it seemed it would take at least fifteen minutes to walk back up in the snow. Luna let out a small whine of anxiety. “Yeah… you're staying on the sled, Luna" Tom said as he walked to the front of the sled, grabbed hold of the curved front and started pushing the sled backwards.
Ren stepped out of the way as Tom started pushing the sleigh up hill. Ren waited for Tom to walk past him before joining in the push. “I hope you're satisfied" Ren said with a smirk. “We could have spent the day relaxing, but no…" Ren exaggerated his words. “You wanted to have fun…"
“Oh shut up, you jerk" Tom said with a laugh. “At least you admit that it was fun."
“Yeah…" Ren shrugged. “It was alright, I guess." Tom chuckled as he watched his brother trying to hide what he was actually thinking.
“Less talking, more pushing!" Luna said giggling as she patted the sled. Ren's ears perked up. “Faster! Push faster!"
The sleigh suddenly left Tom's hands as Ren started pushing harder and faster up the hill. “Tom… help…" Ren said in a panic as he found himself unable to slow down.
“I don't know Ren…" Tom smirked. “I think you'll appreciate the ride more after this."
“Tom!" Ren shouted as the gap between him and Tom widened.
Tom laughed as he continued to follow. After a few more seconds, though, he decided he had his fun. “Alright, Ren, you can slow down already." Tom quickly picked up his pace to catch up with his siblings as Ren came almost to a complete stop, his breathing heavy. He may be able to run nimbly in the snow, but pushing a sled with his sister on it up hill in the snow was a little more than he could handle. When Tom finally caught up with him Ren gave Tom a look mixed with gratitude and annoyance. It lasted only for a moment before he suddenly felt the sled take off from his paws.
Tom laughed as he picked up his pace with the sled. He turned back to face a confused Ren. “It's only fair this way, right?"
Ren smiled as he proceeded to catch up to the sled.
After another three trips up and down the hill Luna decided she had had enough and wanted to go inside to rest. Tom and Ren were dumbfounded that she was so tired even though she didn't have to lift a finger. Todd and Sera agreed, most likely haven gotten bored of watching them have fun for the past hour. “Are the two of you coming along?" Sera asked as Todd started carrying Luna back to the hotel.
“We're going to do one more" Tom said as he picked up the sled. Ren gave Tom an exhausted look.
“Make it quick, boys" Sera as she turned around. “We'll be eating lunch in an hour."
“Another one?" Ren groaned as he reached down and massaged his calves. I don't think my legs can take another climb."
“Come on, Ren" Tom said with a confident smile. “Just this last one and we can relax the rest of the day."
“Promise?" Ren asked, skeptical.
“Promise" Tom nodded in response.
“Alright" Ren said he took a deep breath. “Let's get it over with."
“Hold up…" Tom said smirked as he turned around and gazed around. “Let's try something a little different…" Tom's gaze followed the side of the hill until he found a section where the hill was noticeably steeper. “Let's go down that" Tom said as he pointed to the section of not too far away.
Ren's ears flattened against his head. “Why?"
“To finish with a bang" Tom said as he started walking. He stopped when he realized Ren wasn't following. He turned around. “What's wrong?" Tom asked.
“I don't know Tom…" Ren said as he gazed back at the hill. “Let' just stick with the regular hill."
Tom scratched the back of his neck as he gazed at the two hills, then to Ren, then to the sled. He let out a sigh. “You can sit this one out then" Tom said with a smile to hide his disappointment. “Go on ahead to the hotel. I'll join you later." Tom turned around and proceed to his target.
Ren let out a whine of uncertainty. His instincts were telling him not to take the risk, but his mind was telling him to let Tom do it alone. Ren groaned as he resigned himself and slowly followed after his brother.
As the two sat on the sled Ren secured himself by wrapping his arms around Tom's chest while Tom held on to the front of the sled. “Last chance, Ren…" Tom stared back at Ren with concern as he noticed Ren was keeping his eyes closed.
“Just do it…" Ren said stubbornly. Tom sighed as he placed his legs on either side of the sled and started inching them closer to the edge. He wanted this to be fun for the both of them, but Ren didn't seem to be enjoying it anymore. At least he promised this would be the last ride.
Their decent started slowly as Tom brought his legs back into the sled. Their speed gradually picked up until they were zooming down the hill faster than they had before. Tom couldn't help but let out an excited scream while Ren just held himself against Tom's back. Ren didn't even open his mouth like before. The only indication he had about how fast they were going was the wind passing through his fur which now felt like when he stuck his arm outside the car window during a drive. His heart was racing.
When the sled hit the flat surface below it didn't slow down as fast as it normally would. Instead the sled continued to glide along the surface of the snow. Eventually the smooth ride suddenly got bumpy. It lasted only a moment but afterwards the ride felt different, rougher, as the sled traveled for another fifteen seconds before slowing to a stop. Both Tom and Ren's breathing were heavy. Tom couldn't help but let out a few chuckles before sighing triumphantly.
Ren, meanwhile, realized they had finally come to a stop and slowly opened his eyes. He sighed with relief that it was over.
“See?" Tom said as he turned his head to meet Ren's. “Wasn't so bad, huh?"
“I guess…" Ren said with another sigh as his body tried to calm down. “Can we just head back already?"
“Yeah, alright" Tom nodded his head as he began to stand up. “Just one more climb and…" Tom stopped himself when he looked down and noticed the snow here was very shallow. “That's weird…"
“What?" Ren said as he stood up from the sleigh. The moment he was on his two hind paws there was a loud snap. Tom and Ren stood still as the cracking started to be accompanied by a faint gurgling sound. Tom noticed the trail the sled had left. For a short distance the ground shone like glass.
“Ren…" Tom said with a shiver running up his spine. “We're standing on the lake… Move slowly…" Tom leaned down and placed one hand the sled and slowly began walking. It was only now he could feel the lack of traction beneath his feet. The grooves of his boots helped keep him steady when the snow failed to do so.
Ren cautiously took a step forward. The moment he stepped forward he felt the pads of his hind paw start to slip. Ren's eyes widened as he tried to balance himself. The more he tried to steady himself, however, the more he moved and soon his other hind paw started to slip. A panicked yip echoed from Ren's throat as he suddenly realized he was no longer standing but falling backwards.
Tom turned his head just in time to see Ren land on his back with an audible thud, followed shortly after by some more cracking. “Ren!" Tom's shouted as his eyes widened. “Don't move!"
Ren's head was spinning. Everything seemed to be a blur as his head throbbed. He could barely make out the sound of Tom's voice. Don't move? Ren's eyes widened with clarity as he turned his head. The cracks were starting to get larger, the cracking sound more violent. All the fur on Ren's body began to stand on end. He turned his head towards Tom who was slowly making his way towards him. “Tom…" Ren said weakly as his body shivered with fear.
“Just hold on…" Tom said as he took another step towards Ren. He reached out, trying grab a hold of Ren, but couldn't reach. As he was about to take another step to get closer Ren tried sitting up and reaching his paw out to meet Tom's. “Don't mo-" Tom began to shout before he silenced himself when the ice where Ren was now sitting caved in from the weight. Ren let out another yip as he fell through the ice. “Ren!" Tom shouted as he dived forward and thrusted his arm into the frigid water. When his hand grabbed a hold of something he pulled up.
Ren let out a gasp as he was forcefully pulled from the water, being tugged by the scarf around his neck. It felt quite tight around his neck at the moment, but at least he could breathe. He turned his head to face Tom who was lying over the edge of the gap, trying to pull him out. Ren reached out with both arms. Tom quickly let go of Ren's scarf and grabbed ahold of his arms.
Tom noticed the ice under his elbows snapping off, causing him to slowly edge himself further and further away from the edge as he tried to pull Ren out. Ren eventually managed to force his chest onto the ice to which Tom immediately pulled harder. Soon Ren's legs were hanging out over the gap before being pulled onto the ice with the rest of him.
They moved a bit away from the hole before they just lay there. Tom was shivering from fear while Ren started coughing up some water he accidentally swallowed. “Are… are you alright?" Tom asked as he turned his head to face Ren.
“I just want this trip to be done with…" Ren groaned as he suddenly began to shiver. His fur was all wet now and was no longer immune to the effects of winter like it had been when it was dry. “I'm cold…" Ren said with a whine as he brought his arms to his chest and clutched them to himself.
“Crap…" Tom swallowed. He quickly unzipped his coat and laid it on top of Ren. “Wait here…" Tom said as he suddenly felt his skin get colder. The only thing now protecting his torso from the cold was a long sleeve cotton shirt. He pushed himself on the ice towards the sled. Once he reached it he carefully brought it back to Ren. “Up you go…" Tom said as he dragged Ren onto the sled.
Ren opened his eyes as he suddenly felt the wood under his back. He looked up to see Tom pushing him across the ice. “Tom…" Ren said with a cough. “Aren't you cold?"
“Nah…" Tom shook his head. “This is nothing." Despite his assurances, however, he couldn't help but feel like he was practically shirtless. He knew, though, who needed the jacket right now. “We'll be off the lake soon…" Tom didn't want to take the chance of walking on the ice now. If he fell through there wouldn't be anyone to help pull him out. Instead he dragged himself on his legs over the ice.
When the sled was finally back on the snow Tom let out a sigh of relief and exhaustion. “How you holding up?" Tom asked as he proceeded to push the sled through the snow. He looked down at Ren clutching the jacket to his body. His legs were crossed and his body was shaking. “Just…" Tom huffed. “Just imagine lying in front of the fireplace. Not long now…"
“Uh huh…" Ren sighed.
Tom grunted as he started the push up the hill. No surprise this was much harder than pushing little Luna up the slope. Being cold and fatigued didn't help the situation. A familiar sensation started to invade Tom's mind as he suddenly found himself becoming a bit dizzy again. Tom cursed to himself as he tried to shake it out of his head.
Ren's ears perked up. “What's that?" Ren asked weakly, his eyes remaining closed.
“What's what?" Tom stopped and asked. He listened for a few seconds until he heard something faint. As it grew louder and louder it became more distinguishable. “Engines…?" Tom looked up the slope as two snowmobiles burst over the edge and started riding downwards. He could see the Hund on one of them pointing in their direction. “Oh thank you…" Tom said as he sat down next to the sled and waited for help to arrive.
“Do the two of you have any idea how lucky you are?" Todd scolded as Tom and Ren sat next to each other wrapped in blankets. “What if someone hadn't looked outside and see what was happening, huh? What would you have done then?"
“I don't know…" Tom said softly.
Todd gripped his ears and pulled slightly in frustration. He let out a groan. “You know what…" Todd said as he relaxed his shoulders. “We'll discuss this later…" Todd leaned down and gave both of his sons a quick hug. “Just get some rest. I'm going to join your mother and sister in the lobby.
Tom and Ren didn't say anything as their father left the room. They didn't say anything afterwards. The only thing that kept the room from being completely silent was the fire and Ren's occasional sneezing and sniffling. Tom just twiddled his fingers together awkwardly as Ren turned to face the fire.
Instead of turning like Ren had, Tom just lay back and stared at the ceiling as his head began to feel the heat of the flames. “Sorry for making this trip a disaster…" Tom sighed.
“It's alright…" Ren sniffled. “Just… next time can we skip the lake part?" Tom looked over to Ren to see a weak smile on his face.
“You'll get no complaints from me…" Tom said as Ren began to lay down on his side. Their heads were right next to each other. “Other than that though… was it fun for you?"
Ren let out a weak chuckle. “Maybe next time I'll open my eyes…"
Tom smiled as he started to feel sleepy. “Maybe you can sit up front next time, too."
“Let's not get carried away…" Ren said softly with a cough and a smile.
Happy Holidays
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