[Nexus 100] 015. - 016.

[shimmerandsing]

015. Blue
Word count: 117
Rating: G
Notes: More sap.

It is unfortunate that the first things that spring to mind when thinking of the word 'blue' are cold and sadness. To most people's minds, anyway. For Alison, it brings to mind the crystal blue ocean water off a bright sandy beach. It reminds her of endless blue sky on days without a single cloud and not the barest hint of rain.

More importantly, it is the color of the two clearest and most beautiful eyes she's ever looked into. Eyes that are always seeking something. Something she may never fully understand. But, whenever those eyes meet hers and the corners crinkle into smile lines, she doesn't need any understanding. For that moment everything is crystal clear.


016. Purple
Word count: 261
Rating: G

A portion of her husband's adopted family lived in Italy and so they found themselves there on frequent occasions. On this particular day, they stumbled into a festival for the country's yearly wine season. Any large, excited gathering was sure to draw her husband's attention and she was no less curious herself, so they spent the day among the locals picking grapes, tasting the previous year's yield, and making friends in broken English and Italian.

The best part of the day came toward the end when they had been invited to participate in one of the traditional events of the season. Grape stomping. Alison was reluctant, but the idea of squishy grapes between the toes was instantly appealing to Longshot and so she found herself swept up in his enthusiasm -- and standing immersed to her calves in a squishy, grapey, tub of goo. The idea that this process somehow led to the bottles chilling in the cellar of Natasha's villa was boggling enough to have Alison giggling helplessly as she clutched at her husband's arm to stay upright.

There were a few fundamental facts she knew about her husband. One was that he absolutely hated to see her cry. Another was how much he loved it when she laughed. So, his confusion came as no real surprise when she dissolved into both as she sat beside him in the grass on the warm Italian afternoon.

"What?" He looked perplexed. Possibly a little worried.

She continued to laugh between hiccups and pointed down at their cleaned and drying feet.

"Purple toes…"