Don’t even need to ask what fandom.
It was the final few days of Autumn. Rain drizzled from the sky in preparation for the first snows of Winter, ready to freeze and become a flurry of white to dot the ground until Spring.
Normally, he never worried during this time. He’d sit on the porch and watch the rain drizzle, or sit at his computer working, hoping to bring in extra cash to pay for Spring-time seeds. Right now, though, he couldn’t keep the worry from settling in his chest.
He never worried about where she ran off to, as Sarah was responsible enough to come home around dinner time. They’d eat, he’d dry her off, and they’d cuddle by the fire until she fell asleep. Even the few nights she came home late, she’d always make sure to be home before 10 p.m.
He kept an eye on the time, and another out the window, hoping he could see her form running through the worsening storm. He tried to think of all the possibilities. If something happened at the mines, Linus would have come to get him by now. If she collapsed, someone was bound to find her and come get him.
He couldn’t stand this. He tried to focus on something else, but eventually his worry won out. He grabbed an umbrella and bolted out of the house, not bothering to open it.
He searched the back road Sarah often took to his mother’s house and the mines, along with the vast fields on their farms. Minutes dredged on until it was getting close to midnight.
He swallowed, clenching his hands tight so he wouldn’t have to feel them shake. Nowhere near the farm. Okay. There were other places.
He ran towards the beach, knowing she liked to try and fish there. That calmed him a bit. Sarah was bad at fishing. She probably lost track of time, trying to catch something.
He walked along the shoreline, heading towards the dock he knew she loved to stand on. He had no idea why. A slim figure stood at the end, head tilted towards the sky, a basket held loosely in their hands.
She jolted, grey eyes open now. She turned towards him, curious.
He felt relieved, seeing her okay, but worry still cut through him like a knife.
“You’re soaked! Sarah, what were you thinking?”
His jacket was just as equally drenched, but better than the thin clothes she wore now. He took off his jacket, placing it on her shoulders. Her lips were turning blue, and her fingers were a ghostly white, but she still smiled widely.
She smiled bigger and held up the basket, filled to the brim with blackberries. It must have been difficult to find all of them.
“Selling these will give us enough to build a Slime Hutch.”
He blinked, once, twice, and sighed. He shook his head, flicking her forehead.
She laughed, scratching the back of her head. She turned away from him, looking out towards the ocean. She looked like something out of a storybook, or a fairytail.
“Do you remember what you told me today?”
Her eyes closed momentarily. He felt like he was watching a movie play out. She was so dramatic. She breathed in, deeply, and sighed.
“Last year, I found you on the docks. You told me you felt anxious around people. But not around me.”
“It was the moment I realized I loved you.”
He couldn’t find the words for a moment, so Sarah shrugged.
“You made me feel safe. I knew no one in this town. Everyone was happy-go-lucky. It felt good to know someone else in this town wanted more from life. You wanted the big city, I wanted quiet. I dunno. It felt good to know someone else in this town knew what I felt.”
He shook his head, laughing.
“You really are a dummy. That was yesterday.”
“It’s 1:30 in the morning, Sarah.”
She blinked a few times before throwing her head back and laughing. He couldn’t help but join her.
“Dang it! And here I was, trying to be cheesy, and you have to ruin it with the facts, Sebby! That’s no fair!”
She playfully beat at his chest, laughing harder as he held his hands up in surrender.
“It’s not my fault you can’t keep track of time! I was worried about you!”
“I used to feel anxious around other people. But when I’m with you, I don’t.”
He rolled his eyes, opening the umbrella. He reached for her hand.