Memories of Sunshine and Smiles
After Stiles lost his mum, the smell of her perfume that lingered in her empty perfume bottle was the only thing that brought him comfort. But eventually that ran out. One day, on a whim, Stiles tried making candles and somehow stumbled across the perfect combination of scents that smelt just like his mum's perfume. Love Hard scene stealer
For @imagine-sterek's 24 sterek 2024 event.
[AO3]
Vanilla, rose petals, peonies and apple. It was a unique smell, one that made him think of warm hugs, soft smiles lit by the glow of the morning light, gently hands pushing him on the park swings, and the sound of her laughter.
It smelt like her—the real her, not the pale figure lying in the hospital bed in a room that smelt of fake-lemon-scented disinfectant and steriliser.
He kept the bottle of perfume after she’d died, clutching the ornate blue-green glass bottle to his chest as he cried himself to sleep, trying to convince himself that his mum was still there.
But eventually the smell faded from the empty perfume bottle and Stiles was left with the harsh reality that she really was gone. As time passed, it was harder for him to remember. The smell of her perfume, the sound of her voice, her smile, her laugh—it was all so distant, a memory that had faded with time until eventually he forgot all together.
A few years back, he found the empty bottle nestled in a box of memorabilia. He looked it up online but manufacturers no longer made the perfume and he couldn’t find it on any online market places.
He tried a mix of scented candles and oils, but it was never right; there was no burst of memories or warm rush of comfort.
Then, one day - on an ADD whim - he decided to give candle making a try. He did his research on adding perfumes and scents, and almost by accident, he stumbled across the blend of soft vanilla, roses, peonies and sweet apple. He held the small tin of candle wax up to his nose and inhaled the smell. His eyes welled with tears. A warmth filled his chest and he felt his breath catch in his throat as all the memories came rushing back.
He closed his eyes and remembered her smiling and laughing as he—four years old—begged her to push him higher on the swings, the sun bathing her in a golden glow. He could see the flickering shadows of the tree leaves dance around her, could even smell the fresh air that carried the smell of her perfume with it.
He opened his eyes again, numb as a tear fell past his lashes and rolled down his mole-speckled cheek.
[Full story on AO3]
