The storm was crazy, and the sound of thunder cracked the sky.

I was soaking wet, and it was freezing.

It didn’t take much longer for snow to start falling.

I let out a groan as I looked around, hoping to find shelter.

I squinted at the small light in the distance.

Was it real, or was it my imagination?

It didn’t matter to me. I headed straight for it.

The storm was getting worse. I could barely see in front of me.

It felt like I was walking for hours.

Where was I?

How far precisely was that damned cabin?

A light caught my attention.

I knew I finally made it because of the lantern in the window.

I knocked furiously on the door, hoping that someone was inside.

“Hello?” I called out.

The only response I got was the howling of the wind at my back.

“Hello!” I called louder.

Even I could hear the desperation in my own voice.

The door opened, and I stared at the confused male.

Relief was the dominant emotion despite the flurry of others inside of me.

“Might I come in?” I asked him, “I don’t think this storm is going to let up anytime soon.”

He stepped aside, and I stumbled in.

By the grace of God, I didn’t fall in front of him the second I made it inside.

“Thank you,” I said to him.

He didn’t say anything.

I turned to face him, “Would you please lend me some clothes or a blanket?”

He hesitated before speaking, “I don’t think any of my clothes would fit you, but I do have a blanket you can borrow while I dry your clothes.”

I nodded, feeling grateful, “Thank you.”

He walked out of the room, and I took that as my opportunity to strip. My shirt stuck to me as I tried to peel it off.

I heard rustling not too far away from me as I went for my jeans.

The belt was easy to unbuckle, the button on my jeans was a little more annoying.

The denim clung to my skin as I pushed them down, leaving my boxers on.

The guy walked back in and held a blanket out to me but avoided my gaze.

“My name is Nelson,” I said, extending my hand to him.

He looked at it before putting his hand in mine awkwardly.

His hands were soft and warmer than I expected.

“And you are?” I asked.

“Asher,” was all he said.

“Asher,” I said, “Thank you for your hospitality.”

He looked to the side.

Did he not want me here?

“Hey,” I said, looking at him, “I don’t have to stay.”

He shook his head quickly, “Stay.”

I stared at him.

He looked to the side again.

He was short for a guy, under 5’5, I think. His light brown hair was short, and he looked young.

“How old are you?” I asked him.

He looked up at me, almost like I irritated him.

“How old do I look?” he asked.

Any trace of his earlier behavior was long gone.

This kid looked pissed.

“You’re definitely younger than I am,” I stated.

“And how old are you?” he hissed.

“Twenty-four.”

He looked to the side.

“You don’t seem very social,” I stated.

“Seventeen,” he said, “I’m seventeen.”

I nodded, “Alright.”

“What were you doing out there?” he asked.

He made his way to another room and waved for me to follow.

I found myself in a kitchen.

He walked up to the stove to stir whatever was inside the large pot, almost like he was expecting company.

“So?” he asked, “What were you doing out there?”

“I’m working on a story,” I admitted, “I was hoping to find some inspiration.”

His gaze went back to the pot.

It smelled amazing. I could feel my stomach growling.

He chuckled, “It’s almost done.”

I smiled sheepishly at him.

It didn’t take much longer for him to pull out two bowls and fill them. He handed one to me and smiled lightly.

“Are you alone here?” I asked him.

He didn’t answer.

“Asher?” I asked, “Were you expecting someone?”

He looked back at me before leaving the room.

I walked out to see him gathering my clothes off of the floor.

“I can dry those too,” he said before pointing to my boxers.

I looked down, “You wouldn’t mind?”

He shook his head.

I turned around as I slipped them off, and I wrapped the blanket around myself before turning around to hand them to him.

He walked off again, and I headed back towards the kitchen to eat my stew.

I sat at the small table and looked up once I heard the door open.

“Thank you,” I told him for what felt like the hundredth time.

He grabbed his bowl and sat across from me.

I watched as he took a bite.

My gaze dropped to my food once he looked at me.

“I was expecting someone,” he stated.

“It wasn’t my intention to intrude,” I said just above a whisper.

“It’s alright,” he said, “He must have gotten caught in the storm.”

I nodded slowly, “I’m sorry.”

“At least I have some company,” he said.

I wasn’t sure how he meant it, but I was grateful for it.

I smiled at him, “Yeah.”

Company was always nice to have.

Truth be told, I haven’t had much of that in a while myself.

“Do you like it?” he asked me.

I looked up and nodded, “It’s delicious.”

He smiled back at me, and I felt better.

I was already feeling the warmth of the blanket, but the stew warmed me up from the inside out.

Maybe I found some of that inspiration I had been looking for.

“There is only one bed,” he informed.

“It’s alright,” I said, “I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”

“I was going to say we could share it,” he stated.

“I don’t mind,” I said, “If you don’t mind.”

“We’re in the middle of nowhere,” he stated, “You don’t need to say crap like that.”

I looked at him, clearly confused.

He looked back at me, irritated.

“I don’t know you,” I stated, “I am trying to show my appreciation for your kindness while also trying not to take advantage of you.”

“You take the bed,” he said before getting to his feet.

“Asher,” I said, trying to stop him.

“You and I are different,” he said without looking at me, “So take the bed, and don’t talk to me anymore.”

I felt as if I had been slapped, verbally, of course.

If he didn’t want me here, I would have left. I would have felt bad if I was forced to go, but I would have done it.

I could only sigh and enjoy the food he had made.

It didn’t take long for me to finish the warm food. I stood at the sink while I washed the bowl, and I placed it in the cabinet it came from.

I made my way out and back into the living room, where I had first entered the house.

I opened my mouth to speak but shut it once I realized he was already asleep on the small couch.

He didn’t have to be so rude. I was raised this way. It wasn’t easy to treat him like trash.

He was kind to me, and for that, I am glad. Most people would have turned me away or chased me off with a gun. He did neither.

I didn’t feel right taking his bed from him.

When he wakes up, he can decide for himself if he wants to stay on the couch or move to his bed. I did, however, go into the bedroom to grab the blanket off the bed for him.

Even though a fire was going, it was still cold.

I laid on the ground, and the warmth from the fire had me falling asleep faster than I expected.

/// //// ///