Side Story (4) - Chapter 7
The afternoon sun was dipping low, casting a soft amber glow over the snow-covered streets as Raze and Solace stepped out of the cinema. Though it was still early, winter days meant that darkness wasn't far off, and the fading sunlight barely pierced through the layer of clouds scattered across the sky. A light dusting of snow coated the ground, untouched and crisp, muffling the sounds of the world around them.
The air was crisp and biting, a reminder that night was just around the corner, and Solace pulled her coat closer, savoring the warmth of the theater still lingering on her skin. She glanced at the distant horizon, where the sun's rays tried to break free, casting long shadows that stretched over the quiet, snowy streets. Here and there, clusters of holiday lights flickered to life, blinking against the thickening dusk, adding a faint warmth to the otherwise cold landscape.
Raze let out a contented breath beside her, the faint cloud of his breath mingling with the chill as he stuffed his hands into his pockets. The movie they'd just watched played briefly in her mind—its themes of love, family, and togetherness lingering like the last whispers of daylight. For Solace, the message had felt somewhat foreign, almost distant, a world she couldn't entirely connect with. Still, she'd tried to follow along, if only for Raze's sake.
"I'm not really used to... these kinds of movies," she admitted softly, her gaze fixed on the golden glow spilling over the snow. "The whole... love and family thing doesn't really resonate with me." She paused, feeling a bit hesitant. "But... I tried."
Raze turned to her, a soft smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, I kinda figured," he said, his tone teasing but warm. "Thanks for sitting through it anyway."
Solace's gaze drifted back to him, a small smile tugging at her own lips. As they walked, she noticed how Raze's expression held something thoughtful, almost nostalgic, like he'd seen more in the film than he'd let on. She remembered fragments of what he'd shared with her before, the small details that hinted at a complicated past—a strained relationship with his parents, the quiet strength of his grandparents who had kept him going when things got rough.
A part of her wondered if he hadn't been watching the movie for the message of family or holiday cheer, but rather for what those memories represented. "Do you... think about her sometimes?" Solace asked gently, referring to his grandmother, sensing the lingering attachment there.
He nodded, his gaze distant, eyes fixed on the path ahead. "She was the only one who tried to make things feel... like home, I guess." His voice softened, almost a murmur. "My parents weren't really around much, you know? But she did her best, even if it was just little things, like baking cookies or putting up decorations."
Raze paused, his shoulders rising and falling in a soft sigh, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable against the winter landscape. "I never thought about it back then, but... looking back now, it feels like I owe a lot to her. My grandpa, too. I know they weren't perfect, but they're the reason I made it through those years."
Solace nodded, letting his words settle in the cool air between them. She watched him, noting the way his jaw tightened slightly, a faint flicker of sadness hidden beneath his usual calm demeanor. "I think... it sounds like she really cared about you," she said quietly, hoping her words might bring him some comfort. "She gave you something worth remembering."
"Yeah," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "She did."
They walked in silence for a while, their footsteps crunching over the snow, and as the last of the sunlight slipped behind the horizon, casting the world in twilight, Solace felt a gentle warmth settle over them. The holiday movie might not have been something she connected with, but in this moment, she felt a subtle bond with Raze, a shared understanding that went beyond words.
Raze broke the silence, his smirk returning, though softer this time. "Thanks for coming with me, Solace. I know it wasn't your thing, but... I appreciated it."
Solace chuckled, her gaze warm. "Well, maybe I didn't understand the movie's message, but... I think I enjoyed the company."
They exchanged a quiet smile, their breath visible in the cold air, and as the city's lights twinkled against the deepening night, they both felt that, for now, this quiet moment was enough.
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The streets were buzzing with holiday cheer as Raze, Solace, and a small group of his friends made their way through the city, the warmth of festive lights and decorations contrasting sharply with the crisp winter air. Snow blanketed the sidewalks, crunching softly beneath their feet as they headed toward the familiar bar where Harlan worked. Tonight, the bar was hosting a special holiday celebration, complete with seasonal drinks, decorations, and live music.
As they reached the bar, Raze held the door open for Solace, who wrapped her scarf tighter around her neck as she stepped inside, greeted by a rush of warmth and the cozy hum of conversation. The bar was more crowded than usual, the holiday festivities drawing in both regulars and new faces alike. A small Christmas tree stood in the corner, adorned with lights and ornaments, while strings of tinsel hung from the ceiling beams. The scent of spiced cider and pine filled the air, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Raze scanned the room until his gaze landed on Harlan behind the bar, serving drinks with his usual calm but efficient manner. As he noticed Raze and the group, Harlan gave a small nod, his expression softening slightly, perhaps with a hint of gratitude that the "kid" had remembered his birthday earlier.
"Alright, gang, grab a spot," Raze said, motioning toward a booth near the bar. Solace slid into the booth beside him, glancing around at the holiday decor with a slight smile. This was a different setting than she was used to—festive, lively, and warm in ways that didn't quite match the solitary nights she usually preferred. Still, she found herself enjoying the change.
Once they were all settled, Raze stood up to grab their first round of drinks. As he approached the bar, Harlan was already halfway through pouring a row of frothy mugs.
"Evening, Harlan," Raze greeted with a grin. "Looks like we're not the only ones with the idea to celebrate tonight."
Harlan gave a low chuckle, passing the drinks across the counter. "It's the season, kid. Everyone wants to forget their troubles for a while—myself included."
Raze accepted the mugs, lifting one with a wink. "Well, here's to that."
Back at the booth, Solace took her drink with a quiet nod of thanks, her fingers warming against the mug. She glanced around, watching Raze and his friends banter and share jokes. Despite her usual reserved nature, she felt a sense of comfort being here among his close friends, the easy laughter and camaraderie pulling her in.
As the evening progressed, Harlan would occasionally drift over to their booth, delivering fresh rounds and offering the occasional dry, witty comment. He seemed to soften just a bit more with each visit, his usual gruffness slipping into a more relaxed, almost fatherly warmth—a quiet reminder of the kind of grounding presence he'd always been for Raze.
At one point, Harlan leaned down beside Solace and handed her a small drink—a special holiday cocktail he'd crafted himself. "On the house," he said, his voice gravelly but gentle. "Figured you might want to try something different." Solace accepted it with a smile, surprised but appreciative of his gesture.
As the night wore on, their laughter grew louder, stories from the past year and plans for the future filling the space between sips of warm cider and clinks of glasses. Solace found herself laughing more than she expected, the holiday spirit settling over her like the snow outside.
Eventually, as the bar quieted down a little, Raze leaned back in his seat, a contented look on his face. He caught Harlan's eye across the room and raised his glass in a silent toast, a subtle thanks for the night. Harlan returned it with a small nod, his expression unreadable but knowing, like he understood exactly what this moment meant.
And as the group finished their last round, slipping into the cool night air with cheeks flushed and spirits lifted, Solace realized that this had been more than just a holiday celebration. It was a reminder of connection, of the simple joys of companionship, and perhaps, just a hint of what it felt like to belong.
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As they stepped out of the bar, Solace wrapped her coat tighter around herself, the cold winter air a stark contrast to the warmth of the bar. Snow still clung to the streets, softened under the streetlights, and their breath rose in faint clouds as they walked side by side. Their friends had peeled off in different directions, calling goodbyes and promising to meet up again soon, leaving Solace and Raze alone in the quiet of the evening.
Solace's cheeks were flushed from the drinks, a little brighter than usual, and there was a softness in her usually guarded expression. She felt lighter tonight, unburdened, a bit more open than usual. Raze noticed, a smile tugging at his lips as he watched her—this version of Solace, relaxed and just a little bit playful, was a rare sight, and he found himself savoring it.
Eventually, they found a quiet park bench near a small, leafless tree, its branches lined with soft dustings of snow. They settled down, the city's sounds distant around them, and continued talking about everything and nothing at all. Solace was surprisingly chatty, letting herself wander from one topic to another, laughing more openly and even teasing Raze a bit about his competitive streak in League.
After a quiet moment, Solace glanced at Raze, her expression thoughtful. "Hey, Raze… how do you actually feel about your friends?"
Raze raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised. "What do you mean?" he asked, his tone curious but unguarded.
"I mean… do you feel close to any of them?" she continued, gesturing in the direction of the bar where their group had just been. "Like, really close. Or do they feel more like… I don't know, superficial connections?" She hesitated, then added, "Like, you can trust them with anything?"
Raze leaned back on the bench, pondering her question. "Hmm… well, there's Lucas, Emily, Jake… people I've known for a while, especially from college. We've had some good times—study sessions, a lot of game nights. I trust them, yeah, but… I don't know if I'd call them deep connections." He paused, glancing at her with a faint smile. "They're friends, but they don't really know me, not like… family. Or, well…" he trailed off, his gaze softening.
Solace tilted her head, her gaze warm and encouraging. "Or…?"
Raze shrugged, running a hand through his hair. "I guess… they don't really know the deeper stuff, you know? Not like you do." He chuckled lightly. "I mean, they're great for hanging out and all, but I don't know if they'd be there for me if things really fell apart."
Solace nodded, her expression understanding. "It's hard to find people like that… people you can actually lean on, beyond the fun and easy stuff."
Raze looked at her, a hint of gratitude in his eyes. "Yeah. I think we all try to find that, even if we don't say it out loud. It's just… rare."
She smiled faintly. "Well, maybe it's good you're thinking about it." Then, with a slightly teasing edge, she added, "Though I'm pretty sure Lucas would still let you crash on his couch."
They shared a laugh, the moment settling between them like a quiet promise—an acknowledgment that, maybe, they'd found something in each other that was worth holding on to.
As they sat together, lost in each other's company, the sky above began to shift, casting the first faint hues of dawn across the horizon. They hadn't noticed the night slipping away, their quiet conversation weaving seamlessly through the hours until the stars faded and the soft light of morning crept over them.
Solace let out a gentle sigh, her voice barely a murmur in the morning stillness. "I didn't even realize… we've been talking all night."
Raze glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Guess neither of us wanted it to end," he replied softly.
The pale light illuminated her features, casting a warm glow that softened her expression, and in that moment, Solace looked over at him, her eyes reflecting something unspoken. She reached out, almost instinctively, her fingers brushing his hand. "Raze… it's strange, you know. I didn't think I could ever feel so… connected with someone."
He felt his heart beat faster, the warmth of her words sinking in. The way she looked at him then—unguarded, open, like she was offering a piece of herself she usually kept hidden—made his breath catch.
Without thinking, she leaned her head against his shoulder, and their hands intertwined gently. As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, they turned to face each other, the dawn casting a gentle glow between them. Their eyes met, and he could see the vulnerability in her gaze, the quiet, unspoken trust.
Slowly, as if drawn by the warmth of the moment, they both leaned in, and as the soft light of dawn bathed them in its warmth, their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss. It was a kiss that carried the weight of the night they'd shared, the quiet conversations, the laughter, the trust. And as the city stirred awake around them, they stayed wrapped in their own world, feeling like they'd discovered something they hadn't known they'd been searching for.