JP - Quite a Day

Haven was not too worried about gloves at the moment, but the old argument was not an entirely unwelcome distraction. It was something safe to think about. She glanced at the box.

“Susi wanted to give these to you five years ago. I held on to them,” Alex replied, gesturing for her to open the box.”

“Oh…” Haven barely felt like the same person she was five years ago. She still only looked at the box, as if it was for someone else.

“Go ahead and open it “ Alex chuckled knowing it was the fancy fake fur gloves.

Haven opened the box, it was gloves. Her eyes filled with tears.

“I wanted you to have a pair. I hunted and made them myself. I had to get Klaire’s help a lot, but once they were done, I wanted to give ‘em to you, but five years ago happened at the village.” Susi explained with a heartwarming smile.

Haven looked away, wiping tears from her eyes. “That was a lifetime ago.” She whispered.

"Yeah but now we're all back together again" Alex replied with a smile.

“What Alex said,” Susi chimed.

Yule shifted in discomfort, not sure what to say.

Alex noticed and pulled her into a gentle hug "you're safe now too."

Haven was still feeling awkward. She looked at the gloves. She didn't think she would ever want to touch anyone, even with the gloves.

“You don’t have to touch anyone or be touched,” Susi informed Haven as she took a seat by the bed. “You’re still welcome to be with us, though. Every family and individual has a different way of showing they care. I mean, I can clearly tell you and Yule are really good friends and you don’t even touch or hug.”

Yule blushed and didn’t know how to respond to Alex.

“I guess.” Haven said, feeling tired.

Alex smiled and kissed her on the cheek before backing up.

“Don’t smother her,” Susi warned, gently tugging on Alex’s ear. “We need to make sure they have space.”

“Y-you two are very kind for welcoming us into your…uhm…family.” Yule replied, looking at Haven.

“I guess.” Haven yawned. She still felt overwhelmed from everything.

Susi grabbed Alex. “Lets give them space and time to rest,” She said and pulled him out of the room.

Yule blinked and went over to her bed, lying down. “This has been…quite a day.”

“Yeah.” Haven agreed, laying on her side and pulling her blanket over herself. She felt like it was all too much.

Alex smiled and followed Susi wishing them a good night.

Yule would, for once, feel safe enough to sleep.

Haven managed to get to sleep too. Her dreams were not kind to her, but she managed to stay asleep.