Preston + Breeze [Prompt]

[vulpixinculta]

Originally written for a Tumblr prompt: Preston + Breeze

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Preston + Breeze

Inhale. The smell of autumn leaves and salt dances over the crisp cool edge of the sea breeze. The soft crash and sigh of the waves cancelling everything else out. Preston lets himself drink it in, fall into the peacefulness.

All quiet on the western front. Xavier would often quip in moments like these. Always followed by a comment on how he’d have to track down a copy of that book.

Exhale. He lets the thought float away on the wind with his breath. No ‘western front’ here. Only the ocean. Only the tide drawing in and turning the weight of the world to mist as it heaves against the rocks. Never stopping or ceasing.

Something about it calms him. Makes him feel at home here, staring out over the precipice of his world and into the endless, billowing depths beyond.

Inhale.

Preston rolls up to his feet and stretches out his shoulders, not taking his eyes off the thin stretch of horizon beyond. The gates of the land cresting and leaving a thin line of pure ocean, like a road just beyond his grasp.

Exhale.

He turns from the water, away from the soft kiss of the breeze against his cheek, and heads down the iron stairs. Finding his feet through the current as he looks at the courtyard around him. Ripples of laughter and smiling faces all around.

He can’t cease anymore than the tide can. Wouldn’t, even if there were a way to change the laws of nature.