Falling into Sentimentality… (Morgan Autumn Special) (Patreon)

Writing Prompts 

- The smell of chocolate

- A fallen tree

- The taste of smoke

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Autumn. 

It’s such a vibrant, rich time of year considering everything is dying.

Morgan blows out a ring of smoke, tasting the lingering bitterness of it on her tongue. The puff curls into the air, framing a crippled leaf hanging painfully from an outstretched branch, like a finger clinging to it.

The leaf falls.

“What are you doing out here?” 

Morgan turns to look over her shoulder before settling back down on the fallen tree branch she’s using as a bench. “Watching.”

The Detective shuffles forward, their feet crunching over the carpet of other discarded leaves, and comes to settle on the seat beside her.

Her gaze shifts in their direction without meaning too. The warm scent of them is comforting for a moment, until a strong sweetness invades her senses.

She grimaces. “Hot chocolate? Really?”

“Hey,” the Detective says in defense, raising the offending mug of milky chocolate. “It’s autumn. It’s traditional.”

“Tradition. Ugh…” Morgan groans.

“Is there anything that makes you happy?” they ask with a sigh. 

Morgan watches as the Detective wraps their chill fingers around the mug and enjoys the warmth seeping out of it. Then she very much begins to wish they’d wrap their hands around something of hers instead…

The thought leads her to her answer. 

She gives a long smirk—

“Nope.” They hold up a straight finger in protest. “You’re not allowed to say anything that Nate would reprimand you for.”

Morgan arches a brow. “That’s pretty much everything that comes out of my mouth.”

“Then you’ll just have to think harder,” the Detective replies with a smile.

She stares out over the sepia-toned clearing. Sucking in a long breath, the earthy scent of autumn fills her lungs, and the chill but fresh taste clears the bitter smoke from her lips.

“Being here,” she says finally. Her grey eyes shift once more to find the Detective’s. “Being here with you.”

Their smile beams brighter before they hide it behind their mug. “Jeez, you are sentimental.”

A deep chuckle escapes her. “You bring out the worst in me.”

They place a hand on hers, the touch soft and unexpected but certainly not unwelcome. “I never said it was a bad thing.”

And Morgan’s smirk softens into a smile as the Detective sips on their hot chocolate, and she continues to enjoy the intense joy a quiet place and a welcome presence can bring.