The Archive

'See, I told you staying here wouldn't be so bad!' I grin triumphantly as we finally crest the top of the hill, gazing down onto the rolling white slope before us, 'We have everything to ourselves!'

Andrew's face is lit up with excitement, cheeks flushed in the biting cold, his eyes glittering in anticipation. He adjusts his hat and gloves, dragging his sledge up beside us.

'Ok, I admit, this is pretty good,' He laughs, testing the snow beneath his feet, 'Looks like this is going to work pretty well, too. None of that shitty powdery stuff we usually get.'

'Perfect,' I pull my own sledge to my side, 'Means we can race.'

'Race?' Andrew glances at me, lifting a brow.

'Yeah, race! Come on, did you really think I wouldn't find a way of making this more interesting?' I tease him, tucking the ends of my scarf into my winter jacket.

'I guess I should've seen it coming, really,' Andrew admits.

'Shall we say best of five?'

'Yeah, good plan. Rules?'

I think for a minute, 'No sabotaging the other sledge, for now at least, and no deliberately getting in the way of the other. Don't wanna end up in a crash, after all.'

'I'm good with that. Let's use that log as a starting line and that tree at the bottom as a finishing line,' He suggests, pointing to a snow-laden evergreen at the far end of the slope.

'Good. Wanna test run or just go for it?'

'Just go for it.'

We tug our sledges into place, meticulously making sure that the tips of our runners are in line with each other. I take my place on the wooden frame, anchoring my feet and gripping the pulling line. Beside me, Andrew does the same, steadying himself.

'On the count of three!' He calls over to me, holding up his hand to countdown, 'One…two…THREE!'

With a cry of excitement, I push as hard as I can against the snow beneath my feet. I jolt forwards as the runners gain traction, the sledge tipping over the edge of the hill and onto the slope itself, quickly picking up speed. Wind bites into my face as I go hurtling downwards, gripping hold of the sledge for dear life as it bounces over hidden tufts of grass, slamming me against the wood. A giddy grin forms on my face even as my eyes narrow to ward off the snow flying up around me, the runners ploughing through the perfect white relentlessly as I near the bottom.

A quick glance to my side tells me Andrew is a little way behind me, careeening off to the side as his sledge hits a branch buried in the snow. I can't help but laugh, turning my gaze back to my own path as I see the finish line getting closer and closer with every passing second. I hold on tight, leaning back a little in my seat in an attempt to make myself more aerodynamic. Naturally, it makes no difference, but I whoop as I pass the tree at the bottom in any case, pretending it helped.

I turn as I come to a natural stop, the now level ground giving the sledge no natural slope to follow, my eyes finding Andrew's form as he spins out at the base of the tree, falling into the snow.

Clumsily, I get up from the sledge, fighting my way over to him with it in tow, calling Andrew's name.

'Shit, are you alright?' I curse, looking down at him where he's collapsed into the snow.

It takes me a second to realise he's laughing, face red with adrenaline.

'Yeah, I'm fine. Just tried to be clever and fucked myself over in the end,' He tells me, shakily getting to his feet, 'Let's get ready for round two.'

The way back up is slow and tedious, but we joke and mess about the whole way so by the time we've finally reached the top again, we're still laughing and in a good mood. Once again, we get ready to go. This time, I count us down.

'One…two…THREE!'

We push off, hurtling down the slope once more. This time, my sledge catches on a tuft of grass, sending me off in the wrong direction. I slam my foot into the ground, trying to shoe-horn my way back into the race, but it's too late, the arc too wide. Andrew crosses the finish line far before me, leaving me with a humiliatingly slow trundle to the tree. Before he can say anything, I'm waving him off, tossing him a 'lucky bastard' as we go back to the top.

By the time the final lap comes around, we're even, each having won two rounds. The walk back to the top has gotten exhausting, our breaths coming heavier than before, but the smiles on our faces haven't faded. As we get into position for the final time, Andrew shoots me an anticipatory smirk.

'All to play for now. What are the stakes?'

I ruminate for a second.

'Loser has to drag the winner home on their sledge,' I propose, tugging the rope of my sledge.

He laughs, 'I'm not sure you'll be able to drag me, (Y/n).'

'Good thing you'll be pulling me, then, isn't it?' I shoot back, chuckling as he waves me off again.

We count down together, dropping over the crest with renewed confidence.

Together, we speed down the slope, the wind in my eyes again, my hands clenched desperately around the rope. For a moment, it looks like I'm going to win.

And then my sledge slams into a hidden rock.

Instantly, I'm careening off towards Andrew, completely losing control of the sledge, my joy quickly replaced by panic.

'LOOK OUT!' I scream, barely registering his horrified expression as I crash into him.

We go flying, the sledges continuing without us as my body collides with his, sending us rolling down the slope. His arms wrap around me, our faces nearly knocking together as we tumble down, small blossoms of pain forming along my body as we continue to strike the ground and all its hidden bumps and ridges.

Finally, we come to a halt, Andrew resting on top of me, our breathing heavy, my pulse racing. He stares down at me, blue eyes wide with relief as he realises we're both still alive.

'I'm so sorry, I don't even know what happened,' I apologise quickly, lifting a shaky hand to pat him down, checking for any injuries, 'Are you ok? Did you get hurt?'

'I'm fine, don't worry,' He reassures me, groaning softly as my hand moves to his abdomen.

My eyes widen, 'Shit, does it hurt there?'

He bites out a breathless laugh, 'No, no.'

He catches my hand in his, pressing it back into the snow beside me.

'Then why did you- oh,' I stop myself as I shift below him, his hips moving quickly to hold me down.

'Yeah,' Andrew smirks, 'I think you owe me an apology…and I have just the way you can make it up to me.'

He leans down as my face flushes deeply, my legs rubbing together at the insinuation.

‘Hey, that guy's quite cute, isn't he?’ My friend giggles conspiratorially, hiding her face behind her hand as she leans over.

I follow her line of sight at the young man that's just sat beside her at the bar. 

‘Are you trying to set me up again?’ I counter, unimpressed with her tactics.

‘Oh, come on (Y/n)! Live a little!’ She sighs, exasperated as she takes a sip of her drink, ‘You live such a boring life nowadays!’ 

Giving her a look, I wrinkle my nose and copy her, wincing at the sweetness of whatever concoction she's ordered me from the bar - we've always had very different tastes in alcohol (and men) but I'm glad she's bought it. It can't have been a cheap drink, either, so I try to appreciate it.

‘What's that supposed to mean?’ I roll my eyes, grinning at her teasing. 

‘You know what I mean, (Y/n). No job, no lovelife, no sex. You live like a nun!’ I can tell she doesn't mean to be rude, but still, the comment annoys me. 

‘What's wrong with that?’ 

‘Well, nothing, it's just…boring, that's the only word for it!’ 

‘So what, your plan is to try and set me up with every and any man you come across who just happens to be single?’ I lift a brow.

‘Yeah.’ She shrugs, rifling through her handbag. I laugh at her candor, turning my face away to watch as my drink swirls in my glass. She mutters something I don't quite hear, but I ignore it.

‘Look, I might not have a job at the moment, but it's not because I'm not looking! My life doesn't, and hasn't ever revolved solely around work! Or relationships for that matter! Don't you remember that small-dicked prick from my last date? I feel like I'm traumatised just from the way he spoke about his own genitalia! Fucking sickening! My life isn't boring just because I don't have a partner-’ I cut my tirade short as I look beside me, finding my friend gone. 

Frowning, I look around, head snapping from side to side.

‘If you're looking for your friend, she said she was going for a smoke a minute ago,’ An unfamiliar voice fills me in, accented and smooth.

I turn, my eyes locking with a pair of piercing blue ones. The man my friend had pointed out earlier has angled his face towards me, revealing a generally handsome countenance, a strong cupids bow, somewhat upturned nose and a mess of dark hair on his head. She had been right - he is quite cute, really.

Realising I'm staring, I shake my head.

‘I didn't see her leave at all,’ I muse, trying to laugh awkwardly, ‘Thanks for letting me know.’

‘No worries,’ He replies, a small smile playing at his lips, ‘I quite enjoyed your little monologue.’

My face heats up. 

‘You…heard that?’ 

‘Hard not to.’ He smirks, lifting a brow, ‘I'm curious about the small-dicked-prick, though. Sounds like quite the guy.’

‘He wishes,’ I mutter back, trying hard to ignore the flutter in my stomach at the way he's looking at me.

‘That bad, hm?’ 

‘Worse than I let on.’ I give him a look and he nods in understanding, lips curling into a grin.

‘Enough said,’ He chuckles.

A quick moment of quiet descends on us, before I try to break it again.

‘So, what brings you here? You with someone?’ 

He fixes his gaze on me again and I'm struck by a certain sadness I'd not noticed in them before.

‘I'm here alone. Just felt like a drink,’ He replies, lifting his glass as if to prove his point, ‘You?’

‘Just needed a night away from real life,’ I laugh dryly, ‘Not been great for me.’

‘You and me both, it seems.’ He eyes me up and down, ‘I'm Tommy, by the way.’

‘(Y/n). Nice to meet you, Tommy.’ I reach out and shake his hand, feeling my pulse stutter at his strong grip around my palm. He has nice hands…soft, warm, gentle.

‘Nice to meet you, too.’

I look behind me, trying to locate my friend in the crowd again - she should really be back by now. Somewhat worried, I frown and concentrate, staring at random people until I know for certain they're not her. It's at that moment that I realise there's a napkin slipped under my drink, her neat handwriting scratched into it, wishing me luck with a somewhat conspiratorial smiley face. Not long after, I realise why she's done it.

‘Oh that sneaky little…’ I shake my head, pulling a face.

‘Everything alright?’ Tommy watches me closely, tilting his head.

‘Yeah, yeah. Just my friend…she's disappeared herself off so I can “get to know you”. She's trying to set us up,’ I explain, forming air quotes. 

He nods, unable to hide the smirk on his face. Tommy leans in, mischief glittering in his eyes.

‘Is it working?’ He grins, apparently joking. 

‘I can neither deny, nor confirm,’ I wink back at him, laughing with him. Carefully, I slip into the seat beside him. 

‘What do you do, Tommy?” I ask him, ‘Might as well try and get to know you.’

‘Tactful,’ He quips, shooting me a glance, ‘I'm…out of a job at the moment, but I was in a comedy act with my- a colleague.’

I don't miss his corrections, but I don't pry. His face has gone neutral again, clearly not entirely willing to discuss it further. 

‘Sounds like fun. I wish I could do something as interesting as that,’ I sigh, resting my head on my hand, ‘I'm also out of a job at the moment. Hence why I'm trying to take some time away from real life…too stressful. My friend thinks I just need to get laid.’

‘Well, that's quite the diagnosis from her,’ He comments humorously. 

‘Indeed. I'm not sure about the logic behind it,’ I agree, finishing my drink. The alcohol has already gone to my head, three drinks deep as I am. 

‘Maybe she has a point,’ Tommy smirks, my face going a deep shade of red as I watch him rake his gaze down the length of my body. Something stirs inside me at the insinuation and I find myself leaning in again, breathing in the strong cologne surrounding him. 

‘Go on,’ I urge him on.

‘As they say, everyone needs to let off steam at some point. Helps distract you from life for a little while.’ His voice drops somewhat, resounding deep in my core. 

‘Does it, now?’ I play along, feeling excitement rise in me at the way things are panning out. 

‘Oh, yes,’ He grins, moving his face closer to mine so he's speaking into my ear, ‘Want me to prove it?’ 

It sends shivers through me.

‘If you think you're up to it,’ I reply, my breath hitching as I feel his hand brush my thigh, seemingly innocent to a bystander, but the implication is there. 

‘Come with me.’ He almost commands, standing up to lead me through the busy pub. 

We end up in a thankfully clean disabled toilet, Tommy locking the door behind us. A part of my brain wonders if this is a particularly smart idea, given that I met the man not fifteen minutes ago, but it's silenced when he crowds me back against the door, lips pressing insistently to mine. I can't help the gasp that escapes me, my hands moving up to cup his neck, one slipping into his dark hair as he melds our bodies together. His lips are as soft as they look, moving easily with mine, coaxing me into opening my mouth up to him. Deftly, Tommy slips his tongue inside, hands sliding down to grope at my arse, groaning into me. 

My eyes close and I enjoy the sudden new sensations racing through me. Maybe he and my friend were right…maybe letting off steam is just what I need. Every thought in my mind breaks off as he squeezes my arse again, pushing his hips against mine.

And then suddenly, it stops. 

Tommy steps back, nearly stumbling in his haste to get away. I blink, mouth opening and closing as I try to find the right words, watching as he turns away, bent over by the sink. Something about him is off, his posture tense, knuckles going white where he's gripping the porcelain. 

‘Tommy? What's wrong?’ I ask him carefully, hesitantly, ‘Did I do something?’

Jerkily, he shakes his head, his voice unsteady as he speaks.

‘N-no, it's me, don't worry.’

‘What do you mean?’ I press him gently, going over. 

Gently, I lay a hand on his back, eyes going wide as he tries to move away. 

‘Tommy?’ 

He doesn't lift his head to reply, sitting on the closed toilet instead. His hands move to cover his face. 

‘I'm sorry, (Y/n). Really, it's nothing to do with you. It's just,’ He takes a deep breath, ‘I'm not having a great time at the moment, and I'm worried I'm doing this just as a distraction. The things that have happened…they've kinda fucked me up, and I don't want to make it any worse. I'm sorry, I really am, I just don't want to get caught up in a one-night fling.’

I stand there, speechless for a long moment until I drop to my knees in front of him. Taking his hands in mine, I try to meet his blue eyes. 

‘It doesn't have to be a one-time thing.’

He frowns, looking at me, ‘What?’

‘You seem like a nice guy, you've not pissed me off yet or anything…it'd be nice to try and make a go of it, if you also want to? Even if it's nothing serious at first…’ I blurt out, hoping I'm not being too forward. 

‘Not pissed you off yet,’ He chuckles dryly.

‘And if you do at some point, we can cross that bridge. For now, I want to get to know you a little better. You don't need to tell me everything, of course, but I just wanna maybe, I don't know, go on a date or something?’ I sit back on my heels, biting my lip bashfully. 

Tommy just gazes down at me for a moment. I can't help but admire him, totally struck by how handsome he is. 

‘I'd like that, too.’ He finally murmurs softly, smiling. 

I can't help the grin that breaks out across my face. Before I can stop myself, I lunges forwards and pull him into a hug, wrapping myself around his lithe form. He hesitates, but pulls me in closer after a second, pressing his face into my neck. 

‘And who knows, you and I could be the making of each other,’ I laugh, silently hoping that that's the case, pulling back. 

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