Davide la Locomotive

Some evenings need words. Some need soup. And some just need a hug that already knows.

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It was winter, and the evenings came early.
Snow still clung to the edges of the windowsill when Fluffytail came home from work, brushing cold off their red fur, leaving tiny flakes melting on the floorboards.

Barney was in the kitchen, making dinner. The room smelled of freshly baked bread. The soup burped softly in the pot, and the smell of thyme drifted into the hallway.

“My leg is sore,” said Fluffytail.

Barney wiped his paws and gave Fluffytail a long, gentle hug.
His fur smelled faintly of woodsmoke.
Then he turned back to the pot, stirring slowly as the steam curled upward.

A few moments later, Fluffytail said,
“It’s still quite sore.
I think I might have a limp.”

Barney smiled. He put down the spoon,
wrapped his big arms around Fluffytail again,
and held them until the cold started to melt away.

Then he picked up the spoon again, letting the soup bubble on.

After a little while, Fluffytail’s voice was softer.
“I think I might always have a limp,” they said.

Barney didn’t mind. He turned,
picked Fluffytail up off the floor,
and hugged them so tightly that Fluffytail buried their head deep into his warm fur.

For a long time they stayed like that,
while the soup bubbled and the snow tapped on the window.

After a while, Fluffytail whispered,
“I didn’t really have a sore leg.”

“I know,” said Barney,
and kept hugging.

Sometimes you just need someone to hold you
until the day feels lighter again.

The truest friends hear what you need,
not just what you say.

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