Chapter Text
Ash fell from the sky.
Well not ash.
There had been another accident at the coal mines at the beginning of the winter season. The falling snow combined with the black coal dust to form black snow.
Ash—as the locals were fond of calling it—gathered on the sidewalk, probably staining it, as Vin made her way down the street.
It was cold. Most people had huddled themselves in their homes when the weather report stated it would be the coldest day the country had ever seen. Those who were out, fervently rubbed their arms over their many layers, trying to get warmer as they carried on with their business. Their bodies shook with the effort to fight the cold.
Vin was shaking as well, as she fought the heavily falling ash to get to Elend’s building, but not because of the cold.
She quickly stepped into the complex, shaking herself off in the lobby. Her eyes took some time to adjust to the bright light, opposed to the near darkness outside.
“Hello Miss Vin.”
Vin usually stopped to talk to Noorden when she was visiting Elend but not today. She waved at him and made quick steps to the elevator.
There was a pressure behind her eyes as she waited to be brought to Elend’s floor. Her head was pounding and she felt a bit nauseous as the space in front of her began to spin.
She closed her eyes and leaned against the wall to fight off the dizzy spell.
Finally, she arrived and with quick short strides she was in front of his door.
Her knocks were louder and firmer than usual. It was only five seconds but Elend hadn’t opened the door.
She panicked.
Her fists slammed repeatedly against the door.
“Elend! El-“
The door opened.
“Vin?” he looked confused. “Why didn’t you use your ke-“
Her boyfriend’s words were cut off when she threw herself against him. Her arms were painfully tight around his waist, her face buried in his chest. She breathed him in.
He smelled like old books, ink and those awful sugary sweets he loved so much. He smelled like home. Safety.
His arms immediately went around her
“Vin? What’s wrong?” He sounded worried. So afraid that something had happened to her.
She broke into sobs.
He moved swiftly. Pulling her closer to him as he stepped back and closed the door. One arm remained around her while the other slid under the knees and lifted.
Vin buried her face in the junction between his neck and shoulders as he carried her away.
She felt herself being lowered and tightened her arms around him.
“Don’t leave,” she cried.
He shushed her. “I’m right here.”
She felt the silk sheets beneath her cheek. They were in his room. Elend moved next to her and she didn’t hesitate to wrap herself around him.
Elend rubbed her back as she slowly calmed down. He didn’t push her. Just waited for her to talk. Sweet, caring Elend. Always so careful with her.
“OreSeur died today,” she finally said. “He’d been acting strange so I took him to the vet,” her voice broke. “They had to put him down.”
She felt more tears pool in her eyes and pressed herself against Elend, letting his shirt collect the drops.
It didn’t make sense. She had hated that dog. She always complained how she had never wanted him in the first place. How he always made a mess and constantly ran off, forcing her to chase after him.
But she had never given him up or stopped taking care of him because OreSeur had been Kelsier’s dog.
He’d been given to her as per Kelsier’s will, along with money and property, when he had gone and gotten himself killed at a protest.
He’d been Kelsier’s.
He’d been her dad’s.
Vin felt a sob break through her clenched jaw.
Elend’s arms tightened around her and he pressed his lips against her hair.
She didn’t need to explain.
He understood.