Facing The Cold With A Friend And A Bucket

20260807

Written for “Smogust’s Story Hoard”, prompt 5.

Laura peered out at the swirling snow. “Cripes. What is this, the sixth day running?”
:It was hailing, yesterday.: Chester pointed out in a reasonable, stoically forlorn mental tone.
“Ugh, that’s right. We barely got any sleep.” Laura sighed and turned away from the depressing window. “Apparently they still haven’t figured out what’s causing this storm, either, so who knows how long we’ll be stuck indoors.”
Chester grumbled, his frills drooping. The apartment was only just large enough for him to fully open his wings, let alone stretch. When Laura had answered the “Can you host a dragon” volunteer call, she’d told them she could bunk with a small dragon. Turns out their definition of “small” differed from hers.
:Much better than being out there.: Chester assured her with a shudder. :Thanks SO much.:
“Aw, the pleasure’s mine, truly.” Laura smiled and stretched up to pat his shoulder. “I mean, not only are you great company, you’re paying for your own food and saving me a ton on heating.”
Turned out, dragons doubled as space heaters. Kind of obvious once she’d thought about it. But that coupled with this small one-room space meant she was perfectly comfortable despite the negative temperatures and harsh winds outside.
Chester puffed on the glass and pouted at his misty reflection.
“It’ll stop soon.” Laura said, half to herself and half to the dragon. “Or someone will figure out how to disperse it. Something will happen. It can’t go on forever.”
Chester turned from the window to give her a pensive, concerned look. :You’re worried.:
“…I guess.” Laura muttered, rubbing her arms. “Just, kinda, part of me’s freaking out about ‘what if it doesn't ever stop, what if this is the end of the world’, all that kinda silliness.”
:Hm.: Chester digested this, his eyes sliding almost shut. :Do you have any books you’ve always wanted to read?:
“Uhhh I guess?”
:Let’s read some, then.: Chester gave a decisive half flap which sounded like clapping. :It’ll be better than freaking out. And if the world DOES end, you’ve done more of what you’ve always wanted to do than you might have. And if it DOESN’T end, we had fun.:
Laura rested her hands on her hips and considered this. She smiled. “Is that dragon philosophy? Cause whatever it is, I dig it.”
:It’s certainly CHESTER philosophy.: Chester thought modestly. :If we’re stuck inside, we might as well empty some buckets. Or fill them. I’m not sure which way ‘bucket lists’ are supposed to work.:
“Me neither. Either way, let me put coffee on and we can pick a book.”
Coffee machine burbling peacefully, cosy sofa, new friend curled up in the middle of the room radiating heat and cheerful anticipation…
She was pretty sure the world wasn’t actually ending. But, if it was… there were far worse ways to face the end.
Might as well fill some metaphorical buckets while they had the chance.

Prompt was “The world outside is falling apart at the seams. The only safety for dragons and others is indoors, away from the chaos and destruction.”