Notes and a Disclaimer: I don't own them. If I did, I wouldn't be living here where I do now.
There are no spoilers in this little fic. I don't even remember what started it, considering its been sitting on my 'puter for months, finished and lonely. I hope you enjoy.
As always, I hope that you enjoy this. It is not beta'd. tho I would still like to give thanks to the incomparable Shallan, as well as the ever generous wolfpup for housing these scratchings of mine. Only the Gods know why she puts up with us all, but I'm grateful none the less that she does. Blessed be to all of you, and thank-you to the Goddess for all that she's given me.
Anna Rennie-Clark
sym*bi*o*sis
n. pl. sym*bi*o*ses
1. Biology. A close, prolonged association between two or more different organisms of
different species that may, but does not necessarily, benefit each member.
2. A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
Jim and Blair lay together in each other's arms. If someone, a stranger to their bond, were to happen upon this scene, they might think the two men lovers. While the love they shared went deeper than most any, on this occasion it was not the case. It had become of a situation, born of necessity, to survive. Their togetherness was a true example of symbiosis in its most beneficial form.
A late fall camping trip, arranged to help relieve stress and recharge from a terrible case, had turned critical when an unexpected snow storm had slammed the region where they'd chosen to unwind in. Because the snow had started so swiftly, and fallen so heavily, the partners had been caught unawares. They were unprepared, did not have adequate supplies or sleeping bags or gear, for the severe temperatures.
Thus did the necessity of the sharing of body heat become reality. There had been some nervousness, masked by male humor, but soon enough the two overcame their fear and settled down for the long night. They knew it would be some time before the storm blew itself out, and since the two had also been unable to get a call out on their cell phones, no help or support would be forthcoming.
Sentinel and Guide were on their own.
So, as the night progressed, Jim slept as deeply as he always did, which was to say that he'd be fully awake at the first hint of danger. Blair, for all his deep-seated hatred of cold, was dead to the world. He slept knowing he'd be safe in the arms of his sentinel, and in this case it was quite literal. Under two unzipped sleeping bags, and skin to skin, Jim and Blair were very comfortable. They were not the only ones.
Curled around them, each to their respective human, were the totems of Sentinel and Guide. The Jaguar was stretched with his stomach against Jim's back, with his large, deadly, paws curled together so as to be harmless. The Wolf was curled into a loose ball, curved into the curve of Blair's stomach. His paws were resting against himself. One of Blair's arms had come to rest across the lupine's ribs in his sleep.
All in all, it was a very warm and comfortable picture.
The perfect example of symbiosis.
THE END