In Need of Mama - Short Affair - Nov 28th

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Prompts - Samovar/Pale Yellow
Word Count - 353

This is nowhere near as what I wanted it to be, but I've been ill for the last 3 days, so this is the best I can do for now. I will add it to my already teetering 'to be expanded' pile.

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Illya Kuryakin rarely suffered from homesickness, but when he did, it wasn’t for a place. The thing which caused his heart to ache was a time, and the people who occupied it. The only relationship he’d had with his mother was one of a young child. As such, when he felt the absence of her, it was as that same child. Illya’s yearning for her was most acute when he was badly injured. The eight year old in him wanted comfort only from her and no-one else would do. Most people didn’t know that these feelings were within him, and often mistook his ill-temper as something else.

Illya had just arrived home following a three weeks in medical. He had once again borne the brunt of a vicious THRUSH torture session, which had left him fighting for his life. His doctor had wanted to keep him for at least another week, but Illya had insisted on leaving. So, after promising not to set foot in HQ for at least seven days, he was allowed to go home.

Before doing anything else, Illya took a shower; resolutely ignoring his latest crop of marks. The scars were still fairly vivid, but the bruising had already faded to a pale yellow. Once dried and dressed he made his way to the kitchen.

He tried to tell himself that, as a grown man, and ex-member of the KGB, wanting a hug from his mother was ridiculous. Unfortunately, the need outweighed the reason, and the impossibility of it only made him yearn all the more. In these instances Illya’s only course of action was to do something which linked him back to that time. When he was at home, this meant making a glass of tea.

Ordinarily, Illya would simply use his electric kettle, but today called for his samovar. The act echoed that of every other Russian, and therefore, that of his mother at some point in history. He may not be able to physically hold his mama but, making the tea the way she had taught him, got him as close to her as he could.

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Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Oh this was wonderful and so true. No matter what our age sometimes we all wish for one more hug from our mother. My mom taught me how to make tea, so it holds a special memory for me too. You really touch me with this one. Am missing my mom...

PS am up to around 10,000 words. Holy Cow!

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you 😊
I'm you liked it, but I hope I haven't made you feel sad. I see my mother everyday but I have no idea what her hugs feel like. We have never been a 'showing affection' kind of family. Which isn't great really.

10,000 words?! Are you writing it, or has it hijacked you? lol.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Actually my mom wasn't a hugger either, but I still miss her terribly at times. There's so many questions that she could answer, but isn't here to do so anymore.

At least you still have your family around. Ask those questions while you still can...

Oh my story highjacked me big time! I can't believe I've written 10,000+ words since yesterday. I think it's a record for me. I thought it was finished by now I thought of a couple more things I'd like to work in.

I think between the pic combined with your samovar prompt are what really clicked for me.

I have to go to my music session tonight, so I'll finish the story when I get home...late. Then I have to divvy it up into post-able chapters.

[jkkitty.livejournal.com]

Beautiful, I, at 67, frequently would love a hug from my mom and dad. And little things we did often makes it better.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
It's nice to know that I hit the right note with this.

[pfrye.livejournal.com]

For me it's my Dad - always much closer to him than my Mom. Good memories - understand the story so well. Lovely.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
I've been surprised at how much this story is resonating with people. I didn't think I'd done it justice.

[pfrye.livejournal.com]

Oh very much so - give yourself mucho credit

[laurose8.livejournal.com]

Touching, convincing and a fine success in a difficult format. Also, excellent explanation of Illya's hospital surl.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
I too think it explains his surliness quite well.

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

So sweet. I can imagine him finding comfort in making tea his traditional way, just like he watched his mother make it.

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

Thank you :-)
It's the little things that stay with us the longest I feel.