It was round 3am when they fell out onto the street and stumbled home. The air was still. Only the low rumble of the ocean and the occasional call of a bird broke the silence. The sky was clear and the stars shone brightly. A planet rising in the late October sky. Everything stood still for a moment. Watching. The world was watching.

Their feet shuffled and their breathing was heavy, bodies made slow by alcohol and cigarettes. The conversation was broken as they clung to each other for support. Helping each other walk. She was short. Blonde. Small. A loud voice that sung out with statements and laughter. Occasionally her legs gave way and she would fall into a fit of giggles. He chuckled. Aware of his own inebriated state, and sat down beside her on the edge of the gutter on a hill overlooking the town below. The air was cold, their breath visible as he rubbed his hands together to keep them warm. 'How far?' She asked, blinded by the alcohol. Everything was spinning for her, all she could do was look at her feet and hope they would keep walking. Yet there they sat, on the side of the road. He looked up at the sky and took it in. For a moment, they were in harmony. The man and the world. Just a moment. The bird and the waves and the breeze and the trees were looking down at him, and he was looking back. His drunkenness lifted, sobered up by the sharpness of the nature around him.

She had fallen asleep in his lap. A little smile showing on her face. Leaning back he sighed and let it all just be. Let it all just be as it was. Thinking back to the party, the voices, the dancing, the people. And to where he was going and everyone around him that seemed to always be in moving state, it was nice just to stop.

Whisky. He had a flask. A sip warmed his throat and gave him energy to get up again. "Come on, you.." He gently helped her to her feet, and piggy backed her down the hill. The faint roaring of the ocean never relenting, the sounds of owls hunting, the breeze stroking his cheek. She hugged him. She hugged him and rested her cheek against his neck. Nestling in as a cub into a mother for warmth. Occasionally she let out a little laugh.

At the house he started a fire. Made a pot of tea for them both and lay a blanket over them. Peaceful. Calm. The roaring of the ocean a lullaby. It was late. The sun would start rising soon. Eyes started to droop. Breathing slowed. And they both fell asleep on the sofa. Fire crackling. Tea steaming until cold. Nestled like little bears keeping warm. The world watched.