A breath of the cool air, another winter's morning, and everything was quiet. Matt sat outside in spite of the low temperature, hands in his pockets as he listened to the rustling of fallen leaves and twittering birds. He'd invited Del up, who was busy loading up his quads for a trek into the white gloss of ice and snow. They'd gone riding in the sand during the summer, earning some dust in their hair and an hour of whipping their clothes free of the course particles. He smiled, always glad to have a friend matching his heart for excitement and adventure. He'd sit outside a bit longer, then maybe set out some coffee, the day just in its early hours of sunlight.

Isabella sat on the couch, fingers tapping at her screen, deep in conversation with Miranda and friends, laughing about their days out. They'd gone bowling, joyous laughter all around as they'd tossed a few strikes, and more than a fair share of gutters. Their next day was karaoke, and boy was it more laughing to tears than actual singing. And lastly was an old classic of good old gossip. All the gushing and joking of all the girls was a story to tell were it not so hush-hush. She was then texted by Miranda that she and Del were just about there, having brought some friends along. They were all Miranda's science friends from her tech firm, Del getting extra gas money out of it for the distance. As long as Matt was okay then it'd be fine, he was always open to making new friends, having been breaking out of his shell.

Matt was glaring at Del as his passengers disembarked, marvelling at the snow and the quaint little cabin before them. "Heya, brother! Sorry I didn't call, I forgot to charge my phone. Miranda asked if she could bring some friends along and I was cool with it. So, how you been?" Delta greeted, not getting a response from Matt as he marched past to stand before the extra guests. They stopped their private conversation and stood quiet as their host was busy looking over each of them. Slowly creeping over his face was a smile, followed by a short laugh. "Oh man, the looks on your faces! Whew, you all looked like I was gonna explode! Anyway, welcome all, I will be your host for as long as Del's battery can last, it is quite cold after all. Come, I'll help you get comfy, just no shoes on the tables or furniture, this place is a weekend rental." Matt said aloud, gesturing to the new additions, shaking hands with each and helping with a struggling straggler, backpack a little unbalanced.

Isabella greeted them as they stepped inside, hugging the girls that went with her and Miranda on their nights out. Matt had played the uninviting host gag, seeing their tails dip at his presence before breaking the facade. It always got people when Matt started being himself a bit more, less solitary and more engaged, often drawing people in with his ability to find common ground. He had been the subject of brain picking from Miranda as she worked on her homework and studies for psychology, Del having been a valuable part of her work. Everyone was getting settled for the day, as Miranda and company had a presentation to work on after they left that could get them in the local paper or another semester on the backburner.

"Hey, Bella, see you're looking stylish as ever. You mind helping me on some reading? Miranda told me that you had a good brain in that case." Said one of Miranda's colleagues, a heavily wrapped mountain lioness with foggy glasses. She wanted to be a therapist, after having taken many courses in high school and getting books from her older sister, a librarian. "Of course! What'll it be today?" She replied, scooting over to help any way she could. Miranda's friends all wanted to be something profitable, but Miranda had a dream of a common goal, that lied in the hearts and minds of those who were looking for a better tomorrow.

Matt was talking with Delta, telling one of Miranda's buddies about a time they had commandeered a helicopter to fly over to their friend Charlie several states over to deliver a gaming headset. "And I was sitting as co-pilot, no clue how any if the lights or gauges worked, but Matt was like part of the machine. It was scary at first and I nearly took us into a very tall tree." Delta explained, Matt laughing, listening to their company's bated response to what came next. Matt felt invigorated by trying to be more of a people person, always with the potential to be one, but only just recently feeling it to be rewarding. He had for his whole life longed for friends he could hear and be heard by, and he was becoming a better version of himself for it. Some dreams taking their time, but that light would overcome the shadow of personal fear.

Isabella could see Matt enjoying himself, playing a few more gags on the guests and bringing life to the room like he'd never tried before. She'd been working with her company to answer a few simple case-by-case questions. All very riveting stuff, and some questions making Isabella see more of herself in a new light. She still felt plagued by abandonment issues about her brother, but she was getting better. Matt had seen it at her lowest times, and he asked her if she'd be fine, but she lied. She nearly broke down as she got a bit of counseling about it from Miranda's friend, now feeling less shackled by what she couldn't control. She knew Matt would've helped if he could, but she had to come into her own as an individual.

"Hey, Del, today was great, really great. But please, text before you bring extras, brother? I'm nearly out of food for the next couple of days. I mean, like out of microwaveables, there's everything else that actually requires effort." Matt began, ending with humor and a hug to his best friend. "You take care now, brother. We'll hang out again soon." Delta replied, patting Matt on the back. Their affection was akin to familial brotherhood, even with disagreements they bounced back with a joke or idle chat. Isabella hugged Miranda and her friend, thanking them for coming out. The daylight was fading orange as Delta and company rode off, waving in the mirror. And they were alone again.

Isabella walked close to Matt, his hands in his pockets as he let out a sigh of relief. "So, that was, well, more work than work actually. Did I do good? More people-friendly perhaps?" Matt asked, turning to look at Isabella gazing at him. He was certainly the life of the room, breaking out of his usual reserved demeanor. Isabella had watched him draw everyone in and how they all stuck to him like moths to a flame. She was glad to say the least, that they both had overcome their own problems alone. "Matt, they enjoyed your company, and everything about it was genuine. I think you're showing a side of yourself that you didn't think you had." Isabella replied, pressing against him, feeling his warmth in the cool air.

They strode back inside, locking the doors, turning up the heater, and standing at the back window. They rocked side-to-side and began dancing slowly, smiling all the while, the sun setting slowly. "I saw you with Miranda's friend on the couch talking. She was the one trying to be a psychologist, right?" Matt asked, seeing Isabella nod. "Yeah, I was, whew, I was being counseled about my brother. I've been so guilty about something I couldn't control that I felt like I was being a drag on us. But she helped me overcome that feeling, but I'm still settling about his leaving." She explained, voice growing somber, but she cleared her throat, smile returning. Matt told her about his time, seeing Isabella laugh and expressions shift was another joy he had. She told him about Miranda's ambition for a better world, Matt smiling at the prospect.

"You know, today was a good day for us as individuals. You rose above your past, and I see that glimmer in your eyes, that maybe one day it'll all be better." Matt reminisced of the day's activities. "And you were a better you, happier, more outgoing. My lighthouse, shining in the fog. Always there, a beacon through the worst, a pillar through the best." She replied, head against his chest. He started humming a familiar tune, one more uncommon to his usual songs, but with a deep meaning. He quietly broke into song, arm around her back, as she did the same. "...something was bound to go right sometime today, all these broken pieces fit together, to make a picture of us..." Matt sang, a meaningful verse from a lengthy song, its tone shifting from fearful to hopeful. She had heard him sing it in the shower, from start to finish, mixing up a word or two, but he kept on, and she'd stand around to hear him like her own private concert. She joined in, unfamiliar with the words, but feeling the meaning behind each one. And they stood together, a perfect picture of them, all they could see for miles, and it was just them.

This awesome piece was done by the talented: https://www.furaffinity.net/user/szaris/

The song in reference is to the final part, Daybreak, of Snow Patrol's "The Lightning Strike"

Matt and Isabella are Mine