Aria
She slipped in, then followed him to their room, and watched as he got the door open. The moment the click happened, her smile was even brighter, and she beamed up at him. He was officially living here with her, and they were going to enter their home finally, for the first time. She slipped in and said "Welcome home, love." She went over to the bed, and set GiGa down, then put her bags against the wall, before streeeeeeeeeetching, letting her back pop.

She turned to him, waiting for him to put his stuff down. Once he did she moved over to him, and pulled him to her, before giving him a warm kiss, arms around his shoulders.

Pao
Once he had his share of stuff down he happily moved into her arms, his own wrapping around her as they shared a very loving, very tender kiss. It felt like something of a welcome to him, which had him smiling into the kiss.

Maybe he was a little too excited about it all too, because once they paused to take a breath he picked her up, smile bright as ever, and slowly walked over to the bed. "Thanks for the welcome, baby," he said softly, "feels good to be home, finally."

Aria
She eeped a little as he picked her up, still not used to him doing that, but also enjoying it every time. She rested her forehead against him, a warm smile on her lips, just filled with simple happiness at being here, with the person that mattered most in the world to her, the person she'd do just about anything for, to make him happy.

"Always, love... It feels good to know you're here, and home." She didn't care how overly excited he was. She kind of felt excited too. She had never had a place truly feel like home before, but now, this room was shared with him, and it made it so much more of home then it could have ever been when it was just here, living alone.

Pao
"Yeah," he murmured softly as he took a seat on the bed. Their bed, as it were. The thoughts of labeling most everything in this room as "theirs" were incredibly pervasive, and it kept him smiling warm and lovingly up at her. Softly he kissed her again, a hand moving to her cheek once she was settled on his lap, full of as much love as he could muster up in a kiss.

Aria
She cuddled in against him, kissing him back, eyes drifting close to enjoy this peace and quiet. No more having to carry clothes back and forth, no more wondering if he'd come over if he had a late duty... He'd come home to her, here, and no worries about waking her or being locked out. This was a wonderful day, and she felt like life was just going to keep getting better.

Pao
It was a long moment before he pulled back, not far but he pulled back. He rested his forehead gently against hers, eyes closed as he wondered again what he could have possibly done to deserve her in his life, wondering what he could have possibly done that she would love him as much as she showed him every single day that they were together.

He took a deep breath, trying not to get too wrapped up in what he used to consider very sappy, very cheesy types of thoughts. He didn't care now because he was just completely head over heels in love with her, but he used to, which was maybe a small yet still somehow significant change in his mind. And he kissed her again, short and sweet and through a smile.

"I've said a ton of times already but can I say it again?" he asked, almost in a playful tone but still serious. "I wanna say it again."

Aria
She wondered what was going through his mind as he rested his head like that against her. She had no idea, but given he seemed to be happy and smiling, she assumed it was good things. She just watched him, quietly, not moving other than to breath, admiring his features as she pondered what could possibly be going through his head. He was sometimes a mystery to her, but one she enjoyed slowly unraveling.

The kiss was returned with love and joy, and when he asked his question, she laughed, a sound of delight and joy. "Of course you can say it, Rhys. You can say it any time you want." She hugged him tight for a second, and added "You wonderful, silly man."

Pao
Her laugh had so far never failed to make him smile, and this time was no exception to that. It was as much music to his ears as it had been the first time he heard it. When she gave him the green light he laughed in turn, light and perfectly full of joy. "I love you, Seren," he said quietly, hugging her close. Before she could pull away he fell back on the bed, happy to lay there like that in her arms for a long minute.

"I hope I get better at reminding you of that every single day."

Aria
She beamed at his laugh, because she loved to hear it. The rich sound seemed to wrap around her, and would leave her feeling safe and warm, just like she felt when in his arms. "I love you too, Rhys." She murmured back, happily laying back with him. She had no intention of moving until she had to, because then she might have to see if she had duty this evening. Right now, she could pretend not, for a little while longer at least.

"You remind me of it every day... You manage to remind me of it most hours, honestly. I have never felt so happy in my life."

Pao
"I do?" he murmured, eyes closed now. If they fell asleep like that and showed up late to their assignments later, assuming they had any, it would be worth it, at least in his mind. "I've never felt happier, either, all 'cause of you. So...thank you, baby."

His arms wrapped around her just a little bit tighter as he took another breath, wondering what his life would be like if she'd never shown up in it. He didn't have to wonder long; no doubt he would just be continually floating through life in Deus, just existing as opposed to really living. And that was most definitely because of her.

Aria
She smiled some and said "You do. I don't have words for all the ways you do." She lay there, watching him relax, and her smile got softer, but happier. "You're welcome. Making you happy is one of the best things in my life, babe, cause you're the best thing in my life." Maybe it was sappy, but it was true. Seeing his reactions when she did something that made him happy always made her feel so good.

She felt her phone buzz in her pocket and made a mmmmf! sound, annoyed and not wanting to move... Not even the little bit it would take to get her phone out and check it. She lay there, snuggled on him, for another five minutes or so before she made herself be responsible and check the message. It was notifying her she had to be at the kitchens by 4 for dinner prep duty, and she sighed at it.

Pao
He was about to reply with a little bit of a sappy line as well when her phone suddenly buzzed, and her reaction had him laughing again. Instead of replying he just held her silently, happy to indulge in both of their desires to not do anything for a little while longer since the just got back from leave and all.

When she eventually checked though, he did as well. Sure enough there was a message waiting for him--his phone had been on silent--telling him that he was due at the Lighthouse for the night. He groaned at that, head falling back onto the bed. "Fuuuuuuck me..." he muttered, dropping his phone onto the bed beside him. "First night back and I'm assigned night duty...gotta be ********' kidding me."

Aria
She arched a brow at the ******** me comment, and considered teasing him, the way he had teased her back in that spar a few weeks ago, but decides not to go down that route, thinking perhaps that this is a place that might, since she now knows the secret, be a little too sensitive for her to tease him on and have it not come across as unintentionally cruel.

"Mmm do you have to go before, or after dinner? If you have to go before, I'll make you something and bring it to you, baby." She smiled up at him, trying to make it at least a little better for him. "You can take some of the croissants, too, as a snack..." She hugged him tight, and added "What time do you get off shift?"

Pao
He grabbed the phone again and checked the message before answering, "After," in a clipped sort of tone. He appreciated the comfort she brought though, with her offer and despite his irritation he managed to give her a smile as he hugged her back. "Morning, baby, just around sunrise." Which irritated him even more, but at least it meant after his morning run (and yes he would still go on that even though he was pulling an all-nighter) he could sleep in 'til noon.

The brunette sighed again and turned his head so he could face her properly, frowning. "First night at home won't be tonight, though, so it's just kinda a bummer. But croissants would be a good pick-me-up kinda snack."

Aria
She looked a little disappointed that he'd be gone for the full night, and sighed, shifting enough that she could give him a warm, and loving kiss, arms tight around him. After she broke the kiss, she said "Then we'll make sure tomorrow you get a good night's sleep here at home, and they can go suck it" She wasn't happy, at all, about the idea of sleeping alone tonight.

She had a feeling she wasn't going to have the best sleep tonight, and hoped they didn't give her a morning duty tomorrow... after their run tomorrow, she was going to want to come back here and snuggle up with him. For now, though, they didn't have to move for a few hours and she had no intention of doing so, therefore.

Pao
He grinned, hugging her tight for a moment. "Two overnight watches in a row doesn't happen, I don't think," he said on a sigh, "but if it does we'll deal and make up for it on other nights." He wasn't too thrilled about it either, but work was work and they would have nights when they would have to be alone. He was trying to suck it up now...and all it was doing was making him wish time would stop so they could just lie there like that for longer than a few hours before she had to go off to the kitchen.

He slipped his shoes off and adjusted them so they were properly, fully on the bed before he snuggled in again. "I'll unpack our stuff later, after you leave," he murmured, "and you can wear my shirt tonight if it'll make it easier for you to sleep..."

Aria
She toed off her boots, resting her head against him. "I really hope it doesn't, babe, because two nights of not sleeping with you means I'll be most grumpy at the rest of the world." She sighed and shook her head, just a little, wishing the world would stop trying to intrude, while logically knowing that's not how it works, or should work. She just sometimes wished they didn't need to deal with everyone else, most of the time.

"Mmm you're the best, as always. But just leave my bag of... supplies... in the bag. I'll deal with that later. Please?" She didn't want him to be surprised by what she'd gotten along with those supplies... For the same reason she'd made the purchase somewhat quietly. She didn't want him to feel she was impatient, or pressuring him. She just wanted to be ready. Just in case.

Pao
"Yeah, life kinda goes to s**t if I've gotta be up all night two nights in a row and you're not in the picture." The implication got a smirk out of him but he sighed and let it go without any additional comment.

"Sure," he eventually nodded to her request. It was a little odd but wanting to keep lady supplies private wasn't exactly something he considered a "secret" so he let it go easily. "Which duffle was that in again? Or...did you put it in a duffle?"

Aria
She smiled a little at his words, then went pink for a moment as a different sort of being up all night with him popped into her head. Some day, perhaps. For now, though, she was just as happy being here and in his arms all night. Which made the fact that she wouldn't get that tonight a little more annoying, but she refocused on getting to be here now.

"Thanks, babe. It's in the big duffle, at one end. I just stuck the whole paper bag in. Just pop the whole bag out and put it on the desk, maybe?" She pointed at the largest drawer on the desk, and said "For future reference, I currently keep such supplies there, so you won't accidentally go hunting for a pen or something and be surprised. It's out of the way, and has room for the damn things."

Pao
He nodded and glanced over at the drawer she was referring to, committing it to memory. It would be a surprise that he had a feeling he'd come to at some point because he did forget things sometimes, but at least for now he knew and could remember to avoid it.

"Gotcha, I'll take care of all of it later then. For now..." he closed his eyes again and nuzzled into her hair. "Stay here. You gotta go in...how long?"

Aria
She sighed softly and glanced at her phone to see the time. "Got two hours, it's only 2 now..." She said, and closes her own eyes, not wanting to move from where they lay. "So we have some time. Did you have any plans, or did you just want to rest here for now?"

She hoped that the answer was rest, unless the plans involved not moving but lots of kissing. Kissing was an excellent other option.

Pao
"Two hours..." he echoed before considering her question with a huff of amusement. "Either rest or make out, but other than that no plans, babe. Whichever you're up for."

Aria
"Some of each sounds good." She said, honestly. "We have time for like... an hour long nap, and then some make out time, or vice versa, and still giving me time to make the walk over there." She grinned at him and said "You pick, what do you want to do first?"

Pao
He grinned right back, eyes narrowed as he pretended to consider. It was easily a no-brainer, but he gave pause anyway. And then his answer came when he leaned down and kissed her, soft and tentative for now. "I'm feelin' pretty rested," he whispered before kissing her again, this time gently pulling her in.

Aria
She arched a brow, watching his considering face, and then chuckles softly, moving with him into the kisses. "Me too..." She whispered back, enjoying the feeling of his lips against hers. Her hands slid up to run her fingers through his hair, eyes closed in comfort.

Pao
He hummed quietly when he felt her fingers in his hair, a sensation he absolutely loved. Gently he brought his hand to her cheek, caressing as they kissed. Between breaths he would sometimes whisper sweet little somethings through a loving smile, all the more wanting time to pause so this moment lasted a bit longer.

Aria
She gave a happy sigh at the feeling of his hand on her face, and the caresses. His touches made her happy, and the kisses were tiny moments of heaven. She would respond to his sweet little somethings with ones of her own, eyes bright with how happy she was with him, ignoring anything outside of him for now.

Pao
He wasn't paying any attention to anything else but her and them and this moment, gradually getting lost in it. He smiled soft and bright right back at her, sighing happily whenever she replied with whispers of her own.

He parted his lips against hers after a time, tongue teasing at her lower lip. Holding back with her had never been his strong suit...

Aria
She couldn't resist, for a moment, and found herself parting her own lips, and nibbling gently on his tongue, before she sighed and gently broke the kiss to rest her head against him. "Mmm are we getting close to the edge, babe?" She whispered, not wanting to push this for him right now. He'd have a frustrating enough night without having them push him farther then he was ready for. She wanted him, so badly, but she couldn't let herself risk that.

Pao
When she broke the kiss he was tempted to shake his head, but instead he sighed and let it be. Stopping sooner was a kind consideration on her part, and as badly as he wanted her they both knew he just wasn't there yet. Pushing the line was likely to lead to those same old frustrating feelings, so at the end of the day this was...better. At least for now.

"Not that close, actually," he replied, sighing again, "but this is cool, too."

Aria
"I just am not sure where the line is, and I don't want to risk hurting you by crossing it." She said and then gave him a simple kiss, eyes filled with her love for him. "And I know it's not a clear cut line, which is why you can't just tell me." Another small, loving kiss.

Pao
"I know," he said between the kisses. "And I love you for it, babe. Just...yeah." He didn't see a point in rehashing the details concerning his feelings on the issue, so he instead just focused on her being there with him, dealing with it all right alongside him. Because at the end of the day her being there was what mattered most, after all.

Aria
She sighed, wishing she could make this easier on him. She slid one hand to run a finger along his lip, eyes focused on his, trying to show him how much she loved him and wanted him here, and just plain wanted him. It was all she could really do here, but she'd do everything she could to make this better for him.

Pao
He focused on the love he saw in her eyes, managing a small smile before he kissed the finger she was running along his lip. It made such a difference, her just being there, and with another sigh he took her hand and twined their fingers together before settling it just above his heart.

"Best rest up for duty," he said quietly as he closed his eyes. "All we can do, right?"

Aria
The kiss to her finger made her smile, sweetly, at him and she tilted her head to kiss his cheek, loving and soft. The feeling of their hands over his heart just touched her, deeply, because it felt like something incredibly sweet and trusting somehow. She watched him close his eyes and admired his features for a long, silent moment.

"All right, babe." She shifted so she could use her free hand to set an alarm, to make sure she wouldn't be late to the kitchens.

Pao
He snuggled in as soon as she finished setting the alarm, a quiet smile settling on his face as they got comfortable. "Mm...sorry I won't be here tonight," he murmured, lifting their hands so he could kiss the back of hers before resting it above his heart again.

Aria
She returned the favor by leaning to kiss his knuckles, and murmured "While I'm sad you won't be, I in no way blame you, love. You didn't exactly pick when to be scheduled." She then shifts into a slightly more comfortable position, and rested her head on him, eyes drifting closed. Soon she was sleeping, and making soft little sounds in her sleep.

Pao
While she drifted off Rhys stayed up, though he kept his eyes closed. It was soothing just listening to her sleep, feeling the rise and fall of her chest just beside him. Eventually he did open his eyes, just enough that he could watch her. He wasn't sure how much time had passed before her alarm went off, but when it did he reached over and turned it off for her before he pressed a kiss to her forehead to wake her up that way.

"The kitchen's calling you, love," he said with a slight chuckle.

Aria
She kind of half started to wake with the alarm, and the kiss finished the job. She gave a siiiiigh, and slowly disentangled herself from him. "Dun wanna answer the call..." She half-joked, and stretched slowly. "But I guess I have to." She stood and picked up her phone, checking for messages, then, with a teasing grin, slipped it up and snapped a photo of him on their bed, before changing his contact photo to it, then slipped her phone in her pocket.

"If I don't see you before you go on duty..." She leaned over, and gave him a warm kiss, then said "I love you, and I'll miss you tonight."

She slipped out, to kitchen duty. It took longer than normal, because someone ended up sick and so everyone had extra duties, and she ate while on a short break during work. When she was off, she ran to shower, because she felt gross and sticky, then headed to the room, and changed for bed.

When Rhys came back the next morning for their run, he'd find her wearing one of his shirts for bed, her head on the pillow he usually used, and her arms tight around GiGa, as if she couldn't bear to not be snuggling something, now that she was used to having him there.

Pao
He blinked at the sight, touched and amused and apologetic all at once. "Cute," he murmured as he set his things down and leaned over her, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "Mornin' gorgeous," he whispered before kissing her again. "Hope you slept well..."

Aria
She slowly blinked her eyes open at the feeling of his lips on her head, and her eyes looked straight up at him, hazy from sleep, but filled with love and happiness at the sight of him. Her lips curled up into a smile, and she murmured "Morning, handsome... I slept. Don't know about well. Missed you."

Pao
"Better than not," he said as he took a seat on the bed beside her, his eyes mirroring the emotions in hers. "I missed you, too." Again he kissed her forehead, just wanting to be close but not quite cuddled up in bed because they still had a run to do. "Did you wanna run with me or wait 'til your usual time?"

Aria
She smiled a little, and sighed. "Wish you could have been here, getting good sleep." She slowly untangled herself from the sheets and the plush, turned over, and sat up. "Of course I wanna run with you. I hate running alone these days." She hugged him tight, then slipped out of the bed, moving to get her things.

Pao
Her agreement to run with him got a cheerful smile out of him, and after the hug he followed suit and started getting changed. "Hopefully I'll be here tonight," he said, slipping out of his jacket before starting to dig through his bag for his workout clothes. "If not, gonna sleep after this run and a shower. If you're free...?"

Aria
She grinned and started to brush her hair. "I'll have to check in a few, let me finish getting ready, then I'll see. I'm hoping I'll be free too, cause I'd love to nap with you." She focused on her hair for the moment. Once it was up and out of the way, she got into her workout clothes, and went to check her phone. "Mmmm dinner duty again, babe. I have the day free."

Pao
He was waiting just nearby, watching her with admiring eyes, that same cheerful smile on his face. He waited patiently, just watching, and when she finished up was when he moved toward her, wrapping his arms around her from behind. "Mm...good, we can catch up a little," he said as he nuzzled into her shoulder. "Checked mine earlier, I've got cleaning duty at noon, free after that. So tonight GiGa doesn't have to sub in for me."

Aria
She smiled over her shoulder at him, when he started holding her. She leaned back into him, eyes closing in comfort, and said "Mmm sounds good. Noon until when? Pity you have to work through lunch, though." She said curiously. "We gotta check the weekly schedule, so we can plan a day to move your stuff in too?" She rested her head against him, her eyes closed comfortably.

Pao
He sighed comfortably when she leaned against him, arms wrapping a bit tighter around her. "Noon 'til just before dinner," came a slow reply. "We can do brunch if you want? And yeah, planning for moving day would be good, too. Let's do that..."

He would have wanted for them to stay like that for much, much longer but that run beckoned, so after a beat he turned and kissed her lightly on her neck. "Let's talk and run, love?"

Aria
"Brunch sounds good... Run, nap, then brunch." She sighed softly and nodded. "We can look at the schedule on the way to brunch." She sighed softly and tilted her head in response to his kiss, eyes opening again, a bright smile on her face.

"All right, let's go." She gently pulled herself out of his arms, and slipped her hand down to his, before heading for the door. They couldn't run like that, maybe, but they could walk hand in hand as they headed out of the building.

Pao
He shot her a bright smile as well, and with the plan set and her hand in his Rhys followed her out of their room and out of the building. Once they were outside he finally let her hand go as he started stretching out.

"My pace or yours?" he asked, grinning over at her. "Or somewhere in between?"

Aria
She started to stretch, and arched a brow, brain mishearing that for a long moment. Her brain caught up to what he meant and why there was no L in one of those words, and she started to chuckle as she stretched, her eyes wrinkled up in her mirth.

After she finally stopped chuckling, she said "Your pace. Need to do some catch up after this leave, even if that ice skating was a lot more work then I ever expected it to be."

Pao
He wondered for a moment what was suddenly so amusing, but when she finally answered he nodded and waited for her to finish stretching before summoning Zephira. "Let's get to it then."

With that they started off on a rather lengthy run, going roughly an hour because he wasn't going he figured he could squeeze the gym in later after he got a bit of sleep in. Once they came back to a stop at the front of the dorm, breathless but finished at last. He started a cooldown stretch as soon as he de-summoned Zephira.

"Nice work," he managed between breaths.

Aria
She unsummoned Di and began to stretch, giving him a smile. Initially she was too out of breath to be able to respond, because he did work them hard. Then again, that's what she want him to do, so she didn't mind at all. When she caught her breath enough to respond, however, she said "Thanks, babe. That was a hard run, but definitely worth it."

Once she was stretched out, she said "I'm going to shower, I'll see you at our room." She gave his shoulder a squeeze, then darted inside and to the showers.

Pao
"Anytime," he replied, "and a shower sounds good." He followed her in and headed to the showers as well, showing up in their room in the usual towel-only manner once he was done. He toweled off quickly and slipped into some shorts and a tank top before falling back on the bed. Exhaustion was slowly creeping up on him and when she arrived she would find that he actually managed to doze off with his legs hanging off of the bed.

Aria
She smiled as she walked in, seeing him like that. She wanted to chuckle, because it was kind of adorable, but she controlled it so that she didn't wake him. She moved quietly, pulling on a night t-shirt, and walked over to the bed. She considered the situation, and then leaned down over him to give him a slow, soft kiss on the lips, in a gentle attempt at waking him up.

Pao
As soon as he felt her lips on his Rhys was awake, though his eyes stayed closed as he kissed her back with a quiet and happy hum. "Mm...you made it..." he murmured, smiling and opening his eyes into slits, just enough that he could see her despite the haze of being barely awake. "Fell asleep...so sleepy, babe..."

He closed his eyes again and made to move, except he didn't move even a little bit. He sort of just flopped in place and sighed. "Gimme a sec..."

Aria
She smiled back and murmured "Of course I made it. There was no terrible shower monster to prevent me from making it. You silly man." She ran her fingers through his hair, and murmured "Yeah, I'm not surprised you're sleepy. They really ought to have shift time changes happen more gradually, so it's not so hard on us." She moved back, to give him room to adjust.

When he flopped, however, she chuckled, and said "You need some help, babe? I could lift your legs while you shift. That just won't be comfortable for long periods of sleep."

Pao
"You'd probably kill it if there was some kinda shower monster," he said with a chuckle, leaning to her touch when she played with his hair again. "And it's whatever, I'll get over it..." Sure enough, even though he kept his eyes closed he put in enough energy to shift himself upward until he was finally beside her. And then he promptly flopped over and gave a satisfied huff. "Thanks for offering to help, babe."

He opened his arms to give her room to cuddle in again, smiling a sleepy, perhaps even silly looking, smile.

Aria
She laughed softly and said "I'd certainly do my damndest to kill it, but I'd rather not. I wanted a shower, not a battle." She watched him get up, and flop back down in moments, which caused her to chuckle quite a bit. "Of course, my gorgeous goof." She said, and moved over to the bed, gazing down at him lovingly.

When he opened his arms, she slipped into the bed, and his grasp, quite willingly, and leaned up to kiss that adorable and silly grin. "Love you, baby."

Pao
When she slipped into his arms it just felt so right, and he relaxed even more so as soon as his arms were around her. He chuckled at the kiss as he snuggled in, feeling sleep gradually begin to take an even stronger hold on him. "Mm, love you, too..." he replied slowly, quietly. Soon after he dipped into a very deep, very pleasant slumber.

Aria
She watched him fall asleep, arms moving to slip around him in turn. She made herself stay awake for a bit, enjoying how relaxed he looked, and memorizing this moment, before she finally closed her eyes, tucking herself against him as she liked to do, and soon drifted off to sleep, safe, warm, and happy.